Traveling through the harem: the favorite concubine

Chapter 11

Noon passed, Ruyi saw that the time was almost up, she didn't dare to delay, she left Shaoyao in the house, and took Qiangwei to the Crown Princess.

When Ruyi arrived, Chen Yuanxiang was getting up and cleaning up, and he didn't let her wait in the living room, and let her directly into the inner room.

The princess's bedroom was naturally very rich and gorgeously decorated. Except for a slight glance when Ruyi first entered the room, Ruyi lowered her head politely and entered the room to salute Chen Yuanxiang.

Chen Yuanxiang cried out, and politely asked Lan Zhen who was beside her to arrange a seat for her. Ruyi repeatedly refused, seeing Chen Yuanxiang dressing up, and quickly said: "If your lady doesn't dislike the slave's craftsmanship, then give the slave a face, and let the slave replace her." Ma'am comb your hair."

"This is so troublesome to you, you are not in good health, what if you are tired!"

Chen Yuanxiang declined, but was very satisfied with Ruyi's humble gesture in front of her.

"It's the honor of a maidservant to comb your mother's hair, so I won't be tired." Ruyi still bowed her head and said respectfully.

"Then I'll try your skills." Chen Yuanxiang signaled Liu Gongren to pass the comb to Ruyi, and then closed her eyes and waited for Ruyi to comb her hair.

Ruyi politely took the comb from Liu Gongren, combed Chen Yuanxiang's long hair gently, and flattered: "Your Majesty's hair is really nice, dense and black."

Chen Yuanxiang didn't respond, but the corners of her mouth slightly raised showed that she was enjoying Ruyi's flattery.

Ruyi's craftsmanship is naturally inferior to that of a palace maid who specializes in combing her master's hair, but she also learned a little when serving the palace staff before. At least, it is not a problem to comb a complete hair bun.

She recalled a little bit, and found that the only few times she saw Chen Yuanxiang, she was wearing a fairy bun. She just wanted to show her attitude, and she didn't want to come here to comb Chen Yuanxiang's hair in the future, so she didn't intend to be unconventional and stand out. After combing her hair neatly, she looked at the dazzling array of hairpins on the side, and picked out a few gold hairpins of similar color and decorated them around the bun.

"The servants are showing their ugliness!"

Ruyi put down the comb and said softly.

Chen Yuanxiang took a picture in the mirror, then turned around and patted Ruyi's hand affectionately, and said with a smile: "It's not showing shame, I think it's better than the nanny's craftsmanship!"

The Liu Gong people behind him also said with a smile: "That's right, Madam Chen's craftsmanship is much better than that of slaves!"

"Your Majesty and Aunt Liu, don't try to comfort the servants, the servants are afraid that the Madam will blame the servants for their incompetence and love to show off!" Ruyiyu responded with a smile.

"You, being a human being is too disciplined and careful. I'm not so strict here."

"That's the kindness of the empress, but the slaves still have to abide by their duties."

Ruyi replied without thinking. Obviously, her performance made Chen Yuanxiang smile again. She casually picked up a hairpin from the table and put it on Ruyi's hair.

"Sister Chen, your dress is too plain, look how beautiful it is with this hairpin!" After finishing speaking, Wei Wei gave way, freeing up a mirror for Ru Yi to look at.

Ruyi did not dare to take a closer look, and touched the hairpin with a happy expression on her face: "My lady's things are naturally excellent. This servant thanked my lady for her great kindness!"

Having said that, Ruyi paused for a moment, with an emotional expression on her face: "After entering the East Palace, the slave girl is not up to the mark. It is the empress who is generous. Not only did she not blame the slave girl, but she also invited the imperial doctor to treat the slave girl. I gave the servants some medicinal herbs to make up their bodies. The empress’s kindness and virtue will never be forgotten by the slaves.”

After all, she was about to kneel down and kowtow.

Chen Yuanxiang quickly supported her with a smile, patted her on the shoulder, and smiled kindly: "Look at what you said, you have entered the East Palace and served the prince, we are sisters, why are there so many sisters?" polite."

"The empress is kind, but the servants dare not make mistakes. The servants are from humble backgrounds. In the days to come, I only hope to serve the crown prince and the empress well."

Listening to Chen Yuanxiang's words, Ruyi's face was still serious.

"There's really nothing I can do about you!" Chen Yuanxiang had a helpless look on his face, as if he couldn't do anything about Ruyi's rigidity.

When returning from the princess, Ruyi and Qiangwei passed the small garden of the East Palace.

