Don't be a salted fish, the daily life of the concubine in the palace

...

On the afternoon of the second day, Shen Wei was practicing calligraphy in the room when Caiping brought news that Princess Zhaoyang had arrived at Prince Yan's Mansion and was received personally by Prince Yan's wife.

Now, Zhaoyang is in Kunyuyuan of Princess Yan.

Although Shen Wei was favored, she was only a lowly concubine after all, childless and without support. Princess Zhaoyang was a royal concubine, and Shen Wei was not even qualified to greet the princess at the door.

"Master, Princess Zhaoyang is clearly here to visit you, so why does she have to stay in the princess' courtyard for so long?" Caiping was a little confused.

Shen Wei practiced calligraphy calmly, leaving neat rows of horizontal and vertical strokes on the rice paper.

Shen Wei said: "Princess Zhaoyang knows her limits. If she bypasses the princess and comes to visit me directly, it would be tantamount to slapping the princess in the face."

The mistress is still alive, but the princess went to chat with a concubine. She must be feeling uncomfortable.

If this gets out, the princess will lose all her face.

Princess Zhaoyang is very emotionally intelligent and gives the princess enough respect.

Shen Wei is not discouraged. She will work hard to climb up step by step and strive to improve her status.

...

Kunyuyuan.

Princess Zhaoyang was restless. The princess loved to worship Buddha, and the temple was always lit with incense and candles. The strong smell of smoke filled the air, making people want to sneeze.

Kunyu Courtyard was dead silent, and even the wind was hot and stuffy. Princess Yan was wearing a dark golden dress, her eyes were dull, and she looked tired beyond her age.

But Zhaoyang's good upbringing made him hold back his complaints.

Zhaoyang forced a smile and said, "Princess, sister-in-law, Zhaoyang hasn't seen my nephew and niece for a long time and I miss them very much. Today, I specially brought some gifts for Chengke, Chengzhen and Yaoyao."

Yun'er, the personal maid, stepped forward and presented the gift that Zhaoyang had prepared.

The gifts for the two little nephews include a Kongming lock, a porcelain whistle, and wooden carved toys.

The gift for my niece Li Yao was a beautiful colorful clay figurine, two face flowers, and a colorful five-thread button.

These are all gifts that children like. Zhaoyang collected them from everywhere and prepared them for a long time.

The princess's eyes fell on the toys, her eyebrows slightly frowned, and her face was calm, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess. Madam Liu, please keep the gifts."

Zhaoyang and the princess chatted for a while, but they really had nothing in common and the conversation seemed awkward and boring.

Zhao Yang waited patiently for half a quarter of an hour before he spoke: "Sister-in-law, I think the garden is very beautiful and I want to go for a walk."

The princess said, "I will accompany the princess."

Zhaoyang quickly refused: "No, no, no, the princess is so busy that Zhaoyang dare not ask you to accompany her. Yun'er and I will take a walk and leave soon."

Zhaoyang insisted on doing so, and the princess did not force him.

Zhaoyang slid out of Kunyu Courtyard quickly. As soon as he left the gloomy space, Zhaoyang patted his chest and felt that his breathing became much smoother.

"Let's go find Shen Wei!" Zhaoyang held up her skirt and walked excitedly towards the Liuli Pavilion.

In Kunyu Courtyard, the princess rubbed her temples tiredly, and Nanny Liu offered her tea attentively.

The princess said, "Put the toys in the storeroom."

Madam Liu said in disbelief: "My Lord, those are Princess Zhaoyang's gifts, how can we store them all in the storehouse?"

A trace of impatience flashed across the princess's eyes. "Cheng Ke and Cheng Zhen are at the age of studying. These toys will only make them lose their ambition. Although Yao Er is a girl, she was born in the palace after all. She should practice music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and should not touch clay figurines."

The princess was very dissatisfied with the gift Zhaoyang gave her.

Giving these messy toys to children will make them lose their ambition.

Nanny Liu thought of the direction Princess Zhaoyang left and reminded the princess: "My Lord, the princess seems to have a relationship with Shen from Liuli Pavilion."

The princess chuckled and said, "What kind of friendship can we have? We are just casual friends."

One is the emperor's beloved daughter, a daughter of a royal family; the other is a concubine in the palace, born in poverty.

Could the two of them become close friends?

...

On the other side, Zhaoyang came to the Glazed Pavilion with great joy. The first thing that caught his eye was the two guards in gray clothes at the door.

Zhaoyang couldn't help but take a few more glances.

These two guards are full of energy and vigor, with sharp eyes and eyebrows, and their temperament is very similar to that of the imperial palace guards.

Is this really an ordinary guard of the palace?

Before Zhaoyang could think about it, Shen Wei had already come to the door with her maids and eunuchs to greet him. It was a hot summer day, and Shen Wei was wearing a refreshing green silk skirt with two crisp and translucent jade hairpins in her hair. She looked refreshing, bright and generous.

Shen Wei bowed respectfully to Zhaoyang.

"The waterside pavilion has prepared some summer herbal tea. Would you like a cup, Princess?" Shen Wei asked generously.

Zhao Yang nodded: "I'm thirsty, I want to drink a big cup!"

She held up her yellow skirt and walked into Shen Wei's glass pavilion. As soon as she stepped into the moon gate, a cool breeze blew in her face, and the elegant fragrance of lotus lingered in her nose.

Zhaoyang looked around in amazement. She saw lush green trees, blooming pink roses, an exquisite swing frame under the tree, and a lush green vegetable garden. A winding stone road was paved with marble in the yard, and the green grass was like a thin green blanket.

In the pond in the distance, lotus flowers are blooming, with green lotus leaves spreading out, and there is a beautiful pavilion by the water.

"Wow, what a beautiful garden." Zhaoyang's eyes showed appreciation. The whole yard was full of vitality and the layout of every detail was just right.

Compared to the princess’s lifeless Kunyu Courtyard, it’s like a fairyland.

No wonder Prince Yan dotes on Shen Wei. Just based on this courtyard, Prince Yan is willing to come more often.

Zhaoyang went to the edge of the vegetable garden and saw large purple eggplants and bright red tomatoes. One of the tomatoes was large and red, obviously ripe, and exuded a strong tomato aroma.

Zhaoyang had been pampered since she was a child, and she had never seen tomatoes growing on branches before. She was quite curious: "Shen Wei, are these the vegetables you planted? This tomato looks delicious, I want to try this!"

Shen Wei looked embarrassed and kindly reminded: "Your Highness, the tomatoes were planted by the prince himself. The prince specifically told you this morning not to touch the tomatoes."