Yu Shu was not in a hurry to investigate the situation, but the women in the palace could not sit still.
They all knew that there were two new daren in the Kun Ling Bureau. All the palaces and halls had ideas and sent the paternal family outside the palace to move around. But it was almost the end of the month and there was no news. It made people anxious.
So early that morning, after the imperial concubines and nobles went to the Empress to pay their respects, one group went east and one group went west to ask for help.
Imperial Consort Xue's Zhong Cui Palace had the most women. Even though this group of women lived deep in the palace, they were not blind and deaf. They found out that the two new officials of the Kun Ling Bureau were more or less related to Imperial Consort Xue, so they all came here to gather.
"In the months that Lu Furen left her post, I heard that Junior Supervisor Ren was in charge of the Kun Ling Bureau. There are only thirty days a month. It is right that the Empress took up five days. But there are some who are not as high as the concubines who have good days every month. For example, Sun Guiren of Kang Ning Palace served His Majesty for two days last month. Niangniang, you only served three days."
Concubine Zhao, who had just been promoted at the beginning of the year, had an unconvinced expression. She twisted to sit on the embroidered stool, her watery eyes looking anxiously at Imperial Consort Xue as though she was defending her. Everyone knew that Junior Supervisor Ren was the son-in-law of the Count of Zhongyong Fu and had married the niece of the Empress.
Another concubine, Liang Guiren, who had just gotten a little princess last year, timidly interjected: "This servant hasn't seen the Emperor's face for three months. It's not that this servant has an extravagant hope. The Eighteenth Princess is still young, and His Majesty hasn't seen her many times."
Imperial Consort Xue covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief between her two fingers that were like white bamboo shoots. She yawned and listened to their complaints. When no one spoke, she slowly moved her lips, "His Majesty has conferred the title of Miaoling Emissary at the Land and Water Conference. She is the new female Imperial of Kun Ling Bureau. Bengong will send someone to deliver the token later. If you want to meet this extraordinary person, you can come tomorrow morning. "
The women all had joyful expressions and answered.
"All right, if there's anything to say, say it tomorrow. Ben gong has a headache, go back and rest."
Now that the group of people had achieved their goal, they tactfully got up and left.
Standing by the side of the soft couch, the Chief Palace Maid Song Lan signaled to the two palace maids with her eyes. She ordered them to stand outside the hall, rolled down the curtain, and bent down to massage Noble Consort Xue's legs. Discontentedly, she said: "Master, why do you care about them? They are all fence-sitters. When Madam Lu was still the Celestial Commissioner, you should have known better. All of them went to Yongle Palace all day to curry favor with Honored Consort Shu. After Young Master Ren finished supervising, they all went around the Empress. Now, they came to you to pick a fight. "
Noble Consort Xue smiled and said, "That's right. It's because of this that the palace is so lively. Our Zhongcui Palace has been deserted for quite a while. It's time to have more people. "
Song Lan pouted, "You have such a good temper. You should let them meet with some rebuffs and beg a few more times. How can you let them get what they want so easily?"
Granny Tao walked in with a jade porcelain tray and heard the maid's voice. He glared at her and scolded in a low voice, "You little girl, you're talking nonsense in front of Master again."
This Granny Tao was Noble Consort Xue's wet nurse since she was a child. She had served for nearly forty years and was in her fifties. She didn't have any children and placed all her heart on Noble Consort Xue. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she was Noble Consort Xue's most trusted person.
Song Lan didn't dare to make a sound. She obediently lowered her head and washed the dishes for her master.
Noble Consort Xue looked at what Granny Tao was carrying and asked casually, "What is it?"
Granny Tao said with a smile, "His Majesty ate milk cheese made from milk cows for breakfast. He remembered that Your Highness likes to eat it and specially ordered the Imperial Kitchen to send it over. "
Noble Consort Xue raised her eyebrows, "Which palace did His Majesty rest in last night?"
Eating breakfast before the morning court session and still thinking of her and casually sending food over, he probably wasn't at the consorts' place last night.
Song Lan continued in a low voice, "Last night, it was Sun Guiren's turn in Kang Ning Palace. His Majesty didn't ask her to be carried and went to Xi Xia Palace by herself."
Noble Consort Xue's peach blossom eyes narrowed into slits.
Xi Xia Palace was originally Consort De's residence. The previous Consort De had a weak physique and passed away three years ago due to a serious illness. The main palace was empty, and after this Sun Guiren gained favor, she occupied a side palace. There really was no tiger in the mountains.
Noble Consort Xue had some impression of this new Sun Guiren. She had been selected last year and was the daughter of the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue. She was two times younger than her and had a delicate appearance that was very attractive.
Based on Noble Consort Xue's understanding of Emperor Zhao Qing over the years, she knew that this was the style that Sun Guiren would like the moment she saw him. Even she could see it, let alone the Empress.
When Song Lan saw that Granny Tao didn't glare at her, she twisted her lips and continued, "This Mistress Sun has a backer and has the opportunity to see the Emperor personally for a few months in a row. Didn't Concubine Zhao also say that it's only one day less than Mistress? Hmph, that person really knows how to be a good person, but he can't get it … "
"That's enough." Noble Consort Xue interrupted and kicked her arm with her left leg. Song Lan's expression changed and she realized that she had said the wrong thing. She hurriedly bowed and took a step back, kneeling on the ground.
"Master, please forgive me. This servant has crossed the line."
