An Lingrong had been busy for a long time, but she was only a noble lady and didn't have many maids or eunuchs under her command.
The group worked all day, their legs were almost giving out, before they finally finished delivering the goods. Not to mention An Lingrong, even Baojuan and Juqing hadn't been this tired in a long time.
However, the tour was quite successful, and none of the concubines in the harem were unhappy. Although it was autumn, the palaces seemed to have returned to a time of springtime when all the flowers were in full bloom.
*
Suiyuxuan
Zhen Huan and Da Pang Ju sat by the window, one holding an embroidery hoop and the other holding a brush, writing something.
Big Orange smelled the faint fragrance of orchids around him, clear yet elusive. Whenever he tried to savor it, it vanished without a trace, like the morning mist.
Just as he gave up the search, a faint fragrance began to waft through the air again.
The chubby orange cat finally couldn't hold back and asked Zhen Huan, "What fragrance did you wear today, Huan Huan? I think I smelled a faint orchid scent."
Zhen Huan smiled gently, "Your Majesty guessed correctly, but what I used was not an ordinary fragrance. It was something called perfume, which was developed by Consort Cheng and Consort Jing."
Big Fat Orange suddenly became interested; the smell was much fresher and more invigorating than any spice.
"Oh, what kind of perfume is it that I can also take a look at?"
Zhen Huan instructed, "Jinxi, go and fetch the box of perfume that Sister An brought."
Cui Jinxi turned and went into the inner room, taking a nanmu wood box from the cabinet next to the dressing table.
"Your Majesty, please look, this is the perfume sent by Consort Jing. There are twelve bottles in total, and the scent of the perfume inside corresponds to the design on the bottle."
Big Fat Orange casually picked up a bottle decorated with honeysuckle flowers. After opening it, a rich floral fragrance filled the air, as if one were surrounded by flowers.
"I had heard before that Consort Cheng had not only ruined the flowers in the Imperial Garden, but also ordered her people to search inside and outside the city, leaving all the flowers in the capital bare."
"After all that effort, this is all you've accomplished?"
With each glance Zhen Huan took at the chubby orange cat, her annoyance grew. So what if it went bald? It wasn't like they hadn't been paid. It was a mutually agreeable arrangement; everyone benefited. What right did it have to complain?
The fingers holding the embroidery needle tightened, and several stitches on the orange cat on the embroidery cloth were suddenly misstood.
Zhen Huan said, "Of course, it's not just that. Although Consort Cheng went to Yuanmingyuan for a short stay, she entrusted all matters to Ling Rong before she left."
"Lingrong sent a box to each of her sisters in the harem, and plans to sell the rest after the shop opens in a few days."
"As for the flowers, those that already had owners were all paid silver. The people who picked the flowers were also paid their due wages. Huanhuan thought this was a win-win situation."
Big Fat Orange said, "That's true, but if we make such a big fuss, the word will inevitably get distorted."
Just as he clearly loved his people like his own children and was always diligent in his duties, he spent more time each day dealing with government affairs than he did eating, sleeping, and spending time with his concubines.
However, because the Forbidden City was unbearably hot in the summer and had too many rules and restrictions, they moved to the Yuanmingyuan Palace to escape the heat.
Unaware people outside spread rumors that he spent his days feasting and indulging in pleasure with his ministers at the Yuanmingyuan.
To confuse it with King Zhou of Shang's extravagant feasts of wine, meat, and flowers is pointless, no amount of emphasizing or explaining will change that.
Every family goes to a villa for a few days every year, so why is it different for the emperor?
Back when he was still Prince Yong, he would bring his wives and concubines there every year, and no one outside seemed to say anything...
Zhen Huan said, "Let them say what they want, it's not a big deal. Besides, this perfume not only smells good, but Ling Rong also said it has the effect of moisturizing the skin and delaying aging."
"Each one has its own different effects. For example, this rose perfume, in addition to making the skin fair and radiant, can also condition a woman's body and is beneficial for fertility."
"This jasmine perfume can fade scars and improve blood circulation. This orange blossom perfume can calm the mind and relieve headaches."
"When those wives and ladies find out, they will surely be overjoyed. Even if their husbands don't understand something, the wives will definitely make them understand quickly."
"Fourth Prince, do you think Huanhuan is right?"
Zhen Huan had a face as beautiful as a peach blossom, a radiant smile, and a gentle voice.
But Big Orange felt a chill run down its spine, and the atmosphere seemed off. Although it couldn't pinpoint the cause immediately, it nodded in agreement based on its intuition.
"What Huanhuan said is of course right. I was just saying it casually."
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, Zhen Huan laughed even more heartily. The chill behind her and the stagnant feeling around her vanished completely.
Big Fat Orange breathed a sigh of relief, but then realized something was wrong; the concubines were getting increasingly irritable.
Consort Hua used to be fierce towards the concubines, but now she often makes trouble for him.
Consort Qi is the same. She used to be timid and submissive, and even if she was wronged, she would just lower her head and endure it. Now, she not only dares to belittle him, but also dares to roll her eyes at him.
Consort Jing had always been taciturn, but when he occasionally visited, she was always cheerful and attentive to his needs.
In the past few months, he hadn't visited many times, but every time Consort Jing did, she acted as if a minister was reporting to him.
It was as if the words "business is business" were etched onto his forehead. It made him feel like he wasn't going to a concubine's palace, but rather to a minister's office.
With such an attitude, even a golden pill wouldn't help him. Sigh! π_π
Now even his Huanhuan has changed; she's learned to be cunning and manipulative, all because she's been led astray. Sometimes, when she gets fierce, she even makes him a little apprehensive...
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