Proud Feather

Chapter 5 Concubine Shu
At this moment, the aroma of medicine wafted from the Funing Hall in the center of the imperial palace, and the atmosphere was quiet but depressing.

Concubine Tian Shu was wearing plain clothes, with arm straps tied around her arms, and was processing medicinal herbs.

She was extremely careful, grinding each piece repeatedly. Her technique was so skillful that she didn't look like a favorite concubine at all, but rather like a female doctor who had been dealing with medicinal herbs for many years.

The young palace maid beside her was watching the fire and exclaiming in admiration: "Your Majesty is so meticulous. Why don't you just let us do all the work yourself?"

Concubine Tian Shu's face was tired, but her voice was gentle: "I'm used to it. I don't trust others to do it."

The young palace maid complimented him, "Your Majesty has been devoted to His Majesty for over ten years. In fact, His Majesty doesn't mind. Last time, he even asked us to do more so that Your Majesty could have a rest."

Concubine Tian Shu shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. How could I become arrogant because of your favor? I was originally left here by the Empress to serve Your Majesty. No matter what, I must never forget my original intention."

These words would make anyone sigh, and the young palace maid was no exception: "Your Majesty is truly loyal and righteous. The late Empress just said a few words for you, and you remembered her for your entire life. Even the Second Prince has been with her for over twenty years to repay her kindness. According to this servant, the late Empress has been gone for so many years, and you have already repaid all the kindness you owed."

As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Tian Shu's face darkened and she stopped.

The aunt in charge, who was not far away, turned around and scolded: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

The young maid had not anticipated the sudden change in the situation and was at a loss: "I, your servant..."

The head aunt picked up the ruler and hit it, then sternly ordered: "Kneel down!"

The little maid fell to her knees with a plop, completely panicked: "This servant deserves death! Madam, please spare me! Madam, please spare me!"

The aunt in charge, instead of being angry, looked even colder: "Why do you deserve to die? Why do you need the Queen to spare your life?"

The little palace maid was speechless: "Your servant, your servant..."

"Okay, Caizhi," Concubine Tian Shu stopped her, "She is young and ignorant, so just teach her well."

Caizhi agreed and turned back to teach her one sentence at a time.

"Although the late queen only said one word, it was a great favor to you. If someone heard your words, they would think that you have forgotten your former master and have other thoughts on your mind."

"The Second Prince and the Crown Prince have a deep bond. This is their own brotherly love. If you confuse it with the Empress's kindness, won't that lead people to misunderstand the Second Prince?"

"Also, when has Your Majesty ever treated me harshly? You're saying I deserve death and you're saying I'll spare your life. Who do you think Your Majesty is?"

The young maid suddenly realized that she had said so many things wrongly and said hurriedly, "I know I was wrong. I will be careful with my words and actions in the future and will not make the same mistake again."

Caizhi's expression softened: "Get up! Remember these words well. Our queen is easy to talk to, but the palace has strict rules. Only by being cautious can you live longer."

"Yes." The little palace maid was convinced. "Thank you, Madam, for your generosity, and thank you, Sister Caizhi, for your guidance."

Concubine Tian Shu pointed at the stove and said, "Keep watching the fire, don't look away."

"Yes."

The little maid stood up and picked up the fan.

Caizhi turned around and helped Concubine Tian Shu put the ground herbs into the jar, saying, "Your Majesty, you didn't sleep much last night, why don't you go and rest for a while. The herbs are almost ready, I will clean them up."

Concubine Tian Shu didn't move: "Forget it, I can't sleep anyway."

Caizhi couldn't help but feel distressed: "The Crown Prince's death has also dealt a heavy blow to you, and you still have to take care of His Majesty. How can you endure this? Look at you, you've become so haggard."

"How can I say I'm enduring this?" Concubine Tian Shu disagreed. "The one who's really enduring it is His Majesty. When the Queen passed away, he promised to take good care of his two children. He has treated them like the apple of his eye over the years, cherishing them with his heart. Seeing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince grow up, marry and have children, I thought I could rest assured, but I didn't expect such an accident to happen."

At this point, Concubine Tian Shu's eyes reddened. "I only regret that I can't take his place. I caused the Crown Prince to die young, and let His Majesty suffer such a blow. When I see the Empress again a hundred years from now, I don't know how I will explain it to her." "How can I blame you for this?" Caizhi said hurriedly, "You are in the harem, and those things have nothing to do with you!"

She consoled him for a long time, and finally Concubine Tian Shu wiped away her tears and said, "Now that things have come to this, there is nothing I can do for Your Majesty except to take good care of him."

After hearing these words, the little palace maid beside her was extremely moved.

The Empress Shufei is indeed a first-class good person. What nonsense I said just now almost caused the Empress to be misunderstood.

At this time, a palace servant came over and said, "Aunt Caizhi, someone is here to bring you some dry goods."

Caizhi apologized and followed her out.

There was a eunuch standing in the corridor. When he saw her, he hurried over to greet her.

Caizhi recognized him as a servant of Huaide Hall, and her heart sank.

"what's up?"

The eunuch handed over the paper bag and said, "Auntie, there was a little accident over there, and I had a hard time getting out..."

He leaned over and told her what he knew.

Caizhi's expression changed drastically and she asked, "Are you sure?"

The eunuch said, "I was on duty outside and only heard this, but I saw with my own eyes that the imperial doctors went in, and even the farm steward was there."

Caizhi took a deep breath and said to him, "Thank you for your hard work."

After saying this, he gestured to the palace maid beside him and handed over a purse.

The eunuch weighed it and found it quite heavy. He was very happy and said, "Thank you, auntie. I'll come back if I need anything else."

Caizhi nodded slightly, watched him leave, and quickly returned to the hall.

"My lady..."

As soon as she whispered the story, Concubine Tian Shu immediately untied her belt and said, "Your Majesty should be awake soon. Go and attend to him!"

As soon as he left the side hall, the eunuch outside came to announce: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Zhang and several others, as well as the Crown Princess, the Second Prince, and the Princess, wish to see Your Majesty."
-
Outside the hall, Zhang Dingyuan led the ministers to stand in one row, and Lu Chan led Chu He and Chu Ling to stand in another row.

The eunuch on duty has already gone in to report. The people who come are more important than each other. How dare he refuse?
Zhang Dingyuan glanced over and said, "Princess."

Chu Ling turned around: "Prime Minister Zhang called me?"

Zhang Dingyuan nodded gently. "Your Majesty is ill and cannot be provoked any further. I will go inside and explain the matter slowly. The princess can go later. Is that okay?"

Chu Ling immediately understood what he meant. She had just cried and made a scene, and she was always spoiled and willful. Zhang Xianggong was afraid that she would upset her father again.

Lu Chan obviously understood and agreed, "A Ling, Zhang Xiang is right. They said they are more suitable than us."

Chu Ling had no reason to refuse. Although she wanted to see her father, her father's condition was the most important thing at the moment, so she nodded and said, "Okay."

Everyone was pleased to see her so obedient. The princess had finally grown up, and she had indeed changed after experiencing things. Thinking about what she had experienced, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

It is better not to experience such a tragic thing.

(End of this chapter)