Chapter 123 Chapter 123
[Chapter 123]
Defei leaned her head on the beauty chair, and the palace maids fanned her. The purple gold sandalwood incense burner in the inner hall emitted white smoke in the shape of lotus flowers, with a refreshing fragrance that was suitable for all seasons.
Wang Yi opened the pearl curtain and came in. The slightest collision sound made Defei's eyelashes tremble slightly.
Taking the round fan from the palace maid, Wang Yi winked at the maid to leave, then stood beside Concubine De and said, "Your Majesty, Wen Baolin is here."
Defei's beautiful eyes opened, and Wang Yi immediately helped the queen to stand up, "If the queen doesn't want to see him, I will go and tell Wen Baolin to leave?"
With her slender wrist extended, Concubine De picked up the teacup and took a sip, "Why not? She is more patient than I thought."
Wang Yi understood what Concubine De meant and said, "Yes, I will invite Wen Baolin in."
Defei picked up the round fan and waved it, bringing out a fragrant breeze.
Wen Baolin listened to what Wang Yi said and said softly, "Thank you, Miss Wang Yi."
Wang Yi's smile did not reach her eyes. She said, "The Queen has been a little depressed recently. If the young lady could share her worries, the Queen would be happy."
Wen Baolin said nothing more and walked into the inner hall.
Concubine De was watching the eldest prince practice calligraphy and ignored Wen Baolin who entered the hall.
Wen Baolin took the food box from Tao Chu's hand and shook his fair wrist. The thin bracelet made a crisp sound. Tao Chu took a few steps back and stood at the door of the palace.
Placing the food box gently on the table, Wen Baolin walked slowly behind Concubine De. Concubine De smelled the scent of perfume on Wen Baolin and frowned slightly.
Wen Baolin only glanced at the words on the rice paper. Although they were still a little immature, his sharpness could be seen in the shape of the brushstrokes.
"The eldest prince's handwriting has become better and better, and it has some of the emperor's style."
When Concubine De heard the emperor's words, a smile appeared on her face. "Tell Ting'er not to tire himself out."
After saying this, she placed the rice paper on the support held by the palace maid. Wang Yi agreed to Concubine De's words, and for a moment, Concubine De and Wen Baolin were the only two people left in the inner hall.
Concubine De looked up at Wen Baolin and said, "It's hot outside. Why did you come at this time? If you get a heat stroke, how can you serve the emperor?"
Wen Baolin did not react to Concubine De's words. She opened the food box as she had planned at the beginning and said, "When I was at home, there was a nanny in the mansion who made delicious Mita lotus seed curd. I learned how to make it. Today I happened to be free and made some. Your Majesty, would you like to try it?"
Concubine De looked at the silk-wrapped white agate dish in front of her and said, "My sister's hands look so skillful."
Wen Baolin put his hands into his sleeves sheepishly, "It's useless to just be clever. It would be best if the queen likes this cake."
Having said that, Concubine De picked up the pastry, took a bite, and said, "It's really good."
With the praise from Concubine De, no matter whether it was sincere or not, it was still a compliment.
Wen Baolin said softly, "If your Majesty likes it, I will make it and send it to you later."
Concubine De put down the unfinished cake in her hand, stood up and walked towards the couch:
"If you have such thoughts about me, you might as well focus on the emperor."
Wen Baolin was stunned when he heard this. He stood there, his hands in his sleeves at a loss, his eyes drooping, looking particularly aggrieved, "But this concubine cannot even see the emperor, so naturally, I cannot deliver this cake to him."
Concubine De frowned, her expression turned cold:
"You can't think of any other solution if the emperor doesn't want to see you?"
"Didn't the emperor love to watch you dancing and playing the piano in the past? Could it be that now you can't do anything?"
After hearing what Concubine De said, Wen Baolin almost revealed his emotions.
She said in a muffled voice: "But the emperor will not turn over my name card. Even if I want to, there is nothing I can do."
Concubine De tapped her fingertips and said, "The dragon boat race is about to be held. If you present cakes to the event in public, will the emperor still reject your offer in front of all the civil and military officials? But you should think carefully. Even if the emperor can come to your palace once, how can you keep him?"
Wen Baolin closed her eyes tightly, "I am stupid, please teach me, Your Majesty."
