bestfiction Chapter 272 Moving the Palace
Chapter 272 Moving the Palace
"Eniang."
Longyue called out obediently, resting her head trustingly in Xiangxiang's arms.
She had an impression of her mother. Xiao Yunzi had mentioned her many times, saying that this person was like a sister to her mother and was a rare person in the palace who had good intentions towards her.
Although Longyue didn't understand most of the time, she knew that this person would be good to her.
The group returned to Xianfu Palace, and Shen Meizhuang went straight into the east side hall holding the child in her arms.
She carefully placed the person on the ground and held the child's soft hand.
"Longyue, this is the room that mother arranged for you. Do you like it?"
The charcoal brazier had been lit in the room long ago, and the heat made Longyue's face red.
Her attention was quickly drawn to the wooden horse on the small table, and she ran over unsteadily on the soft blanket.
Shen Meizhuang, who was standing behind him, chuckled. Children are still the best. They can be satisfied with just a little toy.
"Longyue, mother has ordered people to prepare a box of little things for you."
"Let's wash up first, then play, okay?"
Shen Meizhuang discussed in a gentle voice.
The emperor said that the people who took care of the princess were all from Shoukang Palace, and it was inconvenient to ask the empress dowager for help.
Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent a new group of people, among whom there might be people planted by the emperor.
Even if Shen Meizhuang is disgusted with Longyue, she has to save face and make sure no one can find fault with her.
Longyue, holding the little wooden horse, nodded obediently.
Xiao Yunzi has repeatedly reminded us that obedient children are more liked by others.
Shen Meizhuang walked into the main hall holding Longyue, and her whole body relaxed.
This is the place that belongs to her alone. Once the thick curtains are drawn, no one outside can see inside.
If you speak in a low voice, no one outside can hear you clearly.
"Cai Xing, go get some water. I want to help the princess wash."
Shen Meizhuang sat on the couch and gave orders in a gentle voice.
Caiyue saw sweat on the young master's forehead, so she took off her cloak.
"Your Majesty, this cloak is made of white fox fur. The Queen Mother really loves Princess Longyue."
Animals have thickest fur in winter, and it is difficult to find a solid-colored fox, let alone a white fox that blends in with the snow.
"The Queen Mother is kind and always cares for the younger generation."
Shen Meizhuang replied nonchalantly.
Without the cloak, Longyue revealed his figure, which was so thin that it was unbearable to look at.
I heard that the Empress Dowager worshipped Buddha and always ate vegetarian food, and the other people in Shoukang Palace also ate the same way.
But in order to avoid being too harsh on Longyue, Shen Meizhuang ordered Caixing to steam a bowl of egg custard for her.
The main hall was warm, so Shen Meizhuang simply left Longyue here to play.
Not long after, Caixing came to report.
"Master, Mr. He is seeking an audience outside."
"Did you tell me why you wanted to see me?"
Shen Meizhuang glanced at Longyue who was playing with a pony on the couch and frowned slightly.
Concubine He is a personal maid who grew up with Zhen Huan. I wonder if she will cause any trouble.
Also, she has a petty air, and Shen Meizhuang doesn't want to have too much interaction with such a person.
"My lord, Lady He heard that you brought the princess back, so she came to visit."
"I see Fubao is still holding the bundle in his hand, so I guess he must have put some thought into it."
Noble Lady He was once promoted by Concubine Wan, so it was not surprising that she came to visit Longyue.
It was Longyue's first day at Xianfu Palace, and there must be people watching outside. It would be unreasonable not to let Concubine He in.
Shen Meizhuang gave the order sullenly.
"Then invite her in."
In this way, Huanbi would go to Xianfu Palace from time to time under the pretext of visiting Princess Longyue, and Shen Meizhuang could not drive her away with a cold face.
"Lingrong, I heard from my subordinates that the Emperor went to Xianfu Palace five times, and Concubine He was present on two occasions."
"From my perspective, Noble Lady He is determined to get close to Shen Meizhuang."
Concubine Hua laughed with great joy.
Shen Meizhuang prides herself on being noble and disdains to associate with them.
