Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Palace Maid Ten Days
Shen Qingqing knew about the existence of books in Siguozhai on the first day she arrived. An old eunuch was guarding the attic where the books were kept. When the weather was good, he would take out some severely moldy books and let them dry in the sun.
This library was just diagonally opposite Du Baolin's main house. Although the old eunuch did not belong to Du Baolin, he was always close to them.
The old eunuch liked to drink, and he would often use his monthly allowance to find eunuchs and palace maids with connections to exchange some inferior wine from the Siniangsi. Even if these wines were not sold to the palace maids, they would be thrown away as defective products. Although the selling price was not high, the profit was quite high because it was a business with no capital involved, so the Siniangsi would not easily stop this business.
In addition, the old eunuch had an easy job, so he didn't have to worry about drinking and making mistakes. At most, he would get drunk and get up late.
And he didn't have to work overtime at all. These useless books were most afraid of open flames, which meant that he couldn't turn on a lamp at night. If he couldn't turn on a lamp, he would just have to sleep soundly with the books.
Shen Qingqing was extremely envious. Apart from listening to Du Baolin's thoughts, her only communication was with Xiao Dingzi. Xiao Dingzi often went out and would bring back some news, such as which concubine had sent soup to the emperor, where the emperor stayed at night, and what caused the conflict between the two masters.
Even without Du Baolin, their emperor did not stop, but simply distributed the times originally occupied by Du Baolin to other palaces. For a moment, all the concubines in the harem were happy.
Among them, in addition to the popular Gao Meiren of Mingyue Pavilion, the rising Wei Guiren of Qingfangju is also on the rise. Wei Guiren was originally a low-ranking Fengyi in the Prince's Mansion. She was born in the side branch of the Wei family, a wealthy merchant in Jiangnan. Because she was beautiful enough, she was given to the prince at that time.
However, when the emperor was still the crown prince, he did not indulge in the harem, but was only focused on building his own power in the court. Therefore, Wei Mingluan only amazed everyone when she first entered the crown prince's mansion, and then she became silent. After the crown prince ascended the throne, there were too few concubines in the crown prince's mansion, so Wei Mingluan was conferred a noble lady, and her position has remained unchanged since then.
Shen Qingqing was also surprised. With the excitement of eating melons up close, she thought to herself that Concubine Wei had the intention to compete, but it was a pity that the emperor was not keen on that when he was the crown prince, so there was no room for beauty to be used, so she had to lie dormant. Later, she met Du Baolin, who was born in a general election. People today laugh but old people cry. The emperor's eyes are on Du Baolin. Can Concubine Wei forcefully change the emperor's preferences?
Her master played a good hand of cards badly, but Concubine Wei was able to seize the opportunity to climb up quickly. There must be a bright future with such a master.
Shen Qingqing quietly took out a notebook and wrote down the bird that represented Concubine Wei. She now lived alone in a room, and her privacy was greatly improved. Things that she could only remember in her mind could now be transferred to the notebook, but she had to use special marks. Since Concubine Wei's name contained the word "Luan", she would name it after the bird.
Since we are going to choose concubines, we have to observe them carefully in the next few months.
As for Concubine Gao and Concubine Hui, they were not on her list of choices at all. Shen Qingqing had met the former several times. She was of aloof character and did not know how to adapt. When she met Du Baolin, who was still a concubine at that time, and was punished to kneel in the imperial garden, she did not immediately ask the palace maids to find the emperor or Concubine De and Concubine Xian to make a decision. Instead, she knelt there with her back straight, her expression as cold as frost, and her eyes as contemptuous as if looking at a stone on the roadside.
At least she is a little favored, but she can't even beat Du Baolin. Her future is really worrying.
As for Concubine Hui, she was still feeling guilty about Cuihuan's gold hairpin, and Cuihuan hadn't taken the initiative to look for her during this period, so Shen Qingqing was silently relieved. As for bumping into her on her own initiative? That would be inappropriate.
After that, it was Consort De and Consort Xian. Since they were in charge of palace affairs, the emperor could not ignore them even if he neglected anyone else. Whenever he had time, he would go to Consort De's Yongshou Palace and Consort Xian's Jingren Palace. But since they were given palace power, their favor was inevitably divided.
The harem was maintained in a delicate balance under the emperor's allocation.
There is one more thing. Although the Emperor has not mentioned the matter of conferring the Queen, with less than a year left until next year's general election, how can the Empress not preside over the event? Therefore, there is a feeling of undercurrent stirrings in private.
As Defei and Xianfei were the favorites to be crowned empress, Yongshou Palace and Jingren Palace were bustling with activity every day.
In Shen Qingqing's notebook, the symbol of Concubine De is the pear, because her last name is Li, and the symbol of Concubine Xian is the moon, and her name is Shangyue, so the moon is very suitable for her.
In addition, this month, the emperor also went to Changchun Palace to sleep with Yan Xiuyi.
Yan Xiuyi's momentum is not strong, but she is stable. As the empress dowager's family, she will not die as long as she does not commit suicide. Moreover, judging from Yan Xiuyi's position, the emperor has a good relationship with the empress dowager and may even be a filial son.
So Yan Xiuyi is also on Shen Qingqing's inspection list. Yan Xiuyi's real name is Yan Yinghua. You can tell from the sound of her name that she is a beautiful and heroic woman, so her representative symbol is a flower.
Finally, she did not consider the two talented people from Baolin who have not yet made a name for themselves since the election.
