The First Empress - Chapter 103

Chapter 103 Cold Clothes Tune
Linglong nodded. Regardless of whether it was smart or stupid, in the Asura Ground of the harem, victory was the only true meaning. The rest were nothing to outsiders.

Linglong was ashamed of Li Sheng and a little embarrassed. “It was my fault just now. I have been in a bad mood recently.”

Li Sheng said indifferently, “The Lord humiliated this subject to death. Servant is just a servant’s duty. There are some things that he clearly knows are dangerous, so he naturally needs to tell Concubine earlier so that the Empress can prepare for it. He will not be in a daze at that time and be harmed by these people.” Linglong nodded and saw Qin’er coming over, carrying the lotus seed soup.

“You did it quickly.” Linglong brought over the lotus seed soup and sniffed it. She felt that the fragrance was like a golden chrysanthemum. “Divide the rest. Although the Linglian in the palace is not as delicious as the ones outside the palace, it’s just a celebration.”

Seeing Linglong and Li Sheng’s appearance, Qin’er probably guessed a little. She embarrassedly went to the kitchen and divided the remaining lotus seed soup.

Just as Linglong finished eating a bowl of lotus seed soup, it suddenly spread to the outside world that it was Empress Han Xiuyi from the Shanggong Bureau. When Linglong arrived outside, Han Xiuyi bowed. Linglong smiled and said, “What are you doing here sooner or later?”

Han Xiuyi smiled and sent over the Shu brocade in her hand. “The emperor wanted this servant to come over and give the empress autumn clothes.”

Linglong took the Shu brocade and looked at the patterns. She felt that it was a little dazzling. She was originally a woman of celadon like water. She had never thought of wearing such luxurious clothes. She could not help but resist. “This palace thanks the Emperor for his kindness. It’s just that I’m not used to dressing up like this with jewelry. Please send it back, Maid Han.”

‘”Ah—” Han Xiuyi was shocked. “How dare this servant? The Emperor gave me a name. Could it be that the Empress still doesn’t know? If it weren’t for this, this servant wouldn’t have come personally. Just order a servant to come over.” Linglong also knew that Han Xiuyi was the Empress of the Shanggong Bureau. She wouldn’t come to the palace personally without any big matters that would burn her eyebrows. Normally, she didn’t need to work on gifting things.

“Was it rewarded by the Emperor?” Linglong raised her eyebrows and a warmth surged through her heart. No matter what, the Emperor was still worried about her. No, she had already sent over a Shu brocade. This kind of Shu brocade would probably take more than ten women from Nishikawa to weave for half a year.

“Your Highness asked again. It was the Emperor’s reward. The Emperor said to ask servant to come over and help Your Highness see how to make clothes and how to think about it.” Han Xiuyi’s profession was to make clothes. She didn’t leave her profession without saying three sentences. Linglong smiled and said, “Thank you, Maid Han.” Speaking of which, she had committed another common fault of a woman.

“Does everyone have a share, or is it just for me?” Linglong lifted her lips and touched Shu brocade that was smoother than silk satin. The pattern on the Shu brocade was Hundred Butterflies Piercing Flowers.

Han Shanggong smiled when he reached a butterfly with his finger. “I knew that you would ask this question. To tell you the truth, the Emperor naturally rewarded everyone with clothes this season without exception,” Han Shanggong said with a smile. At this point, he licked his lips and his scheming eyes twirled. “However, only the Empress and Empress have Shu brocade.”

Linglong asked doubtfully, “Even Changle Palace doesn’t have one?”

Maid Han smiled conceitedly. “Servant’s memory is not bad. The one in Changle Palace is only Kesi. The Empress also knows that Kesi and Shu Jin are not on par.” Although Kesi was valuable, her craftsmanship was still slightly better than Shu Jin’s. Linglong didn’t know if she was sad or happy when she heard this, but she couldn’t express her melancholy.

Han Shanggong said, “The emperor said that this servant will help the empress to be discreet and make a dress to wear at the autumn banquet.” Hearing this, Linglong’s heart skipped a beat, “What banquet?”

“Autumn banquet.”

“This palace has only heard of a banquet, a spring banquet, a flower banquet, a farewell banquet, and a welcoming banquet. When has there been another autumn banquet?” Linglong raised her eyebrows slightly. Han Shanggong smiled. “Although this servant is not from the Ministry of Rites, she also knows about the Autumn Feast. In the past, there were feasts. However, in the past, it was between the officials of the previous dynasty. I heard that the Ministry of Rites and the Emperor’s words this year meant that we should treat the officials.”

Linglong was surprised, “At that time, did you want me to wear Shu brocade?”

Maid Han smiled and said, “Isn’t that so? When that time comes, the Empress will definitely be filled with amazing people. Then servant won’t have to work in vain.” As she spoke, she grabbed a leather ruler and measured it on Linglong’s shoulder. Linglong knew that she couldn’t hide from the situation in front of her, so she could only stand upright and let her measure the length of her body.

After measuring it up, Han Shanggong carried Shu brocade into Linglong’s side hall. Linglong called Qin’er over and said, “Go and offer Empress Han Shanggong today’s lotus seed soup.” Qin’er trotted away, and Linglong summoned Sheng again. Sheng hurriedly stepped on the broken steps to Linglong’s side.

Linglong put her lips close to Sheng’s ear and said something. Sheng also left.

Qin’er handed the lotus seed soup to Han Xiuyi, and Han Shanggong recited Amitabha. He hurriedly started sewing without stopping. Qin’er did not walk and helped while talking to Han Shanggong.

