Chapter 060 Chapter 60
[Chapter 60]
The expression in Yan Shiyu's eyes faded, and his fingertips kneaded Ruan Yun's waist unconsciously, "Do you miss me so much?"
Ruan Jun shook Yan Shiyu's sleeve and said, "Your Majesty, please don't be partial to one person over the other."
Yan Shiyu sneered and said nothing else.
The other concubines always tried every means to keep him. Whenever they had a headache or a fever, they would send people to visit him, as if they would not stop until they saw him.
She just sided with Ruan Yun, pushing him towards others, and even didn't want him to go to Ruiyu Pavilion.
The imperial procession stopped at the Ruiyu Pavilion. Ruan Yun carefully observed the emperor's expression and said softly, "Your Majesty, please remember to eat."
But her being so well-behaved did not make Yan Shiyu feel happy at all. He looked at Ruan Jun walking into Ruiyu Pavilion with deep eyes.
Yingning was holding the food box she had taken from Concubine Xian. Ruan Jun looked at the food box on the table, tapped it with her fingertips, and then leaned on the beauty couch.
When they opened the box, they found that it was full of Jiangnan pastries. Ying Ning also realized something was wrong. "The Concubine Xian just returned to the palace, and she knows exactly what the young lady likes."
Ruan Jun didn't use the cakes in the lunch box, "Go ahead and enjoy them."
When they were in Chaoxi Palace, something Concubine Xian said had already caught Ruan Yun's attention. If she wanted her to bring cakes back to the palace, she didn't have to deliberately tell the chef from Yangzhou.
Although this virtuous concubine had not been in the palace before, she knew everything about the palace. She might even know that she was framed by Concubine Du and forced to drink the bitter cold tea. This really makes people have to be on guard.
Ying Ning rubbed Ruan Yun's eyebrows and said, "When Concubine Xian left the palace, the emperor had not yet ascended the throne. It's just that the emperor's former wet nurse is still in the palace."
Ruan Jun then opened her eyes and asked, "But is it Madam Xu?"
Ying Ning nodded, "Yes, now that Madam Xu is old, and everyone in her family is no longer alive, the Emperor has long since let Madam Xu live in the Luoshui Palace to spend the rest of her life."
Ruan Jun had heard of this Madam Xu. The emperor respected Madam Xu very much, and Madam Xu never did anything out of line because of her status. That was why she went to the Luoshui Palace and was served by palace maids.
But is Concubine Xian really related to Aunt Xu?
The person who could know the affairs in the palace so clearly could not be just Madam Xu who was far away in Luoshui Palace. It had to be someone from the palace.
The fact that Concubine Xian was able to return to the palace was closely related to the Empress, but I'm afraid there were others who fanned the flames.
Ruan Yun's eyes were particularly calm, and she changed the subject and asked, "How is Concubine Du doing?"
Ying Ning glanced at the door and confirmed that no one was there before she said, "Dan Xing has been transferred to the kitchen to work. I will send her new bitter cold tea every ten days. Don't worry, my lady, she has released all of them."
Ruan Yun nodded, without any joy on her face. She rubbed her brows and said, "Bring us some food. I'm really hungry after working all morning."
Ying Ning smiled and agreed, "Today we have your favorite chestnut chicken soup. I have already asked the kitchen to prepare it."
When Ruan Yun heard this, the smile on her face deepened. There were too many right and wrongs in the palace. It would be great if she could just live an ordinary life and have three good meals a day.
…
Purple Palace.
Wei Maoyuan took the palace maid away. Yan Shiyu looked at the things on the table, tapped the red pen next to the table and said, "Put it away."
Wei Maoyuan could not help but quickly take down the supporting things. Seeing that the emperor did not show any sign of anger, he felt more reassured. It seemed that the emperor was ready to help.
Little Muzi came in from outside and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Queen is here."
Yan Shiyu did not put down his red pen, "Let the Queen come in."
The empress was wearing a bright yellow phoenix robe and had a little makeup on her face. She greeted Yan Shiyu with a smile.
