Yatu returned to Horqin in late March, and before parting, it happened that many places reported a long drought and no rain, so the eldest princess left all the rewards and gifts she received when she returned to Beijing, and asked the emperor to donate them to the victims on her behalf.

In this way, it also gave Shu Shu and Ling Zhao a good start, Ling Zhao carefully calculated, how to maintain the dignity of the harem, and reduce expenses as much as possible, going back and forth to Cining Palace and Kunning Palace every day, even Xuan Ye occasionally on the road, she could be seen in a hurry.

At the end of March, a heavy rain in the Gyeonggi area for a long time alleviated the drought situation, and Hyun Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

However, in the face of the anti-corruption campaign that began last year, Aobai's arbitrary behavior and large-scale extortion have turned the original righteous things into a miasma, and the anger of the young son of heaven is increasing day by day.

On this day, Ningshou Palace Xuan Taiyi, Shu Shu and Ling Zhao came to visit one after another, and it was not the Queen Mother who was sick, but the biological mother of the fifth elder brother Chang Ning, Concubine Chen.

Shu Shu said with a smile: "Yesterday I saw Chang Ning with Concubine Zhao in Cining Palace, he was tall and very strong, he asked the emperor's grandmother, the second brother has moved out of the palace, when will he be able to leave the palace." The imperial grandmother asked him, is it a girl from which family, guess what, so frightened that Chang Ning ran away, making the imperial grandmother happy. ”

Concubine Chen said with a smile; "That silly boy, it's a joke for the girls."

Ling Zhao said: "The Empress Dowager instructed the queen mother and concubines at that time to prepare a mansion for the fifth elder brother, and this autumn draft, please also go together to see if there are any children who match your eyes and stay for the fifth elder brother." ”

Concubine Chen was grateful: "How can I be virtuous, this matter is naturally to ask the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to decide." ”

Shu Shu said: "Concubine Zhao and I are talking fast today, you have to keep it secret, and there is one more thing, the Empress Dowager also discussed with us, that is, after Changning opens the Ya Mansion and builds a mansion, are you willing to move out with it." ”

Concubine Chen sat up from the bed and asked, "Really?" ”

Shu Shu nodded: "Like Concubine Ning earlier, the imperial grandmother said that you can choose to stay by yourself." ”

Concubine Chen said without hesitation: "I am willing, I am willing to leave the palace with Changning." ”

Ling Zhao and Shu Shu glanced at each other, they knew that Concubine Chen's illness could be better than half of it.

Leaving Ningshou Palace, Ling Zhao said: "Niangniang, you see, Concubine Chen is so happy, I don't understand why Concubine Ning would rather stay in the palace at the beginning." ”

Shu Shu said: "It's also for Prince Yu's consideration." Sister, the concubine's illness does not hinder you, you are busy with everything, don't worry too much, yesterday the imperial grandmother said, you have lost a lot of weight. ”

Ling Zhao smiled bitterly: "This weather is capricious, the concubines have a bad appetite, and the dishes in the imperial dining room are too exquisite, and they are annoying to watch, so they often don't want to move their chopsticks." ”

"Why doesn't my sister let Dongyun cook some kind meals in the kitchen?" Shu Shu walked slowly with her, and said with concern, "Aunt Pomegranate's skills are also good, so it doesn't hurt for Dongyun to learn it." ”

Ling Zhao shook his head: "Niangniang's good intentions, the concubine has it." At present, the palace is reducing expenses everywhere, and if the concubines pick and choose from scratch, they will not be discouraged. ”

Shu Shu stopped and said gently: "My sister is sick, naturally someone else will do those things for you, such words are not good, don't get me wrong, I hope my sister can take care of her body, only the body is our own." ”

Ling Zhao smiled: "Niangniang's mind, how could I misunderstand." ”

When the two were talking, the holy car in front of them came, Xuan Ye heard that the concubine was sick, and he also took the time to come over to take a look, he sat on his shoulder, and saw the concubine and the concubine standing on the road talking from afar, with smiles on the corners of their mouths, and it could be seen that the atmosphere was very good.

These days, Xuan Ye met Concubine Zhao in a hurry on the road several times, and Da Li Zi told him that Concubine Zhao took care of everything, from dawn to dark, without stopping for a moment.

Xuan Ye was curious about how there were so many things to be busy in the palace, and Da Li Zi said that the emperor was not at home, and he didn't know how expensive firewood and rice were.

"Respectfully the Emperor." At this moment, the holy car came to him, Shu Shu and Lingzhao saluted on the side of the road, Xuan Ye's shoulders fell, and he came down to ask the two, "Have you visited the concubine?" ”

Shu Shu said with a smile: "I knew that the emperor was coming, so Concubine Zhao and I would be late, so that we would see each other together, so as not to be tired of coping with the concubine and not be able to rest well." ”

Xuan Ye sneered: "I know. He turned around and instructed Da Lizi, "Go and take a look for me, don't alarm the concubine." ”

Shu Shu asked, "Where will the emperor go after that?" ”

"Listen to Nan Huairen talk about the calendar." Xuan Ye responded, but when it came to Nan Huairen, he couldn't help but think of the previous incident, Ling Zhao had happily gone to the Qianqing Palace to get her reward, but was scolded by Xuan Ye to the point of being indecent.

