"Please Wu Chang is taking in this slave..." Qiaoyan cried and lay on the ground. She was beaten so badly and looked really pitiful. But how could Lan Qi forget the evil she had done just now? How could she look like this?
, and was not tempted.
Huan Chun stood behind him, feeling very worried. He was afraid that his master would be soft-hearted and take in this unruly slave. In the future, there would be one more spy in Zhongcui Palace. The outsiders couldn't guard against it, so if they put another one inside, Concubine Tong would not be afraid of others.
I can't see it, but I'm forcing myself to do it.
"How can I discipline a slave that even my mother can't discipline well? I'm so stupid, so how can I discipline her well? Even if I take her in, if I fail to manage her well and let her get into trouble later, when others point at me and speak, they will always
I have to compare her with the empress." Lan Qi felt blessed and replied seriously, "Since the empress can't tolerate her anymore, there are palace rules in the palace, and if the master can't tolerate her, he can't stay in the Forbidden City."
The slender beauty on Concubine Tong's face twisted in awe, and she sneered: "Why, Wu Changzai looks down on the slaves I gave you?"
"I don't dare to look down on you. I can't stand it. I'm stupid. Huan Chun Yukui and the others often don't discipline me well, let alone Qiaoyan." Lan Qi looked at the woman sitting upright above her calmly, "Your Majesty.
I'm sorry, I dare not accept your kindness."
Concubine Tong snorted, a vicious smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and the delicate and slender gem armor flashed in the air, "I don't want it, and you don't want it, but you can't leave the palace. After all, the people who have been around me, let go
If she talks too much when she goes out, I will not tolerate her. Then she will be dragged out to be beaten for eighty times and sent to do hard labor. Oh... I estimate that she will be dead within twenty or thirty blows. "
The maids around were trembling with fear, and Qiaoyan on the ground was completely stunned. Lan Qi turned to Concubine Tong again, "Now that I have made a decision, I will not disturb your rest. I will leave." She straightened up.
She turned around and retreated out. Qiaoyan suddenly rushed over, gnashing her teeth and hating, "Wuchang Zai, why don't you save me? You are also a palace maid, don't you pity me? You want me, want it."
I won't die, please..."
Huan Chun and others struggled to pull her away, while Lan Qi straightened her clothes and turned around to continue walking. However, Qiao Yan was trying to save her life at this moment, and Zhen Zhen was trying to keep her away. Lian Lian Chun and Yu Kui couldn't stand it anymore, so they rushed out again.
He grabbed Lan Qi's ankle and said viciously: "How could you be so cruel? Why didn't you save me even when you were about to die? Didn't you come to save me? Didn't you say you wanted to save me?
Lan Qi looked back at her, then turned to look at Concubine Tong, who was smiling proudly. She lowered her head and said to her: "The person you should beg for is Concubine Tong. I don't want you, but I don't want you to die. You don't understand."
Who is respected and who is humbled here? How can I control you if I'm here all the time? Go and beg Concubine Tong. It's useless for you to hold me. Eunuch Dali will come and drag you away soon. If you want to live, stay away.
It’s a waste of time on me.”
"Why are you meddling in other people's business? It's all your fault. If you hurt my life, you will die badly..." Qiaoyan struggled to her death, almost crazy, crying and scolding the people in front of her.
Lan Qi said calmly: "Your life is important, but the child's life doesn't count? I have never harmed you. I only asked you to kneel for half an hour today. Every injustice has its owner, and every debtor has its owner. In this life, you have
If you can't see clearly even after death, you will still be confused in the next life."
When Concubine Tong heard this, her chest tightened suddenly. She wished she could drag this Wu Ya out to beat the eighty-year-old family first, but just when she was about to speak, a bright figure came in front of the door. For a long time, even the door of Chengqian Palace was blocked.
The Emperor, who had never passed by, suddenly came today. How long had he been standing outside the door? Did you hear the farce just now?
The moment Lan Qi turned around, she saw Xuan Ye standing in front of the door. Since they met, this was the first time that Wu Yalan Qi didn't want to see the emperor. Her words just now were not cruel, but the emperor must have heard them.
