Chuxiu Palace
Sun Miaoqing wore two cloisonné enamel and jewel-inlaid gourd-shaped hairpins and a chrysanthemum hair ornament with pearl and kingfisher feather decorations. She sat at the table mixing cosmetics.
A plain-looking eunuch stood two steps away, bowing respectfully, and said...
"This servant dares not deceive Your Majesty; Zhang Tingyu and the others truly said so."
"Fortunately, the Emperor dotes on the Empress and felt that this matter was inappropriate, so he directly rejected it and told them not to mention it again."
"However, as I've observed, these ministers, though they've been rebuffed, haven't given up. They're probably still thinking about how to get some benefits from you."
Sun Miaoqing had long anticipated this day, but she never expected that Zhang Tingyu would be the first to jump out.
When a cockroach appears, if you can't see it, it must be part of an eight-generation family.
Sun Miaoqing said, "I'm sorry to trouble you to tell me about this. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would still be kept in the dark until they succeeded in their plan."
Xiao Jinzi raised her eyes slightly and saw Consort Cheng's jade-like hand holding the teacup. On the middle finger of her left hand, she wore an emerald ring, exuding an air of nobility.
Turning his gaze back, Xiao Jinzi pledged his loyalty, "Your Highness the Imperial Concubine has shown my entire family the kindness of a second life; I am willing to die for Your Highness."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Even if you're insignificant while working before the Emperor, countless eyes are watching you."
"Serving me is important, but remember to act within your capabilities. If the risks are too great, be sure to take care of yourself. Only by preserving your health can you go far."
"This servant thanks Your Highness for your concern. With Your Highness's words, even if I were to die right now, I could die in peace."
Xiao Jinzi was moved to tears. He had been in the palace for so many years. From a lowly eunuch who could be ordered around by anyone, to working in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he didn't know how much he had sacrificed.
Fortunately, he was blessed with good fortune and was noticed by Eunuch Su, who thought he was honest and upright, which gave him some face.
But this little bit of face wasn't for him; he could only ever be a servant who would give everything for his master.
Only Consort Cheng would tell him to take care of himself and treat him like a human being.
Xiao Jinzi vowed in her heart to keep a close eye on everything happening before the Emperor. Nothing related to Consort Cheng could be overlooked.
Sun Miaoqing said, "I have always trusted you to handle things. It's getting late, Linglan, see Xiaojinzi out."
Linglan replied, "This servant obeys."
After sending the others away, just before leaving, Linglan handed Xiaojinzi a seemingly inconspicuous purse, but one with quite a lot inside.
He whispered, "This is a gift from the Empress, keep it safe."
"As long as you serve Her Highness diligently, Her Highness will not mistreat those who have made contributions."
Xiao Jinzi stuffed the purse into her clothes, then touched her chest, making sure no one could tell anything was wrong.
He then smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss Linglan, the only person I think about is Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
“Zhang Tingyu and the others are, after all, important officials from the previous dynasty, and the emperor must take their opinions into account in many matters.”
"Since you are serving by the side of the Imperial Concubine, you must constantly remind her to be careful and vigilant. If there is anything you need me to do, I will do my best even at the cost of my life."
Linglan looked around, finding the area bare and deserted, and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Your Majesty is perfectly clear-headed; their schemes will fail."
"Alright, no one's around now, let's leave quickly and be careful not to get spotted on the way."
"Everyone tells you not to come to Chuxiu Palace unless absolutely necessary, to avoid arousing suspicion. If there's anything you need to say, just put a dry branch in the crack of the corner gate of Yongshou Palace, and meet me at our usual spot the next day."
Xiao Jinzi chuckled twice, scratched his forehead, and said, "This servant was just thinking that the matter was of great importance and was worried that it might delay Your Highness's plans."
Linglan said irritably, "Alright, hurry up and go. Remember, keep your mouth shut, don't let a single word slip out, or no one can save your life!"
Xiao Jinzi nodded repeatedly, "This servant knows, this servant knows, please rest assured, young lady, this servant will keep his mouth shut."
Linglan returned to her chambers only after Xiaojinzi had disappeared from sight. Sun Miaoqing, meanwhile, continued to fiddle with the cosmetics on the table, showing no sign of urgency.
On the contrary, Liuli, who was standing beside him serving, was filled with righteous indignation.
"That Zhang Tingyu is really desperate for money, he actually dares to set his sights on the properties owned by the Empress."
"That shallow-minded fellow acts like he's never seen money before. Why doesn't he take out his wife's and daughter-in-law's dowries to help the Emperor!"
"I've seen plenty of red-eye disease, but this is the first time I've ever seen a high-ranking official so envious."
“They receive so many rewards and stipends every year, and what kind of ridiculous ideas do they come up with? I don’t believe that any of them can’t come up with hundreds of thousands of taels of silver.”
"In private, he has mountains of gold and silver at home, and he is so particular about the finest food that he can't get enough of abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw."
"They pretend to be incorruptible on the surface, but all they know is to complain about being poor to the emperor. They compete to borrow money from the national treasury, as if they want people to think they can't even afford thin porridge."
Liuli rattled off a string of words, her cheeks flushing bright red. She could pick up the equipment and immediately dress up as Guan Yu.
Seeing that Sun Miaoqing still didn't care at all, Liuli said anxiously, "Your Majesty, why don't you care at all!"
"His Majesty has always coveted your properties. Although he rejected Zhang Tingyu's idea this time, he must be tempted."
"If you're not careful, Honey Shop, Hengzhi Residence, and other businesses might just change their names in the future!"
Linglan said, "Liuli, don't worry. Her Majesty must have been prepared long ago, which is why she is so confident."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Zhang Tingyu and the others have only made a futile scheme. How could the Emperor, a shrewd man, do something so foolish as to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs?"
"As long as he still wants to get more good things from me, he won't go too far. In that case, what do I have to be afraid of?"
"Moreover, this matter will have a huge impact on his reputation and will set a very bad precedent."
"The Emperor's reputation has been tarnished so badly because of his forceful implementation of the land tax reform, his imprisonment of his brothers, and his elimination of dissidents."
"It's only thanks to the achievements of the past two years that things have finally eased up, and he cherishes them very much. The current situation of an empty treasury is not as serious as it was two years ago."
"Soon, another large sum of money will come in. By this time next year, the few properties I own will be nothing."
"I don't need to worry about His Majesty, but Zhang Tingyu dared to propose such an idea, so we can't leave him unpunished."
"Otherwise, they'll think I'm easy to bully, and that anyone can take advantage of me."
"They haven't even finished dealing with the affairs of the previous dynasty, yet they want to extend their reach into the inner palace. If I don't retaliate, they won't know what restraint is!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
