SEC Chapter 445 Shunpin
Chapter 445 Shunpin
Seeing that it was still early, An Lingrong pulled Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao to go to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the scenery.
The three of them walked forward aimlessly while talking.
In early winter, the Imperial Garden quietly donned a cool, cool veil. Looking up, the sky was clear and high, its pure blue sky devoid of a single cloud, making the chill even more chilling.
Most of the trees in the garden have lost their once lush green clothes, leaving only bare branches intertwined. Occasionally, a few crows land on the branches and make a few monotonous calls, which adds a bit of winter bleakness to the silent garden.
Hanzhu, who was following behind him, said, "Three Madams, the camellias in the Imperial Garden are blooming. Would you like to go and see them?"
Camellia is Feng Ruozhao's favorite flower.
An Lingrong made a prompt decision: "Let's go and see!"
Led by Hanzhu, the three of them walked towards the flower garden.
The flower garden is located in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden, which is a bit remote. The three of them walked for a long time and were sweating slightly before they smelled a faint floral fragrance.
When I got closer, I found two people standing in front of the flower bed.
It was Concubine Duan Qi Yuebin and Concubine Shun Mu Jingqiu.
Seeing the three of them, the two of them came over and saluted.
Shen Meizhuang said with a smile: "Sister Duan Fei and Sister Shunpin, you are so elegant. I didn't expect to meet you here."
Qi Yuebin smiled faintly: "I was bored during my illness and wanted to come out for some fresh air. I didn't expect to run into Sister Shunpin by chance, so I chatted a little more. How did the Imperial Concubine have time to come to the Imperial Garden? The Imperial Concubine will be entering the palace soon, so the Imperial Concubine must be very busy, right?"
"Even though we are busy, we should relax occasionally, otherwise we will be wasting the splendor of this imperial garden!"
Qi Yuebin's eyes flickered for a moment, and he smiled. "Your Majesty is right. Pick the flowers when they are ready. Don't wait until there are no flowers left to pluck. It would be such a pity if the flowers withered."
Shen Meizhuang ignored the deeper meaning of her words and said, "It doesn't matter if the flowers fade. As long as the branches are there, they will bloom again next year."
As he spoke, he looked toward the flowerbed. He saw vast fields of camellias in full bloom, red like fire, pink like clouds, white like frost, blossoming in clusters, proudly standing tall in the cold wind. The petals, layered and delicate, were soft, and the stamens were golden, emitting a faint fragrance.
"But these flowers bloom and fade every year, the years go by, and the world keeps changing. I don't know what the scene will be like next year at this time."
Shen Meizhuang didn't want to play games with her and said directly, "Caiyue, tell the gardener to take good care of this flower garden. I will come here to appreciate the flowers with my sisters next year!"
"Yes!"
Qi Yuebin looked at Shen Meizhuang, his tone so calm that not a single wave of emotion could be heard: "I heard that it was you who asked the Emperor to posthumously confer the title of Consort Qi?"
Her expression was calm, but her hand, hanging by her side, trembled slightly under the cover of her wide sleeves, revealing her inner anger.
Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang smiled slightly, speaking in a gentle and humble tone, "Sister Duanfei, that's not true. I just mentioned it casually. The Emperor is kind-hearted and has a fatherly heart. Seeing that the Third Prince is about to get married, he agreed."
"Yeah?".
"of course."
Qi Yuebin said no more, his gaze passed Shen Meizhuang and Feng Ruozhao and fell on An Lingrong who was at the back.
She knew without thinking that it was this person's idea.
An Lingrong was keenly aware of her gaze, but did not dodge. Instead, she met her gaze without flinching. Then she raised her eyebrows slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, as if silently responding to something.
Yes, that's me!
There was a subtle tension in the air. The fragrance of camellia was still strong, but it could not cover up the faint smell of gunpowder.
After a moment, Qi Yuebin nodded slightly: "Your Highness, I am a little tired, so I will take my leave first!"
After saying that, without waiting for Shen Meizhuang to reply, he took Ruyi's hand and left.
An Lingrong watched her leave until her figure completely disappeared, then she slowly turned around.
She narrowed her eyes, her gaze fixed on Mu Jingqiu, and asked casually, "Sister Shunpin, are you familiar with Sister Duanfei?"
Mu Jingqiu still had a gentle smile on her face as she replied respectfully, "Her Majesty lives in seclusion and rarely goes out. Except on days when the whole palace pays her respects, I rarely see her."
An Lingrong gently raised her wrist, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and smiled faintly: "I saw my sister and Sister Duanfei chatting happily, and I thought you two had known each other for a long time. It turns out it was just a chance encounter. It really is fate."
Mu Jingqiu still maintained that gentle and lovely look, with his head slightly lowered. His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on his fair cheeks, just enough to conceal the caution that flashed in the depths of his eyes.
She replied softly, "Her Majesty Duan is of noble character and refined elegance, which I truly admire. However, I am conscious of my inferiority and have not dared to approach Her Majesty casually. It is purely by chance that I have the honor of speaking with Her Majesty for a few words today."
An Lingrong's smile deepened upon hearing this. "Sister, you're being modest. In my opinion, you're both intelligent people. If we had the chance to meet, we'd surely regret not meeting each other earlier. Since you admire Concubine Duan, how about letting me host a banquet someday, and Concubine Jing and I will be there to accompany you and Concubine Duan? How about that?"
A subtle flicker of panic crossed Mu Jingqiu's face, but she quickly regained her gentle and charming demeanor. She bowed respectfully once more, her voice tinged with fear, "Your Majesty, I am truly unworthy of such praise. I still rely on your guidance in everything."
"You're welcome, sister! Sister Duan Fei has gone back, so please come with us for a stroll!"
"Yes! Your Majesty, please."
Several people continued to appreciate the flowers.
Feng Ruozhao pointed at one of the flowers and said with a smile, "This camellia is in excellent bloom, with bright colors and thick petals. Hanzhu, go pick it."
Hanzhu took the order and left. When the flowers were handed to her, Feng Ruozhao personally pinned them on An Lingrong's head and said softly, "It looks beautiful!"
An Lingrong smiled mischievously: "Sister Imperial Concubine, who is prettier, the flowers or the people?"
Feng Ruozhao and Shen Meizhuang said at the same time: "They all look good."
Mu Jingqiu echoed, "Your Majesty has a unique vision. I've heard that although camellias are cold-resistant, it's rare for them to bloom so brilliantly in winter."
An Lingrong smiled slightly, turned to look at Mu Jingqiu, and said tentatively, "Sister Shunpin is quite knowledgeable about camellias. Do you also like to tend to flowers and plants?"
Mu Jingqiu looked calm and respectful as she replied, "I do enjoy growing flowers and plants in the palace in my spare time, but my skills are rudimentary and far inferior to those of the gardeners. Camellias are beautiful, but I prefer those humbler flowers. I feel that while they may not be ostentatious, they possess a tenacious beauty all their own."
An Lingrong nodded and said, "Sister, what you said resonates deeply with me. Flowers are not high or low, each has its own beauty. Just like people, each has their own character and destiny."
Although the two were talking about flowers, there was a deeper meaning in their words.
Feng Ruozhao and Shen Meizhuang looked at each other and did not respond.
Mu Jingqiu's eyes flickered slightly. "What Empress Wen said is absolutely right. There are hundreds of flowers blooming in the palace, each with its own unique beauty. This is what makes this imperial garden so colorful."
These words made An Lingrong smell a hint of danger.
Back at Yonghe Palace, An Lingrong said directly, "Sister, there's something wrong with Mu Jingqiu. Check her information. The more detailed the better."
Shen Meizhuang nodded.