"Send this palace maid out of the Forbidden City." Xuan Ye was followed by Manager Li. He gave a faint order, and then looked at Concubine Tong who had left her seat and came to salute and said, "Grandma Huang is very happy these days, so don't let her go to the palace."
He was screaming to be beaten and killed."
"Yes, my concubine..."
"I'm here to talk to you. My grandpa's birthday is coming soon. This year is the big birthday. I want to send you to prepare a gift." Xuan Ye said, and went straight to the main hall. Concubine Tong was flattered and quickly followed.
Lan Qi bent her knees and was ignored. For a moment, even Qiaoyan was dragged away. Huan Chun rushed up to help his master and whispered, "Let's go too."
Lan Qi suddenly looked at her, her eyes slightly red, "Am I too cruel? Those words just now..."
Huan Chun didn't know, and no one knew how much the emperor had heard, but since the emperor mentioned that he wanted to send Qiao Yan out of the palace, at least he should have heard what Qiao Yan said before he went crazy. Although the master did nothing wrong today, the ruthless words just now
Her posture was indeed very different from her usual. Such an abnormal and abrupt expression made the emperor suddenly have some thoughts in his heart when he saw and heard her.
Back at Zhongcui Palace, Bu Changzai was waiting in front of the door in a panic, but Lanqi walked straight to her palace as soon as she walked in. She couldn't see anyone in her eyes, and she seemed to have lost her spirit. Bu Changzai
Looking very worried, Yu Kui hurriedly came over to explain: "When I met the emperor, I probably overheard some things that should be said and shouldn't be said. The emperor went to talk to Concubine Tong and left our master alone. She was feeling uncomfortable in her heart.
Well, please don’t mind.”
Bu Changzai naturally didn't mind, but he asked strangely: "The emperor is talking to Concubine Tong? But the emperor came here just now to find Lan Qi. He saw me in front of the door and asked where I was going. I heard that I was in Chengqian Palace.
, rush over immediately."
Yu Kui was so surprised that she turned around and ran to the master's bedroom. She was sitting cross-legged on the kang blankly. Huan Chun held his knees and didn't know what to do with her. All he saw was that he was holding his mouth and his face was full of grievances.
"Bu Chang is saying that the emperor is here to find you." Yukui said those words. Lan Qi was stunned after listening to them for a long time. She finally spoke and said, "But you must hate me like this. The emperor likes to see me."
I laughed and saw that I was so cheerful and ruthless, how was it any different from others? Now he should really hate me."
Huan Chun advised her: "I have never seen you so pessimistic about things in the past, but please be more relaxed. Although your words today are a little harsh and ruthless, they are not wrong."
Lan Qi lay softly on the big pillow and murmured: "I'm right, but he may not like this. I thought I didn't care before, but now I understand how big my heart can be. I hope that I will be liked after all."
, I hope I won’t disgust him. I feel bad now. If you feel sorry for me, just leave me alone for a while.”
The few people didn't dare to force themselves, and after covering her with a thin blanket, they all retreated. It was getting late outside, and it was time to pass the meal around. The master would definitely not eat tonight, and Pan Xia was preparing
When Zhang Luobu was always there for dinner, Daosui came back from outside and said, "The meal has been handed down from Chengqian Palace. Your Majesty has dined there with Concubine Tong."
Jinhe pulled her to keep her voice down, and pointed to Huanchun and the others who were sitting helplessly in front of the door of the East Wing Hall, "I can't tell, Wu Changzai is feeling uncomfortable."
In the room, Lan Qi was lying on the pillow blankly, thinking over and over again the scene when she and the emperor's eyes met just now, but she could not remember the look on Xuan Ye's face at that time. Was it anger, anger or disgust?
When she couldn't think of it, she felt even more uneasy. She had never deliberately tried to please Xuan Ye or done anything to attract him to like her, but she also didn't want to be disliked. How big her heart could be, just pretending to be Xuan Ye.
full.
And people went to look for her, as if they were afraid of being bullied, but when they saw such a powerful and ruthless Wu Yalanqi, she felt so disappointed. When she thought of this, Lanqi's eyes became moist, but she didn't dare to cry, and she couldn't cry, silly.