Although the small garden of the Eastern Palace is not as beautiful as the imperial garden, it is also very delicately maintained. In spring, all kinds of flowers are in full bloom, and all kinds of plants and trees in the garden are in full bloom.

Ruyi has been recuperating in the house for the past month, seeing such a beautiful scenery, she couldn't help taking a few extra glances, Qiangwei, who was standing by the side, immediately persuaded her: "Madam, why don't we play in the garden. "

Ruyi was a little moved when she heard the words, but just after taking a few steps, she saw a few looming figures by the pool not far away from a distance, but she gave up her mind.

"No, I have to pay my respects to Li Baolin when I go back later, so don't delay!"

Qiangwei felt a little regretful when she heard the words, but seeing that Ruyi had already turned around and embarked on another road, she could only shut her mouth and follow closely.

When she returned to Xiangzhiyuan to pay her respects to Li Baolin, Ruyi got the news that Li Baolin was out to meet guests. She was also happy and quiet, and simply asked the maid in Li Baolin's room to convey her thanks, and then went back to the house.

At the door of the house, Shao Yao was sitting by the door carrying a small machine and doing embroidery with a small basket in her hand. When she saw Ruyi coming back, she hurriedly put away her things and got up to greet her.

"It's okay, you continue to do it."

Ruyi said so, but Shaoyao didn't dare to do it anymore, and just followed into the house with a small basket on her face.

After Ruyi drank the tea made by Qiangwei, she picked up the embroidery work in the peony basket and took a closer look. It was a handkerchief embroidered sample of Dielianhua.

"Embroidery is so bright!" Ruyi couldn't help admiring, at a glance, she knew that she had put a lot of effort into it. If Ruyi came to ancient times, she felt that the place that was most inferior to these people, embroidery was one of them. She has tried to learn and worked hard over the years, but she still can't embroider a complete set of things. Fortunately, her daily sewing is enough.

"My maidservant is an embroiderer, she learned something before entering the palace." Shao Yao heard that Ruyi was not mocking her, so she boldly confessed.

"Then why weren't you assigned to the embroidery workshop?"

"The servant girl was too young at that time, and didn't understand the world."

When she first asked this question, Ruyi realized that she had made a slip of the tongue. Places like embroidery workshops and imperial dining rooms are the favorite places for court ladies. They are not only decent, but also luscious. It's not just for skilled people.

More court ladies just entered the palace, and it is easier to be assigned to some tired, dirty and oily places.It was just that Ruyi was assigned to serve the palace people, which was not a good job, and she got this opportunity because she intentionally flattered the aunt who disciplined them.

"Assigning you to me, it's cheaper for me, and I will have to send you to do embroidery work in the future." Ruyi said with a smile.

Shao Yao happily nodded her head and agreed: "Your maidservant can't ask for it, madam just ask."

Such as the opinion that Shaoyao is so interested, I feel that it is a rare thing to be a little happy. I don't want to spoil the atmosphere, so I personally open the cabinet, pick out the most inconspicuous lake green cloth and hand it to her: "I will trouble you I will make a dress, and you will share the rest of the fabric with Qiangwei."

Lake green is not low-key, but it is the most low-key color in Ruyi's current cabinet.As palace ladies, Qiangwei and Shaoyao rarely have access to fabrics with such good colors and materials. Although there is not much material left after a set of dresses, it is enough for the two of them to share and make some underwear , so they are all happy to thank Ruyi for her generosity.

Shao Yao calculated carefully and asked for instructions with a smile: "Madam, there are also some small fabrics that can be made into purses for Madam to reward people."

"It will probably be hard for you." Although the purse is small, it takes a lot of energy to make it. Ruyi thought about it and said to Qiangwei: "During this time, Qiangwei, you should do more things. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with me on weekdays." Things, I'm not afraid of tiring the two of you."

After Qiangwei heard the words, she also quickly expressed her opinion: "Sister Shaoyao is the one who has worked hard. Madam has always been considerate of us, but this servant has been lazy."

"You have something to do, but I have nothing to do all day long."

The atmosphere was harmonious, and Ruyi's mood was a little relaxed, and it was rare for him to make a joke of himself.

She just complained on one side, but on the other side, Shaoyao seemed to have thought of something suddenly, and suddenly said: "Madam didn't mention it, but this servant has forgotten. In the afternoon, this servant went to bring some pens, ink, paper and inkstone, and also some books. .”

After all, he took out a tightly packed package from another locker.

