SFS Chapter 352 Concubine Xi
Chapter 352 Concubine Xi
After the two of them came out of Yongshou Palace, Shen Meizhuang said, "Rong'er, do you like the name Lingtong?"
An Lingrong didn't know how to explain, so she could only answer vaguely: "It's okay, it's okay!"
Seeing her like this, Shen Meizhuang gently stroked her bulging belly, with a bit of tenderness in her eyes: "Then when this baby in my belly is born, if it's a girl, I'll name her this."
"you……"
Hearing her words, An Lingrong's eyes almost rolled up to the sky! If she really called this name, she would laugh every time she called it from now on.
"Sister, this baby in your belly is our sweetheart, so she needs a great name to be worthy of it. We'll think about it carefully after she's born!"
"Listen to you!"
"I heard from Xiao Luzi that the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Why don't I go for a walk with you and pick some flowers? Then you can make me some lotus root starch and sweet-scented osmanthus cakes."
"Well, it's been ages since we've been together in the garden!"
The autumn air was crisp and refreshing, and the gentle breeze caressed the world within the palace walls. Nature also treated the world with tenderness. The sky was a clear blue, and a few thin clouds floated leisurely, like cotton wool scattered at random.
In the Imperial Garden, several maple trees are like burning flames, with a rich and deep red color, which contrasts with the surrounding buildings. The red walls and black tiles form a colorful autumn picture.
Tall osmanthus trees stand tall next to me, and before I even get close, the rich, sweet fragrance hits my nose. The fragrance is mellow and soft, with a touch of freshness.
Xiao Luzi found a clean cloth and spread it under the osmanthus tree. An Lingrong didn't ask him for help, but went forward and shook the branches vigorously. The osmanthus flowers fell like golden rain.
An Lingrong tilted her head back, letting the osmanthus flowers fall on her face and hair. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath of the rich fragrance, and an intoxicated expression appeared on her face.
After a moment, she jumped to Shen Meizhuang's side: "Sister, is it enough?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled, her eyes full of doting. She gently plucked the osmanthus flowers from her head and scolded her, "Enough, enough. Look at you, you're still so naughty. Even your hair is messed up."
"Sis is in charge of making the snacks, so of course I have to help too!"
"Okay, I'll make it for you when I get home."
"You're pregnant!"
"It's okay!"
The two walked forward while talking. The gentle breeze was like delicate hands, gently lifting their hair and the corners of their clothes, bringing a hint of coolness. The sunlight sprinkled on their bodies, and the faint shadows cast by them dragged behind them, moving slowly with their steps.
A month later.
Since Zhen Huan's enthronement ceremony and the twins' full-month ceremony were held at the same time, it was a double happiness. Regardless of the fact that the Empress Dowager had passed away less than a year ago, Yongzheng ordered a grand ceremony to be held.
Now that the Empress had withdrawn from the harem, claiming she was unwell, and Shen Meizhuang was pregnant and unable to work, all the harem affairs, big or small, were handed over to Feng Ruozhao.
These days, she has been very busy. Not only does she have to deal with trivial palace affairs, but she also has to organize this banquet. She is exhausted and feels that a few of her hairs have turned white.
Stringed instruments and orchestras played all day long, delicacies flowed continuously, singers and actors performed one after another, and the gifts received piled up like mountains.
"Thank you for your hard work, Concubine Jing. Today's banquet was wonderful!"
Yongzheng was very satisfied, and looked at Feng Ruozhao with a little more approval.
Feng Ruozhao had been extremely tired these past few days, having not had a good rest for several days. The continuous sound of stringed instruments and bamboo instruments had given her a headache. At this moment, she felt dizzy and her eyes were a little blurry, and she was even a little bit daydreaming.
Seeing this, Hanzhu beside her was anxious and hurriedly reminded her softly: "Your Majesty, the Emperor is talking to you."
Feng Ruozhao finally came back to her senses and said calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This is my duty!"