Shen Qingqing held her notebook in her hands, and put a five-pointed star behind the bird on Wei Guiren's face. After being silent for a long time, she was able to come forward. Excellent!
There are only a few servants in Siguozhai. Nanny Fang keeps to herself, Shanhu stays with Du Baolin all the time, and Shen Qingqing and Xiao Dingzi hang out together because of their friendship.
On this day, because Xiao Dingzi and he helped the old eunuch from the library who had drunk too much and fell down the stairs, the old eunuch also joined their daily chat, and the small group of people who were just passing time in Siguozhai had another member.
What is surprising is that the old eunuch entered the palace at the age of seven, moved to various places in the palace, and was lucky enough to live to his current age, so he knows a lot about the secrets of the palace.
He even knew something about the harem of the emperor's grandfather's generation.
No one can resist gossiping, not even the old eunuch. Gradually, Shen Qingqing got to know a few concubines of the previous emperor.
Of course, as they talked for too long, the old eunuch felt that they had wasted his time, so he asked Shen Qingqing and Xiao Dingzi to help him put the books back after they had been dried.
Shen Qingqing had no choice but to agree, otherwise, without the old eunuch's gossip, this Siguozhai would be too boring.
While arranging the books, Xiao Dingzi suddenly asked Shen Qingqing: "Do you know how to read?" She did not arrange the books randomly, but sorted them into categories. She even disliked drying the books again after the old eunuch had done so.
Shen Qingqing thought what was the point and nodded: "Yes."
Xiao Dingzi's gaze suddenly changed, no longer that lazy and carefree look: "Do you recognize a lot?"
"There's no problem reading vernacular novels, but there's no way you can pass the imperial examinations." When Shen Qingqing was born, the Shen family had been in decline as a merchant family for several years, but they had not yet suffered from the problem of their children's education.
But in this era, more people have no chance to learn to read at all.
Shen Qingqing asked cautiously: "What are you going to do?"
Xiao Dingzi said frankly: "Teach me a few months of Chinese characters, and then I can put you in the palace of concubines you want to be in."
Shen Qingqing asked with a puzzled look in her mind: "Do you have this ability? No, why do you think I will leave Siguozhai, and why should I believe you?"
Xiao Dingzi looked at her and said the most mature words with the most childish face: "I entered the palace at the age of seven and stayed in the palace for eight years. I have a way of judging people. You can ask me about the personalities and preferences of the concubines in the palace, as well as which palace the emperor stays at night. Anyone will know what you are preparing."
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips, this little brat.
"Besides, you are not half as enthusiastic about Du Baolin as you are about the other concubines. In this case, you have no choice but to leave. People go to higher places and water flows to lower places. I understand you, so no matter which lady's palace you want to go to or the imperial court, as long as you help me, I will help you."
Shen Qingqing complained: "Even if I really want to leave, why should I believe that you have the ability to do so? Besides, I am not going to the emperor's presence. My goal is to become the chief maid in the harem." It would be best if the empress is the ultimate winner. This kind of betting is too exciting.
Emperors have always been suspicious. Even if she has the blessing of her inner voice, what if the emperor is a person who says one thing and means another? Moreover, it is so dangerous in front of the emperor. The two eunuchs Qian Quanzhong and Wang Jigui are all there. If she dares to make a move under their noses, does she think she is not dying fast enough?
Just the fact that Xiao Dingzi can see through her thoughts shows how cunning these eunuchs are. They would rather die than go before the emperor!
On the other hand, this also shows that Shen Qingqing has not yet fully cultivated herself, or that she relaxed too early in front of Xiao Dingzi.
Xiao Dingzi's eyes drifted: "I really don't have the ability now, but the eunuch in front of the emperor is recruiting disciples. If I am chosen, I can arrange for you to go anywhere."
Shen Qingqing understood that she had been deceived.
Yes, if Xiao Dingzi had the means, why would he stay in Siguozhai? But Shen Qingqing didn't believe that Xiao Dingzi didn't have any ability. Being able to find out everything in the palace while going to the dining hall three times a day to get food was also a kind of ability.
Now the opportunity has come, but he is illiterate and is destined to be eliminated.
Most of those who could enter the palace to become eunuchs were from families so poor that they could not survive, so they decided to try their luck, not to mention being literate. Eunuchs who could read were rare in the palace, and it was not an exaggeration to call them the best among the eunuchs.
Seeing that Shen Qingqing didn't say anything, Xiao Dingzi also lowered his head and fell silent.
Shen Qingqing was helpless. Thinking of their friendship in Siguozhai and their shared desire to climb the ladder, she said, "I'll teach you, but let me be frank. If you learn too slowly, it's none of my business."
"And who is the little eunuch?"
Xiao Dingzi resumed his lazy look again: "Wang Youde, the disciple of Wang Jigui, the imperial attendant."
Shen Qingqing smiled and said, "If you succeed, you will become my disciple."
Xiao Dingzi didn't care: "I'm just a servant anyway, it doesn't matter who I serve."
Shen Qingqing pondered: "Yes, there are many powerful eunuchs."
Even if they are slaves, who can tell their future?
Now a month has passed since Du Baolin moved into Siguozhai, and it is now April. The sun is shining brightly and the spring is in full bloom. The peonies, crabapples, lilacs and other flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, each showing off its beauty. The ladies in the harem also love to go to the Imperial Garden to compete with each other for beauty.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
