Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Even Huo Yun'ai supported the matter of regulating the palace maids, and Qing Wu thought about it and decided to take on this task for the time being.
Handling this matter properly would at least help relieve some of Huo Yun'ai's worries.
The affairs of the previous dynasty were already enough to occupy his mind and energy. If he had to constantly worry about the trivial matters in the inner palace, wouldn't that add to his concerns?
Since Qing Wu had agreed, she would certainly do her best.
After organizing the matters in the Imperial Study, Huo Yun'ai took a short break before continuing to read.
Just then, Uncle Yu returned. Seeing that it was still early, Qing Wu handed over the responsibility of this place to him. She then went to find Dou Mama and Granny Lu.
Not long ago, she had been upset due to that incident with Jade Orchid, which led to a few arguments. However, after some time had passed, her anger had dissipated. When Qing Wu arrived, the two were deeply engrossed in discussing what kind of patterned handkerchief to make for the young lady.
They were so focused on their discussion that they didn't even notice when Qing Wu entered the room.
"I think embroidering plum blossoms would be nice. It's winter now, in December; isn't this just fitting?" Granny Lu pointed at a branch of cold plum blossoms in the book with a smile.
Dou Mama, recalling the young lady's courtyard in the West Courtyard with its Green Plum, pondered for a moment and shook her head, saying, "Let's not do that. Plum blossoms aren't very auspicious. How about embroidering a peony instead? Peonies are good; they symbolize wealth."
"What does wealth matter? That flower looks old-fashioned; how could it be suitable for a young lady?" Granny Lu retorted.
As the two were arguing back and forth, a soft voice chimed in from the side.
"If it were up to me, I would suggest embroidering a few colorful butterflies in flight. They would perfectly match my outfit."
The two matrons looked up joyfully and quickly stood up to greet her. "How did you come here, young lady?" They glanced outside and added, "Those playful ones don't know where they've gone off to laze around. They should have come to inform you."
"I didn't go out to play. I was busy doing needlework in the hallway. I saw they were all occupied, so I didn't ask them to come up specially." Qing Wu took Granny Lu's hand and helped her sit down, then smiled and gestured for Dou Mama to join them. Looking around the room and seeing only the three of them, she brought up the matter she had previously discussed with Huo Yun'ai.
Granny Lu was very much in favor of this, happily saying, "This is great. There hasn't been a lady of the house in the palace, so this matter has been delayed. I've long been hoping for some proper rules to manage us. At the very least, it can punish those who are sneaky and deceitful."
Having lived in the palace for many years, she understood the inconveniences of the current system. Naturally, she was overjoyed to hear this.
However, Dou Mama's thoughts were focused on Qing Wu. Initially, she didn't consider whether the plan was good or not; her first concern was for Qing Wu.
After all, the girl was still young. She felt a bit worried that Qing Wu might not be able to handle it.
So she hesitated and said, "Currently, there is only His Majesty in the main hall, so there aren't many maids in the palace. But counting them up, there are still hundreds of palace maids. Miss... will it be manageable?"
Qing Wu felt warmth in her heart, stepped forward to hold Dou Mama's hand, and said, "As long as there's a will to do it, it can certainly be done well. If it doesn't work out in one month, then we can try for a year. As long as we can improve the current situation, that would be a success."
Hearing her determination, Dou Mama couldn't help but look at her.
The girl before her had bright and clear eyes that sparkled with energy; her lips curved into a lovely smile, clearly happy about this matter.
As long as the girl was genuinely happy, Dou Mama felt joy as well.
Thinking about it, even they who were used to life in the deep palace found it dull and boring; when idle, it became increasingly uncomfortable. They needed something to do to feel at ease. How much more so for a young girl?
Having something she genuinely wanted to do from the bottom of her heart was a good thing.
Once Dou Mama realized this, she naturally began to help Qing Wu come up with ideas. Remembering that Qing Wu had specifically come to seek her out, she smiled and asked her, "Do you want to go see different places or do you have questions for us two old ladies?"
Qing Wu's eyes curved into a smile as she replied softly, "You know me best, Grandma."
After finishing her words, she casually pulled a chair over and sat down in front of the two matrons, sincerely saying, "I want to go and see various places. I need to understand the specific situation in this palace."
Only by understanding the people and matters here clearly can she better implement her plans.
Hearing her say this, the matrons all expressed their support and agreement. They then asked Qing Wu where she planned to go first.
Qing Wu glanced at the decorative books on the table, pointed at them, and smiled, "How about we start by visiting the place responsible for sewing?"
