After waiting for a long time, Lan Ying's back and waist were already sore. After making sure that Xue Zhiyi had no other movements, she slowly stood up. However, she saw that Xue Zhiyi had turned over and was facing away from her, making it even more difficult for her to get the purse.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, but she had no choice but to quietly climb out the window and leave. When she left, she knocked over the pen holder again. She was so scared that she didn't dare come back to clean it up and ran away.
…
Xue Zhiyi brought the finished purse to show the empress dowager. The daylily pattern on it was densely woven with gold thread and decorated with fine pearls and jade beads, making it look quite gorgeous.
Xue Zhiyi said, "This item is not valuable. I hope Lady Song can see my sincerity."
The Queen Mother looked at it and smiled, "It's very delicate, and the pattern is gorgeous but not gaudy. It's elegant but not vulgar. Daylilies, also known as the grass that benefits men, are not inappropriate."
After saying that, she handed the purse to Chai Yue, who put it back on the tray and covered it with red silk.
Then the Queen Mother said, "It's just right. I have some nourishing foods here, and I also picked out a pair of porcelain vases from the storehouse for offering deer milk to your parents. You can send them to Concubine Song as well."
Xue Zhiyi smiled slightly and said, "Yes."
The Queen Mother's move seemed to be a convenient one, but it also made it difficult for Concubine Song to be too persistent in confronting Xue Zhiyi when she accepted the Queen Mother's reward.
On the side, Lan Ying glared at Xue Zhiyi. After that night, she found that Xue Zhiyi almost never left his purse, even holding it in his hand when he fell asleep, leaving her no chance to destroy it.
She really wanted to see Xue Zhiyi being driven away. If something went wrong with today's apology and made Concubine Song angry again, this bitch would probably never have another chance.
Thinking of this, she said, "Queen Dowager, it's not easy for Zhiyi to take all these rewards by herself. Can I go with her?"
Xue Zhiyi smiled and said, "That's fine. Please approve, Queen Mother."
She didn't expect Xue Zhiyi to agree to go with her. She was surprised, but she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
But when she got the tray with the purse on it, she couldn't help but feel secretly happy.
Xue Zhiyi, I want to see if there is any problem with this gift. How long can you stay in Jianzhang Palace?
Xue Zhiyi and two young eunuchs took the empress dowager's reward, while Tu Lanying held the tray covered with red silk, and the four of them went to Cuiwei Palace together.
Jianzhang Palace and Cuiwei Palace are not close to each other, and it takes a long time to walk to get there.
Lan Ying walked a little behind Xue Zhiyi. She stared at Xue Zhiyi's back, unable to figure out what Xue Zhiyi was going to do.
Along the way, the two young eunuchs chatted lively, but Xue Zhiyi said nothing.
Never mind.
While no one was paying attention, she quietly took out the purse from under the red silk and looked around, trying to find an opportunity to dirty the purse or tear the silk thread on it.
Unexpectedly, Xue Zhiyi stopped suddenly, which frightened her and she quickly hid her purse in her sleeve.
Before they knew it, they had already walked outside Cuiwei Palace.
Xue Zhiyi said to the three of them, "After we enter, follow closely and move slowly, don't bump into anything."
The two young eunuchs answered yes.
After that, Xue Zhiyi said to Lan Ying: "Lan Ying, what are you doing standing back there? Come to me."
Lan Ying just sneered disdainfully, thinking that Xue Zhiyi was still using chicken feathers as a token of authority, not knowing that he was about to be in trouble.
Although she could not find an opportunity to destroy the purse, she hid the things. When she presented the gift, she found that there was nothing under the red silk. She was afraid that Concubine Song would think that Xue Zhiyi was deliberately disrespecting her.
Thinking of this, she slowly took two steps forward and stood beside Xue Zhiyi.
After the announcement, the door of Cuiwei Palace opened and four people walked in slowly.
