The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Chapter 311 Hua Chongyi has another big event

After breakfast, the emperor patted Xie Run on the shoulder and said, "I'm here to see you and Taotao tonight."

Xie Run smiled generously: "Then the emperor is just accompanying me to appreciate the moon. It has been a long time since I had a good cup of tea."

"Isn't it?" The emperor also sighed.

Since he ascended the throne, he has been extremely busy.

He couldn't even deal with the affairs of the previous dynasty, and now his own mother in the harem was making trouble for him.

When I heard Xie Run mention drinking tea and appreciating the moon, I was really looking forward to it.

He raised his hand and said, "Ask the imperial kitchen to prepare two more jugs of good wine for me to drink in the evening."

Xie Run led his men to pay their respects and see the emperor off.

As the sun was about to set, the emperor and his entourage arrived at Showa Palace as promised.

There is a festive atmosphere everywhere in Showa Palace.

As soon as the emperor came in, he saw exquisite lanterns and silks hanging on the treetops, which looked exquisite and gorgeous.

There are also several kumquat trees with fruits hanging on them under the corridor. They look warm and cozy, and I can't help but smile.

As soon as he stepped through the threshold, he asked, "You've put a lot of thought into this today, haven't you?"

Xie Run brought his men out to pay their respects, but was held back by the emperor.

"Now that I'm in your palace, there's no need to be so polite."

As he said this, he helped the man up.

Xie Run knew that the emperor was not the kind of person who would tell lies to test others, so he listened to him.

"I thought the Emperor had been working so hard for days and finally had a day off, so he naturally wanted to see something festive and exquisite, so I had Showa Palace decorated."

"The wine and food are ready. Your Majesty, please do not get drunk today. Otherwise, the Empress will blame you, and I will not dare to do it again."

The emperor took her hand and said with a smile, "You are only afraid of her blaming you, but not afraid of me?"

"I'm afraid of everything." Xie Run said honestly.

The emperor couldn't help laughing and said, "I was saying Taotao is just like you. He seems gentle and well-behaved, but he's actually full of evil."

Xie Run pretended not to understand and said with clear eyes, "Your Majesty, are you praising me for being full of ink?"

"I am truly ashamed. I haven't read many books and I don't deserve the emperor's praise."

"But I will definitely supervise Tao Tao from now on and make sure he learns as much as the emperor does."

The emperor smiled and pinched her face: "You are becoming more naughty."

Xie Run: "Isn't this all the Emperor's teaching?"

After they had their meal, they walked hand in hand in the palace's front yard, without allowing the palace servants to follow them closely.

When he turned around, the lanterns were lit and fell on Xie Run's profile, casting a wisp of afterglow, showing tenderness in the haziness.

The emperor couldn't help but raise his hand to touch her cheek.

But thinking that they were outside now, his hand paused again. As it slid down, it touched Xie Run's long eyelashes, and a fine tingling sensation came from his fingertips.

Xie Run looked at the emperor with a bewildered expression, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"

Why are you rubbing her eyes for no reason?

The emperor coughed dryly and said, "Nothing, I just noticed something on your face."

Xie Run was half-believing and half-doubting, and raised his hand to touch his face.

Emperor: "I've already got it for you."

Xie Run: "Your Majesty, please remind me next time so that I can be prepared."

The emperor said seriously, "Yes."

He deliberately changed the subject: "Why don't you wear earrings?"

Xie Run: "That thing is tiring to wear on my ears. I find it troublesome, so I didn't wear it."

She said shamelessly, "I only brushed my eyebrows today and didn't wear any makeup. Without earrings, I look more elegant and refined."

When the emperor heard her bragging, even though he knew Xie Run was telling the truth, he still couldn't help laughing.

"You...how can anyone boast about yourself like this?"

Xie Run: "Hasn't the Emperor seen it now?"

The emperor raised his hand and pinched her earlobe, then quickly let go.

When Xie Runcai reacted, the emperor had already put his hands on his back in a serious manner, with his back straight and a serious expression on his face.

Xie Run: “…”

Pack!

You are an old married couple, why are you still having pure love?

Xie Run muttered to himself, and then dragged the emperor to the East Garden which had been prepared long ago to have a drink and enjoy the moon.

Although the emperor was admiring the moon, his eyes always unconsciously fell on Xie Run's fair and flawless cheeks.

Xie Run handed over the freshly warmed wine. "This is the newly brewed lychee and osmanthus wine from the imperial kitchen. It's not the osmanthus season yet, but the osmanthus flowers at this time have a unique flavor. I tried it on behalf of the emperor, and it's quite good."

The emperor took a sip from the wine glass and savored it lightly.

Xie Run was making tea on the side, preparing to taste the newly delivered tea.

The two chatted occasionally, and they felt that the time was quiet and the years were gentle, and they could even put the trivial matters of the previous dynasty and the harem behind them.

The emperor also poured a glass for Xie Run: "It's boring to drink alone, you should also taste it with me."

