The Imperial Garden was vast, so vast that its boundaries were invisible. But at this moment, apart from the gardeners trimming the flowers and plants not far away and the palace servants sweeping up fallen leaves, there were only Hong Xiaoduo, Kaiyang, and a few attendants from the Empress's palace.
"Do you know why peacocks display their plumage? And why it's more common in March and April?" Hong Xiaoduo asked Kaiyang.
Kaiyang thought for a moment, then shook his head to indicate that he didn't know.
"Because March and April are the breeding season for peacocks, male peacocks will spread their tails to attract the attention of female peacocks. Another reason is that when they encounter an enemy and have no time to escape, they will suddenly spread their tails and shake them, making a rustling sound. The eye-like spots on their feathers will also shake, which will frighten their enemies and prevent them from approaching."
If you want to appreciate its display of plumage now, you have to do it in a friendly way and not scare it.
"Your Majesty, could you please have someone find some brightly colored fabrics? Silk, satin, or gauze will all do," Hong Xiaoduo said to the Empress after briefly explaining what she knew.
The Empress immediately ordered people to find it; brightly colored fabrics were easy to find.
While waiting, they admired the blooming chrysanthemums on the side. The Empress was interested in the names of the varieties of chrysanthemums. These were the ones she had acquired in the years after she entered the Cold Palace. Today was also the first time she had visited the Imperial Garden since leaving the Cold Palace.
Eunuch Kang summoned the gardener and introduced the Empress to the varieties of chrysanthemums and where they came from.
Hong Xiaoduo and Kaiyang were concerned about whether these chrysanthemums were edible. In particular, Hong Xiaoduo pointed to the largest blooming chrysanthemum and said to the Empress, "Drying chrysanthemums and filling pillows with them can help to dispel wind and heat, improve eyesight, calm the mind, and regulate sleep."
However, people who are allergic to this flower or have neck problems should not use it as a pillow.
The gardener standing nearby twitched at the thought. The varieties that could enter the Imperial Garden were no ordinary ones. It was one thing for this young lady to want to eat them, but now she actually wanted to trick the Empress into filling her pillow with them.
What kind of person is this?! It's one thing to not know how to appreciate things, but why do they only think about harming and ruining them?
As they were talking, a palace maid brought over some brightly colored silk.
"Which sister dances well? Why don't you put on these and dance for a bit?" Hong Xiaoduo asked the palace maids with a smile.
The palace maids looked at each other, but didn't move.
They can all dance, it's just a matter of how well they dance. But they are the Empress's people. The Empress hasn't even spoken, so why would they listen to an outsider's orders?
This is truly rude! Even as a guest of the Empress, this is not proper behavior!
Just now, the child she brought even injured the Ninth Prince!
Who's the "sister"? Calling her "sister" won't help!
The Empress noticed the palace maids' reactions. Her people only obeyed her orders, so she should have felt satisfied and pleased.
But she didn't feel that way.
The way they looked at Xiaoduo made the Empress realize that their failure to respond to Xiaoduo's words earlier wasn't out of loyalty, but rather because of her clothing, behavior, and status. In short, they were looking down on her.
If this were the original group of people in his palace, they would never have acted this way.
Knowing full well that Xiao Duo had done a great favor for her, the Empress, yet still disrespecting her, isn't that the same as disrespecting her as the Empress?
Thinking of the people in her former Fengyi Palace who had all been murdered by Consort Yun after she was framed and sent to the Cold Palace eight years ago, the Empress's mood immediately became heavy.
"Young lady, shall I give it a try?" At this moment, a palace maid standing at the very end spoke timidly.
Hong Xiaoduo actually had a general idea of what was going on from the reactions of the palace maids and the Empress's expression.
Seeing that someone had responded, Hong Xiaoduo smiled and said, "Okay, then thank you for your hard work, sister."
Sure enough, the Empress's expression softened a little when she saw the palace maid who stepped forward.
The palace maids looked at their companion who had stepped forward with disdain and sarcasm.
Has this fool forgotten whose side he is? The Empress is standing right here, not saying a word. What's the point of trying to win this young lady's favor?
Yes, this young lady has done the Empress a favor, which is why she was invited to the banquet.
But what does this mean?
Since they had been kind to the Empress, she would definitely host a banquet in their honor; otherwise, how could she demonstrate her gratitude?
Furthermore, haven't you heard that His Majesty wanted to keep this woman in the capital as a lady-in-waiting, but she refused? What's the use of currying favor with such an ungrateful woman?
When serving in the palace, just remember one thing: be loyal to your master.
Hmph, what a dim-witted show-off! She doesn't cherish her position as a first-rank palace maid. Just wait until the Empress throws her out to the Phoenix Palace to become a low-ranking palace maid and do all the heavy work!
Hong Xiaoduo pointed to the palace maids who stepped forward, and they draped several pieces of brightly colored silk over their bodies, binding them slightly to prevent them from slipping off while dancing.
The palace maids, holding the edges of the silk with both hands, danced gracefully in front of the peacocks.
Now, whether they believed that doing this would make the peacocks display their feathers, or they didn't, or were only half-believing, they were all temporarily preoccupied with watching the two peacocks in the large cage not far ahead.
The two peacocks, which had been leisurely strolling around, stopped and watched when the palace maids began to dance.
"His Highness was absolutely right when he said this woman was a charlatan. She just danced in front of a peacock and it started to spread its tail feathers? What a joke!"
"Exactly. If she still doesn't react, let's see if she blushes and how she explains it. Don't tell her she didn't dance well enough."
Some of the palace maids were whispering among themselves, crickets chirping softly.
"Heavens!" Hearing the exclamations around her, the palace maid who had been muttering under her breath turned her head to look ahead, her eyes wide with surprise. The peacock had actually spread its tail feathers.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
