The crabapple tree is fragrant in the tent, and the bright moon is in my arms

As the sky gradually brightened, a few wild flowers at the foot of the Ningzhu Pavilion wall swayed a few times, and a light rain fell obliquely, dripping on the bluestone bricks.

Zhao Yue opened his eyes and felt his throat was very thirsty: "Taoxi... cough cough..."

Taoxi quickly tied up the veil: "My lady, do you feel uncomfortable?"

She handed over the water and asked with concern.

The warm water flowed into his lips and teeth, and he felt much better after swallowing it. Zhao Yue moved his arms and said, "It feels good. I feel energetic all over."

Taoxi breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, the young lady had a high fever in the middle of the night, luckily Xiao Quanzi knows some medical skills, I didn't believe it at first, but I didn't expect that he really has some skills!"

"Little Quanzi?"

Zhao Yue thought about yesterday when she was half asleep and half awake, as if someone put his hand on her cheek. Thinking of this, the faint cold fragrance on his body seemed to still surround her.

"My lady, why is your face red? It's bad. Are you having a fever again?"

"No, no, get up and help me wash up." Zhao Yue said hurriedly, touching his face and lifting the quilt.

During breakfast, Zhao Yue looked at the food which was different from usual and asked: "Tao Xi, did you make these?"

Taoxi was serving the dishes when she cried out, "My lady, I forgot to tell you that this is the new cook Qin Yi, who came from Lanpin's palace."

From Concubine Lan’s palace?

She had clearly told His Majesty yesterday that she wanted a cook who was similar, but he saved himself the trouble and just stole someone else's.

Now, although Concubine Lan is quiet and doesn't talk much, she must remember this in her heart and may even have a prejudice against her.

"What's wrong, my dear? Is it not delicious?"

Zhao Yue sighed: "I want to see her."

Qin Yi was not very old, with a round face and a small nose, and looked honest. She bowed to Zhao Yue and said, "Greetings, young lady. I am Qin Yi, your servant."

"Get up." Zhao Yue looked at her and said, "When Sister Lan paid her respects to the Queen, she brought some cakes made by you. They were delicious. I mentioned them to Your Majesty yesterday, and you unintentionally asked for them."

"My lady, you are too kind. I have indeed served Concubine Lan for a long time. Now that I am here to serve you, my lady, I will do my best."

"I came to you because I want to ask you something. Yesterday at the Thousand Carp Pond, Sister Lanpin kept rubbing her stomach from time to time. Did she feel uncomfortable because of what she ate?"

"Princess Lan has a light taste. She only had half a bowl of porridge, a little bit of bamboo shoots, and cherry meat for breakfast yesterday."

"Princess Lan has stomach problems, so I have always been careful about her meals."

Eat less like this.

Zhao Yue looked at her lowered head and vaguely felt that it was not that simple: "I heard that your accent is similar to Lanpin's. You are from the same place."

"My lady is very considerate. I was brought into the palace by Concubine Lan. I cooked for her when I was in the mansion." There was some disappointment in her tone.

Zhao Yue lowered her eyes: "I think Lanpin is used to the meals you cook. You may have to work harder in the future. You should make two portions of food and send them to Lanpin, okay?"

"My young master is kind-hearted. I thank you very much."

Zhao Yue looked at her: "If you encounter any trouble, you can come to me."

Qin Yi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Zhao Yue. Being looked at by her clear eyes, she quickly lowered her head and said, "It is not hard for this servant. It is my duty to serve the young masters wholeheartedly."

After she left, Zhao Yue ate some food, and when he saw He Quan coming in, he put down his chopsticks and said, "Tao Xi, let's leave."

He Quan stood beside her and brought tea to her: "What do you want to ask, young lady?"

Zhao Yue frowned: "Do you think Lanpin really has a stomachache?"

"Seeing is believing. My Lord, you will know if you go and see for yourself."

Makes sense.

Zhao Yue stood up and said, "Taoxi, ask Qin Yi to make some cakes. I need to go to Suihe Palace."

Seeing that He Quan did not move, she said: "You, go with me."

He Quan smiled and said, "Okay."

In the Suihe Palace.

Concubine Ling lazily leaned on the beauty couch and asked: "What is Concubine Lan doing?"

The maid Liuxi said, "His Majesty gave his little cook to Zhao Changzai. I heard that he didn't even have breakfast when he got up early in the morning. He sat in his room writing."

Concubine Ling sneered, "It's no use writing those lousy calligraphy every day. You look ordinary and have no talent. No wonder your majesty doesn't like you."

"You don't even have the guts. You're such a fool. Just looking at you makes me upset."

"Your Highness, then please don't look at it. What if you get angry and make yourself sick? Just now, Concubine Qi asked you to come over. She said she has something good for you to evaluate."

"Hmph, what is so precious? Never mind, I'll go after the rain stops."

-

Concubine Lan was rarely favored. Even after being granted the title of concubine, she still lived in Concubine Ling's Suihe Palace.

There was a maid guarding the palace gate. She bowed to Zhaoyue and said, "Please wait for me. I will go and inform Lady Lanpin."

Suihe Palace, as the name suggests, is home to many lotus flowers. It rained a little today, and the water splashed into the lotus water tank in front of the courtyard, creating a unique scene.

Standing in the courtyard, He Quan held an umbrella for her. Seeing Zhao Yue's eyes full of interest, he immediately grasped her wrist as she reached out to touch the lotus leaf: "My lady."

Zhao Yue was suddenly held by him, and looked at him, but saw that his eyes were dark. Tao Xi hurriedly said: "My lady, you are allergic to these roots."

"Really?" Zhao Yue pulled her hand back. How could she not know?

The maid came over and said, "My lady, please."

Zhaoyue took Taoxi in and looked at the side hall which was elegant but obviously not refined and grand enough. She sighed in her heart. She walked a few steps inside and smelled a strange smell.

Before they found the source, Lanpin came out, looking a little flustered: "Sister, why are you here? It's still raining outside. You fell into the water yesterday and didn't take care of yourself."

She was wearing a cassia green silk long skirt and a bun with many hairpins, but the quality of the hairpins was a bit outdated. Only a pair of blue carved pearl hairpins was eye-catching.

It seems that her life is not satisfactory. Zhaoyue sighed in her heart.

"Sister, please sit down. Cuiyun, go make some tea."

Zhao Yue did not sit down, but bowed to Lanpin: "Sister, I am here to apologize to Sister Lanpin."

"Sister, what are you doing?" Lanpin seemed frightened and quickly reached out to help her up: "You and I are sisters, why are you being so polite to me?"

"Sister is a concubine, and I am a concubine. How can sister not bear it?"

Lanpin stopped her movements, as if she was touched by sadness, with a look of melancholy between her brows: "It's just some empty talk."

She looked at Zhao Yue: "Okay, sit down. I know why you are here. If it is for Qin Yi, don't worry, I am not that petty."

Zhaoyue seldom walks around in the harem, and only today did she realize that this timid Concubine Lan is actually a rare straightforward person.

Seeing Zhaoyue staring at her, she said shyly, "Sister, why are you staring at me?"

"Zhao Yue only knew that my sister was quiet and gentle, but I didn't expect that her personality is very similar to mine, straightforward and cute."

Lanpin smiled and said, "My father is a military commander, and now His Majesty values ​​civil officials, so... well, let's not talk about this. I'm sorry, sister. It's rare for a concubine to come to talk to me. I'm just too happy today."

Zhao Yue looked at her cheeks and felt that she was smiling too hard. She was talkative than usual and seemed even more unusual, as if she was trying to hide something and making it even more obvious.