mesbooks Chapter 214 Instructions
Chapter 214 Instructions
"What's wrong today? Lan Cui, go and get a cup of warm tea."
Seeing his strange behavior, Yan Wan pretended not to notice and sneered softly.
"Perhaps I'm exhausted these days, so... please forgive me, Your Majesty..."
"No problem. By the way, you've already married and moved out of the palace to build your own residence. It's always more convenient for you to do things outside the palace than for me. You came here at the right time. I have something I need your help with."
"Your Highness, please speak frankly. You have helped me a lot, and it is time for me to repay you."
Hearing that Yan Wan was in trouble, Yong Qi didn't hesitate. "What happened today? Lan Cui, go get a cup of warm tea." Yan Wan frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
She looked at Yongqi's strange expression, secretly guessing what he was thinking. However, she pretended not to notice and whispered softly, trying to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere.
Lan Cui quickly agreed and hurried away. A moment later, she returned with a cup of warm tea. Yan Wan took the tea, gently placed it in front of Yong Qi, and said with a smile, "Have a sip of hot tea to warm yourself up."
Yongqi came back to his senses and looked at Yanwan, feeling a little guilty. He knew that his recent misconduct had made Yanwan suspicious, but he couldn't let her see his true thoughts.
"Perhaps I'm too tired these days, that's why... Please forgive me, Your Majesty..." Yongqi tried to make his voice sound calm and natural.
Yan Wan shook her head slightly, her eyes full of concern: "It's okay, you work hard for the court, and it's only natural that you have to work hard. But you should also take care of your health and don't exhaust yourself."
She paused, then continued, "By the way, you've already married and moved out of the palace to build your own residence. It's always more convenient for you to work outside the palace than for me. You've come at the right time today. I have something I need your help with."
When Yongqi heard that Yanwan had something to ask for, he said without hesitation, "Your Majesty, just tell me. You have helped me a lot, and it is time for me to repay you."
His eyes revealed determination and sincerity, as if he would do anything Yan Wan asked without hesitation.
He had indeed received a lot of favors from Yan Wan over the years. Recalling the past, Yong Qi was filled with emotion.
At that time, his mother Hai Lan was initially confined to the Yanxi Palace. In this complex palace, he seemed to have lost his support and was struggling. And it was at that time that Empress Ling Yan Wan secretly took care of him.
During those difficult days, the servants in Xiefang Palace would also treat people differently based on their status.
At first, because his mother was not favored, he was looked down upon by many. The contempt and neglect of the servants filled the young Yongqi with grievance and helplessness.
However, since Empress Ling gave birth to a son and regained control of the six harems, everything has changed dramatically. No matter whether it is him or his twelfth brother Yongji, he has never been negligent and has even been very respectful.
The servants who once looked down on them were now servile and served them cautiously. Yongqi knew that all this was due to the power of Empress Ling.
A single word from her could determine their status in the palace, and Yongqi was filled with gratitude for the Empress's care for them.
He understood that nothing good happened in the palace without a reason. Empress Ling's concern for him might have her own purpose.
But no matter what, he could not forget this kindness. In his heart, he always had a sense of respect and gratitude towards Empress Ling.
Yongqi also knew that he had to work harder to live up to Empress Ling's expectations. He wanted to repay Empress Ling's kindness with his own actions.
This has been the case over the years.
It was thanks to her enlightenment that Yongqi slowly got over the fact that his mother did not love him.
"It's not a big deal. You saw that girl just now. She's the daughter of Grandma Tian. Grandma Tian was once an elder in the palace. She helped deliver your brothers and sisters. Now her family is in dire straits, so she came to me and begged me to find a good marriage for her daughter..."
Yan Wan said this, but she did not forget to observe the changes in Yongqi's expression.
Looking for a good marriage...
Yongqi's heart skipped a beat, and he fell into deep thought. "It's not a big deal. You saw that girl just now. She's Grandma Tian's daughter. Grandma Tian was once an elder in the palace. She helped deliver your brothers and sisters. Now her family is in dire straits, so she came to me, begging me to find a good marriage for her daughter..."
