136 Days Like Jade (Upper)

  Hongli directly entered the outer study and took out several volumes of well-sealed paper scrolls from a hidden drawer.

  She opened one of the scrolls and spread it out on the table, and to her surprise, it was the poem "Ode to White Peony" that Yunzhu wrote on March 3rd when she attended the Spring Festival at Ruiqin Wangfu. She picked up another scroll, opened it, and found that it was another poem "Ode to White Peony" written by her on her birthday in the sixth year of Yongzheng.

  The first poem is elegant and clever, with sincere emotions, which was written when she was alone or with her siblings. The second one is steady and dignified, calm and reserved, which was written in public, without losing the demeanor of an imperial son's consort...

  He spread out the two poems and admired them, savoring the words and phrases, his mind occasionally conjuring up Yunzhu's lovely face and figure, so beautiful that it was unbearable.

  Could not help but take out the poetry and paintings collected before and after marriage, one by one to appreciate, finally could not help but let the possessiveness in heart play tricks, took up the pen and wrote on each piece of work "Beloved wife, year month day creation", then took out own seal, "slap" sound, stamped it.

  Leaving behind his own mark, he smiled contentedly with narrowed eyes.

  Fortunately, I had someone ask about what happened that day, otherwise I would have missed another great work by Yunzhu! Although I don't like how Wu Lanala provoked Yunzhu, but since she allowed Yunzhu to show off her skills again, I won't hold it against her...

  "Master?" Wu Shu came calling softly from outside the door.

  "Come in." He reluctantly put things away one by one, and saw Wu Shu standing at the door with his hands clasped together, asking: "What's the matter?"

  "Returning to the master, the noble consort has just summoned three Shu girls to speak at the Chengqian Palace tomorrow."

  Tomorrow? Hongli's eyes narrowed, recently Yunzhu goes to Chengqian Palace every morning to pay respects and attend to her illness, and also brings back reports of the daily palace affairs. At noon, she will return to Ganxi Ershuo... Is Mother intentionally letting Yunzhu take a look?

  "Alright, you go and get some water ready, I'm going to take a bath."

  "Hmm."

  After washing up, he went to the backyard. The house was quiet and still, which made him wonder if the triplets were asleep?! At this time of day, they would normally be crawling around in the room, making trouble, causing the people taking care of them to worry that they might get hurt or break something valuable...

  From the main room to the next one, Su Wen led people carrying washing utensils out, "Is Fugui in the inner house?" Hongli asked.

  "Yes." Su Wen led the crowd just about to put down their things and pay their respects, when Hong Li waved his hand and went straight into the inner room.

  Through the window, you can see the sunset glow. Yunzhu is not lying on the bed as I imagined, but sitting in front of the dresser with a powder puff, smearing and wiping her face... His gaze from the top of her head, where the spiritual snake bun was twisted, found that she was not wearing the sleepwear that he had repeatedly taught her to change, but a light blue silk embroidered white orchid flag dress.

  "What's going on?" He curiously walked closer, and as soon as his eyes met the mirror, he gasped, and the words got stuck in his throat.

  The person in the mirror, with a golden powder-painted flower on their forehead, originally had delicate eyebrows that were half-drawn with gold and blue colors. The outer corners of their eyes were even more adorned with deep red and light green silk threads... And as for her so-called banner attire, the white silk with silver-embroidered flowers at the collar, apricot-yellow edges, added a few points of elegance, not to mention that the wide sleeves of the loose robe made her appear ethereal.

  Originally elegant and refined face, dressed up like this, unexpectedly blended the charm of fairy spirit and seductive charm.

  "You're back." Yunzhu stood up, turned around, smiled at him, and walked a few steps with her makeup, raised an eyebrow, and said: "How is it?"

  Hongli felt dry mouth and tongue, and involuntarily walked closer to her, putting his arms around her waist. "Why did you suddenly put on makeup?" In the past, when visiting Chengqian Palace to pay respects, she would at most only lightly sweep her eyebrows with a brow pencil and moisten her lips. Carefully examining this woman's eyebrows and eyes, it was indeed his Yunzhu, but how could putting on makeup and slightly changing her gait give her a completely different demeanor?

