Chapter 277: Chapter 274 ResponsibilityXing Ce felt that the moment had arrived and said, "It’s nothing important, I just hope Sister Xiang Ying could pity Xing Ce. As you know, being a guard means facing wind and rain, patrolling daily without fail. A few days ago, during the storm, I nearly got struck by lightning while on patrol. If Sister Xiang Ying could lend a hand and secure a position for me at Yuesang Palace, even as a resident guard, it would be my good fortune."

    Indeed.

    To climb up the ranks, just like her, to get close to Princess Consort Sang. sea??h thё NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Sang Ruoshui was out of favor, and the people in the palace didn’t think much of her. Still, there were clever ones like her.

    Not bad.

    Someone with a brain.

    She was satisfied in her heart but wore a smile that revealed nothing on her face.

    Seeing Xiang Ying’s silence, Xing Ce lowered his eyes, hiding the gleam in them, and continued, "I won’t lie to you, Sister, there are many useful things I can do. Outside the palace, I’ve combed noble persons’ hair and made incense; I’m sure I can serve Princess Consort Sang well."

    Hearing this, Xiang Ying’s eyes flashed with surprise, "You speak so highly of your abilities? You’ll have to provide evidence to prove your real skills. It’s not difficult to arrange for you to go to Yuesang Palace, but it depends on your performance."

    She suddenly shifted the conversation to a challenge, "Princess Consort Sang has just been scolded by the Emperor, and she’s in a bad mood. Tell me, what can you do to make the Lady happy? If the Lady is pleased, won’t you too benefit?"

    This young man boasted his own prowess, but it didn’t seem like he was lying. Maybe he really had a way to help Sang Ruoshui?

    After hearing Xiang Ying’s words, Xing Ce thought for a moment and then said with a smile, "Sister, you’ve indeed asked the right person. To speak boldly, isn’t the Lady distressed because she admires the Emperor but can’t have him? When I was outside the palace, I heard of an incense that can calm the mind and help one sleep, and in dreams, it can help the user fulfill their deepest desires..."

    Xiang Ying looked shocked, "Really?"

    Xing Ce nodded and smiled, "Indeed it’s true! However, the ingredients for this incense are complex. I’ll go back tonight and rush to make it, and then I’ll give it to Sister tomorrow at this time. Once the Lady tries it, she’ll see the wonderful effects."

    Xiang Ying saw that Xing Ce was very confident in his claim and believed him quite a bit.

    In any case, she didn’t have any other ideas at the moment, so why not let him try? Perhaps it could really be useful?

    They agreed on the details for tomorrow and went their separate ways.

    Qingning Palace

    He Ying strode into the palace and immediately noticed the untouched food on the table.

    "The Empress didn’t eat?"

    He Ying furrowed his brows, his expression quite displeased.

    A palace maid standing by promptly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, today the Empress summoned the nannies in charge from all the palaces. It seems she was displeased by something, and thus, she had little appetite."

    In the end, it was all trouble stirred up by Sang Ruoshui.

    He knew he should have dealt with her earlier!

    He Ying glanced at the now-cold food and ordered, "Dispose of these and prepare a pot of the Empress’s favorite milk bird’s nest soup, but don’t add too much sugar."

    The palace maid, surprised by the Emperor’s doting nature, thought to herself: The King, who presided over all under heaven and dealt with thousands of affairs each day, could still remember the Empress’s minor dietary preferences.

    "You silly girl, get going quickly!"

    Pei Muyang, seeing the small palace maid standing dumbfounded and before He Ying’s temper flared, reprimanded the maid.

    They all served in Qingning Palace, and for the sake of the Empress, the Emperor would not take out his frustration on a mere palace girl.

    But the Empress had not eaten, and they did not persuade her, which would undoubtedly have angered the Emperor.

    It was up to him to vent on behalf of the Emperor.

    Being a eunuch was difficult!