Yan Wan spoke slowly, but her eyes were always fixed on Yongqi, not missing any subtle changes in expression on his face.
As Yongqi listened to Yanwan's words, the image of the woman just now involuntarily appeared in his mind.
That fleeting glimpse actually left such a deep impression in his heart. He recalled the moment when he met her, snowflakes fluttered down, and she stood behind Chunchan, looking a little shy and uneasy.
Her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly, like a butterfly that would fly away at the slightest touch. His heartbeat involuntarily quickened a few beats, and an indescribable feeling spread in his heart.
However, from that moment on, the image of that woman was deeply imprinted in Yongqi's mind.
He didn't know who she was, nor why he had such a special feeling for her. Unconsciously, she had already occupied a place in his heart.
Now, hearing Concubine Ling say that she would find a good marriage for her, Yongqi felt a complex emotion in his heart.
He was happy for her, but also felt a sense of inexplicable loss. He didn't know why he felt this way, but he just felt a little blocked in his heart.
Yongqi fell into deep thought.
It was not until Yan Wan called him again that he suddenly woke up.
"Then... what kind of good marriage would your Majesty like to help Miss Tian find?"
Seeing his absent-minded look, Yanwan's mouth curled up slightly with pleasure.
"Of course she has to be a good one. Her brother is useless and not in good health. He's had to take a lot of medicine since he was a child. She has to be from a good family with a good temper. On the one hand, she can suppress her scoundrel brother, and on the other hand, she can protect her and keep her alive... Grandma Tian has devoted herself to the palace all these years. After all, she has delivered so many princes and princesses. She has to be respectable..."
Yongqi nodded, his eyes falling on the teacup beside him that was emitting steam.
Yongqi felt a headache when mentioning the person in Yiku Palace. He knew that what Concubine Ling said made some sense, but if he helped Grandma Tian directly, he was afraid that it would disappoint the Empress Dowager.
Before his mother left, he had promised personally that he would help her at all costs.
But Grandma Tian is really miserable.
In the past few years, she was the first midwife in the palace who could feel the correct fetal position. His tenth brother, eleventh brother, twelfth brother, thirteenth brother, and seventh sister... all were delivered by her personally.
So many princes and princesses depended on her for safe childbirth, so she should be treated well just for their sake.
Although she had made a serious mistake before, she was still responsible for the Empress Dowager's mistreatment of the servants. If the Empress Dowager hadn't been so harsh towards the servants, this wouldn't have happened...
If she and her family were properly settled, perhaps the Empress Dowager could save some of her reputation and bring some good reputation to the royal family.
He quickly convinced himself that there was a hidden selfish motive in this that he himself was not even aware of.
"I understand. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will take care of it carefully..."
Yongqi nodded in agreement, and the two chatted for a few minutes before leaving.
After all, the two of them were not biological children, so he was always polite and never stayed for more than an incense stick of time when he came to pay his respects. Most of the time, he would just drink a cup of tea and leave.
Yongqi lost the love of his biological mother and adoptive mother one after another. The emperor always loved him. Seeing that he had a good relationship with Concubine Ling, he tacitly allowed the two to get close and handed over his marriage to her.
After seeing Yongqi off, the main hall of Yongshou Palace gradually quieted down. Ever since Yongqi saw Tian Yuner that day, her figure has always lingered in his mind.
When Yongqi learned that Concubine Ling was looking for a good marriage for her, he felt an inexplicable anxiety. He knew that he could not just sit back and do nothing, so he secretly decided to help Tian Yun'er.
On a quiet night, Yongqi sat in the study, holding a book in his hand, but his mind was absent-minded.
Tian Yuner's face kept appearing in his mind. Her shy eyes and gentle smile made his heart flutter. He put down the book, stood up, and paced back and forth in the room, thinking about how to get Tian Yuner to work in the mansion.
Yongqi thought of his trusted guard and decided to ask him to find Tian Yuner and bring her to his mansion.
