mtl008 Chapter 203: Planning for Concubine Xi's Visit
Chapter 203: Planning for Concubine Xi's Visit
"That's great. Zixia and A'zao will be so happy when they know this." Hongying was the first to speak out in surprise when she heard this.
Zixia and Asao were the personal maids of Shi Rongyue and Suochuolo Jiahui respectively during the re-election period.
The former was implicated in the aphrodisiac incident under Shi Rongyue and was sent to Xinzheku. The latter was influenced by Socho Luojiahui's "murder" of Shi Rongyue and was sent to Xinzheku soon after.
The two of them did hard labor in Xinzheku. They had endless work to do every day, never had enough to eat, and were bullied. If it weren't for Shi Nanxi's secret care, they would have been unable to endure the torture long ago. Fortunately, their hard work has paid off.
The remaining three were not surprised either. As early as when the Emperor intended to let the Empress take power, the Empress had told them that Zixia and Azao had once been kind to her.
"Your Majesty values friendship and loyalty. During the re-election, Zixia and Ah Zao had done you a favor, so you kept it in mind and asked someone to take care of them. Now you are planning to transfer them over if you have the chance. We, the servants, are grateful for your kindness."
Nanny Yang considered it for a moment, then praised her and then gave a subtle reminder:
"It's just that, Your Majesty, Zixia and Ah Zao had special identities before. If Your Majesty transfers them to serve you, will the Emperor and the harem see them and misunderstand?"
This is indeed a problem, but since Shi Nanxi raised it, he must have already thought of a solution.
"Don't worry, Ma'am. I have a clear conscience. And since I said I wanted to transfer them here, I must have a plan."
Hongying, who was a little worried and nervous after hearing what Yang Ma said, breathed a sigh of relief and asked:
"My lady, what are you going to do?"
Shi Nanxi put down the tea bowl and gave a wink. The four of them understood and walked forward to listen to the empress speaking in a low voice.
After a while, a smile appeared on Yang Ma's usually serious and old-fashioned face.
"Your Majesty is truly wise and intelligent. If we implement your plan, not only will Zixia and Ah Zao be grateful to you and be transferred here smoothly, but others will also..."
The five masters and servants smiled at each other, and Nanny Yang went down to make the arrangements.
With one more person in charge of the palace, the situation in Changchun Garden has changed. Danningju, which was originally the palace of the favorite concubine, has become more and more noisy. Both the manager and the low-ranking concubines all run to Danningju to curry favor.
Shi Nanxi understood the principle of being high-profile in life and low-profile in work. He never summoned anyone on the grounds that the autumn sacrifice was approaching and he needed to copy scriptures to pray for blessings.
That day, Shi Nanxi was copying Buddhist scriptures in the study room, and Qing'er came in and reported:
"Your Majesty, Concubine Xi is here to visit."
Shi Nanxi did not look up immediately. She concentrated on copying a page of the scripture before putting down the brush and washing her hands with the water brought by Hongying while asking Qing'er:
"Did Concubine Xi tell me what she wants to talk to me about?"
Qing'er said:
"I asked, and Concubine Xi said that she accidentally passed by our Danning Residence while she was strolling, and happened to be thirsty, so she came in to ask for a cup of tea."
Shi Nanxi washed her hands and wiped them while thinking. When she heard the reason, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
"Can you please have a cup of tea?"
She put down the towel and said:
"Please ask Concubine Xi to go to the side hall. I will be there in a moment."
Qing'er obeyed the order.
Invited by Qing'er to the side hall of Danningju, Concubine Xi had a lazy smile on her charming face.
Pearl, the maid beside her, asked in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, so many people who visited Concubine Xian were turned away. How did you know that Concubine Xian would see you?"
Concubine Xi slowly brushed the tea lid, with a meaningful smile on her lips.
"It is said that Empress Xian is kindhearted. I am just passing by to ask for a cup of tea. I am different from those people."
Pearl seemed to understand but not quite.