Concubine De smiled faintly and said, "Concubine Ying is so favored that the Emperor has not even entered the harem for a long time. The concubines in the harem are already impatient. The Emperor is so annoyed that sometimes he makes a move, but it is better not to make any. It is hot in midsummer. The Emperor likes to go fishing in Taiye Lake recently. If he can hear someone playing the zither, he will be happy and calm."
Wen Baolin's eyelashes twitched, and she bowed and said, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."
De Fei looked at Wen Baolin and said, "I recommended you to the palace. I thought I would look for another opportunity later, but I didn't expect you to be so anxious. You made one wrong step and then another. If you have your own ideas now, you don't have to come to Jingzhang Palace anymore."
Wen Baolin bit his lower lip, frightened by Concubine De's words:
"Don't worry, my lady. I won't do that again."
Defei didn't say anything else. Wen Baolin's palms were sweating. He lowered his eyes and prepared to leave Jingzhang Palace. Unexpectedly, Defei spoke again and said, "It's been hot recently. You used such a heavy scented powder. Are you trying to keep the emperor away?"
Wen Baolin came back to her senses after hearing what Concubine De said. She clutched her handkerchief tightly and smelled the scent of the powder on it. She liked it.
"If you don't know how to please the Emperor—" De Fei paused, "then watch more of what the Favored Concubine does. Even if you can't learn the essence, it's good to learn a little bit. Otherwise, then go to the Favored Concubine's side."
Wen Baolin's eyes flickered slightly, wanting to confirm what Concubine De meant.
But Concubine De had already closed her eyes, waved her hands, and said, "Go away. I am tired and want to sleep for a while."
Wang Yi stood beside Wen Baolin and said respectfully, "I will escort you out."
Wen Baolin had no choice but to walk out with Wang Yi, deep in thought. After leaving Jingzhang Palace, Tao Chu anxiously wanted to ask Wen Baolin what happened, but Wen Baolin turned around and looked at the gate of Jingzhang Palace. After a few breaths, Wen Baolin turned around.
Looking at Tao Chu beside him, Wen Baolin said, "Ask whatever you want to ask."
Tao Chu said, "The Empress Defei asked the young lady to go to Taiye Lake, but now the Imperial Concubine Ying is in great favor. Although the Emperor did not turn over the card last night, he still stayed in the palace of Imperial Concubine Ying. If Imperial Concubine Ying is out of confinement and knows everything the young lady did behind her back, then it will really be no different from what Wen Yunu did in the past."
Wen Baolin stopped walking, turned around and looked at Tao Chu, a smile appeared in his eyes, "How come you are much smarter than before."
Tao Chu blushed, stamped her feet and said, "My young master!"
Wen Baolin took the round fan from Tao Chu and shook his wrist to himself, "The Empress Defei is thoughtful, and the eldest prince is the eldest son of the Emperor. I'm afraid that anyone who is with the Empress Defei will not be able to get a good result, but not many."
Tao Chu was surprised and spoke louder, "My lady, you mean..."
She quickly came to her senses, realizing that they were in the palace at this time, and said in a pressing voice, "The relationship between Concubine Ying and Ji Zhaoyi is very special. The emperor might have asked Ji Zhaoyi to raise the little princess, and this was also due to Concubine Ying's hand. If she could rely on Concubine Ying, it would probably be much better than Empress Defei. Not to mention, the third prince is still young, so Concubine Ying will naturally spend a lot of energy on him. I'm afraid she needs someone around her more than Empress Defei."
Wen Baolin nodded repeatedly, "How come you can figure all this out after just one visit to the palace?"
She recalled what Concubine De wrote on the rice paper when she was sitting in front of the couch. She lowered her beautiful eyes and said, "My cousin is as stupid as a pig. She only knows how to use Concubine Ying Gui and step on her to get to the top. But in this palace, no one can stand firm by themselves."
In the past, she had indeed provoked Concubine Ying, but people always make mistakes. Now it seemed that following Concubine Ying was much better than being with Concubine De, but she did not want to offend Concubine De easily.
…
As midsummer arrives, cicadas chirp loudly outside.
Tingxu and Chunqing stood under the tree. Tingxu pointed at the branch, but Chunqing could not find the right spot with the fishing rod in his hand.
Tingxu was a little annoyed, "Give it to me, you clumsy guy!"
Chun Qing shook her head in embarrassment, "Don't be angry, dear sister, be careful not to hurt my hand."
