The Virtuous Concubine

Seeing Bai Xia's puzzled expression, Ma Lu smiled and said, "Bai Fu was just saying that our new doctor is unreliable."

Bai Xia blinked, showing a curious look: "Madam, are you referring to Doctor Rong? I think he is a humble person and his medical skills are also very good, how can he be unreliable?" Bai Fu shook her head in disapproval: "Doctor Rong is so young, I am afraid he is not experienced enough. Moreover, his appearance... It is too easy to cause trouble."

Bai Xia suddenly realized and responded with a smile: "So that's how it is. As expected, men are different from women. The more beautiful a woman is, the better. But it's not the same for men."

Malu nodded, and hesitated a little: "Yes, people's words are scary, sometimes we have to be on guard. Then I will find a chance to replace Doctor Rong?"

Bai Xia was a little reluctant at this time: "Your Majesty is right, it's such a pity, such a beautiful person, it would be pleasing to the eyes to put her in the palace as a decoration."

Malu smiled slightly and teased Bai Xia: "Why not marry you to Doctor Rong, so that you can admire him every day."

Bai Xia was not shy at all after hearing this, and responded crisply: "Your Majesty is wise, I will go back to embroider the wedding dress and wait for Your Majesty to issue an order. Imperial Doctor Rong will have no choice but to obey me even if he is unwilling."

Malu and Bai Fu couldn't help laughing. Recently, the Yonghe Palace has always been in a state of emergency. It was rare to have such a relaxing moment. They were also happy to see Bai Xia's lively side.

Bai Fu and Bai Xia were very close, and she directly hit Bai Xia on the mouth with her hand: "Girl, you seem to be honest on weekdays, but I didn't expect that you are the one who dares to force yourself on me. Don't talk nonsense, or you'll be finished if someone hears you."

Bai Xia turned away and giggled, with a mischievous light in her eyes: "Your Majesty, help me, I am just talking, how dare I really think about it, tell Bai Fu to stop, Your Majesty - I still have to serve you and the future little princes in Yonghe Palace."

Malu smiled and said, "I think you deserve a beating!" Malu did not put on airs. She knew in her heart that although there was a master-servant distinction between her and the palace maids, the friendship between them transcended the boundaries of their status. They were a family who supported each other in this deep palace.

If I really have to say, the relationship between me and Bai Xia Bai Fu is much deeper than that between me and Kangxi.

The three of them laughed for a while, and Malu finally stopped smiling and turned serious: "Okay, the jokes are over, we have to get back to the point. I will observe the matter of Doctor Rong for a while to avoid hurting a good person by mistake. Even your lifelong event should be handled earlier. A palace maid can only leave the palace at the age of 30. If she is honorable, she can also ask for grace to leave earlier... What do you think?"

As he spoke, Malu thought of his own little Si'er. He was indeed better than Kangxi in this respect. After he ascended the throne, he changed the rule that palace maids could leave the palace at the age of 30 to 25, which made it easier for them to get married than at 30.

Bai Xia and Bai Fu immediately became serious and the smiles on their faces disappeared.

Bai Xia spoke first: "Your Highness, we have been in the palace since we were young, and we have no relatives outside the palace. It is our blessing to be able to serve you in the palace. If I can get your grace, I am willing to serve you in the palace forever."

Bai Fu also continued, "Yes, Your Majesty. We have been in the palace for many years, and the outside world is already very unfamiliar to us. Being able to stay by Your Majesty's side and continue to share your worries is more important than anything else to us."

Malu was moved by what they said, but was reluctant: "You are still young and don't understand what it means to stay in the palace for a lifetime. The Yonghe Palace is peaceful now, but I can't promise you that you will never be involved in the struggles in the palace. Why should you miss the big world outside for this precarious glory?"

In Malu's heart, the freedom she lost after coming to the Qing Dynasty may be more important than anything else, so she used her own mentality to persuade her two right-hand men. But she may not understand what kind of life the women at the bottom of society live.

She sighed softly and continued, "I know you are loyal, but as your master, I also hope that you can have a good home. Although life outside the palace is unknown, it is also full of possibilities. You should experience different lives and find your own happiness."

Bai Xia and Bai Fu looked at each other. They could feel Malu's sincerity and concern for their future.

Bai Fu said softly, "Your Highness, I understand your good intentions. But I have never thought of leaving you, or leaving Yonghe Palace." Bai Xia also added, "Your Highness, what's good about being outside? It's nothing more than getting married, raising children, and enduring humiliation. You can protect me outside the palace, but my heart always belongs here."

Malu knew that they had made up their minds, so he said no more: "In that case, I respect your choice. But if you change your mind one day, you can always tell me."

Bai Xia and Bai Fu were moved to tears when they heard this. They knew that Malu was truly thinking of them and they knelt down again in excitement: "Your Majesty, your kindness will be unforgettable." These words were spoken so sincerely that Malu even saw tears in Bai Xia's eyes.

Moved, Malu smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I really don't know how we got here. I'm a little hungry after talking to my son for a while. Can you two go downstairs and make me a bowl of chicken noodle soup? I'm just craving this."

Bai Xia and Bai Fu responded immediately, quickly got up and went to the small kitchen in Yonghe Palace to prepare meals for Malu personally.

Bai Xia first took the broth from the best chicken. After hours of slow cooking, the broth was golden in color, rich but not greasy, and exuded an alluring aroma. She carefully poured the broth into the pot and began to heat it up, ready to cook the noodles. At the same time, she also added some wolfberries and lotus seeds to the broth for nourishment.

Meanwhile, Bai Fu was preparing noodles. She took fine flour, added an appropriate amount of water and kneaded it into a smooth dough, then patiently kneaded it until it was soft and elastic.

Next, Bai Fu rolled the dough into a large, thin sheet with a rolling pin, then carefully sprinkled a layer of dry flour on it to prevent sticking, and then continued to fold, beat, and cut the dough. After the noodles were cut, Bai Fu gently shook them loose to ensure that each strand was distinct and would not stick together.

At this time, the soup has boiled. Bai Fu gently put the noodles into the pot and stirred them gently with long chopsticks to prevent the noodles from sticking to the pot. The noodles rolled in the soup, gradually stretched out and became translucent. Bai Xia used this time to prepare the ingredients. She washed the fresh vegetables and cut them into strips. She also cut the chicken breast into thin strips and marinated it slightly as a garnish.

When the noodles were cooked to perfection, Bai Xia quickly scooped them out with a strainer and put them in the prepared cold water to cool them down, which would make the noodles more chewy. Then, she drained the noodles and put them in a bowl for later use.

When Bai Fu saw that she was done, she took out another bowl of boiling soup, put the shredded chicken and vegetables into the boiling chicken soup, and then took them out and put them neatly on the noodles. Bai Xia poured the clean soup from the previous bowl into the noodles, and a bowl of delicious chicken soup noodles was ready.

Finally, Bai Fu brought the cooked noodles to Malu. Malu took a deep breath. It was so delicious! She couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks and was about to taste the noodles, but Kangxi's cheerful voice came from the door: "What are you eating?"

Malu looked up and saw Kangxi standing at the door, looking at her with a smile. Malu quickly put down her chopsticks, stood up and saluted: "Why did the emperor come without letting anyone know?"

Kangxi walked in, his eyes fell on the bowl of chicken soup, and said with a smile: "I smelled the fragrance outside the palace, and couldn't help but come in to take a look. It seems that I came at the right time and caught you, a greedy ghost."