Yan Shiyu put down what he was doing and personally helped the empress up. "It's hot, why did the empress come here?"
The Queen sat beside the Emperor and said in a gentle voice, "I just went to Chaoxi Palace to see Concubine Xian and the Second Prince. I was relieved to see that the Second Prince was able to eat and sleep well and looked much better than before."
Yan Shiyu nodded, "I went to see her too, and she said that the Queen had worked hard, and the Second Prince was well taken care of by you."
The queen's smile deepened, "It's all my duty."
Then he stood up as if he had just remembered something important and said, "The weather is getting hotter and hotter. It will be June in half a month. Last year, the emperor had just ascended the throne and was busy selecting beauties, so he did not go to the palace to escape the heat. But this year, there are many more sisters and the second prince. Does the emperor think he should go to the palace?"
Yan Shiyu thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
The Empress knew that the Emperor would agree, so she continued, "Which sisters would you like to accompany you, Your Majesty? Or I can prepare a list and send it to you tomorrow."
Yan Shiyu said calmly: "Needless to say, the biological mother of the prince and princess. Although the second prince is still young, the palace is suffering from severe heatstroke. Let the wet nurse pay more attention to it."
"Lady Ying, Lady Meng..."
Thinking of the woman's sweet voice asking him to go and see other people today, Yan Shiyu tapped the table with his fingertips, "Add one more Concubine Ji, and the rest... let Concubine Du go as well."
The Queen was not too surprised by the Emperor's choice. She stood up and said, "I understand."
The Purple Palace used very little ice. The emperor was always frugal and never extravagant in food, clothing, and daily expenses. When the empress was about to leave, she couldn't help but say with concern, "The heat is severe recently. Your Majesty, please use more fruits to cool down. Don't hurt your body."
Yan Shiyu opened his thin lips slightly, "The Queen is virtuous, and I am very pleased."
The Queen still looked as calm as ever, with even the smile on her lips not diminishing in the slightest.
Ran Xia helped the Empress out of the Purple Palace and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, the Second Prince will also go, why did the Emperor let Concubine Du go as well, and not just let her stay in the palace?"
The Queen glanced at Ran Xia and sat on the ceremonial carriage, "The Emperor's mind is always unpredictable. If you can ever see clearly what the Emperor is thinking, you will be above the emperor. Why should I insist on getting an answer? It's enough for the Emperor to know clearly in his own mind."
Ran Xia said no more, just thinking about the people the emperor had just mentioned. She was afraid that the empress must be tired in the palace.
…
Greetings the next day.
The Queen left the inner hall early, and Concubine Xian also came very early, knowing the etiquette.
Seeing this, the Queen couldn't help but say something, her tone full of concern, "Sister, this is your first time back in the palace. Last night, the Emperor picked your name card again. The Second Prince also wants you to take care of him. Why did you come so early?"
Concubine Xian's smile froze for a moment, but quickly returned to normal when no one saw it. "Properties cannot be abandoned. Yesterday, I should have come to pay my respects to the queen, but the queen went to my sister first. I was really scared."
The queen said gently and dignifiedly, "My sister is the most polite."
The queen then asked about the queen mother's health and the four years she had spent at Mount Putuo. She was relieved to hear that everything was fine. "My mother and I are relieved that my sister is with her."
The concubines had almost all arrived, and the empress told them that they were going to the temporary palace to escape the summer heat. "The emperor will make a decision after he has read the list. My sisters don't need to prepare too much in advance. I have already arranged for someone to go to the temporary palace to take care of it."
After hearing the news, Lady Meng was particularly calm and at ease, and she was quite well behaved today. "Who is the Empress going to give the Jiangxue Tower, where I used to live, to?"
Seeing that Meng Guiren was clearly provoking her, Concubine De said with a bit of severity in her tone, "Sister Meng, you are thinking too much. The Emperor and the Empress have not yet decided on everything, so why are you so anxious?"
Meng Guiren stood up slowly and knelt down to bow, "Don't blame me, Your Majesty, but the Emperor once said that Jiangxue Tower would allow me to live there whenever I go to the temporary palace, so I have to ask this question."
