Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 395: The Head of Yanjia Palace

Several people looked at each other.

The Minister of the Imperial Guard smiled and bowed to Dai Quan, "Don't worry, old Minister, we already have a draft in mind.

"The order has just been issued, and now that the palace gates are open, I believe the guards have already started taking turns to conduct self-inspections.

"When the Queen Mother wakes up, we will all go and kowtow and apologize!"

This statement is not bad.

Dai Quan nodded, looked back at Tao Xingjian, and went to the back hall. Tao Xingjian also turned around and went to the side hall.

Seeing this, Xiaohong quietly went to the east side hall, woke up Daiyu, and reported everything that happened during the night in detail.

Daiyu heard this and realized that it was nothing serious, so she asked Xiaohong to go find Zijuan and tell her what happened last night, and then go and rest.

“Maybe you and Zijuan will have to take turns like this in the next few days.

"She is in charge of the day, and you are in charge of the night."

Xiao Hong hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "There are so many maids and aunts in the Empress Dowager's palace, and she just used them for her own good.

“Even if Aunt Cheng is gone, there are still others.

"Is it appropriate for the princess to let me and Zijuan take charge of the Yanjia Palace without waiting for the Queen Mother to appoint a candidate for the head aunt?"

Daiyu looked at her and smiled sincerely: "I have a good eye. I think you are honest and sincere. You are indeed."

While letting Qingwen wash and dress herself, he explained to her, "In the Empress Dowager's Palace, it is natural for the old maids and aunts in the palace to be in charge, this is more appropriate.

“Besides, we are all new here, and we know nothing about the relationships between the people in the palace. If we really have to take over, I’m afraid we will cause trouble in an instant.

"But the Queen Mother is in her deepest sorrow right now, how can she care about this?

"Even if Yimin or I seek an opportunity to ask the Queen Mother to designate for convenience, given the Queen Mother's current state of mind, I'm afraid she will just make the decision with a flick of her finger.

"How much power will the aunt in charge of the Empress Dowager's Palace have in the future? It is not certain that she will succeed. If she wants to ruin someone, it will only take a word.

"It's hard to get someone in this position. So it's not appropriate to make the decision at this moment."

Xiaohong followed the thought, nodded slowly, and her eyes lit up slightly: “So, this slave and Zijuan are just because of the improper name and unfamiliarity.

"It's just right at this time!

"Firstly, we must follow the rules and will not change the procedures in front of the palace at will;

"Secondly, our roots are not with the Queen Mother, but with the Princess, so we don't care about reputation or merit.

“Thirdly, because we are unfamiliar with everything and don’t know anything, we will be more cautious and careful in doing things.

"And in fact, neither of us are caretakers. We are just guarding the door and serving carefully!"

Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled, looking at her in the mirror, and nodded with satisfaction: "Our Xiaohong is as smart and insightful as any aunt or maid in this palace!"

Xiaohong bowed with a red face and hurried to find Zijuan.

Qingwen glanced at her back, and all her previous envy and jealousy disappeared, turning into sympathy.

Daiyu looked at him curiously: "What's that look in your eyes?"

"I feel sorry for her." Qingwen neatly tied up Daiyu's hairpins and whispered, "She is too capable. I don't know how much she will be busy with in the future.

"Look at me, I can do nothing but serve others. So I just follow the princess, serve her tea, make the bed, comb her hair and wash her face.

"Look at her now. She even has to take care of the Queen Mother's Palace! Is there any job in the world more important and honorable than this?

"I'm afraid she'll be disappointed when she thinks back on it."

Daiyu laughed: "What you said does make some sense."

Seeing that her hair had been tied up, she turned around and looked at Qingwen intently, "What do you think? When we leave the palace, I will let Xiaohong go out and make her the manager of the property. Is that okay?"

Qingwen tilted her head to think carefully, then nodded and said, "It's feasible! She is smart and steady, and is very good at observing people's words and expressions. She will definitely be able to manage the princess's property properly."

"But if she leaves, you will have to take care of everything around me. Can you do it?" Daiyu asked her, trying not to laugh.

Qingwen was speechless and said with a bitter face: "Aren't there Zijuan and Xueyan?"

"Looking at the Queen Mother's expression, I would be extremely worried if I didn't keep Zijuan.

"As for Xueyan - how old is she and how old are you? Would you be willing to let her take care of you?" Daiyu couldn't help laughing.

Qingwen pulled her fingers and hummed: "Let me talk about it later..."

As he was speaking, a maid knocked on the door and reported: "The emperor has gone to the front hall, and the empress dowager has woken up."

Daiyu hurriedly got up and took Qingwen to the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

Tanchun, Hongchang and Daiyu entered the palace one after the other. The three of them saw that Zijuan had gently washed the empress dowager's face and simply tied her hair, so they went forward to greet her.

The Queen Mother's spirits were greatly reduced. Seeing the three of them looking worried, she forced a smile and said, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Before she finished her words, Aunt Meng rushed over and knelt in front of the bed to take the empress dowager's pulse.

The Queen Mother looked at her eyes, which had become red and swollen like rotten peaches. She couldn't suppress the sadness in her heart and tears fell again:

“When I entered the palace, I brought with me two personal maids, both of whom grew up with me.

"That one protected me from disaster the next year and died of illness. The other one was Cheng Qian.

“The Supreme was worried, so he pointed you and the other two to me.

"Of those two, one was someone else's spy, and the other was a conceited man who wanted to step on me to climb to the top. But they were gone in just half a year.

"You and Cheng Qian accompanied me, watching with cold eyes the people around me coming and going, walking and stopping, like flowing water.

“But within a few years, you were gone too.

"There is only one Cheng Qian by my side...

"She is two years younger than me. My mother picked her for me when I was ten. She said at the time that she would be my concubine when I got married.

"She has a beginning and an end, but what about me?

"Here we are, and I'm the only one left!"

As he said this, he fell back on the big pillow, closed his eyes, and tears streamed down his face.

Aunt Meng tried to open her eyes wide to prevent her tears from falling, and said with a strong voice:

"The Empress Dowager's internal organs are damaged, and her heart meridians are damaged. She should rest.

"After the imperial physician comes on duty this morning, I will hand over the Empress Dowager's pulse record to him, and he will take care of her body."

When the Queen Mother heard this, she suddenly opened her eyes: "What did you say? Handover? What are you going to do? Where are you going?!"

As he spoke, he started shouting and grabbed Aunt Meng's hand and refused to let go!

Aunt Meng held back her tears and smiled as she took her other hand, gently clasped her hands together, and gently wrapped the Queen Mother's slightly cold hand around hers, saying softly:

"My lady, Sister Cheng is gone, and there is no aunt in charge of Yanjia Palace.

"The princess and the county lady were both very worried. Last night, the princess sent the girl Xiaohong to look after the affairs of the palace all night.

"Just now the county lady came to ask me if she could temporarily take over Sister Cheng's position.

“But neither the princess nor the county princess is familiar with the people and affairs in the palace.

“So I would like to ask for your permission, Your Majesty, to let me take over Cheng Qian’s position as the head of Yanjia Palace. From now on, I will always be by the Empress Dowager’s side.

"Okay?"