Chunqing's words made Tingxu feel better, "Hurry up, don't disturb the queen's nap."
Today is the third prince's full-month ceremony. The emperor asked his attendants to come and announce early in the morning that he would come in person to pick up the third prince in the afternoon.
Imperial Physician Sun said that the Empress is still weak and it would be best to postpone her confinement for a few more days, so the Empress cannot go with the Emperor today.
When she woke up this morning, Ruan Jun felt uneasy.
Dongdong has been with her basically for the past month, and she really doesn't want to leave her for such a long time today.
Cicadas are still chirping outside, and the sticky rod is not very effective.
As soon as she moved, the maid guarding the inner hall felt it, opened the curtain and came in, and asked softly: "Your Highness, are you awake? Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Ruan Yun shook his head and asked, "Is the Third Prince awake?"
The maid said, "I haven't heard anything going on inside."
Ruan Yun said, "Please let Ying Ning in."
The maid nodded and quickly went out to the small kitchen, found Yingning and said, "Sister, the Queen wants you to come over."
Yingning looked at the medicine on the stove and said, "Just watch over here and bring it over when it's ready."
The maid said, "Don't worry, sister."
Ever since the incident involving Hong Yuan and Nian Qing in Lin Xuan Palace, all the people in Lin Xuan Palace are now selected by the emperor, and Ying Ning feels much more at ease than before.
In the inner hall, Ruan Yun stood up and sat in front of the makeup mirror. Seeing the figure reflected in the bronze mirror, she turned around and asked, "Is there still no other movement over there, Concubine De?"
Ying Ning said, "It's very quiet in Jingzhang Palace. There's not much difference between today and the past."
"Does your Majesty think there is something wrong?"
Ruan Yun frowned, "De Fei is a patient person. She was able to arrange for Hong Yuan and Nian Qing while I was pregnant. Today is the full moon ceremony. It would be too risky if I took action. The probability of being discovered is too high. I hope I am just being overthinking."
Ying Ning stepped forward and said, "These past two days, I wanted to make cakes for the Majesty, so I went to the West Third House to pick some crabapples. Unexpectedly, I met a maid who was not in her right mind and could not hear clearly what she said. I wanted to go forward, but a palace maid reminded me that the maid had gone crazy and told me to be careful not to get hurt by her. I thought it was not right, so I asked casually, 'When did the maid enter the palace? Majesty, why don't you guess?"
Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, Ruan Yun followed Ying Ning's words and said, "Madam, is she an old friend of Qian Mansion?"
Yingning picked up the wooden comb and handed it to the queen. "Yes, Nanny was originally the mother who managed the garden in the palace, but I don't know why she went crazy. She has no children and it's not easy to send her out of the palace, so she was placed in the West Third House. At least she won't have to worry about food and drink."
Ruan Yun used a wooden comb to gently stroke the ends of her hair. "So, although Nanny is in charge of the garden, the palace was not that big in the past. If you want to know something, it should be easy."
Ying Ning nodded, "That's right."
"I saw Mammy talking nonsense and making abnormal movements. She looked like she was calling for help and she kept running to the well. It was really scary."
Ruan Yun felt a chill just by listening to Ying Ning's words. "This is indeed a difficult matter. Although Nanny may know something, she is still crazy. If it is really related to the past incident in the palace, someone must have been keeping an eye on the West Third Building. You should not go there recently. I am afraid something might happen."
Ying Ning felt a warm current in her heart and whispered, "I understand."
At this time, the voice of the eunuch outside was heard. Ruan Yun stood up and Ying Ning hurriedly supported the empress.
Yan Shiyu walked in with an indifferent look on his face. Seeing Ruan Yun had already walked to the outer hall, his brows immediately tightened and he strode to Ruan Yun's front. "Have you forgotten what the imperial physician said?"
His sharp black eyes fell on Yingning, and Yingning knelt down in shock and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Ruan Jun pulled Yan Shiyu's sleeve and said softly, "It was me who wanted to come out and take a look. Besides, I haven't left yet. Your Majesty, don't worry."
Yan Shiyu tapped her forehead and said coldly, "Sweet words and flattering appearance."
Ruan Yun stuck out her tongue and said, "I want to spend more time with the emperor and the child. The emperor will take him away soon."
Yan Shiyu said coldly: "I am bringing Dongdong to participate in the full moon ceremony, not for any other purpose."
