noffsinger Chapter 303 Overcorrection
Chapter 303 Overcorrection
Chapter 303 Overcorrection
Yichun Palace.
Rongxiu entered the hall with light steps, holding a cloud-patterned lacquer plate in her hands. The plate contained a small pile of lychees, glistening with dew and looking fresh and vibrant.
"Your Majesty, look! The lychees that Consort Chun specially sent are still fresh. When I went to check just now, I found that the whole tree was transported here, even though the leaves have almost all fallen off..." Rongxiu said with a smile, her tone filled with amazement.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhou looked up with interest, but when she heard that the entire tree had been transported from Lingnan, she couldn't help but frown slightly.
Seeing this, Rongxiu said cautiously, "These were presented to the palace by the Tang family trading company. Each palace received a few, and there are some elsewhere as well."
"We also sent a whole plant over there. Your Majesty, please rest assured, Consort Chun is a woman of good judgment."
Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhou's expression had eased slightly, Rongxiu felt relieved. She gently placed the lacquer tray on the table and picked up a piece.
While peeling the lychee, she said with a smile, "No wonder Consort Chun is thinking of you so much. You couldn't help yourself in front of the Emperor just now. If you ask me, you've already retreated to Shanglin Garden, so there's no need to be so reserved. I felt so sorry for Consort Chun just now."
As they spoke, Rongxiu took the silver needle handed to her by a palace maid, carefully removed the pit, and then gently inserted a gilded silver skewer into the snow-white, translucent flesh of the lychee before handing it to Empress Dowager Zhou.
Empress Dowager Zhou reached out and took it, sighing, "Very well, I have never had any children or relatives in my life, and now that I am about to die, I am enjoying this rare blessing."
Rongxiu's nose tingled, and her eyes immediately reddened: "How can it be so soon... Your Majesty has always been healthy and blessed with a long life."
Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand, ate a lychee and then stopped Rongxiu from peeling any more. She helped Rongxiu up slowly and said softly, "You can divide the rest among yourselves."
Rongxiu helped Empress Dowager Zhou into the Buddhist hall, and then slowly withdrew.
Inside the Buddhist hall, Empress Dowager Zhou held a string of prayer beads, her eyes filled with the marks of time. Half an hour ago, with just a glance, she had captured the moment when the Emperor paused slightly before leaving.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
On the other side, Hua Yan and Consort Chun stepped into the Xie Fang Garden. Meng Zhu and the others immediately went to check every nook and cranny carefully. Aunt Mei was even more nervous when she saw the garden full of exotic flowers, fearing that there might be another incident involving vipers.
"Winter Melon, don't rush off yet—"
When Aunt Mei saw that Donggua was about to take Dou'er to the kitchen to make milk tea, she hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed her sleeve.
"Your nose is the most sensitive. Quickly smell around to see if there's any strange smell. I'm always uneasy about all these flowers and plants in the garden."
Consort Chun and Hua Yan: "..."
Mengzhu slapped her thigh and chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! Auntie is so thoughtful. Ruizhu, you and Xiaonianzi quickly spread the medicine powder we got from the Imperial Medical Bureau over the whole place, don't miss any corner."
Winter Melon touched his nose: "......"
Her sense of smell was indeed keen; she felt uncomfortable as soon as she entered the garden—there were far too many flowers, and she hated the scent of flowers the most.
Aunt Mei led Donggua around, constantly comforting her: "Good Donggua, you must smell carefully. Auntie will give you double your monthly allowance this month, and I will buy you the most fashionable pearl hairpins in the capital next time you leave the palace."
In the end, it was Hua Yan who rescued Dong Gua, saying, "There is nothing wrong with Xie Fang Garden, Auntie, please rest assured."
Consort Chun had been managing the six palaces for a long time, and her influence had grown steadily. The Empress, seeing this, was naturally anxious. This time, under the pretext of leaving the palace, she deliberately took all the duties into her own hands—and the Emperor agreed.
Given the Empress's mindset, she would only strive to complete this mission perfectly.
