Hu Qinzhu presented her visiting card. Shortly afterward, a young maid in a plain-colored palace dress led the two of them into the palace through a side door.
The princess was amiable, and she was obviously on very familiar terms with Hu Qinzhu. Hearing that Hu Qinzhu was willing to bring out the orchid that she had always cherished so much to share with her, even though the princess had a cold and aloof nature and rarely showed her emotions, she couldn't help but feel a faint excitement at this moment.
Hu Qinzhu performed a grand salute. A young maid quickly brought over an embroidered stool.
She was still performing the salute slowly and methodically, but there were already two flames of impatience burning in the princess's eyes.
"A few of the orchids in the greenhouse in my palace have already budded. I calculated the time and thought that the blooming season of yours must be approaching too. I was just about to send someone to invite you into the palace to enjoy them together, but unexpectedly, you came first."
As soon as she finished speaking, several young maids filed in, each holding a white jade pot.
"Qinzhu, I heard that you've been burning silver-threaded charcoal basins in the greenhouse every day to keep warm for this Su Guan He Ding orchid. Now it's finally blooming."
She waved her hand with a smile. "Let's have a competition. I've just obtained a new Chun Jian Huang Mei orchid. It has an extremely elegant appearance. It may not lose to yours."
She pulled Hu Qinzhu familiarly and was very knowledgeable about several rare and precious orchids that Li Ying had never heard of or seen before. She was in high spirits.
Li Ying was still worried about Lu Xunguang in her heart. But in order to avoid being noticed, she was disguised as a little maid beside Hu Qinzhu, so it was really inconvenient for her to speak up.
Seeing that it was getting late and there was still no news about Lu Xunguang, she took a deep breath and quietly cast her eyes on Hu Qinzhu.
Hu Qinzhu understood. While chatting with the princess, she complimented the orchids the princess had brought out modestly.
"Your Highness's Chun Jian Huang Mei orchid really lives up to its reputation. Although I've taken care of this Su Guan He Ding orchid for three years, it still looks as delicate as a willow in the wind. It's not as magnificent as yours at all."
"Qinzhu is truly convinced. In the way of orchid cultivation, Your Highness is still one step ahead."
She paused for a moment and then said, "As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a tree to perch on. Keeping this Su Guan He Ding orchid in my hands is just a waste. If Your Highness doesn't mind, Qinzhu would like to present this orchid to Your Highness."
She nodded at Li Ying, indicating for her to pick up the orchid pot and present it.
Hearing this, the princess didn't show the slightest bit of joy on her face. Instead, she frowned tightly.
"Qinzhu, what's wrong with you today?"
She pulled a straight face and said word by word, and the smile on her face also disappeared.
"Qinzhu, you have a gentle nature, but when it comes to appraising orchids, you've always been stubborn and never willing to give in even an inch."
"What I like most about you is your unassuming and self - respecting attitude. If you just flatter me, how are you any different from those sycophantic villains who try to curry favor with me? I regarded you as a like - minded friend, but you've done this... It really breaks my heart!"
Her words were very harsh, and there was also a hint of faint anger in her tone. All the maids and eunuchs in the room, along with Hu Qinzhu, quickly knelt on the ground in fear.
Li Ying secretly thought that something was wrong and had no choice but to kneel down obediently with her head down.
A princess already had such an unpredictable temper.
Serving the emperor was like serving a tiger. At this moment, no one knew what was going on with Lu Xunguang.
Hu Qinzhu took a deep breath. Seeing that everyone was trembling with fear, she simply made up her mind and spoke straightforwardly.
"Your Highness is right to scold me! Qinzhu is really ashamed! I really have something to ask of you today. I had no choice but to resort to this method. Your Highness, since you regard me as a friend, then I'll be so bold as to ask you to listen to me!"
Hu Qinzhu pushed Li Ying forward and was about to explain her identity and purpose when the princess put away her anger and lazily leaned back on the imperial concubine's couch.
"Qinzhu, your Su Guan He Ding orchid has always been kept away from the wind, but today you actually brought it to the palace for me to enjoy. I've already guessed that you probably have another agenda. I knew earlier that you might have run into some difficulties today."
"Qinzhu, don't be in a hurry. Have a meal with me, and then you can tell me slowly."
She softened her tone. Without waiting for Hu Qinzhu to speak, she casually waved her hand, indicating for all the maids to retreat.
Li Ying was overjoyed. She also stood up with the others and stood respectfully beside Hu Qinzhu with her hands folded.
The princess raised her eyebrows and sized her up suspiciously. "What are you still doing here? Why don't you go down and serve your mistress for dinner?"
Hu Qinzhu quickly said, "Your Highness, this is..."
The princess interrupted her and snorted disdainfully.
"Qinzhu, you're just too kind - hearted. You're not strict with your servants. Be careful not to cause any trouble."
Hu Qinzhu blushed and wanted to defend herself, but Li Ying gently pinched her palm and signaled her with her eyes not to act rashly.
She obediently followed a head maid and retreated. The maid led her directly to the small kitchen in the princess's mansion and then left.
Li Ying decided to make the best of the situation. She politely greeted several busy maids and cooks.
"Sisters, I'm a maid from the Hu family. I've been ordered to prepare my mistress's meal. I wonder..."
She was quite familiar with Hu Qinzhu's eating preferences and a few things she couldn't eat. She spoke in detail and was very polite.
But all the servants just went on with their own work and completely ignored her as if she wasn't even there.
Li Ying was very puzzled. Hu Qinzhu was considered a guest of honor of the princess. Why were these servants so lazy and disrespectful to her?
She quickly grabbed an amiable - looking granny and took out a silver ingot from her bosom and quietly stuffed it into her hand.
"Granny, I'm new here. If there's anything inappropriate, please forgive me."
The granny secretly took the silver and looked around at the others. Then she lowered her voice and said carefully, "You don't know."
"After the case of the imperial inspector's embezzlement, His Majesty learned his lesson and ordered everyone to practice thrift. The princess naturally has to set an example. Even eight regular dishes in the mansion have been cut."
"Your Highness takes pity on Miss Hu for being in poor health and always treats her warmly. But this is bound to be criticized by the court officials. The princess is unhappy about this and has punished the servants. Don't blame them for being cold."
Only then did Li Ying understand the reason. The granny kindly advised her not to interfere with the cooking.
Li Ying understood and nodded repeatedly to thank her.
She was an active person. Her bright eyes looked around.
She saw an old wisteria tree with a gnarled trunk on the pavilion in the courtyard. The wisteria was in full bloom. Several maids were arranging chopsticks and dinner plates on the stone table under the wisteria as per the princess's order.
Li Ying took a deep breath, shaking off the fragrance of the flowers on her body. An idea immediately came to her mind.