NFBE Chapter 313 I wish this summer could last longer
Chapter 313 I wish this summer could last longer
Chapter 313 I wish this summer could last longer
Green Willow did not continue speaking.
What is it that you don't want to do?
Hua Yan thought to herself: Since the Emperor can transfer his feelings for the eldest daughter of the Duke of Qing's family to her younger sister, why should he care so much about her and Consort Chun?
Hua Yan had tried to figure out the Emperor's thoughts, and in fact, this was exactly what she was thinking—she also did not want to serve him in the Huining Palace.
At first, there was a faint sense of guilt towards Consort Chun deep in my heart.
Hua Yan wasn't sure why she felt this way. Perhaps it was because deep down she resented sharing a husband with her best friend. Especially since Consort Chun was the mistress she had served for many years.
Aside from being somewhat moved by the Emperor's favor and the opportunity to meet her uncle and aunt, Hua Yan felt nothing more deeply about it.
She seemed to be born extremely insensitive to feelings of love.
However, she had no intention of delving into whether it was due to the shadow of her mother's unfortunate encounter with a bad man and her tragic death, or some other reason.
But so far, she is very satisfied with her current situation.
She admired Madam Yun and Mr. Lin, and wanted to live like them. Even in the deep palace, she did so.
She could fight for rank and power, for Consort Chun, and for herself. She was always waiting for the moment when she could retire gracefully, and she longed for it immensely.
It took Green Willow a long time before she dared to look up at Flower Face, and when she did, she was stunned.
Why did you suddenly become so spirited?
His imposing manner almost made her lose her footing.
Green Willow couldn't help but ask, "...Shu'er, what were you thinking about just now?"
Hua Yan didn't stop walking, her tone light and cheerful: "Hurry up, we still need to accompany the Empress to get her nails painted later."
Green Willow: "......"
Upon arriving at Xiefang Garden, before even entering the flower hall, we saw Donggua, with her bright big eyes, running out to greet us.
"Shushu, Aunt Mei said... ouch! You've been promoted to Jieyu!"
Perhaps the fragrance of the flowers in Xiefang Garden was too strong, because Donggua sneezed loudly...
She happily offered her congratulations, her little mouth opening and closing as she talked nonstop, but she kept sneezing one after another, unable to stop.
"Consort Chun... Achoo... Your Majesty asked me to make many of your favorite dishes... Achoo! You must eat more at lunch. I also specially made your favorite... Achoo... Flower Rice Cake."
Green Willow felt slightly relieved. She wasn't worried that Consort Chun would develop a rift with Hua Yan because of this; what she was worried about was that Consort Chun would feel bad.
Hua Yan reached out and pinched Lv Liu's arm. Lv Liu was fine in every way, but after going through so much, she always seemed a bit preoccupied.
"Making whole flower-shaped rice cakes is time-consuming and laborious, but winter melon is still the best to me... Hey! Winter melon, why is your face swollen!"
Hua Yan cupped Dong Gua's face in her hands and exclaimed in surprise.
Upon closer inspection, Donggua's cheeks were not only somewhat swollen, but his eyelids were also reddish.
Ruizhu ran out after her, holding a veil in her hand, and said urgently, "Donggua, why aren't you putting this on!"
As she spoke, she placed the veil over the top of the winter melon's head and carefully tidied up the hanging netting.
"The imperial physician examined Donggua early this morning and said there was too much pollen in the garden, causing Donggua to suffer from nasal congestion. Her Majesty said that Donggua should go with you to your side these days," Ruizhu explained.
Donggua rubbed his nose and said in a simple and honest way, "It's nothing serious, it just hurts a little. The imperial physician gave me some ointment and said it will be fine in a few days."
At this moment, Consort Chun heard the noise and came out of the house with Aunt Mei.
Consort Chun said gently, "Auntie told Donggua to stay in the room, but she can't stand it. You can take her back later, and you two can talk more."
Aunt Mei also muttered, "This garden is full of flowers and plants, and I'm dazzled by it. Perhaps it's because Donggua has the most sensitive sense of smell that something was wrong early this morning. It's Ruizhu who was clever enough to find a veil for her to wear."