Concubine Xian had not even glanced at Noble Meng at first, but when she heard what he said, she couldn't help but turn her head away.
Chen Baolin pulled his handkerchief angrily, "Jiangxue Tower is the coolest palace besides the emperor's residence, and it is close to the emperor's Jingqi Palace. Even though he has been demoted, he still remembers the benefits of the past."
Ruan Jun raised her eyebrows and realized that the emperor had never been to the palace since she entered the palace as a maid. It seemed that the emperor had been governing the country for the previous emperor, and the court officials had already recognized the emperor's identity.
Concubine Xian suddenly spoke softly at this moment. This was the first time that everyone heard her speak since she returned to the palace. "I haven't seen Sister Meng for many years. How come your temper hasn't changed? Sister, you must be more careful in the future."
Meng Guiren sneered, "I am talking to the Empress, but Sister Xianfei can't help it. Could it be that when she was still in the Qian Mansion, she was inferior to her sister in every way, and now she can't help it after returning to the palace?"
"Or maybe Sister Xianfei thought she had some kind of relationship with the Empress Dowager, and she spent four years with the Empress Dowager on Mount Putuo, and after practicing meditation, she actually forgot about her past affairs?"
Ruan Yun held up her chin and smiled even more deeply. Even if Noble Meng had not been demoted, Concubine Shu was only the last of the four concubines. How could she compare to Concubine Xian? It seemed that she was really shocked by the demotion.
Concubine Xian was indeed rendered speechless by Lord Meng's rebuke. However, she could not lose her temper in Fengyi Palace and her chest was heaving with anger.
Seeing that they had all said the same thing, the Queen said to Meng Guiren in a gentle voice, "Since it was the Emperor who asked for it before, it would be best for you to ask the Emperor. I cannot disobey the Emperor's wishes."
Meng Guiren was very proud. "Yes, I will ask the emperor myself."
Ruan Jun withdrew her eyes that were watching the show. Looking at Sister Ying's calm expression, Concubine Ji was actually a little afraid that she would be sad if she knew who the emperor had chosen to go with her.
After the morning meeting, Ruan Yun walked to the ceremonial procession, and Concubine Ji called her from behind, "Sister Ying."
Ruan Jun looked around, her voice carrying a hint of joy, "I just heard that a lot of koi have been newly released into the Taiye Lake. It would be nice to go to the Taiye Lake now. Would you like to go together?"
There was no reason for Concubine Ji to refuse, so she got on the ceremonial procession and went to Taiye Lake with Ruan Yun.
The red and yellow koi in the pond were dazzling. Ruan Jun could not help but walk towards the edge of the pond. The palace maids beside her were all terrified, fearing that something might happen to the young lady in Taiye Lake.
Seeing a koi with unique patterns in the pond, Ruan Yun turned around happily and wanted to ask Jipin to come over to have a look, but suddenly she found that her face was pale and she forgot what she had overlooked.
When Ruan Yun walked over, Jipin curled her lips slightly and said, "I'm fine, Sister Ying can go and see me."
Ruan Yun felt bored without anyone to accompany her. She walked towards the pavilion, holding a round fan with a carved rosewood fan and a brocade pattern. "Your health has not been well. Have you asked another doctor to take a look?"
It is already summer, but Concubine Ji is still wearing a satin skirt. Although it is cool, it is much thicker than other silks.
Jipin stopped fanning herself with her round fan and said, "It's okay, it's just a minor problem."
Ruan Yun wanted to persuade her again, but when she saw the indifferent look on Jipin's face, she didn't know how to say what she wanted to say.
"Sister Ying, do you know that the emperor specifically asked Concubine Du to go along this time?" Concubine Ji suddenly spoke. When Ruan Jun heard this, surprise appeared in her almond-shaped eyes.
It's not that I haven't heard about what Ji Xuanshi is like now. I'm afraid that the whole Yinlanxuan is avoiding her. She smashes things in the palace at any time. I even heard the low sobbing of the palace maids serving inside when I occasionally passed by Yinlanxuan.
