The Virtuous Concubine

Malu sighed and decided not to think about it for the time being.

She really didn't know whether Mayanzhu's life was good or bad at the moment, and she needed to observe it for a while. But when she replied to her last letter, Ecan had sent some corn seeds over, and Malu thought she could try the field in Shanglinyuan.

Last time, the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs said that six young eunuchs were assigned to take care of the flowers and plants on that plot of land. Six people should be enough, right? Besides, the season is just right now. If you miss it, you will have to wait another two months, and it will be difficult to go there when you are already in your twilight years.

Malu took two young eunuchs to lead the way, two senior palace maids followed, and two young palace maids followed behind. They did not even take the sedan chair. The group of people took their weapons and went out to Shanglin Garden in a large crowd to prepare to start farming.

It was April, the end of spring. The spring sunshine shone through the treetops, casting mottled shadows, warm and bright. Along the way, Malu chose to walk on those quiet paths, avoiding the busy palace roads and the crowds of people who came to the imperial garden to enjoy the flowers. Originally, because Malu didn't like to play tricks with those concubines, she didn't expect that she would see many rare beautiful scenery.

They passed through a patch of flowers. The spring flowers of April were in full bloom. Some were close to withering, but they still bloomed with their last splendor. The petals fell with the wind, forming a colorful flower rain. When Malu was about to reach Shanglin Garden, she passed a bamboo forest. The tender bamboo leaves swayed gently in the breeze, making a rustling sound, and the air was filled with a fresh scent.

At this moment, Bai Xia's eyes suddenly lit up, and he pointed at the tender shoots vaguely visible in the bamboo forest and said, "My queen, look at those bamboo shoots, they are so fresh. I will find time to come and take a look, dig some and bring them back to roast for my master, I'm sure they will taste delicious."

After hearing this, Bai Fu also came over to watch and said with a smile: "Yes, Madam, Bai Xia's cooking skills combined with these fresh bamboo shoots will definitely make a delicious dish."

Malu nodded and said, "Then I'll leave this to you. When we return from Shanglin Garden later, you will dig them for me. You are not allowed to go home until you have dug ten."

Bai Xia was very happy when she heard Malu's words. Yonghe Palace was indeed their home. Then Bai Xia showed a mischievous look: "My queen, are ten bamboo shoots too many? If you don't know, you would think you are punishing me."

Malu laughed: "Nizi loves to play and be lazy. No matter what I tell you, it's wrong. Then it's enough for you to dig three or four to taste."

Bai Fu also smiled and added: "Bai Xia, you have to count carefully, don't dig too much, the queen won't agree."

Bai Xia stuck out her tongue and made a face: "My Queen, Sister Bai Fu, I'll remember this. I promise to complete the task and not dig any more."

The group walked and laughed, and soon arrived at Shanglin Garden, which belonged to Concubine De. Unlike the artificial landscape of the Imperial Garden in the palace, which tried to show all the beauty to others, it was more like a hidden paradise. It took a while to get in, and it didn't look like a field at all at first glance.

There are many shrubs and flowers scattered around, like a separate maze garden. Only when you really walk in can you see the unplanted soil. The plants in the small garden seem to grow randomly, but in fact each one is carefully arranged to create a natural and peaceful atmosphere.

In a corner of the small garden, there is even a small pavilion for the nobles to rest. The pavilion is surrounded by vines and wild flowers, which is full of wildness. People sitting inside are also shadowy and hazy.

Malu stood in the small garden, looking around, feeling very satisfied. The six young eunuchs would come here every day to take care of the plants, but today Malu came at an inappropriate time and did not meet them here. Malu was not going to call them over now, and let the people in Yonghe Palace do it themselves. Bai Xia and Bai Fu almost held her up before letting her sit in the pavilion and watch them work.

Bai Fu laid out the cushions, set out the tea and snacks, and then followed Bai Xia to the fields to sow the seeds. In Yonghe Palace, only she and Bai Xia had heard the master talk about how to plant these things, and they also had to teach the people below how to do it.

Malu sat in the pavilion, watching them with gentle eyes. Bai Xia and Bai Fu first carefully tilled the land to make sure it was soft and conducive to the growth of seeds. They were skilled and meticulous, and every shovel of soil seemed so careful. Fortunately, the eunuchs in the imperial garden did not slack off, so this step was not very laborious.

Then they led everyone to start sowing. Bai Xia carefully took the corn seeds from the basket and planted them one by one in the soil according to the spacing that Malu had taught them before. Bai Fu was responsible for covering the soil and gently compacting it to ensure that the seeds were in close contact with the soil. The other palace maids and eunuchs followed suit and worked very hard.

At this moment, someone came into the pavilion! Malu was slightly startled. She did not summon anyone, and everyone in Yonghe Palace below was also farming. How could someone suddenly appear here?

She looked carefully and found that the person who came in was a handsome man in guard's clothes, holding a black goose in his hand. It must be the prey shot by someone. The feathers on the tail of the arrow were still trembling slightly, and the blood on the wound was still fresh.

The man walked into the pavilion, adding a touch of color to the spring afternoon. He was wearing a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns with gold thread edges, which showed his extraordinary identity and status. He had a black leather belt tied around his waist, which not only marked his identity as a royal guard, but also made him look tall and heroic.

When he met the legendary Concubine De, although he was doing the impolite thing of coming uninvited, he performed a very standard greeting as soon as he saw her. His manners were elegant and calm, and every movement revealed his good upbringing, as if to say how could such a person be rude to a beautiful woman.

Malu looked at him and saw that he didn't seem to have any bad intentions, so she nodded generously and politely, indicating that he could leave if he was fine. Although it was a public place and there were so many palace servants around, she would not leave herself such a big handle.

The guard in front of him seemed unaware, smiled slightly, and said, "Madam Depin, I am Nalan Rongruo, and I am honored to meet you again here today."

Malu raised his eyebrows. Again?

Malu looked at Nalan Rongruo carefully again, as if recalling whether they had met before. Soon, Malu smiled. It turned out that the little thief in the flowers last time was him!

"Guard Nalan, you said 'goodbye'. Have we met before?" Malu's voice was calm, with a hint of inquiry.

Nalan Rongruo nodded slightly, revealing a grateful look: "Yes, I had the honor of meeting the Empress during an inspection tour. The Empress' demeanor is still fresh in my memory."

Malu was silent for a moment and then smiled softly: "There are so many guards in the palace, it is really difficult for me to remember them all. If there is nothing else, please leave. I would like to remind Guard Nalan here that you should not try to get close to the concubines casually in the future, or someone will get killed."

Nalan Rongruo was relieved to see that Malu did not blame him for his rudeness. He continued, "Your Majesty is magnanimous and I am grateful. Today I helped the emperor to pick up prey. I met you and I came to pay my respects to you. I also have a favor to ask."