Chapter 39: A Small Meeting
On the first day of the new year, everyone in the palace, from the empress to the palace maids and eunuchs, had a smile on their face.
Because today is the first day of the new year, the day to give out bonuses.
Kangxi distributed the gifts first, and then the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. If the master was generous, they could get an extra portion.
At the end of the day, the few bonuses he received were more than his monthly salary. If there was no queen in the palace, he would have received a share.
Of course Yuying got some too. She even got two more than others. One was a reward from Concubine An, and the other was specially sent by Kangxi last night, who also brought a message saying that he would be entertaining all the ministers in Baohe Hall today and might not have time to come to the harem.
Yuying was surprised for a moment at Kangxi's attitude, which was similar to that of a boyfriend reporting his itinerary, but she forgot about it as she looked at the purse full of gold, silver and nuggets.
Yuying received a lot of rewards, and she was not stingy. She gave monthly money to the palace maids and eunuchs who served her. After all, it was the New Year, and she wanted everyone to be happy together.
The people who received the rewards were naturally happy.
They all ran to Yuying to kowtow and express their gratitude, and Yuying heard a lot of auspicious words.
You know what, these nice words really make people happy.
New year, new atmosphere.
Yuying also changed into new clothes and was about to go to pay New Year's greetings to Concubine An.
As soon as I stepped into the yard, I saw two pots of kumquats placed at the gate. Both were full of golden fruits. It was a rare sight in winter and very pleasing to the eye.
The eunuch guarding the gate of the courtyard saw Yuying's eyes fall on the two pots of kumquats, and immediately stepped forward and introduced: "My lady, these were sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs early this morning. They are said to be kumquats specially supplied from Jiangnan. There are not many in total. Apart from the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince, and the concubines of the various palaces, only you, my lady, have received two pots. It is said that this was specially ordered by the Emperor."
Hearing this, Qing Tao's face flashed with obvious joy, "My lady, this shows that the emperor is thinking about you."
After hearing Qingtao's words, Yuying curled her lips. They were just two pots of kumquats. They were clearly something common in the past, but now in the Qing Dynasty they have become a rarity.
I can't think about it. The more I think about it, the more uncomfortable I feel.
"Okay, let's go. Don't delay in wishing New Year's greetings to Concubine An."
Yuying was still late.
When they arrived at the main hall of Changchun Palace, Concubine An had already sat in the seat of honor. She probably knew that everyone was coming to wish her a happy new year.
Yuying walked in, bowed to Concubine An, and apologized: "I am late, please forgive me! I wish you a happy new year and all the best in the new year!"
"It's New Year's Day now, can I blame you? Get up, Nianxue will give you a seat."
Nian Xue, who was standing by, stepped forward and led Yuying to the first seat below Concubine An.
Yuying was still a little intimidated by the serious palace maid beside Concubine An, so she smiled at her obediently.
Nianxue hurried back to Concubine An and never glanced at Yuying.
When Yuying sat down, the other three people from Changchun Palace also stood up and greeted her.
No matter how much Yuying disliked two of them in her heart, she still smiled and wished the three of them a happy new year.
Then it was time for the leader, Concubine An, to give her summary speech. She first stated that everyone in Changchun Palace was united, and no matter whether they were favored or not, she did not want to see internal strife in Changchun Palace. If she found out, she would never let them off easily!
Hearing this, the atmosphere, which was not awkward at first, suddenly became stiff.
Isn't there only one favored person in Changchun Palace now? Look at what Concubine An said. Isn't she warning them not to make a move on Concubine Jin?
Yin Changzai and Miao Ying, who were sitting on the other side, glared at Yuying angrily. It was unclear whether this person was really stupid or just pretending to be stupid. They had approached her more than once, but every time she acted as if she didn't understand and kicked the words back.
As a result, they had tried to please her for so long, but in the end, they never got to see the emperor even once!
They just don’t believe that Concubine Jin can always be favored?
We'll see, there will always be a time when she falls out of favor! Will she still be as proud as she is now?
She will always understand that it is impossible to fight alone in this harem!
Yuying did not receive the sword-like gaze from the opposite side. She was a little absent-minded at the moment. She stayed up all night until the early morning last night and woke up early again today. Now she could hear Anpin's voice coming from far away.
"Wei...Wei...Noble Lady Jin!"
"Sister, sister... Concubine An is calling you." Seeing that Yuying did not respond, Concubine Zhang Jia hurriedly shook Yuying's hand.
Yuying came back to her senses, "My Lady, I'm here!"
Concubine An looked at Yuying and shook her head, "Did you hear what I just said?"
Of course Yuying didn’t hear it clearly, but is it okay to say it?
"I heard it clearly, I heard it clearly!" Yuying replied quickly.
"Now that you have heard it clearly, you must remember it well." Concubine An couldn't help but emphasize it again.
"Yes, yes, I will definitely remember it!"
When Anpin saw her like this, she knew that she didn't remember it, but she didn't know what to say next time. She could only wait for the next opportunity.
Concubine An looked at the expressions of the crowd and continued, "If you have nothing else to do, please leave. I will not keep you here."
Upon hearing this, several people bowed to Concubine An and stood up to leave.
Yin Changzai and Miao Da Ying went out first, and Yuying walked in last, taking the opportunity to hold the hand of Concubine Zhang Jia.
Feeling the weight on her arm, Zhang Jia turned around and smiled, "Sister, do you want to come sit with me?"
Yuying nodded with a smile.
The two walked away hand in hand.
Concubine An, who was still sitting in the palace, looked at the figures of several people, and her eyes finally fell on Yuying.
Only when the figure was out of sight did he put away his complicated expression.
Time flies.
She remembered that Wei had just entered the palace three years ago and came to pay her respects after recovering from a serious illness.
At that time, she was wearing half-new clothes and had few jewelry on her. She looked like she could be blown away by a gust of wind and looked extremely pitiful.
But she has a beautiful face that no one in the harem can match. At such a young age, one can see her future beauty, which makes people unable to help but keep their eyes on her.
But now, with the same good looks, she is no longer that poor little girl.
He was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and everything on his head was a rare treasure.
Her thoughts were pulled away from her memories. Concubine An seemed to smile, but also seemed not to.
"Nianxue, tell me, how long can Concubine Jin remain in favor?"
Nian Xue, who was standing by, heard this and wondered if her madam had run into a dead end again. "Madam, I dare not speak nonsense."
Hearing the reply, Concubine An looked back at the maid who had grown up with her, knowing what she was thinking about again. "Nianxue, I don't know what you are thinking, but I promise it will never be what you think. I don't dare to ask for anything else now. I just want to know if this Concubine Jin will become the next me?"
When Nianxue heard what Concubine An said, she looked at her own mother with heartache, and couldn't help feeling a little resentful towards Kangxi.
It was obvious that he had doted on her mother in the past, but now he was the one who had abandoned her.
Concubine An looked at the expression of the maid beside her and knew that she was standing up for her again. She couldn't help but feel moved.
She had let it go a long time ago.
Most men in the world are fickle and there is no one who is loyal.
She just watched coldly, watching Concubine Jin become like her, and like everyone else in the harem.
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