Chapter 29 - 2#

He also knew that Jingzhe had refused to follow Huang Yijie to Zhongcui Palace, which was why he had specifically mentioned it.

The two talked for a while before going their separate ways.

When he returned to the imperial kitchen, Mingyu saw Zhu Erxi squatting by the large water tank, scooping water. There were many valuable live fish in the tank, and the water had to be changed frequently.

Mingyu hurried over to help, handing him things.

Zhu Erxi looked thin and dry, but he was very strong. He lifted a large wooden bucket just like that. “You and Jingzhe, are you very familiar?”

The sudden question made Mingyu pause.

Zhu Erxi knew Jingzhe?

Otherwise, how could he call out his name in one go?

Mingyu: “He’s my friend from the North Quarters.”

Splash—

Zhu Erxi poured all the water into the large tank and moved the live fish back in before turning to look at Mingyu.

Mingyu subconsciously stood up straight, afraid of being beaten again.

Although he could learn good things, who really liked being beaten? If it could be avoided, who would want it?

It really hurt.

“You haven’t cooked yet, have you?”

Zhu Erxi said suddenly.

Mingyu: “Not yet, I’m learning to cut vegetables with a few of the older brothers…” Before he could finish, Zhu Erxi interrupted him.

“Follow me.”

With a stern face and his hands behind his back, Zhu Erxi led Mingyu to a newly tidied area.

In a hoarse voice: “Cut.”

Usually, they were not allowed to move around freely or waste ingredients.

Unless they had Zhu Erxi’s permission.

Hearing Zhu Erxi say this, Mingyu suddenly calmed down, went to get the ingredients, and gripped the kitchen knife.

Thump, thump, thump—

He began to cut.

Zhu Erxi stood by with his hands behind his back, watching.

…

Walking out along the long official road in the middle of the capital, and a little further, you could start to hear the cries of street vendors. All kinds of strange and wonderful things were displayed on the stalls.

If someone was selling, someone was buying.

This was the liveliest place.

However, the people who came here to buy things were still the wealthy, because those who could set up stalls here were all from nearby shops. Those who couldn’t even afford to rent a shop naturally had no right to be here.

Ordinary people didn’t come here to buy things. They would go further west.

Although it was a longer walk, the things they bought there were truly good value for their money.

The shop where Cen Liang worked was also here.

At the beginning of each month, she would collect her wages, first pay for Liu-shi’s medicine for the month, then get another month’s worth of medicine, and then slowly go home.

But sometimes, she wouldn’t go home right away, but would take a detour to another place.

Sometimes, it was to buy some preserved fruit for her mother; sometimes, it was to buy a two-finger-long piece of meat, not much, but enough for them to taste meat; sometimes…

Cen Liang went to see their home.

Not the current one, but the place where they used to live.

To Cen Liang, that small courtyard was home, it was her roots.

When she had nothing to do, she would always go and see it.

Liu-shi knew about this, but she never mentioned it.

Cen Liang went to see it again.

The former Cen residence was small, and now the plaque on it read Xu Residence.

Cen Liang looked at it for a few moments, then quietly left.

But she left too quickly and didn’t notice that the Xu Residence, which had always been tightly closed, had a crack in the door today.

The sound of conversation leaked out from inside.

“…This… master… buy…”

“…This is not for sale…”

“Hehe, with discussion and negotiation, things can be accomplished… can’t…”

The intermittent conversation drifted out. After a long time, the deal was made.

The people from both sides came out together.

One side was dejected, the other was in high spirits, directing his men to immediately change the plaque.

A large “Rong Residence” was hung high above.

Steward Xu’s face turned pale as he looked at the man who had just negotiated the deal with him. “Steward Yu, you came well-prepared.”

Today’s deal was originally not going to happen.

For so many years, Steward Xu had been looking after the shops and estates in Xu-shi’s hands, and this courtyard was also under his care.

A few days ago, a middleman came to him, saying that someone had taken a fancy to this courtyard.

Steward Xu had forgotten about this place for a long time, and only remembered it after the middleman’s reminder.

This was the master’s courtyard, so Steward Xu was naturally unwilling to sell it.

This time, he had come with the intention of refusing.

But after the middleman left, Steward Yu from the other side came over and said with a smile, “Steward Xu, I heard… your youngest son has recently incurred a large gambling debt again?”

Steward Xu’s expression changed slightly as he looked at Steward Yu.

In this world, once a person has a weakness, it is easy for others to take advantage of it. No matter how loyal one is, the heart is made of flesh. How can one not feel for one’s own child?

Steward Yu’s words still lingered lightly in his ear.

“We all work for our respective masters. My master likes this piece of land, so we can only work hard for him. I understand Steward Xu’s difficulty, but Steward Xu, your son, don’t you feel for him?”

The money Steward Xu’s youngest son owed was already an astronomical figure. Even if Steward Xu had worked for the Huang family with Xu-shi for so many years, he might not be able to come up with it.

