When the weather got colder and colder, it started to snow in Beijing.
A thick layer of snow covers the trees and houses, and everything you see is silvery white.
Outside the Qiyun Palace, palace attendants swept the snow from the open space in front of the palace, and a charcoal basin was burned in the side hall, making the palace feel as warm as spring.
Rong Yue was invited by Mrs. Wenxinhou and others to go to the South Side Hall to talk, while Zhou Yuchang stayed with Tang Ning and the others at the East Side Hall.
Listening to the sound of snow falling on the trees outside, Zhou Yuchang turned to Tang Ning and the others and said, "The winter moon is almost over. I heard from the palace people that preparations for the New Year have begun outside, and I don't know when we can get there." Leave the palace."
I originally thought that they would only stay for three or five days, but who would have thought that they have already been here for seven days, but the Shoukang Palace never mentioned anything about letting them leave the palace.
Zhou Yuchang didn't like the palace. There were rules everywhere, and she had to be cautious in everything she did. A slight mistake might implicate the family. Moreover, she and He Jin were about to get married. Their relationship was already at its most ambiguous and passionate. As for doing anything out of the ordinary, when he was in the mansion, he could still get news about the He family and receive things and letters from his fiancé every now and then.
Nothing can be received after entering the palace. Even the news from outside can only be heard occasionally from the palace people.
Qian Qiyue has always had a happy-go-lucky temperament. She sat on the embroidery stool and roasted the hazelnuts Yue Jian got from who knows where on the fire. She said casually: "Didn't you say that the Queen Mother seems to be getting better?" , we came to the palace to attend to her illness, she will have to let us out after she recovers."
Zhou Yuchang heard this and said: "That's true. I heard from the Shoukang Palace that the Queen Mother got better because of us who took care of her. The Queen Mother was very grateful, and even His Majesty said he wanted to issue an order." Reward.”
Tang Ning suddenly said: "Your Majesty has been here?"
"Of course I'm here. During this period, I come every two days. Not only His Majesty, but also the Crown Prince and several other princes come very frequently. Yesterday when my mother and I were waiting for the sick, we bumped into the Crown Prince and His Majesty coming together. But it’s also quite strange.”
While Zhou Yuchang was speaking, she glanced at the palace servants clearing the snow outside. She was sure that they couldn't hear what was being said here, so she lowered her voice and said:
"The Crown Prince and His Majesty have always been at odds with each other, and there were many disputes in the court before. When my father and the others left for the expedition that day, the Crown Prince slapped His Majesty in the face in public. Brother Jin even told me that Your Majesty might have a falling out with the Crown Prince, but I said yesterday When I saw them, His Majesty was actually quite friendly towards the Prince."
Qian Qiyue threw the roasted and cracked hazelnuts on the plate: "I guess it was in front of the Queen Mother, for fear of hurting the Queen Mother's heart?"
Zhou Yuchang shook her head: "I don't know, I just feel a little strange. Your Majesty seems to be too kind to the prince, but the prince's face is a bit ugly."
"Oh, right."
Zhou Yuchang looked up at Tang Ning as if she remembered something: "The prince asked about you before he left. He said that he had never seen you since he had been here several times."
Qian Qiyue curled her lips: "The Queen Mother didn't even ask Tang Ning and her aunt to attend to the illness. It's strange that they can see her."
After all, this is the harem, and it is adjacent to Shoukang Palace. Further around is the residence of the harem concubines, and there are palace people walking everywhere.
After they entered the palace, someone came to deliver news twice, bringing messages from Qian Baokun and Xiao Yan. Let alone other people, even Xiao Yan, who often walked in the harem before, had never violated the rules and set foot in Qiyun. The palace, fearing that someone would catch someone and let their mouths slip.
Shoukang Palace invited everyone to come and take turns to attend to the illness, but the three of them were not called. They stayed in Qiyun Palace and never went out on their own initiative.
The prince couldn't come to Qiyun Palace to look for Tang Ning with nothing to do. It would be strange to see her.
Zhou Yuchang was full of doubts: "The Queen Mother still hasn't summoned you to serve on the disease?"
Tangning shook his head: "No."
"That's strange." Zhou Yuchang looked puzzled: "I heard that the Queen Mother was very angry when she taught Princess Huan that day, but she was very close to you and Mrs. Rongguo. Moreover, when the Shoukang Palace sent rewards in the past two days, your East Side Palace also A little more than others.”
"Even Princess Huan went to attend the illness and took care of the Queen Mother for two nights. Why didn't the Queen Mother call you?"
Zhou Yuchang really couldn't understand that since the palace had specially issued an order to recruit people to the palace to serve patients, even if it was just a formality, Tang Ning and Mrs. Rong Guo should be allowed to serve the Queen Mother's decoctions. However, the Queen Mother summoned everyone. But he did not let them pass.
If the Queen Mother doesn't like them, then why bother introducing them to the palace, and how can she give them the richest reward.
But if you say you like them, why doesn't the Queen Mother see them? It is impossible that the Queen Mother feels sorry for Tang Ning and Mrs. Rong Guo and is reluctant to let them serve them so hard?
"..."
With this thought, Zhou Yuchang subconsciously became silent, feeling that she was thinking too much.
People in the palace are born with dignity and will never treat others with dignity. No matter how much they value someone, they will never worry so much.
Qian Qiyue held the fire tongs while turning over the hazelnuts and hummed: "What the hell, it's better if the Queen Mother doesn't call us. It's best to let us stay in Qiyun Palace until we leave the palace later, so as not to have to leave later." Cause some messy trouble.”
Although eating and sleeping is a bit boring, it is still better than being plotted by others.
Zhou Yuchang nodded: "Yes."
However, Tang Ning pursed her lips with the hazelnuts. She had a feeling that the Queen Mother would not continue to summon them and let her and her aunt come to the palace for nothing, and the things sent from Shoukang Palace were not for nothing.
The Queen Mother may have other thoughts, but she doesn't understand what the Queen Mother wants to do.
When Yue Jian came in from the outside, she had some wind and snow on her body. She stood in front of the door and shook off the snow from her body before carrying her things and walking to Tang Ning.
"Today, some lambs were sent to the palace from outside the palace. Shoukang Palace said they were for eating in pots. The Queen Mother ordered the people below to send them to Qiyun Palace. These are the mutton and vegetables sent from the imperial kitchen. Miss Do you want to eat it now or serve it later?"
Tang Ning glanced at the sky and said, "Put it on."
Tsukimi put things on the table, and someone came in carrying a small stove and pot.
After the others left, Yue Jian reached out and opened the food box he was carrying. Zhou Yuchang looked around and was surprised: "Why are there still these dishes in this season?"
Tang Ning glanced at the lush green leafy vegetables, raised her head and looked at Yue Jian inquiringly: "Brother sent it?"
Tsukimi nodded.
The masters in the palace are noble, and the things they use are always the best, except for the imperial kitchen. They never send rare things or things that are out of season to the masters, for fear that the master above will eat them and still want them. If you can't take it out, you will be charged.
It's freezing cold, and green leafy vegetables are far more valuable than meat. These should be sent in from outside the palace.
