SFS Chapter 169 Red Bean
Chapter 169 Red Bean
After getting off the carriage, An Lingrong felt that the scenery of the Old Summer Palace was even better than last year.
The concubines' residences were the same as last year, and she still lived in the upper and lower Tianguang.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, a little maid and a young eunuch came forward and saluted: "This servant greets the young lady. May the young lady be blessed with good health!"
After seeing the people in front of her clearly, An Lingrong also laughed: "It's you!"
These two people were the maid Hongdou and the eunuch Xiaoxiangzi who were assigned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to serve her when she came to the Old Summer Palace last year. They were assigned here again this year.
Hongdou's excitement was beyond words: "My lady, you are finally here. I was so happy to hear that you were coming. Xiao Xiangzi and I cleaned up the skylights a few days ago!"
"Okay, it's been so long since we last met. How are you?"
"Thank you for your concern, my lady. I am fine. I heard that you got promoted, and I haven't congratulated you yet! Congratulations, my lady!" Hongdou's eyes were as bright as stars, and her face was full of joy.
An Lingrong's mood also brightened: "Okay, there will be a reward later."
The master and servants entered the main hall together. What they saw was still the familiar place they remembered. However, the already exquisite decorative ornaments had been replaced with something even more luxurious. Even the stair railings had been repainted with a bright coat of paint, making them sparkle.
"Well, the arrangement is nice, you guys are thoughtful!"
Hongdou said, "I dare not take credit for it. The people from the Imperial Household Department came to repair the ceiling a month in advance. The tables and chairs were replaced with new ones, and the doors and windows were repainted. It's obvious that the emperor dotes on my young lady!"
An Lingrong smiled slightly and said nothing. She was favored, but not by the emperor!
Climbing the stairs, I arrived at the second-floor veranda, which overlooked the upper and lower skylights. From here, I could take in the scenery on three sides. The lake in the distance was as calm as a mirror, a gentle breeze rippling the water. The reflections of the snow-white clouds in the sky and the lush greenery on the shore created a wondrous scene where the water and sky merged seamlessly. This beautiful view gradually dissipated the pent-up frustration I'd accumulated along the way, and my mood brightened.
After enjoying the scenery for a while, An Lingrong felt a little sleepy and prepared to take a nap.
Before going to bed, she summoned Xiao Luzi and instructed him, "Xiao Luzi, secretly find out about the situation in Qingliang Palace and don't let anyone find out."
"Yes!"
Xiao Luzi bowed and quickly went about his business!
When she woke up, the sun was already setting. Liu Zhu helped her get up and said, "My lady, Concubine Hui invites you to have dinner at Xianyue Pavilion. Caixing has already come twice!"
"Why don't you wake me up?"
Liu Zhu said helplessly, "Cai Xing said that the Queen told you to go when you wake up."
"Okay, let's go!"
When the master and servant arrived at Xianyue Pavilion, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang were playing chess. Seeing her coming, they stopped playing. Shen Meizhuang asked, "Why did you sleep for so long? Are you feeling unwell?"
An Lingrong smiled and said, "I'm not feeling uncomfortable. I just feel the air is so fresh here that I can't bear to get up after falling asleep. Are you two sisters starving?"
"Being hungry is fine, but if you don't come, we'll think you've got a heat stroke again!"
The three of them sat at the table, eating and talking at the same time: "Sister Zhen, why do I feel that the Old Summer Palace is different from last year?"
Zhen Huan nodded. "The Emperor ordered the construction of a palace area to the south of Ci Garden. Modeled after the central axis symmetry of the Forbidden City, they built the left and right outer court rooms and the guardhouses of the various government offices. They also expanded Ci Garden to the north, east, and west, creating curved water islands and adding pavilions and terraces."
Seeing that the two were listening attentively, Zhen Huan lowered her voice and continued, "The Emperor is also planning to draw officers and soldiers from the Eight Banners to form a guard camp for the Old Summer Palace. We may stay in the Old Summer Palace for a long time in the future."
"This is good!" An Lingrong nodded while drinking a bowl of Wensi tofu soup.
Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan looked at her nodding repeatedly and laughed out loud.
After finishing the meal, Cai Xing entered the palace to report: "My lady, Xiao Luzi is here!"
An Lingrong was shocked, "Let him in!"
After paying her respects, Xiao Luzi said, "My lady, there's news from Qingliang Palace that Concubine Hua hasn't come out since she entered. I heard she's feeling unwell, but they haven't summoned the imperial physician, nor have they sent anyone to Qinzheng Palace."
"understood!"
That means it’s done!
Zhen Huan nodded: "It seems that Concubine Hua is not hopelessly stupid. She also knows that this matter is closely related to the Emperor. Otherwise, the situation would be really difficult!"
An Lingrong was still a little worried: "Sister, this matter won't implicate us, right?"
Shen Meizhuang said confidently: "No."
Ever since Shen Meizhuang was born, Shen Zishan knew that his daughter would definitely enter the palace in the future. Not only did he train her carefully, he also sent a group of young eunuchs into the palace in advance. However, they had a low status before and could not play much of a role.
"Taking advantage of this purge of palace maids and eunuchs, I transferred them to various places in the palace, including the imperial stables and the imperial tea and food rooms. The soldiers guarding the carriages are my father's confidants, so even if Nian Shilan wanted to investigate, she wouldn't be able to find any clues."
Looking at Shen Meizhuang's determined expression, the two felt relieved.
As they were talking, Su Peisheng's voice came from outside the palace: "The Emperor has arrived!"
"Greetings to the Emperor!" The three stood up and saluted respectfully.
Yongzheng walked into the hall, sat on the couch, and waved his hand: "Get up!"
Shen Meizhuang stepped forward, handed over a cup of tea, and said, "Why is the emperor here? He just arrived at the Old Summer Palace today, and the emperor should have a good rest!"
"I've come to see you and the Sixth Prince," Yongzheng looked around and frowned as he asked, "Isn't this place too small? I'm afraid it's uncomfortable to live here. Do you want to move somewhere else?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. The Sixth Prince is still young, so there's no need for him to take up much space. I'm used to living here and I like it very much."
This place is very close to Shangxia Tianguang and Bitong Academy, and the environment is very quiet. She doesn't want to move.
"As long as you like it!" Yongzheng smiled, looked at Zhen Huan again, and extended his hand to her. Zhen Huan sat beside him sensibly.
"I guess you're here!"
After saying that, he looked at Zhen Huan's belly, his eyes full of tenderness.
Zhen Huan said with a smile: "I am bored during my pregnancy. I want to talk to Sister Mei and Rong'er!"
"Hmm! I see you're in a good mood. I wonder what Noble Wen said to make you so happy!"
An Lingrong complained silently in her heart: I'm talking about the immoral things you did!
But she had a charming smile on her face: "I have seen that the upper and lower rooms have been renovated, and I would like to invite you two sisters to visit us!"
Yongzheng's eyes moved slightly: "I haven't heard you sing for a long time. Let's go, I'll go to the skylight to see it!"
This is equivalent to flipping An Lingrong's brand!
"Yes!"