The Virtuous Concubine of the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 4 Grapes (1)

"Yo, my younger sister was afraid that she would have no one to accompany her, so she came here to accompany her to have a meal. She didn't expect her palace to be so lively." Bai Kui helped Ma Guiren slowly into the palace.Ma Guiren's figure is graceful, even now that she is pregnant, she is not less graceful.There was a charming smile on the corner of her mouth, and the light in her eyes revealed a deep scheming.

Concubine Zhao has just passed her filial piety period, her clothes are still pale in color, she is only wearing a lake green silk silk fishweed wisteria pattern shirt, and there are only a few blue and white velvet flowers on her head, which is far less flamboyant than Ma Guiren.Concubine Zhao was a little surprised to see Ma Guiren, but she still said with concern: "My sister is pregnant, why come to Qixiang Palace so far away? Come and sit down."

Zhao Changzai is dressed in an ivory white satin embroidered landscape pipa lapel jacket and jacket of the same color, with a white hibiscus on his head, fresh and beautiful.She held the third princess in her arms and got up, stepped aside, bowed her knees and bowed to Ma Guiren: "My concubine, I wish Ma Guiren well."

Zhao Chang turned sideways to give Ma Guiren his seat on the couch.Ma Guiren smiled a little deeper, followed Zhao Changzai's movements and sat down on the arhat couch inlaid with mahogany and jade, and said politely: "Thank you, sister."

The eunuch at the side moved a round oaken stool for Zhao Changzai, and Zhao Changzai sat down again while holding the hand of his maid Bai Ling.Ma Guiren turned his head and smiled at Concubine Zhao, and said coquettishly: "The concubine heard that the concubine's filial piety has just passed, and thinking that her mother has been running out of water in the past few months, she asked the small kitchen in the palace to prepare some delicacies for her. The empress has an appetizer, since Zhao Chang and the third princess are here, let's stay and eat together."

Zhaochang was holding the baby in swaddling clothes, and said softly: "I would like to thank you for your kindness on Yueyan's behalf."

Yuan Sheng, the chief eunuch in Ma Guiren's palace, clapped his hands, and soon, the eunuchs waiting outside the palace entered the palace with food boxes.As the dishes in the food box were placed on the round table one by one, Mr. Yuan Sheng began to bow and introduce: "Imperial concubine, this is the abalone cup, this is the crystal quail, and this is the lotus seed of bird's nest." Grilled duck and beef tenderloin with fried white mushrooms..."

After Yuan Sheng reported all the dishes, Imperial Concubine Zhao smiled reservedly: "As expected, they are all high-quality delicacies, Mrs. Ma has a heart."

"The food taste in Qixiang Palace has always been lacklustre. There is really nothing that can entertain the two younger sisters. Fortunately, I got some fresh grapes today. I wanted to keep them for wine making. Now that the two younger sisters are here, let's enjoy them together." With that said, Concubine Zhao greeted the maid next to her: "Bai Chun, go and bring up the grapes from the inner hall."

Zhao Chang was puzzled, looked in the direction Bai Chun was leaving, and asked casually, "How come there are grapes in the palace in this cold winter?"

Speaking of this, Concubine Zhao couldn't help laughing, her brows and eyes were full of kindness, "It's the emperor who rewarded you. A while ago, sister You caught a cold, and the emperor remembered that she loves to eat grapes, so he ordered them to be brought from the Western Regions quickly. Sister You thought about it, and specially saved some for me, and she brought it here as soon as the door of Qixiang Palace opened this morning."

Hearing this, the smile on Ma Guiren's face froze slightly, and his expression became uncomfortable.She thought that the emperor's ordering people to pay tribute to oranges from Quzhou was a manifestation of her exclusive favor, but now it seems that this honor is not the only one.Yougui's real name is Ulanara Youqiang, who lives in Yanxi Palace. She is the biological mother of elder brother Aixinjueluo Yinyi, and she is the only person who can be compared with Maguiren in this harem in terms of holy favor.

What's more, although Ma Guiren gave birth many times, he only kept one princess. If it is said that a mother is more expensive than a child, Yougui is really higher than her.

Guiren Ma withdrew his smile in embarrassment, and said with a straight face: "Sister You should be closer to the imperial concubine after all, the concubine and her are in the East Sixth Palace and have never heard of it. I must personally go to Yanxi Palace to ask sister You for it."

Concubine Zhao naturally heard the jealousy in Ma Gui's mouth, smiled and shook her head, a little helpless: "You."

In the respect room, the selection of court ladies is also very strict. From whether the limbs are flexible, whether the back is straight, to whether the height and body shape are uniform, and whether the facial features are correct, they are all elements of selection. If they do not meet the standards, they will be rejected.

After screening the body shape of the show girls, the show girls selected in the first round will go through a series of inspections such as wiping, cleaning, flower arrangement, embroidery, etc., and finally they will be divided into two levels according to performance and family background. The better show girls will be assigned to the East and West Sixth Palaces to serve the concubines in each palace, while the rest will be retained in the House of Internal Affairs.

After a whole day of selection and training, the show girls are very tired. Fortunately, Jiao Rong, Yi Zhu, Shuang Yu and Qiu Jie are the most outstanding show girls, and they are all selected into the top show girls.

"Okay, after today's screening, you beautiful girls have officially become maidservants in the Forbidden City, and you will be sent to the Sixth Palace in a short while. Just now, Nanny Zhou has taught you the etiquette in this palace According to the rules, from now on, no matter where you are on duty in the palace or which master you are serving, you must strictly abide by the law, otherwise you will lose your head!" Director Wang stood in front of a group of new maidservants, his voice and expression remained the same It's very contrived.

"Slaves would like to follow the teachings of the prince." The new maids bowed their heads and said in unison.

"It's getting late, all of you go to line up outside the palace, I will order someone to register your names, and then send them to each palace. As for how you will be in the palace in the future, it depends on your own good luck." The general manager said this very contemptuously, as if he felt that these beautiful girls did not have any blessings to advance step by step.

"Yes." The maidservants neatly curtseyed to Mr. Wang, and obediently walked out of the respect room in line.

Jiao Rong and his party were at the back of the line. After everyone had left, Qiu Jie in the last row slowed down a bit, changed her walking direction, and walked slowly in front of Manager Wang.Qiu Jie looked around, and seeing that all the beautiful women had left, she took out a cloth bag from her bosom and handed it to Director Wang: "Be careful, I hope the prince will accept it with a smile."

Manager Wang took a look at Qiu Jie, took the cloth bag and weighed it, it was indeed heavy and full of heart.Regarding this, Director Wang snorted meaningfully: "You are a smart maid, go out and wait."

"Thank you, Eunuch Wang." Qiu Jie nodded respectfully, then turned and left the respect room.

After Qiu Jie left, Manager Wang looked at her back, put away the cloth bag, and told the little eunuch beside him: "Just send that maidservant to Qixiang Palace."

"Yes." The little eunuch replied.

While waiting outside the respect room, the maidservants began to move their numb limbs.Yizhu sighed next to Jiaorong, and said in a low voice, "I don't know where I will be assigned later, if I can be assigned with my sister, that would be the best."

(End of this chapter)