"Emperor, the Emperor is letting me go back?" Zhang Jian panted, his voice hoarse.
"Yes, Eunuch Zhang, the Emperor is considerate of you and cannot bear to have you keep waiting." Shen Quan said, then turned to the attendants beside him: "Quick, support Eunuch Zhang, don’t let Eunuch Zhang fall again."
Little Xianzi personally stepped up to help Zhang Jian: "Eunuch Zhang, please slow down."
"No, I’m not leaving." Zhang Jian shook off Little Xianzi: "Mr. Shen, you—you make it clear to me, why, why will the Emperor not see me?"
"Eunuch Zhang, the Emperor is dining, you—you saw that as well. The Imperial Kitchen just sent over new dishes. The Emperor originally meant to see Eunuch Zhang after he finished eating, but isn’t it that Eunuch Zhang’s body can’t bear it anymore?" Shen Quan spread his hands, looking utterly helpless.
Zhang Jian nodded, understood. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed toward Luaxin Pavilion: "Your servant Zhang Jian thanks the Emperor for his kindness. Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live! Your servant takes his leave!"
After he finished, he braced himself against the scorching ground, forcing down the urge to vomit, and staggered to his feet on his own.
"Eunuch Zhang, allow your servant to see you off." Little Xianzi ran over respectfully, reaching out to support Zhang Jian.
Zhang Jian pushed his hand away in one stroke and walked off, not giving him any face at all.
Shen Quan watched this scene and shook his head, then went inside to report.
"If my beloved concubine wishes to change to a larger bed, I will have someone find one anew." After listening to Shen Quan’s report, Yan Xiu’s expression remained as usual as he picked dishes for Li Yuyu.
Li Yuyu bit her chopsticks and tilted her head to look at Yan Xiu.
What do you mean I want to change to a bigger bed? Isn’t it you who wants to change?
Over there, after leaving Luaxin Pavilion, Zhang Jian did not return to the Imperial Household, but went straight to Cining Palace.
Someone saw this and hurried over to inform Shen Quan.
Shen Quan thought to himself, this man feels he’s been cooped up in the Imperial Household too long and is itching to change places.
Cining Palace.
Han Guiren arrived before the Empress Dowager had even risen.
At this moment, Han Guiren was attending the Empress Dowager as she rinsed her mouth and changed clothes.
"Empress Dowager, this concubine has recently learned a new hair bun. I wonder if the Empress Dowager would be interested in trying it?" Standing behind the Empress Dowager, Han Guiren watched the Empress Dowager’s graceful features through the bronze mirror and asked softly.
"Very well." The Empress Dowager smiled. "I know you are deft with your hands, then let us give it a try."
"Yes." Han Guiren bent her knees slightly, picked up the comb, and began to smooth the Empress Dowager’s long hair.
Though this was her first time doing the Empress Dowager’s hair, not the slightest trace of panic or nervousness showed on her face. Her beautiful eyes held a look of reverence, which made Chen Jing, who was watching her, quite satisfied.
She still remembered how Princess Consort De, the first time she did the Empress Dowager’s hair, had tugged too hard out of nervousness and hurt the Empress Dowager.
After that, though the Empress Dowager never explicitly forbade Princess Consort De from doing her hair, Princess Consort De no longer dared to try.
In terms of composure, Princess Consort De was indeed not as good as Han Guiren.
Han Guiren’s skill was truly deft; after putting thought into it, the hair bun she arranged for the Empress Dowager was both elegant and noble. It resembled the peony bun, yet was less intricate than the peony bun, very much to the Empress Dowager’s liking.
"Not bad." Pleased, the Empress Dowager drew a carved jade hairpin from her own jewelry box and bestowed it upon Han Guiren.
Han Guiren knelt and received the hairpin with both hands, then directly set it into her own bun. Her lovely face was filled with delight: "This concubine thanks the Empress Dowager for the reward!"
"Rise." The Empress Dowager spoke gently. "Han Guiren has been here quite some time and has not yet taken a meal, has she? If you do not mind, share a meal with this old woman of the family."
"For the Empress Dowager to be willing to let this concubine dine in Cining Palace is a blessing this concubine has cultivated over several lifetimes. This concubine thanks the Empress Dowager for her immense grace!"
Han Guiren knelt once again, respectfully kowtowing to offer thanks.