Luoshuanga inwardly let out a sigh of relief. As long as the spies of the Liu Kingdom were not eliminated, he could not be at ease. "Thank you for your hard work, Youren." Youren was Bai Luoyan's courtesy name. "Right now, all the chess pieces are in their rightful places. Very soon, this grudge that has been entangled for more than a decade will be renewed starting next year!"
"In addition, Your Majesty, this humble subject discovered that the Rain An King had sent someone to contact the ninth young master at the teahouse."
Luoshuanga was startled for a moment before slowly breaking into a smile. It was warm as jade yet extremely sinister. His tone was somewhat mocking. "Good, very good. They've all come out. This saves Us from having to pull them out one by one. However, Đại Việt is truly overflowing with yin and lacking in yang."
Bai Luoyan was still respectful as she said, "Although Đại Việt's former subordinates have Liu Yue and Fo Budu, their lord is young and weak. In addition, he does not have the support of the people. He relied entirely on Zhi Tian Ming to barely win the hearts of the people. After a long time, they naturally surrendered without a fight. As for the remaining people, after marrying my beloved man, the grudge between the two kingdoms gradually faded. Your Majesty need not be too worried."
Luoshuanga put away his sinister coldness and smiled warmly. "Speaking of which, these past few months have been hard on Youren. It has also been a long time since I last saw Consort Yan. How about Us summon her so that you siblings can have a good chat?"
Bai Luoyan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you must not. The imperial study is an important place in court. The inner court of the inner palace cannot be approached. Furthermore, this humble subject only needs to know that Her Highness is well."
Luoshuanga said, "The poison in Consort Yan's body has already been reduced by sixty percent. If nothing unexpected happens, there should be no possibility of the 'Dark Moon' acting up again."
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty."
At the same time, Bai Suyan, who they were talking about, brought Winter Solstice to Cui Shi's room in the middle of the night. Because someone had died in this room, the people from the Shang Palace Bureau searched the room and burned it with moxa before sealing the room. The people on both sides were also moved away, leaving the entire courtyard empty. Even the night watchmen took a detour to avoid them.
Ignoring the seal on the door, Bai Suyan pushed the door open and entered the house. The house had been thoroughly searched. Not a single piece of furniture was left behind. Other than the mugwort leaves left in the corner, the house was empty.
Winter Solstice had also been praying that there would be some clues left behind, but seeing that there was nothing left, she couldn't help but sigh and say, "Your Highness, this is good too. It's better to be burned to ashes than to be taken away by someone with ulterior motives."
No matter how optimistic Bai Suyan was, she couldn't help but sigh at this time. She gritted her teeth and said, "This consort is just afraid that it hasn't been burned. This consort doesn't believe that the Shang Palace Bureau searched the entire house!"
Bai Suyan walked along the floor tiles one by one. She didn't believe that Cui Shi would keep something so important in a closet or a box. Winter Solstice also followed and knocked on the wall.
However, the master and servant worked hard for the entire night. The sky was just beginning to brighten, but they still found nothing. Bai Suyan didn't give up and even knelt on the ground to knock on the tiles one by one. In the end, she didn't care that the floor was dirty. She sat down cross-legged and rested her chin on her hand. She said dejectedly, "There really isn't anything. This consort really wants to tear down this house and see if the siblings have hidden it underground!"
Winter Solstice took out a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat on her mistress's forehead. She said with heartache, "Your Highness, don't be anxious. At least we know that Yushi Lin didn't find anything and returned empty-handed. Now that she's dead, and with the previous search, the remaining people won't dare to make any big moves in the short term. For the time being, we can't find anything, and they can't either.
Your Highness has worked hard for the entire night. It's time for you to return to the palace. You still have to go to the Sleeping Moon Palace to pay your respects. If you go back now, you can still sleep for a while. "
After a long time, Bai Suyan forced herself to swallow the swear words that were already in her throat. She said helplessly, "That's all we can do. Let's return to the palace."
Winter Solstice helped Bai Suyan up. She bent over to pat away the dust on her dress and picked up the extinguished palace lantern. They had only taken a few steps when a young eunuch who was looking around, whether it was because his eyesight was bad or because he couldn't see clearly in the morning light, he actually screamed, "Ghost — — Ghost — — There's a ghost — —" and ran away.
