AWB Chapter 162: Visiting Yuqing Palace
Chapter 162: Visiting Yuqing Palace
Chapter 162: Visiting Yuqing Palace
The small kitchen in Yuqing Palace was very busy today. Liuli arranged for two young apprentices to knead dough and prepare eggs early in the morning. He and Qier also borrowed two young eunuchs to help with the fire.
Qi'er also knew that the task of the small kitchen today was arduous, so when he heard Liuli's request, he did not hesitate to not only transfer two young eunuchs, but also gave two extra young palace maids to help with the work.
Of course, when we say these are young eunuchs and palace maids, we are not referring to their age, but rather to the fact that they have worked in Yuqing Palace for a relatively short period of time. However, even the one with the shortest service time has worked in Yuqing Palace for nearly three years, and stayed to continue serving for another three years after passing the assessment.
It is said that after Yinreng was assassinated, Bu Erhe investigated the entire Yuqing Palace again and actually caught a fish that had slipped through the net. From then on, anyone who had not passed the observation period could only stay in the back courtyard. Only after Pang Maimai and Li Mama both approved and the people who were secretly observing agreed would they enter the masters' courtyard and start as a third-class palace servant.
It must be said that this method is really good. If there is someone with ulterior motives, it is okay to let her endure it for a year or two, but if she has to endure it for three to five years and not reveal her tracks under high-density observation and surveillance before she can be reused, ordinary people really can't do it.
That was how it was. Now, the Yuqing Palace was completely dominated by its own people, and the servants were incredibly loyal to their masters. So even if a young palace maid or eunuch was transferred to the small kitchen, Liuli would simply raise her eyes and let them pass.
The small kitchen was bustling with activity. In the main courtyard, Jingyi was urging the head maid to help her with her makeup. "Take that trumpet creeper dress that I love the most. I have to go to Ukuma Ma today. Dress festively, and she'll be happier. Also, have you packed up the crystal ball that the Empress Mafa gave you? Sister Jing'an is coming over today, and she absolutely has to see it. It's a gift I've been preparing for a long time, and it can't be damaged in the slightest."
The head maid found the dress that Princess Jingyi had just requested and answered her question earnestly, "Don't worry, Princess. I prepared the crystal ball last night and even found a beautiful glass box to package it in. I'm sure it will look stunning and eye-catching. Princess Jing'an will definitely love this gift the moment she sees it. I even took the time to check on it early this morning, and it's still there, intact."
Jingyi nodded in satisfaction. "Okay, I'm confident in your ability to handle this. This is the gift I promised Jing'an, so I can't let anything go wrong or let me go back on my word. Minyan is back today, so it's perfect. When Jing'an comes along, we can go check out that damn dulcimer that Ama brought back."
The palace maid quickly combed Jingyi's hair and put on her favorite red agate pendant. Then she stepped back and waited for the head palace maid to hand her the cheongsam.
The head maid said: "Yes, princess, I will tidy up the side room in a moment. The foreign stuff has just been delivered, and we need to clean it several times."
Jingyi nodded, changed her clothes and went directly to the main courtyard dining room to wait for breakfast together.
The breakfast times at Yuqing Palace were very irregular, due to the Crown Prince's need to attend early court and the children's need to attend early lessons, all at different times. Only Burhe, except for important matters requiring early waking, would generally wake up naturally and then eat.
Therefore, whenever the whole family is in Yuqing Palace, everyone will subconsciously arrange a fixed time to have meals.
It was a coincidence that the Emperor was busy today, so the Crown Prince did not attend the court and was on a day off. So soon after Jingyi entered the dining room, Yinreng, Buerhe, and Hongchang also appeared.
Jingyi: "My daughter greets Father and Mother, and good morning to Brother Hongchang."
Yinreng/Buerhe: "Hello Jingyi."
Hongchang: "Sister, I'm fine."
