si-mexico Chapter 295 was somewhat unexpected, but also truly beneficial.
Chapter 295 was somewhat unexpected, but also truly beneficial.
Chapter 295 Although somewhat unexpected, it was truly beneficial.
Inside the pavilion, Donggua directed Ruizhu and Xiaonianzi to set out the meal.
"The Imperial Garden is a bit small, but the scenery is beautiful and the space is spacious, so dining here can make you feel more comfortable."
As she spoke, Donggua took out two zongzi from the food box, her voice still simple and honest: "These are freshly cooked red bean zongzi. Your Majesty will peel them for the Emperor later." She then thoughtfully placed a plain handkerchief on the table.
Ruizhu brought out a dish of finely ground icing sugar and softly reminded him, "His Majesty likes sweets, so you can dip it in some sugar..."
Hua Yan initially just nodded perfunctorily, but quickly adjusted her mood and prepared to meet the next "task" with high spirits. Seeing this, Green Willow finally felt that her mistress was somewhat like a concubine.
The emperor's mood was neither good nor bad, but when he saw the beautiful woman's figure in the distance, most of his previous gloom dissipated.
Upon arriving at Fubi Pavilion, Hua Yan first greeted the guests with a smile, her smile perfectly balanced, neither exaggerated nor obsequious, leaving even Xiao Nianzi stunned.
Before the Emperor could speak, Hua Yan had already reached out to take his hand.
emperor:"......"
Although it was somewhat unexpected, it was truly helpful.
In fact, Consort Chun and the Emperor misunderstood Hua Yan. She was always cautious in the harem. When facing the Emperor alone, she was careful to maintain a proper distance, but she would never let him feel distant. Even if the gifts she gave, such as sachets and pouches, were not thoughtful, they would never leave anyone without fault.
Since her first night with the Emperor, everything had been peaceful. Hua Yan had no idea why the Emperor had suddenly started making demands of her.
Do you want a sincere heart?
Hua Yan adjusted quickly. Although she lacked genuine talent, she could learn acting skills.
Before the Emperor came to the Imperial Garden, the first role model Hua Yan thought of was Huan Yun. Huan Yun's affection for Zhou Bai, which lasted for more than ten years, was something she could learn a lot from.
Although I only witnessed Huanyun and her uncle's interaction once, I could still analyze their every move in detail.
However, after going through the thought in her mind, Hua Yan couldn't help but shudder, her body stiffening—wasn't this a bit too intimate? You really can't imitate this without genuine feeling; it's better to take it step by step...
Unfortunately, she had met too few couples, so in her last-minute cramming, she even tried to figure out Madam Yun and the head of the family.
But Hua Yan immediately shook her head. Madam Yun's feelings for Tang Xian were the culmination of years of experience; such understanding could only be truly felt through shared hardships. Moreover, Hua Yan secretly believed that the Emperor could never compare to the head of the family.
In the end, Hua Yan had no choice but to imitate Su Wanwan. Su Wanwan was a lady from a prominent family. She was both restrained and unable to hide her feelings for Tang Lin. She abandoned those girlish behaviors and was a very good role model.
Therefore, when Hua Yan led the Emperor into the Fu Bi Pavilion, she naturally let go of his hand, but when she looked up, her eyes revealed a hint of joy at just the right moment.
The Emperor nodded slightly and said gently, "Shu'er is very thoughtful. This arrangement is quite elegant."
Hua Yan picked up her jade chopsticks, gently sliced open the zongzi, sprinkled a thin layer of icing sugar on it, and scooped up half a piece with a silver spoon. "In my hometown, there is an old custom of giving red bean zongzi as gifts during the Dragon Boat Festival. This was made by the kitchen at my request. Would Your Majesty like to try it?"
The Emperor lowered his eyes and smiled slightly, taking the silver spoon into her mouth with her hand. The smooth red bean paste, coated with sugar frosting, melted on his tongue.
The emperor was very pleased with the winter melon lunch, and with the red bean rice dumplings peeled by the beauty herself, his expression softened even more, and a hint of tenderness unconsciously crept into his gaze as he looked at Hua Yan.