"Thank you, Sister Jingfei!" Zhen Huan raised her glass.
Seeing the imperial concubine toasting, Feng Ruozhao's smile became more sincere: "You are too polite, sister. I am glad that you are satisfied!"
Zhen Huan sat beside Yongzheng with great grace, her string of oriental pearl earrings emitting a warm and soft luster under the candlelight.
This piece of jewelry was originally for the Queen, but now it is worn on Zhen Huan's ear, which shows how much Emperor Yongzheng loves her.
Yongzheng's gaze always stayed on her, and his eyes were full of inextricable tenderness and affection, like the warm spring sun, warm and affectionate.
The Empress sat by, watching this scene with a bitter taste in her mouth. She bowed slightly, but maintained a respectful smile as she spoke slowly, "My love is as warm as wine, and my affection as tender as silk. The wine may sometimes cool, but the tenderness is unbroken. I hope the Emperor's love for Concubine Xi will remain as tender as silk. Please drink this cup."
Although it seems to be a blessing, the irony in the words is like a thin needle hidden in cotton, which can be detected with a little thought.
Sooner or later, the emperor's love for you will slowly cool down like hot wine.
How could Zhen Huan not hear the deeper meaning in her words? However, after going through so many ups and downs, she had already developed a calm state of mind, so she pretended not to hear the hidden meaning.
"Okay!" Yongzheng didn't think much about it and picked up the wine glass and drank it all.
Seeing that the Queen had already prepared, the concubines hurriedly stood up, raised their wine glasses, and said in unison: "Congratulations to the Imperial Concubine Xi."
Zhen Huan stood up gracefully, bowed slightly and responded, "Thank you, sisters."
Yongzheng looked at the harmonious scene between his wives and concubines, and was very satisfied. He smiled so hard that his teeth were visible and his eyes were not. He waved his hand and said loudly: "Sit down!"
Everyone took their seats as instructed, and the hall returned to its previous bustle. Zhen Huan casually glanced around, her eyes landing on An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang.
Shen Meizhuang took a silver spoon, carefully removed the crab meat, and handed it to An Lingrong.
An Lingrong took it with a bright smile and began to eat happily. As she was eating, she seemed to sense something and when she looked up, she happened to notice Zhen Huan's gaze. She immediately picked up the wine glass, raised it gently in Zhen Huan's direction, and blinked mischievously.
Seeing An Lingrong's actions, Shen Meizhuang also looked over. Seeing that it was Zhen Huan, she also smiled knowingly, raised her wine glass, and gestured slightly in Zhen Huan's direction.
Looking at this scene, Zhen Huan felt a surge of warmth in her heart, and a smile appeared on the corners of her mouth involuntarily. At this moment, all the troubles and calculations in the palace were diluted by the pure friendship between these sisters.
Yongzheng looked at her warm smile and felt that she was particularly charming at this moment. His heart could not help but ripple, and he felt a little distracted. With a smile on his lips and a look full of expectation, he whispered, "I will go to your palace tonight!"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's smile froze. After a moment, she replaced it with a standard smile and said, "Today is the full moon of Hongzhou Lingxi's baby. I'm afraid that Longyue, as her elder sister, will be jealous. Why don't you go to Rong'er's palace to accompany Longyue? Longyue will definitely be happy."
Yongzheng thought for a moment and felt that what she said made sense. He nodded and said, "That's good. I can't let Longyue feel that she is being neglected just because she has a younger brother and sister-in-law!"
After saying this, Zhen Huan looked at An Lingrong who was drinking and enjoying the singing and dancing, and felt that she had gone a bit too far, so she picked up the crab and started to open it. After opening it, she asked Huanbi to hand it to her.
On the other side, An Lingrong had no idea that Zhen Huan had betrayed her. When she saw the crab meat brought by Huanbi, she gave her a big smile.
The banquet was filled with joy and both the guests and the hosts were having a great time. However, everyone could see that the situation in the harem had changed drastically without anyone noticing.