PFC Chapter 332 Little 7: I will definitely wear this treasure every day.
Chapter 332 Little 7: I will definitely wear this treasure every day.
The Marquis's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the palace gate. Jingming and Minrong were already waiting at the vermilion palace gate. Upon seeing the Marquis's carriage, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.
Everyone held their breath, straightened their clothes, and led by the eunuch, the group slowly walked along the bluestone imperial road until they reached the Zhuohui Hall, where they split into two groups.
Jingming bowed to Madam Yun and said, "Lord Marquis, please come with me to pay our respects to the Emperor. Aunt Minrong, along with Madam and all the young ladies and gentlemen, will first go to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay our respects. Around 7 a.m., we will then proceed to Consort Chun's Chengguanzhai."
Madam Yun suppressed her doubts and nodded slightly, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency."
Min Rong stepped forward with a smile and curtsied, saying, "Has Eunuch Jing forgotten? This servant also accompanied Consort Chun to the Marquis of Lin'an's residence. I will make proper arrangements, so please rest assured."
Jingming patted his forehead and laughed, "Look at my memory. It's because His Majesty values our Consort Chun that I specifically instructed him before I came to take good care of Madam Yun. I reckon His Majesty might even summon her."
Madam Yun replied respectfully, "I will follow your arrangements."
He then said to Min Rong, "We'll have to trouble you today, Aunt, but Xiao Qi and Quan Ge'er are still too young, so perhaps they could stay here..."
"Madam is overthinking it. The Empress Dowager dotes on the younger generation and has specially sent someone to convey her message that she wants to meet our Seventh Miss. Yichun Palace is very harmonious, so Madam need not worry."
Madam Yun could easily understand Min Rong's reminder, but since it was Empress Dowager Zhou who sent the message, it was indeed reassuring.
Tang Xian turned to Madam Yun and said, "Our little Qi is clever and polite, and will surely be liked by the Empress Dowager."
After they parted ways, Min Rong led the way, deliberately slowing his pace and pointing out the scenery along the way.
"Madam, let's go to Empress Dowager Zhou's palace first. Empress Dowager Jiang lives in Huaqing Palace, which is not far from Yichun Palace. Consort Chun's residence, Chengguanzhai, is also not far from the Emperor's bedroom."
As they reached the corner, Madam Yun finally asked, "The manor has received a letter from Her Highness. Didn't Her Highness originally live in Xiefang Garden?"
Min Rong paused slightly and explained, "Consort Chun moved to Cheng Guan Zhai before the end of the month. It was a place personally chosen by the Emperor. Cheng Guan Zhai overlooks the lake and is extremely cool, much more livable than Xie Fang Yuan. You will know once you go and see it, Madam."
Madam Yun tightened her grip on Wei Mama's arm, a hint of worry in her heart. Had Wan'er been wronged? Otherwise, why would she need to change residences when she was only staying at the temporary palace? Even her letters home hadn't mentioned this.
Ahead lies Yichun Palace. Min Rong said softly, "Madam, please rest assured. Consort Chun has always maintained a very respectable position in the palace, and she is also favored by the Empress Dowager. A few days ago, the Consort even received a snail-shell eyebrow pencil bestowed by the Emperor, something even the Empress's palace doesn't have."
Madam Yun released Wei Mama's arm, and Wei Mama understood and took two steps forward. When she got close to Min Rong, she said with a smile, "Auntie is a person who is well-liked by the Emperor. With your words, our Madam can finally rest easy."
As she spoke, she subtly slipped a bulging purse into Min Rong's hand, the way she handed it over was exactly the same as when Consort Meng first entered the palace.
Min Rong did not refuse, and said with a smile, "Let's go in quickly. After we pay our respects to the Empress Dowager, we can go to the Empress's place as soon as possible. Consort Chun has been looking forward to it since yesterday."
Yichun Palace.
Empress Dowager Zhou indeed took a liking to Xiao Qi. She summoned her to her side and asked her a few questions about everyday matters. Xiao Qi's answers were quite amusing. Every now and then, she would utter a few childlike words, filling the room with joy.
"This child does resemble her great-aunt quite a bit; not only is she beautiful, but she also has the same quick wit."