Faced with Steward Yu’s temptation, Steward Xu couldn’t help but be moved. He had been doing this for so many years, it was easy for him to do something on the side.

But after signing the contract and seeing Steward Yu’s demeanor, Steward Xu felt an inexplicable unease in his heart.

This unease came so quickly that he somewhat regretted his impulsive decision.

Steward Yu said with a smile, “Steward Xu, it’s really great that this can be resolved smoothly.”

He gave a big smile, patted Steward Yu’s shoulder like a brother, and brushed off some snowflakes for him:

“To be able to resolve this matter without bloodshed is really, really good.”

The strange tone and repeated words made Steward Xu shiver, and he looked at Steward Yu abruptly.

But Steward Yu had already walked forward and stood outside with his hands behind his back.

He had also never thought that one day he would have to hide his identity to make a deal.

And it was such a small, insignificant deal that he had to buy at a high price.

He raised his head and admired the newly hung plaque.

So big, so beautiful, so new.

He hoped that person would be satisfied and not have any more sudden whims.

It was better to focus on getting well and not cause trouble.

Every time he went crazy, he was scared half to death. He wanted to live a few more years!

…

In Zhongcui Palace, the Noble Consort was drinking tea.

However, the tea in her cup was not the same as the green or yellow tea that ordinary people drank. In her teacup were bright red tea leaves, which made the tea look a little strange.

Yushi was by her side, reporting in an unhurried manner.

“We haven’t been able to find out anything from Qianming Palace. We’re not sure how many died.”

Huang Yijie said flatly, “They’re all dead.”

Yushi’s expression changed slightly, and she said in a low voice, “Did His Majesty find out?”

Huang Yijie laughed, a little helplessly. “Yushi, do you think this Majesty is really blind and his heart is blind, that he knows nothing?” Her fingers played with the teacup for a few moments before putting it down. “What the Empress Dowager does can’t possibly benefit him, but don’t you think the entire harem has been very interesting these years?”

Some time ago, the emperor often came to Zhongcui Palace.

He didn’t do much, just sat.

But even with this treatment, as the Noble Consort, every time she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, she was inevitably envied and jealous of by the other concubines.

Weren’t they afraid of the consequences of getting close to the emperor?

Concubine Xu was a lesson.

She had stayed in Shoukang Palace for many days, until the Empress Dowager got tired of her and sent her back. Only then did she move back into Chenghuan Palace with new servants.

Except for having to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, Concubine Xu was hardly seen anywhere else.

She was scared out of her wits.

But this lesson didn’t seem to stop the desires of others. They were afraid, but they still longed for Emperor Jingyuan’s favor, even if it was just a useless reputation.

The entire harem was truly strange.

Compared to before, the Gu worms in Huang Yijie’s hands were more like a Gu farm.

They devoured each other, killed each other, and became tools for others.

Just like the Gu worms were to Huang Yijie.

Yushi: “Master, these people, they can’t see their own status clearly, they delude themselves into thinking they can ascend to heaven in one day. It’s all just laughable desire.”

“Isn’t your master also driven by these desires, forced to enter this palace?” Huang Yijie sighed and said helplessly, “I’m no different from them.”

Yushi: “That’s different. Master entered the palace for her family.”

Huang Yijie: “So did they.”

Even the people in her batch had entered the palace knowing what kind of person Emperor Jingyuan was.

What was this for?

Naturally, it was to enter the palace to gain wealth and honor.

Yushi knelt before Huang Yijie and looked at her. “Master, those people who entered the palace, perhaps they were forced, but more of them came of their own accord. Everyone comes for benefits. Whatever happens to them, do you still have to pity them?”

In Yushi’s opinion, no matter what the Empress Dowager thought, as the Noble Consort, all the other concubines were enemies.

Huang Yijie stroked Yushi’s head and laughed. “You’re thinking too highly of me. I don’t have any extra kindness to spare.”

Her smile faded a little. It was enough for her to protect her own family. As for the others… just as Yushi said, why did they enter the palace… for the benefit of their family, for their own wealth and honor. They were willing to take the risk, so why should she stop them?

“But, if it weren’t for the Empress Dowager, it would be nice if Master and His Majesty could have a baby.”

Huang Yijie glared at Yushi. “Don’t even think about it. The Empress Dowager will never let His Majesty have his own children.”

Or rather, Huang Yijie frowned. The current emperor probably had never… she thought of the many concubines in the harem, but had never heard of any pregnancies…

As the master and servant were talking, someone from Shoukang Palace arrived.

Yushi’s expression changed slightly, but Huang Yijie stood up calmly. “Help me change.”

The Empress Dowager had summoned her.

It was naturally about the incident in Qianming Palace.

When Huang Yijie sat down, the Empress Dowager suddenly said, “The emperor killed those people?”

The Empress Dowager rarely spoke so proactively, but when she did, Huang Yijie nodded.

She could feel that the aura of those few Gu worms had disappeared.