Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 18 Part 1

Different dreams on the same couch.

The sunlight spilled on top the green glazed roof tiles, resembling clear waves on a lake surface. Dots of light flickered and jumped back and forth, its end could not be seen.

Qing Yue brewed the tea and served it to Qin Ling.

Consort Xue gathered her cloak to cover her body, and with a sizing look: “Having entered the palace a few days already, I’ve noticed that you’ve lost some weight. Could it be that you’re feeling unwell?”

Based on Qin Ling’s understanding of Xue Lanyi.

With those opening remarks, there is an 80% chance that things will not end up well.

Qin Ling answered: “This concubine is not in any discomfort, thanking Her Highness for her concern.”

Consort Xue: “What are you thanking me for? You’ve worked hard to transcribe those scriptures for me, I should be the one thanking you.”

Qin Ling: “This is what this concubine should do.”

“You’re so well mannered. It’s no wonder that the consort dowager took a liking to you,” said Consort Xue while weighing the tea cup in her hand. She slowly continued: “The consort dowager is not in good health, it must be hard for you to serve her. I cannot help much. After thinking about it, I can only add a few more people to aid you.”

Qin Ling suddenly understood what kind of drama Consort Xue was chanting today.

This was to put eyes around her.

Consort Xue lifted her chin and cast a look at Qingyue.

Two court ladies in light blue dresses slowly walked over.

Consort Xue looked at Qin Ling and said with a smile: “These two people, one is called Chang Ge, and the other is Ling Que. There are both first-class maidservants in my palace. Bring them back first. If they do something unwanted, they can be punished according to the rules of your palace.”

Although Qin Ling was unwilling to take them, right now, there was a large disparity between their status. Therefore, she simply obeyed.

There was a faint smile on the corner of her mouth: “The servants around Your Highness are the chosen ones from thousands of people. They must feel wronged working in this concubine’s palace, so how can they be punished?”

These words were so beautiful. Not only Consort Xue felt satisfied, even Chang Ge and Ling Que couldn’t help but raise the corner of their mouth.

Only Li Yuan changed her expression slightly, and rubbed the rim of the cup in her hand with her thin, fair fingers thoughtfully.

After returning to Jinlan Courtyard, Ling Que and Chang Ge quickly replaced Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin, and they were sent to the outer courtyard.

It’s not that Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin were weak or easy to bully. They only realized that this is undoubtedly Consort Xue making trouble for their master.

In this half a year, they could only avoid her edge.

Why half a year?

Because the consort dowager’s body was getting worse and worse. Even though the information was not clear, there were still bits of whispers here and there, saying that at most, she could only live for another half a year.

Behind every wall of the harem, there are a pair of ears, so all of this cannot be hidden from Gonggong Sheng.

After much consideration, Gonggong Sheng still passed what Consort Xue had done to the emperor’s ears.

Gonggong Sheng thought that in consideration of the eldest prince, the emperor would take care of Meiren Qin. Unexpectedly, the Emperor just lay down the accounts in his hand, and in a questioning voice said, “What’s wrong with it?”

What’s wrong with a 2nd-ranked consort bestowing a 6th-ranked meiren two court ladies?

The answer is that there is nothing wrong with it.

Gonggong Sheng instantly realized.

Meiren Qin, Qin Ling.

This young miss of a 5th-ranked grand scribe, not only did the emperor not care about her, he had never planned to let her raise the eldest prince at all. At best, she could only be the eldest prince’s medicine.

The days passed as usual. Qin Ling would come to Shou’an Palace on time around the period of weishi.

When Momo Yuan saw the two maidservants behind Qin Ling, her eyes narrowed and said coldly: “Meiren should go in first. The consort dowager is waiting for you.”

Ling Que and Chang Ge quickly bowed and said in a low voice: “This servant will be waiting here.”

After all, there are all female officials who are familiar with the rules of the palace. Every word and deed conform to the rules and etiquette, so they can’t make mistakes.

[period of weishi: 1-3 pm]

As soon as Qin Ling entered the door, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

The little prince wore an exceptional formal dress today. A red court attire, covering the knees, with ribbons, large belt, and jade.

When his lips are pursed, one can really see some majesty from his three-foot body.

On the premise that he is not smiling.

But he couldn’t help but smile when he saw Qin Ling, his eyes twinkling.

Qin Ling lowered her body, touched his head, and said softly: “The Imperial tutor was here earlier to teach you?”

Xiao Yun nodded and approached one step.

Qin Ling felt the warmth of this meat dumpling, making her heart warm, then swung their hands: “Did you listen carefully?”

Xiao Yun nodded with an “en” sound.

Qin Ling had noticed that this little thing could only say one word at once. Any more than that was difficult for him.