Xie Run took a look and said: "Well, then I will accompany the emperor to taste it."

She held the cup gracefully and took a sip.

The wine was smooth at first, but after a while it had a spicy taste that made Xie Runchong's cheeks red.

It was like the finest white jade painted with rouge, exuding an indescribable charm and purity under the light.

The emperor's Adam's apple rolled, and he pulled Xie Run into his arms: "Your alcohol tolerance is still so poor."

Xie Run wiped his hands with a handkerchief and said, "Isn't this a concubine risking her life to accompany a gentleman?"

The emperor's hand fell on her waist, and his voice deepened: "Since you have sacrificed your life, why not sacrifice your body as well?"

Xie Run couldn't help but smile when he teased him.

The redness and charm brought by the alcohol penetrated deep into her bones.

"Then stay for a while?"

But just as she finished speaking, she heard a noise outside.

"what sound?"

The emperor could pretend not to hear, but Xie Run could not, after all, he was in her palace.

Dan Tao came out from the side, secretly annoyed: "Your Majesty, it was Hua Chongyi who asked to see the emperor. She said she had something important to report."

Xie Run looked at the emperor, the smile on his lips grew wider, and his eyes showed a hint of anticipation for a good show.

The emperor's eyes, which originally contained a smile of affection, dimmed, and there was even a hint of annoyance in them.

"What big deal could she have?"

"Let her go back."

Dan Tao bowed and replied, "I will go right away."

Soon, the sounds outside Showa Palace died down.

The emperor and Xie Run thought that was the end of it.

Unexpectedly, not long after, Dan Tao appeared with a bitter face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Hua Chongyi has been guarding the door. She said she won't leave unless Your Majesty sees her."

"We have tried to persuade her for a long time, but she won't listen. We have no other choice but to come and ask the Emperor for permission."

The emperor's face darkened visibly.

"Has her mind been lost in Chonghua Palace? She doesn't even listen to me?"

The people serving on the side were trembling with fear at the emperor's words.

It was Eunuch Shi'an who stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, how about I go and persuade Hua Chongyi?"

"Hua Chongyi probably encountered something and was at a loss for what to do."

The emperor said in a deep voice, "Go."

"If she makes trouble again, send her to Fengyi Palace and let the Queen handle it."

Xie Run observed two seconds of silence for the queen in his heart.

Wait, at this hour, the Queen should still be serving the Queen Mother.

Today, in order to show her filial piety, the Queen personally served the Queen Mother in the Cining Palace and stayed overnight in the Cining Palace.

Eunuch Shi'an received the emperor's order to appease Hua Chongyi.

Hua Yu thought that it was Dan Tao who came to deliver the message, and believed that the emperor was instigated by Concubine Zhao Shu and was unwilling to see her.

Now that Eunuch Shi'an has arrived, she is afraid that she will really anger the emperor.

Hua Yu's tone softened a bit. "I was rude and disturbed the Emperor and Sister Xie. However, if it weren't for an urgent matter, I would never dare to be so presumptuous. Please, eunuch, speak a few words for me so that the Emperor won't blame me."

Eunuch Shi'an smiled and looked very easy to get along with: "Of course."

Eunuch Shi'an was afraid of causing more trouble, so he asked his apprentice to hold the lamp for Hua Chongyi and send her all the way back.

Hua Chongyi was originally thinking about whether to hand over the things in her hand to Eunuch Shi'an.

But seeing Eunuch Shi'an's apprentice holding a lamp and leading the way, he estimated in his heart that he still had some weight in the emperor's heart.

If I find a chance to send him off again tomorrow, maybe I can see the emperor.

She changed her mind and didn't mention the matter.

Hua Chongyi's visit ruined half of the emperor's good mood.

It was only when Xie Run got in the mood that he took the emperor around to hang lanterns that he finally calmed down and felt a little more at peace.

At night, there is naturally a lot of passionate tossing and turning.

Early on the first morning, the emperor went to the morning court in a good mood.

After leaving court, he prepared to go to Showa Palace for dinner.

Who knew that he would run into Hua Chongyi who was blocking people on the road.

The emperor was not in a good mood when he saw her, "Why are you here?"

Hua Chongyi said timidly, "I have been waiting for Your Majesty for a long time."

"What's the big deal waiting for me?"

Hua Chongyi didn't hear the sarcasm in the emperor's words and immediately said, "Your Majesty, I am not lying. I really have something important to report!"

Perhaps because he had experienced a lot, the emperor looked at Hua Chongyi with a very indifferent look.

"Say it."

Hua Chongyi immediately called the palace maid beside her to come forward and hand over a package.

"Your Majesty, yesterday I was following Concubine Zhao Shu's lead in clearing the weeds in the palace, intending to plant some new flowers, but who knew I'd dig this up in the dirt!"

Before the emperor started to have a headache, Eunuch Shi'an and others had already closed their eyes in pain.

The emperor's expression darkened.

