SFS Chapter 198 Arson
Chapter 198 Arson
The emperor replied quickly, and his suggestion coincided with An Lingrong's. He asked Concubine Hua to find two old clothes from the weaving shop to meet the urgent need.
Grand banquets in the palace require formal attire, and new formal attire can be made after the enthronement ceremony.
"Songzhi, the Emperor doesn't allow me to interfere in the affairs of the Weaving Department. Are you planning to intervene in the affairs of the Weaving Department yourself?"
"My lady, this may be what it means."
Songzhi thought that it would be better for the Queen not to interfere in the affairs of the Weaving Department. After all, Concubine Shu had once reminded her that there might be people belonging to the Queen Mother hiding in the Imperial Household Department.
If the secret agent in Shoukang Palace is accidentally touched, it will probably incur the resentment of the Queen Mother.
According to the information they had, the Imperial Household Department presented a large amount of silver as a tribute to Shoukang Palace every year.
I don’t know what the elderly empress do with all that money.
Anyway, during the holidays, I never saw her leak anything to the princes and princesses in the palace.
"Since the Emperor doesn't want me to interfere, then we can be at our leisure."
Concubine Hua said with relief.
"Songzhi, please write a letter for me, asking how the preparations for Fu'er's spice shop are going?"
The An family has several ancestral spice recipes. With An Lingrong's help, Concubine Hua wanted to express on the spot her intention to do business with Lin Anren.
This was also because An Lingrong felt sorry for Lin's eyes and was afraid that she would have to embroider day and night after leaving the palace, so she asked Concubine Hua, who was determined to help her get rich, to join them.
The shop was provided by the Nian family, and the spices came from the An family, and both parties managed it together.
An Lingrong privately hopes to make the spice shop famous, perhaps it can become a significant force in the future.
The Queen is secretly preparing a major move, so the recent greetings seem unusually harmonious.
After paying respects that day, Huanbi happened to meet Concubine Qi at the Queen's place.
"You are all people whom I value, and you should live in harmony."
The Queen took the hands of the two and folded them tightly together.
Concubine Qi felt the roughness of Huanbi's hand, but she resisted the urge to pull it back.
"Your Majesty, I will obey you."
She added with a smile.
"This concubine and He Changzai live together in Suiyuxuan, and we already have a close friendship."
In a letter home, her father mentioned that the queen was a person with great ambitions, and urged her to obey the queen's instructions.
The Zhen family's wealth and prosperity depended on their favorite concubine Zhen Huan, so the Guwaljia clan would certainly be able to prosper with her.
She was determined to trample Zhen Huan under her feet.
Under the Queen's gaze, Huanbi also nodded.
"Good, good! The sisters in the harem should live in harmony."
"Jianqiu, bring over the things I prepared."
So, Huanbi and Concubine Qi each received a hairpin from the Queen.
"He Changzai, please lend me your pearl and silver hairpin."
As soon as she stepped out of the gate of Jingren Palace, Concubine Qi gave orders to Huanbi who was following behind her.
"Lady Qi, you just promised the Queen that you would not embarrass me again."
Huanbi didn't expect that the other party would go back on his word and humiliate her outside Jingren Palace.
"This young lady has no intention of making things difficult for you. I just want to admire your pearl and silver hairpin."
As she spoke, she proudly stroked the golden hairpin on her head.
"My golden hairpin is right there on your head. You can see my reward, but why are you reluctant to let me see your silver hairpin?"
Concubine Qi asked provocatively.
"Lady Qi, I think Qiu Da Ying is about to come out."
Fubao saw the young lady’s face flushed and hurried to rescue her.
"Huanbi, you are lucky today."
Concubine Qi said this in a sarcastic tone and walked away.
"My lord, let's go back too."
"it is good."
Huanbi handed her hand to Fubao and asked her to hold it as she walked back.
The tears in her eyes blurred her vision, and she tried hard not to let them fall.
The Queen gave out rewards according to their status. Huanbi received a pearl and silver hairpin, while Concubine Qi wore a pearl and gold hairpin on her head. The difference between the two was obvious.
"Fubao, the golden hairpin on Lady Qi's head is really beautiful."
"My lady, in my humble opinion, Her Majesty actually values you more. It's just that because Noble Lady Qi's maternal family is so powerful, Her Majesty can't go against the Emperor's wishes, so she doesn't obviously favor you."
Fubao explained softly.
"I heard that Concubine Wan's father has reached the rank of Shangshu. If he could ask to adopt you as his adopted daughter, Concubine Qi would definitely never dare to act presumptuously in front of you again."
"Fubao, the emperor is most averse to the harem being involved with the former dynasty. This young lady thinks this is inappropriate."
In fact, Fubao's casual words stirred up a thousand waves in Huanbi's heart.
Her father couldn't recognize her, but he could adopt her as his adopted daughter.
Huanbi has served her elder sister for many years, and to outsiders, she has long been a member of the Zhen family.
As soon as she returned to Suiyuxuan, Huanbi picked up the pen she had not used for a long time.
She pondered for nearly half an hour before she finished writing a heartfelt letter.
The eldest sister would send a letter home every month, which would be delivered by Liuzhu.
At night, when Liuzhu was alone, Huanbi came forward with tears in her eyes to ask for help.
"Sister Liuzhu, I have a letter I want to deliver to the master. Please help me."
"You also know that the master brought me back from outside."
"I was still young then, and I don't remember many things clearly. I want to ask the master if he has any news about my family."
"Sister Liuzhu, in the entire palace, only Huanbi has no relatives."
"you......."
The kind-hearted Liu Zhu hurriedly wiped Huanbi's tears and quickly agreed.
"Huanbi, don't cry, can't I help you?"
"Sister Liu Zhu, whether I can find my family depends entirely on you."
Huanbi held Liuzhu's hands gratefully and handed her a letter solemnly.
The person hiding in the dark heard the conversation between the two clearly and quietly entered the main hall to report to Zhen Huan.
"My Lady, when I went to fetch water, I saw He Chang talking to Sister Liu Zhu."
"He Changzai seemed to be crying, and Sister Liuzhu even wiped her tears."
"Okay, I understand."
Zhen Huan's heart sank, and she looked at Bai Wei who reported the news with a smile.
"Jinxi, take five taels of silver and treat Miss Baiwei to tea."
"If there's anything unusual happening to Concubine He in the future, feel free to report it to me."
Bai Wei thanked him happily.
Not long after she left, Liu Zhu, with red eyes, handed her a letter with both hands.
"Madam, this is the letter that He Changzai asked me to deliver to Master."
Liu Zhu reported every word Huanbi said to her when she stopped her.
"Liu Zhu, you did a great job. If what Huan Bi said is true, I am not such an unreasonable person."
"You should go back and rest first."
As expected, Zhen Huan read the letter written by Huanbi at a glance and took a deep breath.
"Aunt Jinxi, Huanbi told me about the difficulties she's facing in the palace in her letter. She wants to use our long-standing friendship to get my father to adopt her as his adopted daughter!"
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! The Zhen family must not have anything to do with her!"
Cui Jinxi wondered if Huanbi had become stupid because of being bullied by Concubine Qi.
How could Minister Zhen possibly adopt a person who was born a slave as his adopted daughter?
But she looked at her master who had a bad expression on his face and suggested in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to expel He Changzai from Suiyuxuan!"
"Aunt Jinxi, do you have any good way to drive them out?"
"Set a fire!"