The family quickly began to eat. Yuqing Palace didn't have so many rules, or perhaps it was because they were just a family, so Buerhe didn't insist on following the rules. So at the dinner table, Buerhe asked Hongchang softly, "Your fourth uncle's brother Hongjing and your tenth uncle's brother Hongxuan will be here soon. Mother will give you the task of entertaining them."
Hongchang nodded in agreement and patted his chest: "Don't worry, mother, I will definitely take care of this matter."
Buerhe smiled and then instructed Jingyi, "Your uncle Jiu's sister is coming over. I don't need to tell you about this, but you have to promise not to take her to play with anything dangerous, okay? The small kitchen has already started making snacks, but you have to fulfill your responsibilities as a big sister and make sure Jing'an doesn't eat too much snacks. Your aunt Jiu said that Jing'an's teeth often hurt from eating too much candy."
Jingyi felt no pressure at all. She loved her sister Jing'an the most, and Jing'an listened to her the most. Mother's instructions were easy for her. Jingyi: "Yes, mother, I understand."
Seeing that the Crown Princess had stopped giving instructions, Yinreng picked up a delicious side dish for Buerhe and said, "You just love to worry. Our daughter and son are already grown-ups, so this is nothing to them. Just focus on your work today. There are so many servants around. They are just a few children. What could go wrong in Yuqing Palace?"
Buerhe thought about it and it made sense. Jingyi was already ten years old, and Hongchang was six years old. They were both grown-up kids. It was just an ordinary gathering, so there was really no need to make a fuss about it.
Seeing that Buerhe had listened, Yinreng continued, "I have an appointment with my fourth, ninth, and tenth brothers to go to Longyuan Tower for a drink this afternoon. I won't be back. Do you want me to bring you something?"
Buerhe thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa, please bring some roast duck! I haven't had Longyuanlou's roast duck for a long time, and I miss it!"
Yinreng was delighted when he heard this; the couple had the same idea, and he had also thought of this, so he had made an appointment at Longyuan Tower today. Hearing this, Yinreng said directly, "Then there's no need to wait until tonight. I'll send two roast ducks back before lunch, which will be a perfect addition to your lunch."
Buerhe thought it was a good idea. "That's fine. We sisters-in-law are getting together today, so two roast ducks should be enough."
After seeing Yinreng off, Buerhe was soon greeted by several sisters-in-law with bright smiles: the Fourth Lady with Prince Hongjing, the Ninth Lady with Princess Jing'an, and the Tenth Lady with Prince Hongxuan. As soon as they met, before they could even greet each other, Buerhe had someone stop them: "We're all family, why be so polite? Come in and take your seats."
They were all familiar people. Seeing Burhe's enthusiasm, they simply bowed and quickly took their seats. After meeting Burhe, the children were quickly led by the servants to another reception room where Jingyi, Minyan and Hongchang were already waiting.
The Tenth Lady said carefreely, "It's still more comfortable here at Second Sister-in-law's place. When we get here, we don't have to be so formal. The children can be handed over to the servants directly. We can do whatever we want, and we don't have to worry about the dirty things in the backyard affecting the children."
Not only were the Ninth Lady and the Tenth Lady from the same class of selected girls, but their husbands were as close as the Ninth and Tenth Masters, so they quickly became close friends. Upon hearing what the Tenth Lady said, she quickly responded, "Who says it's not true? Only with Second Sister-in-law can we truly let go of our worries and not have to worry about those palace affairs and the twists and turns in the backyard."
Although the Fourth Lady did not speak, she nodded in agreement.
It was difficult for Buerhe to respond at this moment. Although Yuqing Palace was not big, not as big as any of their mansions, the entire Yuqing Palace was home to two male masters, a female master, and three young masters. There was not a single woman in the backyard. This alone made countless women envious.
So when the three sisters-in-law complained about the backyard, Buerhe usually kept silent. But now they had things to do and couldn't just hang around in the backyard all the time, so Buerhe quickly spoke up: "Have you thought of a gift for the Queen Mother's Autumn Banquet?"