After Consort Yuanshu had been demoted to noble lady, she continued to live in Cun Shan Palace. It was just that she had moved from the former main hall to the present side hall. But because Emperor Tianwu was indifferent to the inner palace, no new members of the imperial harem were brought in. In this large Cun Shan Palace, it was still her that had the final say. Although she could not be considered to have much confidence, she was still much better than Noble Lady Li.
When Zhu Kongshan arrived, Noble Lady Yuan was having palace maid Yue Xiu apply some nail polish. Seeing Zhu Kongshan leisurely walk over and kneel in front of her, Noble Lady Yuan nodded: "Sure enough, you're a girl that is worth looking at. When I entered the palace, your mother had yet to get married. You know that once you enter the palace, you can no longer leave. That's why even though you are my niece, I have never met you. A few days ago, I heard Mo 'er say that his cousin in the distant Peng Zhou is a sensible child. She has a Bodhisattva's heart and has helped the Zhu family gain quite a bit of a good reputation in Peng Zhou. I was thinking that for such a good niece to be raised in Peng Zhou really is a pity, thus I had Mo 'er send a letter to bring you over. As your aunt, I also wanted to get closer to you. " After saying this, she gestured for the servants to help Zhu Kongshan up. Seeing that Zhu Kongshan's etiquette was appropriate, she did not deliberately get close, nor was she nervous or distant. This made her like her even more. "There are no outsiders in this palace. Sit!"
Zhu Kongshan bowed, "Many thanks, aunty." She then sat on the side of the chair and was very polite. Noble Lady Yuan nodded once more, feeling very satisfied.
Palace maid Yue Xiu brought some tea over and brought it to Zhu Kongshan, very politely saying: "Young miss, please have some tea."
Zhu Kongshan quickly gave her thanks but did not stand up. She did not lose her status, and she had won over the hearts of the people. Even Yue Xiu began to view this Zhu family's young miss in a different light.
Of course, just being beautiful and being polite was not enough. What Noble Lady Yuan wanted was her intelligence; however, she did not know how good this niece was in this aspect. She thought for a bit then directly asked: "Kongshan, do you know why aunty called you to the capital this time?"
Zhu Kongshan originally did not know about this. The Eighth Prince did not mention it in his letter. He just said that his two aunts missed her and invited her to the capital to play. In addition, when she returned home yesterday, she did not see her cousin. It was said that he was busy with official business outside and only came back in the middle of the night. In the morning, he only threw down his waist token and went to the palace for morning court, so she did not have the chance to ask. However, she was a smart girl. Once she had a guess in her heart, she thought about it in her mind. In addition to the things that happened on the streets yesterday, she thought about the reactions of the people when she mentioned that she was the eighth prince's cousin. After pondering for a while, she figured out the general meaning. She probed: "Do you want Kongshan to help cousin recover a bit of his reputation?"
Noble Lady Yuan's eyes lit up, as she rejoiced, "Good! It's no loss that you're my younger sister's child. Sure enough, everyone in our Liu family is smart! " While she spoke, she took the initiative to refer to Zhu Kongshan's mother as younger sister. For the sake of winning over this niece, she took a step closer and said: "Although your mother is my younger sister born of a concubine, when we were in the manor, our relationship as sisters was very good. It's just that I entered the palace early and was unable to take care of her for many years. In addition to this, the rules in the palace are very strict. Once she entered, she could no longer leave. Naturally, there was not much interaction with her maternal family. Speaking of, Kongshan! Is your mother doing well in the Zhu family? " She no longer brought up the Eighth Prince's matter. Instead, she began to ask about the Zhu family's situation. This could be considered a success in playing the family card.
However, even if Zhu Kongshan wanted to say a bit more, there were still two servants with ulterior motives standing behind her. After thinking a bit, she could only say: "The Zhu family knows that my concubine mother has two aunts protecting her, and they treat us mother and daughter quite well." Thinking a bit, she specifically added: "The family's head madam and two older sisters of the first wife also take good care of us." It was just that when she said this, her expression was indifferent. It could not be seen at all that it was related to family love.
Noble Lady Yuan had been in the palace for many years and had many thoughts. Upon hearing this, she immediately felt that something was off. On her side, she kept saying "your mother." When it came to Zhu Kongshan, it became concubine mother. It could be seen that this servant had some consideration to her words. But where did this consideration come from? She turned her gaze slightly and very quickly focused on the two servants behind Zhu Kongshan. Seeing that the two were quite talented, she could not help but secretly laugh to herself, thinking to herself that the Zhu family was also on guard!
Thus she no longer brought up the Zhu family's matter, but with these two servants standing there, it would not be convenient for her to bring up the Eighth Prince's matter. The palace maid at her side, Yue Xiu, also understood the situation. Thinking quickly, she quickly said: "Master, you and young miss have not seen each other for over ten years. Thinking about it, you must have some intimate things to say. It would be inappropriate for us servants to disturb you and will be withdrawing for now. If Imperial Concubine needs anything, just call out. This servant will be standing guard outside. " After saying this, she saw Noble Lady Yuan nod. Only then did she say to the two servants behind Zhu Kongshan: "The two of you can come out with me! The rules in the palace are very strict. The masters will be speaking about intimate things. As servants, it is inconvenient for us to remain. "
Put plainly, the two servants were just the servants of a lowly sixth rank official's family. How could they possibly have any experience. When walking through the courtyard, they still had the courage to look around a bit, but once they entered Cun Shan Palace, their vigor immediately withered. Especially when faced with Noble Lady Yuan, they only knew that she was the Emperor's woman. Regardless of whether she was an imperial concubine or a noble lady, she was a proper master. She was different from the ones in the Zhu manor. Also, this was the imperial palace. Taking a wrong step or overhearing a single word would result in losing their heads. They would rather not listen to anything and not report anything to the Zhu family than remain in this hall for a while longer. Hearing Yue Xiu say this, they immediately nodded and quickly left.