  Yunzhu lowered her chin and looked at the cosmetics on the dressing table, saying: "I made a few lip balms and face powders with fresh flowers, how's the effect?"

  "Alright." He said in a low voice, "But only let one person see it."

  Which man can still put up with her after seeing this side of her? Even if he can put up with it, he has to cut ties to be at peace.

  Overbearing! The slender, alluring eyes sparkled as she glanced at him, slightly pursing her lips. "In this state, how can I possibly go out?" A crown prince's consort requires elegance and poise, not seductive charm. Moreover, the Qing dynasty's dress code is strict, and someone of her sensitive status would easily stir up gossip.

  Turquoise eye shadow, a dull and slightly pale complexion, lips, gave her another unspeakable beauty, at this moment, she looked more like a demon.

  And such beauty can only be collected by him. He stretched out his arms and carried her to the bed.

  Indulge in joy for a while.

  The next day, at breakfast, Hongli finally saw the triplets. The three little guys obviously felt that they had not seen him for a night and were thinking about him. As soon as they saw him, they exclaimed "ah" without stopping. Hongli warmly gave each of them a kiss, "Let's have dinner together." He said, and immediately sat down at the table to eat.

  Yunzhu indicated that Nainai and the others should start feeding supplementary food, she had already been fed a little milk.

  Biting into the jade orchid cake, drinking tomato and egg soup, Hongli only felt a mouthful of freshness. Looking at the little dumplings again, their meal wasn't bad either, with almond milk and fruit puree, white milk stains around their small mouths, their small mouths kept moving, licking, so cute.

  "Eat a bit more." Yunzhu filled him a bowl of porridge, he took it and the light rice porridge mixed with refreshing side dishes, he ate two bowls in a row. When official business was busy, there was this kind of enjoyment, Hongli put down his bowl contentedly, looked at Yunzhu who was drinking porridge calmly opposite him, and said: "Today's makeup is also very nice."

  Yunzhu glared at him with a slightly warm ear root, "Finish eating and hurry to the court, time is almost running out." However, the corners of her lips curved up slightly, just like last night, she was most satisfied with their passionate love-making, indulging in pleasure without getting tired, which wouldn't affect the plans for the next day, hehe.

  A delicate and refined face with slightly furrowed eyebrows, eyes hinting at a subtle annoyance that wasn't quite annoyance, set off by the bean-green uniform which made him appear as crystal-like jade, tender and endearing. His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but feel the lingering aftertaste of last night's extraordinary beauty.

  He was entangled in his heart, but unfortunately, the beauty had already turned around and coaxed three babies to "eat a little more".

  He took another bite of the soft buns, causing the three babies to lose their focus on eating and exclaim "ahhh" again. Under Yunzhu's angry stare, he left with a pleased expression.

  After finishing breakfast, Yunzhu took the little ones for a stroll in the courtyard. They didn't head to Chongqing Palace to pay their respects until Madame Gao and Madame Ke'erqiete arrived.

  Qin Yuyi was a straightforward person, she had advised Xi Guifei to completely hand over the palace affairs to Yunzhu, but unfortunately, Xi Guifei didn't trust her... This was exactly what Yunzhu wanted in her heart, she didn't want to have a vigorous Empress Dowager on top of her when she took charge of the harem in the future. Now it was Xi Guifei herself who was greedy for power and status, dragging down her own body.

  When she was young, she was humble and low-key. Now, Xi Guifei is as proud as she is, and dislikes Gao Shi and Ke Liye Te Shi serving in front of her. Gao Shi reminds her of the Empress Dowager Dun Su who bullied her when she was weak, while Ke Liye Te Shi seems to see herself in her past, but she endures it for the sake of the palace ladies' admiration and gossip, unable to fully rest as instructed by the imperial physician.

  If it weren't for her illness, Yunzhu would still have to take the triplets to see her from time to time, satisfying her desire for a warm and intimate relationship with her grandchildren.

