Chapter 282: Imperial Favor (2)

The morning sun shone on her body, warm and comfortably rare. Qingfeng walked very slowly. In the distance, someone saw them coming and immediately turned to leave. Qingfeng narrowed her eyes, the corners of her lips curled up, and she called out loudly, "Stop."

The person's body stiffened, and he still refused to turn around. Qingfeng had already walked in front of him before he had to kneel and salute: "This servant Xu Ji greets Concubine Qing. Greetings, Concubine!"

Qingfeng smiled, "I was wondering who it was; it turns out to be Chief Steward Xu."

Xu Ji trembled all over and said urgently, "This servant wouldn't dare."

"Oh?" Qingfeng feigned ignorance and asked in a low voice, "What wouldn't you dare?"

Qingfeng's tone was not high, but Xu Ji broke into a cold sweat. It was rumored in the palace that Prime Minister Lou insisted on marrying Qing Ling, and even if her sister couldn't become the Prime Minister's wife in the future, she would definitely be a secondary wife. Which brother-in-law wouldn't protect his sister-in-law? Besides, the Emperor stayed in the Qingfeng Palace last night, and Eunuch Wu had the Imperial Kitchen prepare ginseng soup early in the morning—this was treatment only for concubines who had conceived the dragon seed! If she really gave birth to an heir for the Emperor... Ouch, his little life wouldn't be saved! The more he thought, the more afraid he became. Xu Ji thumped to his knees and repeatedly confessed his guilt: "This servant deserves to die. I was blind and offended the Concubine before. Please, Concubine, don't hold a grudge against a small person."

"What is Chief Steward Xu saying? Am I such a petty person?"

"That's not what this servant meant. I beg the Concubine for forgiveness!" Xu Ji was even more terrified, almost kowtowing.

Having seen enough of his terrified slave-like appearance, Qingfeng waved her hand and sighed with a smile, "Forget it. You and I can be considered to have a connection to have such origins upon entering the palace. The meals you arranged last time were quite to my taste. In the future, my meals will depend on you to take more care. Get up."

Having struggled in the palace for these years, Xu Ji was also a clever person. Hearing the meaning in Qingfeng's words, he immediately replied respectfully and ingratiatingly, "Thank you, Concubine! This servant will definitely serve the Emperor and the Concubine even better. I will serve the Concubine with all my heart!"

"Withdraw."

"Yes." Xu Ji breathed a long sigh of relief and retreated with a smiling face. He didn't expect to be so lucky today; Qingfeng actually didn't hold a grudge. If this was the case, her gaining favor was a good thing; maybe he could get some sweetness.

Looking at his appearance of a villain gaining success, Fuling reminded her worriedly in a low voice, "Master, Xu Ji is narrow-minded and sees which way the wind blows..."

Qingfeng laughed, "Those who know which way the wind blows are smart people."

Inside the Lingyun Palace, Zhen Zhen was lying on a soft couch reading a book. A little maid walked into the room on tiptoe and stopped beside Wu'er, saying softly, "Sister Wu'er, Concubine Qing is outside asking to see you."

Zhen Zhen looked up from the book, and the little maid was so scared she immediately knelt down. Consort Hui loved quiet, and usually, the Consort's temper was very good, but disturbing her reading and rest was absolutely not allowed. The little maid trembled slightly. Wu'er waved her hand at her, and the little maid hurriedly retreated.

What was she here for? Zhen Zhen's brows were locked tight. Wu'er said, "This servant will go turn her away and say the Consort hasn't gotten up yet."

Wu'er walked outside, and Zhen Zhen suddenly spoke: "No need, invite her in."

"Yes." Wu'er was a hundred times unwilling in her heart, but she didn't dare to disobey Zhen Zhen's wishes and could only go out to welcome Qingfeng in.

Qingfeng entered the room and saw Zhen Zhen half-lying on the soft couch, with no intention of getting up. Walking to her, Qingfeng bowed and saluted: "Qingfeng greets Consort Hui."

Zhen Zhen pulled up the blanket covering her body and replied softly, "No need for formalities. Once in the harem, we are all the Emperor's women; let's call each other sisters."

Qingfeng secretly raised her eyebrows. The women in the harem really liked to call each other "sisters." When the Empress said it last time, Qingfeng was disdainful, but this time Qingfeng replied very obediently: "Sister is right."

Looking around the Lingyun Palace, Qingfeng smiled, "Sister's place is decorated so elegantly." Qingfeng was not being perfunctory; Zhen Zhen's place was indeed worthy of the word "elegant." In the spacious main hall, plain white curtains swayed in the wind, a beautiful painting of orchids was hung directly opposite the door, and a comfortable soft couch was placed diagonally by the open window. Beside it was a half-person-high bookshelf. Zhen Zhen lay on her side on the soft couch, lazy but not lacking in elegance. Qingfeng sighed inwardly, this was a woman who made people feel comfortable just looking at her. It was just that perhaps she was really ill; on this midsummer morning, she was still wearing a large long shawl, and a thin blanket covered her chest.

Zhen Zhen smiled faintly, "You flatter me."

Qingfeng's gaze stopped on a piece of embroidery of koi fish in front of the windowsill, her eyes narrowed. Qingfeng walked over and gently touched the silk that was as thin as a cicada's wing. Qingfeng was lost in thought. Zhen Zhen slowly sat up and said, "Sister is also interested in embroidery?"

