funbook-pk Chapter 196: Exceeding the Rules
Chapter 196: Exceeding the Rules
Concubine Jing wanted to slap herself on the mouth. Why did Concubine Qi bring up such irrelevant issues?
In the entire house, apart from Huanbi, who was not recognized by the Zhen family, the queen was the only illegitimate daughter.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Concubine Qi realized that she might have violated the Queen's taboo.
She plopped down on her knees.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Concubine Jing, who had unintentionally started the conversation, also pleaded for mercy.
"Empress, Concubine Qi didn't mean it."
"It doesn't matter, let's all watch the show."
Huanbi's eyes swept over the panicked Concubine Qi and she fell into deep thought.
Her Majesty the Queen really values Concubine Qi.
An Lingrong quietly ate the snacks prepared by the small kitchen of Jingren Palace and commented silently.
It’s a pity that the Queen didn’t make a pot of old duck soup for everyone. A bowl of soup is the best thing to eat when it’s cold.
The Queen was in a bad mood and asked someone to pass down the play list. An Lingrong, unable to refuse, ordered "The Return of the Soul".
This time, Zhen Huan, who did not help the Queen out of trouble, ordered a play called "Wall Horse".
A man and woman who loved each other eloped and were discovered by their families. After many twists and turns, they reunited.
When the emperor rushed over, this play was being performed on the stage.
When he learned what Empress Wan had ordered, he returned to the Yangxin Palace with a gloomy face.
"Jiang Fuhai, are you saying that the emperor has been here before?"
"Your Highness, the Empress was singing 'Wall Horseback Ride' as requested by Concubine Wan."
The queen stroked the armor on her hand with a smile.
"The young Mu Ai is the most charming. Perhaps the Emperor is touched."
The "elopement" in the opera is really touching.
"Jianqiu, come here and let our people..."
He Changzai used Wen Shichu to wink at Zhen Huan, and the Queen wanted her to add fuel to the fire.
Only Huanbi, who once served Zhen Huan, could do this.
"Your Majesty, He Chang is here to see you."
"Let her in."
Huanbi respectfully presented the opened brocade box to the Queen.
"Your Majesty, I know you appreciate peonies, so I embroidered a round fan for you."
"Mr. Liu once said, 'The peony in the courtyard is enchanting and without character, the lotus in the pond is pure and sentimental, only the peony is the true national beauty, and when it blooms, the whole capital is moved.'"
(From "Appreciating Peonies" by Liu Yuxi of the Tang Dynasty)
"In my heart, only the peony, the king of flowers, is worthy of Your Majesty."
"You are so thoughtful. Come and rest on the couch."
The queen picked up the round fan from the brocade box and looked at it lovingly.
"He Changzai, remember, a humble origin doesn't mean anything. Even though I was born out of wedlock, I can still hold the position of Empress Dowager."
"Your Majesty, I understand."
Huanbi knew that the Queen was trying to comfort her.
"Your Majesty, today, Lady Qi..."
"Noble Lady Qi is foolish, but she is beautiful. If the Emperor likes such a person, I will send her to him."
"I know you must have been wronged by Concubine Qi. But in this deep palace, this little grievance is nothing."
"I have suffered more than this."
The queen did not elaborate, but Huanbi could see from her gloomy face that it was a past that was too painful to look back on.
"Your Highness, you are now the Queen, so why do you need to remember the past?"
Huanbi felt that the Queen was a little depressed.
When she gets a high position in the future, she will let the Zhen family have her mother's tablet enshrined in the ancestral hall with great fanfare.
The Queen patted Huanbi's hand and said, "You don't understand. I have a headache. You should go back and rest first."
"Your Majesty, I have made you a cup of ginseng tea. Please drink it while it's hot."
Jianqiu handed over the teacup with concern.
"Has Lady Qi sent any letters home?"
"Your Majesty, Lord Emin should have received the letter."
"According to our people, Lord Emin has been almost always in and out with Zhen Yuandao lately."
E Min has been dissatisfied with Zhen Yuandao for a long time, and he will definitely try to kill him.
"Okay, order someone to keep an eye on that side."
"Lady Qi likes to eat the cakes from Jingren Palace. Please ask the kitchen to make some for her every day and serve it to her personally."
Pregnant women are difficult to control, and the same thing was put in the bird's nest that Huanbi used before.
As for An Lingrong and Zhen Huan, the enthronement ceremony is waiting for them.
In the following month, the emperor entered the harem twelve times. He stayed in Jingren Palace on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, and went to Yiku Palace and Yonghe Palace twice each.
The rest of the time I went to Zhongcui Palace and Suiyuxuan three times respectively.
Among them, she had meals with Zhen Huan in Sui Yuxuan and stayed overnight in the East Wing Palace once, while Huanbi in the West Wing Palace had the opportunity to sleep with her twice.
Later, the emperor was busy with spring plowing and did not come to the harem for another half a month.
An Lingrong received a box from the emperor, which was delivered by Xiao Xiazi in the dark.
It was filled with small gadgets that the emperor had collected outside the palace, for the children.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor drank tea in the private room of the Huibin Building, but he came out soon after with a gloomy face."
"I heard from the waiter who served tea that in the next room, Minister Zhen was meeting with friends over literature."
"I dare to speculate that the Emperor has taken notice of Minister Zhen."
"Okay, I understand. You must be hungry since you came back from outside the palace. Go to the small room and have something to eat."
Xiao Dongzi's face was so round from eating so much in Yonghe Palace, there was no reason not to invite Xiao Xiazi to have a meal with him.
An Lingrong sighed softly. Bao Ge finally learned from Wei Lin that he was going to get married.
I have been busy in the small kitchen these days, cooking with a smile on my face.
"Bao Que, you go and serve Eunuch Xia at his meal, and Bao Ge will serve him instead."
"Master, I will go right away."
Baoge looks normal during the day, but the red bloodshot in her eyes cannot deceive anyone.
The girl realized her feelings belatedly.
"My Lady, did you summon this servant here to give me some instructions?"
"The Imperial Household Department has sent the formal attire for the enthronement ceremony. Please take it out and spread it out for me to see."
The dress is a golden palace dress, and the color is much purer than that of the concubine's dress.
An Lingrong's eyes narrowed when she saw the embroidery on the dress.
"Master, the imperial concubine's dress is so beautiful. If you put on this dress, the Sixth Prince will definitely chase you and let you hold him."
The Sixth Prince was at the age when he liked bright colors. Every time Concubine Hua came to Yonghe Palace, she was dressed in bright red, which pleased the Sixth Prince very much.
"Bao Ge, this dress is out of order."
"Look at the golden phoenix embroidered on it. It's clearly a dress that belongs to the Imperial Concubine."
"Your Majesty, the one in charge of weaving is Concubine Hua, could it be that she..."
An Lingrong shook her head. There was a problem with the dress during the enthronement ceremony, and Concubine Hua could not escape the emperor's blame.
"Bao Ge, to ensure the smooth progress of the enthronement ceremony, please keep an eye on the harem."