ebookland Chapter 574 Shen Meizhuang's Plan
Chapter 574 Shen Meizhuang's Plan
"Then I'll have to trouble you, mother."
Shen Meizhuang thanked her with a smile.
As the Jeju Assistant Governor, my father was fortunate enough to get a ticket.
Every year, the family would send trusted people out to collect ginseng, which would be processed and distributed to various places.
Since my mother entered the palace, she has been nourished countless times.
I guess most of the family's share this year went to her.
When Shen Meizhuang thought of what her family had done for her, waves of sadness welled up in her heart.
As a daughter of the Shen family, she brought discredit to her family and was unworthy of their care.
"You don't have to be polite. Before Mother came to Beijing, the clan also sent some ginseng. The ginseng is of the same grade as the ones at home, and it's enough to nourish you."
Mrs. Shen touched her hand and was relieved when she saw that it had become warm.
"It's getting late. You can ask the kitchen to make soup tomorrow and have Qingju accompany you to the Yangxin Palace."
"Okay, daughter listens to her mother."
Shen Meizhuang pestered her mother to tell her some interesting stories about her nephews and nephews.
After dinner, An Lingrong, as usual, took her two children to the backyard to digest the food.
After she walked around the yard a few times, she found Xiao Linzi standing there waiting.
"Bao Que, Bao E, you two can play with the young master first. When the time comes, send them back to the East Side Hall to study."
Hongyao and Zhaohua are going to school the next year, and An Lingrong helps the two children adapt in advance according to Hongzhan's daily schedule.
An Lingrong gave Xiao Linzi a wink and returned to the main hall.
"But what happened?"
"My Lord, the Emperor brought Prince Guo to the Yanxi Palace this morning to visit the Ninth Prince. Concubine Hui was also present. Not long afterward, Qingju from the Yonghe Palace summoned Imperial Physician Chenpi to see the patient."
"Imperial Physician Wei has reviewed Huipin's pulse records. She has a rash this time, and coincidentally, Huipin had the same illness in the garden before."
Xiao Linzi doesn't believe that all this is a coincidence.
"I suspect Huipin may have discovered something during this encounter."
"Later, I accidentally learned from a young eunuch I was familiar with that someone in Yonghe Palace was investigating Prince Guo's whereabouts in the garden."
"Okay, I understand. You continue to send people to keep an eye on Yonghe Palace."
An Lingrong witnessed Shen Meizhuang's ruthlessness while she was in a coma.
In order to deal with Concubine Hua, she was so ruthless that she even burned herself.
I just don’t know how she plans to deal with Prince Guo this time?
Thinking of this, An Lingrong informed Concubine Hua of Yiku Palace of the news.
Shen Meizhuang's resentment towards Concubine Hua has never dissipated, and she doesn't want her to be plotted against.
There is still more than a month to go before the Chinese New Year, and the New Year gifts need to be distributed as soon as possible. An Lingrong made slight adjustments based on the quantities in previous years.
She wrote stroke by stroke until late at night, and only rested at Baoque's urging.
The next day, after breakfast, Bao Ge came to report with a smile.
"Master, I've heard that the Emperor is in the Yangxin Palace dealing with memorials and has not summoned any ministers to discuss matters."
"Okay, I understand."
When An Lingrong saw the smile on her face, she knew that Baoge had met the black-faced guard when she went to inquire about the news.
That guard was extraordinary, and her people still hadn't figured out his background.
An Lingrong was afraid that the silly girl, who had finally regained her bright smile, had been deceived, so she spoke with a headache.
"Bao Ge, Hong Yao heard about Buddha Jumps Over the Wall from somewhere and has been clamoring to eat it. Can you cook this dish?"
Bao Ge thought for a moment and replied truthfully.
"Master, I've heard the chef from the imperial kitchen tell me how to make this dish, but I've never tried it."
"Okay, then you'll have to try it. If it tastes good, you can put a jar in it as a New Year's gift for your family."
An Lingrong added with a smile.