Ruyi opened it and saw that it was complete with everything, the Four Treasures of the Study, rice paper and stone weighing, things are not good things, but they are more than enough for beginners, and there are four other books.She picked it up and looked at it, but she was a little dizzy, good guy!One female ring, one internal training, and the remaining two are Buddhist scriptures.

When the prince walked into the palace of the princess, Chen Yuanxiang just watched the palace staff set up the dishes, and when she saw the prince walking in, she stepped forward to finish the salute, and said with a smile, "Did your highness just come back from the garden? There are flowers and plants on you." fragrance."

The prince nodded, sat down, and was served by the palace servants to clean his hands, and then began to eat.

Chen Yuanxiang bit her lips unwillingly, but still smiled, and sat down at the head of the crown prince, ordered the palace servants to present a specially prepared soup, then filled a bowl with her own hands, and handed it to the crown prince: " During these days, the dining room has always brought some nourishing soup, which is very greasy. Today, the concubine specially ordered the dining room to make this jade belt and bamboo fungus soup. Your Highness, please try it. If it is good, I will return it next time. Let them do it."

The prince's eyes fell on Chen Yuanxiang's meticulously cared for hands, and then on the small bowl she held in both hands. In the bowl were green shredded cucumbers and white and tender bamboo fungus. The soup was clear and light. pleasing outside.

He reached out to take it, stirred it gently with a spoon, and then put it to his mouth to take a sip.

"good."

He put the spoon into the bowl, put them together at hand, and praised lightly.

Chen Yuanxiang was overjoyed when she heard the words, and felt that her intentions were not in vain. She was a little coquettish, and said with a smile: "Your Highness, if you think it's good, use more!"

At this moment, she didn't care about eating by herself, and she devoted herself to serving the prince's meal.

Although the prince respected her as a princess and would often come here for dinner, Chen Yuanxiang always felt that the prince seemed to lose his appetite every time he came, and he put down his chopsticks as soon as the dishes were served.

She once thought that the dishes she had chosen were not to the Prince's liking, so she asked the dining room to serve several different dishes, and secretly observed them.It's just that the prince doesn't show any liking every time, and doesn't eat every dish, but he doesn't take more than three mouthfuls of the dishes he eats.Even if she diligently persuaded her every time, the effect was not great.

Chen Yuanxiang originally thought that the dishes she carefully prepared this time would win the crown prince's favor, so she took two more mouthfuls. After all, the crown prince also praised the soup she prepared. Who knows, after only a few mouthfuls, the prince put down his chopsticks and let the palace officials Step forward to wait for him to clean his hands and rinse his mouth.

The table was full of dishes, and only the crown prince had eaten a few mouthfuls. Chen Yuanxiang didn't take a bite, and felt that he had no appetite at this time. She waved her hand, and she asked the palace servants to remove the dishes. Looking at the crown prince, she couldn't help being dazed and lost in thought. Thinking: You don’t like food, women’s sex, what exactly do you like!Or did you deliberately show dislike in front of me... Are you disliked by my cousin who has become a princess?
Thinking of this, Chen Yuanxiang couldn't help but feel sad. Back then, she married into the East Palace with all her heart and joy, thinking that she married her cousin whom she adored with all her heart, married the most noble person in the world in the future, but she was full of joy in her heart. The prince cooled down when he lifted the red hijab.

The prince in wedding clothes looked at her indifferently, not as if he was looking at his wife, but more like looking at an object he didn't like.Although later she knew that the prince had such a cold temper, even to the emperor and queen, she still couldn't help being wronged.

Everyone envied her for marrying the prince, but how would anyone know her suffering.Chen Yuanxiang's expression was mournful, and he didn't come back to his senses until Liu Gongren behind him gently pushed her.

But he saw that the prince was holding a cup of tea in his hand, and he didn't look at her at all.

Chen Yuanxiang's bitterness that had been concealed with great difficulty resurfaced again, and after taking a deep breath, she reluctantly asked softly, "Your Highness, which sister's room are you going to tonight?"

She conducted the routine questioning again, which is the most tacit understanding between the couple: she would not ask questions on the first and fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year and other important days, since the prince always rested in her room anyway.But other than these days, the prince is either resting in the study, or in other women's rooms, basically, he will not be in her room.

And today happened not to be the first and fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, nor was it a major day.

"It's Ye Liangdi's place! I promised her when I went to the garden in the afternoon."

The prince put down the teacup and replied.

"Is Your Highness going to the garden with Sister Ye in the afternoon?"

