Chapter 291

"Yes." Fuling directed several palace maids, and with nimble hands and feet, they emptied the entire room of its finery. Just after they finished, several eunuchs entered the Qingfeng Hall carrying food trays, with Xu Ji walking in the lead. The usually overbearing Chief Steward Xu, upon seeing Fuling, actually greeted her ingratiatingly and smiled, "Miss Fuling, this servant requests an audience with Consort Qing. I ask that you please pass on a word."

Knowing well that this man was narrow-minded, Fuling said nothing, merely nodding slightly to let them wait before turning to enter the room.

Recently, Qingfeng had been prone to sleepiness. Fuling had originally intended to come in and check, and if her mistress was resting, she would have sent Xu Ji and the others away. Who would have thought that Qingfeng was actually fiddling with the begonia potted plant on the windowsill, looking to be in quite a good mood.

After standing behind Qingfeng for a while, Fuling said, "Mistress, Xu Ji is outside requesting an audience."

Qingfeng didn't even lift her eyebrows, replying casually, "Let him in."

Fuling went out and brought Xu Ji into the room. Qingfeng was already sitting in the main seat of the parlor. Xu Ji crawled on the ground and performed a grand kowtow: "This servant pays respects to Consort Qing. May the Consort live for a thousand years, a thousand years, ten thousand years."

"How does Chief Steward Xu have the time to come over?" Qingfeng said the polite words, but did not let him rise.

Xu Ji remained kneeling on the ground with a wide smile on his face, replying, "The Consort's words are too much for this servant. Hearing that the Consort has had little appetite lately, this servant specially prepared some appetizing snacks for the Consort to taste." After he finished speaking, the three young eunuchs behind him niftily presented the food trays. The pickled plums were emerald green and plump, the powdery white sticky rice balls emitted a faint fragrance of sweet osmanthus, and the final plate of red, white, and green shredded radish was arranged into a beautiful fan shape. The three plates of snacks were served on small white jade dishes and looked very tempting. Qingfeng tasted the last plate; the radish was crisp and refreshing, and the acidity was just right. Qingfeng praised, "The taste is not bad. Reward them."

Xu Ji hurriedly waved his hands, saying anxiously, "This is this servant's duty; I dare not accept a reward!"

Qingfeng's bright eyes lifted slightly as she tasted the other two snacks, paying no further attention to Xu Ji, who was kneeling to the side. Fuling walked to Xu Ji's side and whispered, "Chief Steward Xu, if there is nothing else, you may return."

Xu Ji grew anxious and finally couldn't help but say, "This servant is bold, but I have a matter to request."

Humming inwardly, Qingfeng said indifferently, "Speak."

Looking up at Qingfeng's expression, Xu Ji deliberated repeatedly before saying softly, "My elder sister angered the Emperor and is about to be expelled from the palace. She has spent her whole life in the palace and has no relatives left outside. I beg the Consort to plead with the Emperor so that my sister may continue to stay in the palace. She will certainly serve the Empress Dowager with even more dedication, and neither my sister nor I will ever forget the Consort's great kindness." After speaking, Xu Ji prostrated himself at Qingfeng's feet and knocked his head heavily several times.

"This matter, I have noted. You may withdraw."

Qingfeng's mind seemed entirely focused on those plates of snacks, and she was simply dismissing him casually. In truth, he had also risked much to come and beg her today. Qingfeng was the most favored; if she were willing to put in a word, perhaps there might be a turning point. Now it seemed she was uninterested and likely unwilling to wade into these muddy waters. He would have to think of another way. With a plan in mind, Xu Ji stood up, bowed hurriedly, and retreated.

With all his calculations written on his face, this man was not necessarily sincere for his sister's sake; he was afraid of losing his backing in the palace later on. "Mistress, the Xu siblings are just grass on the wall. Today he can lean toward you, and tomorrow he can lean toward someone else. You had better not anger the Emperor for their sake." Fuling despised such people, and her words were uncharacteristically sharp. Qingfeng smiled brightly, "I have never counted on them to be truly loyal to me. I have my own measure for this matter; don't you worry."

Qingfeng's chopsticks reached for the cold dish again, and Fuling hurriedly took the plate away. "You cannot eat too much of this either; raw and cold things are not good for your health."

With her chopsticks frozen in mid-air and the food tray already taken away by Fuling, Qingfeng was left between laughter and tears, laughing and scolding, "Fuling, your courage is growing larger and larger; you're becoming like a nagging housekeeper!"

"Managed well." A low whisper suddenly sounded from behind. Both were startled. Fuling turned her head to see that bright yellow figure and hurriedly knelt to salute: "Long live the Emperor, long live, long live ten thousand years."

Qingfeng looked outside the house; the sun was setting, and it was already time for the evening meal. Qingfeng stood up slowly and saluted, "Long live the Emperor..."

"My beloved concubine is with child; I specially permit you to forgo salutations in the future."

When she saw Yan Hongtian just now, she had been somewhat nervous. Recalling his deep, dark eyes from that day, Qingfeng couldn't help but feel dazed. But at this moment, Yan Hongtian's tone was relaxed and his expression was as usual, as if he had returned to his former self. He looked as charming and unfathomable as ever, but definitely not like the cold, sunken state of that day. Qingfeng observed secretly and replied calmly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Holding Qingfeng's hand, they sat down in the main seat. Yan Hongtian smiled, "Are you satisfied with the rewards I gave you?"

"Satisfied."

"Satisfied, yet you have nothing to be happy about?" Other concubines, if they received rewards, would have placed them in the most conspicuous places, fearing others wouldn't see them. This room not only lacked a single item he had rewarded her with, but even the original furnishings had been reduced significantly. The entire room was bright and simple, and like her, it exuded an air of aloofness.

