The emperor was still on the observation deck. He asked the eunuch to take Jiang Changning to the banana garden of Xiyuan Palace. Halfway through the water skiing show, he would find an excuse to leave and meet Jiang Changning to accomplish his wish.
He said a few words to encourage the winners of the dragon boat race, gave out rewards, and then announced the start of the water skiing show.
The eunuch didn't accomplish his task and didn't dare to go to see the emperor. He secretly called the young eunuch and said, "Go and ask Eunuch Yu to come over. I have something to report."
As he said this, he stuffed a dime into the young eunuch's pocket.
The young eunuch went to find the chief eunuch beside the emperor and said, "Eunuch Yu, Eunuch Mu is outside and he said he wants to see you for something."
Eunuch Yu knew that the Emperor had asked Xiao Muzi to impersonate the Queen and trick Princess Jin into going to Xiyuan Palace.
Logically speaking, he should be taking Princess Jin to the West Garden now, so why is she looking for him for something
Eunuch Yu hurried out. When Xiao Muzi saw him, he said with a bitter face, "Eunuch Yu, this is a mess."
“How could that be?” Eunuch Yu frowned.
"That lady was too smart. She realized something was wrong right away. And the maid beside her was also very skilled and subdued me in no time." Xiao Muzi said that it was not his fault that the thing was not done.
"A maidservant also knows martial arts?" Eunuch Yu took a deep breath, "I didn't expect that master cared so much about this mistress. This is really not going to be easy."
He misunderstood that the maid was arranged by Prince Jin and found this matter quite tricky.
He sighed, "She is really a beauty who brings disaster to the country."
Jiang Changning, who was living a peaceful life as the Princess of Jin and had done nothing wrong, became a bad woman in the eyes of Eunuch Yu.
Eunuch Yu rubbed his forehead and said, "Hurry to the West Garden and send the singer who is very popular with His Majesty to the Banana Garden."
"Using someone else as a substitute? I'm afraid this won't work." Little Mu Zi felt that as long as the emperor was not blind, he would definitely not make mistakes between the two.
Although the singer was charming, her appearance was not as good as that of the Princess of Jin, not to mention her charm and style. There was a world of difference between them.
"You're just a jerk." Eunuch Yu raised his leg and kicked him hard.
Little Muzi didn't dare to dodge and took the kick head-on, still smiling, "What does grandpa mean?"
"You idiot, Your Majesty went to the West Garden excitedly, but didn't see anyone. Would he be angry? Shouldn't someone come to accompany Your Majesty and comfort Him at this time?"
I hope that the singing girl can coax His Majesty, otherwise, he doesn’t know what to do
"Yes, yes, father-in-law is right. I'll do it right away." Little Mu Zi ran away.
Just as Eunuch Yu was about to turn around and go in, he saw King Jin coming over. He put on a fake smile, took a few steps forward, and saluted, saying, "I greet His Majesty. I pay my respects to His Majesty."
"Why isn't Eunuch Yu serving His Majesty inside? Why is he standing outside? Is there something wrong?" asked Prince Jin.
Although Jiang Changning didn't say anything, Prince Jin felt that the emperor must have done something that caused Jiang Changning to suddenly return home.
"The weather is hot and your majesty is feeling unwell. He wants to go to the West Garden to rest. I will come out and make some arrangements." Eunuch Yu said with a smile.
"Since Your Majesty is unwell, please summon the imperial physician to diagnose Your Majesty's pulse. How can you be so careless?" Prince Jin asked in a reproachful tone.
"I have already asked someone to summon him." Eunuch Yu could only continue to lie.
Prince Jin did not go to the main observation deck to see the emperor, but went to the left platform.
The princes from all the prefectures were there, watching the water skiing show with their clairvoyance.
When they saw Prince Jin coming in, they all said polite words happily.
On the other side, Jiang Changning returned to the mansion, first went to the yard to change clothes, and then went to Liuxuanyuan to pay his respects to the concubine.
The concubine was playing cards with three old maids. Seeing her, she was a little surprised, "Why are you back so early?"
After hearing this, the concubine said thankfully, "Fortunately, I didn't go. Hurry up and bring a bowl of mung bean soup to the princess."
"Thank you, mother. I was just thinking of drinking this to cool down." Jiang Changning said with a smile.
The interaction between Jiang Changning and the Concubine Dowager surprised the three maids who were playing cards.
Especially Mrs. Wei, who had helped Mrs. Qiao, secretly groaned.
If she had known that Mrs. Qiao would have such a short life, she would never have offended Mrs. Jiang!
The other two maids admired Jiang Changning very much. Qiao had been married into the palace for several years but had not been able to become the Concubine Dowager. However, Jiang Changning had been married for less than a year but she got along with the Concubine Dowager like a mother and daughter.
This is ability, this is having means.
The two maids didn't know that in addition to Jiang Changning's accurate grasp of the concubine's psychology, Prince Jin also did a lot of things.
Of course, if Jiang Changning remained childless, the concubine's attitude towards her would change accordingly.
Jiang Changning drank a bowl of mung bean soup cooled with well water, and then went to watch the concubine play cards. "Mother, you are very lucky. I want a share of the profits."
"You don't invest a penny, but you want dividends? No way." The concubine refused with a smile.
"Mother, don't be so stingy. You are an old noble with a lot of money. Please give me some money."
"I knew that when you came, you would think of my money box. All right, all right, take the IV and go buy some fruit."
"Thank you, mother." Jiang Changning happily took out a hundred dollars from the money box and left.
Jiang Changning chatted with the three maids for a few more words, then said, "I won't disturb my mother and the three mothers playing cards here. I'm going back to the courtyard."
Not long after she returned to the courtyard, she sent someone to deliver an envelope of silver, saying it was a deposit for the imperial concubine, hoping that the imperial concubine would win more money so that she could share the money with her to buy fruit.
The three maids exchanged glances with each other. Although the Princess of Jin looked young, she was the most capable among the three daughters-in-law of the Dowager Concubine.
No wonder the concubine loves her so much.
Prince Jin returned home at the beginning of the afternoon. Jiang Changning had just woken up from a nap. After getting up, she changed into a comfortable cotton silk skirt, tied her hair into a simple bun, and leaned lazily on the couch.
The little maid squatted behind her and massaged her shoulders.
Seeing Prince Jin coming in, Jiang Changning wanted to sit up, but Prince Jin stopped him, "Just lie down, there's no need to get up, they'll serve you."
"Your Highness, are you dissatisfied with my poor service?" Jiang Changning asked with a half-smile.
"Woman, I sympathize with you and worry that you are working hard, so how can I despise you?" The King of Jin untied his belt, "Why don't you come and serve your husband?"
Jiang Changning snorted, "I'm angry and I won't serve you anymore."
The King of Jin pretended to be surprised and asked, "How can you turn against me so easily?"
Jiang Changning raised his chin and said proudly, "Of course, I change my attitude faster than turning the pages of a book, so why not?"
"Yes, of course." Prince Jin walked over, sat next to her, and waved his hand for the maidservants to retreat.
Prince Jin lifted her hair that fell on her shoulders and entwined it between his fingers. "What happened at Xiyuan Lake today?"
(End of this chapter)