She kept herself in the room and didn't want to see anyone. She didn't know what happened. She didn't complain about the hard days before, but why was she so sad today?
She was uneasy that night, and Huan Chun and others were not at ease, and the emperor stayed in Chengqian Palace that night, which made it even more uncomfortable. Yu Kui asked Huan Chun privately: "What on earth do you think? I really hate my master."
Really? But isn’t Concubine Tong’s face even more disgusting?”
Huan Chun could only sigh: "Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger, who knows."
The next day, someone from Cining Palace invited Wu Chang to come over. Lan Qi knew that only the finishing touches were left on the Queen Mother's dress and that it would be worn tomorrow. Even though she had not had a good night's rest, she came to help. At first, several old concubines came in.
Gong Lai came to talk to the Empress Dowager, and Aunt Sumala was also there. Lan Qi concentrated on making clothes alone. When the old concubines left, and Aunt Sumala came to see her, she was already ironing her collar and cuffs.
, do the final finishing.
Mammy praised: "When I was your age, I didn't know how many clothes were burned and beaten until my skin and flesh were solid. Only then did I learn how to use this hard work. We are really smart and dexterous."
Lan Qi said with a smile: "When I was a child, I was naughty and burned my mother's new clothes. I thought I was going to be beaten by my mother, but my mother took my hands and taught me carefully. From then on, this job at home became
I did it."
While talking, the Empress Dowager's new dress had been ironed and neatly arranged. Lan Qi gathered her hands and shook her hands. Aunt Sumala looked up, as if she saw Wu Changzai put on the dress, and then blinked.
In the blink of an eye, she and the other maids had already stretched out the clothes and hung them up, looking at them with a smile, "The Empress Dowager will definitely outshine all of us tomorrow."
But the mama smiled and said: "I just stopped here because I have to send you there again. The master said he was thirsty. He had chatted with me for a while and was about to have a bowl of candied date tea. I originally invited you to make tea, but I didn't expect it.
It’s also tidied up here.”
"Let's go now, making tea is so easy." Lan Qi turned around and walked to the tea room. Soon she came out with candied date tea and entered the Queen Mother's bedroom, where she saw Concubine Zhao suddenly arrived. She was very friendly when they met.
, said with a smile, "I feel much more at ease now that my sister is here to serve the Queen Mother."
Lan Qi served tea as a salute, and Concubine Zhao pulled her to sit down together, and then slowly reported to the Empress Dowager: "Someone from the Jingsi Room came to tell me that the Chengqian Palace wants to expel a maid out of the palace. This is not a big deal.
, but after all, he is the one who belongs to Concubine Tong’s sister. I sent someone to ask her, saying that it was the emperor’s intention.
It’s time to talk about it again, but I don’t know what to do.”
The Empress Dowager drank tea leisurely, smiling bitterly in her heart. She had already known about this matter. Concubine Zhao was afraid that she would not know, so she came here to remind her, not to mention that it was about Wu Yalanqi, and she was nearby.
, there is more to say.
Putting down the tea bowl and looking at Lan Qi, the little girl looked very uncomfortable. She was not in a hurry to argue, and just told Concubine Zhao: "I'm just expelling a palace maid. It doesn't matter whether she is from the Qian Palace or our Cining Palace. The ministers outside
If you want to control it, it is too broad. You hold the Phoenix Seal in your hand, so you must have the courage to kill and make decisive decisions. Just do what you want."
Concubine Zhao had no intention of the Empress Dowager giving her any advice. She just saw Concubine Tong abusing Concubine Tong behind closed doors so that no one could see her. Then she had to let others see clearly, not to mention what happened this time with Wu Yashi.
Regardless of the relationship, once she leaves soon, the Empress Dowager will definitely know more about Concubine Tong.
Sure enough, Concubine Tong sat down for a while and said that there were still things waiting for support in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She bowed and left. Aunt Sumala sent her out. When she came back, she didn't see her master and Chang Zai in the dormitory. She heard laughter and came to find the Emperor.