"There was a grandmother named Tian who once worked in the palace but was later driven out. She had a daughter, and she brought her to this prince..."
The guards took the order and left, while Yongqi waited anxiously in the mansion.
He didn't know whether Tian Yun'er was willing to come, nor did he know whether his plan would succeed.
But he had only one thought in his mind, which was to protect Tian Yuner and not let her marry anyone else.
Finally, within three days, the guards brought Tian Yuner to the mansion.
When Tian Yuner saw Yongqi, a hint of surprise and shyness flashed in her eyes. Yongqi walked up to her, looked at her gently, and said.
"Miss Tian, I hope you are well. I know that Concubine Ling wants to find a marriage for you, but it will take time to find someone. You might as well work in the palace first, so that the family can have a livelihood."
He spoke cryptically, fearing that telling the truth would annoy her.
Tian Yuner was moved when she heard Yongqi's words. She knew Yongqi's feelings for her, but she also knew that her status was low and she didn't dare to have too many extravagant expectations.
She lowered her head and said softly, "Thank you, Fifth Prince. I am of low status, and the arrangements made by your Highness are for my own good. I cannot go against her wishes."
Yongqi looked at Tian Yuner with pity in his heart. He knew Tian Yuner's concerns, but he didn't want to give up either.
He said, "Miss Tian, you are gentle and polite, and you are a good person. You should work hard in this prince's mansion for the next few days. The courtyard is in need of a manager. When we have a good relationship in a while, I will find a matchmaker for you."
Tian Yuner looked at Yongqi's sincere eyes and was shaken. She knew Yongqi was a good man and felt his sincerity towards her.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Fifth Prince, I am willing to serve in the palace. But I am just an ordinary woman and don't know the rules. I hope Fifth Prince will tolerate me."
When Yongqi heard what Tian Yuner said, at that moment, it seemed as if a bright light instantly illuminated his world.
His heart was like a lake gently touched by a spring breeze, rippling with joy. He stared at Tian Yun'er, his eyes gleaming with unconcealable excitement and relief.
Somehow, he always felt that she was very familiar, and he felt very close to her as soon as he saw her, as if they had met in a previous life.
Yongqi tried hard to suppress the surging excitement within him. He raised his lips slightly, his eyes filled with tenderness and determination. "Miss Tian, don't worry. No one in this mansion dares to harass you. Just stay here and be safe..."
His voice was steady and powerful, like a reassurance to Tian Yuner. Every word was filled with his care and love for Tian Yuner. He wanted to use his strength to support a peaceful sky for her.
From then on, Tian Yuner worked in the mansion and became a housekeeper aunt beside Yongqi.
Her arrival was like a breath of fresh energy into Yongqi's life. The young man fell in love for the first time and tasted the sweetness of love for the first time.
Under Yongqi's care, Tian Yuner felt warmth and happiness she had never felt before.
She once thought that her life would be spent in mediocrity and hardship, but she never imagined that there would be such a person who would illuminate her world like sunshine.
She looked at everything Yongqi did for her, her heart filled with emotion and sweetness. She began to feel Yongqi's every look and every smile with her heart, and gradually, she found that she had fallen hopelessly in love with him.
Tian Yuner also responded to Yongqi's love with her gentleness and kindness during their interactions. When Yongqi was tired, she would bring him a cup of hot tea and gently massage his shoulders. When Yongqi encountered difficulties, she would silently accompany him and give him support and encouragement.
Within half a year of this, Yongqi's mansion had a concubine named Tian.
……
That day, after Yongqi left, Yanwan sat there quietly, her fingers gently stroking the ring on her fingertips. The ring shone faintly in the sunlight, as if telling an unknown story.
Yanwan's eyes were a little blurry, and her thoughts gradually drifted away.
Yanwan lowered her eyes and thought, immersed in her own thoughts, and didn't even notice that there was another person in front of her.
It was not until the man coughed lightly that she raised her head as if waking from a dream.
A hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, and then she quickly regained her composure.