tallest building

Chapter 283 The Dong Family

Because the Empress had instructed Wen Mingqian to make rouge and face powder for the concubines and mistresses in the palace, she naturally couldn't handle it all by herself; at least a dozen people would be needed.

Xiaoyue is now considered a semi-skilled worker, and Yu Lu has specially assigned her several people to be her assistants.

But these people can only do some rough work; the most delicate tasks have to be done by Wen Mingqian himself.

We must work day and night to catch up on the work and cannot afford to slack off in the slightest.

The Empress said that it must all be done before the Shangsi Festival.

As lunchtime approached, Wen Mingqian was on his way to Mingcui Palace when he encountered Consort Rong.

Wen Mingqian naturally stepped forward to greet her. Consort Rong was very affectionate towards her and even took her hand, saying, "Lady Wen, when you make things for me, could you make them with orchid fragrance? I love that scent the most."

Previously, they never dared to ask Wen Mingqian for anything, for fear of offending the Empress.

But now that the Empress has spoken, it's out in the open. Since we're going to do it anyway, why not do it the way we want?

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will consult with you all before I finish making it. The fragrance, whether it is strong or weak, must be to your liking as much as possible," Wen Mingqian replied with a smile. "I will go to your place first tomorrow, it's on my way anyway."

"Oh dear, this is too much trouble for you. No wonder Her Majesty the Empress values ​​you so much. You really are a heart of crystal and a delicate soul." Consort Rong was beaming with joy.

Women in the deep palace are especially lonely. Unable to leave these high walls, they naturally have to find ways to fill their boring days.

I'll pay attention to anything new and interesting.

Wen Mingqian naturally exchanged a few polite words. After the two parted ways, Wen Mingqian planned to go around the east side of the Empress's palace. Unexpectedly, he ran into Dong Gang as soon as he turned the corner.

He came out of the Empress's palace at this time, clearly having skipped lunch. He was followed by a young eunuch, Yu Lu's newly accepted apprentice.

Now that they had met, Wen Mingqian couldn't pretend she hadn't seen them. She stepped aside and half-squatted to give a greeting.

Originally, it was thought that Dong Gang would walk straight over, but unexpectedly he stopped in front of Wen Mingqian.

The young eunuch, who had been following closely behind him, immediately took a few steps back when Dong Gang slightly turned his head.

When Dong Gang turned to Wen Mingqian, his face was all smiles and warmth: "Where are you going, Madam Wen?"

"This servant is going to Princess Duanmin's residence in Mingcui Palace," Wen Mingqian said, his brows furrowed.

“My lady is so talented and elegant, there is no need for her to refer to herself as a servant.” Dong Gang’s eyes scrutinized Wen Mingqian from head to toe like a scraper. “I must admit I’m quite ignorant, I never knew there was such a divine person as my lady in this world.”

Such words were indeed rash, and Wen Mingqian then realized that the previous information was indeed reliable.

Dong Gang only resembled his grandfather in appearance; otherwise, he bore no resemblance whatsoever.

He is a womanizer, but he doesn't like women who are too young and immature.

The eldest princess was probably short and thin, looking like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, which made Dong Gang lose interest in her, and she had not conceived in the three years since their marriage.

You should know that his concubines had been pregnant several times before, but he never allowed them to give birth.

In his eyes, a beautiful woman like Wen Mingqian was simply a celestial being descended to earth; he was already drooling with desire at first sight. "Lord Dong, you flatter me. This servant is truly unworthy of such praise," Wen Mingqian said, preparing to take her leave, but Dong Gang stopped her from leaving.

"After drinking your tea today, I feel clear-headed and refreshed. I wonder if you still have any? I'd like to have another cup sometime." Dong Gang said, completely disregarding that they were in the palace.

Wen Mingqian then realized that this was definitely not the first time he had done something like this.

"If Your Excellency likes it, I will inform Your Highness that I will prepare more." Wen Mingqian said, taking a slight step back.

Dong Gang smiled and took a big step forward: "My wife, are you afraid of me?"

"Your Excellency is an Imperial Censor, how can I not show you respect?" Wen Mingqian covered his chest with his hand and took a big step back.

"Don't be afraid, my wife, I would never harm you." Dong Gang said, taking off the jade pendant from his waist and handing it to her. "This is the first time I've met you, my wife, and I didn't prepare any suitable gift. Please accept this for now; it's a token of my appreciation."

"This...this servant cannot accept it, it would be too impolite." Wen Mingqian refused while glancing at the jade pendant, his eyes seemingly filled with longing.

Dong Gang had taken in this slight expression, and a sense of pride welled up in his heart: "My lady, please don't refuse again, lest someone see us."

He then forcefully shoved the jade pendant into Wen Mingqian's hand. Wen Mingqian seemed flustered, unsure whether to take it or not.

Dong Gang didn't linger and strode away.

When Wen Mingqian arrived at Mingcui Palace, he once again displayed a calm and composed demeanor.

Two noble ladies, Alan and Aman, were also there, playing with sheep knee bones around a low table with Princess Duanmin.

Those sheep knee bones were quite old, worn smooth and lustrous from being rubbed together. They made a crisp sound when they collided with each other, which was quite interesting.

"You've arrived," Princess Duanmin said, stopping her play as soon as she saw her. "Have you eaten yet? I had the kitchen prepare steamed beef cakes with a soup of lamb tripe and mushrooms. You can try some later."

After getting through the initial period of not being able to eat and feeling nauseous at the smell of everything, Princess Duanmin now has a very large appetite, eating at least four meals a day and often feeling hungry.

She herself often frowned and complained, "I've been married to Fenye for so many years and I still can't get used to eating beef and mutton, and I can't stand the smell of the gamey smell. I don't know what's wrong with me now, but I keep wanting to eat these things. It's true that you take after whoever you are."

She didn't love Chester, but she still got pregnant with his child in order to use him.

This child was an accident for her, but by nature, she also wanted to be a good mother.

“The princess looks even more radiant; this child is bringing you good fortune,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “We’re happy to see this as well.”

“Sigh, this child will definitely be burly and strong when he is born, and he probably won’t be delicate at all.” Princess Duanmin pouted. “Just like those clumsy little dogs on the grassland, short, stocky, and silly.”

“It’s better for children to look chubby when they’re young, as they’re easier to raise. Once they’re five or six years old, they’ll grow thinner as they’ve grown taller,” Wen Mingqian said.

"Was Chang'an chubby when he was little?" Duanmin asked curiously.

"He was born chubby and fair-skinned, and would fall asleep as soon as he was full of milk. When he was half a month old, because he was growing so fast, the skin that was covered with his skin peeled off layer by layer like fish scales, making him look even fairer." Wen Mingqian recalled the scene of Gong Chang'an when he was a child, as if it were right in front of him.

“Raising a child is no easy task,” Princess Duanmin sighed softly. “But look at you, raising Chang’an so well in such a desolate and remote place.”