CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: THE EVE OF THE LIST

Around ten people, it’s not too many.

Lin Wanyi remained silent.

However, thinking back to how full it was on the Dragon Boat Festival, Qiu Ming’s words indeed made sense!

"About today’s matter, tell everyone not to spread it outside. It was just something the Emperor said on a whim, we can’t let outsiders know, or they’ll think our Xianyi Palace is trying too hard to curry favor. Understand?"

"Rest assured, my lady, I will convey this properly."

She is now at the rank of Changzai, and by rights can add one or two more coarse palace maids or eunuchs.

But Lin Wanyi felt that four people serving were enough, too many people would lead to idle gossip, and it’s best to avoid such entanglements.

However, Qiu Ming persuaded her, and had the Inner Court Department make preparations, waiting to select suitable ones to send over.

Mr. Qin was naturally entrusted with this matter.

"My lady, your position is not limited to this, in the future, you will inevitably need more people. It’s hard to find servants and palace maids who are useful and willing to learn. So let Mr. Qin take a look first, to prevent anyone from taking advantage."

Taking advantage, almost openly referred to the incident last time when Lin Guifei sent people over.

Qiu Ming’s reminder did make Lin Wanyi more vigilant.

Indeed, if a servant betrays you in the palace, it’s equivalent to leaving your back open to the enemy.

Unexpectedly stabbed in the back, she did not want to meet her end so soon, so she nodded immediately, agreeing with Qiu Ming’s suggestion.

The entire month of May, Shengjing City seemed like it was being baked in a furnace, trapped in the heatwave.

Many places in the Imperial City had ice, but it was merely a drop in the bucket.

The concubines were idling in their palaces, creating a rare tranquility within the Imperial Palace.

Due to recuperating from her injury, Lin Wanyi had hardly left her room.

Usually, she would do some needlework or take care of her health, ignoring anything happening outside her window.

Until the news of the Emperor planning a visit to the traveling palace spread, everyone in the palace seemed to have found a new point of excitement, and things livened up again.

The goal was nothing other than hoping to be chosen to accompany him.

Unquestionably, Lin Guifei and Princess Consort Yi were going, and Lan Fei, who was pregnant, as well as Noble Princess Consort Ying, had to go too, taking up four spots, leaving the rest for everyone else to compete over.

Unsurprisingly, Lin Wanyi’s name was also on the list.

At this point, most of the spots were filled.

That day, Qiu Ming walked straight to the small kitchen, gulped down a bowl of cold water, and sweat droplets on his forehead were constantly wiped but reappeared, his complexion darker than a few days ago.

Afraid of getting scolded, Chunqi quickly handed him some mung bean soup to beat the heat.

"Mr. Qiu, how about some mung bean soup?"

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Qiu Ming frowned, took it, and drank it all at once. The mung bean soup was more soothing than cold water, instantly cooling him down.

"Hehe, I just didn’t have time. You came in and drank cold water right away, aren’t you afraid of getting a stomachache?"

Now, Chunqi and Qiu Ming had become quite familiar with each other.

Even jokes like "you old man" often came up in conversations.

"I just sent Lady He away, it made my throat sore."

These past few days, Qiu Ming had blocked many other concubines from visiting Lin Wanyi, the reason was obvious.

"Where’s Xiao Luzi? Not back from the Imperial Kitchen yet?"

"Not yet. My lady asked him to also bring back some extra thread from the satin warehouse, since the thread for the Emperor’s regular clothing was running short."

Originally, he was sent to do something else but ended up having to go to the satin warehouse too.

No wonder he hadn’t returned for so long.

Coincidentally, as they spoke, Xia An came in from outside.

She was rarely someone who sweated, but in the past couple of days, she was constantly wiping her forehead and temples with a handkerchief, truly feeling stifled.

"Mr. Qiu, you’re here too?"

"Yes, just came over for a bowl of mung bean soup."

Listening to them talk, Chunqi handed a bowl to Xia An as well.

"The mung bean soup I made for you separately, without sugar, have a taste."

Xia An smiled, Chunqi may seem carefree but was meticulous, especially regarding food, remembering everyone’s likes and dislikes clearly.

A bowl of unsweetened mung bean soup went down, making Xia An feel much more comfortable.

"My lady is looking for you as soon as she wakes up, asked about how the preparations with the green plums are going?"

"Xiao Luzi hasn’t returned yet, so I don’t know how many green plums he’ll be able to bring back."

Chunqi pouted, curiously asking Xia An.

"Why has my lady suddenly taken an interest in making green plum wine?"

"Who knows? Perhaps it reminded her of past events."

The past, much of which Xia An didn’t know, but Chunqi, having grown up with Lin Wanyi, probably knew more.

When she spoke up, they all fell into a moment of silence.

"Here he comes, finally."

Xiao Luzi burst in like a whirlwind from outside, holding a package of thread and a small basket on his back, containing the green plums Lin Wanyi wanted.

Seeing the three of them there, Xiao Luzi wiped his forehead sweat with his sleeve and handed the package of thread to Xia An right away.

"Sister Xia An, take this to my lady, I wouldn’t want my sweaty self to stink up her presence."

"Alright, you take a rest, you’ve been running in this heat for quite some time now."

"It’s fine, it’s just too hot outside, but it’ll be better when we go to the traveling palace."

Qiu Ming glanced at Xiao Luzi, his expression turning serious again.

"How many times have I told you? Forgotten again?"

Xiao Luzi immediately hushed up, not daring to be reckless.

Qiu Ming wasn’t one to scold excessively, though the whole palace was aware of this matter, it was best not discussed from their mouths, avoiding unnecessary attention like boasting.

Chunqi and Xia An couldn’t help but admire Qiu Ming for his adherence to the rules.

He always strictly abided by the palace regulations.

"Alright, finish your mung bean soup and stand guard at the palace gate, Lady He is not easy to send away, who knows when she’ll come again."

"Yes."

Qiu Ming left first, Xiao Luzi stuck out his tongue, wearing a relieved expression that amused Chunqi and Xia An.

"Mr. Qiu’s skill at refusing people is truly remarkable, not only does he refuse, but he does it in a way that doesn’t upset anyone. You didn’t hear it yourselves, but the way he spoke, even if I were born again, I probably couldn’t speak like that!"

Xiao Luzi meant those words from the heart.

Working under Qiu Ming, indeed, taught him a lot of things, so after gulping down the mung bean soup, he dashed outside again.

Xia An shook her head, still with the heart of a child.

"Let’s take these things to my lady and see."

"Alright, these green plums look good, my lady will likely be pleased."

The two of them, carrying the basket and thread respectively, headed towards the main room.