Master and servant looked at each other and didn't say anything for a long time. They only quickened their steps. It wouldn't be good if someone saw them roaming at night. However, if this happened, there would probably be another rumor of ghosts in the palace.
Returning to the Firefly Palace, Bai Suyan looked at the time and didn't plan on sleeping anymore, "Winter Solstice, help ben gong boil some hot water. Then you can go rest. You must be tired after a night."
Winter Solstice bowed and said, "I'm not tired. Besides, you didn't sleep last night either. I'm afraid you'll have a lot of work to do later and won't have time to rest."
Bai Suyan smiled and said, "It's fine. I've stayed up late many times in the past. You, on the other hand, have a lot of errands to run later. You should go and sleep while you have some time now."
Winter Solstice couldn't dissuade her mistress. She went to the small kitchen to get some hot water and ordered the kitchen maids to make breakfast. She returned to the inner chamber and helped Bai Suyan with her makeup. She stayed up until she saw her off before going back to take a nap.
It was probably because yesterday's storm was too violent that the harem became much more well-behaved. It was rare for them to come quietly and return quietly. No one stood out to say a word of jealousy.
Only An Guiren didn't look well. She had always relied on Bai Zhu, but now she was told that he had bad intentions. She found it hard to accept. Last night, Concubine Jing and Yan Guiren took turns to comfort her. Yan Guiren was afraid that An Guiren would be harmed by others due to her heavy health, so she moved into Chungui Hall to stay with An Guiren.
In just a few days, a few people had fallen ill and some had been confined. The harem, which had seemed to be full of concubines, suddenly seemed to be very few in number. There weren't that many people in the harem.
Empress Dowager Wang hadn't worked for a long time yesterday and didn't seem to be in good spirits today. She didn't want them to stay. She left Lady Wen Yu and Bai Suyan behind to tell them what to do and dismissed the others.
Yaohua furen and Concubine Mu led the way and left. The two, who had been as close as sisters on the surface, didn't know when they started to have animosity. They were like strangers. When they arrived in front of the Luan sedan, Yaohua furen got on the sedan and left without looking back.
Qian guipin had endured until now and couldn't hold it in anymore. She laughed softly and said, "What a play of 'The Farmer and the Snake.'"
Concubine Mu raised her chin and said coldly, "Qian guipin is joking. There are more and more guipin in the palace. As the saying goes, the rarer something is, the more precious it is. Qian guipin should read 'Women's Principles' and 'Women's Precepts' and control your temper. Perhaps His Majesty will take pity on you once in a while."
Qian guipin pinched her palm and curtsied, saying, "Jiejie is right. Meimei has learned."
Chen Guiren was much more cheerful after being accompanied by her sister. She hid in the back and whispered into Shu guipin's ear, "Do you think Qian guipin ate the wrong medicine? Isn't she usually proud of her status and disdainful of calling us sisters?"
"Shh — —" Shu guipin pulled on her sleeve, "Don't speak nonsense."
Concubine Zhao's gaze was like she was watching a play. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Qian guipin finally couldn't hold it in anymore. She was still thinking about the great spectacle yesterday. There wouldn't be any play to watch in a short time. She was feeling regretful!
Fengzhi Palace had never interfered. Concubine Jing took the lead to greet Concubine Mu before leaving with her entourage. Behind her were the twins and Noble Concubine Lan. After a while, Noble Concubine Ying left with Noble Concubine Jin.
The two from Shuangbo Palace wanted to join in the fun, but Concubine Mu looked at them. They knew they weren't going to watch the play and left helplessly. Chun guipin couldn't resist turning her head to hear what they were talking about.
The remaining people of Xuexiu Palace weren't united. Concubine Mu didn't want to be seen as a joke by others. She didn't want to lose face in front of Empress Dowager Wang. She huffed and said, "Xu meimei, today is a good day. There isn't much going on in the palace. Come with ben gong to the Imperial Gardens." Palace Attendant Xu made a sound of agreement.