"If you're missing any materials, go to the Imperial Household Department and buy them. Don't just use something similar."
Bao Ge's face turned red.
"Master, I've made note of this."
When she first had a small kitchen in her palace, Bao Ge thought the meat in the kitchen was too expensive, so she used vegetables to make it taste like meat.
From then on, An Lingrong made up her mind to earn more money.
I heard that the ingredients for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall are more expensive, so Bao Ge should be watching over it personally.
She couldn't keep him by her side all the time, so she would ask Bao Ge to make some other time-consuming dishes later.
"I have to go out for something, so I'll leave the small kitchen to you."
An Lingrong led everyone through the auspicious gate and met a team of patrolling guards.
"This servant pays his respects to the Imperial Concubine Shu!"
"Be flat."
An Lingrong's eyes slanted slightly, and she caught a glimpse of a guard who was much darker than the others.
She curled her lips in her heart. Baoge always chooses the right dishes when cooking, so why isn't he picky when it comes to choosing people?
Could it be that Wei Lin had broken her heart so deeply that she had reached the opposite extreme?
Walking on the palace road, An Lingrong wondered whether she could take Baoge to attend more banquets during the New Year to see the young talents from the ministers' families.
Her thoughts were all over the place, but once she passed the Yangxin Gate, An Lingrong calmed down.
She said to Su Peisheng who was jogging over.
"Eunuch Su, I've come to report on the annual gift. May I ask if the Emperor is free now?"
"Replying to Noble Concubine Shu, the Emperor is inside processing memorials. The Emperor instructed yesterday that if you, Noble Concubine, come in, there is no need to inform us."
When Su Peisheng said this, his eyes narrowed into slits due to laughter.
There are not many ladies in the harem who can meet the emperor without informing him, and Concubine Shu is one of them.
This is enough to illustrate the emperor's attitude.
An Lingrong shook her head gently. "Eunuch Su, I know the Emperor is compassionate, but the Yangxin Palace is different from other places. I'd still like to trouble you to go and inform them."
As soon as Zhen Huan returned to the palace, she went straight to the Yangxin Palace to express her gratitude.
If something happens in the future, and the emperor remembers the privileges he once gave to Zhen Huan and takes his anger out on her, it would be an unprovoked disaster.
Not long after, An Lingrong, who was waiting outside the palace, entered the Yangxin Palace with a booklet.
"Your Majesty, this is the list of annual gifts I have compiled. Please review it."
"Okay, put it on my desk."
The emperor, who was processing memorials, gave the order without even looking up.
"Su Peisheng, please seat Concubine Shu, serve tea, and prepare snacks."
"Yes, slaves follow the order."
Su Peisheng respectfully brought a chair to An Lingrong and happily went out to make tea.
Concubine Shu really understands her master. Concubine Zhen did not receive this treatment when she came to express her gratitude last time.
Su Peisheng's slightly wavering heart turned directly towards Yongshou Palace.
The master became more and more respectful to Concubine Shu, and personally taught the Sixth Prince. He did not dare to say the deep meaning of this.
It is a servant's duty to serve the master. In the future, he will definitely serve Concubine Shu and the Sixth Prince comfortably when they come to the Yangxin Palace.
When Su Peisheng came out of the small room carrying a tray, he saw Huipin, who was pregnant, struggling to walk up the stairs.
He handed the tray to Xiao Xiazi and signaled him to bring it in as soon as possible.
"Your servant pays respects to Concubine Hui. What brings you here?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly, "Eunuch Su, the emperor gave me some tonics yesterday. I have no way to repay you, so I specially cooked a pot of ginseng chicken soup and sent it to you. Please let him know."
"Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I will go and inform you right away."
Before entering the hall, Su Peisheng looked up at the sky. The sun was still hanging low in the sky, so it was not that he had missed the time.
Shen Meizhuang pretended not to see Su Peisheng's little action. She dreamed of her family last night and made up her mind.
Regardless of whether her plan succeeds or not, she must protect her family and not let them be implicated because of her.