in2ebook Chapter 192 Respectfully Promise
Chapter 192 Respectfully Promise
Jiang Ruyin's eyes showed a hint of sadness as she held An Lingrong's hand tightly. "Lingrong, high status isn't always good. I just hope you're safe and sound."
An Lingrong stared at her in confusion.
Half a month later, An Lingrong, who rarely cared about her image, entered Yongshou Palace like a gust of wind.
"Sister! Sister!"
An Lingrong's hoarse voice came from the gate into the main hall. Yuan Beishan trotted behind her, tirelessly making the gesture of invitation.
Throwing the branch with the inscription "Zhen Huan and Yun Li's Engagement" into the charcoal basin. Suo Chun was also inserting the last hairpin into her bun when Jiang Ruyin turned around and greeted her, scolding her, "You're already grown up, yet you're still so impulsive. If Hong Ning knew about this, he'd laugh at you."
Taking An Lingrong's hand, Jiang Ruyin led her to the western room and sat on the couch together. He looked at her gently.
An Lingrong swallowed her saliva, feeling nervous for a moment, "Concubine Jing has been demoted to a concubine and banished to the cold palace."
"She harbored hatred towards the Imperial Concubine and ordered her subordinate Xiao Lezi to bribe the Imperial Chef in the Imperial Kitchen to poison and kill Concubine Ling. Isn't that what she should do?" Jiang Ruyin asked.
Opening her mouth, An Lingrong said carefully, "Jing Fei, um, would Jing promise really do such a thing?"
Jiang Ruyin's eyes were blazing. "It doesn't matter what kind of person Jing Cheng promises. The emperor's feelings are the most important."
An Lingrong bit her lip, her eyes flickering, "Last night the Emperor came to the Yanxi Palace and asked if I would like to be one of the Four Concubines."
"Then what do you think?"
"Originally, I thought there was nothing wrong with taking a further step, but now, I am hesitant. I don't know how to assist my sister and the other ladies. I'm afraid I might do something wrong and displease the emperor." An Lingrong said cautiously.
Jiang Ruyin nodded and said word by word, "I know that I am not qualified enough. Being ranked among the six concubines is a blessing from the emperor. Hongning will surely grow up safely under the emperor's great grace. I have no other requests."
An Lingrong seemed to be lost in thought, her eyes bright. "Thank you, Madam, and thank you, Sister! I heard that Sister asked Zhang Mi to retire and return home a few days ago."
"Yes, Zhang Mi is old, and he is always forgetful and forgets things. How can such a person work for the emperor?" Jiang Ruyin nodded and agreed.
An Lingrong was overjoyed, but her voice was tinged with tears. "My whole life, I have been forced to do things I didn't want to do. Even after entering the palace, I was trembling with fear, fearing that I would make a mistake and lose my life. Meeting you is truly the greatest blessing of my life. How can I feel at peace with myself..."
Jiang Ruyin put her arm around her shoulders and gently wiped the corners of her eyes. "My dear sister, you are my sister, and Hongning is Hongxuan's brother. What sister doesn't love her sister? I just hope you are healthy and happy. I will feel at ease if I can see your smile at any time."
An Lingrong finally stopped crying, then suddenly remembered something and said in panic, "Sister, that day you told me not to go to Shoukang Palace. A few days ago, I bribed a young eunuch and added twice as much tuberose to the existing spices in Shoukang Palace. I thought the strong sandalwood scent would easily overpower the other spices, and the tuberose in the mix would only make the Empress Dowager even more drowsy. Should that be okay?"
"You, I really don't know what to say to you. But the old man is gradually losing his five senses. I will take care of this matter. You must never be so reckless in the future." Jiang Ruyin's tone was filled with blame.
An Lingrong nodded hurriedly, "I understand. I originally wanted to vent my anger on my sister's behalf, but now I think if anything goes wrong and makes things difficult for her, that would be my biggest mistake."
Jiang Ruyin held her hand and smiled with relief.
Yes, that's it. Trust me more and rely on me...
A few days later, the young eunuch quietly disappeared from the palace. Jiang Ruyin's prediction was correct; the people in Shoukang Palace were so intoxicated by the sandalwood that they hadn't noticed the double amount of tuberose. At Jiang Ruyin's instruction, everything remained as it was.
At night, the emperor visited Yongshou Palace.
Jiang Ruyin sat on the couch and wrote seriously. The emperor simply lay on her legs and buried his head in her lower abdomen.
All matters related to the Imperial Household Department were handed over to her, while the Antique Room and three other places were handed over to Concubine Duan. The accounts were quite large, and Jiang Ruyin had not touched the Imperial Household Department's account books for a long time, so she had to pay extra attention to them.
Hearing the emperor sigh for the third time, Jiang Ruyin whispered, "Your Majesty?"
"The Empress Dowager can't get out of bed, and neither can Shilan. This year has been bad, and I'm unhappy. I feel like the entire Forbidden City is stuffy." The emperor said quietly.
"Your Majesty, why don't you go to the Old Summer Palace to relax? Spring is about to arrive, and the Old Summer Palace must be beautiful with all its new looks." Jiang Ruyin said.
The emperor had already intended this, and upon hearing this, he was even more pleased. "That's good. The Empress Dowager is always in a bad mood. She will be much happier when she sees the boundless blue sky and lush greenery on both sides of the river, all in pairs."
"Shilan is still in the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City cannot be without someone in charge, so let Concubine Duan stay. And Concubine Qi is so impulsive and unbecoming. Let her stay as well and learn from Concubine Duan." The emperor said, slamming the table.
Jiang Ruyin thought about it carefully and realized that she had never heard that Concubine Qi had offended the emperor in any way. She immediately understood that the person who caused the strychnine poison had been found.
Concubine Duan originally wanted to poison Nian Shilan quietly, but she never expected that Noble Lady Qi would interfere and cause Nian Shilan to take effect prematurely, thus saving her life. I wonder how Concubine Duan will punish Noble Lady Qi.
Thinking of this, Jiang Ruyin softly said, "There's one more thing. Sister Qifei found me yesterday. The Third Lady's due date is between spring and summer. Sister Qifei thought that if the Emperor intends to go to the Old Summer Palace this year, she would stay and look after the Third Lady."
The emperor agreed to this matter, "After Hongshi got married, Concubine Qi has become much more stable. If the baby in Dong E's belly is the eldest grandson, I will name it."
Jiang Ruyin smiled and said, "If Concubine Qi knew that the Emperor was thinking of her, she would be so happy. I will prepare some good things and send them to the Third Lady. It will also bring good luck to them and let me share in the blessings."
Hongshi's concubine, Zhong, was pregnant with a baby a month older than his wife, Dong E. The emperor had previously given the daughter of minister Zhong Da to Hongshi to save his reputation. Unfortunately, Zhong Da was stubborn and refused to yield to the emperor, insisting on retiring to his hometown. Now, Zhong Da's daughter had become a burden to Zhong.
"Lady Hui's due date is in the spring. What does the emperor mean?" Jiang Ruyin asked again.
"Well, it depends on what she wants." The emperor thought for a moment.
"I understand."
The emperor asked the Imperial Observatory to check the date, which was February 28th.
It was a rare sunny day with no clouds in the sky. The grand royal motorcade headed towards the Old Summer Palace.