He Ying relayed Su Nan's words to Su Wanwan verbatim.
"Girl, the Su family's attitude is clear, so don't be sad. Just pretend you have no family to rely on. It's pointless to add to your sorrow."
Su Wanwan looked at Heying quietly for a while, then hugged her, her voice a little hoarse.
"Who says I don't have family? Aren't you one?"
He Ying's eyes welled up with tears again, much to her dismay.
I thought to myself, "This girl is such a good person."
How foolish Yanrong was to betray a girl for some worthless prince.
The Empress Dowager sent someone to inform her that Yanruo's illness had not yet subsided and it was not appropriate for her to stay in Renshou Palace with her. Instead, Yanruo was to move to Chang'an Palace to recuperate.
Su Wanwan lowered her eyes and immediately understood the Empress Dowager's little scheme.
Chang'an Palace and Yongshou Palace are symmetrical about east and west, one located to the east of Qianqing Palace and the other to the west.
The three are almost side by side. If it weren't for the Longguang Gate and Fenghe Gate separating them, going to the Qing Palace would be as easy as lifting a foot.
Kunning Palace is located directly north of Qianqing Palace, and is actually farther away from Qianqing Palace.
Wang summoned Ma Ji to the palace with the intention of pitting Ma Ji against Su Wanwan, and then taking the opportunity to support Yan Ruo to rise to power.
Su Wanwan simply smiled gently:
“Chang’an Palace was once the residence of the Immortal Master Jingci. It is probably not auspicious for Miss Yanruo to live there. It would be better for her to move to Wan’an Palace.”
"I've heard that Miss Ma and Miss Yanruo are good friends. The two palaces are located in the south and north of the city respectively, so it's convenient for them to visit each other."
The palace servant who delivered the message changed his expression.
Jingci Immortal Master was the Taoist name of Empress Hu, who was deposed during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.
It's really bad luck that Miss Yanruo is already being associated with being deposed before she has even been favored by the emperor.
Empress Dowager Wang didn't care.
The suggestion of staying in a separate palace was actually a test of Su Wanwan's attitude.
This was to pave the way for Yanruo to become a concubine in the future.
When Yanruo heard that she was about to rest at Wan'an Palace, her eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she threw her handkerchief onto the bed.
In the imperial palace, the east was considered the most prestigious direction.
Wan'an Palace is not only located in the Western Six Palaces, but also north of Yongshou Palace.
Doesn't this imply that even if she is granted the title of concubine in the future, her rank will still be below that vulgar madwoman, Ma Ji?
How could she possibly be so angry?
You, Su Wanwan, are like a dog that bites but doesn't bark.
You're quiet and unassuming most of the time, but you make things difficult for me when my interests are involved.
Yanruo's delicate pink face twisted with anger.
Su Wanwan, who was far away in Kunning Palace, was unaware of all this and was simply recuperating quietly.
He Ying reported: "He Jin, the head eunuch of the Xixin Division, has come to inquire of Your Majesty about how to disburse the allowance for red charcoal from Wan'an Palace."
Su Wanwan and He Ying exchanged a glance and saw joy in each other's eyes.
Ever since Zhang Yong found a pretext to have that middle-aged palace maid from Anle Hall beaten to death, no one in the harem has dared to come and show goodwill to Su Wanwan.
This He Jin really isn't afraid of offending Zhang Yong.
He Jin's face was full of flattery, his triangular eyes darted around, his thin and bony body never straightened up, and his voice was extremely respectful.
"Your Majesty, Wan'an Palace has been vacant for a long time. Now that spring is still chilly, how should we obtain this red charcoal? Please give us your instructions."
Su Wanwan simply asked, "How was this charcoal supplied according to tradition?"
"According to past practice, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager were supplied with 150 catties of charcoal per month, the Empress with 80 catties, the Imperial Noble Consort with 75 catties, and the Crown Prince and Princess with 30 catties of charcoal per month."