At this time, there was a noise outside the door, and Shi Nanxi came in with her people. Concubine Xi put down the tea bowl and saluted. After the ceremony, the host and guest sat down.
Shi Nanxi glanced at Concubine Xi, who was thirty-seven years old this year, well-maintained, with a charming and sexy appearance. She looked at her and spoke first:
"Sister Xipin, I was just copying Buddhist scriptures in the study. I wonder if the palace servants were negligent?"
Concubine Xi was also looking at Concubine Xian, who had an oval face, almond eyes, a frail body, and a delicate temperament. She looked more like a beauty from Jiangnan than Concubine Wang from Jiangnan. However, Concubine Wang's means were far inferior to this one.
She made the comment in her heart, but covered her lips with a handkerchief and smiled charmingly.
"The servants at Danning Residence are very considerate. My sister is too polite."
Shi Nanxi just smiled, and the two of them started talking about trivial things like clothes, jewelry, etc.
To be honest, the chat was quite pleasant. The other party was familiar with Changchun Garden and knew exactly which parts of the garden had good scenery and were interesting. Moreover, as a Manchu noblewoman, she had received formal education and had been in the palace for decades, so her aesthetic taste had always been online. Even Shi Nanxi was amazed by the variety of combinations she came up with.
Perhaps Concubine Xi really just happened to pass by and asked for a cup of tea, but Shi Nanxi was always cautious in the harem, and every word she said to the other party would not be gossiped about.
"It's almost the beginning of autumn, and the weather is going to get colder. Winter clothes are the slowest to make, so you'd better pick out the patterns in advance and send them to the Imperial Household Department's Xiufang, so you can get them sooner."
Concubine Xi put down the tea bowl, wiped her lips with her orchid finger, and then added jokingly:
"But my sister is the most favored among the six palaces, and now she is in charge of the palace. The Ministry of Internal Affairs dare not offend my sister. I am afraid that they would have come to ask my sister for instructions long ago without my sister's instructions. It is unnecessary for me to do so."
Shi Nanxi was startled, then pursed her lips and said:
"Why did you say that, Sister Xipin? You are reminding me with good intentions, so why do you say that it is unnecessary?"
Concubine Xi smiled when she heard this.
After Concubine Xi left, Hongying came back after cleaning up the tea bowls, puzzled.
"Your Majesty, did Concubine Xi really come here just to ask for tea?"
Shi Nanxi was also thinking about the other party's intention. At this time, Yang Mama spoke:
"I know Concubine Xi a little bit. She was once favored in her early years, but she became less favored as she got older. However, the Emperor never forgot her and would visit her from time to time to chat. Concubine Xi has no princes or princesses, so her life is dull. She loves to listen to operas and visit gardens the most."
Hongying continued:
"Mammy, do you mean to say that Concubine Xi was just passing by today to ask for tea?"
"No." As soon as Hongying finished speaking, Nanny Yang retorted:
"I just said that Concubine Xi likes to listen to operas and visit gardens. She always keeps to herself, but Concubine Xi cares most about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Nanny Yang said something meaningful:
"The Crown Prince also came to pay his respects this morning. Concubine Xi cares so much about the Crown Prince, how could she watch him being wronged? It was just that it was not easy to interrupt her in the morning. She probably knew that the Queen and Concubine Shi had a bad relationship, and she might have come to make peace with them."
Shi Nanxi listened to Nanny Yang's analysis, thoughtfully, but she was determined from beginning to end not to have any contact with the prince.
So he said:
"I don't know if she really just passed by to ask for tea, or if she wanted to make friends. I only know that today I just entertained a concubine who passed by Dan Ningju and was thirsty and asked for tea."
A smile appeared on Nanny Yang's serious face. At this moment, Qing'er came in again to report that Mrs. Shi was here to visit.
Shi Nanxi was surprised at first, then she thought of something and raised her eyebrows.
"One person who begs for tea leaves, and another who shows off comes!"