Self-cultivation after the cannon fodder

Unable to borrow money from Zhu Xiuyong, Zhu Sining counted the amount he had saved since entering the palace, but he still felt that it was not enough.

If Zong Qihao was asked to increase the expenditure of the harem, the former censor would definitely catch him, and Zhu Sining had to figure out a way for himself.

The concubine's finances suddenly became tense. The reason was that Liu Meiren's family, who had been distributing money and paying for her love electricity, could not give her enough subsidies, so she had to increase the price to pay for it.To solve it, we must start from the source and help the Liu family revitalize.

But how to do it?

Zhu Sining never bothered about money.

This task is really difficult to do, as there are too many connections, Zhu Sining must solve the troubles of each concubine in order to complete the task.

Living in this imperial palace is itself a trouble for these people, but how to arrange it outside, and the family behind it, cannot be arranged well, and it is not considered as completing the task.

"Your Highness, how would you like to take a look at these patterns?" Wang Zhaoyi brought a bunch of embroidery patterns over during a regular gathering in the harem, "Look at which ones you like, and pick out your concubines to make a cover."

Wang Zhaoyi is full of enthusiasm, but unfortunately Zhu Sining is absent-minded, it doesn't matter which one he sees: "Whatever, I don't choose, any one is fine."

"How can it be casual?" Wang Zhaoyi corrected seriously, "It will take at least a month, or it will be used in the first month. During the Chinese New Year, all the women of the imperial court will come to Jiaofang Hall to pay New Year's greetings to His Highness. Everyone will be able to see it at that time. How can you be perfunctory?"

Wang Zhaoyi's skills are superb, and her embroidery skills are the best in the capital. Everything looks good. Zhu Sining doesn't think there is anything to choose from: "I will use whatever you make, just be festive and watch the excitement."

"Your Highness praised your ministers and concubines again." Wang Zhaoyi never concealed that she likes to be the first in everything, and she blushed when she was praised by Zhu Sining, she was so happy that she wanted to fly, "The ministers and concubines have nothing to do in the palace. I just do these things all day long, and the speed has already been developed, and the more complicated the tricks, the more interesting it is for the concubine to do them."

No matter how amazing Wang Zhaoyi's embroidery is, there are only so many people who can appreciate it, which is really a pity.

Zhu Sining vaguely had a thought.

"Does Your Highness have something on your mind?" Concubine Lu Gui recalled that Zhu Sining said that she would let them out of the palace, and she was a little worried, "Everyone has their own destiny, Your Highness don't need to worry about it."

Outsiders don't know what kind of life they live in the palace, so I wish Si Ning can understand them and give them the greatest freedom.

She was more worried about Zhu Sining's conflict with Zong Qihao than the so-called leaving the palace.

Although Zong Qihao didn't care about them, if he really made him lose face, not only would they not have a good life, but the family behind them would also suffer.

This is already very good now, Concubine Lu Gui doesn't ask much.

"One thing, I think it's a pity that you are trapped here to death. After all, you are much more talented than me." Zhu Sining propped his chin, leaned on the table and meditated, not aware of the bustling concubine. Suddenly there was a moment of silence.

Zong Qihao stood at the entrance of the hall, did not approach, and watched all this calmly.

Concubine Lu lowered her head. From the corner of her eye, she saw that Zong Qihao's feet hadn't moved, and he didn't report, which meant that Zong Qihao didn't want Zhu Sining to know that he was coming.

Concubine Xu Shu immediately came to her senses and started another topic.

"Speaking of which, the concubine hasn't thanked His Highness yet."

On the day Xiao Yiming debated with Xu Jijiu, Zhu Sining deliberately brought the imperial doctor out of the palace and was assassinated. If it wasn't for Xu Jijiu, Zhu Sining would not have taken this risk.

Liu Meiren quickly picked up: "I heard that His Highness also met an assassin, luckily nothing happened."

The rest of the concubines immediately followed with scared expressions, as if they didn't notice Zong Qihao's presence.

Zhu Sining didn't notice it, and told the whole plan: "It's nothing, it's all arranged, as long as Xu Jijiu is fine."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for making this special performance." Concubine Xu Shu took out a box, and when the box was opened, the room was full of fragrance. "The concubine was worried that His Highness would be frightened, so I specially made a balm to calm His Highness."

Zhu Sining's attention was immediately attracted, picked up a small balm, put it under his nose and smelled it: "It's a very good thing, although I'm not frightened, but can I have one?"

Concubine Xu Shu pushed the whole box, which contained various types of balm: "Of course, these are originally made for Your Highness."

After thanking Concubine Xu Shu, Zhu Sining turned his head and planned to ask the palace servants to put them away.

As soon as he raised his eyes, he saw Zong Qihao.

"When did His Majesty come?"

"Just arrived."

Zong Qihao glanced around lightly, and nodded slightly at Concubine Lu Gui.

The concubines said a few more words before leaving consciously. Zhu Sining was already used to this, and the concubines and Zong Qihao were at best strangers who were still familiar.

"Concubine Xu Shu made it for me, would you like to try it?" Zhu Sining picked up a balm, "You can put one in the meeting hall to soothe the nerves."

"No need," Zong Qihao sat opposite Zhu Sining, "A-Ning has a very good relationship with the concubines in the harem, and the position of empress is very good."