“Miss Yanruo is a relative of the Empress Dowager’s family. She now lives alone in a palace. Should the charcoal be provided by the Empress Dowager’s palace or according to other rations? This servant dares not act on her own and has come to ask for instructions.”
Su Wanwan instantly understood what he meant.
It seems like they're asking about the charcoal distribution for Wan'an Palace, but actually they're asking what rank Yanruo will be given in the future if she lives alone in a palace.
Su Wanwan simply asked, "According to what ration does Miss Ma's Renshou Palace provide charcoal?"
He Jin looked terrified: "Yongshou Palace requests 300 catties of charcoal every month. His Majesty has approved it, and this servant dares not disobey."
Su Wanwan froze.
It turns out that, behind her back, his favoritism towards Maggie had reached such an extent.
She quickly composed herself and said with a smile:
"The amount of charcoal used in Yongshou Palace far exceeds that of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, which is extremely presumptuous. The burning of this charcoal shall be stopped for now, and a decision shall be made after I petition the Emperor."
"As for Wan'an Palace, Miss Yanruo is a relative of the Empress Dowager's family, so it's not appropriate to follow the palace's rules regarding the charcoal expenses. You should go to Renshou Palace and ask the Empress Dowager."
"If there's anything, just say it was my idea and let them come find me."
He Jin's heart tightened, and his mouth tasted bitter, but he had no choice but to agree.
I originally thought that the Empress was a gentle and mild person who would do me a favor by giving me the charcoal.
Unexpectedly, he became the one who offended them.
Miss Ma was the Emperor's darling, practically ruling the palace with impunity, and even daring to challenge the Empress Dowager.
Previously, Empress Xia was deposed because of Miss Ma.
I really regret trying to be clever and curry favor with the new empress; now I've gotten myself into a mess!
He Jin did not dare to go to Renshou Palace to inquire about the charcoal fire, and planned to handle the matter vaguely for the time being.
However, I had to inform them about the suspension of charcoal use at Yongshou Palace.
Maggie has been practicing her dance diligently lately, which is the time when she wears less clothing and needs charcoal to keep the house warm.
Upon hearing that the charcoal fire had been stopped, he immediately headed straight for Kunning Palace.
The Qianqing Palace and the Kunning Palace are the two most important palaces in the inner court, and they are surrounded by a high wall.
To the south is the Qianqing Gate, and to the north is the Kunning Gate.
Two large gates and three small gates were opened on each of the high walls on the east and west sides.
Maggie stormed through the northwest-facing Longfu Gate.
The guards at the gate dared not stop her, fearing that if they hurt Ma Ji, they would be severely punished by the emperor, so they let Ma Ji pass through smoothly.
However, the eunuchs serving at the entrance of Kunning Palace were highly skilled and managed to stop Ma Ji from entering the palace.
Su Wanwan came out to see what was going on when she heard the commotion.
His gaze, however, lingered on Maggie, unable to look away for a long time.
It's truly a rare sight.
She was still wearing a bright red dress, but it was really... too revealing.
She wore only a bralette on her upper body, leaving her shoulders and arms bare.
She wore a gold armlet, from which were tied long red and blue silk ribbons.
The silk ribbons fluttered gently in the chilly spring breeze, like ethereal fairies.
The lower half of her body was covered with a circle of pearl tassels over a bright red gauze skirt, and her slender, snow-white waist was charming and alluring against the backdrop of the pearls and the bright red gauze skirt.
Maggie wasn't wearing shoes; she was barefoot on the bluestone floor.
It evoked a sense of pity in people, who feared that the cold bluestone bricks might hurt her delicate white feet.
As the skirt fluttered in the wind, it revealed a light yellow or bean paste-colored gauze petticoat underneath, and finally, her fair and delicate calves.
Coupled with that youthful yet bold and fearless beautiful face, she's simply unbeatable.
Su Wanwan instantly understood Lu Xingjian's preference for Ma Ji.
How many men could resist such a hot and daring beauty?
Even she, a woman, cannot.
Maggie's face was flushed with anger, and her eyes were wide open, as if they were about to breathe fire.
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