eurekapd Chapter 381 Huanbi
Chapter 381 Huanbi
Back at Yongshou Palace, the three of them were waiting. When they saw her come back, three pairs of eyes lit up instantly and they looked at her intently.
"Sister Zhen, I've been walking for a long time this time, and my legs are so sore!" An Lingrong said as she pretended to be weak and walked to the couch, sat down, and pointed at her legs.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang exchanged a glance, then consciously reached out their hands and asked the maids beside them to help them remove the armor. Then, they each sat down beside her, each responsible for one leg, and began to massage gently.
An Lingrong half-reclined comfortably on the soft couch, a smug smile on her face. "Ah, look at this treatment! Two imperial concubines are personally massaging my shoulders and legs. This is simply the treatment worthy of an emperor, no, an emperor emeritus!"
Shen Meizhuang pretended to be angry and scolded: "You girl, it's already this late and you're still talking nonsense. Stop keeping us in suspense and tell us how things are going!"
"Sister, do you still not trust me?" An Lingrong winked playfully, a sly smile on her face. Then, she clenched her right fist, gently pinching her thumb and index finger together, "Hold it!"
"Puchi!" Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang laughed out loud at the same time.
"The Emperor has already agreed to fulfill Yu Rao's wish, and the decree will be issued in the next few days!" An Lingrong sat up straight. "Now we have to think carefully about buying Yu Rao some dowry. But let me be frank: I don't have anything particularly valuable to give her!"
Yu Rao's eyes were slightly red, and she said with emotion: "Sister Rong, thank you!"
"No need to thank me. You were the one who persuaded the Emperor. I just tried to appease him. In the future, I only hope that you can live a happy and peaceful life."
Yu Rao nodded: "I will, I won't let you down for preparing so much for me!"
"Now that you're about to leave the palace, please draw me another picture of this scene." An Lingrong pointed at the two people who were massaging her, then took out her pocket watch. "Draw it this big. I want it to fit inside the cover of the pocket watch."
Yu Rao was shocked: "How is this possible?"
An Lingrong was being naughty: "I don't care, I want it this big!"
“I really can’t draw!”
"Sister Zhen, she won't draw for me!"
"Yu Rao, go paint!"
"This is too small, I'm not good at drawing!"
"That's your problem, not mine."
"..."
Yu Rao watched for a while, memorized the scene, and went to the studio angrily.
After saying this, An Lingrong turned her gaze to Huanbi who was standing beside her and glanced at Zhen Huan.
Zhen Huan understood, "Huanbi, come here!"
Huanbi came up to her and said, "My Lady, what are your instructions?"
"What do you think about what I told you a few days ago?"
"Empress, slave..."
Zhen Huan interrupted her: "There are no outsiders here, just call me elder sister!"
Huanbi lowered her head even lower, her eyes fixed on her toes, and her hands subconsciously twisted the handkerchief in her hands. After a long while, she stammered, "Eldest sister, I, I am willing to marry Prince Guo..."
As soon as she said this, An Lingrong sighed inwardly. She opened her mouth and was about to speak, but Shen Meizhuang beside her held her arm. Shen Meizhuang shook her head slightly, and used her eyes to signal An Lingrong not to say any more.
Several people's eyes fell on Huanbi.
Zhen Huan looked at her with a complicated expression, her eyes showing the worry of being the eldest sister and the uneasiness about her younger sister's future. But she also understood that although she was the noble concubine of Xi, she could not make this life-threatening decision for Huanbi.
Huanbi had lived in her own shadow since childhood, her inner desire for status and position burning like a raging fire. What was the point of persuasion? Hadn't she also walked step by step along the path she had chosen in this deep palace, unable to turn back even if she was covered in wounds.
Huanbi still lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly with nervousness, and the handkerchief in her hands was twisted and deformed. She knew the pros and cons of this matter, but the thought of becoming Prince Guo's woman and having a status of her own was like a ray of light in the darkness, which she desperately wanted to grasp.
It was a done deal.
An Lingrong stood up and walked to Huanbi's side. Although her voice was gentle, it carried a certain unquestionable majesty: "Raise your head."
Huanbi seemed startled by this sudden order. She subconsciously raised her head and her eyes met An Lingrong's.
In an instant, she saw a complex expression in An Lingrong's eyes, one of concern and scrutiny, but also a subtle warning.
An Lingrong narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke word by word, "Since you've made up your mind, we won't say much. Whether you want to be a legitimate wife, a concubine, or a maid, Sister Zhen will ask for it on your behalf. If you need my help, we will do our best. But you must understand that no matter your status, you represent the Zhen family and Imperial Concubine Xi."
She paused slightly, her gaze locked onto Huanbi's. "From now on, you will be the younger sister of Consort Xi, the elder sister of Prince Shen's wife, and the aunt of the Qing princes and princesses. You will no longer be a servant, so you must hold your head high and not belittle yourself. Remember that?"
Huanbi subconsciously straightened her back: "Yes, I remember it!" As soon as she said it, she realized that she had said the wrong name and quickly changed her words, "No, my sister remembers it."
"But I must warn you." An Lingrong's tone suddenly turned icy, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "The intrigues and schemes you've witnessed in this palace, the tactics you've learned, are enough to allow you to gain a firm foothold in Prince Guo's backyard. Ordinary women are no match for you.
However, you must be kind and never actively harm others, let alone cause trouble for no reason. If you bring shame upon the Zhen family and embarrass Concubine Xi because of you," she narrowed her eyes slightly, the warning in her eyes becoming more intense, "Sister Zhen will not tolerate you, and I will not sit idly by."
Huanbi felt a chill run down her spine. Aside from the day of the blood test, she had never seen An Lingrong so serious. She felt both terrified and touched. She nodded vigorously again, her voice firm, "Sister, I understand. I will follow your instructions."
An Lingrong nodded slightly in satisfaction, took a step back, and resumed her gentle demeanor. She said softly, "I'm glad you understand. Take care of yourself in the days ahead."
After saying this, he looked at Zhen Huan again and said, "Whether she can become the legitimate wife or the concubine depends on your ability!"
Zhen Huan nodded.