The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

When Yinzhen came to see Nian Shilan, Nian Shilan just bowed lazily and sat there without saying a word.

The palace maid next to her was fanning Nian Shilan, but she still looked extremely impatient.

Yinzhen was surprised.

"What's going on? I've been busy all day and finally found time to come and see you.

But you gave me the cold shoulder and acted as if you didn't want to talk to me. But who has pissed you off?

Or is it that Hongli is disobedient and bothers you?"

Nian Shilan wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead with the handkerchief in her hand. She became more and more impatient, but her words were soft and tender.

"Your Majesty is worrying too much. How dare I be impatient with you?

It's just that it got hot during the day, and I can't stand the heat."

Yinzhen laughed.

"I didn't know you couldn't stand the heat, I've never heard you say that before.

Since it's hot, let's ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to bring us some ice.
Why do you have to make yourself suffer like this? "

Nian Shilan sighed.

"The Emperor only asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to fetch some ice, but ice is very precious in this season.

This I am aware of, and all that is kept is for the Emperor, the Empress Dowager and the Queen.

I dare not ask anyone to use ice casually, for fear of causing jealousy and disputes in the harem."

Yinzhen looked at Nian Shilan with amusement as she said these words seriously.

"You are my concubine, the first concubine of this dynasty, and you gave birth to a prince for me.
With such a high status, can't you use a little ice? And the cost of your small kitchen,

It's no less than using ice. Since you feel hot, the dragon fetus in your belly must be even hotter.

Just spend it if you need to. There's no point in saving this little money."

Nian Shilan glared at Yinzhen and said dissatisfiedly.

"Is this, someone complained to the emperor? My small kitchen is a bit exquisite,

But I didn’t use the money in the palace. My family did give me some money.”

Yinzhen said.

"Yes, I know. I gave your brother a reward, and he gave you a lot.

But I don't like this. My woman has to rely on her parents' support to live in the palace.

If this gets out, I'll be laughed at and how can I save my face?
These days, Concubine Duan assists in managing the six palaces and presents the account books to the Queen after checking them.

The Queen showed me the example again, and the expenses for the small kitchen were indeed higher than before.

But it’s not to the extent that I can’t afford to support a concubine, so I don’t take it seriously.”

Nian Shilan suddenly moved closer to Yinzhen, looking a little teasing.

"Your Majesty's behavior really chills the Empress' heart."

Yinzhen stared into Nian Shilan's eyes and asked with a smile.

"What do you mean by this?"

Year of the Landau.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to play dumb with me. Since Your Majesty is dissatisfied with the Queen,

You want me to perform so many plays, why don't I cooperate with the Queen?

Why don't you criticize my extravagance? Just do it in full force."

Yinzhen shook his head and smiled helplessly.

"You really are a fox. Okay, let's get back to business.

I came here today to discuss with you. If you can hold on,
I will take you to the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat.

The Empress Dowager in the palace is fine, but Empress Dowager De has been ill.

The weather is getting hotter, and I'm sure the other concubines will not be able to stand the heat.

You never let me make your pregnancy public.

But the heat in the Forbidden City is even worse, and I am worried about your health."

Nian Shilan waved his hand indifferently.

"Your Majesty, just make the decision. You should discuss these matters with the Empress. I am fine. I felt a little uncomfortable a few days ago, but I am fine now.

I stopped Your Majesty from saying it just in case.

When I think about the time when I was pregnant with Hongli, I feel scared.

Besides, doesn't the emperor think that you are in your prime?
There are so many concubines serving him, but there are so few children in the palace?"

Yinzhen raised his eyes and looked at Nian Shilan, his eyes as sharp as a knife.

"Does Shilan know something?"

Nian Shilan shrank back and patted his chest.

"Your Majesty, you frightened me to death. What could I possibly know?

I just said it casually, you know, I always say what I mean."

Yinzhen couldn't help laughing when he saw Nian Shilan pretending to be so pretentious, but he also had deeper doubts in his heart.

He always felt that Nian Shilan seemed to know a lot and seemed to understand his thoughts.

In the matter of Empress Dowager De, Yinzhen further confirmed his previous thoughts.

But so far, Nian Shilan has not done anything inappropriate.

Although Yinzhen stayed in Yikun Palace that night, Nian Shilan knew that he did not sleep well.

Of course, Nian Shilan didn’t sleep well either.

Nian Shilan and Yinzhen, sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams.

On May 15th, Yinzhen moved to the Old Summer Palace with his concubines.

The flowers and plants in the Old Summer Palace are particularly beautiful this year, and Nian Shilan still lives in the Qingliang Palace.

Yinzhen was thoughtful and asked people to put up a wind wheel for cooling off in the Qingliang Palace early in the morning and also brought large blocks of ice into the palace.

Because Nian Shilan was pregnant, her body always felt hot. She felt much more comfortable since she moved into the Qingliang Palace.

Concubine Duan was holding the account book at Ulanara's place, saying that the weather was hot and the emperor had already ordered the Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide ice to the Yikun Palace.

Concubine Duan said.

"Even Her Majesty the Queen has not used ice yet. I think that Concubine Hua's residence is really a bit extravagant."

Ulanara smiled.

"It's fine if you want to be extravagant, but the emperor loves her so much that I can't say anything.

You have seen that the emperor now ignores all the concubines in the palace.
Only Concubine Hua stood out. Whenever I think of the dying royal heirs in the palace,
I was filled with worry. I am unlucky and cannot protect the eldest prince.

But you are still young, why don’t you know how to fight for the emperor’s favor?
Now only Concubine Xin is pregnant, and the Queen Mother often gives me advice.

The previous emperor had many children, but our emperor only has two sons and one daughter, which is too few. "

Concubine Duan closed the account book in her hand. The Queen Mother didn't intend to look at it anyway.

"The Queen is the mother of the country, yet she says she has no luck.
I am even more unlucky.

The Empress also saw that whenever the Emperor came to the harem,
The place I go to most is Concubine Hua's place. In addition, I have been very busy recently.
There is no chance to serve the emperor anymore.

This matter of having children is not something I can do alone."

Ulanara said regretfully.

"Look at you, you haven't gotten over your grief yet? You are still young,

What you said about going with the flow makes me feel disappointed.

I know that this is your first time to assist in managing the six palaces, so you must be a little confused.

I have seen that Concubine Shen used to help Concubine Hua manage the six palaces.

Why not ask her to share some of the burden? That way you can have more time to recuperate."

Concubine Duan said meekly.

"Yes, everything is up to Her Majesty the Queen."

So Concubine Shen, who had been idle for a long time since Nian Shilan fell ill, followed Concubine Duan again from the second day after entering the Old Summer Palace.

After knowing this, Zhen Changzai was very tactful and stopped bothering Shen Guiren.

(End of this chapter)