Hua Yan was relieved to hear this and quickly told Green Willow to take Winter Melon back to Bilang Pavilion to rest.
I had lunch at Consort Chun's place and rested for an hour in the afternoon.
Mengzhu took Ruizhu to pick balsam petals, while Aunt Mei rummaged through the chest and found a bag of pearls, which she carefully ground into powder, taking a lot of effort.
Hua Yan used to do these tasks all the time, but since entering the palace, Aunt Mei has stopped letting her do them.
"It's been a long time since I played chess. Would you like to play a game with me, Shu'er?" Consort Chun suggested softly.
Hua Yan noticed that she was preoccupied and nodded in agreement.
Aunt Mei smiled and said, "The eldest young master sent over a chess manual a few days ago. Her Majesty has been studying it day and night, and her chess skills must have improved even more. Consort, please play chess with Her Majesty. I'll have someone bring you some tea and refreshments."
After setting up the chessboard, Aunt Mei left the study.
Then Ruizhu brought in tea and snacks. Consort Chun did not let her serve her, so only she and Huayan were left in the study.
The game is halfway through.
Consort Chun looked up at Hua Yan, her eyes curved into a crescent moon shape, and she gently tapped the chessboard with her fingertips.
"Shu'er isn't paying attention, she deserves a beating!"
Hua Yan smiled gently, her right fingertips holding a chess piece hesitantly. "It's not that I wasn't focused, it's just that Your Majesty's chess skills have indeed improved."
After she finished speaking, Hua Yan finally placed her piece.
Consort Chun shook her head, and her fingertip placed a white piece, cutting off Hua Yan's retreat. The situation on the chessboard changed instantly, and Hua Yan lost the entire game.
"...After we return to the palace, Shuer should move out of Huining Palace."
Hua Yan fell silent immediately, her fingertips trembling slightly.
The white and black pieces were scattered across the chessboard. Consort Chun picked them up one by one and put them back into the chess box, each finding its own home.
"......it is good."
Hua Yan sniffed, as if all her strength had been drained away.
Consort Chun was the mistress, accustomed to Hua Yan's care, and because Hua Yan was intelligent and quick-witted, she was also used to listening to Hua Yan in everything. But at this moment, she seemed to have grown up in an instant, transforming into the role of "caregiver".
She slowly got up and walked to Hua Yan, reaching out to rub her shoulder. "There will always be a day when we part ways. Besides, it's just that we won't live in the same place. You shouldn't go against the Emperor's wishes because of our relationship."
“Isn’t it good to be in the palace now? You live in Bilangxuan, and I live in Xiefangyuan. You come to my place, or I go to yours. It’s just a matter of walking a little further, just like today.” Consort Chun’s tone was gentle, with a hint of comfort.
"Shu'er, don't worry, Aunt Mei and Mengzhu are here. It's you living elsewhere, with only Green Willow by your side, that worries me. I'll introduce Winter Melon to you later..."
Hua Yan shook her head, "It's good that Green Willow is here. Let Winter Melon stay by Your Highness's side."
After saying this, Hua Yan leaned quietly against Consort Chun.
Outside the study window, cicadas chirped incessantly.
She suddenly remembered June in Lin'an, when they went to the estate to escape the summer heat, bringing with them a kite made by the eldest young master. The girls busied themselves, finally managing to fly the kite, while the second young lady stood still, gently tugging at the kite string.
Even when flying a kite, the second young lady was very restrained and wouldn't run around recklessly, otherwise it would be unbecoming of her to do so.
Many years have passed, and Hua Yan has forgotten that the Second Miss always had a restrained and clear-headed side. At times, she was even calmer than herself.
"Another round? Mengzhu and the others haven't prepared their nail polish yet."
Seeing that Hua Yan was still lost in thought, Consort Chun tapped Hua Yan's head with her fingertip: "What are you thinking about?"
As the cicadas chirped outside, Hua Yan said softly, "I wish this summer could last a little longer."