Quick Transmigration: Leisure

Snapped--

Consort Shu slammed her hand on the table, her shrill voice ringing out.

“Sui’er! I did not order any reduction in Consort Xian’s allowance!” Sui’er, the maid beside her, trembled in fright.

"What exactly happened?" Consort Shu asked righteously.

Xia Youmi didn't care how the trial would proceed. Her role was simply to set an example, to embarrass Consort Shu, so that Consort Gui could smoothly regain control of the palace. Her share would become a precedent, ensuring that no matter who was in power in the future, they couldn't use her as a scapegoat.

After the testimonies of the several people were given, clearly demonstrating that Consort Shu had failed in her duties and had pushed one of her head maids, Sui'er, to take the blame, Xia Youmi waited to leave. She had originally intended to establish her authority today, but Consort Shu had been too pragmatic.

His sliding knee speed is so fast that holding onto it would be too aggressive.

I regret to say goodbye.

But the matter did not subside.

After Consort Shu handed over the reins of the palace, she was confined for another month. Her personal maid was tortured and then expelled from the palace, causing her to lose face.

The palace staff and managers involved were thoroughly investigated, including all the major and minor officials within the Imperial Household Department. Many spies planted inside and outside the palace were eliminated, including many informants from both the previous and current dynasties.

In addition, those who embezzled funds were severely punished.

When it was later discovered that even Emperor Shaoyuan's private tributes had been secretly replaced, Xia Youmi's smile was as wide as his anger.

You'll all laugh at me! You thought you could use her to remove the cancer, thinking it would be effortless, but it turns out the hole is still a bit painful for you!

Despite the commotion outside, Xia Youmi completed the painting. He presented it beautifully to the Empress, personally delivering it to her door, marking the first meeting between the two pen pals.

August, Fengyi Palace.

Today is the Empress's birthday, but as usual, no one will come to disturb her. The congratulatory gifts from the concubines will not be allowed into Fengyi Palace, and Qi Xuan will neither accept nor reciprocate them.

However, with new people entering the palace this year, there are still some people who are unaware of the inside story and want to come and offer their congratulations.

In the end, they were all stopped from a distance by the stern and impartial old women.

Then, Xia Youmi made a splash again after a month! Unlike others, she was respectfully invited into the Phoenix Palace.

The palace was neither a Buddhist temple nor deserted; everything was arranged perfectly normally. This indicated that although the Empress never saw anyone and was not openly respected by His Majesty, the interior remained orderly and without the slightest negligence.

Qi Xuan is only twenty-five years old. It should be the prime of her life, but Xia Youmi found it hard to believe when she first saw him.

The Empress had prematurely gray hair.

Qi Xuan, however, didn't care at all. With a big smile, he stepped forward, took Xia Youmi's hand, and examined her carefully.

"How wonderful! It's a pleasure to meet you, great painter!"

"Hahaha!" Xia Youmi's composure crumbled instantly. What did she have that made her so great? To become a truly great painter, she would need to practice for at least ten lifetimes. Her current maturity was nothing more than a clumsy imitation of her mentor, Master Zhang, through fervent practice of one style.

"My sister is making fun of me. I'm really ashamed."

"No need to be modest. Your paintings are so lifelike, they're both realistic and quite interesting," Qi Xuan praised repeatedly, then took Xia Youmi's hand and led her to the west wing.

"Come on, I'll take you to the art studio."

Xia Youmi gestured for Shi Yi and Shi Rong, who were carrying congratulatory gifts, to follow.

The painting studio in Fengyi Palace is truly breathtaking!

It's not just the sheer number of paintings that's remarkable, but also their ingenious arrangement. Each painting is framed in a specially woven, lightweight frame and then hung from the rafters. The area featuring Xia Youmi's paintings, in particular, is arranged in a pleasing, staggered fashion, creating a striking artistic effect.

"That's wonderful, sister!"

