Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1255: Presenting a Gift to the Imperial Concubine

The corners of Lin Wan's lips, which were originally tightly pursed, rose slightly uncontrollably, and her body leaned forward with excitement.

Lin Shuang finished her words, nervously watching Lin Wan's reaction: "...The Imperial Noble Consort asked if you would be willing to help her with her work."

"Yes! Of course I do!"

Lin Wan barely hesitated, her voice resolute and resolute, like a drowning man grasping at a piece of driftwood: "The Imperial Noble Consort is willing to give me this opportunity to save me from the sea of ​​suffering!"

"Not to mention working for Her Majesty, even if it means I go through fire and water for Her Majesty, I, Lin Wan, will not hesitate!"

Her eyes flashed with ecstasy of surviving the disaster and the light of finding direction.

The torment of living under someone else's roof, the uncertain future, and the frustration of being ignored by his family finally found an outlet at this moment.

Being able to serve the powerful and beloved Imperial Consort is a ray of hope in the dark. It is her only and best way out now!

Seeing her sister's reaction, Lin Shuang felt relieved and was very happy for her: "I'm glad that you can figure it out!"

"I will have Wei Ran find an opportunity to report back to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine, telling her how grateful she is for her kindness and how she will do her utmost to serve her faithfully!"

The two sisters held hands tightly, their eyes filled with new hope for the future.

The winter sun is shining brightly outside the window, shining into the house through the window, as if dispelling the haze that has been accumulating for a long time.

……

The palace has strict rules and a distinction between insiders and outsiders.

As the commander of the imperial guards, Zhan Weiran was responsible for the security of the palace, and his every move was under the watchful eyes of countless people.

Frequent entry and exit of the harem is not only against etiquette, but also likely to arouse unnecessary suspicion.

Especially the emperor's sharp eyes will never tolerate any military general having close relations with relatives or concubines in the harem.

Zhan Weiran was well aware of this taboo.

Therefore, he did not go to Zhongcui Palace to report in person. Instead, he found a clever, reliable, and tight-lipped eunuch. While the palace was still busy cleaning up for the New Year, he quietly passed the news to Xiao Mingzi, the eunuch who was known for his gossip, who was by the side of the Imperial Noble Consort.

After receiving the letter, Xiao Mingzi immediately went into the main hall and explained the message from Zhan Weiran in a few words.

Shen Zhinian's fingertips gently fiddled with a red plum bud in a porcelain vase. Hearing this, he did not turn around, but just raised the corner of his lips with a very faint arc.

"I know."

Her voice was calm: "Lin Wan is a smart person, she will naturally grab this life-saving straw."

Shen Zhinian pondered for a moment and continued, "In that case, let her get in touch slowly first."

"Fuqiu, you must arrange this matter personally. Make sure it is done properly."

"First, let her look at the accounts of those unimportant shops and farms outside the palace, and then gradually introduce her to a few reliable shopkeepers and managers."

"Tell Lin Wan not to be impatient. I have plenty of patience and will wait for her to demonstrate her worth."

Shen Zhinian paused and continued, "And there's Chu Xiyan. She's thoughtful and thoughtful, and her painting skills are superb, perfectly complementing Lin Wan's intelligence and acumen."

"Let them talk to each other first so they can help each other in the future."

Fuqiu understood immediately and bowed in response: "Yes, I understand."

Nanny Xiao stood in the hall with her back bowed, and reported in a steady and clear voice that all matters related to the audience with the whole palace tomorrow had been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Imperial Noble Consort.

The procedures for receiving, inspecting, and registering the gifts from each palace were meticulously arranged. Yuanbao led the eunuchs and palace maids in their respective duties, ensuring that everything was in perfect order the next day.

Shen Zhinian leaned on the soft couch, listening to Nanny Xiao's clear and logical reply, and nodded slightly: "Nanny Xiao is an old man in the palace, and she is the most prudent and thorough in her actions. With you in charge, I am relieved."

Then, she raised her hand lazily, indicating that Madam Xiao could leave.

The hall became quiet again, but Shen Zhinian was a little absent-minded.

She vaguely remembered that last night when she was extremely tired and drowsy, Nangong Xuanyu's low voice seemed to ring in her ears, mentioning words like "leaving the palace" and "temple fair".

At that time, she was so sleepy that she couldn't even open her eyelids. She only vaguely heard a few sounds and then fell into a deep sleep. She didn't know whether it was reality or a dream.

Shen Zhinian gently pressed his temple.

If it's true...it's worth looking forward to.

The palace is lonely, so it’s nice to be able to go out and see the excitement outside.

Let’s wait until Nangong Xuanyu comes to Zhongcui Palace next time and ask him in detail.

The next day.

Before daybreak, everything in Zhongcui Palace was ready.

In the main hall, the yellow cushions on the throne sparkled.

On the rosewood incense table, imperial spices are quietly inhaled and exhaled in the hollow gilded incense burner, and a noble and elegant scent permeates the air.

The plaque "Peaceful Seas and Clear Rivers" hangs high, and jade crane lampstands stand gracefully on both sides.

The thick and soft double layer of red felt covered the floor, absorbing all the noise, just waiting for the arrival of the empresses and ladies from each palace.

Inside and outside the palace gate, the eunuchs and palace maids, led by Yuanbao, had already taken their positions and stood with their hands hanging down.

……

Before the hour of noon, all the palaces were already brightly lit and filled with shadows of people.

After Shen Zhinian was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort, the concubines had already sent formal congratulatory gifts, so when she went to pay homage today, she only needed to bring some small gifts to show her respect.

According to the rules, high-ranking concubines could present cloisonné vases, Suzhou embroidery screens with a hundred children pattern, etc. to the imperial concubine.

Concubines of lower rank and the imperial court received silver-gilt longevity boxes and plain silk as gifts.

The unauthorized use of dragon and phoenix patterns is prohibited.

All gifts must be delivered to the Imperial Concubine's palace in advance by eunuchs, registered in a special gift room, and only presented after verification of regulations.

Imperial Concubine Zhuang sat before the mirror, carefully adjusting her imperial crown. The six-tailed phoenix hairpin, gilded with kingfisher feathers, shone with a noble luster in the candlelight.

Her eyes swept across the table, where gifts had already been prepared.

The cloisonné enamel vase has an intricate and delicate lotus pattern on its body, and contains the earliest tribute tea of ​​this spring, Yunwuqing, which has a refreshing aroma.

Standing nearby is a Suzhou embroidery screen with a picture of a hundred children. The children have different expressions and are lifelike. The stitches are so fine that they are almost invisible.

Ruo Ji reminded in a low voice: "My Lady, it's almost time."

Concubine Zhuang stood up slowly, her eyes calm.

Xiao Caizi directed the eunuchs to lift the gifts steadily and walk towards the Zhongcui Palace.

At the same time, there was silence in Concubine Xian's palace.

The vase she prepared was of elegant shape.

Xianfei only glanced at it casually, and Yu Mei understood. She ordered someone to carefully put it away and hand it over to the eunuchs in the palace to deliver along with another gift.

Concubine Xuan was still a little dazed as she looked at the prepared vase and screen.

There was a time when she was not even qualified to touch such an object.

Concubine Xuan's fingertips gently brushed against the children playing on the screen, and she asked nervously, "Will Imperial Noble Concubine like this?"

Zhu Er smiled and comforted: "Your Majesty's kindness, the Imperial Noble Consort will surely like it."

Concubine Kang's gift was quite ordinary.

Concubine Dun's face was still pale. Supported by Odani, she watched coldly as the palace maids counted the gifts.

In her opinion, today's audience was just a necessary formality.