Chapter 604: Chapter 606: Secrets of the Palace
Although she had tricked the Emperor, facing the loving Empress Dowager, Yun Jinnian still felt soft-hearted.
The Empress Dowager sighed deeply upon hearing this.
"The Emperor was most afraid of pain when he was young, and afraid of taking medicine. Every time he was ill, it was I who had to hold him and coax him repeatedly before he would take his medicine. Over the years, the Emperor has become a grandfather, and I have been wholeheartedly enjoying my own blessings, yet I have forgotten to care for him more! No matter how formidable he is, in my heart, he is still that child who is afraid of the bitterness of medicine and of pain!"
Yun Jinnian remained silent.
This...
Why would the Empress Dowager say these things?
The Empress watched from the side, her lips curling into a smile.
The Empress Dowager’s thoughts were profound, otherwise, she wouldn’t have climbed from a mere palace lady to her current position step by step, and the Emperor was not even her biological son. What she intended to convey with these words, Yun Jinnian did not know, but she certainly understood.
The Empress Dowager was both anxious and afraid.
However, this had nothing to do with her.
Seeing that Yun Jinnian did not respond and neither did the Empress, the Empress Dowager felt somewhat displeased, but did not show it on her face. She took a silk handkerchief and wiped the corner of her eye, "Look at me, so muddle-headed, speaking of the embarrassing moments of the Emperor’s childhood. When the Emperor wakes up, he might not be so forgiving!"
"Enough, enough, I shall return first. You should also freshen up and have some food. Let the Empress stay behind to watch over the Emperor," said the Empress Dowager nonchalantly.
Yun Jinnian immediately understood, the Empress and the Empress Dowager were not on good terms.
Although staying to serve the Emperor was something the concubines of the Imperial harem were very willing to do, the Empress might not be willing.
Yet the Empress Dowager had the Empress stay behind...
"Yes!"
The Empress Dowager was helped away by Eunuch An.
Dengzi stepped forward to invite Yun Jinnian to the side hall for a meal, and Yun Jinnian looked towards the Empress.
The Empress smiled gently, "Go ahead, I’ll stay here to guard him. After you have eaten, come back and relieve me!"
"Yes!"
Yun Jinnian, accompanied by Hemei and Henuan, followed Dengzi to the side hall where six or seven dishes, a soup, and a bowl of pearl rice were laid out on the table.
But there was only one pair of chopsticks.
Thinking of Hemei and Henuan, Yun Jinnian said to Dengzi, "Eunuch!"
"Your servant is here!"
"Please bring two more bowls of rice and two pairs of chopsticks for me!"
Dengzi was taken aback, then responded and immediately went to prepare.
He was curious, who was Yun Jinnian going to reward? And did he have a share?
If he did, that would be wonderful.
It was a great honor indeed.
Yun Jinnian began to eat, only picking dishes from in front of her, not touching those in the middle.
When Dengzi brought the chopsticks and rice,
Yun Jinnian selected three dishes and said to Dengzi, "These three dishes are for you!"
Dengzi was overjoyed at her words, "Thank you, Fourth Miss, for the reward!"
The dishes, even leftovers from Yun Jinnian, were a great reward. Even more so because Yun Jinnian hadn’t touched them at all, which was a matter of great prestige.
Eunuch Hai truly showed him a clear path.
Thinking this, Dengzi became even happier.
"Fourth Miss, you eat first, your servant will eat after you have finished!"
Yun Jinnian nodded, calling over Hemei and Henuan to eat.
Hemei and Henuan shook their heads slightly.
At home, anything went, and nobody could say anything, but this was in the palace, and they could not be without manners.
Yun Jinnian fell silent for a moment, quickly finished eating, and stood up, "I’m done eating; you two divide it up and eat!"
And she wondered where the Empress would dine.
In Yangxin Hall? Or back at Weiyang Palace?
When Yun Jinnian returned to Yangxin Hall to take over for the Empress, the Empress seriously said, "I shall return to Weiyang Palace first and come back later!"