The Queen Mother was happily trying on the clothes, and praised with a smile: "You can tighten it a few times, not loose or tight. Sumala is becoming more and more old and disrespectful. I still have a small waist now, and I have to tighten my waist."
It's not embarrassing enough if you tighten it."
Aunt Sumala felt relieved and came in and complained to her master with a smile: "Now that you have Chang Zai, I don't like it anymore. If I bully Chang Zai in private in the future, that's your fault."
This pair of old sisters are nominally master and servant, but in fact they have been close to each other for a long time. No one else would dare to make such a joke. The Empress Dowager even smiled and hugged Lan Qi and said: "Can you please take care of the ring?"
You guys, please pay close attention, otherwise when you get old, I will be like this and be bullied by your slaves at home."
But Lan Qi smiled and said: "Huanchun and the others are stupid. If I have such ability as my grandma, I will bully my concubine in the future and I will admit it."
She could always make everyone happy with just a few words. After Concubine Zhao left, the Empress Dowager didn't even ask about Chengqian Palace. She only asked how her clothes were doing, so they came over to try them on. At this moment, she felt really happy.
He was so happy that he called Aunt Sumala and said, "Where did you keep those jewelry when I was young? Let Lan Qi choose one so that it will look good when she wears it tomorrow."
Mammy groaned, saying that the master did not give the children things from their youth easily, so she quickly dug them out. After all, they were things from decades ago and were not as exquisite as they are now, but all of them belonged to the Empress Dowager.
Youth, and her rough and turbulent life.
"This hairpin was given to me by Empress Xiaoduan when I entered the palace. I didn't wear it a few times when I was young. I always ran on the grassland before entering the palace. My skin is not as white as yours, and I am not worthy of this ruby. I give it to you.
"The Empress Dowager said, pulling Lan Qi to her side and putting the hairpin on the back of her bun. The bright and moist gemstones were faintly exposed. Taking advantage of her fair skin, she thought it would add to her delicate temperament, but it turned out that
But this girl made the red look very solemn, and the old man couldn't help but click his tongue, "Zhenzhen is really good-looking, no matter how she dresses up, she looks good."
While everyone was chatting and joking, Prince Yu came outside to say hello. The Empress Dowager laughed angrily and came running at what time. But how could she not like the fact that she was her own grandson?
See, let her talk to grandma for a while, and if something happens, you can leave first.
After putting away the clothes again, Lan Qi followed her mother and prepared all the items including the hairpins and hairdresses that the Empress Dowager would use tomorrow. Mammy said with a smile: "You can come and serve me tomorrow morning. The Empress Dowager is here again."
It’s time to blame the slave for wearing such heavy clothes on her head. It’s better for you, Master, to be more talkative here, otherwise it will be very annoying.”
Lan Qi smiled softly: "Are you saying that I am also a nuisance? Don't listen to Huanchun and the others' nonsense. I am not a nuisance at all. They are the only ones who bully me."
Mammy pulled her to sit aside and asked with a smile: "What happened yesterday? Not to mention that Huan Chun had dark circles under her eyes, and your face doesn't look good either. You applied so much makeup today that it covered some of it, but
It’s different from usual. Master, she sees everything, so what’s the use of applying powder?”
Lan Qi then showed a bit of grievance and lowered her head in silence.
"Master is too lazy to care about Concubine Tong's affairs, and I can't care about the affairs of the Emperor and you even if he wants to. Only when the Emperor himself talks to you again will he know whether he was angry or annoyed yesterday." Aunt Sumala
He coaxed her with a smile, "Yesterday the emperor came with you, and the master laughed. I knew he would keep you for dinner, so he asked the emperor to find you. He followed you there not long after, but who knew that he would cause trouble with Cheng Qian?
Palace, and then the emperor did not come back, but still stayed there. When the servants and master know these things, do you think you will hide and cry?"
"I didn't cry." Lan Qi was timid, her cheeks were red with embarrassment, but after thinking about it, she said, "Mommy, Huan Chun asked me how I didn't feel uncomfortable in the past, but why I was so unhappy yesterday, I don't think so.