Qian guipin told herself to be patient. After getting on the sedan, she ordered the eunuchs to follow.
Inside Sleeping Moon Hall, Lady Wen Yu and Bai Suyan took turns handing in the reports they had finished yesterday for Empress Dowager Wang to look over.
Empress Dowager Wang only skimmed through it roughly before putting it down, "You have worked hard. There are still repercussions from the Forest of Sweet Flowers incident. You still have to be alert."
"Yes."
"Empress Dowager, regarding the funeral of Sweet Flowers Forest, chenqie has an opinion that Empress Dowager and Lady Wen Yu would like to hear," Bai Suyan also had a flash of inspiration on the way to pay her respects, "chenqie thinks that according to the rules of the palace, Sweet Flowers Forest should be handled on a grander scale.
One is to let the people of the world see the promise of the court of 'high and poor families, talented people are the most important.' Two is to take the opportunity to tell the people behind the scenes that Sweet Flowers Forest has abandoned the dark for the light. His Majesty feels her loyalty and has given her an extreme honor after death. Chenqie thinks that they are not afraid of them moving, but afraid that they won't move. Three is to tell those people, as long as they are willing to turn over a new leaf, the court will not only not punish them, but will also reward them to appease them. "
Lady Wen Yu didn't express her opinion. Empress Dowager Wang nodded and said, "Very good, but Empress Dowager Wang will first discuss this matter in detail with His Majesty before making a decision." This matter involved the previous dynasty, but if Empress Dowager Wang came forward, it was most likely to be settled.
After discussing a few more matters that were neither big nor small, Lady Wen Yu and Bai Suyan were about to bow and leave when Empress Dowager Wang stopped them, "You have been in the Cold Palace for a while. Have you seen Madam Ochre?"
Empress Dowager Wang didn't like Madam Ochre, so it was very unusual for her to take the initiative to bring it up today. The two of them couldn't make up their minds for a while. After a long time, Bai Suyan slowly squeezed out two words from between her teeth, "I have."
Empress Dowager Wang said, "Consort Yan, help this empress pass a message to Madam Ochre: the late Emperor favored her and gave her the ability to protect herself. Aijia has nothing to say, but this harem is still Aijia's territory. She shouldn't have any thoughts that she shouldn't have and delude herself into it. This time, we've only pulled out a few nails. Next time, we'll directly tear down her nest. "Bai Suyan accepted the order. After kowtowing, she and Lady Wen Yu left together.
"Also, Fourth Prince Wen, your mother came in with a token. Aijia was dealing with official business before, so I didn't receive her and let her wait in the side hall. It's good that you two go back together and spend more time together."
Lady Wen Yu's face was full of resentment, "Chenqie thanks the Empress Dowager for her grace."
Bai Suyan and Lady Wen Yu separated at the entrance of the hall.
Heye saw that her mistress was unhappy, so she didn't dare to go up and ask for trouble. Lady Wen Yu coldly said, "Why are you so far away from Bengong? Let's go and bring Bengong's mother back to Willow Hall." Heye responded in a low voice and trembled as she supported Lady Wen Yu's arm.
Of course, the one who came to the palace was not Lady Wen Yu's birth mother. Her birth mother was just a concubine. Not long after giving birth to the two sisters, she was sent away. No one knew where she was sent to.
Wen Lushi was waiting in the side hall anxiously. She couldn't sit still. She got up and walked around several times. She looked around several times, but still didn't see anyone come to report. She drank cup after cup of tea and even went to the toilet twice.
Before she was worried to death, Lady Wen Yu finally arrived. "I heard that you were looking for Bengong?"
When Wen Lushi saw her, she was so anxious that she forgot the rules and directly came forward to hold her hand, "Aiyo, my ancestor, look at what you've done? Did you know that two days ago … "
"Mother, be careful with your words. This is still the Sleeping Moon Palace of Empress Dowager Xuan Yue. Don't nag her. She's a person in the palace. If you have any small talk, you'd better go back to Willow Palace and talk slowly."
"This …" Wen Lushi had a stomach full of words, but Lady Wen Yu simply turned and walked away. She had no choice but to follow.
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