Only after the two had left and the door to the hall was closed did Zhu Kongshan let out a sigh of relief. She also dared to look up at Noble Lady Yuan then very emotionally called out: "Aunty!"
Noble Lady Yuan repeatedly nodded then reached out to call her over to sit. While grabbing Zhu Kongshan's hand, she said: "Good child, you must have suffered in the Zhu family. I have been thinking about you two in the palace! "
The two expressed their feelings of longing. Regardless of whether it was real or fake, at the very least, it looked to be a bit moving. Zhu Kongshan spoke about the origins of the two servants. She also spoke about the Zhu family's attitude toward them, but she was a smart girl. She did not speak up to have Noble Lady Yuan support them. Instead, she took the initiative to change the topic, speaking about the Eighth Prince. She said: "Kongshan and concubine mother's matter is a small matter. Cousin Mo's matter is the most important matter. Kongshan entered the capital yesterday and more or less saw the attitudes of the citizens. I was very worried. If my trip to the capital this time was able to resolve cousin Mo's problems, and I was able to resolve one of concubine mother's worries, that would be the happiest thing for Kongshan and concubine mother. "
Noble Lady Yuan repeatedly nodded upon hearing this, as she patted the back of her hand and promised: "Kongshan, you are one of us. As long as you wholeheartedly help your cousin, the highest position in the imperial harem will definitely not escape your grasp. Aunty can make a decision for you right now. As long as that position is handed to you, aunty can feel at ease. Nobody else can. Your cousin Mo has always listened to me, so there's no need for you to have any misgivings. "
"What sort of thing is aunty saying." Zhu Kongshan quickly said: "Kongshan is wholeheartedly trying to help cousin and does not ask for anything in return! When concubine mother was in the manor, she often talked to Kongshan about her childhood. She talked about how aunty did not mind that she was the younger sister of a concubine and took great care of her. There was even a time when concubine mother fell into the water, and it was aunty who pulled her out. Kongshan being able to help cousin is something that should be done as a younger cousin. I really do not ask for anything. "
The more she said it like this, the more Noble Lady Yuan liked it, especially when she thought of the things that had happened when she was young. She could not help but sigh: "Thinking back to when I was still in the Liu manor, I was the happiest." Although she did not dote on that younger sister of a concubine, she did indeed take great care of her. She really did not distance herself from her because she was the daughter of a concubine. Although she later entered the palace and grew up, she understood more things, and her understanding of the first wife and concubine became more profound. Only then did they gradually become estranged. Fortunately, there was the imperial palace as a cover, and the other side could not point out anything. Thinking about it now, it was fortunate that she had built up a good foundation when she was still a concubine, which allowed her to have a niece to help her son. She had heard about Zhu Kongshan's achievements in Peng Zhou. She was a Bodhisattva that everyone praised, and her Mo 'er was lacking this sort of person at his side.
"Aunty." Zhu Kongshan said: "Kongshan came from Peng Zhou, and father specially brought some nice things for Kongshan to give to aunts. Kongshan brought them into the palace today. But I keep feeling that no matter how valuable those things are, they can't compare to the ones in the palace, thus I made the decision to add a few more things. They're all vegetables that Kongshan usually picks on her own. After drying them, they're tied up together to give aunts a taste. There should be a small kitchen in the palace, right? "
"Good child, you really are considerate." Noble Lady Yuan really liked this niece more and more, "The palace does indeed have everything, but it doesn't have the things that you're talking about. In the past, I ate them when I was at my maternal home, but I never had any in the past few decades. I really missed them. It's just that your second aunt … "She waved her hand," You'll know when you deliver the things in a bit. Right now, she's been imprisoned in Jing Si Palace and can't leave the palace. I can help you meet her, but you can just take a look. There's no need to say anything. You're a smart person. There are some things that I don't need to say, and you should understand. "
Zhu Kongshan nodded, only saying: "Kongshan will leave after delivering the gifts to second aunt. I definitely will not say a single extra word." Of course, she understood. The two aunts each had a prince, but there was only one throne. She could help the Eighth Prince, but she could not help the Sixth Prince. Although they would not become enemies, they would not be able to get along. "Aside from the things for the two aunts, Kongshan also brought a large number of gifts. They're not anything particularly valuable. They're just some specialty products from Peng Zhou, and they'll be left with aunts. Aunty, you can send them to whichever palace you see fit. As the saying goes, it's the thought that counts. Kongshan feels that this sort of gift is better than gold and silver, and it also makes it seem like we're not trying to curry favor."
Noble Lady Yuan nodded: "You're right. The women in the palace have everything, but if His Majesty doesn't come, there's no point. If you give them jewelry, they'll feel uncomfortable. It would be better to just give them some food. Kongshan really is considerate. "
The two hit it off very well. Although they had never met before, they were still related by blood. In addition to this, one had her own plans, and the other was smart. The atmosphere for this meeting was very harmonious. As they chatted, the topic became more and more important. Zhu Kongshan suddenly said to Noble Lady Yuan: "Aunty, you're in the inner palace, and the head of the inner palace is the Empress. Since you can't find a breakthrough with His Majesty's side, you should pay more attention to the Empress' side. Cousin Mo's plans outside are indeed important, but you should think of a way to quickly return to the position of imperial concubine. A mother relying on her son is one aspect, but the son also needs his mother's help in order to live a better life … "
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