Chapter 027 Chapter 27
Chapter 27
When Wei Maoyuan saw Imperial Physician Sun heaving a long sigh and walking out of the Zichen Palace with a somewhat unsteady step, he was moved. However, when he thought of his own situation, a look of worry appeared on his face.
The emperor summoned the imperial physician Sun and did not allow any attendants to serve inside, but this matter was probably related to Ying Baolin. To be honest, Ying Baolin was a wonderful person. The emperor was used to doing whatever he wanted with the concubines in the harem, whether they had children or not. Over the years, concubines had been pregnant or had miscarriages, and the emperor had never shown much emotion. However, the emperor personally took care of Ying Baolin's health and never let a single day slip.
Looking at the clepsydra water clock and estimating the time, Wei Maoyuan personally went to make tea and brought it into the inner hall.
The ambergris in the purple gold incense burner was burning. Yan Shiyu put down his pen and pressed his forehead when he saw someone coming in. Wei Maoyuan said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, are you tired? Why not have a cup of tea to wake yourself up?"
The war in the south has been going on for a long time, and he ordered the young prince to lead the troops personally. Now there are signs that the war is about to end, but the large number of refugees in the south is a troublesome matter. He wanted to promote the assessment of officials who were not paying attention to the people's livelihood, but who knew that a large number of opponents appeared in the court, and he encountered obstacles at every level. They all thought that he didn't know what they were thinking!
You really think he is a tyrant, how dare you act so slyly under his nose!
Yan Shiyu said coldly: "Replace all the palace maids around Yuan Baolin."
Wei Maoyuan asked seriously, "The palace maids around Yuan Baolin have always served her. If they were suddenly replaced, I'm afraid Yuan Baolin would not be able to adapt."
Yan Shiyu picked up the pen again and began to review memorials, saying, "You'll get used to it after using it for a long time."
This incident caused quite a stir. There were two palace maids beside Yuan Baolin who were the ones who followed her when she entered the palace.
"My lady, it's true that the little princess has been catching a cold recently. Our master took care of the little princess all night last night and just went to bed now. It's not that I don't want to help you pass the message, but our master is also powerless in this matter." Wan Mo looked at Yuan Baolin in front of her, feeling very embarrassed.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs acted quickly. After the emperor issued the edict, all the people around Yuan Baolin were replaced. Yuan Baolin had no choice but to seek help from Shen Chongyi, the head of Yuechun Palace.
Yuan Baolin nodded, took a step forward and said, "I know Shen Chongyi worked hard to take care of the little princess last night, but there is nothing I can do."
Wan Mo took another look inside and saw that there was really no other way, so she said, "I'll go and pass the message on for the young lady. If our master is still asleep, please ask Yuan Baolin to find another way."
Yuan Baolin nodded, his heart filled with anxiety.
The maids around her were all those she had always used and were also considered her dowry. She had nothing to say if the emperor wanted to replace them, but why did he have to replace all of them?
Shen Chongyi leaned on the pillow, holding her forehead with her hand, looking tired, and said, "She still doesn't want to leave?"
Wan Mo nodded and said, "No matter what this servant says, Yuan Baolin refuses to leave."
Shen Chongyi sneered, "Yesterday, Concubine Shu was in a bad mood. Xin'er woke up from her nap and didn't see me, so she made a scene and refused to get dressed to look for me. After all, it's all Yuan Baolin's fault that she got into this situation."
Wan Mo was also confused and said, "Yuan Baolin has always been well behaved in Yuechun Palace, why did he have to embarrass Ying Baolin yesterday?"
Shen Chongyi rubbed the end of her brow, and pressed it slowly with her slender jade hand, "Human greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant. Forget it, I will go out and take a look."
Yuan Baolin is so hopelessly stupid that he thinks that Concubine Shu will buy into his trick? He doesn't even consider whether he can win the Emperor's favor. What good will come of his self-righteousness?
There were footsteps in the hall, and Yuan Baolin knelt down in front of Shen Chongyi and said, "Master Chongyi, please help me."
Shen Chongyi looked a little tired. She bent down to help Yuan Baolin up and said, "I know you are anxious, but this is the emperor's decree. Even if you want to protect the people around you, there is nothing you can do."
Yuan Baolin's voice was choked with sobs. He grabbed Shen Chongyi's sleeve and said, "Sister, can you help me to ask the Concubine Shu for help? I was reckless yesterday. It's my fault for not finding out what the Concubine Shu meant in advance."
Speaking of Concubine Shu, Shen Chongyi's face turned pale. Her eyes were filled with unfathomable emotions. She said, "Concubine Shu has been angry these past two days. I'm afraid she won't help my sister."
The light in Yuan Baolin's eyes gradually dimmed. Life in the palace was hard. Although the palace maids beside her were just servants, they accompanied her through one lonely night after another. Moreover, she always had a special feeling of friendship towards them.
The hand holding Shen Chongyi's sleeve gradually loosened. Yuan Baolin was about to bow and speak, but Shen Chongyi said again: "Sister, why don't you go and ask the Empress Dowager for help? The Empress Dowager is always kind and might help you."
There was a gleam of light in Yuan Baolin's eyes again, and he left in a hurry after saluting.
Shen Chongyi looked at Yuan Baolin's departing back and said to Wanmo in a deep voice, "Go and see where Yuan Baolin has gone."
Wan Mo responded and called another palace maid, and the two of them left together.
Shen Chongyi curled her lips and raised her eyebrows, which was quite interesting.
…
When Tingxu told Ruan Yun what happened in Fengyi Palace, he was quite excited. Yuan Baolin's behavior in Meilin had become what it is now, it was all his own fault.
