Chapter 23: Musk Under the Tree

The Imperial Household Department managed the clothing, food, shelter, and transportation of everyone in the rear palace. Regardless of rank, if one wanted to live well in the rear palace, it was essential to have connections within the Imperial Household Department.

In The Story of Zhen Huan, as power shifted several times in the rear palace, Huang Guiquan, Jiang Zhongmin, and Chief Eunuch Gou all fell from grace one after another. In the end, it was Liang Duorui, promoted by the Emperor, who had the last laugh.

Since Sun Miaoqing had transmigrated here and needed allies, it was only natural to bypass the middlemen and choose the most capable one.

Others might not know, but before his promotion, Liang Duorui had been the chief clerk of the Guangchu Department within the Imperial Household Department. The Guangchu Department was in charge of the imperial treasury, and the silk and fabrics tributed from Suzhou inevitably had to go through the Guangchu Department.

As soon as her brother took office, she immediately had him find this Liang Duorui.

The world bustles for profit; the world hustles for gain. There was no person or matter in this world that money couldn’t settle.

If there was, it simply meant there wasn’t enough money.

The Sun family was no longer the Sun family of the past—they were not short on money.

Since Yanxi Palace still housed others, Sun Miaoqing put on an act and asked, “What is it?”

“He says he’s here to deliver items to each palace. He’s already been to Noble Lady Fucha’s quarters,” Han Ying replied.

Noble Lady Fucha was also a competitive, love-obsessed woman, but her rank was higher, so it was right to go to her first.

“Let him in.”

Today was the joint palace audience. The Empress had bestowed rewards, and the Emperor had also given instructions. The Imperial Household Department was delivering items to each palace. The chief eunuch went to curry favor with those in higher positions, so he came to Yanxi Palace.

As soon as Sun Miaoqing saw Liang Duorui, she smiled and said, “How could we trouble you, Eunuch, to make this trip for such a small matter? Hongqu, serve tea.”

“You are too kind, my lady. This humble servant does not deserve it.”

Hongqu brought a cup of tea. Liang Duorui declined, but as his hand touched the cup, he felt no warmth. Instead, his palm sensed a weight—a teacup filled with gold melon seeds.

Before entering the palace, Sun Miaoqing had done one more thing: she had asked Liang Duorui to find a way, once her palace residence was settled, to transfer Cui Jinxi and Xiao Yunzi to her palace. If that wasn’t possible, she wanted to at least arrange for them to be removed.

If she couldn’t have them for herself, then the protagonist shouldn’t have them either.

This Liang Duorui was indeed capable—he had actually managed to have Cui Jinxi leave the palace. This teacup of gold melon seeds was her token of gratitude.

“Serve me—serve this lady well, and you will naturally receive your share of benefits.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

“May I ask, Eunuch, when can you arrange to have Xiao Yunzi transferred here?”

Liang Duorui was still just a minor clerk in the Guangchu Department under the Imperial Household Department and had no authority to interfere with any personnel transfers. As for Cui Jinxi, that had been accomplished by riding on favorable circumstances—he hadn’t lifted a finger himself.

To transfer Xiao Yunzi here… Xiao Yunzi had clearly been secretly ordered by Chief Eunuch Huang to be transferred to Si Zhi Ku. It seemed he had offended someone. How could Liang Duorui possibly have the ability to go against his superiors now?

However, this Lady Sun might not have keen eyes, but her purse was certainly full. If he refused outright, she might very well seek cooperation elsewhere.

For the sake of money.

Liang Duorui said, “Your rank is still not high enough, my lady. Even if he were transferred to Yanxi Palace, he could only serve Noble Lady Fucha. It would be better to wait until you have received the Emperor’s favor and been rewarded. By then, you can naturally request him, and it will be proper for him to serve by your side.”

That made sense.

Truly worthy of being the future chief of the Imperial Household Department—so meticulous and thorough.

