Even if the story of returning the jade intact to its rightful owner hasn't happened yet, it certainly won't happen in the future!
An Lingrong was still extremely angry about this humiliation.
What was it about her, a mere concubine, that caught the Empress's eye?
They hit you once and then give you a treat, treating you like a performing monkey.
An Lingrong silently told herself, "Everything is different now. I can't be attached to it."
Everything is different now; we can't be attached to anything...
But if you take a step back, you get angrier the more you think about it; if you hold back, you vomit three liters of blood.
A sharp glint flashed in An Lingrong's gentle, watery eyes. If the Empress didn't provoke her, that would be fine, but if she still wanted to use tactics like the Jade Platform and Golden Cup to deal with her...
She will definitely let the Empress know that a concubine from a humble background is not someone to be trifled with.
*
After enjoying a sweet and intimate lunch together, Fatty Orange and Consort Hua took a nap in Yikun Palace before returning to Yangxin Hall to continue reviewing memorials, completely satisfied.
Consort Hua had just seen him off with a face full of reluctance when she turned around and went inside. Her expression changed to coldness as she asked him without any emotion.
"Zhou Ninghai, how are you doing with the task I entrusted to you?"
Zhou Ninghai felt the cold aura emanating from Consort Hua, and involuntarily shrank his neck, stammering as he spoke.
"Your Majesty, we have made some progress, but the matter is of great importance and we need to be more careful and consider things more thoroughly to ensure success."
Consort Hua frowned and said unhappily, "How much longer do we have to deliberate? Until the Emperor has a house full of children and grandchildren?"
"I have endured for so long, I can't endure it any longer."
Zhou Ninghai said, "Your Majesty's thoughts are clear to this servant, but such things cannot be rushed."
"A moment's carelessness could mean certain death, so we must be extremely cautious."
Songzhi also advised, "Your Majesty, what Zhou Ninghai said is true. It is indeed difficult to achieve our goal without letting the Emperor find out."
"In particular, there are many skilled imperial physicians in the palace. If it is just ordinary medicine, I'm afraid it won't be able to hide it from their eyes at all."
Zhou Ninghai said, "Yes, Your Majesty, and this matter cannot be handled in a grand manner, as the Jiang brothers, Jiang Cheng and Jiang Shen, are unreliable. This servant also spent a lot of effort to learn some information by chance, and is currently investigating it."
Although Consort Hua was not entirely satisfied with the answer, she knew that Zhou Ninghai was telling the truth.
"What exactly is this method?"
Zhou Ninghai said, "I learned by chance that something can be extracted from cottonseed kernels. Although it will not affect a man's ability to have sex, it will also prevent a woman from getting pregnant."
(It's actually gossypol, a male contraceptive that reduces sperm motility. After using it for a period of time, it can cause azoospermia or oligospermia, which will gradually recover after discontinuing use. It's a novel, so the effects are exaggerated; one use provides permanent freedom.)
"Moreover, after using this thing, there will be no obvious discomfort. You can't diagnose any problems just by taking your pulse."
"Cotton is something that only grows in the Northwest, and very few people there know about its uses."
"The imperial physicians all came from families of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Beijing, or were recommended by local authorities. Since the Qing Dynasty entered the Central Plains, there have been no imperial physicians from the Northwest."
"This servant has searched through all the medical books but couldn't find a description of this thing. As long as I'm sure it's reliable, this servant will immediately inform Your Majesty. What does Your Majesty think?"
Consort Hua had never heard of such things before and asked, "Really? This thing can relieve my worries?"
Zhou Ninghai said confidently, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant is now 80% certain."
"Very well, handle this matter for me as soon as possible. My life and the Emperor's are entangled. If we are destined not to be a perfect couple, then let us be a pair of bitter lovers."
“When he was sad in the past, I was always there for him. Now that I'm sad, it's time for him to be there for me, so as not to betray our years of marriage.”
Hua Fei smiled, a smile playing on her right lip, a smile that was both smug and malevolent, causing Song Zhi to involuntarily lower her head.
The Empress has become more pitiful and more terrifying than before. What should we do?
When will the general return...?
*
The next day, Sun Miaoqing touched her belly, and when she finished lunch, she still hadn't seen the big fat orange. She cursed inwardly.
What a jerk! He broke his promise and said he'd come to see her often, but it's been so long and he hasn't shown up at all.
If he doesn't come over, how can she vent her anger? And how can she test his limits?
She wouldn't wait any longer; if the mountain wouldn't come to her, she would go to the mountain.
Sun Miaoqing instructed, "Send someone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to tell you that I am feeling unwell and have had a miscarriage, and request that the Emperor come and take a look."
Liuli replied, "Yes, this servant will go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to deliver the message."
Sun Miaoqing thought for a moment and then said, "Wait a while, go around dinner time, and we can invite the Emperor to dine with us."
Liuli said, "Your Highness is very thoughtful. I will remember it and have the kitchen prepare it properly."
In the palace, a small kitchen was a symbol of status and rank. Each palace actually reserved two such rooms for emergencies.
Only with permission from above would the Imperial Household Department set up the iron pot and equip it with all the necessary staff, including cooks.
Every day, a special person would deliver various ingredients for the concubines to use.
If no one above has given permission, and the location is within one's own palace, then of course it can be used. However, one can forget about using an iron pot and a large stove; one can only set up a small stove to stew soups, desserts, and the like.
At most, setting up another board and making a few more pastries would be quite an achievement.
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