Hua Chongyi continued to talk to herself, "I had someone open this thing, and inside was actually a bottle of tightly wrapped Heartbreak Grass Powder."

"I even had the imperial physician examine it and confirmed it was Crane's Beak Red before I dared to report to the Emperor!"

Hua Chongyi had a face that looked eager to be praised by the emperor, but she forced herself to suppress the smile on her lips.

She just thought that she had discovered something dirty this time and could make a contribution.

But he didn't notice that the emperor's face was getting darker and darker.

"So it seems that I really want to reward you well?"

Hua Chongyi said modestly, "I am only worried about the Emperor, so I dare not ask for a reward. If someone in the harem uses these dirty things to harm others, I don't know how much trouble it will cause."

"Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly and not let any suspicious person go."

The emperor took a deep breath, suppressed the anger surging in his chest, and called out, "Shi'an, put the things away. I'll ask the Imperial Hospital to investigate later."

Eunuch Shi'an lowered his head and said, "Yes."

The emperor added, "Since these poisonous substances have been found in Chonghua Palace, it is no longer suitable for habitation."

"You will move to Chanyunxuan tomorrow. Once I have Chonghua Palace renovated, you can move in."

Hua Chongyi looked at the emperor in confusion.

The emperor treated the elderly people in the palace well, and all those who were qualified to be among the nine concubines were allowed to live alone in a palace.

Now it just so happens that all the six palaces have a high position above the rank of nine concubines.

The emperor suddenly asked her to move out of Chonghua Palace and live in Chanyunxuan, whose location was still unknown. It didn't sound like a reward at all, but more like... a punishment?

Facing his dark eyes, Hua Yu didn't dare to ask the doubts in her heart for a moment, so she could only say: "I obey your command."

She asked the palace maid beside her to hand the things to Eunuch Shi'an, and then left with her people.

Hua Chongyi really doesn't know how to read people's expressions, but she also has a basic sense of crisis.

Her intuition told her that if she stayed any longer, it might not be as simple as just moving to another palace.

The Queen was attending to the sick in the Cining Palace, and there was no need for concubines from other palaces to pay their respects.

Xie Run slept in nicely today, and then asked someone to prepare the emperor's breakfast.

When I’m in a good mood, I look radiant and I don’t even get angry when I see my son being naughty.

She was just thinking of asking someone to cut some colorful flowers to put in the vase when she saw the emperor with a gloomy face.

Xie Run's heart skipped a beat, wondering if something had happened again.

She stepped forward to help the emperor clean his hands and wipe his face, "What's wrong with the emperor?"

Xie Run was a little suspicious that the emperor was angered by some minister during the morning court session.

The emperor washed his hands silently, and the air pressure around him dropped a lot.

After a while, "Shi'an, tell me."

The emperor was too lazy to say anything about the stupid things Hua Yu had done.

He even thought it was too embarrassing to say it out loud.

Eunuch Shi'an could only bite the bullet and come forward to explain: "Your Majesty, I met Hua Chongyi on the road today. She said she was helping you tidy up the palace. Who knew she would find a box of Gelsemium elegans powder in the flowerbed of Chonghua Palace?"

"Hua Chongyi is worried that there are treacherous people in the palace, so she came to report to the emperor."

"The Emperor felt sorry for Hua Chongyi and asked her to move to Chanyunxuan to live for a while."

Xie Run was a very insightful person. As soon as Eunuch Shi'an said that, she immediately guessed the whole cause and effect.

She endured it again and again and tried to say a few words for Hua Chongyi.

Xie Run: "Your Majesty, Hua Chongyi..."

The emperor stared at her quietly, as if waiting to see what good words Xie Run could say for Hua Yu.

Xie Run couldn't help laughing when he was stared at by him, and fell into the emperor's arms with a smile.

A lot of people in the harem were cleaning the palace gardens yesterday, and quite a few things were dug up.

But everyone quietly destroyed their things, pretending nothing happened, without causing any ripples.

The emperor and empress knew about it, but pretended not to know.

After all, the emperor had just ascended the throne, and the things buried under the six palaces could not possibly belong to his people.

Even if something was dug out, it would be impossible to link it to the emperor's people. Instead, it would be destroyed and it could be considered as covering up for the emperor.

But the flower charger is different.

She not only dug it up, but also sent it to the emperor to see, for fear that others would not know what a good deed she had done.

Her blocking caused the news of the Heartbreak Powder being dug out from under Chonghua Palace to be exposed.

The emperor couldn't just ignore it.

But if he really did intervene, would the emperor even come to settle accounts with his father?!

Xie Run could fully imagine how depressed and irritated the emperor was feeling at the moment.

Even after finishing breakfast and leaving, the emperor's mood was not relieved at all. He went to the imperial study to deal with things with a lot of anger.

As soon as the emperor left, Xie Run could no longer restrain himself and hugged his son and laughed.

"You said Hua Chongyi...how come she is so smart?!"

Not only Xie Run, but also the people serving around him laughed.