The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

Dream Bamboo Pavilion

Not long after Concubine Rou Guipin entered the room and sat down, she heard a palace maid come to report that someone had arrived from Ningyu Pavilion.

"Ningyu Pavilion?" Concubine Rou was puzzled. Didn't she just come back from Ningyu Pavilion?

"Let her in."

"Yes, my lord."

After a while, Xingzhu came in with a tray, on which were some cloth and jewelry.

"I pay my respects to Lady Rou Guipin." Xingzhu bowed.

Concubine Rou: "Get up."

"Thank you, Miss Rou Guipin."

"Our young lady said that she had some misunderstandings with Miss Rou Guipin some time ago, and she specially asked this servant to bring gifts to apologize."

This matter had just been mentioned by Concubine Jin in Ningyu Pavilion, but Concubine Rougui did not take it seriously. She did not expect that Concubine Jin would send a gift over so quickly.

Concubine Rou smiled and said, "Sister, you are so polite."

Then, Concubine Rou said a few more words and let Xingzhu leave.

Concubine Rou didn't even pick up the agate bracelet on the top of the tray.

After Xingzhu left, Concubine Rou picked up the agate bracelet and put it on her hand, saying, "This bracelet is not expensive but it's pretty."

After returning to Ningyu Pavilion, Xingzhu told Gu Shijin everything that happened in Mengzhuxuan.

Gu Shijin nodded. The bracelet was placed quite secretly when it was delivered to her. She guessed that Concubine Rou might not know about it, so she asked Xingzhu to test it when she delivered the gift. She didn't expect it to be true.

This means that it was probably put in by the palace maid of Mengzhuxuan.

The palace maid whose face Gu Shijin saw that day was most likely someone who worked for Meng Zhuxuan.

"What did the imperial physician say?" Gu Shijin asked Xingzhu to take the bracelet to the Imperial Hospital for the imperial physician to have a look.

"My lady, the imperial physician said this bracelet is non-toxic."

Then, Xingzhu continued, "When I went to Mengzhu Pavilion, I met Lady Ning, and she also saw the bracelet."

"it is good."

Regardless of whether this bracelet appeared in Ningyu Pavilion intentionally or accidentally, Gu Shijin didn't want to get involved.

If it was intentional, the person behind it would reveal himself sooner or later, and Gu Shijin would just have to wait quietly.

That afternoon, Gu Shijin was practicing calligraphy.

It must be said that Lu Junze is a really good teacher. After practicing for about a month, Gu Shijin's handwriting has improved significantly.

At least it is no longer as childish as before, and the handwriting has a touch of style.

Gu Shijin was so absorbed in writing that he didn't even notice when Lu Junze came in.

Deeply benevolent and generous.

These four words lay neatly on the rice paper. Gu Shijin looked at them again and again, feeling very satisfied.

Gu Shijin didn't think about the content when he wrote it, but he just wrote down these words naturally when he picked up the pen. At the same time, Lu Junze's face flashed through his mind.

"Well written." Lu Junze suddenly said.

Gu Shijin was startled and turned around to salute but was stopped by Lu Junze.

"Your Majesty, when did you arrive?" Gu Shijin asked.

Lu Junze pointed to the rice paper on the table and said, “When you are writing.”

Gu Shijin was stunned, then smiled lightly, a little shyly: "My concubine's writing is not good."

"Well...it's much better than the first time I saw Jin'er's handwriting." Lu Junze praised.

Gu Shijin immediately smiled widely, her eyes filled with joy: "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. It's all because of your good teaching. Your Majesty's handwriting is so good, and I can't lose your face."

Lu Junze squeezed Gu Shijin's hand and saw a painting on the table out of the corner of his eye.

"Did you draw this?" Lu Junze pointed at the painting.

It was a painting of lotus flowers, and the lotus flowers in it were lifelike, as if they were living creatures.

The lotus flowers are particularly beautiful, and the green leaves set off the pink lotus flowers, which is magnificent.

Gu Shijin nodded: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for making a fool of myself."

He started painting it after returning from the Imperial Garden that day. Since he had free time every day, Gu Shijin wanted to paint it.

Gu Shijin spent seven or eight days on and off to paint this simple lotus painting, and there are actually many flaws in it.

Lu Junze took the painting and spread it on the table, saying, "I'll modify it for you."

After saying that, Lu Junze picked up the pen and started making changes based on Gu Shijin's painting.

With just a few strokes, the lotus in the painting becomes more vivid.

After finishing the painting, Lu Junze wrote a line of words next to it.

There are only green lotuses and red lotuses, which can be opened and closed freely.

Gu Shijin was stunned for a moment, then reacted and said, "Your Majesty's painting is really good."

"Jin'er drew it well."

"Your Majesty, why are you here now?" At this time of year, the Emperor would usually be in the Imperial Study discussing matters with ministers. Even if there was nothing to do, he would still be in the Imperial Study dealing with memorials.

There is no need to inquire about these things specifically. You will naturally know them after spending enough time in the palace.

Speaking of this, Lu Junze frowned. Today he summoned the ministers to the Imperial Study to discuss matters, mainly to listen to the ministers talk about the drought in the south. As a result, Lu Junze was very angry and came out of the Imperial Study.

The relief workers have been in the south for such a long time, but not only have they failed to appease the people, but the refugees have also gathered to cause trouble. This can only mean that the ministers he sent and the prefects in several places have not put their heart into their work at all!

Lu Junze has already issued an order to arrest all the people sent to the south and the prefects who did not do their job, and he will also send ministers from the capital.

It’s just that he is now struggling with the selection of candidates. The capital is also in a turbulent time right now, and the New Year is approaching soon. The people Lu Junze trusts under his command are not available.

"None of those ministers do things to my liking, so I'm going out for a walk." Lu Junze said irritably.

Gu Shijin didn't know how to respond to this, and it was even more impossible for her to follow Lu Junze's words and criticize those officials.

"Your Majesty, I have some iced sour plum soup and watermelon in my palace. Would Your Majesty like to have some?" Gu Shijin said.

Lu Junze nodded: "Okay."

"Jin'er especially loves sour plum soup and watermelon. I can eat them every time I come."

Gu Shijin was embarrassed. These two things were the best way to cool down in summer, and there were no popsicles in ancient times.

"Your Majesty is making fun of me."

"Hahaha, I love to eat it too, especially the ones from Jin'er Palace."

Only then did Gu Shijin smile.

Lu Junze sat on the couch and watched Gu Shijin busying himself, and suddenly thought of someone who could go to the south to provide disaster relief.

Gu Shijin's father was Gu Yulin, who was promoted by him to be the Langzhong of the Ministry of Revenue.

Gu Yulin was born in a poor family, and he could empathize with the people the most. He was also an honest official and would never do anything corrupt or accept bribes. He could also use this opportunity to test Gu Yulin's ability to handle affairs.

Lu Junze has always been sober. He dotes on Gu Shijin, but he will not promote Gu Yulin because of this. Gu Shijin is a down-to-earth person, but that does not mean that Gu Yulin will do things the same way.

Not to mention that the officials of the previous dynasty were all affected by a single move, and sometimes a small unintentional move could bring great harm to Lu Junze.

So to those who send their children to the palace and hope to rely on their family's wealth, Lu Junze just wants to say that you have taken the wrong path.

Lu Junze noticed all the people who worked diligently in the previous dynasty and never ignored them.

For example, Gu Yulin was promoted this time, but it seems that many people think that it was because Gu Shijin was favored that Lu Junze transferred Gu Yulin to the Ministry of Households.