But due to the sake of face, he had to receive Huanbi who came out of Suiyuxuan.
Maybe she is vomiting to death in Xianfu Palace right now.
"Sister Nian, I think the emperor has made a mistake this time. Shen Meizhuang and Huanbi both have the same idea, hoping to gain favor by using Princess Longyue."
An Lingrong learned this from the information passed on by her subordinates.
Shen Meizhuang was quite nice to Princess Longyue, except that she started taking the fertility medicine that she had stopped taking, and she also went to the Yangxin Palace every now and then to report on the princess's daily life.
Although the emperor hated it most when the concubines in the harem personally came to the Yangxin Palace to deliver cakes and soup, he always met with Shen Meiyu for the sake of Longyue.
"Is Shen Meizhuang following Cao Qinmo's path?"
An Lingrong poured her another cup of tea and nodded gently.
"Sister Hua, it is true."
"I heard that Shoukang Palace released a group of palace maids. Is this true?"
The emperor sent people to surround Shoukang Palace, but not a single piece of news came out from inside.
Baoli's brother is still inside, and An Lingrong asked about him to reassure her.
"Eunuch Su came to me two days ago to talk about this matter. The Queen Mother likes quietness and doesn't want too many people to stay in the palace. She asked me to arrange a place for those people."
As Concubine Hua spoke, she threw a booklet to An Lingrong.
"This is the list that was released. I'm here to ask you for advice."
It would be inappropriate to assign people who came out of Shoukang Palace to any place, and it would be even more inappropriate to keep them in the Imperial Household Department.
An Lingrong opened the booklet and saw that it was full of names. She saw Baoli's younger brother's name on the third page.
"Sister Hua, this is not difficult. Ningshou Palace is home to a group of concubines. Just let them take care of it."
Many of the late emperor's concubines died one after another, but there were still a group of childless concubines who were being cared for in the palace.
These people did not get involved in the disputes between the former court and the harem, so it was appropriate to arrange for the palace maids released from Shoukang Palace to be transferred there.
"Lingrong, your idea is very good."
The Concubine Dowager had no sense of existence, and Concubine Hua didn't think of her for a moment.
"Sister Nian, I'm just suggesting this. I heard there's some discord between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. It would be best if you go to the Yangxin Palace and inform the Emperor before you assign the palace maids."
The Queen Mother was completely imprisoned, and as she wished, a rift developed between the mother and son.
She asked the Queen Mother not to reveal the fact that she was faking her pregnancy, but it was okay to give Concubine Hua a small reminder.
"Lingrong, don't worry, I will definitely ask the Emperor for instructions."
Concubine Hua said self-deprecatingly.
"I am the target set up by the Emperor. I understand this."
Then she lowered her voice and shared excitedly.
"News from outside the palace: Lord Longkodo died of milk tea poisoning! I heard he was bleeding from all seven orifices, and the attendants who first discovered him were frightened crazy!"
"The Emperor has assigned the case to the Dali Temple for investigation. After thorough investigation, they discovered that Lord Longkodo had an affair with his adopted son's wife and was being retaliated against. Somehow, word of this spread, and the entire capital knew about it."
"The Emperor was furious and issued a special decree to reprimand Longkodo, saying that he had disregarded human ethics and was worse than an animal, something unprecedented in the world."
"The emperor is furious. His family doesn't dare to hold a grand funeral, and officials who visit him don't dare to come and offer their condolences."
"In my opinion, dying from poisoning is a good thing for this damned old beast."
As she heard Concubine Hua's endless complaints, An Lingrong thought to herself that the Emperor must believe that the child in the Empress Dowager's belly was related to Longkodo, otherwise why would he target one person like this?
Concubine Hua shared all the latest news outside the palace, talking until her mouth was dry.
"Lingrong, I'm really holding it in."
An Lingrong also noticed it, and she handed over a cup of warm tea at the right time.
"Sister Nian, please bear with it for now. I will move to the palace in a few days, and we will have more opportunities to meet."
The Imperial Observatory chose an auspicious day for moving the palace, and she had no way of refusing.