He placed the sachet that he held back in his lapel.
This was deliberately stuffed into his hand by Feng Yin when she greeted and thanked him earlier.
Shen Quan took it out to look—more than half a bag of gold beans, this was indeed very valuable.
“Here.” Seeing Donglai lean over for a look, Shen Quan handed him one: “Be smart when you encounter people from Luaxin Pavilion in the future.”
“Disciple thanks Master for the gift.”
“Alright, go to Cining Palace once, just relay a message to Aunt Chen.” Shen Quan glanced at the time: “You know what should be said and what shouldn’t, right?”
“Disciple understands.” Donglai, full of smiles, headed to Cining Palace.
Cining Palace.
The Empress Dowager supported her temple with one hand and spoke lazily: “Chen Jing, has anyone come from Yangxin Hall?”
“Yes, Eunuch Donglai has arrived.
Does the Empress Dowager wish to see him?” Chen Jing softly asked.
“Donglai?” The Empress Dowager chuckled lightly, adjusting her posture slightly: “See him, why not see him, have him come in and report.”
“Yes.” Chen Jing raised her voice: “Please let Eunuch Donglai enter.”
Donglai entered the inner chamber with his head lowered, knelt and bowed: “Servant Donglai pays respects to the Empress Dowager, may the Empress Dowager be prosperous.”
“Hmm, get up and report.”
“Yes.” Donglai stood up, with his head still lowered, and recounted the situation of Yan Xiu and Lady Li.
Humph.
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly upon hearing that Lady Li had caught a cold.
The Emperor was fortunately unharmed.
If the imperial body had truly been injured, even ten heads of Lady Li wouldn’t suffice for chopping.
Now she merely caught a cold, which was her own fault.
“Even while ill, Lady Li was concerned about the Emperor’s health, specifically ordering the Chief Palace Maid to deliver ginger soup to the Emperor, who drank it directly.” Donglai said, beaming smiles.
The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, her mind filled with irritation as she listened.
“Thank you, Eunuch Donglai.” Chen Jing saw him off with a smile.
Donglai bowed and retreated, cheerfully taking the reward from Cining Palace back to Yangxin Hall to report.
“I’ve certainly gained insight today.”
The Empress Dowager leaned against the chair back feeling a throbbing pain at her temple.
Chen Jing quickly stepped forward to compassionately massage the Empress Dowager: “Empress Dowager, perhaps the matter of selecting younger consorts should be brought up again.
Even if we don’t hold a major selection, pick a few astute and talented girls to fill the harem, diversifying favor.”
“Let me think about it.” The Empress Dowager spoke tiredly.
She could indeed directly make decisions for Yan Xiu, selecting daughters of courtiers who would solidify the Emperor’s court to enter the palace, but she still considered the Emperor’s intentions, not wanting to harm their mother-son bond.
Luaxin Pavilion.
Li Yuyu drank desperately bitter Chinese medicine, drowsiness set in, and under Hua Yin’s care, she lay quickly on the bed.
This was her first sleep inside the book, as the sky gradually darkened.
Li Yuyu, with her head on an uncomfortable yet adaptable pillow, closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
“Has the master fallen asleep?” Feng Yin softly asked as Hua Yin exited with the dishes.
“Yes, I waited for the master to sleep before stepping out.” Hua Yin similarly lowered her voice.
“You should rest too, tonight I’ll keep watch.” Feng Yin said.
“Sister Feng Yin, I’m not tired, why don’t I keep watch first and you go get some rest, then change places when you wake up.”
“You still need to attend to the master in the morning.
The Emperor is coming after court, we can’t both keep watch at night, or who will attend to the master and the Emperor then?” Feng Yin took over the copper basin from Hua Yin: “Hurry and rest, I can sleep for a while on the couch in the outer room, and I’ll catch up on sleep after the master wakes, it won’t hinder anything.”