klisemfg Chapter 159 Consort Zheng's Obsession
Chapter 159 Consort Zheng's Obsession
"Your Highness, how about we send some cheap things over?" Su Mei suggested, seeing that Consort Zheng was angry.
Consort Zheng, half-reclining on the couch, looked at her impatiently upon hearing this: "Even if I choose the best, she might not like it. I don't want to send it, but seeing the Shen and Gu families prospering, aren't you thinking about Prince Yi?"
"It was my fault for not thinking things through," Su Mei quickly apologized.
Consort Zheng was too lazy to argue with her, and thinking of Shen Li, she said angrily, "Once my son gains the throne, I will definitely bring this girl into the palace and have her paint for me every day."
"...Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune and will surely have your wish fulfilled." Su Mei practically spat out these words through gritted teeth.
She never expected that the only revenge the Empress could think of when she was so angry was to make Shen Li paint. If it were anyone else, given her Consort's temper, she would probably have torn them apart.
It seems that Shen Li is truly not to be offended. Even if Shen Li falls on hard times in the future, I will probably still be able to keep my position as a court painter.
In comparison, the emperor sent the least amount of gifts. However, the emperor's rewards were always more meaningful than valuable, and this gift meant that the emperor highly valued and respected Shen Li.
As a result, some rumors of attacking the emperor dared not spread, since there were Flying Fish Guards everywhere, and disobeying the emperor's will could result in being arrested at any time.
Many gifts were sent by princes and ministers with whom Shen Li had dealings, and Shen Li would simply look at the list and have them sent to the storeroom, which was soon overflowing.
"It's time to start construction in the spring. Let's build another storeroom in the backyard." Shen Li, who was writing policy essays on the couch, was quite troubled upon hearing this.
She has never liked dealing with these trivial matters.
"Yes," Lian Qiao replied. She was in charge of almost all the affairs of the inner quarters.
"By the way, have you looked at the things? If you like anything, take it and play with it," Shen Li said to the three maids in the room.
She glanced at Yu Die, who was writing across from her. She was used to Lian Qiao and Shao Yao, but she was worried that Yu Die wouldn't be able to relax.
"This servant lacks nothing." She waved her hand as expected.
"Then you guys see what she might like and send it over," Shen Li instructed.
Peony replied, "Miss, please leave this to me."
Shen Li nodded. She wasn't in a hurry for Yu Die to accept anything; she would naturally open up over time.
Yu Die lowered her head, as if hesitating whether to speak. When she looked up, she saw that Shen Li was already writing, so she pursed her lips and held back her words.
"Little Rain Butterfly, just say what's wrong, it's alright." Peony's words caught Shen Li's attention, and she lowered her voice to say to Peony, "Miss doesn't eat people, hurry up."
Upon hearing this, Shen Li raised her head and put down her pen, looking at Yu Die with a gentle expression and encouraging gaze: "What do you want to say to me?"
“I…I would like to congratulate you on passing the high school entrance exam.” Yu Die seemed to be mustering her courage as she took out a cloth bag from her bosom and slowly opened it.
Shen Li watched as the cloth bundle was opened layer by layer, revealing a green jade pendant. The jade was of medium to low quality and was carved into a square shape with the character "福" (fortune) in the center.
"This is a lucky charm that I carved. It's not worth much, but I hope it will bless you with a peaceful and prosperous life." Her voice was barely audible, and she didn't dare to look Shen Li in the eye as she spoke.
Ever since she saw the dazzling gifts sent from various palaces and mansions, she knew that her gift was not presentable. The young ladies of those palaces wouldn't even look at their precious gifts, let alone hers.
"You carved this yourself?" Shen Li happily accepted it. She knew that Yu Die had jade carving skills before her family was destroyed, and Yu Die had learned some even though she was young.
In her previous life, Yu Die promised to give her a piece of jade that she had carved herself, and she never expected that Yu Die would fulfill her promise in this life.
She felt reborn once again, and so did Yudie. They no longer needed to be filled with hope in prison; everything could be real.
Yu Die only looked up when she heard Shen Li's joyful voice, and was somewhat surprised to see her happy face.
"I like this." Shen Li repeatedly stroked the jade pendant; its edges were smooth, and it was just the right size.
Upon closer inspection, there is a round hole on this jade pendant, which clearly indicates that it can be threaded through.
"Quickly find me a piece of thin rope, I want to wear it." She said, gesturing to her chest.
“I’ll go find it right away,” Peony replied.
Yu Die waved her hands repeatedly and said, "Miss, it's not appropriate for you to wear this. You should put it away."
"How can you protect me if I put it away?" Shen Li couldn't hide her joy, and her gaze towards her was very sincere: "Thank you, Yu Die, I really like it."
“Miss…” Yu Die’s eyes were filled with tears. The young lady was really good to her and never treated her like a servant. In fact, she cared about her a lot.
What merit does she possess?
"You can't cry on such a happy day, smile!" Shen Li teased her.
Yu Die wiped away her tears and smiled, a genuine smile from the bottom of her heart.
"Silly child," Shen Li patted her head and said, "As a return gift, I'll give you a few more books to read this month, you'll need them for the exam later."
"what?"
Although Yu Die loved reading, she found it very difficult at first. The task was already heavy, and the addition made it even more tiring. Nevertheless, she replied, "Thank you, Miss."
She knew that her mistress was doing it for her own good. After she finished her studies, if she didn't work harder than others, what would she have to compare herself to?
"Good girl." Shen Li said with relief.
It's clear that Yu Die is very hardworking; given time, she will surely achieve great things.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Shen Li had devoted all her energy to studying policy essays these past few days and hadn't even gone home. She saw her father again during the palace examination.
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there were 201 tables and chairs. At the very front, there was only one table for Shen Li, who was standing on it waiting for the emperor to give her a question.
Many of the tribute students may have never seen the emperor and the ministers behind him, but Shen Li was more familiar with the higher the official's rank. However, since others dared not raise their heads, she did not either, to show respect for the emperor's majesty.
While praising his daughter's behavior, Shen Zizai was also very proud. She was neither arrogant nor discouraged, but calm and composed. He thought his daughter was better than many men in the world.
"The way to govern the world lies in the improvement of internal governance, and the improvement of internal governance must begin with the land and tax system. I wish to know what you, the tribute students, think of the tax system of this dynasty. Please answer." Emperor Cheng spoke.
Gu Chang'an narrowed his eyes slightly, just as he had expected.
Shen Li looked down at the white paper spread out in front of her and was also stunned for a moment. It seemed that her preparations had not been in vain, and now they all came in handy.
Emperor Cheng was quite satisfied with this issue. Gu Chang'an had enlightened him, saying that the court would not prosper without reforming the tax system. He then decided to broaden the channels for public opinion, hoping that these candidates could provide him with some inspiration.
While everyone was pondering, Shen Li had already put pen to paper, writing each character slowly and deliberately. Her confident and composed demeanor drew the attention of the assembled officials.
This girl is not shy at all. She doesn't seem like someone raised in the inner quarters; she seems more like someone who has been immersed in officialdom for many years.