Seeing that Consort Hua did not react, as if she had not heard, the Empress's gentle face finally darkened.
This Consort Hua is getting more and more audacious. When I called her, she pretended not to hear me.
The Empress raised her voice and called out to Consort Hua again.
Seeing that the Empress's face was growing darker and darker, and with the other concubines all watching them, Songzhi could only secretly pat Consort Hua's back as a reminder.
This finally brought Consort Hua back to her senses.
The Empress said, "Consort Hua, I'm calling you, didn't you hear me?"
Consort Hua showed no remorse for her momentary lapse in attention, and said directly, "I was thinking about something else and got lost in thought, so I didn't notice. I'm really sorry."
"However, the Empress has always been magnanimous and generous, so I suppose she won't care about such a small matter."
The Queen said, "Of course."
*
After the meeting, Sun Miaoqing ran off as fast as she always did. Unfortunately, with just a glance from Consort Hua, Zhou Ninghai, who had a limp, blocked her way in a few steps.
"Why are you walking so fast, Miss Sun? Are you hiding from me?"
You already know I'm avoiding you, so why are you asking?
I'm not just avoiding you; I'm avoiding every single one of you equally.
Sun Miaoqing said, "Your Highness is too kind. How could I possibly be avoiding Your Highness? I was just thinking that His Majesty's birthday banquet is approaching, and I haven't even finished embroidering the Diamond Sutra yet, so I wanted to finish it as soon as possible to avoid missing the appointed time."
When the topic of the Diamond Sutra came up, Consort Hua couldn't help but feel jealous. This was the first time the Emperor had ever so eagerly asked someone for a birthday gift for the Emperor's birthday. (The Emperor's birthday in the Qing Dynasty was called the Longevity Festival, meaning "May you live ten thousand years.")
If it were someone else, someone as favored as Sun Miaoqing, or someone just like an ordinary person, she would have long since reached her breaking point.
However, she cared about the Emperor, and she also cared about her family. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Consort Hua said, "It's just a copy of the Diamond Sutra. Sister Sun is from Suzhou, so she's naturally skilled in needlework, so it's no problem for her."
"I've made some new pastries, and since my granddaughter likes them, I'd like you to come over and try them."
"Embroidery takes the most time, so it won't make a difference if we skip a little more time."
Sun Miaoqing screamed inwardly, "I'm terrible! I'm going crazy!"
Consort Hua smiled and added fuel to the fire, "Or perhaps I did something wrong and offended you, which is why you are unwilling to go to Yikun Palace?"
Now that you've put it that way, how can I not go?
Regardless of what others think, since entering the palace, Fatty Hua has indeed treated me well. Although I don't want to get involved in their feuds, but...
Well, there are still about three years left, we'll see when that time comes.
Sun Miaoqing nodded, "Your Majesty has been exceptionally kind to me, treating me like a sister. How could I have ever offended you?"
"Since Your Majesty says so, I will go with you. I was just thinking about the crab roe pastries in your palace."
Consort Hua said with a smile, "The season for eating crabs is over. The last basket of the year was delivered the other day, so it's perfect for me and my sister-in-law to enjoy together."
After they finished speaking, they each boarded their palanquins and headed towards Yikun Palace. The moment the eunuch carrying the palanquins stood up, the elegant, cold fingertips of Consort Hua scraped against the sandalwood armrests with a grating sound.
It turns out that her Nian clan has less than three years left...
As Songzhi walked beside Consort Hua, she felt the oppressive aura emanating from her, like a string of firecrackers that could explode at the slightest spark.
The Empress's temper always manages to defy expectations, no matter how bad things get.
Songzhi secretly turned her head back to look at Sun Miaoqing, then quickly turned her head back to look straight ahead.
Zhi agrees... Zhi agrees...
I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait for her to agree to this.
Songzhi glanced cautiously at Consort Hua's gloomy face and suppressed her impatience.
She clutched the silk handkerchief with some fear, knowing she had to wait for the Empress's approval. She was not the kind of ungrateful servant who would betray her master for personal gain.
*
Upon entering Yikun Palace, Sun Miaoqing smelled a strong fragrance, so strong it was almost pungent compared to her previous visits.
Sun Miaoqing couldn't help but cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, "Your Highness, is this incense you lit?"
Consort Hua said proudly, "This is called the Joyful Fragrance. This is the only scent I like."
This is proof of her favor. Over the years, even if someone could win temporary favor with the Emperor, they could never surpass her.
Even that wicked Empress, so what if she occupies the position of the principal wife? The Emperor doesn't treat her with half the care he shows to himself.
Sun Miaoqing asked, "But the fragrance today seems much stronger than when I came to Yikun Palace before?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Hua sniffed lightly and said, puzzled, "No, it's just as perfect as always."
Songzhi explained from the side, "Your Highness, you may not know, but this incense was made by the Emperor himself when he obtained a piece of ambergris in the Prince's mansion. He took half of it and made it for you."
"This incense is extremely valuable, and it is only permitted for use by our lady. The incense sent by the Imperial Household Department every month is not even a fraction more."
Songzhi was beaming with pride, and Consort Hua would be very happy whenever she talked about these things with others.
This time was no exception; Consort Hua's sweet expression seemed to drip with honey.
With a flick of her hand, the silk handkerchief danced in an arc, and Sun Miaoqing could hear a hint of shyness in her voice.
"These are all old stories. Go and see if the desserts are ready. It's rare for my sister-in-law to come all this way, so I can't neglect her."
Sun Miaoqing and Consort Hua sat down to one side, and Zhou Ninghai immediately had the dining table brought to them.
Then seven or eight palace maids, each carrying a plate of snacks, placed them on the table, and soon the table was full.
Consort Hua pointed to the items on the table and introduced them to her one by one.
"This is Osmanthus Cloud Mist Tea Jelly, with the fragrance of tea leaves and the sweetness of osmanthus, it is both refreshing and chewy."
"This is cuttlefish cake, made from cuttlefish weighing one pound each. Larger cuttlefish are too tough, while smaller ones are too tender. With the addition of eggs and minced pork, it tastes fresh, fragrant, tender, and smooth."
"And this, steamed savory rice cake with taro, is made with top-quality Lipu taro, Chinese sausage, and glutinous rice. It has a unique flavor."
"Sister Sun, try this one too. This is a begonia lava cake, but it's different from ordinary begonia cakes. The filling inside is made with salted egg yolks."
"And this..."
Sun Miaoqing tried a piece of everything, and they were all delicious, but seeing Hua Fei's expression, she lost her appetite for the begonia lava cake on the plate.
Judge things by their actions, not their intentions; if you judge by intentions, you will find no saint.
Perhaps Consort Hua isn't so bad after all? Even if she really has ulterior motives, at least so far she's been well-intentioned.
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