  As soon as she arrived at the main hall of Chengqian Palace, she heard the sound of laughter coming from inside. Zhang Bao, who was guarding the door, shouted: "Your Majesty, Fourth Lady Fu has come to pay her respects."

  "Let them in." The voice was crisp and showed no signs of fatigue.

  "Fourth Lady, please." Zhang Bao bowed his head and glanced at Yunzhu without leaving any trace. She was wearing a bean green flag dress, with two small hairpins on her head adorned with inlaid turquoise, coral, and agate eight-treasured hairpin, and two pale pink silk flowers on the middle of her bun. A pair of red jade earrings hung from her ears, her eyebrows were lightly painted, and her cheeks had a hint of rouge. The whole person looked exceptionally beautiful. Her expression was also faintly calm and elegant, as if the situation in the palace was perfectly normal.

  The woman in the palace, her mind is hard to guess. He secretly smiled, but to be honest, he still had a good impression of this fourth imperial concubine appointed by the emperor. As someone who openly served as an eunuch and secretly monitored the harem for the emperor, he knew all sorts of secrets, yet this fourth imperial concubine was fair in her rewards and punishments, without any fault that could be criticized.

  The lady behind, Gaohou Fu Jin, slightly lowered her head, but the displeased expression on her tightly pursed lips did not escape his keen eyes that were good at observing facial expressions. The one behind her, Ke'erlie Te Gege, however, had a flash of light in her eyes and a slight curve of her mouth, revealing her sharp wit, which was unlike her seemingly demure appearance.

  "The daughter-in-law greets her mother-in-law with a wish for good fortune."

  "Get up, come sit over here." Xigui Fei said with a smile. The three Shu girls sitting below her stood up and bowed to Yunzhu: "Slaves Ula Nara Ni Mengyi (Huang Xiuyun, Bai Qingshuang) pay respects to Fourth Furen, wishing Fourth Furen good fortune."

  "You're welcome." Yunzhu walked over to the left lower seat that they had vacated and sat down, saying to Xi Guifei, "Mother, you seem much more spirited today. If I'd known earlier, I would have let these few sisters come to keep you company sooner."

  Gaolüwei and Keliye. Guoxin also went forward to pay respects to Xi Guifei, after Xi Guifei called out to them, they exchanged greetings with the three Shu girls again, then sat down under the cloud pearls one by one.

  Chun Lan personally poured tea for Yunzhu and smiled: "Fourth Madame, you're really dressed up today, looking so fresh and bright. It's a pleasure to behold." Such attire on someone else would make people feel confused and vulgar, but Fourth Madame can wear it with a clear and beautiful elegance.

  "That's right," Yün Chu lightly stroked the Méi Hóng Yàn Rú Yì Xī Lián wén tea cup, taking a shallow sip. "When the magpies were chirping outside my window this morning, I guessed that something delightful would happen in Chéng Qián Palace today. Now looking at you, Mother's spirits are indeed much better."

  What a load of crap! Gao Lü Weiming cursed in her heart, she and Ke Liye had been serving tea and meals every day, but hadn't seen her show any appreciation. If it were to be reported to the master that Fu Jin was being difficult, then they would have come to life, it's clear that previously she had been intentionally making things difficult for them.

  She was in a terrible mood, after all the trouble she had gone to for Empress Dowager Ci Xi, who hadn't even given her a second glance. On the contrary, when summoning Ula Nara and the other consorts, she seemed so spirited and energetic, completely unlike... never mind, relying on heaven or earth or anyone else was useless, everything still depended on her own efforts to struggle through.

  Anyway, she's doing it for others to see, and doesn't expect this old lady to really like her.

  Xī Guì Fēi was wary of Yún Zhū's innate phoenix fate and the various mystical abilities that Heaven had bestowed upon her. Upon hearing this, she wasn't sure whether a magpie had indeed flown to her window and cried out or if there were informants within the palace who knew that she would be summoning this batch of consorts today. She smiled and said: "That must be your filial devotion at work; it's only because of our deep connection as mother and daughter that we have this spiritual rapport."

