ebookland Chapter 660 An old friend asks for a meeting
Chapter 660 An old friend asks for a meeting
The beautiful Yingda was deeply loved by the emperor and she slept with him on the night she entered the garden.
According to palace rules, the newlyweds must pay their respects to the queens of each palace after serving the emperor.
As soon as the sky was bright, there was movement in the garden, and the palace servants in various places were preparing for the master's trip.
Concubine Hua cursed the emperor several times in her heart before she stood up after being gently coaxed by Songzhi.
She stretched lazily and muttered.
"She just made a small promise. Why should I get up early?"
Songzhi put on the palace dress for her while comforting her with a smile.
"Master, the Imperial Concubine, out of consideration for the ladies in the harem, has changed the greetings to the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month. In the past, unless there was a heavy snowfall, the greetings would have been daily."
"The Imperial Noble Consort has no one to confide in in the palace. She's very happy that you've come."
After hearing this, Concubine Hua's brows relaxed slightly.
"You have a point. Lingrong is just like me. She has no one to talk to in the palace."
She hurriedly urged, "Hurry up and wash me, let's go there early."
From the prince's mansion to the palace, the only person she could talk to was Lingrong.
This garden is so boring. I wonder if we can hold a party to have some fun?
An Lingrong was still in the room washing up when she heard someone say that Concubine Hua was waiting outside.
She was very puzzled, why did this person come so early today?
Could it be that he was holding a grudge against Ying for agreeing, and was so angry that he couldn't sleep, so he came here early in the morning to intimidate people?
An Lingrong thought about it and gave the order immediately.
"Bao Ge, there's lily and mung bean soup in the kitchen. Serve a bowl for Concubine Hua."
Lily and mung bean soup calms the mind and spirit, hoping to suppress Concubine Hua's anger.
Concubine Chun and Noble Lady Rou walked in together. When they looked up, they saw Concubine Hua sitting calmly on the chair.
The two looked at each other and saw great doubt in each other's eyes.
Concubine Hua was proud of her status. When the deposed empress took the throne, she was always the last one to appear, sometimes even later than the deposed empress.
When it was the Imperial Noble Consort's turn to take charge of the harem, not only did Concubine Hua take sick leave, she also waited for all the concubines to gather before she appeared slowly.
She actually came earlier than everyone else today. Who offended her again?
Fang Jia Chunyi gently squeezed Concubine Rou's hand and pulled her inside.
"Your Highness pays respects to Her Majesty Hua Guifei!"
Concubine Hua glanced at the two of them indifferently and said, "Stand up."
Seeing that Concubine Hua had no intention of continuing to speak, the two men returned to their chairs.
Fang Jia Chunyi was very curious, and her eyes always involuntarily glanced towards Concubine Hua.
Concubine Lan, Concubine Jing and other unfavored concubines who came later all took the initiative to come over and pay their respects to Concubine Hua.
Concubine Hua was so annoyed that she secretly glared at Songzhi. If she hadn't said that she couldn't go to the bedroom to talk to Lingrong, why would she be sitting here being watched by people?
She now regretted coming so early.
Concubine Hua's dissatisfaction was directly reflected on her face, and even Concubine Jing sitting opposite her withdrew her gaze.
As an old friend who had lived with Concubine Hua for many years, Concubine Jing first thought of Concubine Ying, who had slept with her last night.
She thought to herself that she had originally thought that Concubine Hua, who gave birth to Princess Anle, had been distracted, but she didn't expect that after all these years, she still loved the emperor so deeply.
Concubine Jing just hoped that when she vented her anger later, she wouldn't bite anyone.
When An Lingrong heard that everyone outside had arrived, she lifted the bead curtain and came out.
"Your humble concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine!"
An Lingrong raised her hand slightly and spoke gently.
"Everyone, get up quickly."
She looked at Caiping with a smile, her face flushed. Seeing this person again was still amazing.
Prince Guo may not be good in other aspects, but he has a good eye for women.
In her previous life, Caiping was sent into the palace by the sisters Zhen Huan and Huanbi in order to divert the emperor's attention.
This may not necessarily mean that Huanbi does not want Caiping to stay with Prince Guo.
In that life, Huanbi served the emperor and died in the palace.
But now, Prince Guo accidentally became a eunuch and handed the person over to the emperor with his own hands.
Caiping could not escape the fate of being involved in fights in both of her lives.
"Promise Zhu to pay respects to the Imperial Concubine."
An Lingrong gave the order with a smile on her face.
"Bao Que, quickly help Ying to agree."
Ying agreed with a hint of worry on her face. She was unwilling to go into the garden to serve the emperor.
The world is harsh on women, and women who enter the harem have no choice.
Never mind! Let’s get people up first.
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine."
Ying agreed and thanked him gently.
An Lingrong's kind explanation.
"You just entered the garden yesterday, so you should have rested. But according to our ancestral rules, you must come and pay your respects to the High Empress the day after serving her. You must obey."
"The sisters in the harem are harmonious and usually have no worries. From now on, you will come to pay your respects on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. You can make your own arrangements at other times."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration."
Ying agreed and was about to kneel down to pay her respects, but Baoque stopped her in time.
"If you're not feeling well, don't be polite."
An Lingrong is not the type of person who would torture others like the deposed queen.
"Today, while almost all the harem sisters are here, you can come and recognize them."
Baoque supported Ying and agreed to go forward one by one. After paying their respects to Concubine Jing, the next was Concubine Hua.
She looked at Caiping for a few seconds before speaking reluctantly.
"Get up."
"I have nothing more to say. Now that you have entered the palace, you must behave yourself. If I catch you doing anything wrong, I will not forgive you."
Concubine Hua saw that An Lingrong was kind to this woman, so she specifically reminded her not to get pregnant without knowing what was good for her.
"I will follow the instructions of Concubine Hua."
Before Caiping came, she had heard the nanny talk about the personalities of the ladies in the palace, among whom Concubine Hua was the most arrogant and domineering one.
She seemed to still have some opinions about her master.
Caiping had been prepared to be bullied, but she didn't expect that after she said those harsh words, she would stop pestering him.
The people behind were not difficult to get along with. After Caiping respectfully bowed, she returned to the chair near the hall door and sat down.
An Lingrong greeted the prince and princess as usual, then let everyone go.
As soon as she turned around, Concubine Hua followed her.
"Lingrong, why are you so polite to Ying today?"
"Sister Nian, I see she's unwilling to serve the Emperor. Perhaps she's forced to do so. It's okay to keep someone like her for now."
If Caiping was really indifferent to fame and fortune like in her previous life, she would let this person stay in the garden and try to avoid disputes in the palace.
"You are just too soft-hearted."
Concubine Hua snorted, but did not comment on the matter.
"Lingrong, it's so boring in the garden. Can you think of a time when we can all get together?"
"Sister Nian, the emperor just ordered the punishment of a group of people. I heard that the water at the Meridian Gate was dyed red by the rain during those few days."
An Lingrong gently held her hand.
"Just bear with it for another month or two, and then we'll definitely have a grand reunion festival."
On the other side, Caiping had just arrived at her residence in Xinghua Village when the little palace maid who was serving her came to report.
"My lady, there is a palace maid outside who claims to be your old friend and wants to see you."
"Old friend?"
Caiping was startled. Is he the master's man?