Upon hearing this, Liuli's brows immediately relaxed. She knew that her mistress was not one to swallow her anger.
When the Emperor offends the Empress, she always retaliates. Zhang Tingyu and the others are merely officials; how could they possibly compare to the Emperor?
I wonder how Her Majesty plans to deal with them.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Liuli hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, how do you plan to punish them?"
"This servant thinks that since they are scheming against the Emperor's reputation, the Emperor should be reminded not to keep these villains around."
Linglan blurted out, "That's not appropriate. Matters concerning the Emperor should not be leaked without His Majesty's permission, especially not to the Empress."
"Isn't this blatantly telling the Emperor that there are people from our Chuxiu Palace in the Hall of Mental Cultivation? No matter how well Xiao Jinzi hides, she won't be able to escape the layers of investigation."
Liuli said disappointedly, "Then Your Majesty can only pretend to know nothing and can't whisper in His Majesty's ear!"
Linglan advised, "Your Majesty, please think it over carefully. Don't let a small matter cause you to lose sight of the bigger picture. It's not worth it for such petty people."
Having been in the palace for so long, Linglan has become increasingly composed. Completely different from her naive self when she first entered the palace, she is now reserved and steady, more and more like what a head palace maid should be.
People all grow up, and Sun Miaoqing doesn't think there's anything wrong with that.
“You have a point, but what if Zhang Tingyu and his group leaked this information themselves, causing a huge uproar?”
Linglan and Liuli were puzzled. "Even if Zhang Tingyu and the others were stupid, they wouldn't actively spread what was being discussed in front of the Emperor, would they?"
"To reach such a position, one must be tight-lipped."
Sun Miaoqing said, "If you're prepared to take advantage of someone who isn't, what's impossible? Besides, it's not some top secret."
"Come closer!"
Liuli and Linglan leaned closer and listened to what Sun Miaoqing said. Their faces flushed, and they couldn't help but nod in agreement.
The more they listened, the more ruthless their expressions became, and they even offered their own suggestions from time to time.
The three discussed it for a long time and finally came to a conclusion.
Linglan's eyes flashed with a sinister glint as she said smugly, "Then this servant will immediately pass on the message to my uncle and have him send someone to keep a close watch on us."
*
As the political and cultural center, Beijing not only had an abundance of powerful and wealthy people, but also a highly developed entertainment industry.
Although the imperial court had a clear order that officials were not allowed to escort prostitutes, not only to sleep with them, but even to sit at the same table, serve tea and water, and exchange a few words.
If discovered by the patrolling censor, the punishment according to the Qing Dynasty law was sixty strokes of the cane. However, the law is not without human sentiment; where there is a policy, there is a countermeasure.
At least the sedan chairs coming and going in the Eight Great Hutongs were almost all for princes, nobles, and civil and military officials.
Prostitution requires secrecy, but brothels like the "rabbit god" (a euphemism for a male prostitute) are legal and compliant, with no taboos.
The sedan chair from the Chen family landed in a courtyard in the outer city. He had recently hired Gui Guan, a Kunqu opera actress from outside Beijing who was performing in the Bailu Opera Troupe.
Right now is the perfect time for sweet nothings and tender moments. Amidst the hustle and bustle, come here for a few drinks, listen to a song of "The Drunken Concubine," and all the troubles of court life will vanish.
Gui Guan was dressed in theatrical costume, but his face was not covered with greasepaint as it was on stage; he only had a light layer of powder on it. His eyes sparkled, and his movements were anything but masculine.
If it weren't for his completely flat chest, it would be hard to tell whether he was male or female.
"The sea, the island, the ice wheel, the first to turn, the jade rabbit, the jade rabbit, the first to turn, the first to rise in the east."
Master Chen downed the strong liquor in one gulp, clapped his hands twice in delight, and shouted "Bravo!"
Gui Guan immediately lost his temper upon seeing this, and put the folding fan aside. "I'm not singing anymore, I'm not singing anymore. It's fine that the master only comes once every few days. I didn't expect that his heart is elsewhere. I wonder which vixen he's with again."
Mr. Chen quickly replied, "You are my darling, my whole being, my whole heart, belongs to you, how could there be anyone else!"
Gui Guan retorted coquettishly, "You're so glib."
"The master was just saying nice things to appease me. My throat is sore today, and when I sang 'The sun rises again,' I accidentally sang the wrong note."
"The master is a connoisseur of opera, with an exceptional hearing, yet he didn't recognize it. It's clear that although he's here, his mind is already elsewhere."
Upon hearing this, Master Chen said, "That's not true. It's just that I've been busy with official duties and my superiors are very strict, which is why I've neglected you."
"As soon as I had some free time, I came over immediately, didn't I?"
Gui Guan sneered and said relentlessly, "You officials only know how to use official business as an excuse."
"Don't think I don't know. The government offices face south, but if you have reason but no money, don't come in. I've seen it all before when I was traveling all over the country performing for others."
"Which official doesn't live a life of luxury and power, sleeping in a comfortable bed and enjoying wealth and glory? Who would truly dedicate themselves to their official duties? If it weren't for the money, why would they have studied so hard for so many years!"
Master Chen wasn't angered by the sarcastic remarks. What could an actor like Gui Guan, who only plays female roles, possibly understand about politics?
For a high-ranking official like him to actually argue with him would be a laughingstock. Besides, it's just private conversation, and things are getting warm right now. What harm could it do for him to coax her a little?
Master Chen said, “There are so many officials in the Qing Dynasty, but not all of them are like this. Although I am not exactly a great and upright official, I have done my job conscientiously.”
"Otherwise, why would the emperor appreciate me and allow me to do this much?"
Master Chen's beard bristled with pride. He always only took what he could get and never touched what he couldn't. He hadn't touched a single penny of it!
Gui Guan snorted coldly and said in a low voice, "Maybe it's the Emperor himself who has been fooled by you."
Master Chen's expression immediately turned serious. "Shut up! How dare you say such things!"
Seeing this, Gui Guan softened and said with a smile, "Sir, please calm down and don't take it to heart."
Seeing that Gui Guan had given in, Master Chen put on a smile again, reverting to his lecherous and hungry look from before.
"I haven't been here for a few days, your injuries should be almost healed. Today, I'll play a new game with you."
After saying this, Master Chen put his arm around Gui Guan and tried to lead her to the bed. A hint of disgust flashed in Gui Guan's eyes, but it quickly disappeared without a trace. She reached out and stopped the man in front of her.
"The master only thinks about these things as soon as he arrives. His injury hasn't fully healed yet. He doesn't care about people at all!"
Master Chen said, "I'm just worried about you today, so just be more careful later."
As he spoke, he tried to pull the person inside, but Gui Guan refused, saying, "You say one thing now, but you'll change your mind in a minute. I won't fall for it!"
Master Chen said, "What do you want? I'll have someone get it for you first thing tomorrow morning!"
Gui Guan said with a smile, "I've heard that noblewomen in the capital are currently fond of something called perfume. I'd like some too. Could you perhaps get some for me, sir?"
Upon hearing this, Mr. Chen was completely distraught and lost all interest in doing anything else. Because of this, his shrewish wife is still arguing with him to this day!
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