After a while, Li Sheng also came back. It seemed that his harvest was not bad. He opened his mouth and said, “I have already asked around.”

Only then did Linglong’s heart fall to the ground and she asked, “What did the Internal Affairs Department say? What did the Shanggong Bureau say? What did the Ministry of Rites say?”

Li Sheng nodded and explained, “The Shanggong Bureau and the Internal Affairs Department have both said that only the Empress and Empress have Shu brocade. The Ministry of Rites said that the Autumn Feast will be held in the Chongguang Palace. However, the specifics have yet to be confirmed. The Emperor’s intention is that the Autumn Feast this year will be for the officials. It is estimated that many people will arrive at that time.”

Linglong picked up an embroidery needle and said, “I know. Anyone who comes will say that I’m making clothes. Do you understand if I can avoid them?”

Sheng nodded her head in understanding. Linglong went to the warmth pavilion to make clothes. Shu brocade clothes were the most difficult to make. If not, it would destroy the natural patterns of Shu brocade. This was a headache. Han Shanggong and Linglong thought for a while before they finished cutting the Shu brocade. Linglong held the scissors in her hand and finished all the sizes in one go.

After being in a hurry for a while, it was already dinner time. He didn’t expect Hui Qi to come over.

Linglong was still making autumn clothes in the inner hall. Hui Qi had also arrived in the inner hall. Linglong unconsciously turned around and saw Hui Qi coming over. She hurriedly put down her needle and thread. “This concubine did not know that the Emperor had arrived, but if she failed to meet him from afar, then this concubine deserved to die.”

Huiqi glared, “It was me who quietly came over, not you. Don’t blame yourself. Do you still like the materials for your clothes?”

Linglong smiled happily and said, “I like it.”

Han Shanggong’s smile had already disappeared.

Thus, there were only Linglong and Hui Qi in the empty inner hall. Linglong said, “The Emperor’s gift of Linglong Shu Jin has flattered Linglong. Linglong asked Han Shanggong. Han Shanggong said that only concubines and empress have Shu Jin, and concubines are terrified …”

“You don’t have to be scared. There’s something you’re even more caught off guard.” Hui Qi did not finish his sentence, but Linglong guessed a little. “From tomorrow onwards, you will find time every day to come to the study room for an hour. I need you,” Hui Qi said.

Linglong was puzzled, “Go to the study?”

Only the Son of Heaven could enter the study room of the Dali Dynasty. That was the centralized center of the Supreme Pavilion. Ordinary concubines were not allowed to enter for the rest of their lives, but those who entered were also very talented and virtuous. Imperial concubine Mu Yi had already entered the study that day. That was an unparalleled honorable pet, and Linglong was inexplicably shocked.

This was the rhythm of the harem’s concubines messing up politics. Linglong didn’t want to agree, “How can this concubine He De? This concubine doesn’t dare to speak rashly about politics.”

“Well thought. I won’t let you speak nonsense. There is naturally a need for you to go over. You just need to nod and agree.” Linglong nodded and smiled, “Can the Emperor agree to one thing? This way, this concubine will nod happily.”

Hui Qi was both amused and curious, “Tell me about it.”

“Your Majesty, can you let the officials and concubines not know about this matter and not let your concubines interfere in your politics? Is that good?” Linglong’s heart beat violently. She felt as if her throat had just been burned by charcoal. The pain was severe. She was afraid that not only would Huiqi not agree, but she would also desolate her because of her crime. However, her words had already been spoken. There was nothing she could do to regret it.

Hui Qi smiled sweetly and said, “However, I have agreed to these two things.”

Linglong finally breathed a sigh of relief. Just now, she could be considered to be scheming with a tiger. She understood the principle of accompanying a tiger like accompanying a tiger. At first, she saw a concubine with a small temper and a small intelligence sent to the berserk room by Huiqi. She was also lucky, but she didn’t expect it to be so logical.

“Thank you for allowing me, Your Majesty.” Linglong was overjoyed.

Huiqi held Linglong’s hand and looked at Linglong’s hand. Her fair finger was actually stabbed. Huiqi blew on her lips in pain. “Why aren’t you careful? Let’s take a look at you.” Linglong hurriedly put her finger back, “I’m already very careful, because the emperor said that this dress must be worn at the autumn banquet, so I just want to be careful.”

“Heart is one thing, but don’t hurt yourself.” Huiqi gripped Linglong’s hand in distress. There were new questions in Linglong’s heart. Taking advantage of this moment of intercourse, she hurriedly asked, “Why did the Emperor reward her concubines and Empress Shu Jin alone?”

Huiqi pondered for a moment. Linglong could clearly see the hesitation in Huiqi’s eyes, but Huiqi said, “It’s just a gift of red powder to a beauty. I said that everything I gave you last time was my freedom. Could there be anyone who has any objections?”

Linglong smiled and said, “Has this arrived? Your concubine thanked the Emperor in advance.”

Hui Qi scratched the tip of Linglong’s nose and said, “It’s just that you’re an eccentric spirit. Forget it, remember what I told you. Come to the study from tomorrow onwards. Don’t keep me waiting for too long.” Hui Qi said with a lack of interest as she prepared to leave. Linglong held Hui Qi’s hand and said, “Your Majesty, tonight …”

‘”Tonight is not anywhere,” Huiqi pointed to the moon above his head. “Tonight is the birthday of the first emperor. I also need to be a filial servant!”

“It is rare for the Emperor to have such filial piety. Then this concubine will respectfully send the Emperor off.” Linglong didn’t want Huiqi to stay. She just asked casually. Although she didn’t hate Huiqi touching her body, she didn’t try to please Huiqi.