Zhu Sining: "Is this a compliment?"

Zong Qihao actually thought that he did a good job in this job, so he was ashamed to say that he still wanted to hang out for a while.

Zong Qihao thought about it: "A-Ning seems to have plans to disband the harem, can I understand it as jealousy?"

Zhu Sining was always very tolerant and sympathetic to these concubines. Maybe it was really boring to keep them here, but after they left the palace, they might have nowhere to go, and the situation would only get worse.

"Jealous, why are you jealous?" Zhu Sning's ears turned red, "You guys are nothing, I just feel pity..."

No matter what stage his relationship with Zong Qihao has reached, if he completes the task first, he can somehow leave himself a way out.

This is the result of multiple choices, and there are gains and losses. Regarding this point, the concubines are much more sober than Zhu Sining.

Zong Qihao suddenly thought that although Zhu Sining's entry into the palace was generally due to the situation, he still had expectations, just like he still had expectations for the person in the position of queen. He was in line with Zhu Sining's expectations that person, so...

In Zhu Sining's eyes, he is a wise gentleman who will never make mistakes——

These wishes Si Ning said many times.

When he didn't know, Zhu Sining was always watching him, even though Zhu Sining said that since the previous life was his wishful thinking, Zong Qihao didn't have to bear the burden of it.

"A'Ning..." Zong Qihao worked hard to make his voice more gentle and soft.

"what happened?"

Zong Qihao hugged Zhu Sining: "Let me hug you."

A little suddenly, Zhu Sining raised his head to see what was going on with Zong Qihao, and only halfway through the movement, the back of his neck was fixed by Zong Qihao's palm.

The two fell silent for a while, and Zhu Sining noticed Zong Qihao's Adam's apple trembling slightly.

Zong Qihao didn't move for a long time, Zhu Sining stretched out his hand and poked Zong Qihao's Adam's apple.

"Hmm..." Zong Qihao's voice became hoarse, "Zhu Sining!"

"Yes." Zhu Sining put his hands around Zong Qihao's neck, before he could speak, he quickly picked up, "I want to go outside, let's walk around."

Zong Qihao took a deep breath: "Where do you want to go?"

"Look at other scenery, not nearby," Zhu Sining looked outside, "How about Taiye Pond? The lotus should be blooming over there, I haven't seen it yet."

Due to the hot weather and the fact that he couldn't walk by himself, after the lotus bloomed, Zhu Sining never went there again.

Zong Qihao did not refuse, and took Zhu Sining to Taiye Pool.

As the sun sets, the water in the Taiye Pond is sparkling, filled with broken gold and swaying.

The fish swimming at the bottom of the leaf lifted up the green lotus leaves quickly, and then dived into the bottom of the pool, making the lotus in the pool sway.

Dinner is served in the lotus pavilion in Taiye Pond.

Surrounded by water on all sides, it is so beautiful that it can be painted at any angle.The palace people were still setting the dishes, Zhu Sining and Zong Qihao were sitting on the side, throwing fish food and watching the koi in the pond huddling together densely.

Not far away, the long shadow of Lanyue Tower, the tallest loft in the palace, is reflected by the pool, and the corners decorated with glazed eaves reflect the last rays of the sun.

Lotus root soup with lotus rolls, chicken belly wrapped in emerald green lotus leaves and stuffed with fish roe, the oil slowly drops as soon as it is peeled off, and the aroma is tangy.

After Zhu Sining was full, he still felt that he was not satisfied enough, and wanted to add another bowl of lotus leaf rice, but was stopped by Zong Qihao.

"Why?" Zhu Sining looked at the half of the chicken and was very heartbroken, "It's a waste if you don't eat it."

Zong Qihao said succinctly: "It is not appropriate to eat more now."

After Zhu Sining ate, he just sat down. After eating so much, it was difficult to digest at night, and he tended to accumulate food.

"So I want to watch you eat?"

"I don't eat either." Zong Qihao didn't pay much attention to eating, and put down the bowls and chopsticks consciously when he was full.

Zhu Sining looked at the removed dishes reluctantly: "Although I don't eat it, it's okay to watch you eat it."

Zong Qihao: "Don't think about it, I won't eat it either, if you like it, let the imperial dining room do it next time."

"But next time it doesn't have to be here. It will be better to eat here."

Zhu Sining looked at the scenery outside the waterside pavilion, the lotus will not bloom for a long time, and the lotus leaves will also wither, it would be meaningless not to have a lotus leaf feast here.

"There will be a next time, and we will come every year from now on." Zong Qihao spoke slowly, saying every word, "Even if you can't leave, I will carry you here."

"Speaking so solemnly..." Zhu Sining laughed, "I know His Majesty will definitely do what he says, and I believe everything you say."

It's just hard to say whether he can do it himself.

Even if Zong Qihao likes him, Zhu Sining is still not sure about what will happen in the future. He wants to complete the task first and give himself an extra way out.

"What about you?" Zong Qihao suddenly asked, "Will you come here with me?"

Zhu Sining is still in a state of hesitation. He doesn't refuse, but he doesn't agree either, as if he is watching something.

what is it then?

Zong Qihao didn't know, so he could only test it out bit by bit.

"A-Ning, let's go see the stars."