mtl008 Chapter 153 Confession
Chapter 153 Confession
As the golden wind brings coolness, the Nian family of the previous dynasty gradually becomes low-key, and the Yiku Palace is no longer as bustling with people as before.
When Jiang Ruyin arrived, the entire Yikun Palace was hushed. A towering red maple tree had been transplanted there at some point, its glow as intense as fire. Beneath the tree lay layers of falling red leaves. Zhou Ninghai, who was guarding the palace gate, saw Jiang Ruyin, limped over, bowed, and went in to deliver the message.
The hall was filled with the smoke of incense. Nian Shilan was lying lazily. Songzhi was sitting on a small stool massaging Nian Shilan's legs. When she saw Jiang Ruyin, she bowed silently.
Feeling the strength in her legs disappear for a few moments, Nian Shilan lazily raised her eyelids.
Jiang Ruyin bowed and stood up. "Your Majesty, the palace is so quiet that you can even hear the sound of falling leaves in the courtyard."
"The leaves will eventually fall, so it is better to let them fall to the ground and live a glorious life until the end," said Nian Shilan.
Jiang Ruyin raised her eyebrows and glanced into the room. Opposite the dressing table, there was a gold-engraved bookshelf, half of which was filled with books.
"The Imperial Concubine has made excellent progress in cultivating her character."
Nian Shilan's tone was a little grim, "Even you found out."
The implication is that maybe someone didn't notice it.
Jiang Ruyin smiled and brought up the business, "The fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month is a good day. The Emperor's birthday will be held on this day. We should make preparations early."
"In the past, the emperor never wanted to hold a grand ceremony, but you are so thoughtful." Nian Shilan's tone returned to its lazy tone.
"This year the weather has been good, and the concubines have become pregnant one after another. The emperor has more and more children. These happy things are happening one after another, so the emperor is naturally happy. On the Emperor's birthday, all nations come to pay tribute, and the majesty of the Qing Dynasty must be demonstrated." Jiang Ruyin said slowly.
Nian Shilan curled her lips and looked at her, "What about you, Concubine Fang, are you happy too?"
Jiang Ruyin smiled, "If the emperor is happy, I am naturally happy too."
"Then if someone from the previous dynasty made the emperor unhappy, Concubine Fang would also be unhappy." Nian Shilan became interested and sat up.
Jiang Ruyin avoided Nian Shilan's sight, her mind racing, wondering if there was some movement in the previous dynasty that Nian Shilan had received the news but she didn't know about. Could it be related to her?
Jiang Ruyin felt a faint sweat on her back as she thought about it. She felt a little uneasy sitting there, but she had to keep a straight face and smile as she asked, "How can I interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty? Your Majesty, you are joking."
Nian Shilan's face turned serious, and she straightened her back, looking directly at Jiang Ruyin. "I'm not joking with you. What were you thinking just now? Do you have any connection with the previous dynasty? Aren't you from a Jiangnan merchant family?"
Jiang Ruyin's palms were sweating, and she was frantically thinking about countermeasures to see if there was any room for maneuver. The next moment, she heard Nian Shilan chuckle.
She leaned back on the chaise longue and said, "Why are you so nervous? I don't blame you. As long as you have no ill will towards the Nian family, I can't thank you enough."
Jiang Ruyin's expression relaxed slightly as she carefully observed Nian Shilan's every frown and smile, and every expression in her eyes and eyebrows.
Finally, Jiang Ruyin sighed, "So, why did the Imperial Concubine say all this?"
"No reason, I don't want to be a person who is kept in the dark all the time. No matter what you do, as long as it does not harm my Nian family. I am not an ungrateful person. If there is anything you want to do, I will do my best to support you." Nian Shilan didn't know what he was thinking about, his face was gloomy.
Jiang Ruyin nodded thoughtfully.
......
The incident in Yikun Palace really scared Jiang Ruyin. When the whole palace discussed the matter the next day, Jiang Ruyin was still a little absent-minded.
Nian Shilan smiled charmingly, "On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor's birthday, envoys from all over the world will be here. If you sisters have any skills you'd like to demonstrate, you can inform me starting today. But there's one thing I must not do: don't bring shame to the Qing Dynasty."
Nian Shilan's tone was tinged with coldness, but it couldn't stop the concubines from cheering and jumping for joy. Seeing that Concubine Guo was also eager to try, Nian Shilan said meaningfully, "By then, Concubine Guo will be eight months pregnant. Do you still want to join in the fun?"
Jiang Ruyin covered her mouth with the cup and looked at Concubine Guo. She saw that her eyes were wide open and she shrank a little. Her smile was stiff. "I have never seen what the Emperor's birthday party is like. I also want the child in my belly to share in his royal father's joy."
Jiang Ruyin chuckled, "Then we should really share in the joy."
Concubine Guo turned pale and dared not speak.
Nian Shilan laughed, "Alright, Concubine Fang, please stop teasing Concubine Guo. That's all for today, let's all go."
Jiang Ruyin left first and heard Nian Shilan's faint voice behind her: "Concubine Duan, please make sure nothing goes wrong with the Imperial Tea and Kitchen, which you are in charge of."
On the long palace road, Concubine Guo walked slowly with her pregnant belly, while the nanny supported her fearfully beside her.
"You are very precious now. The emperor has promised you a sedan chair. You came here on foot, so why do you insist on walking back?" As she said this, the nanny took the cloak from the palace maid and tied it on Concubine Guo.
Concubine Guo gently pushed Madam's hand. "Qixiang Palace is only a short distance away. We'll be there soon. The warm breeze in Yikun Palace is thick, and I'm feeling hot."
Inside Qixiang Palace, the palace servants came and went in an orderly manner. Concubine Guo asked, "Has Concubine Wen not returned yet?"
After receiving the affirmative answer, Concubine Guo's face turned even worse, and she quickened her pace as she walked towards the west side hall.
With the help of the palace maids, Concubine Guo, with sweat all over her face, lay down.
After dismissing the attendants, Concubine Guo held onto the nanny and refused to let go. "Did Concubine Hua and Concubine Fang know something? What did they mean by what they just said? Concubine Wen is also staying in Yikun Palace. Are they planning something? Concubine Wen is always smiling and caring. Did she know this all along?"
Concubine Guo's expression was somewhat grim. The nanny frantically tried to call the imperial physician, but was held tightly by the hem of her clothes. "Whether she knows it or not, Concubine Wen often stays in the Yikun Palace. Please stop imagining things. Is it because of a stomachache? Please let go and let this servant go call the imperial physician, okay?"
Concubine Guo felt a little relieved, and her abdominal pain was much better. She said worriedly:
"I originally thought that if I could shine brightly during the Wanshou Festival, I'd be promoted to a concubine in no time. But it seems that Concubine Hua doesn't want me to go, and I'm also afraid that if there's any trouble that day, I might be affected. So the only thing I can do is move around more. Imperial Physician Guo said that this will be beneficial to the development of the fetus."
Upon hearing this, the nanny almost knelt down in front of her, "My dear young lady, you are pregnant with twins. If the fetus is too large, it will be fatal!"
Concubine Guo's face turned pale. "I know, but the Emperor is so stingy with his positions. Concubine Wen and Concubine Xin, who had been serving at the Emperor's Palace for many years, were only promoted to Concubine. Concubine Lou was only promoted to the next rank after giving birth to a daughter. Concubine Qian was promoted to Concubine, but her mother lost her life, and she herself almost lost hers!"