At most, she might stir up trouble when arranging palace rooms; otherwise, even though Bilangxuan is small, she would never have the chance to live there.
Consort Chun looked at the sky and instructed, "It's getting late. Donggua, go to the kitchen now and make two other desserts in addition to the milk tea."
Donggua sneezed loudly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her round face. She nodded and replied, "Yes, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager likes the Ruyi Cake I make. I finished making it last night."
After everything was settled, Hua Yan saw that Meng Zhu had arranged everything in an orderly manner, and with Aunt Mei looking after things, she told Consort Chun and prepared to leave with Dong Gua.
Consort Chun took Hua Yan's hand and turned to instruct Rui Zhu, "Rui Zhu, you and Xiao Nianzi go over together."
He then said to Hua Yan, "I'll speak with the Empress Dowager and then come to find you."
Hua Yan nodded and smiled, "Then I will wait for Your Highness to have lunch together, and then we will rest at Bilang Pavilion until Shenshi (3-5 PM) before taking a boat trip on the lake together."
Green Willow twitched her lips. The two masters were so engrossed in making perfect arrangements that they completely forgot that Bilang Pavilion was the closest to Yingzhou Hall, and the Emperor could probably just walk there...
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Consort Chun changed into a casual outfit and went to Yichun Palace with Aunt Mei and Mengzhu.
Rongxiu was already waiting outside the palace. When she saw Consort Chun arrive, she stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Consort Chun. The Empress Dowager is waiting to see you inside the palace. How is Granny Kong in Your Highness's palace?"
Consort Chun smiled and said, "Granny Kong is an old servant in the palace. It's a bit of a waste for her to work here. Don't worry, Aunt, everything is fine."
Rongxiu raised an eyebrow in surprise. Usually, she always saw Consort Chun in the palace as dignified and serious, but today she looked so lively.
After leading Consort Chun into the palace, Rongxiu went straight to stand behind Empress Dowager Zhou.
As soon as Consort Chun entered the hall, she felt a cool breeze. When she looked up, she found that ice basins were placed in the four corners of the hall.
After she finished kneeling and bowing to Empress Dowager Zhou, Empress Dowager Zhou looked at her with affection, but said with a hint of reproach, "It's fine that you used to come to me to show your respect every now and then, but this time you sent so much more. I am here in Shanglin Garden to cultivate myself in peace, and I don't want you to disturb my peace of mind."
Consort Chun smiled and mimicked Empress Dowager Zhou's tone, saying, "Look at these ice basins placed in the four corners. Your Majesty is so considerate of me. Please trouble Aunt Rongxiu to have two of them removed."
Empress Dowager Zhou was in poor health and could not afford to catch a cold.
Rongxiu smiled and said to Empress Dowager Zhou, "Your Majesty, you see, I said this morning that when Consort Chun arrives, I must be dismissed."
Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand with a smile: "Take them away first, I'd like to have a word with Consort Chun."
Mengzhu opened the food box, took out milk tea and two kinds of pastries, and then retreated with the palace servants.
Only Consort Chun and Empress Dowager Zhou remained in the main hall. Empress Dowager Zhou gestured for Consort Chun to sit beside her and listen to Consort Chun recount the recent events in the palace.
Consort Chun briefly mentioned what happened the day before the First Glow Banquet, but did not reveal all the people behind the scenes that Hua Yan speculated to be the mastermind.
Empress Dowager Zhou remained silent for a moment, offering no comment.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
After a short while, Empress Dowager Zhou suddenly said, "I haven't seen you for three months, and your temperament has changed a lot, but sometimes you go to extremes."
After saying this, a hint of reminiscence flashed across Mrs. Zhou's face.
Consort Chun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, wondering what Empress Dowager Zhou meant.
Empress Dowager Zhou couldn't help but tap Consort Chun's forehead, and said earnestly, "Although love is not worth mentioning, the honor and favor of the harem all depend on the Emperor. Maintaining your relationship with the Emperor is the foundation of your position in the harem. If you are inconsistent, what will the Emperor think? What will you do in the long run?"