Chapter 783: Better safe than sorry
Princess Hua'an entered the palace with carefully prepared gifts.
She first went to the imperial study to ask for an audience with the emperor.
However, the emperor never met her and sent her away with just one sentence: he was too busy.
In desperation, she could only give the gift to Eunuch Chang.
"I heard that the Imperial Concubine loves gourmet food.
These are the specialty pastries that I specially asked my chef to prepare.
The chef in my family may not be good at other things, but he is an expert at making pastries. Even rich people outside cannot match him.
It also includes the recipes for these pastries.
In addition, there are some supplements that are very beneficial for women to maintain their health.
I hope that you can help me pass it on to the Emperor.
This time it was Yu Ran who was confused. I have already gone back and severely taught her a lesson. I promise that such a thing will not happen again.
I hope the emperor can show some mercy and not treat a stupid girl like her like that."
Eunuch Chang accepted the brocade box she handed over and replied with a smile, "I will definitely pass on the message for you."
"Then I'll leave it to you, sir."
Princess Hua'an handed over a purse as she spoke.
"I hope you will accept this little bit of tea money. Please help me put in a good word for Yu Ran in front of the Emperor."
The other party was the emperor's aunt, of noble status, and she was very humble. If Eunuch Chang refused directly, he would appear arrogant.
He took the purse and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you are too polite. This is my duty."
After seeing off Princess Hua'an, Eunuch Chang returned to the imperial study holding the brocade box.
He relayed Princess Hua'an's words to the emperor without missing a word, and also took out the purse.
He opened the purse and found five silver notes worth one hundred taels inside.
Luo Qinghan just took a glance and then looked away.
"Take what's given to you. Have someone send the other things to the imperial concubine."
Eunuch Chang responded respectfully: "Yes."
He is now the chief eunuch in front of the emperor, and is also the chief eunuch of the entire harem. At his position, there are many people who try to send him money every day, but he cannot accept all the money. It depends on the person and the occasion.
The most important point is that no matter what he received, he had to inform the emperor so that the emperor would have a clear idea.
All the things sent by Princess Hua'an were sent to Yunxiu Palace.
Xiao Xixi didn’t know what Xia Yuran said about her behind her back. She only knew that the pastries sent by Princess Hua An were really delicious.
Princess Hua'an was also knowledgeable and interesting. She not only sent cakes, but also the method of making the cakes.
From now on, whenever Xiao Xixi wants to eat something, she can ask Baoqin and Xiyu to make it for her. It is very convenient.
As for those supplements, Xiao Xixi didn't pay much attention to them. She put them into the warehouse after they were delivered.
There are many similar supplements in the warehouse, all of which were sent by the emperor to Xiao Xixi to nourish her body. She could not finish them even if she ate them every day.
Princess Hua'an then went to Changle Palace.
The Empress Dowager was not feeling well today and did not leave the palace to worship Buddha at Shengguang Temple. She planned to have a good rest for two days. When she learned that Princess Hua'an had arrived, she perked up a little.
Princess Hua'an saw that she looked unwell and asked with concern.
"What's wrong with you, mother? Where do you feel uncomfortable? Have you seen the imperial physician?"
The Grand Empress Dowager leaned back on the soft pillow and sighed, "As I get older, it's inevitable that I'll have some minor ailments. I've already had the imperial physician check me out and I've taken medicine. It's nothing serious. You came to the palace today for Yu Ran's matter, right?"
There is nothing to hide between mother and daughter. Princess Hua'an's eyes immediately became red as she started talking about the stupid things her daughter had done.
After listening to her, the Empress Dowager realized that the matter between Xia Yuran and Luo Yanzhi actually involved the Imperial Concubine.
The Empress Dowager suddenly realized: "No wonder the Emperor was so angry."
Princess Hua An wiped her tears and said, "Now I don't ask the emperor to restore Yu Ran's status as a princess. I just hope that Yu Ran can behave herself and not cause any more trouble."
The Empress Dowager patted the back of her hand and soothed her in a gentle voice.
When Princess Hua'an left, she also took away two governesses who were known for their strictness.
In the following period of time, Xia Yuran had to accept strict discipline from the nurses every day.
You have to learn everything from scratch, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, walking, sitting, lying down, and dealing with people. If you don't learn well, you will be punished.
The maids coming out of the palace are quite experienced. They have many ways to make people live a life worse than death without leaving any scars.
At first, Xia Yuran tried to struggle and resist, but later he was tortured half to death. He knew that confronting her head-on would not end well, so he could only hold his breath and work hard to learn the rules.
Two days later, the Empress Dowager's health recovered a little.
She went to Shengguang Temple again to listen to the monks talk about Buddhism.
When she returned to the palace this time, she also brought a lot of spices produced by Shengguang Temple.
The Empress Dowager specially ordered people to distribute some spices to the concubines in each palace, saying that these spices were imbued with Buddha's nature and could keep people safe and ward off evil spirits and harm.
Naturally, no one dared to refuse the kindness from their elders and they all accepted it with gratitude.
Yunxiu Palace also received spices sent from Changle Palace.
According to custom, the court would have a half-month holiday during the New Year, from New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival.
Not only the civil and military officials, but also the emperor can have a good rest for a while.
Recently, he has been sleeping in with Xixi every day.
It’s so happy to go to bed early and get up late every day.
When people from Changle Palace came to deliver spices today, the emperor and the concubine were still sleeping.
When the two woke up after a good sleep, Baoqin brought people to help them change clothes and wash up, and mentioned the matter of the Empress Dowager's reward of spices.
Xiao Xixi never uses spices and doesn't take it too seriously.
However, after hearing this, Luo Qinghan specially asked someone to bring the spices over for a look.
The spices cut into small cubes don't look special and smell just like ordinary sandalwood.
It happened that it was Doctor Fang's turn to check Xixi's pulse today. Luo Qinghan put a piece of spice in front of him and asked him to help analyze the ingredients in it.
Fang Wujiu didn't ask any more questions. He just wrapped the spices in a silk handkerchief and put them in the deepest part of the medicine box.
After taking Xixi's pulse and confirming that she was fine, Fang Wujiu left with the medicine box on his back.
Xiao Xixi asked curiously.
"Your Majesty, do you suspect that there is something wrong with the spices sent by the Grand Empress Dowager?"
Luo Qinghan: "I don't know, I just think it's safer to have someone check it out. It's better to be safe than sorry."
Xiao Xixi nodded: "That's true, it's always better to be careful."
After breakfast, the two were bored, so they changed into common people’s clothes and left the palace in a carriage.
The snow stopped in the past two days, and the sun came out today, so there were many more pedestrians on the street.
Xiao Xixi and Luo Qinghan entered a bookstore.
Xiao Xixi had finished reading all the storybooks in the palace, and she wanted to buy some new ones.
As a result, she looked through all the storybooks on the bookshelf, but found that either she had already read them or the content was too serious and she didn't like it.
There was no choice, so they went to another bookstore.
(End of this chapter)
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