Yan Hongtian's lips curled slightly, and he said, "There is one thing that will surely make you very happy."

"Oh? This concubine is all ears." Although she said this, Qingfeng didn't think there was anything that could make her happy. Yan Hongtian didn't say much more, only taking a bright red, festive invitation from his sleeve and handing it to her.

Qingfeng took it and opened it with some curiosity. "This..." Seeing the words clearly, Qingfeng's almond eyes widened, staring at that small invitation as if fearing the words on it would disappear. She asked with a trembling voice, "Is it truly as a primary wife?"

The words "Original Wife" on the invitation already answered Qingfeng. Lou Xiyan was willing to risk public anger to marry her sister as his primary wife, which showed he treated her sister with sincerity. Her sister had finally found someone to whom she could entrust her life. Clasping the red invitation tightly in her hand, it was a long time before Qingfeng breathed out two soft words: "So good..."

Qingfeng's eyebrows were smiling, and her already bright eyes shone with a lustrous light. The arc of her lips was soft and lighthearted. Yan Hongtian had never seen her smile like this; it was very beautiful. Yan Hongtian had a moment of doubt. Previously, he had never thought about wanting a woman's heart; he only needed them to submit. At this moment, having seen such a smile, he began to feel that submission was not enough.

The sunset was fading, and the lamps had not yet been lit, so the room was somewhat dark. But at this moment, she seemed to be glowing, and the smile on Qingfeng's face was so beautiful and warm that it was somewhat blinding. Such a smile was not because of him. Yan Hongtian felt immediately displeased and hummed, "Good? Whether it is a blessing or a curse is yet to be known."

Qingfeng didn't take it to heart. Blessings and curses are hard to predict; who knows what will happen in the future? At least for the foreseeable future, her sister was happy. Carefully closing the bright red invitation, Qingfeng asked with slight excitement, "Can I go to attend their wedding ceremony?"

"No."

The two cold words crushed the smile on Qingfeng's face. If he wasn't going to let her go, why bother bringing this invitation? Giving her hope only to shatter it deeply—Yan Hongtian truly knew how to torture people!

"Your current status is Consort Qing, and you are with child; you cannot leave the palace." From the moment Yan Hongtian said the word "No," Qingfeng knew it was impossible for her to go out. This man had always been one to keep his word. But Yan Hongtian actually explained, which surprised Qingfeng greatly. She stared straight at him, trying to see something in those smiling yet unsmiling dark eyes.

"However... I can grant you a token. Every day from the Shen hour to the You hour, you may enter and exit the North Gate freely while holding the token. This way, Qing Ling can enter the palace to accompany you at any time." When the gold-plated token hung before Qingfeng, she couldn't quite believe it. Holding the token, Qingfeng's heart pounded, not knowing if it was because of wild joy or unease. Yan Hongtian was somewhat abnormal today, but thinking that with this token she could see her sister often, Qingfeng was still very happy. Rubbing the patterns on the token, Qingfeng replied tentatively, "Thank you, Your Majesty..."

Being able to control a person's emotions at will was a pleasant thing, especially hers. Yan Hongtian's mood suddenly improved. Glancing at the dishes spread across the table, Yan Hongtian's lips curled slightly, "Today's evening meal is quite rich. Let's eat."

Putting the token away, Qingfeng suddenly said, "You don't need to serve us; all of you withdraw."

"Yes." Fuling and Gao Jin looked at each other, went outside the room, and gently closed the door.

Qingfeng stood by Yan Hongtian's side, serving him food and pouring wine. They didn't have much time alone together; usually, it was either swords drawn or wits matched, each harboring their own thoughts. This time it was a rare peace. Yan Hongtian enjoyed Qingfeng's service, and after eating seven or eight parts full, he slowly set down his chopsticks, held his wine cup, took a light sip, and smiled, "If you have something to say, speak."

Night had long since fallen, and palace lanterns were lit inside and outside the Qingfeng Hall. The courtyard could not be called bright, but it was enveloped in a warm glow. After Gao Jin left the room, he stood waiting about a yard from the door, his calm face devoid of expression. Many new palace maids had arrived today, and although they were all working quietly, Fuling still felt it was crowded and somewhat irritable. Walking outside the Qingfeng Hall, the early autumn night breeze brushed her face, and Fuling shivered involuntarily, but she still stood in the night wind for a long time.

"Sister Fuling, do you still remember me?"

A soft female voice sounded in her ear. Fuling turned to look, and a woman in palace attire was looking at her with eyes full of smiles and hope.

Fuling nodded gently and replied, "I remember, Lanzhi. How did you come to Qingfeng Hall?"

Lanzhi knew Fuling must remember her, but now that the other person was a female official and the Consort's confidante, it wouldn't be strange to pretend not to know her. Hearing Fuling say she remembered, Lanzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "You are already a female official now; I didn't expect you to still remember me. This time I spent all my silver to pull strings just to be able to come here. No matter what, we once suffered together; you must help me out more!"

So that was it. People climbing to higher places was nothing to criticize, and the Laundry Bureau was indeed a hard place to stay. Fuling smiled slightly, "The Consort treats people with generosity and has a clear mind. As long as you serve with heart, she will definitely not treat you unfairly."

The smile at the corner of Lanzhi's mouth stiffened, but only for an instant. She immediately bowed and replied obediently, "Yes, this servant will definitely be very attentive." After speaking, she didn't forget to bow again before slowly retreating.

(End of chapter)