    Even more so, to be a eunuch who knew how to read the Emperor’s mood.

    "Yes," replied the small palace maid, shrinking her neck as she hurried out.

    He Ying, lifting his robe, proceeded into the inner chamber.

    Inside the inner chamber

    A slender figure sat at the desk.

    She supported her cheek with her delicate hand, her fine brows slightly furrowed as if troubled by something, to the point that she didn’t even notice his arrival.

    Until he approached.

    His shadow fell upon her, blocking her light.

    She suddenly came to her senses, lifted her head, and gave the newcomer a bright smile, "Xinyuan, you’re back."

    Piles of paper and a thick register lay in front of her.

    The register was spread open, its bottom right page wrinkled by the pressure of her elbow.

    It seemed she had been in that posture for quite some time.

    "My Empress, what’s troubling you?"

    He Ying sat down beside her, and his hands naturally scooped her into his embrace.

    Hearing this, Sang Yan glared at him irritably and pointed to the register on the table, "What else could it be? Thanks to my dear husband, I’ve been given the task of managing the harem. Now look, setting aside the concubines for a moment, just the number of eunuchs and palace maids in here is enough to make my eyes blur."

    As she spoke, she pointed to her eyes and leaned toward He Ying, complainingly asking, "Look, don’t I have red veins in them?"

    So frustrating!

    She had never worked this hard even when she was studying.

    Used to living a carefree life, and now, suddenly, she had to manage so many people.

    How she wished for office software in this era!

    He Ying listened to her small complaints without getting angry. Instead, he took the register from her hands and tossed it aside, saying indulgently, "These are all trivial matters. If you find it troublesome, get a few trustworthy people to help you."

    As he spoke, his fingertips gently touched Sang Yan’s eyelids, then blew lightly on them, "So you won’t wear yourself out. I’d feel heartbroken."

    He truly would feel heartbroken.

    He had actually been looking for an excuse to have Sang Yan start managing the harem.

    "It doesn’t matter if ’managing’ means doing the work herself, after all."

    "No way."

    Sang Yan shook her head, a sense of responsibility weighing on her, looking very troubled, "You gave this task to me, and if I pass it on to others, that would be too irresponsible."

    Especially after what she heard from the palace maids in the Clothing Bureau today, her heart ached terribly.

    Were they not all women? Just because of different statuses, should they suffer such humiliations?

    She was a woman educated in modern times. Although not a saint, she remembered the principle of gender equality very well.

    She had no power before, but now that she did, she should naturally protect those with less strength.

    Moreover, this was a task given to her by He Ying.

    She wanted to do it well!

    After a brief venting, Sang Yan struggled out of He Ying’s arms and reclaimed the register, saying earnestly, "I have an idea I want to discuss with you."

    He Ying smiled tenderly, "There’s no rush. Have your meal first, and we can discuss the rest afterward. These trifles are nowhere as important as your health."

    His words were filled with affection.

    Sang Yan couldn’t refuse, so when the palace maid brought cow’s milk bird’s nest, she reached out to take it, eager to eat quickly and discuss important matters.

    Unexpectedly, He Ying intercepted it halfway, "Let me feed you. It’s a bit hot. Needs cooling."

    Sang Yan: "..."

    His occasional clinginess really overwhelmed her.

    Of course, if Princess Consort Sang knew her thoughts, she would likely break down again in tears, accusing her of not understanding the hunger of the needy.

    "Come on, open up."

    He Ying scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and brought it to her lips.

    Sang Yan opened her mouth and ate.

    The milky white cow’s milk was thick, with clear threads of bird’s nest.

    Sweet, fragrant, and smooth—it was very pleasant to eat.

    She lived comfortably, ate comfortably, and enjoyed a comfortable life while the palace maids suffered out of sight.

    "Sigh."

    Sang Yan let out a soft sigh and dodged another spoonful, "I’m too distracted by worries to taste anything. Let’s discuss the important matters first."