"Come along." Xuan Ye said, "It's all an eye-opener." ”

Shu Shu and Xuan Ye's eyes met, and she said, "Let Concubine Zhao accompany the emperor up, the concubine is not very comfortable today, and she wants to go back and rest." ”

Ling Zhao stood on the side, didn't say a word, only heard the emperor's voice: "Then go back and rest, listen to something, let Concubine Zhao turn back and tell you." ”

Shu Shu responded, smiled at Lingzhao, and left with the palace people.

Ling Zhao only took a winter cloud with him when he went out, and when the queen left, the road suddenly became empty.

Xuan Ye said: "Let's go, the weather is comfortable today, and I want to go for a walk." ”

Ling Zhao was noncommittal, all this came too suddenly, maybe what she couldn't accept even more in her heart was that the queen actually gave her up her position in front of the emperor.

"Miss, the emperor is gone." Dongyun was excited, and pushed Ling Zhao, "You can follow quickly." ”

Ling Zhao hurriedly followed, and Xuan Ye saw that her face was flushed, and smiled easily: "Are you hot, if it's hot, sit on my shoulder." ”

"It's not hot, concubine...... Not hot. Ling Zhao shook his head.

Walking with the emperor, Xuan Ye took two steps, she had to take three steps, and the two of them were always not on the same pace, but this road still went on.

"I always see you walking around the palace, the day before yesterday or the day before yesterday, and you shook it like a gust of wind." Xuan Ye said, "The affairs of thousands of people in this palace, how you can do it alone, everything will bow to the end, and it will tire you to death." ”

Ling Zhao saw that his efforts had entered the eyes of the emperor, and he was already satisfied.

Xuan Ye said: "Rong Changzai is also a safe person, if there are any simple little things, it doesn't hurt to ask her to try." Don't be careful, I don't want to share your power, I'm afraid you'll be tired. ”

Ling Zhao lowered his eyes and was silent, looking at Xuan Ye's dragon boots, following his footsteps, listening quietly to the emperor's words in his ears, and there was no resistance in his heart.

"You're upset?" Xuan Ye asked.

"No, the emperor ......" Ling Zhao raised his head in a panic, but when the words came to his mouth, he couldn't speak.

"If you're not happy, be honest." Xuan Ye said, "I don't care about the affairs of the inner palace, I don't know your hard work, don't wronged you." ”

Ling Zhao pursed his lips and lowered his head suddenly: "The emperor hasn't said so much to his concubine for a long time, concubine...... I just want to listen well. ”

Xuan Ye said: "When you and the queen entered the palace, I took you to recognize the way to the study, although I am not always in the study now, but what I meant at that time was that you could come to me to talk to me about anything, even if you just wanted to talk to me." ”

Ling Zhao folded his hands and tried to hide his grievances: "The emperor said that if the concubines don't straighten their knees, they won't go to the Qianqing Palace again." ”

Xuan Ye asked, "Then can you straighten up now?" ”

Ling Zhao nodded vigorously, with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, can the concubines go to the Qianqing Palace in the future?" ”

Xuan Ye said: "Come from the back door, you can come at any time." He laughed again, "But you're so busy, do you have time?" ”

Ling Zhao looked at the emperor's smile stupidly, couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth, walked a few steps faster and followed the emperor's side, and said something about Ningshou Palace.

After that, Xuan Ye took Ling Zhao and listened to Nan Huairen explain the calculation of the new law, although Ling Zhao didn't understand anything, she was very happy to follow the emperor.

Xuan Ye was too focused, and he didn't notice that Ling Zhao's gaze was always wandering over him, and after he dispersed, he asked the nobleman's son to wrestle and left in a hurry.

Ling Zhao watched the emperor leave, until he couldn't see his figure, and only heard Dong Yun whisper in his ear: "Are you still going to Kunning Palace?" ”

"I ......," Ling Zhao said, "I went, what did I say?" ”

Dong Yun muttered: "The queen mother is really good at being a person, and she is generous in front of the emperor, now, do we owe the queen a favor?" ”

Ling Zhao shook his head: "No, this is what I deserve." She made up her mind and instructed Dong Yun, "Go to the Tai Hospital, pass on my words, don't neglect Concubine Chen's medicine." ”

Dong Yun should go down, and then separated from his master, ran to the Tai Hospital, and came back to Ningshou Palace again.

When I met Mrs. Chen, it happened that several other people were there, and when Dongyun withdrew again, the palace maid beside Mrs. Chen caught up and stuffed some broken silver for her.

"The concubine is polite." Dongyun smiled, "It's what my master should do." ”

When the two separated, Dongyun inadvertently turned around, but saw a fresh face and went to the backyard of Ningshou Palace.

For more than two years, she has been coming and going here with Concubine Zhao every day, and every eunuch and palace maid inside and outside Ningshou Palace has a familiar face, but this fresh face has never been seen before.