Ever since he chose An Lingrong, Da Pang Ju has spent almost every night lingering between Hua Fei, An Lingrong, and Shen Meizhuang.
Huang Guiquan may not be good at much else, but his ability to read the emperor's mood is second to none.
Accompanied by a dozen or so eunuchs, and carrying various tools, decorations, and silk fabrics, they came to An Lingrong's side.
“My lady, winter is long and the sun is not as bright as in spring and summer. The paper on your windows is old, so the room is inevitably not very bright.”
"This servant has brought someone here specifically to replace the paper for you."
Huang Guiquan, with his fingers forming a delicate, orchid-like shape, stood there like a water snake, feigning surprise as he spoke.
"Your table and gauze curtains are old. I'll take the liberty of replacing them on your behalf. What do you think, my lady?"
An Lingrong said, "In that case, I'll have to trouble Steward Huang."
Huang Guiquan said, "You're too kind, young master. This is just my duty."
"This servant was not discerning enough and failed to notice how careless the subordinates were in their work, causing Your Highness to suffer injustice. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
It's common for people in the palace to fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak. An Lingrong has been accustomed to the fickleness of human relationships since childhood, and now that she's become more open-minded, she doesn't take it to heart. Besides, Huang Guiquan has given her plenty of face this time.
Besides, Huang Guiquan is Consort Hua's man. Even if she wanted to hold a grudge, she had only just gained some favor, so how could she possibly care?
An Lingrong said, "Steward Huang, there's no need for that. Everyone has things they can't see, and besides, I haven't suffered any injustice."
Huang Guiquan said with a smile, "Your Highness is very magnanimous. This servant thanks Your Highness."
"This hammering and banging will take two or three hours. I'm worried it might disturb your rest, Your Highness. Why don't you go sit with another lady for a while?"
An Lingrong nodded. Since the house was going to be renovated, it was indeed inconvenient for her to stay here.
“Alright, Baojuan, you stay and lend a hand to Steward Huang. Juqing and I will go to Xianfu Palace together and invite Consort Shen to sit in Suiyu Pavilion.”
Baojuan said, "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will definitely help Steward Huang handle it properly."
*
When An Lingrong arrived at Xianfu Palace, Shen Meizhuang had just been looking at the account books for an hour and was feeling a bit tired. Upon hearing An Lingrong's purpose, she readily agreed.
The two walked towards Suiyu Pavilion, a place that was already remote, and Chun Changzai moved out after Zhen Huan fell ill.
Furthermore, with Kang Luhai and others realizing there was no way out for them if they stayed, they quickly switched sides to join Consort Li, making the place even more deserted now.
But fewer people have their advantages; the three of them can talk to each other without the crowds and distractions of Yanxi Palace and Xianfu Palace.
When they arrived at Suiyu Pavilion, the courtyard was empty except for Xiao Yunzi sweeping snow with a large broom made of bamboo branches.
Upon seeing Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong approach, he quickly put down what he was carrying and bowed to them to greet them.
"This servant greets Noble Lady Shen and Consort An."
Shen Meizhuang said, "Xiao Yunzi, get up quickly. Where is your young master? What is he doing right now?"
Xiao Yunzi said, "Reporting to Consort Shen, Consort Chang is currently reading a book inside. You two have arrived at just the right time. Consort Chang was just saying that she was very bored and wanted to have tea with you two ladies."
Shen Meizhuang took An Lingrong's hand and said with a smile, "Huan'er hasn't left Suiyu Pavilion at all. She must be so bored. Let's go in together."
The two entered together, and Zhen Huan indeed sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, reading a book. When she came across an important passage, she immediately frowned.
Huanbi was the first to see the two enter, and her greetings pulled Zhen Huan's thoughts back from the world of the book.
Seeing Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong standing to the side, she said with delight,
"Sister Mei, Lingrong, you've arrived. Come and sit down."
Huanbi brought over a stool with a soft cushion on it. After Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong sat down, she invited them to drink tea, showing great hospitality.
"Please have some tea, Nobleman Shen."
“Princess Lingrong, this is your favorite scented tea.”
Shen Meizhuang said, "Huanbi has been with you for a long time, and not only has she become more and more clever, but her eyebrows and eyes have also become similar to yours."
Zhen Huan said, "That's right. Huanbi, Liuzhu, and I grew up together. Although we are mistress and servant in name, we are like sisters in affection."
Huanbi lowered her head happily upon hearing what Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan said.
She and Zhen Huan were half-sisters, so it was natural that they looked alike. Moreover, her elder sister said that she was not treated as a servant, but as a sister.
But her joy was short-lived, as Huanbi soon felt a pang of sadness. Only her father and daughter knew her true identity. She was born a young lady, but had the fate of a maid.
Her father told her that her identity must not be revealed, otherwise the Zhen family would be in big trouble if people found out.
The reason they sent her to the palace was to give her a bright future. Otherwise, if she stayed in the Zhen household, she would only be able to become a servant or be released to live as an ordinary citizen, never able to rise in status.
Huanbi felt upset and didn't want to stay inside any longer, lest she reveal something and arouse suspicion.
"This servant will go and prepare some snacks."
After saying that, Huanbi hurriedly ran downstairs, as if something was chasing her.
An Lingrong glanced at her with surprise before looking away. After all, she was Zhen Huan's servant, so she didn't say much.
Shen Meizhuang and Huanbi had known each other for many years, and she knew Huanbi's personality well, so she said with a smile,
"Look, she was just saying she copied a bit of you, but now she's back to her old ways."
Zhen Huan said, "Sister Mei, please don't make fun of her. Suiyu Pavilion is a secluded place with no outsiders, so I didn't restrict them."
"His Majesty has been having you learn to manage palace affairs for some time now. How does Sister Mei feel about it? Are you finding it easy to handle?"
When the topic of palace affairs came up, Shen Meizhuang seemed shrouded in gloom. The smile on her face vanished, and her complexion suddenly darkened.
"That's all there is to it. It's not that easy to take power from Consort Hua."
"Moreover, my rank, favor, and family background are all inferior to hers. Even with Consort Jing's help, I cannot get involved for the time being."
Zhen Huan asked, "What happened?"
"The Emperor personally decreed that my elder sister and Consort Jing would assist each other in managing the six palaces. Is Consort Hua so audacious as to disregard even the Emperor's words?"
An Lingrong said, "Sister Huan, you don't know, but Consort Hua's usual demeanor truly lives up to the name of a daughter of a military family."
“When she was still a concubine in the Prince’s mansion, she managed many affairs of the mansion. After she entered the palace, it goes without saying that she was in charge of many things.”
"The Empress is also frail and sickly, so Consort Hua usually handles everything and then just looks at the accounts."
"She governs her subordinates with a combination of kindness and severity. She is ruthless in her methods and always spends money like water."
"Furthermore, Huang Guiquan, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department, is a distant relative of hers. He says one thing to her face and another behind her back. There's not much that Mei-jie and Consort Jing can do for the time being."
Shen Meizhuang sighed, "These days, Consort Hua has been using the excuse that Consort Jing and I have never been involved in household management and need to study it carefully."
"She dumped the accounts from the previous few years on us and told us to learn on our own. Once she felt we were ready and we passed the teaching exam, she would then arrange things for the rest of us."
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