  This remark almost made Yunzhu feel disgusted, who was with her mother. She still had a smile on her face, "I think these girls are beautiful and lovely, and they can make their mothers happy, which is much better than me being tongue-tied... If we could become one family, that would be even more filial to our mothers... These days have been thanks to Gao sister and Keliye sister."

  Gao Luwei and Ke Lixue. As soon as they heard this, their gazes shot towards Huang Xiuyun like arrows, the sharp light piercing them so that they involuntarily shrank back in their hearts, while a blush appeared on their faces, and they slightly lowered their heads.

  "You're a virtuous one, thinking of me like that puts my mind at ease." She thought she could add to his troubles, but instead she's got a firm grasp on Hongli's heart?

  "Look at what E'niang said." Yunzhu spoke a round of words about women's virtues without wanting money, but the words that should have pleased Xi Guifei kept making her think of Gao Changzai, who was pregnant with a child. If she were virtuous, as the highest-ranking woman in the palace, she would also have to leave several concubines for the emperor.

  Xi Guifei was somewhat annoyed, but thinking about it now, Yu Fei is not very close to herself anymore, and the new concubines are having children one after another. She thought that she might really need to cultivate a few assistants. As she thought this way, Wu Lanala's flattering words didn't go to her heart, and her eyes secretly swept over Huang Xiuyun and Bai Qingshuang, unable to make up her mind.

  "Mother-in-law has recovered from her illness, so it's time for me to take over the household chores. It's not proper for my wife to be in charge, and she can only hold on for a while."

  Xī Guì Fēi did not expect the topic to turn to this, and for a moment she was somewhat stunned. She then recovered and smiled kindly: "Look at you, so lazy at such a young age. This is your Emperor Father's decree, how can you take it upon yourself? My body has improved a bit today, but I still haven't fully recovered. Let's talk about this in a few days."

  What she said is actually true, I had a strong drink of ginseng tea this morning to boost my energy, but the symptoms of dizziness, weakness and lack of strength are still a bit... Now that the selection has reached the final review stage, if she doesn't call someone over to take a look, there won't be another chance.

  "With Elder Sister around, I can learn even more."

  "The reputation of the four noblewomen being wise and intelligent has been heard for several years, it's us who should learn from them." Ulanara Nianmu saw Yunzhu put down her teacup after only taking a sip, feeling somewhat disappointed. She didn't expect Fucha Yunzhu to still be on guard in the Chengqian Palace. She had thought of using the important chess piece that Empress Dowager Xiaojing had planted beside Xi Guifei years ago, but now it seemed unlikely to succeed. However, opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared, she'll wait patiently."

  "What one hears, the elders see that other people's children have some talent and encourage them a few words, it can't be said that they are urging their own children to make progress. We, as juniors, must not be too proud or arrogant. Does she want to say that Xi Guifei is hypocritical and deceiving? Or does she want to provoke Xi Guifei's dissatisfaction with her own defenses? Yunzhu hummed secretly, wanting Xi Guifei to abandon this proper daughter-in-law and stand on her side. Are you willing to thoroughly abandon everything left to you by the Empress Dowager, respecting her in all things, and obeying only her orders? If it is really like this, Xi Guifei might actually help you, because this also represents that she has completely trampled the Empress Dowager underfoot, representing that the Nian Gulu tribe has surpassed the Wulana tribe."

  There were words between the two people, and several people on the side secretly disapproved.

  "Si Furen said that the slave and maid, upon seeing the noble princess, felt as if they had seen their own elders, and were filled with reverence and joy." Bai Qingxue was even more clever than Huang Xiuyun, seeming to sense something, and hastily used words to express her sentiments.

  This remark, Linglong immediately understood, but it was not easy to talk. The smile on the lips of Xi Guifei was so gentle that it almost brought out water, "I love you girls who are straightforward and don't need to be polite in this Chengqian Palace." How to deal with it is her decision, she doesn't need to ask for their opinions.

  This feeling of controlling others' fate is really great.