Chen Yuanxiang only felt that her whole body was soaked in acid water. She had been married for almost ten years, and she hadn't really had a good time with the prince, let alone such a romantic thing as a garden tour.He was actually taken the lead by that bitch Ye.

She thought that just last time, when she came back from Jiaofang Palace with the four maids, she happened to meet the prince in the garden. It is also good to stand in the garden for a while and talk for a while.Who knew, the prince left without showing any mercy and went to the study to deal with business.

"I met you in the garden." The prince was still reticent, he simply said a word and didn't say anything more.

"Sister Ye has always been upbeat." Chen Yuanxiang forced himself to put on a natural smile, and said as if he had just thought of something, "Your Highness was talking about the afternoon, but my concubine almost forgot about it! Chen My sister is in good health, so I came to greet my concubine in the afternoon. Originally, His Royal Highness said to go to Sister Ye, and this concubine should not have said that, but Sister Chen has not seen His Highness for a long time after all. , let’s stop by and see Sister Chen first.”

Going out from the Crown Princess, Ye Liangdi's Xiangheng Courtyard is not far away, but Xiangzhi Courtyard is much farther away, obviously it's not on the way at all.

The crown prince didn't speak, but listened to Chen Yuanxiang alone saying: "Sister Chen really deserves to be gifted by the queen mother, both in appearance and manners, she is very good, making people feel pity and love."

After finishing speaking, she turned her head to look at Liu Gongren beside her, and said with a smile, "Nurse also said that Sister Chen's Wanfa skills are better than hers, it's really ingenious."

Although the people of Liu Gong felt that it was unnecessary and inappropriate for Chen Yuanxiang to push out the Chen family in order to keep the crown prince from pampering Ye Liangdi, but they would not dismantle their master's position, so they hurriedly said: "The old slave looks at Mrs. Chen is indeed a lucky one."

This Chen Yuanxiang and Liu Gong people sang together, the other prince just listened without saying a word, until Chen Yuanxiang was a bit embarrassed, the prince said: "Since Mrs. Chen has recovered from illness, I will go and have a look. "

Then, he added, "It's getting late, it's inevitable to go back and forth, tonight I will rest at Chen's place, you can send someone to talk to Ye Liangdi, I won't be able to pass tonight."

After Chen Yuanxiang heard the last sentence, the smile on his face became more real, and his heart felt relieved, as if he was afraid that the crown prince would regret it, so he hurriedly agreed: "Don't worry, Your Highness, the concubine will definitely handle the things that His Highness instructed."

The prince stood up, glanced at Chen Yuanxiang who had sworn to promise him, and left without saying anything else.

When the figure of the crown prince disappeared outside the door, the Liu Gong people helped the crown princess who knelt down and saluted, and couldn't help persuading: "Your Majesty, why bother, what if the crown prince gets angry?"

"Anyway, I just can't let the prince rest in Ye's that bitch's house." Chen Yuanxiang bit his lip, hating in his heart.

"But, empress..." Liu Gongren felt a little helpless about Chen Yuanxiang's special targeting of Ye Liangdi.

"Nurse, stop talking. Do you think I'm targeting her because I don't like that bitch? Don't forget, her status is no worse than mine. If she is allowed to give birth to the prince's heir before me , my princess is really a decoration!"

Ye Liangdi's real name is Ye Shurong, she is the daughter of Marquis Dingguo and the granddaughter of Princess Changle. With this status, let alone a prince concubine, even a prince concubine can do it.Ye Shurong and Chen Yuanxiang were often compared when they were in their boudoirs. They were similar in age, equally noble, and most importantly, they were both related to the royal family.

Later, Chen Yuanxiang became the princess because of the advantage of her aunt being the queen.She used to think complacently that this Ye Shurong would marry other princes in the future, so she had to salute to her sister-in-law and princess.

Who knew that Ye Shurong begged her family to enter the East Palace. Even though she was Liangdi and her status was a little lower than hers, Ye Shurong didn't show the slightest respect to her, the Crown Princess, and frequently used means to compete for favor.What made Chen Yuanxiang even more alarmed was that she, the concubine of the crown prince, had never had anything to do, while Ye Shurong seemed to be quite favored by the crown prince.

What's so good about Ye Shurong, isn't it that she has a better face!Chen Yuanxiang was unwilling to let herself believe that the prince would be such a superficial person who valued appearance.

Thinking of this, she raised her voice to greet Lan Zhen and said: "Go to Xiangheng Courtyard and tell Ye Liangdi that the crown prince is going to visit sister Chen tonight, and he has no time to go to her place."

(End of this chapter)