Lan Ying suddenly heard Xue Zhiyi, with his brows lowered, whisper, "Lan Ying, you came with me on your own initiative. Do you want to tamper with my wallet?"
Lan Ying's heart skipped a beat: "Don't talk nonsense..."
Xue Zhiyi smiled softly and said in a voice that only she could hear, "Then why have you been sneaking into my room late at night these past few days?"
Lan Ying was shocked again. She didn't expect that Xue Zhiyi had already discovered her.
Then Xue Zhiyi said, "Don't blame me for not reminding you. If someone steals something in the palace, even a needle, and is found guilty, they will be beaten and expelled from the palace, let alone a gift for the master."
Hearing this, Lan Ying became frightened. What she was holding in her hand didn't look like a purse, but more like a piece of red-hot charcoal.
But Xue Zhiyi said nothing more and continued walking towards Cuiwei Palace.
Cuiwei Palace is worthy of being the residence of the favorite concubine. Every plant and tree inside is exquisite. Outside the main hall, there is also a pond with a thousand carps. In spring, it is full of flowers and willows swaying on the bank.
Concubine Song lived in the west side hall of Cuiwei Palace.
When they arrived, Concubine Song was sitting by the Thousand Carp Pond. A soft couch had been set up beside the pond with a shed erected above to provide shade. Palace maids stood in a row, serving them fruits, snacks, bird's nests, and white fungus.
In addition, many concubines came to congratulate and were chatting and laughing with Concubine Song by the Thousand Carp Pond.
Even the head empress of Cuiwei Palace, Concubine Ge, was there.
It was a rare lively scene. Xue Zhiyi thought to himself: So many people are here, it's a good time to be here.
Upon seeing them, Concubine Ge looked at Xue Zhiyi with disdain and said, "What's the matter? Does the Empress Dowager have any instructions?"
Xue Zhiyi stepped forward and led a few people to bow, "This servant pays respects to the Imperial Concubine, Lady Song, and the ladies of the other palaces."
Then, holding the items in her hands, she said, "The Empress Dowager sympathizes with Concubine Song's hardship during her pregnancy and has sent us a box of golden-threaded blood swallows, a box of East China Sea fish maw, a pillow for peace and happiness, and a pair of white porcelain bottles of deer milk for her. I hope Concubine Song rests well and does not need to go in person to express her gratitude."
After receiving the reward, Concubine Song was delighted: "Thank you, Queen Mother."
While paying respects, Tu Lanying quietly dropped the purse in her hand at her feet and quickly stepped on it, fearing that she would be discovered.
Several people stood up, but before Concubine Song's maid could take the reward, they saw Xue Zhiyi suddenly kneel down.
Under Lady Song's astonished gaze, Xue Zhiyi asked, "I wonder if Lady Song still remembers me?"
Concubine Song hated Xue Zhiyi so much, how could she possibly forget her?
With a cold snort, Lady Song said, "I dare not treat you as a slave. How can a slave offend the master and still think he is right?"
Xue Zhiyi, however, remained respectful: "I, Xue Zhiyi, was unaware that Concubine Song was pregnant a few days ago. At that time, I only wanted to appease her, but I didn't expect that I would still cause her displeasure. Now, under the orders of the Queen Mother and the Empress, I have specially prepared a small gift to apologize to her. I hope that she will not bear grudges and forgive me."
At that time, Concubine Song only wanted to take advantage of her pregnancy to let the emperor deal with Xue Zhiyi. In this way, she could remove the thorn in Concubine Ge's side. In the future, Concubine Ge would value her more, trust her loyalty more, and allow the child in her belly to be born.
I thought that Xue Zhiyi would be punished in the past few days, but I didn't expect that the solution given by the queen was to ask Xue Zhiyi to apologize to her.
She just doesn't want to accept it, or accept the apology for the Queen Mother's sake, and then continue to pretend to be unwell. What can Xue Zhiyi do?
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