The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Empress Dowager De only breathed a sigh of relief after being carried back to Yonghe Palace.

Zhuxi and Zhile supported Empress Dowager De, and a personal maid named Wenju took out a soft pillow made of ermine skin and placed it behind Empress Dowager De's waist.

Zhile has now become a capable maidservant beside Empress Dowager De. In the past, she only served in the small kitchen of Empress Dowager De's palace.

Empress Dowager De's hands stopped shaking, and Zhile hurriedly brought over the bird's nest that had been stewed long ago.

I used the back of my hand to test the temperature of the stew pot, which had been kept warm all the time. It was just the right temperature to eat.

Zhile held the bird's nest in both hands, knelt on both knees in front of Empress Dowager De, and said respectfully.

"Empress Dowager, it's time to use the bird's nest~"

After getting a nod from Empress Dowager De, Zhu Xi took the bird's nest from Zizhile's hand and said with a smile.

“The bird’s nest is cooked just right, and the temperature is just right.

Your Majesty, please have some bird's nest first, I will help you wash up."

Empress Dowager De then leaned forward slightly, holding Zhuxi's hand, and Zhuxi fed her bird's nest one spoonful at a time.

When the small bowl of bird's nest was finished, Zhuxi put the stewing pot back into the hands of Zhile, who had been kneeling on the ground, and Zhile stood up and walked out.

Empress Dowager De looked at Zhile's retreating figure and felt deeply moved.

"In my place, you are the only ones I can rely on now.

Although Zhile is young, he is very devoted to me.

You see, you have to kneel down to serve me every time, I really can’t bear it.”

Zhuxi smiled and walked around behind Empress Dowager De, and naturally massaged her shoulders with both hands, soothing her spirit which had not yet been completely relaxed.

“The Queen Mother has a kind heart, and Zhile is a man blessed to serve her.

This girl used to work in a small kitchen and was very inconspicuous.

If the Emperor hadn't replaced so many people around the Empress Dowager,
How could this little girl possibly catch the empress dowager's eye?

I think this girl likes it very much too."

Zhuxi was talking and laughing, but Empress Dowager De's face suddenly darkened and she snorted coldly.

"Hmph, don't mention the emperor, that unfilial son, in front of me!
How many times has he disobeyed me for that vixen Nian!
I originally thought that today was a good day.

I wanted to take advantage of his happiness and ask him to release Fourteen.

But look, the emperor gave me such a great honor in front of everyone!

If he hadn't replaced so many people around me,

How could it be that now I am surrounded by only you few people?
There isn't even one person available?!"

Zhu Xi's men did not stop, with a look of helplessness on their faces.

"Queen, calm down. After all, the Emperor is your own son.

It won't sound good if it gets out that you accuse the emperor of being unfilial.

Please forgive me for being frank, but you shouldn't have chosen today to talk about this.

Firstly, it had only been over a year since the incident, and the emperor was still angry.

Second, everyone is here in the palace today, which would be an embarrassment to the emperor.

The emperor is angry for a reason.

You should calm down and wait for some time until the weather warms up.
I will ask someone to secretly deliver the things you prepared for the Fourteenth Master.

I think the things you sent me before winter are enough to keep Fourteenth Master warm during the winter.

Furthermore, the Emperor did not mistreat the Fourteenth Master, he only put him under house arrest.
All the food, clothing and daily expenses are still good, so you should not blame the emperor. "

Unfortunately, Zhuxi's words did not help to appease Queen Dowager De, but instead made her even angrier.

"Even you don't stand on my side? Forget it,

Go and call Zhile to me, and you go and have some rest."

Zhuxi sighed inwardly, Empress Dowager De was now unwilling to listen to any advice.

Zhuxi still remembers that when she first met Empress Dowager De, she was only seventeen years old, bright and humble.

"Yes, I will withdraw first."

Zhuxi went out to find Zhile, who was instructing the palace servants on night duty to be careful with candles in the corridor.

A young eunuch said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Sister Zhile, I will not let the candles go out on New Year's Eve.
I will never let Huozhu cause any trouble! Sister Zhile, just rest assured!"

Zhile smiled gently and said to the young eunuch, "Xiao Anzi, you are talkative and love to laugh, which is also a rare pleasure.

Today is a happy day, so you should keep watch carefully. I will give you a big red envelope tomorrow!"

Xiao Anzi was instantly very happy and kept praising Zhile.

There were a few people on night duty nearby who also clamored for Zhile to give them a red envelope.

"Sister Zhile! I want one too!"

"Hehe, Sister Zhile, please treat everyone equally! I want the same thing too!"

Zhile smiled and agreed one by one.

Zhuxi saw this scene when she came out. She stood at the door and waved to Zhile.

"Zhi Le, come and help the Queen Mother to sleep."

Zhile hurriedly left those people behind and walked towards Zhuxi with a smile.

"Aunt, isn't it you who always goes to bed when the Queen Mother goes to bed?

Today, I have the honor to serve the Queen Mother!"

Zhuxi smiled helplessly and said to Zhile.

"Come in quickly. The Queen Mother is in a bad mood today, so you just need to serve her carefully."

Zhile bowed and saluted, saying with a smile.

"Thank you very much for your reminder, Auntie!"

Zhuxi didn't stay any longer and turned around to do his own thing.

Tonight is New Year's Eve. Although the Empress Dowager has sent her away, she is the head maid of the Yonghe Palace. How can she really go and rest?

Zhile went to cheer up Empress Dowager De, and after a while, Zhuxi heard Empress Dowager De's laughter coming from the main hall.

When Nian Shilan returned to Yikun Palace, the Fourth Prince had already fallen asleep. Xiao Linzi said that the Fourth Prince had been waiting for Nian Shilan to return to the palace.

After all, he was just a child, and he fell asleep while waiting.

The wet nurse took the Fourth Prince to a side hall and placed him there.

Songzhi helped Nian Shilan sit down and said.

"Your Majesty is tired today, how about I help you take off this headdress?

Have you changed into your wedding attire? You will be more comfortable if you change into casual clothes."

Nian Shilan sat upright, just smiled, and did not let Songzhi change her clothes.

"Wait a minute, I can't sleep yet."

Songzhi was puzzled.

"It's already past midnight. Something so big happened tonight.

There is no need to stay up all night, why don't you settle down earlier, Madam?"

Nian Shilan was counting in her mind.

"one,"

"two,"

"three,"

When Nian Shilan counted to nine in her heart, Xiao Linzi hurried in from outside.

"Master, Eunuch Su is here, saying that the Emperor wants to see you in the Yangxin Palace."

Nian Shilan looked at Songzhi and smiled.

"Do you understand now?"

Songzhi suddenly realized what was going on, and her admiration for her master deepened.

Your Majesty’s calculations are so accurate!

When Nian Shilan was carried to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity in a sedan chair, heavy snow began to fall from the sky again.

Songzhi and Xiaolinzi protected Nian Shilan on both sides as she got out of the sedan chair. Nian Shilan stood still and looked up at the sky.

The Forbidden City is ablaze with candles tonight, and the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation has also been decorated with many bright lamps and lanterns.

The snow is falling now, reflecting the candlelight, creating a unique atmosphere. (End of this chapter)