However, Dongfang Yi waved her hand, indicating that it was all right. Then she said, "This Eunuch Li has served by the emperor's side for years. Even though he may have many faults, the emperor turns a blind eye. It's obvious that he must have his uses."
Since he was a useful person, why couldn't she offer some small items to win him over? After all, in the harem, there were no eternal friends but only eternal partners. As long as Eunuch Li didn't do anything against her, she was willing to give him nice things. But once she detected any sign of his double - dealing, she wouldn't show any mercy.
Little Qian was still young and didn't understand all these intrigues, but Donghua understood them to some extent.
Moreover, since Helian Qi chose to send her gifts in such a way, knowing that she had little desire for such cold objects but still doing it, in her opinion, that man just wanted to show his regard for her in this manner.
He wanted to make a big show of it to tell everyone in the harem that she was now highly favored. If anyone dared to have ill intentions, they would be disrespecting the emperor's dignity. In a way, it was also a form of protection for her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile. Then she ordered her servants to put away those items and store them in the warehouse. After that, she took Donghua to the Qianqing Palace and told the small kitchen to make a bowl of silver ear and lotus seed soup, his favorite.
When they arrived at the Qianqing Palace, it was not quiet. Princess Shangyang was chatting with Helian Qi. When she saw them coming, she curled her lips and said with a smile, "It's the queen. Come and sit here."
Now that Princess Shangyang had entered the palace, she had changed into the palace clothes. She was completely different from the village girl in the mountains. After being dressed up, she looked more refined. Her eyes, although showing signs of vicissitude, were still amazingly beautiful. One could only imagine how stunning she must have been in her youth.
"I pay my respects to aunt," Dongfang Yi said as she bowed slightly.
But she heard the woman say in a complaining tone, "Didn't I tell you not to be so formal with your greetings? Why are you so disobedient!"
Dongfang Yi smiled awkwardly and replied, "It's all my fault. I forgot about it. I'll surely remember next time!"
After hearing her apology, Princess Shangyang's expression softened. Then she stood up and said to them, "I'll leave first. You can talk about whatever you need to."
With that, she turned around and strode out of the Qianqing Palace.
After her figure completely disappeared from their sight, Dongfang Yi sighed and said, "Aunt is really a straightforward person."
It was hard for her to imagine that a woman who had suffered so much in life could still face life with such a positive attitude. It was truly remarkable.
"Aunt has always been like this. At least since I can remember, she has been so tough," Helian Qi also added.
That woman always took all the hardships on herself. Her strong appearance was really heart - wrenching.
"Did aunt come here for something just now?" Dongfang Yi asked again.
"Yi'er needs a teacher. We were discussing what kind of teacher to find for him," Helian Qi replied.
After hearing this, she lowered her head and thought for a while. Then, as if she had thought of something, she looked up and said, "How about inviting two teachers for Yi'er? One for literature and one for martial arts. That way, he won't be unbalanced in his studies when he grows up..."
At first, Helian Qi thought her words made sense. But then he heard the word "unbalanced in studies" and was immediately confused.
"What does 'unbalanced in studies' mean?" he frowned and asked.
Dongfang Yi didn't expect that she had said a modern term. She could only stammer and explain, "Um... It means to be well - rounded in both literature and martial arts!"
After explaining, she secretly wiped the sweat off her forehead, thinking that she had to be more careful with her words in the future and not blurt out anything.
Helian Qi couldn't help but smile, reached out his hand and tapped the tip of her nose, saying, "You little smarty. What should I do with you!"
Dongfang Yi lowered her head and chuckled softly. Then she said, "I received the gifts you sent me."
"Do you like them?" he asked.
"You know I don't usually like such things. But since they are from you, I will surely cherish them," she replied with a beaming smile.
She had completely forgotten that she had just given a pair of Western Regions Hetian jade to Eunuch Li as if she were getting rid of cabbages.
But Helian Qi was very pleased with her words. His eyes were almost closed with joy. He had sent these gifts just to give a warning to the harem. It would be even better if she liked them.
"By the way, I also told the small kitchen to make silver ear and lotus seed soup for you," Dongfang Yi said and waved her hand, indicating for Donghua to bring the soup over.
She still remembered what had happened the last time she came to deliver the soup. She didn't expect that she would be the one who drank it in the end. Just thinking about it made her blush.
When she watched the man in front of her slowly drink the soup she had sent, she finally understood a truth.
When she was a child, her mother always liked to watch her eat without blinking an eye, as if it could bring her great happiness. Now she was also willing to watch the man in front of her eat without blinking. That indescribable sense of happiness must come from the love between them.
...
On the other hand, in the Lanfang Garden.
After Concubine Yao returned to the palace, she started to plan her next move. Failing to kill the queen during the hunting competition was a big mistake on her part, and Concubine Lian had even got hold of some evidence against her.
So her top priority now was to get rid of Concubine Lian to eliminate future troubles. But if she wanted to do it without arousing any suspicion, she still had to come up with a more elaborate plan.
Thinking of this, she called a little maid over, took out a letter from her bosom and said, "Find a way to send this letter out and hand it to my elder brother."
The maid took the order and ran out.
Concubine Yao had brought some trusted servants with her when she came to the Dongsheng Palace. Now she relied on them to keep in touch with her elder brother. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to carry out the plans of the Southern Neighboring Country with confidence.
Since the death of the eldest prince Shun, the eldest prince Ye seemed to have changed into a different person. After the violent wailing of his father and mother, he began to study his poison techniques more diligently and got in touch with Concubine Yao. His goal was to return to the Dongsheng Country one day to avenge his elder brother and the dignity he had lost.
So whatever Yaoji did met his expectations. Whether it was framing the queen or cooperating with Concubine Lian, they were all part of the grand plan they had discussed earlier.