C258 (1/2)
Changchun Palace.
As usual, all of the concubines came to pay their respects to the empress. Right now, it was different than before. Consort Xuan had already left her position, while Imperial Concubine Liang sat in a more honorable position.
The harem is just like this. It is perfectly normal for a spoiled person, an unpampered person, to come and go, to rise and fall.
”I heard that the emperor has entrusted another heavy responsibility to Yun Zheng. Imperial Consort Liang, you've finally come.” The empress's face revealed an expression of gratification as she spoke to her concubines.
”That's right, sister imperial concubine can finally let out a sigh of relief now.” The one who spoke was Lian Shuang (the third ring), the niece of the Prime Minister's mother. She was the direct descendant of the Second Elder.
Second Old Madam Lian had gone there early, and her relationship with her mother's sister-in-law was extremely close. Before she died, she was worried that her stepmother would mistreat her daughter, so she had raised Lian Lian Lian to her mother, who treated him as her own daughter. At the age of sixteen, he was chosen to enter the palace, and he was deeply liked by the emperor and the empress dowager. He was currently childless and had a daughter, Feng Ziyao, who was born on the same day as Princess Eleven and was born a few hours late.
It was a pity that the baby boy did not get angry when he was born, and only Feng Chu Yao was left alive. At that time, the Emperor had pitied her grief for the loss of her son, and he had promoted her to the position of a concubine to comfort her.
”Chenqie relied on the Empress and the sisters to help her with her grievances.” Imperial Concubine Liang said. She was gentle and demure, elegant and dignified. She wore a large moon-white dress embroidered with blue and white porcelain, and her figure was graceful and moving. She always exuded an aura of neither fighting nor snatching, unlike other concubines.
”That's only natural. At the same time, the imperial harem should be on guard against Consort Xuan. No matter who it is that the emperor likes, they must maintain a distance and not get too close to the emperor.” The Queen said to the others.
”Cough, cough …” At this moment, Imperial Concubine Liang coughed twice.
”Imperial Concubine Liang has caught a cold?” the queen asked, looking at her with concern.
Imperial Concubine Liang's face was a little flushed as she held back the itch in her throat and said, ”I accidentally blew the cold wind a few days ago, but I've been coughing nonstop these past two days. I've already looked for the imperial physician, so there's nothing wrong with it except a slight cough.” As he spoke, he couldn't help but cough twice.
”I have a secret Pear Blossom Soup that is especially good for the throat. I have ordered some people to boil it up and send it to the Lin Hua Palace.” Xu Xianfei said.
”Thank you, sister Consort Xian.” Grand Concubine Liang nodded at her.
On the surface, all the concubines maintained a happy and harmonious atmosphere.
”Esteemed Empress …” At this moment, the palace maid, Sherry, walked in with an anxious expression on her face.
”What is it?” The Queen frowned slightly and said.
Xue Li glanced at the esteemed empress once more, then lowered her voice. ”The princess sneaked out of the palace. Even the guards at the gates didn't notice. I wonder how she managed to get out.”
”What …” Hearing that, the empress stood up abruptly, frowning even harder. ”I'm always worried!”
”Empress Dowager, don't worry. Princess Eleven is probably going to be fine. Just send someone to find her.”
”Go!” We must find them before sunset. ” the Queen ordered, rubbing her aching temples.
In the capital.
Beneath the Emperor's feet, the Imperial City was bustling with activity. People were passing by, and merchants were gathering.
”Wow, it's really fun here. The air is so sweet and the wind is so comfortable!” A young girl in a pink flowered skirt and a peach-stone glazed apparatus, a golden hairpin, flew out of her cage like a bird, her bright eyes wide open as she looked curiously here and there.