Noble Consort Xue ignored her and sat up to fix her hair. She frowned and thought for a moment before raising her head to say to Granny Tao, "Send a sign to the Kunling Bureau and ask for the female imperial officials to enter the palace tomorrow morning."
Although the concubines in the palace couldn't easily leave the palace, the main consorts could send a sign outside the palace at any time and summon the female family members in.
Furthermore, the palace couldn't interfere in politics. Seeing foreign officials was absolutely forbidden, but the female officials were an exception.
At this time, a senior palace maid walked in and bent over to Noble Consort Xue's ear and whispered a few words. Noble Consort Xue's lips curled and she smiled coldly, saying, "It's a piece of meat. There will always be people watching. As for who gets to eat it, it depends on who is closer."
***
When Yu Shu received the summons from the inner palace, she was sitting in a pavilion in the corner of the Kunling Bureau and eating lunch. The Celestial Commissioner was rich and overbearing. He had a special kitchen and hired a group of cooks. The officials who didn't go home at noon could all stay at the official's residence for lunch.
For someone of Yu Shu's rank, her treatment was even better. She only needed to greet them in the morning, and at noon, she would be served four dishes and a soup. The food was placed in a food box and sent over by a special servant.
Thanks to Yu Shu, Wen Shao 'an could also eat a hot meal at noon.
"What, Noble Consort Xue wants me to enter the palace?" Yu Shu put down her chopsticks and looked at the little eunuch who was running errands behind Xie Lan. She felt that he was a bit familiar. After thinking about it, she remembered. Wasn't this the little eunuch who delivered food to her during the ancestral worship ceremony in Huazhen Garden?
"Yes, Official Yu, please take the sign and enter the palace tomorrow morning. Her Highness is waiting for you." The little eunuch smiled shyly and handed over a greenish-black piece of wood with two hands. It was painted red.
Wen Shao 'an got up to take it and gave it to Yu Shu.
Yu Shu weighed the thing in her hands and asked, "Did Her Highness say what she wanted?"
"I don't know. Please keep it well and don't lose it." The little eunuch knew that it was her first time, so he carefully reminded her.
Yu Shu nodded and thought, 'Noble Consort Xue probably wants me to go in to arrange for me to serve her in bed next month.
"Alright, I got it."
Wen Shao 'an saw that Yu Shu didn't move the sign and didn't understand' etiquette 'at all. He resigned to his fate and took out a small piece of silver from his sleeve and stuffed it into the little eunuch's hand. Seeing that the other party took it with a smile, he was relieved.
Yu Shu saw his actions and smiled. After Xie Lan led the people away, she said to him, "You've learned to be tactful now. I still remember when I first met you, you lived in Peiren Hall and received a few taels of silver from someone. You would rather be beaten up than pay back a single copper."
"People have to suffer enough before they learn to be smart." Wen Shao 'an picked up the bowl. The stubbornness in his delicate eyes had disappeared, leaving only persistence.
Yu Shu didn't make fun of him anymore. She played with the palace token in her hand for a while. Although she had only met Noble Consort Xue once before, she had a good impression of Xue Rui, her aunt. Not to mention that she took care of her in Huazhen Garden, just based on her favoritism at the Gentlemen's Hibiscus Banquet not long ago, she had to repay her.
It was her first time being an official, so she didn't have much experience. However, she knew that there were no fish in clear water. Sitting in this position, she had to find some benefits for herself. It was better to find convenience for her own people.
She had just put away the token in her hand when she looked up and saw Xie Lan returning. There was still a eunuch behind him, but it wasn't the familiar person from before.
"This servant greets Official Yu. Our Consort Xian has sent a token to invite you to the West Palace tomorrow."
Consort Xian? Consort Lu Xian? Liu Yi's mother?
Yu Shu almost laughed. Wen Shao 'an took the token and handed it to her.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Yu Shu saw Xie Lan again and the eunuch behind him. This time, it was Consort Shu.
Yu Shu held three palace tokens in her hands. They were the same color, but the characters were different. If she had another one, she could make a couplet and send it out.
Wen Shao 'an finished eating and put down his bowl to look at her. He frowned and asked, "What does Official Yu plan to do?"
The three consorts all wanted to see her tomorrow. They must all have the same idea. However, if she followed one's heart, she would have to disobey the other's. If she didn't do well, she would be at a disadvantage.
"I'll go see them one by one and listen to the consorts' instructions." Yu Shu looked at him and asked, "What do you think I should do?"
Wen Shao 'an had a thoughtful look on his face. He thought that Yu Shu was testing him. He thought about it carefully and looked around to make sure there was no one around. Then he lowered his voice and said, "I know that Official Yu will side with Imperial Consort Xian, but you can't offend the other two because of this."
Yu Shu snorted and scooped up the three tablets. She stood up straight and looked down at him, saying, "Idiot, who's afraid of offending who?"
After she finished speaking, she folded her sleeves and walked away.
Wen Shao 'an was startled and turned his head to look for her. He saw her leisurely strolling to the corridor. She passed by a pot of Persian chrysanthemum and even bent down to pick one. She didn't look worried at all.
It wasn't until she disappeared that he suddenly came back to his senses and understood what she meant by her last sentence.
Yes, no matter what status the people in the palace had, they should be the ones afraid of offending her. What did she have to be afraid of?
PS: Fruit's browser crashed. It was just fixed, so it was late by an hour.
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