Ruan Yun pressed the round fan against her chest and said, "The Second Prince will definitely go to the temporary palace. If Concubine Du sees the Second Prince, won't her illness get worse?"
Jipin's face was impeccable, "Who knows, maybe our emperor wants her to be like this."
Ruan Yun carefully thought about Jipin's words in her heart. It was a serious crime for a concubine to commit suicide, and it didn't make sense if she died for no reason. Moreover, Du Xianshi was the biological mother of the second prince, and she had the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion behind her. Even though the Pingyang Marquis' Mansion was in decline, it was still a clan with a solid foundation, and they could not touch Du Xianshi.
The only possibility is that the emperor really wants to do something during this visit to the palace.
Ruan Yun couldn't figure it out for a moment, and Jipin smiled and said, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have told you this. But you are very favored by the emperor, so you must go to the temporary palace. It's good to prepare in advance."
Ruan Yun glanced at Jipin and said to her angrily, "Don't talk about me, what about you?"
After Concubine Ji went to Fengyi Palace to pay her respects, the green badge was not hung up. She asked Tingxu to go to the Siqinfang and spend some money to find out, and it turned out that Concubine Ji herself was unwilling to hang up the green badge. She originally thought that it was the people in the Siqinfang who bullied Concubine Ji, but now the situation has been reversed.
Jipin's smile only remained on the surface. "I am not fully recovered yet, so I am not suitable to accompany you."
As long as Sister Ying is favored, that is enough, and other things are not that important.
Ruan Yun pulled Jipin and said, "In this palace, what's the use of just having a position? You know much more than I do, so don't do things in a muddled way."
Jipin helped Ruan Yun fan herself, nodded and said, "Don't worry, Sister Ying, I won't."
Just thinking about getting close to the emperor, Jipin couldn't help but recall the hesitation on the emperor's face when he was in the outer palace in Zhaiyue Pavilion that day.
It was like a thorn that had pierced into her heart and could never be removed.
…
End of May.
The emperor personally set a date to go to the palace to escape the summer heat, and various officials accompanied him and discussed state affairs with the emperor every day.
Ruan Jun sat comfortably in the carriage and couldn't help but lift the curtain to look outside.
Ying Ning heaved a sigh of relief when she saw how calm the young lady was. She had been worried that the young lady would feel uncomfortable sitting in the carriage due to the long journey, but now it seemed that the medicine she got from the Imperial Medical Bureau would not be needed.
There were only trees on both sides of the official road, but Ruan Yun felt that it was much better than being cooped up in the palace walls.
Seeing Yingning put out the snacks, she couldn't help but pick up the cakes and leaned leisurely on the soft pillow.
Ying Ning gently advised the young lady, "Young lady, use less. Be careful or you'll feel dizzy."
Ruan Yun shook her head and said, "Since I can remember, my father always took me and my mother with him whenever he went on business. Since I was a child, I have spent more time in the carriage than at home."
Ying Ning was extremely surprised, as if she had never expected that there was such a story in her family. "This is the first time that the young master has mentioned your parents."
Ruan Yun's smile faded a lot, and she said with some disappointment: "They are gone now, so I have to learn to look forward."
During lunch, the carriages stopped at a farm, and the Queen and the Emperor were the first to get off from the two carriages in front.
When Ruan Yun stepped on the ground, she felt something soft under her feet, which was very uncomfortable. She muttered softly, "It's obvious that I couldn't do this before."
Ying Ning hadn't heard clearly yet, and looked forward inadvertently. From the corner of her eye she saw that Ji Bin's face didn't look good. She looked carefully and realized that she was not mistaken.
He whispered to Ruan Yun, "My lady, Lady Ji seems to be feeling unwell."
At this time, all the concubines had gotten off the carriage. Ruan Yun's actions did not disturb others. She walked over and supported Concubine Ji with a frown on her face. She asked Yi Cui beside her, "Your young lady is not feeling well. Why don't you ask the imperial physician to come and see her?"
Concubine Ji smiled weakly, "Sister Ying, don't blame her. It was me who didn't allow the imperial physician to be summoned. This is because I have rarely traveled far."