Sun Miaoqing nodded. “Thank you for your advice, Eunuch. It’s getting late, and I shouldn’t keep you any longer—Hongqu, see Eunuch Liang out.”

Only by joining forces in humble times can one share in prosperity later.

Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, and An Lingrong did not, as in their previous life, receive the fright of Zhang Hong on the long street, nor did they go to the garden to see the floating corpse.

All three had matters weighing on their minds and were unwilling to speak, so they parted ways at the fork in the road.

Suiyu Pavilion was remote, and Zhen Huan had to pass through the Imperial Garden on her way back, so she simply sat in the garden for a while.

Her mind was in turmoil.

“Little Mistress, what’s wrong with you?”

Liuzhu blinked her eyes, looking at her mistress. The Empress had given rewards too, so why did she seem so downcast ever since leaving Jingren Palace?

Zhen Huan held Liuzhu’s hand. “Liuzhu, I’m a little afraid.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Songzhi’s distinctive voice rang out.

“The Imperial Garden is as picturesque in autumn as ever, but these chrysanthemums aren’t as vibrant as the ones in our Yikun Palace.”

Nian Shilan, however, thought of something else and teased, “The Imperial Garden may be picturesque, but without Xia Changzai’s blood, it still lacks a bit of color.”

Remembering Nian Shilan’s inner thoughts, Zhen Huan feared that in this deserted place, she might drag her to a well and drown her, so she pulled Liuzhu into hiding.

Songzhi didn’t know who Xia Changzai was, but she had no intention of asking. As long as Her Ladyship was happy, she could say whatever she pleased.

Zhou Ninghai spoke flattering words to his mistress.

“Different places nurture different people. Our Yikun Palace has the most beautiful mistress, so naturally, its flowers are the most beautiful too.”

He broke off a branch of osmanthus, removed the green leaves, leaving only the two at the tip, and presented it with both hands to Nian Shilan.

“Your Ladyship, look, this is the red osmanthus tribute from outside. Though it can’t compare to the ones in our palace, at least its fragrance is pleasant.”

Though small, the osmanthus had an intense aroma.

The red osmanthus was fragrant without being cloying. Nian Shilan pinched the flower stem and brought it under her nose for a sniff. “This flower is fragrant, but it can’t compare to Suiyu Pavilion’s.”

“Suiyu Pavilion? What good things could be there?”

Songzhi frowned slightly. “If Your Ladyship likes it, we can have Huang Guiquan find a way to move it to our palace later.”

“That thing, I dare not take.”

Nian Shilan smiled faintly.

[Under the osmanthus tree in Suiyu Pavilion lies a large jar of She Xiang—the true ancestor of the Child-Cutting Musk. Consort Fang fell victim to this incense, yet it’s laughable how everyone thinks I was the one who caused her miscarriage!]

[A bunch of lowlifes! All they know is scheming behind others’ backs, and they even dare to slander me!]

Under the osmanthus tree… She Xiang?

Zhen Huan’s heart grew even more panicked. From Consort Hua’s meaning, it seemed the She Xiang wasn’t placed by her.

But if not her, how did she know about it?

If not her, then it must be someone else. So, in this harem, there were others hostile to her besides Consort Hua.

Why?

She had just arrived in the harem and hadn’t done anything. Why did everyone see her as an enemy?

Was it because of the substitute?

But she didn’t even know who she was substituting for.

Zhen Huan returned to Suiyu Pavilion with a face full of worry, only to hear that Yikun Palace had just sent over a plate of pastries.

“It’s Crab Roe Pastry, Consort Hua’s favorite,” Kang Luhai said obsequiously. “It seems Consort Hua intends to show goodwill toward you, Little Mistress.”

Show goodwill?

Consort Hua clearly despised her so much in her heart. Would she show goodwill?

There must be another reason behind this.

Yet, from her inner thoughts, she didn’t seem like someone who would resort to underhanded schemes.

Zhen Huan decided to verify Consort Hua’s inner thoughts. She ordered someone to fetch a garden hoe.