Ruan Yun's eyes sparkled with tears as she said, "I am just worried. Dongdong has never been away from me for so long, and he is going to attend the palace banquet. If something goes wrong with him, I am really afraid..."
Yan Shiyu held Ruan Yun's hand tightly and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild. I will send Dongdong back safely."
Ruan Yun nestled in Yan Shiyu's arms. Seeing that the time was almost up, the wet nurse took Dongdong over to her.
Dongdong was awake at this moment, and Ruan Jun couldn't help but tease him by poking him with her finger.
Dongdong looked at his mother grinning and waving her little hands, looking very pleasing.
Yan Shiyu hugged Ruan Jun, and just looking at the scene in front of him, he felt that his heart was filled with Ruan Jun.
Ruan Jun said softly, "Be careful when you hold the Third Prince tonight."
The nurse bowed and said, "Don't worry, Madam, I will do it."
Ruan Yun looked up at Yan Shiyu, "Your Majesty, please go quickly."
When she said this, tears welled up in Ruan Jun's eyes. Yan Shiyu knew that she was reluctant, but the ancestral rules were like that. If she didn't do anything, the outside world would not know how to guess what was going on with the Third Prince, and who knows how many rumors would be brought about by then.
"I'll be back in a moment."
Ruan Jun watched the emperor's back as he walked to the pearl curtain, sighed, and sat back on the couch.
I just picked up the notebook and felt upset and couldn't concentrate on reading anything.
Ying Ning saw that the queen was anxious and said gently, "Don't worry, the emperor is still here."
In the past, palace banquets were full of crises, and no one knew how many things had happened. Now that there was such a small movement, she must be very uneasy, so she simply put down the storybook and picked up the embroidery beside her to pass the time.
Soon the palace maids lit up the palace lights, and when the eunuch's voice outside was heard again, Ruan Yun's anxious heart finally settled down.
Dongdong had already fallen asleep. Ruan Jun looked at him and let the wet nurse take him away. She buried her little face in the emperor's chest and was unwilling to lift it up.
Yan Shiyu sneered and said, "Little cat, are you relieved now?"
Ruan Yun weakly retorted, "That's not me."
Yan Shiyu did not expose Ruan Yun's words, but only said: "I know you have been bored for a long time, and I wanted to take you out of the palace, but two of the new Jinshi are from poor families, and the palace banquet cannot be skipped. If I have time later, I will take you out of the palace, okay?"
Ruan Yun raised her head and nodded, saying, "I will obey the emperor."
The newly-appointed Jinshi are the most talented candidates in the annual imperial examinations. They have passed the palace selection and have both good looks and knowledge.
Somehow, Ruan Yun suddenly thought of the man she met on the street when she left the palace last time.
She closed her eyes and placed her hand over her heart.
No, it couldn't be, she must have seen it wrong.
When people are under stress, they are bound to misjudge things. She was confused because she made unreasonable associations.
Ruan Yun gently touched the emperor's palm, blushing, and said, "Your Majesty, please stay tonight, okay?"
Yan Shiyu hooked her nose and asked, "Does your hand hurt anymore?"
Ruan Yun looked into the embroidered basket, her eyes wide open, and said, "I want to make a belt for the emperor. What do you think of it?"
Yan Shiyu's numb and low laughter fell into Ruan Jun's ears. Ruan Jun was not angry when the emperor's smile was exposed. She lowered her head and shook the emperor's arm.
…
Ruan Yun held Dongdong and patted him gently. It was getting hotter today and Dongdong's appetite was not as good as before. At this moment, he was playfully leaning into Ruan Yun's arms.
Thinking of his frivolous father, Ruan Jun narrowed his eyes and said softly, "Little rascal, don't learn from your father!"
Dongdong didn't understand what was saying and thought his mother was playing a prank on him.
Suddenly there were some noises outside, as if someone was arguing. Ruan Yun turned her head to look over, and Ying Ning, who was waiting on the side, said, "I'll go out and take a look."
Ruan Yun nodded and absentmindedly let the wet nurse take Dongdong away.
Soon, Ying Ning stepped into the inner hall again, looked into the eyes of the empress, and said, "Your Majesty, Wen Baolin is here and said that he made a small set of clothes for the third prince and wanted to send it in. Ting Xu stopped Wen Baolin and waited for your opinion."
"My lady, do you want to see it?"
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