eurekapd Chapter 105 Barrier
Chapter 105 Barrier
"Since both sisters have given gifts, I can't be left out either. I recently got some good material. I'll take it back and make some clothes for your daughter..."
Bai Ruiji frowned. She had also climbed up from the bottom and knew that life was not easy for the people below, so she had never cheated people around her of anything.
Although Empress Xiaoxian was her enemy, she had to admit that Ruyi was no match for Empress Xiaoxian. If Empress Xiaoxian were still alive, she would have saved money from herself and would never have acted so petty.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you all for your kindness! It is my blessing to receive your compassion..." Upon hearing this, Grandma Tian burst into tears of gratitude and kowtowed to express her gratitude.
Yan Wan quickly interrupted her: "Alright, alright, thanks for the favor. Come on and get the things. It's important to give them to your daughter first. Go ahead!"
She glanced at Yihuan's face and waved her hand to send Grandma Tian back.
When Grandma Tian was far away and everyone around her was familiar, Yi Huan spoke with a worried look on her face: "I used to think that the Queen was kind and compassionate, but..."
It seems that her compassion has never been for the people below her, or it is not the people below her turn at all.
Yan Wan shook her head, not wanting to hear anything about Ruyi. "Sister Shu Fei, the Empress is in a high position, so naturally she can't personally understand the suffering of the people below. She is of noble status, so how can she understand the suffering of the world? Let her let this matter go. After all, Grandma Tian's daughter has been given money for treatment, so don't bring disaster upon yourself."
"Hmph, it's not that I can't understand it firsthand. I think she's just seeking fame and reputation. If Empress Xiaoxian were still around, this kind of thing wouldn't happen. Although she was frugal, she always set an example and never withheld rewards from her servants. You and I both climbed up from the bottom. Even if it's only a few dozen taels of silver, it's enough to buy a life. This Grandma Tian's daughter is a living example..."
"She is said to be well-read, but she doesn't understand the principle of not eating meat. She dresses up in splendid clothes every day, and any random thing she has is enough to be appreciated. She does her good deeds, but takes things from the people below. I really don't know what good deeds she is doing, but she only adds to her sins..."
Bai Ruiji never spoiled her. She was always straightforward and said whatever she wanted to say.
These words touched Yan Wan's heart completely. She couldn't help but cast an admiring glance at Rui Ji. She wanted to laugh but couldn't. She could only hold it in and wait for her to finish before scolding her: "Alright, stop talking. If this gets to the emperor's ears, it will be enough to make you, Sister Meifei, drink a pot."
Yihuan sighed slightly upon hearing this, and in her heart she agreed with Ruiji's words.
Her words were rough but her point was true. Although the Empress had a sincere heart towards the Emperor, her ability to manage the harem was indeed not as good as that of Empress Xiaoxian.
As a concubine, she couldn't comment too much on the Queen's behavior and could only keep it in her heart.
But not long after, Ruyi summoned her to talk.
"I just gave birth to the fifth princess and didn't have time to see you. Have you been feeling better these days?" Ruyi asked in a low voice, wearing a headband and leaning weakly on the bed.
This still looks somewhat concerned.
Yihuan originally thought that the chicken soup incident might just be an accident. Just as she was about to speak, she looked up and saw the large gem inlaid on her headband, which was shining brightly. She thought of Grandma Tian whom she met in the garden that day. Her sad look was still vivid in her mind.
She suddenly felt a little choked up, and replied calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Queen, but you don't need to send me soup anymore. It's hot out, and the imperial physician said that if I drink too much of these tonics, I'll get irritated. I'm weak, so I need to rest well."
This sentence left Ruyi speechless. She opened her mouth but could only utter one sentence.
"It's the subordinates who weren't thoughtful enough. I was busy giving birth to the fifth princess, so I told them to do all these things. Maybe they didn't do their best. I'll give them a good lecture later."
Seeing her putting the blame on the servants, Yi Huan sighed deeply, "Your Majesty the Queen has always been kind, but you shouldn't just think of me. You should also consider the suffering of the servants. They work hard and wholeheartedly, so we should treat them well. I haven't been in a good mood recently, so I'd better take my leave."
Servants always acted according to their masters' wishes. Yihuan didn't believe they would act on their own without Ruyi's instructions. Even if this was an unintentional mistake on her part, it was a barrier that was difficult to overcome in her heart, and Yihuan didn't want to argue with her any further.
"Go."
Ruyi nodded. She didn't understand what Yihuan meant. Although she was confused by what she said, she still let her go.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Shu has become more and more aloof and arrogant. Is it because the Tenth Prince died young?" Rong Pei had been waiting outside and only came in and spoke after Yihuan left.
Ruyi shook her head and said, "I don't know since when, Yihuan stopped calling me sister and started calling me Empress Dowager instead. Well, maybe it's because the Tenth Prince died young, and she's in a trance and she's become estranged. I didn't tell her about the pregnancy-maintaining medicine, and I don't know if she'll blame me..."
Ruyi was in a state of confusion. She had been very busy recently. Even though she found that Yihuan had become estranged from her, she really had no time to repair this relationship.
"No, Concubine Shu is the most sensible person and won't bother with you about these things." Seeing that the queen looked unhappy, Rong Pei comforted her softly.
"I hope so..."
A few days later, the youngest daughter of the Mongolian Balin tribe was sent to the capital. As soon as she entered the palace, the emperor conferred the title of noble lady on her.
Unlike in the past, the emperor nowadays is most averse to concubines in the harem relying on their mother's family. In addition, due to the busy political affairs, Balin was not summoned by the emperor as soon as she entered the palace.
Ruyi was still in confinement, and Yanwan was still assisting in managing the six palaces, so the emperor entrusted her with the affairs concerning Balin's entry into the palace.
Balin's personality is not as easy to get close to as Yihuan's. She is a member of the Queen's party and always likes to stick close to the Queen. No matter how much she tries to please him, she will never get close to him.
Yan Wan also disliked her. Since she couldn't win her over, she might as well give her a warning.
First, teach her what rules and etiquette are, so that she and the noble lady Ke, who is also a Mongolian, will not take advantage of the forty-nine Mongolian tribes behind them to act arrogantly in front of me.
She remembered the hatred of being cursed in the streets in her previous life, her eyes rolled, and she went to the Queen Mother in person to beg for mercy.
"Why do you come to see me today? Is everything okay for Balin after she came to Beijing?" The Queen Mother lowered her head to take a sip of tea and then looked up at Yan Wan.
Yan Wan made no secret of her intentions and stated her visit directly, "The Emperor has asked me to assist in managing the six palaces. Balin has only just arrived in Beijing and is probably not very familiar with palace rules. I'm wondering if I should send a nanny to teach her palace etiquette to avoid offending the Emperor."
"You can arrange this matter yourself. It won't be that simple if you bring it to me."
The Queen Mother saw that she was hiding her little thoughts and glanced at her with interest.