pdf-ebookys Chapter 831: This is Not Forgetting One’s Roots
Chapter 831: This is Not Forgetting One’s Roots
As Shen Zhinian's position continued to rise, Zhongcui Palace had more and more things to do.
It would be impossible for just two senior palace maids, Handan and Fuqiu, to handle all the work.
Therefore, since a long time ago, Qiuyue, Xiafeng, Bingqiao and Chu Xiyan would occasionally serve tea in the inner room.
Today it's Bingqiao's turn.
Hearing the conversation between Shen Zhinian and the others, Bing Qiao lowered her eyes, her eyes flickering.
The master is the master, and the servant is the servant. There is a world of difference between the two.
It's not that easy for a palace maid to climb onto the bed. If she's not careful, she'll end up being crushed to pieces!
Can Ruoli, who is beside Concubine Zhuang, really catch the eye of His Majesty?
Bingqiao bit her lip, and no one knew what she was thinking.
She did not join in the conversation between Handan and the others. She put down her teacup, lowered her head and walked out politely.
……
Royal Garden.
Ruoli and Concubine Zhuang both understood that if she dressed up, even a fool could see her purpose. How could His Majesty not understand that she was deliberately seducing.
By then, even if His Majesty has that kind of feelings towards her, I'm afraid he will be unhappy about it.
Therefore, Ruoli was still wearing the attire of a senior palace maid today, and her hair bun remained unchanged, but she had carefully applied makeup on her face, making her look even more rosy and charming.
She had a pink flower in her hair and looked even more charming standing among the flowers.
Thinking that the time was about right, Ruoli pretended to be casual and picked up flower petals in a bamboo basket.
Soon, the holy carriage arrived at the Imperial Garden.
Hearing the noise, Ruoli turned around and looked over, looking a little panicked, like a frightened deer.
After she realized what was happening, she quickly knelt down and saluted: "Your Majesty, long live His Majesty!"
When saying this, Ruoli inadvertently revealed her snow-white, slender neck.
Nangong Xuanyu looked down at her and asked calmly, "Why are you here in the Imperial Garden instead of serving Concubine Zhuang?"
Ruoli raised her head slightly, but did not dare to look directly at the emperor. She lowered her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I came to the Imperial Garden to pick some rose petals on the orders of the queen, and take them back to extract essential oil."
"Rose is also known as Changchun rose, which has the same name as the Changchun Palace where the Empress lives, so the Empress loves it very much."
Nangong Xuanyu suddenly remembered that this seemed to be the case.
When he ascended the throne, he gave the Changchun Palace to Concubine Zhuang as her bedroom because she loved vinca.
But time has passed and he has long forgotten the other person's preferences.
Nangong Xuanyu's gaze couldn't help but linger on Ruoli for a while.
She had an oval face and her skin was very white under the sunlight, and you could even see fine hair.
His pair of almond-shaped eyes were wide open, with a hint of confusion, just like a fawn that had just woken up in the woods.
She had a straight nose and small cherry lips, looking very cute. In her hands she held a bamboo basket filled with light pink petals, as delicate as her rosy cheeks.
Beautiful, yet oozing with a naive innocence.
Nangong Xuanyu had never noticed before that Ruoli had such a good color.
He has always done whatever he wants. In the past, it was not uncommon for him to favor a beautiful palace maid when he was in the mood.
However, now, perhaps because he had experienced the feeling of truly loving a woman, facing this person who threw himself into his arms, Nangong Xuanyu no longer had any interest in her and did not even look at Ruoli again.
Li Changde swung his whisk and said, "Your Majesty, please get up--!!!"
He still remembered that the last person who wanted to seek favor from His Majesty in the Imperial Garden was the one from Lanxin Pavilion.
However, she had no self-awareness at all and spoke wildly to His Majesty, so she changed from Qiu's concubine to Qiu's daughter...
Compared to her, Ruoli still knows a little more about the limits.
I just wonder if her appearance in the Imperial Garden today was a coincidence or intentional?
But this is not something Li Changde cares about. It should be left to the empresses and ladies in the harem to worry about.
Ruoli knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off!"
Watching the dragon chariot gradually disappear from sight, Ruoli pursed his lips, his face full of disappointment.
The Empress said that she was many times more beautiful than Concubine Sun and was also younger than Concubine Sun.
How come Concubine Sun could rise to her current position from a singing girl who played the pipa, but Your Majesty couldn't see her?
Ruoli sighed, picked up the flower basket, and returned to Changchun Palace dejectedly.
Concubine Zhuang was still worshiping Buddha in the temple.
After Ruoli came in, she put the flower basket aside, bowed and said, "My Lady."
Concubine Zhuang closed her eyes and asked while beating the wooden fish: "How is it?"
Ruoli's tone could not hide her disappointment: "The information you inquired about is correct. I did meet His Majesty in the Imperial Garden today."
“But Your Majesty only asked me why I was there, without even giving me a glance…”
"My lady, I really don't understand how I am inferior to Lady Sun."
Concubine Zhuang then put down the wooden hammer and looked back at Ruoli: "Didn't I tell you that if you want to accomplish this, the most important thing is to keep your composure."
"I asked you to meet His Majesty in the Imperial Garden today, not because I wanted His Majesty to favor you just once. I just wanted you to leave a special impression in His Majesty's heart. Next time he sees you, he will pay more attention to you."
"Only if we take it step by step can we succeed."
"Silly girl, do you understand?"
Ruoli looked at Concubine Zhuang with trust in her eyes, but she was still a little unsure: "My Lady, is this really feasible?"
Although her appearance was considered good among the palace maids, the harem was not short of beauties.
His Majesty was willing to sentence to death even a stunning beauty like Liu Shiqing. Does he really like her?
Concubine Zhuang smiled slightly and said gently, "Even if you are not confident about your appearance, don't you trust me?"
"Your Majesty, you have to meet so many maids in the palace every day. Have you ever seen him look straight at anyone? But today he deliberately stopped to talk to you for a few words. Doesn't this mean that you have aroused His Majesty's interest?"
After hearing what Concubine Zhuang said, Ruo Li felt more confident and nodded with a smile: "I will listen to you, Your Majesty! I will do whatever you tell me to do."
Even if one day she becomes a lady, she will always put the queen first, so as not to forget her roots.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
As usual, it was time to flip the cards.
Li Changde came in with the eunuchs from the Jingshifang.
Thinking about what happened to Ruoli in the Imperial Garden today, I wonder if His Majesty is interested in her.
As the chief steward of the imperial court, one of his duties is to present to His Majesty all people or things that may be of interest to His Majesty.
Li Changde asked very perceptively, "Your Majesty, you turned over Concubine Zhuang's sign last time, but you left Changchun Palace because the Third Prince was unwell. Are you going to Changchun Palace to see Concubine Zhuang today?"