The purpose of Qin Ling coming here is to let him talk more, so naturally she wouldn’t miss any chance. She knelt down and said softly: “What did the Imperial tutor talk about?”

The little prince’s eyes turned serious. Obviously feeling nervous.

Qin Ling was at the same eye-level with him, looking inexplicably aggrieved: “You don’t want to tell me?”

How could he not want to?!

Xiao Yun’s emotions were tenaciously grasped by her.

Facing Qin Ling’s disappointed expression, he raised his little hand and shook it in panic, “N-Not like that.”

Qin Ling looked at him again in “confusion”, as if waiting for him to explain.

Xiao Yun couldn’t resist such a look, so he leaned over to Qin Ling’s ear and whispered: “It’s just t-three characters classic.”

Qin Ling smiled and hugged the meat dumpling who was close at hand when he was not paying attention.

After Qin Ling left, Xiao Yun’s little face was still brimming with joy. He even ate more than usual.

Consort Dowager Sun called Momo Yuan to her side and said in a low voice: “Although Qin shi’s character is good, her identity is really too low. I’m afraid there will be no less trouble in the future, if she really has the blessing to raise Yun’er. You should follow Meiren Qin.”

When Momo Yuan heard the consort dowager’s words, her eyes flushed: “Why is the consort dowager saying these things to this servant? Aside from Shou’an Palace, this servant will not go anywhere.”

Consort Dowager Sun smiled helplessly: “You ah.”

Momo Yuan used her fingers to press the rim of her eyes: “Recently, there have been three letters from Mount Li. When does the consort dowager plan to call the grand princess back to the palace?”

Consort Dowager Sun looked down at her palms and slowly said: “She’s inseparable from me since childhood. I believe it’s not that she doesn’t want to come back. She can’t come back.”

Momo Yuan raised her tone: “If in the future the grand princess knows that you’ve been hiding this from her…”

Consort Dowager Sun patted Momo Yuan’s shoulder, “Send her a letter. Tell her that I’m fine.”

The light outside the window moved, and it happened to spill on top of a low stool.

Consort Dowager Sun was slightly startled, then recalled about many years ago.

Princess Changning was sitting here, nestled beside her legs as if she was boneless.

She asked jokingly: “What kind of spell did that youngster from the Su family cast on you? Why do you like him so much?”

Changning justified herself: “Changning likes consort mother the most, Su Jingming is number two.”

Jingming. That was Su Huai’an’s courtesy name.

Consort Dowager Sun closed her eyes, as if she could still see the young girl’s unconcealed smile…

Inside Cining Palace, smoke lingered.

Empress Dowager Chu sneered: “The Xue family has only won the battle for a few days, yet Consort Xue already can’t sit still.”

Gonggong Zhang replied: “This servant thought that Consort Xue’s doing was probably related to Shou’an Palace. The smell of medicine on the consort dowager’s body is getting stronger recently. It may be assumed that her days are not long.”

“Her body has not been well for several years already. Being able to hold out until now can be considered living a long life.” When mentioning Consort Dowager Sun’s body, the empress dowager looked thoughtful and paused for a moment, before she continued: “Are there any movements from Mount Li’s side?”

Gonggong Zhang: “Grand Princess Changning is still ill as before and hasn’t come out.”

Empress Dowager Chu pondered for a while and said: “Since there’s no result from recent investigation, just put away the matter of Mount Li for now. Whether she’s truly ill or not, we will know sooner or later. What’s important now is the drama within this palace.”

Gonggong Zhang: “Is the empress dowager talking about Meiren Qin?”

Empress Dowager Chu laid down the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand and moved her hand to and fro: “Go and quickly tell Ning Yuangzheng that my head is hurting. I will need to recuperate these days. The matter of Meiren Qin’s poisoning is really odd. Since we can’t find anything, we can only tell His Majesty.”

Gonggong Zhang bowed: “Yes. This servant will immediately deal with it.”

Outside Yangxin Hall, Imperial Physician Ning was seeking an audience.

Gonggong Sheng raised his head and looked at the sky: “Why did Imperial Physician Ning come so early in the morning?”

Imperial Physician Ning explained the reason, making Gonggong Sheng’s eyes change slightly: “Are you seriously saying that Meiren Qin has been poisoned?”

Imperial Physician Ning frowned, the space between his eyebrows made a “川” character shape: “If I’m not serious, would I dare to face the emperor?”

Gonggong Sheng immediately shouted in a loud voice: “Imperial Physician Ning Yuanzheng of the Imperial Hospital is seeking an audience.”

Xiao Yu frowned: “Enter.”

Hearing only the faint sound of the curtain, Ning Yuanzheng walked in slowly with a booklet and meal records and said: “Informing Your Majesty, this official wants to submit a report.”

Xiao Yu looked at him with an account book in his hand: “Hand it over.”