"Sewing Workshop?"
Upon hearing this, even the usually gentle and calm Granny Lu couldn't help but smile in a somewhat inexplicable way.
Qing Wu quickly asked what was going on.
Dou Mama sighed from the side, "Miss, do you still remember Jade Orchid and Cai Ping?"
"Of course I remember." They were the two people she had previously clashed with along with Dou and Granny Lu.
Granny Lu said, "Those two are from the Sewing Workshop."
The Sewing Workshop was not too far from here. It took some effort for the three of them to get there.
However, since Qing Wu had just arrived, this was a good opportunity for her to familiarize herself with the routes within the palace.
The two matrons explained everything in great detail as they walked together.
Unexpectedly, before they reached the entrance of the Sewing Workshop, they saw two people arguing outside. One of them raised a hand and slapped the other sharply, making a crisp sound.
It was indeed Jade Orchid and Cai Ping.
Granny Lu said, "Previously, she specifically came to save Cai Ping. I thought she regarded Cai Ping as a friend, just like you and I. But now it seems that's not the case at all."
"Of course not. She saved Cai Ping just to give me a warning. It must be that the incident at the Floral Banquet somehow reached her ears. She wants to use Cai Ping's situation to show me who's in charge."
It was indeed to show her who's in charge, but it was also meant to slap Qing Wu in the face, as a way to vent for her distant uncle Zheng An.
However, Dou Mama saw through her thoughts and chose to hold back her anger instead of confronting her directly.
Granny Lu was not dull either. With this hint, she understood much more.
After some contemplation, Granny Lu said, "That's right. She had previously tried to get close to the Former Emperor but was ignored. In these past two years, she has deliberately approached His Majesty, yet he hasn't even given her a glance. I imagine when she sees Cai Ping's frivolous demeanor, it inevitably reminds her of her own days of doing the same. How could she feel at ease?"
Although the two of them tried to avoid discussing this in front of others, they did not consider Qing Wu sitting beside them.
After hearing this, Qing Wu frowned slightly.
How could Jade Orchid contact Zheng An while being trapped in the palace?
After she asked this question, both Dou Mama and Granny Lu shook their heads, indicating they didn't know.
Dou Mama had been away from the palace for many years and was unaware.
Granny Lu, due to her nature of not being sociable, rarely ventured beyond Huo Yun'ai's palace.
"His Majesty might know. Uncle Yu might also know. You could ask them," Granny Lu suggested after some thought.
Qing Wu was about to nod, but after some thought, she politely declined the proposal.
——If Zheng An's spies were inside, how would Huo Yun'ai respond to her inquiry?
If she did, it would reveal the matters they had been investigating in secret.
No, there might be some awkwardness.
It would be better for her to pay attention while moving around these places recently and see who had close dealings with Jade Orchid.
Now it was nearing evening, and the Golden Crow was setting in the west.
Qing Wu thought that the place they were staying today was still unknown, so she hurriedly asked the maids if His Majesty had mentioned this matter.
Dou Mama smiled and said, "It has long been prepared. When the young lady was busy earlier, Ningxin Pavilion had already been arranged."
"Ningxin Pavilion?" Qing Wu was not very familiar with the layout of the various halls in the palace. Hearing this name, she felt a moment of confusion. "What kind of place is that?"
Granny Lu smiled and said, "Do you know Zhaoning Palace?"
This name was familiar to Qing Wu. It was indeed where Huo Yun'ai's sleeping quarters were located. She nodded lightly.
"Do you remember that there is a courtyard with beautiful scenery next to Zhaoning Palace, elegant and tranquil? You praised it a few times when you passed by before."
Qing Wu had an impression of this matter.
That courtyard was quite large, complete with pavilions and towers. When she passed by it at that time, Qing Wu faintly heard the sound of flowing water, so she turned in and took a closer look.
The place is right next to Zhaoning Palace. It only takes a short walk, about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, to get there.
In this vast palace, that distance is indeed not far.
However... isn't that her residence? Why bring it up?
Before Qing Wu could voice her doubts, Dou Mama smiled and said, "Your Majesty heard that the young lady likes that place, so he had someone tidy up that courtyard. He even personally wrote a couplet for it. It's all ready now, and you can move in tonight."
Qing Wu was astonished.
Huo Yun'ai seemed to have quietly arranged everything for her, leaving her no chance to worry or be concerned.
Wait a minute.
As an Inner Palace Official, could she really be so close to the Emperor's sleeping quarters?
That probably doesn't follow the rules!
Comment 0 Comment Count