When Madam Yun heard Empress Dowager Zhou mention her deceased aunt, her expression changed slightly, but she did not take the opportunity to get close to Empress Dowager Zhou.
When her daughter first entered the palace, she made many plans, relying on the old relationship between the Empress Dowager and her aunt. Now that Wan'er has been in the palace for over a year and the Empress Dowager has moved to a temporary palace to live in peace, this relationship should be cherished rather than wasted.
However, the Marquis's family also made many sacrifices for Empress Dowager Zhou, which, from another perspective, can be considered an equivalent exchange based on mutual affection.
Rongxiu led a group of palace servants in to serve tea. Seeing that the Empress Dowager and the Seventh Miss were close, she brought forward a plate of lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, saying, "Seventh Miss, would you like to try this? It's a lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake that was just made in Consort Chun's palace this morning."
Xiao Qi's eyes lit up, revealing two little tiger teeth. "Auntie, is this Sister Donggua's cooking? Then Xiao Qi must taste it carefully and see if Sister Donggua's cooking skills have deteriorated."
Amidst laughter, Empress Dowager Zhou gave Rongxiu a wink. Rongxiu understood, turned behind the screen, and brought out a rosewood box with gold trim.
Empress Dowager Zhou personally took out a seven-jeweled necklace and put it on Xiao Qi.
This necklace is made entirely of gold, silver, glass, giant clam shell, agate, pearl, and other materials, and its design is intricate. Because Empress Dowager Zhou was a Buddhist, this necklace was even more precious, as it symbolizes "immeasurable light."
Xiao Qi, not bothering to wipe the crumbs from her lips, knelt down with a "thump" and expressed her gratitude in a clear voice, "Xiao Qi thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for the gift! I will wear this treasure every day, and I won't even take it off when I sleep."
Empress Dowager Zhou was amused by her and personally wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief, saying softly, "You little girl are very lucky. How about you come to the palace more often to keep me company during festivals?"
Xiaoqi looked up at her mother, and only after receiving her approval did she reply, "Xiaoqi will remember, I like the Empress Dowager. Grandmother doesn't come back to the capital often because of the old house in Lin'an, so from now on I will treat the Empress Dowager as my grandmother. Next time I come, I will bring the Empress Dowager a headband that I embroidered myself!"
Rongxiu listened from the side, secretly marveling. Such a bright and intelligent child was truly rare and delightful. She couldn't even count how many times the Empress Dowager had smiled today. If only she could come more often.
Madam Yun glanced at her youngest daughter, who was eating snacks in the Empress Dowager's arms. This child was more suited to managing this imperial favor than she, as her mother.
The Fifth Miss frowned and spoke up to stop her, "Seventh Sister, you mustn't be rude."
Empress Dowager Zhou waved her hand and bestowed gifts upon the other juniors, saying, "You should go to Huaqing Palace to pay your respects first. Xiao Qi and Quan Ge'er will stay here with me. Rongxiu will personally deliver them to Chengguanzhai later."
Madam Yun had no reason not to agree, so she and her daughter-in-law rose, bowed, and took their leave.
Just as she was about to leave the palace, a nanny dressed in brown hurriedly entered and whispered a few words in Empress Dowager Zhou's ear. Empress Dowager Zhou's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this.
"Fifth daughter, stay and keep me company for a chat," Empress Dowager Zhou suddenly said.
Madam Yun's heart skipped a beat, and her hands unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her sleeves. Could it be that something had happened to Empress Dowager Jiang?
There was no opportunity to ask questions on this occasion, so she could only thank the Empress Dowager for her concern and then continue with Min Rong toward Huaqing Palace.
......
(There is a backstory: Empress Dowager Zhou had no children, and due to various concerns in the past, she did not take good care of her maternal clan. The younger generation of the Zhou family had been won over by the Seventh Prince, but after the current emperor ascended the throne, he purged them. Although he only gave the Zhou family a minor punishment, it left the Empress Dowager with a lingering worry.)
Madam Yun once took the opportunity to connect with Empress Dowager Zhou, secretly promising that the Marquis's Mansion would provide some protection to the Zhou family in the future.