Since Hua Yan had made up her mind, she would not waste Chunfei's painstaking efforts. From a red bean rice dumpling, they talked about the old customs of the Dragon Boat Festival, from the dishes in front of them to the elegant banquet under the open sky, and finally transitioned to the scenery of the Imperial Garden.
When had His Majesty ever seen such a 'eloquent' Lady Meng? Then, without realizing it, he thought, "She has changed so much, I cannot let her efforts go to waste."
So the two of them kept talking back and forth, and the conversation never stopped.
The Emperor was diligent in state affairs, and occasionally he would mention matters of the court. Hua Yan, being so astute, never answered. If she really had to speak, she would only quote classical texts without discussing the matter itself. Gradually, the Emperor would listen and occasionally have a flash of inspiration, and he became increasingly satisfied with Hua Yan.
So, after lunch, he took Hua Yan's hand and strolled in the Imperial Garden to aid digestion.
Unfortunately, many tactless concubines had somehow appeared in the Imperial Garden. In just a short while, of the nine new concubines who had entered the palace, apart from Consort Qu, Consort Pei, and Consort Yang, the other six had all run into them.
Jingming, observing the emperor's expression, saw that the emperor's face was grave and immediately summoned a eunuch to send the person away...
Inside Zhaoqing Hall.
Consort Mei was watching the palace maids dye silk with crushed pomegranate petals. Upon hearing this, she frowned slightly: "Consort Meng took the initiative to invite her? Ha... It seems she's getting restless after all this time."
Pei Yunu had only met Hua Yan twice, and only knew that she was a concubine of Consort Chun and was quite favored. She knew very little about Consort Meng's personality, so she just listened and dared not speak easily.
Despite her words, Consort Mei never took Hua Yan seriously. A concubine's birth determined her rank, and someone like Empress Dowager Jiang was extremely rare.
Consort Mei suddenly sneered: "Consort Chun... is truly foolish and stupid, actually allowing the concubines around her to compete for favor so freely."
She simply couldn't understand Consort Chun. Back in the mansion, she couldn't help but feel jealous of her sister's existence.
After pondering for a moment, Consort Pei cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I have only been in the palace for two days, but I often hear the palace servants around me say that Consort Chun and Consort Meng have a very close relationship. If Consort Meng is favored, Consort Chun will not necessarily be without benefit."
Consort Mei scoffed, "She's magnanimous and tolerant, isn't she afraid that Consort Meng will rise above her in the future?"
After saying that, she suddenly looked at Pei Yunu and said in a deep voice, "Your mother has arranged for you to enter the palace, so you should know how to act."
Pei Yunu hurriedly stood up and said respectfully, "I understand, and I will certainly do my best to assist Your Majesty in the future."
Her parents' lives were in the hands of the Duke of Qing's family, leaving her no choice but to do her utmost. After much deliberation, Consort Pei offered a plan. "Your Majesty, since Consort Chun and Lady Meng are close, perhaps..."
......
On the Dragon Boat Festival.
Hua Yan had already made all the arrangements. All items distributed to the palaces were inspected three times by the Imperial Medical Bureau to ensure their safety. Because Consort Guo and Consort Shen were pregnant, extra care was taken with the supplies for Dieqiong Pavilion and Shujing Palace, and even the mugwort in the sachets was checked one by one.
The "Zhong Kui's Palace Tour" ceremony, presided over by Xiao Yuanzi, proceeded smoothly. After returning to Huining Hall, he went to the rear hall and reported:
"Your Majesty, this servant disguised herself as Zhong Kui and led twelve little ghosts on a procession around the palace. Consort Shen watched from outside Shujing Hall. Because I didn't go into her palace, Consort Shen was dissatisfied. Fortunately, Yuehuan comforted her, so the ceremony was not delayed."
After hearing this, Consort Chun nodded indifferently. As she turned to return to her bedchamber, she said to Hua Yan indifferently, "She was careless on her own, so there's no need to worry about her in the future."