This silk was so familiar. Hiding the doubt in her heart, Qingfeng stroked the gorgeous koi and smiled, "I'm just sighing at Sister's craftsmanship. On such fine and soft silk, you can embroider such good embroidery. I sigh at my own inferiority. But such thin silk is rare; I suppose it's a rare item."

"This is not a rare item. The Silk Weaving House produces a few bolts every season, but this material is too thin for clothes and too fine for handkerchiefs, so the masters of each palace don't like to use it. I just love its fineness, lightness, and thinness, which is just right for embroidery. If Sister likes it, take some."

"Then many thanks, Sister." Qingfeng secretly observed Zhen Zhen's expression—peaceful and natural. Was she thinking too much?

Zhen Zhen waved her hand at Wu'er beside her. Wu'er turned and entered the inner room, and after a while, she came out holding half a bolt of silk. Fuling stepped forward to take it.

Qingfeng sat at the low table. The two people who had no intersection were speechless for a while. Fortunately, both were introverted people. Sitting opposite each other in silence like this, neither showed any awkwardness. After drinking half the tea in her hand, Qingfeng smiled and said, "Actually, I came today to discuss something with Sister. I like painting, and Sister loves embroidery. The Qiongyue celebration is approaching; why don't we contribute a congratulatory gift for the celebration together? I will draw the design, and Sister will embroider it. The Emperor will definitely like this gift. It's just that I don't know about Sister's health..."

"This idea is quite good, but my health has indeed not been very good lately. Sister can draw the pattern and let the Silk Weaving House rush to make it before the celebration."

"That's also fine. Once I've drawn the pattern, I'll bring it for Sister to see. I'll have to ask Sister for more advice on the embroidery."

"You are too modest."

With the topic of embroidery, the two could still chat. An hour passed quickly. Looking at the sky, Qingfeng smiled, "I didn't expect to be so compatible with Sister. We've chatted until almost noon. I won't delay Sister's rest. Qingfeng will take her leave and come to visit again tomorrow."

Coming again tomorrow? Zhen Zhen said urgently, "This is an old ailment of mine, so don't trouble Sister to come every day."

"It's no trouble. I'm also bored in this palace. If Sister doesn't mind, we can have some company. Qingfeng will take her leave." After speaking, without waiting for Zhen Zhen to say anything else, Qingfeng bowed and saluted before taking Fuling away from the Lingyun Palace.

Qingfeng left so arrogantly, but her own Master was left alone, frowning. Wu'er was a bit annoyed and cursed in a low voice, "Too much!"

Zhen Zhen had been pondering Qingfeng's purpose for coming here today. When the maid beside her suddenly complained, Zhen Zhen came back to her senses and looked up, asking, "What's wrong?"

"The Emperor favored her last night, and she didn't have to come over early in the morning to stimulate the Consort." Wu'er pouted to vent her anger. Zhen Zhen laughed and sighed, "She is not such a boring person."

Not? Wu'er didn't understand and asked, "Then what did she come for?"

Zhen Zhen shook her head. She also wanted to know what Qingfeng came for. The embroidery mentioned just now was just something Qingfeng mentioned casually after seeing her embroidery. What was her purpose for coming today, and why did she have to come again tomorrow?

Wu'er lowered her voice and said worriedly in Zhen Zhen's ear, "Consort, if she comes every day like this, it will be very easy for her to discover it."

"Don't say anymore, let's wait and see." This hit the spot of Zhen Zhen's worry. Her brows furrowed even tighter involuntarily. Hearing Qingfeng's words yesterday, she guessed that Qingfeng would definitely not sit and wait for death. She feared the harem would not be peaceful, but why did she not rush at the Empress or the Empresses Dowager, but only came for her? Sigh, she had miscalculated. At such a time, she really shouldn't have provoked Qingfeng.

Out of the Lingyun Palace, Qingfeng walked in front unhurriedly, her cold voice asking, "Is it this kind of silk?"

"Yes." That night, when she re-sewed the pouch, she had carefully observed it. The thin, soft feel and the diagonal weave were consistent with the half bolt of silk she was holding.

Qingfeng's leisurely steps remained unchanged, but her voice grew colder: "You go to the Silk Weaving House and inquire whether it's true, as Zhen Zhen said, that anyone can get this kind of silk, and... which palace has received it in the past six months."

"Yes."

The two walked on the flower path. The fragrance of the soil and the scent of the sun lingered around them. The shade above their heads cut the sunlight into shreds, sprinkling them on the neat bluestone path. Qingfeng liked this place the most—quiet and cool, cleaner than the clusters of flowers in the Imperial Garden. Qingfeng slowed her steps. At this moment, a little boy in green ran out from a small archway and ran to Qingfeng's side in one breath. Bowing slightly, he said in a low voice, "Concubine Qing, Prime Minister Lou asked this servant to bring you a message: Madam Lou is doing very well now, please don't worry."

The little boy suddenly popped out, startling Qingfeng and Fuling. Hearing his words, Qingfeng came back to her senses and sized him up. The little boy was slightly shorter than her, his voice was clear, his speech was fast, and he looked about twelve or thirteen years old. Calming her mind, Qingfeng replied in a low voice, "I know. Which palace are you from?"

"This servant is Xiao Liuzi, working in the Imperial Household Department." Pausing for a while, as if thinking of something, the little boy replied in a low voice, "If you have any message to pass to the Prime Minister or the Madam, you can have this servant convey it."

The little boy looked very clever, but Qingfeng didn't have him bring any message, only replying indifferently, "Withdraw."

"Yes." Just like when he came, the little boy ran a few steps, circled into the archway by the path, and soon disappeared from Qingfeng's sight.

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 283 =====