Qi Xuan watched from the side, her smile never fading; it was the joy of meeting a kindred spirit.

If this were modern times, with Qi Xuan's talent, he would certainly be able to run a very successful art museum.

"Come, take a look at your new work." Qi Xuan gestured to the painting he was holding behind him.

"It's a birthday gift for my elder sister! I'm just showing off!" Xia Youmi asked several palace servants to come forward and help her unfurl the scroll.

"This isn't a realistic painting; it's based on my sister's poem. It's my first time trying this style of painting, and I'm quite worried about the result. I wonder if my sister is satisfied with it..."

Xia Youmi tried to explain, but Qi Xuan couldn't hear her anymore. Her ears were ringing; she was so engrossed in the painting that she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.

Gradually, the surroundings quieted down, and no one disturbed them.

Qi Xuan touched the rugged terrain with her hands, tears uncontrollably dripping into the painting and merging into it.

Someone entered from outside the door at some point.

Xia Youmi looked up and their eyes met. They were both stunned for a moment before averting their gazes.

Qi Zhuo has arrived.

Looking at her elder sister, who was engrossed in gazing at the painting, she understood immediately; she was probably reminded of something painful.

It took Qi Xuan a while to come to her senses. Looking at the couple in front of her with teary eyes, she was even more dazed.

"Please...please go in and sit down first," she said softly, her voice choked with emotion.

Xia Youmi and Qi Zhuo went to the hall first, where Qi Xuan washed and tidied herself up. After a few brief greetings, Xia Youmi learned that every year on the Empress's birthday, Qi Zhuo would come to have lunch with her elder sister, and that she had received His Majesty's permission.

This year, Xia Youmi has joined the group.

She had only come to deliver a congratulatory gift, but happened to be invited to stay for a meal. Seeing Qi Zhuo's serious demeanor, unwilling to utter a single word off-topic, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're not still bothered by what happened last time, are you?" Xia Youmi chuckled.

Qi Zhuo clearly understood, and for a moment he didn't know whether to say that he didn't mind or that he didn't mind at all.

"I just wanted to tease you because you looked so down!"

"Cheer up, don't wallow in grief." Xia Youmi was a professional at saving face, leaving Qi Zhuo completely bewildered.

Her affection for people is fleeting, spontaneous, and a momentary flash of inspiration.

It's not that they don't experience joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness; it's just that they don't pursue mutual fidelity or commitment.

To say that she was the source of the "virus" of indifference is merely self-deception by later generations.

It's simply that she doesn't place her true emotional needs on outsiders. Her love and pain are both directed inward. Whether others love her or not is irrelevant. As long as her heart is rich, she can love life, love the blue sky and white clouds, and love herself and find joy in life.

So, by what right do you impose these changes?

"..." The system was used to the mental monologues and fantasies. The host just had a bit too much internal drama; it was fine. A little bit of madness was good for mental and physical health.

Before Qi Zhuo could properly respond to Xia Youmi, his elder sister was helped out. Now, there was no way to explain his indifference.

"Elder sister, how are you? How have you been feeling lately?"

"Yes! Sister, what did the imperial physician say?"

Qi Xuan sat down, regaining her previous gentle demeanor, and smiled faintly as she watched the two of them continuously express their concern.

"Okay, I'm fine."

"Sit down, and we can talk after the food is served."

The square table wasn't very large, and the three of them sat on opposite sides. The palace servants brought out delicious dishes, fruits, and wine from the empty side, a feast that was both lavish and homely.

"Eat first!"

Xia Youmi didn't stand on ceremony and started eating seriously, listening to the siblings chat about their recent situations.

Qi Xuan treated them all equally, as if they were her own younger brothers and sisters, serving dishes and pouring wine, and the group toasted each other round after round.

This was the first time Xia Youmi had ever drunk so much; she had never drunk to her limit before.

I don't know if I'll black out from drinking.

Will he tell the truth?

Will I embarrass myself?