PDLP Chapter 452 Yanqing Palace
Chapter 452 Yanqing Palace
(Today is International Women’s Day. I saw a blessing online and wanted to share it with my sisters:
I don't wish you beauty, I don't wish you pretty
I wish you to become a woman with diverse life values
May you become a woman who transcends stereotypes
I wish you to be a woman who is not bound by men
I wish you to be a woman with freedom of dress
I wish you success, I wish you high spirits, and I wish you the right to speak.)
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The two returned to the main hall, and An Lingrong was lying on the couch with her hands on her belly.
Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang walked over quickly, lifted her shoulders, and let her lean on her. Then she reached out to rub her stomach and asked with concern, "Does it hurt a lot? Do you want to call Doctor Wei?"
An Lingrong shook her head, her voice weak: "It's no use even if he comes."
At this time, Juqing came in with a bowl of freshly cooked red dates and wolfberry water.
Shen Meizhuang took the bowl, carefully handed it to her mouth, and said softly, "Come."
An Lingrong lowered her head and took a few sips. The warm water slid down her throat, and she immediately felt the discomfort in her stomach eased a lot, and her complexion regained some of its rosiness.
Zhen Huan sat aside and briefly recounted what had just happened in the palace, her brows furrowed. "I don't know where this Concubine Sun got the courage from. She doesn't hold back in her words and is always provocative."
An Lingrong sat up straight, looked up at Zhen Huan and asked, "Sister Zhen, are you angry?"
Zhen Huan shook her head. "It's not worth getting angry over such a small matter. I'm just curious. She's so outrageous. Isn't she afraid that we might secretly make things difficult for her? Or is it that in her mind, I'm just a soft-hearted person?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang interjected, "Could it be that she's relying on the Emperor's favor to act so recklessly? If so, it makes sense. After all, with the Emperor's protection, she's naturally fearless."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "That's unlikely. She didn't mention the Emperor at all in the palace today. If she truly relied on the Emperor's favor, she could have taken the opportunity to show off. Naturally, Concubine Zhen wouldn't have dared to say anything more."
When the two of them said this, they both turned their eyes to An Lingrong.
An Lingrong just smiled slightly, with a meaningful light flashing in her eyes. Sun Heyin's audacity did not stop there, and her subsequent behavior would probably be even more jaw-dropping.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Zhen Huan sighed and sat down next to her, her tone somewhat helpless. "I know you like that Sun Da Ying. If it's just disrespectful words, I can let it go for your sake. But if she has other thoughts, then I can't be too biased towards her. Although Zhenpin is not smart, she said something right. If I continue to indulge her, I'm afraid the other concubines will also be dissatisfied. I am the Imperial Noble Consort, and naturally I have the responsibilities of an Imperial Noble Consort."
"I know!" An Lingrong nodded. "It's too early to draw conclusions now. Let's wait and see if she makes any other moves next."
Zhen Huan knew that she had her own way of doing things, so she didn't say anything more.
On the other side, Sun Heyin came out of Yongshou Palace, looked up at the gold-painted plaque above her head, frowned slightly, and a trace of unconcealable irritation flashed in her eyes.
She didn't drag An Lingrong along to silence Concubine Zhen and escape punishment, but she wanted to take this opportunity to test the attitudes of Zhen Huan and the other harem members. However, the result made her heart even heavier.
She had thought that even if Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang favored An Lingrong, they would conceal it a little and not make it too obvious. But she didn't expect that they would defend An Lingrong so blatantly, while the other concubines seemed to be accustomed to it.
It seems that the harem has long been firmly controlled by Zhen Huan's party, and it is as airtight as an iron barrel. If I want to cause some trouble in this deep palace by my own strength, it would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.
She walked on the palace road, her steps were steady, but her mind was full of thoughts. Facing an opponent like Zhen Huan, she had to admit that she was still too young and too immature.
"Ugh!"
Bai Zhi carefully supported her and asked in a low voice, "My lady, are you feeling unwell? Do you want to return to the palace to rest?"
Sun Heyin shook her head: "No problem, just a little upset."
The master and servant were walking along the palace road when a gentle voice suddenly came from behind them: "Sister Sun, please stay."
Sun Heyin paused, turned around, and upon seeing the visitor, she knelt and saluted, "Greetings to Concubine Duan."
The person who came was Concubine Duan Qi Yuebin.
She has gentle features and a smile on her lips, and she looks dignified and gentle.
"It's a beautiful day today. Sister Sun, would you like to visit Yanqing Palace? It's been a while since you entered the palace, and I haven't had a good chat with you yet. I wonder if you would be willing to do me the honor?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Heyin immediately understood what she meant, but now she also needed help, and this person came at the right time.
But she didn't show it on her face, and asked doubtfully, "Is there something wrong, Concubine Duan?"
Qi Yuebin's smile remained undimmed, and his tone was gentle: "I just got some Jiuquhongmei tea, picked from Dawu Mountain in Hubu. I heard that my sister was born in the south of the Yangtze River, so I thought you would like this tea. I grew up in the southwest and yearn for the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River. I wanted to chat with my sister and listen to her about the customs and people of the south of the Yangtze River."
Sun Heyin pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your orders."
Seeing her agree, Qi Yuebin's smile deepened: "Then come with me."
The two walked towards Yanqing Palace, one in front and one behind.
The Yanqing Hall is located in the northwest corner of the Forbidden City, on the east side of the Yuhua Pavilion, and is connected to the Taiji Hall. It does not belong to the East and West Six Palaces. It was originally the place where the emperor kowtowed nine times to welcome the spring and pray for the people during the Beginning of Spring solar term. After Yongzheng ascended the throne, it was changed into the residence of Qi Yuebin.
The palace was relatively small, only one-third the size of the other palaces. Turning past the screen wall and into the courtyard, a flowerbed occupied most of the courtyard. Because of the cold weather, it was covered with a brocade cloth to keep it warm, so it was impossible to tell what flowers were in it.
Qi Yuebin glanced at the sky and said, "Jixiang, the weather is nice today. Open the flowers and let them bask in the sun."
"Yes!" Jixiang responded and left.
"Sister Sun, please!"
Arriving at the main hall, the decor, while not extravagant, exudes refinement and elegance. The rosewood tables and chairs are delicately carved, and a few pieces of rustic porcelain are placed on the desk. A landscape painting hangs on the wall, its brushwork elegant and profound, while a collection of bookshelves adorns one side.
Although the furnishings in the hall are not luxurious, they have a sense of elegance. If you smell them carefully, you can even smell the faint scent of ink.
Seeing Sun Heyin's gaze lingering in the hall, Qi Yuebin smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone: "Sister, what do you think of the layout of this hall?"
Sun Heyin retracted her gaze and said, "Your Majesty's Yanqing Palace is elegant and unique. It is more peaceful than those magnificent palaces."
Speaking of this, Qi Yuebin had to admit that he was not favored and had conflicts with Shen Meizhuang, but Shen Meizhuang assisted in the management of the six palaces and was always fair in her dealings. She never treated anyone harshly because of her personal likes and dislikes. The share of her palace had never been deducted. Whether it was daily expenses or festival rewards, Shen Meizhuang always followed the rules and never showed favoritism.