I don’t understand. I always thought that I would be satisfied just wishing the Emperor well. But yesterday, when I saw the Emperor ignoring me and only walking inside with Concubine Tong, I felt..."
With her crooked eyebrows and a kind smile, Mammy coaxed Lan Qi and said, "This person, when he is in love, his heart is no longer his own."
The little person stared blankly at her kind-hearted grandma, who was as kind as a grandmother, and her depressed heart suddenly became enlightened. Although she had awakened for a long time, it was her lack of awakening that allowed her to survive the darkest days of last year. Thinking about it now,
God still favored her so much.
That night, Prince Yu actually had a headache because of a quarrel between some of the princes in the palace. The emperor was too busy to bother him, so he hid in the imperial grandmother's place for a while. Therefore, he also had his dinner here.
It was not convenient for Lan Qi to serve the male family members, so she went back to Zhongcui Palace by herself. When she entered the door, she saw a red lacquer plate on the table, with several pairs of hairpins, pairs of bracelets and a box of full and round pearls, which were very rich and grand.
While everyone was watching in surprise, Bu Changzai followed behind him and said with a smile: "Eunuch Li sent it to you as a reward from the emperor. He said that you worked hard sewing new clothes for the Empress Dowager. I followed suit and got a reward."
Here’s a hairpin.”
Lan Qi didn't know whether she should be happy or not. She didn't care about these jewels by nature. The emperor had always only given her pens, inks, paper and inkstones as rewards. Suddenly, she suddenly received such rich things like others. She always felt that something was strange. She walked towards the yard and faced
I kowtowed in the direction of the Palace of Heavenly Purity and thanked her. When I came back and saw these, I just asked Yukui to put them away. Yukui asked if she would wear them tomorrow. She touched the hairpin on the back of her head that the Empress Dowager had given her and said, "This is enough, and it doesn't matter."
I don’t care if I know which father-in-law went there and randomly picked it up and sent it. There is nothing comparable to the profound affection of the Empress Dowager."
Huan Chun came over to help her change her clothes, and clicked his tongue: "Master is getting more and more pretentious. Do you dare to say this in front of the emperor?"
Lan Qi snorted angrily: "He doesn't want to see me now, it doesn't matter whether he says it or not."
But let’s talk about her, Wu Yalanqi is the one who talks about her. On the Dragon Boat Festival the next day, a banquet was held at Cining Palace at noon. The Empress Dowager wore a fresh and yet stable dress that made people sigh.
Auntie was skillful with her hands, so she didn't push Wu Changzai out. She knew that she didn't care about other people's compliments. She made a lively scene for a while, then let everyone disperse in the afternoon, or went to play in the garden.
Lan Qi brought candied date tea to the Empress Dowager's bedroom, but she saw that Concubine Zhao, Concubine Tong, Concubine Rong, etc. had not left yet. They were all standing outside the bedroom. Concubine Hui came up and waved her hand to prevent her from entering, and then she heard that Concubine Zhao, Concubine Tong, Concubine Rong, etc.
The old man Li was cheerful before, but now he was scolding him in a cold voice: "You have made the master of the house unable to stay any longer, and you still have the nerve to come and cry to me. His good temper has been ruined by you."
, since they no longer want to live together, they should break up as soon as possible and go back to their parents' homes or marry someone else. I always have something good to send to them to serve them. They are all eating well at home and doing nothing, and I don't know how hard it is for him to help the emperor outside.
Not only did he know how hot and cold he was, but he also made him come to my place to hide from you."
Lan Qi's heart trembled when she heard this. Hui Guiren said softly: "The fujin and princesses in Prince Yu's palace are making a fuss. The Empress Dowager is very angry. She is giving a lecture. We want to say goodbye."
, and don’t dare to leave first without permission.”
After saying this, she saw Aunt Sumala coming out. She respectfully whispered a few words to Concubine Zhao, Concubine Tong, and then asked all the masters to go back first. Lan Qi stood aside to let Concubine Zhao, Concubine Tong, pass by. Concubine Tong was cold.
Youyou said: "These little bitches are worthy of her anger. According to me, a beating for each of them will make them honest."
