The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Chapter 40: Serving the Pen and Ink

The next day was the fifteenth day, and Nian Shilan and Hu Gege and Shu Gege went to the main courtyard, Xingfuyuan, to pay their respects early in the morning.

Qiu Mei just said that the lady was not feeling well and exempted everyone from paying their respects.

Nian Shilan stood up and left.

Hu Gege also followed him out silently.

Shu Gege looked around, thought about it, and decided to stay.

Qiu Mei went in to ask Ulanara, and came out to invite Shu Gege in.

She entered Fu Jin's inner room, but saw that Fu Jin did not look haggard, but instead seemed to be in good shape.

"I pay my respects to the mistress, and wish her good luck and happiness."

Shu Gege bowed respectfully, with his head lowered.

Ulanara sat on the bed with a soft pillow behind her.

"Shu, do you have something to say?"

Shu Gege said seriously.

"That's right. Yesterday, I received two rolls of fine brocade fabric and jewelry from the mistress, and today I came to see her. One is to express my gratitude, and the other is to ask her if she needs me to do anything."

Shu Gege asked the question directly and frankly.

Ulanara lowered her head and fiddled with her nails, saying casually.

"Mrs. Shu, you are worrying too much. I just gave you the two pieces of brocade because I thought their colors suit you very well. Girls should dress up while they are young. Otherwise, why wait until you are old to dress up?"

When Shu Gege heard what Ulanara said, he breathed a sigh of relief.

So she thanked him again, and then left Xingfuyuan with a heavy heart.

When Nian Shilan was sitting in Jinglan Courtyard admiring the flowers and drinking tea, she heard the imperial decree from the palace.

Empress Defei was grateful that Prince Yong's family had no heir, so she rewarded Prince Yong Yinzhen with two concubines.

The two concubines were named Feng and Duan respectively.

In the palace, a concubine is only slightly higher than a maid, but she is also a servant and cannot be considered a master.

When Yinzhen returned to the palace in the evening, he suddenly remembered the dance he saw Shu Gege perform yesterday.

"Su Peisheng, go ask Shu Gege to come to the study to serve the pens and ink."

Su Peisheng was surprised why he suddenly thought of this person.

This princess had been promoted to a high position, but had been sitting on the bench for five or six years.

Although he was surprised, he did not stop for a moment and immediately went to Liufang Pavilion to invite Shu Gege.

Hu Gege, who lived with him, stood at the door and looked for a long time. Then he turned around and went back into the house.

When Shu Gege heard her master asking her to serve writing materials, she was also very surprised.

But she changed her mind and thought that it must be because of her dancing yesterday that the prince favored her.

Before following Su Peisheng to the front yard, Shu Gege put on the undergarments she made herself under her Manchu dress.

This set of clothes has been made for a long time, maybe it can be used today. Yinzhen was writing big characters in the study, and Su Peisheng came with Shu Gege.

Just as Shu Gege was about to salute, Yinzhen said, "No thanks. Can you grind ink?"

Shu Gege replied: "Before I entered the General Anbei's Mansion, my father was a scholar. He often taught me to read a few words, and I often served my father with writing."

She spoke slowly, her voice like a clear spring.

Yinzhen glanced at Shu Gege and said, "Then come over and grind the ink."

"I obey your command." Shu Gege said as she stepped forward, picked up the ink on the table, and added a few drops of water to the inkstone.

She stretched out her slender white hands and began to grind the ink bit by bit.

Yinzhen glanced at Shu Gege calmly and began to write.

Before going to bed, Nian Shilan heard that Shu Gege was staying in the front yard, so she lay down without saying anything.

I just couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard I tried.

Silent all night.

She suddenly thought of Yinzhen's favor towards her and her heart softened.

Suddenly I thought of the betrayal in my previous life, and my heart ached beyond words.

Finally, I was tired and fell into a deep sleep.

When Ulanara woke up early and heard that Shu Gege was going to sleep with her, she was distracted for a while.

In this palace, there has never been a woman who can always be favored by the emperor.

The eldest sister died, and there was Nian.

The novelty of the Nian family has worn off, and now there is the Shu family.

You see, never.

Shu Gege served the prince in bed the night before and got up early the next morning to wait on the prince when he went to court.

Then she returned to Liufang Pavilion, forced herself to get dressed, and walked slowly to the main courtyard with the help of her maid.

According to the rules, the man has to pay his respects to his wife the day after sleeping with her.

The new concubine who came into the mansion yesterday arrived early, and Hu Gege also arrived.

Even the concubine, who was always late for paying respects, was already serving tea.

When Shu Gege arrived at the main courtyard, she was the last one. She blushed, lowered her head, and walked to Ulanara to pay her respects.

"Greetings to Master Fujin. I am late."

Ulanara kept her usual smiling face.

"It's okay. You just served me in bed yesterday, so it's normal for you to be tired today. I wanted to exempt you from paying respects today, but I remembered that you stayed in the front yard last night, and it was inconvenient for the servants to pass on the message. I was waiting for you to return to Liufang Pavilion, but I didn't expect you to come so soon."

"Master Fu Jin is kind and gracious. I dare not break the rules. Please accept my respects again, Master Fu Jin."

Shu Gege said as he knelt down.

(End of this chapter)