boyutpedia Chapter 186 Bitterness
Chapter 186 Bitterness
Yubin smiled bitterly.
The Empress Dowager was old and experienced, so how could she not see that she was unable to control this kid Hongli? She was pointing a finger at herself!
At this point, the empress dowager advised the two boys to study hard in the imperial study and live in harmony with their brother in the South Three Residences.
Jiang Ruyin's eyes flickered, as if thinking about something.
Before Concubine Yu had the chance to visit her new residence at Jingyang Palace, she took her bags and two children and went to the South Third House.
Even if it's not for fame, but for the sake of her own children, Yubin is really willing to help Hongzhou arrange his future residence first.
The South Third House is a complex of several double-entry courtyards. The leading eunuch introduced it:
"Each prince has his own courtyard. The third prince is already married, with four wives and concubines, three of whom are pregnant. Therefore, the two courtyards in the front, middle, and east are his."
Hongli looked around with delight, his eyes fixed on the west. Although it did not have the beauty of the scenery of the Old Summer Palace, it also showed the luxury and splendor of the emperor's forbidden garden.
"..."
Yubin lowered her eyes and looked at Hongzhou with concern, but Hongzhou just shook his head.
"Fifth brother, let's go visit third brother and sister-in-law later!" Hongli said excitedly to the easternmost courtyard.
The eunuch in charge smiled awkwardly, "The Third Prince lives in the main courtyard, and Miss Wuya lives in the wing."
He added, "The Third Lady, being of noble status, ought to live in the main courtyard, and the other two young ladies also occupy the wing rooms here. Let's not dwell on this, Fifth Prince. This is your courtyard to the west, and the courtyard behind it is yours, Fourth Prince. I know the two princes are close and have a good relationship, having grown up together, so I specially prepared the front and back courtyards!"
Yupin smiled and nodded, and the palace maid beside her handed her a lake blue purse, which was neither too full nor too empty.
The eunuch in charge took it without frowning and continued to lead the way with a smile.
Hongli pursed his lips and unconsciously took two steps back.
My third brother took first and second place in the east, so I should definitely be first in the west. This eunuch in charge was probably taking advantage of me not having a mother, and was deliberately using his own courtyard to curry favor with my fifth brother and Empress Yu.
No matter what, I should be given the first place in the second row, the east seat! What's the matter with the west seat in the second row?
At this time, on the palace road, Jiang Ruyin was traveling lightly towards the Yangxin Palace.
Jiang Ruyin hadn't come for a long time, so when Su Peisheng came down the steps to greet her, he thought for a long time whether to inform her or invite her in directly.
Seeing Fu Qiu holding a tray behind Jiang Ruyin, Su Peisheng knew for sure, "The Emperor is reviewing memorials, Your Majesty, please wait inside for a moment."
"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Su."
As soon as Jiang Ruyin finished speaking, Jing'er quickly stuffed a small sachet into Su Peisheng's sleeve.
Su Peisheng was stunned at first, and then he nodded secretly when he felt the clear outline in the sleeve: This is the work of Concubine Fang!
The Yangxin Palace is as warm as spring, and the scent of ambergris mixed with menthol oil permeates the soul, with a hint of freshness mixed in the sweet and fragrant aroma.
Jiang Ruyin bowed silently and sat down.
The Emperor looked up, as if aware of something. Perhaps it was because Jiang Ruyin had been in the harem for too long, and Zhen Huan had left the palace long before. The Emperor couldn't remember how long it had been since someone had been allowed into the Hall of Mental Cultivation without permission.
Meeting the emperor's eyes, Jiang Ruyin smiled gently, picked up the book skillfully and gestured to the emperor.
The emperor smiled unconsciously, and he felt much more relaxed when he looked at these boring letters of greeting.
A person dressed in green appeared silently behind the screen.
The slender and graceful beauty gently poured a new cup of tea for the emperor without even looking up.
When the tea was served to Jiang Ruyin, a hint of mint fragrance entered her nostrils.
Jiang Ruyin didn't even look up, as if all his attention was absorbed by the book.
A salty fragrance came again, and Jiang Ruyin raised her eyes.
It was Xiao Xiazi who came over quietly with two plates of snacks, one of which was exquisite lotus pastry and the other was small chestnut cake.
Jiang Ruyin couldn't help but sigh at Xiao Xiazi's considerateness. One was the food she loved to eat, and the other was the one who didn't touch his mouth or get his hands dirty. She nodded to him immediately.
Xiao Xiazi's eyes were focused only on Jiang Ruyin's skirt, and he just walked in and out respectfully.
"..."
Jiang Ruyin's fingers slowly moved away from the cup, and her fingertips were covered with a layer of shiny, transparent mucus.
The spicy taste of menthol oil lingers in your heart.
He casually wiped his fingertips clean and threw the plain silk handkerchief in the color of a princess on the table.
The emperor looked up and asked, "Why, are you unhappy?"
Jiang Ruyin smiled, "No, I was just thinking about something."
"It's just a memorial of greeting, nothing new." The emperor closed the memorial, walked slowly over, hugged Jiang Ruyin and sat down.
He took down a white jade ruyi from the tray, and on the base was a jacquard brocade imperial decree.
Jiang Ruyin's eyes were clear and bright. "The Empress Dowager gave Hongli and Hongzhou a pair of jade pendants. I, as a concubine's mother, felt it would be imperative for me not to express my gratitude. Your Majesty, please consider this for me."
The emperor's breathing became lighter, and he only raised his chin slightly. Jiang Ruyin saw a shadow flash by near the bright window out of the corner of her eye.
While the emperor was looking through the secret decree, Jiang Ruyin was playing with the jade ruyi.
After a while, the emperor said silently: "It seems that the Empress Dowager admires you very much."
Jiang Ruyin blinked and smiled brightly, "Who wouldn't admire a woman like me? But the Empress is still so graceful and virtuous that I dare not accept anything. As the saying goes, a gift from an elder cannot be refused. With such an important gift, after much deliberation, I have no choice but to give it to the Emperor."
Jiang Ruyin's expression was sincere, and the emperor's hesitation was hidden in his deep pupils.
He suddenly smiled and said, "You did the right thing."
"Then Your Majesty, please reward me for helping me choose." Jiang Ruyin's eyes were curved, like a cunning fox.
The emperor glanced at them casually, then took a jade button and played with it in his hand. "They are all good things. You are their concubine mother. You have put in the effort, and they should be satisfied."
Jiang Ruyin raised her eyebrows and looked at him, "In that case, if anyone tells others about my feelings in the future, I will use these words to stop them."
"As you wish." The emperor also raised his eyebrows.
Jiang Ruyin nodded with great satisfaction, her eyes narrowed. "There's one more thing. Previously, the Imperial Study only had two teachers, a martial arts master, and a horsemanship master. After the Third Prince grew up, the masters all returned home to take a break. Princess Shuhe and Princess Wenyi are both learning palace etiquette from the palace ladies-in-waiting. We haven't hired a Confucian master or a female horsemanship master yet. Hongli and Hongzhou have already returned to the palace, and I've already sent people to invite the teachers and masters. However, the female master hasn't been finalized yet. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."
The emperor was thoughtful after hearing this. "No need. Just learn the palace rules and etiquette and the Four Books for Women. Too much wisdom will cause trouble."
Jiang Ruyin listened attentively, smiled faintly and said nothing.
The emperor tilted his head and added, "You are very good like this."