What Concubine Tong said was indeed true. Shortly after they left, three or four young ladies with red and swollen eyebrows came out and they all went to kneel on the porch outside. This was such a shame, but the Emperor was
It was better to be punished by the Queen Mother than to be driven away. Only then did Lan Qi come in with candied date tea and saw Prince Yu Fujin sitting aside and crying.
The Empress Dowager's face was very ugly, and she sighed and said: "Why can't you be more powerful? The mother-in-law of the family is not good enough. If you come to me again next time, I will punish you first." She looked up and saw Lan Qi there.
, also said angrily, "You are no longer needed here. The emperor didn't eat well at lunch. Go and ask for me if he feels uncomfortable. If not, please come and have dinner with me at night. If so, please hurry up and have a look at it."
None of it makes people worry."
Lan Qi was stunned. Someone in the palace was always going to ask about this. Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly send her away? It had been a long time since she had entered the Qianqing Palace. She was unavoidably worried. But she saw that the old man was losing his temper.
Not daring to cause any more trouble for her, she ran out quickly.
All the way to Qianqing Palace, various emotions overlapped in my heart. When I arrived at the door, I heard that I was talking to several princes. I waited for half an hour before Prince Yu and others left. Eunuch Li came to invite her in with a smile. Lan Qi took a deep breath.
Several times, when I stepped into the familiar palace again, I couldn't help but feel a slight dizziness on my head, as if it was a lifetime ago.
Xuan Ye was lazily leaning on the kang at that time. He probably had just talked about something important with his brothers. He was rubbing his forehead as if he had a headache. He had a book rolled up in his other hand without putting it down. When he opened his eyes and saw her coming in, he said angrily.
Glancing at it: "What are you doing here?"
This sentence made Lan Qi full of grievances. She pursed her lips and said what the Empress Dowager had told her. The emperor said nonchalantly that it was okay, so she bowed and wanted to leave. Then she turned around and heard the emperor calling her: "Leave as soon as you come? You?"
What kind of place is this?"
Lan Qi turned around timidly, her eyes were already shining brightly, and she said with restraint, "I have to go to the Empress Dowager to report back to you. You can come over for dinner at night, and there are many things that need to be done."
"Aren't there slaves there?" Xuan Ye glared at her and asked Eunuch Li to send someone to recover. Then he knocked the book in his hand on the side and said, "Sit down."
Lan Qi was confused by him and was not convinced. She sat on the edge and pursed her lips without looking at him. However, Xuan Ye came over and looked at him carefully. He didn't know what he was looking at. He even picked up her hand and lifted up the cuffs of his sleeves.
Look, in the end she dropped her hand angrily and asked, "Where's the jewelry?"
Lan Qi didn't understand for a moment, and when she thought about the rewards last night, she asked softly: "Are these the ones the emperor rewarded last night?"
"I didn't see you wearing it at the lunch just now, and I don't see you wearing it now. Where did you put it? Why don't you wear the thing I gave you?" Xuan Ye was obviously bullying others, and pointed at the ruby hairpin on her bun.
Asked, "But what I gave you as a reward from the Imperial Grandmother is not pleasing to your eyes?"
"Your Majesty said this... I can't bear it." Lan Qi's head felt hot and she actually talked back. She looked at Xuan Ye with her eyes and said, "Why doesn't Your Majesty know that I am so rare, so I kept it well?"
Where is it?"
But if she had no confidence, she felt guilty when the emperor glared at her, and after a while she murmured: "This hairpin is the favorite thing of the Empress Dowager, but the ones the Emperor rewarded were probably chosen at random by the father-in-law from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Yes, although concubines are very rare, they are really different."
Xuan Ye chuckled: "I have given so many things to so many people, and this is the first time that I heard what was in my heart, but..." He reached out and pinched Lan Qi's cheek, which was about to cry, "those things are just
It’s so distasteful to you, but I’ve been choosing for a long time. Which of the things I gave you were faked by others? Honestly, you don’t like it, right?”
"The emperor chose it himself?" Lan Qi looked stupidly at Xuan Ye, who was smiling all over his face. An anxious thought came to her mind, and she blurted out, "The emperor's choice is too ugly."