When she first went to the capital alone for the selection, she felt extremely uncomfortable sitting in the carriage. However, she did not feel so uncomfortable because she thought that if she could be selected, it would bring honor to the family and save her father and brothers from having to work so hard.
Now that everything is like this, I no longer have that kind of mentality.
Ruan Yun glanced at Ying Ning, and Ying Ning quickly said, "Two days ago, I went to the Imperial Physician's Office to ask for some prescriptions for treating motion sickness. If Master Ji doesn't mind, I'll go get them."
Jipin accepted Ruan Yun's kindness and said, "Thank you, Sister Ying."
Ruan Yun hesitated for only a moment before saying, "Please ask the imperial physician to come and see Concubine Ji, and take a look at the prescription while you're at it."
The corners of Jipin's lips straightened instantly. Yicui didn't dare to listen to Lady Ying's words rashly. She had to look at her own mistress first. After getting Jipin's nod, she went to ask the imperial physician to come over.
The two of them were not making too much noise here. Yan Shiyu frowned and said to Wei Maoyuan, "Let's go and see her. Is she feeling unwell?"
Wei Maoyuan did not dare to delay even a moment in treating Lady Ying, so he went there in person.
Ying Ning used to work in Yunling Pavilion, so she was the one who spoke up for this matter: "It's just that Madam Ji is feeling a little unwell, so I'm sorry to trouble Eunuch Wei."
Wei Maoyuan was still worried and asked, "Is Miss Ying okay?"
Ying Ning shook her head, "Our master is fine."
After Wei Maoyuan got the definite answer, he returned to the emperor and told him everything Yingning had just said.
Who would have thought that the emperor would walk straight towards Concubine Ying's chamber with a cold face. Wei Maoyuan was dumbfounded. Isn't it Concubine Ji who is in trouble?
After the imperial physician examined Concubine Ji's pulse, Yingning handed the prescription she got from the Imperial Medical Bureau to the imperial physician, asking him to take a careful look at it.
"My two young masters, this prescription is fine. If you suffer from motion sickness, take one dose a day to relieve the discomfort."
Yingning personally escorted the imperial physician out, and Jipin told Yicui in a low voice, "You all go down first."
Tingxu did not leave. Ruan Yun thought that Jipin wanted to say something to her, so she said to Tingxu in a gentle voice, "You two can go down and rest."
Tingxu had no choice but to leave the chamber, but she did not dare to go far and stood outside waiting for her young master.
Ruan Yun's almond-shaped eyes were somewhat confused. "What's wrong?"
Although Jipin looked unhappy, she still tried to ask Ruan Yun, "Sister Ying... don't you believe me?"
Ruan Jun was caught off guard by her question, "No..."
Concubine Ji curled her lips and smiled, "People in the palace have complicated minds. It's normal for Sister Ying not to believe me. I will make Sister Ying believe me."
Ruan Yun looked at Concubine Ji with complicated eyes. The incident with Wen Yunu in the past was still vivid in her mind. After Wen Yunu was killed by Bai Ling, she had nightmares for several times. If the emperor had not found her, she didn't know how long she would be trapped.
Seeing that Concubine Ji looked slightly hurt, Ruan Yun opened her lips to say something, but then the eunuch's message came in.
Yan Shiyu opened the curtain and his eyes first fell on Ruan Yun's innocent face, "Why did you invite the imperial physician?"
Concubine Ji was not annoyed by being ignored and stood up to pay her respects to the Emperor.
Ruan Yun said coquettishly, "Didn't the emperor send Eunuch Wei to ask about this just now? Why did the emperor come here in person? Do you think I lied again?"
Yan Shiyu suddenly felt guilty and coughed lightly with his fist.
Ruan Jun shook Yan Shiyu's sleeve and said in a gentle voice, "I am fine. If I were in trouble, I would not hide it. I am so happy that the emperor feels sorry for me."
"I am fine, but Concubine Ji is really unwell. Your Majesty should think carefully about your concern for the wrong person."
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