Ying Ning took out the ointment with a smile and said, "My lady, let me help you apply the ointment."
Ruan Yun nodded, and then asked curiously, "Did Yuan Baolin really fail to enter the Fengyi Palace?"
Ting Xu clapped his hands, knelt down under the bed and said, "That's right. I heard that the Queen directly rejected Yuan Baolin because she was not feeling well, and said that Yuan Baolin was arrogant and domineering, and he really deserved to be punished."
Ruan Yun chuckled. Yuan Baolin had it all his own fault. However, the empress had always been gentle to others and was a role model for the harem. Although she didn't scold Yuan Baolin because of her, she did help her vent her anger.
The ointment was pressed on her, causing Ruan Yun to take a breath. She said in a coquettish voice, "Yingning, be gentle."
Ying Ning said helplessly: "My lady, your body is delicate. If I were to be any gentler, it would be useless."
Ruan Yun closed her eyes and said listlessly, "Although I don't have to deal with the emperor these days, the injury is still very painful."
Ying Ning's face changed. Fortunately, the emperor didn't hear these words, otherwise who knows how he would have upset the young lady.
The other mistresses all hoped that the emperor would come to their palaces, perhaps even conceiving a royal heir in one fell swoop, but her mistress thought differently from the others.
Ruan Yun thought more than Ying Ning. Yuan Baolin's incident was a warning. She should stay out of the limelight. The emperor had been visiting other concubines these days, just like before. But she still had everything she needed. In fact, it was not bad this way.
Yingning finished applying medicine to Ruan Yun, and Tingxu also brought back dinner from the kitchen. "Are you hungry, young lady? It's too cold today, and the food is a little cold. I'll heat it up for you on the charcoal basin."
Ying Ning said helplessly: "Most of the concubines in the palace are like this in winter. It would be better if there was a small kitchen. Go to the dining hall tomorrow to get a cloak. This will be better."
Tingxu didn't really take these words to heart, but Ruan Yun kept them in mind.
Yes, Yingning’s cooking skills are so good, the snacks she makes must be good.
…
The next day, when they paid their respects, no one said anything. During these days, Ying Baolin did not have to sleep with the emperor, as the emperor treated her equally and visited every palace. Even Ji Xuanshi had slept with him once. As for Shufei, there was no need to mention her, as the emperor always doted on her the most.
Ruan Jun acted as if it didn't matter. Her injuries were fine now, and although it wouldn't affect her sleeping with the emperor, she always remembered that after sleeping with the emperor, her body would be sore and painful. Her waist didn't need to be healed now, so she decided to give up the idea.
While she was still thinking about how to ask before leaving for the throne, the queen let them go.
Ruan Jun was hesitant and had no intention of leaving. Wen Yu'nu looked at Ruan Jun for several times, and realizing that Ruan Jun was absent-minded, she had to leave first.
Ran Xia helped the empress to stand up and reminded her softly.
The Queen then noticed Ruan Yun, a flash of surprise flashed across her face, and she quickly said, "Let Ying Baolin come in."
Ran Xia was about to refuse, but Qi Yue shook her head to stop her. Ran Xia had no choice but to go over and bow, saying, "The Queen wants to invite Ying Baolin in to talk. Does Master Baolin have time?"
Ruan Jun's eyebrows curved, her almond eyes were filled with a faint smile, and her beauty made people unable to take their eyes away. She said, "Of course I am free, and Aunt Lao Ranxia will lead the way."
Qiyue helped the empress into the inner hall first. The empress picked up the teacup on the table and said softly, "I remember the kitchen made pine nut and lily cakes and eight-treasure cakes today. Bring in a cup of milk tea when it's cold."
After receiving the order, Ran Xia respectfully invited Ruan Yun into the inner hall.
It was not quite the same as what Ruan Yun had imagined. There were mostly ordinary utensils in the Fengyi Palace, and the golden cups that the empress could use were rarely displayed. However, they were elegant and simple, and Ruan Yun liked them at first sight.
"I don't like extravagance, so the furnishings in the palace are much simpler." The queen suddenly spoke up, interrupting Ruan Yun's thoughts. She hurried over to greet the queen and said, "Your Majesty, I really like the makeup in the palace."
The queen was stunned when she heard this, but she just laughed out loud, "No wonder the emperor dotes on you. I like you very much, too."
A soft hand rested on Ruan Jun's arm, and the Queen personally helped her up. Ruan Jun looked up at the Queen with a little surprise, and saw a trace of sadness flash across the Queen's face, but it quickly disappeared, as if she had seen it wrong.
Qiyue brought the snacks in front of Ruan Yun and placed a cup of hot milk tea next to her.
Ruan Jun seemed a little hesitant, but couldn't help herself. The Queen asked softly, "Try it and see if you like it?"
Ruan Jun picked up a piece of snack and put it into his mouth, and immediately said in a soft tone: "I also like the snack that the Queen gave me last time."
The queen looked at the snacks on the plate, smiled silently and shook her head. She had tasted the snacks in Fengyi Palace before, and there was no difference between them and those in Yu Kitchen.
The queen tapped the table and said softly, "I remember your concubine Ying Ning. She was chosen to work in Yunling Pavilion because she was good at making snacks."
Ruan Jun stopped what she was doing. She really didn't know that the Empress remembered the people around her so clearly.
Snorting lightly and moving her body uncomfortably, Ruan Yun muttered softly, "No matter how good Ying Ning's cooking skills are, I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy her."
The queen tapped the dessert plate on the table with her armored hand, smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you haven't seen you for a long time. You must be missing you. Go to the front of the temple."
Ruan Yun was stunned for a long time before she stood up and thanked him, "Thank you, Queen."
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