TPNCQ CHAPTER 8.1
A Charming Room 8.1
The next afternoon, Emperor Qianlong visited Chunxi Palace again. He spent time with Jia Fei, chatting and playing chess in a room filled with a charming atmosphere.
Meanwhile, in the main hall, Moli, a maid, guarded against the eastern wing as if warding off thieves. She stood with arms on her hips in the courtyard of the eastern wing and made several offensive remarks.
Inside, Chen Guiren remained silent, though her chief maid, Yingchun, had reddened eyes but dared not let it be seen and quietly wiped them away.
"Since we seem to be in the way here, let's go for a walk," Chen Guiren said, getting up and taking her cloak. Yingchun quickly stepped forward to help her put it on and supported her as they exited through a small side door of the eastern wing.
After walking a short distance, Yingchun asked, "Where shall we go, my lady? Shall we visit the Imperial Garden?"
"Let's go to Jingren Palace. Chun Gufei has finished her confinement; we should visit her as courtesy dictates," Chen Guiren decided after a moment's thought.
When the young maid announced their arrival, Su Limo was sitting on an embroidered couch, matching silk threads for the new palace dresses being sewn by Shuangjiang, Dongxue, and Bailu. "Let her in quickly, it's windy outside."
"Niangniang, It's so warm here," Chen Guiren couldn't help but say as she entered from the cold outdoors, then stepped forward to greet Su Limo according to palace rules.
"Hurry up and sit down to warm yourself up. You must be freezing after such a long walk," Su Limo said, putting down her silk threads. "Serve Chen Guiren a hot cup of tea to drive away the cold."
Yingchun helped Chen Guiren remove her cloak and stood by her side.
Chenn Guiren was of above-average appearance, not particularly striking, which explained why she did not receive Emperor Qianlong's favor. Su Limo understood this upon seeing her face. In the current harem, Emperor Qianlong favored only the most outstanding beauties.
However, Chen Guiren had outlived Emperor Qianlong by two years, making her a walking textbook of palace survival. Su Limo had long wanted to learn from her but didn't expect Chen Guiren to visit first.
"The silver bracelets you gave for Jingshun's full moon celebration were lovely. I kept them to give to Jingshun after a hundred days. Thank you for your thoughtfulness," Su Limo said, seeing that Chen Guiren was quite serene and not overly talkative, so she took the initiative to speak first.
"Those silver bracelets were part of my lady dowry..." Yingchun began but was silenced by a glance from Chen Guiren, who then stepped outside to wait.
"The Fourth Princess is lively and adorable. I liked her very much. I had nothing else suitable to give; I hope Niangniang don't mind. Silver bracelets are best for drawing out toxins from the children body, making them perfect for the Fourth Princess," Chen Guiren said, her speech slow and pleasing to the ear.
"It's a fine gift. I accept it on behalf of the Fourth Princess," Su Limo responded, knowing that Emperor Qianlong had visited Chunxi Palace that afternoon. She guessed Chen Guiren had come out to avoid the awkwardness of being at Chunxi Palace.
Watching others act as favored consorts every day was a hardship not everyone could endure, showing Chen Guiren's resilient character.
After a cup of tea, Chen Guiren remained silent. Unless Su Limo spoke, she would not say much, simply watching the maids do their needlework.
"Perhaps moon-white silk thread would be better here," Chen Guiren suggested after a while.
Shuangjiang compared and said with delight, "Guiren's eye is indeed better than mine. The moon-white thread is perfect. Guiren, Could you also help me with the pear blossoms on this cuff?"
"Try outlining with silver thread, use these three shades from light to dark, and add tiny beads to the flower centres. It will look exquisite," Chen Guiren advised, taking the clothes form Shuangjiang's hand and demonstrating it herself.
Su Limo finished sorting her silk threads and drank a cup of hot milk. She noticed that Chen Guiren worked diligently on the embroidery, seemingly unbothered by the palace's turmoil, focusing solely on the task at hand.
This was her second meeting with Chen Guiren. The first had been amidst a crowd, leaving no impression. But now, after spending half a day together, Su Limo had a clearer understanding of her temperament.
If Chen Guiren was not adept at concealing her true nature, then she was genuinely serene and compliant.
Appearances often reflect the heart, and this was usually accurate.
In the treacherous and malicious harem, an unfavored Guiren who could live to the age of ninety and die peacefully must have benefited partly from her unremarkable appearance and lack of children, posing no threat. Her serene and compliant nature, along with her resilience, also played crucial roles. There were likely other reasons, but Su Limo couldn't grasp them all at once.
There was plenty of time ahead.
Notice:- I've chosen a new novel for translation and hope you'll enjoy it. The project is titled **"Marrying the Younger Uncle of the Former Prince Consort (嫁给前驸马他小叔)"**. Here is the link.