High-class maid

Chapter 215 6 points of similarity

"Yes, yes, I have overstepped my bounds. I will wait for you in the palace, Your Majesty. Please come when you have time!"

Consort Ling gave the Emperor a charming smile, then threw him what she thought was a beautiful wink before taking her leave.

Looking at Consort Ling, who was becoming increasingly audacious, Eunuch Su thought that this woman was really stupid, but the Emperor just happened to like this type of woman. He wondered what her hobby was.

Consort Ling swayed her hips as she walked out of the palace. As soon as she stepped outside, the smile on her lips vanished. What had she just seen on the Emperor's face? Impatience! No, she had to go to the Empress's palace immediately and embellish the story.

As luck would have it, the Second Prince and Song Wenyang ran into Consort Ling again. The three greeted each other but went their separate ways without saying a word. When Song Wenyang saw Consort Ling, his eyes darkened. He couldn't believe that this old man had such a rich life, with a beautiful woman by his side.

When Consort Ling saw the two of them, her heart skipped a beat. The reason was simple: the Second Prince looked far too much like this Young Master Song! No, she had to tell the Empress!

After the group missed each other, each with their own thoughts, the Second Prince led Song Wenyang into the Emperor's inner palace.

"My son, I will meet my father."

"The common people meet the Emperor."

The two knelt and bowed.

The Emperor's heart had been pounding the moment he saw the three meet, but fortunately, he was experienced and quickly regained his composure. He put down his brush and asked casually, "..."

"Rise, please sit. Why did you two decide to come to the palace together today? Is there something you need?"

Eunuch Su muttered to himself from behind.

Your Majesty, your current aura of authority is completely different from how you were peeking through the window just now!

"Your Majesty, Brother Song came to see me today, saying that one of his friends is very knowledgeable, and even Dean Ouyang said that he could pass the exam, but he did not. We suspect that someone cheated in this imperial examination."

The second prince dared not sit down and stood in front of the bench to reply.

"What? Is that so?" The emperor's eyes were unreadable, but the prayer beads in his hand spun faster and faster, as if he were thinking about something.

"This is that person's article. Brother Song said that person has the ability to remember everything he sees. This article is exactly the same as the one he wrote when he took the imperial examination. Father Emperor will know it at a glance."

After the second prince finished speaking, he took out Wu Xunzhi's article from his sleeve.

Grandpa Su hurriedly ran over to take it.

After reading Wu Xunzhi's article, the Emperor's eyes revealed his admiration. This man not only wrote well, but his calligraphy was also elegant and refined, showing that he had indeed put in a lot of effort.

"How did you come to know him?" the Emperor asked casually as he looked down at the article.

"Your Majesty, we were classmates at Ouyang Academy and are both from the capital. This person also lived in the same alley as me, which is why we know each other."

Song Wenyang stood up and replied.

The Emperor nodded, having already made up his mind about Wu Xun.

"Alright, I understand. If you two have nothing else to do, come and compose poetry with me." The Emperor casually placed the essays on the table and took out a poem he had written.

A hint of disappointment flashed in the Second Prince's eyes. He wanted to step forward and say something, but Song Wenyang secretly tugged at his sleeve from below, and the Second Prince reluctantly shut his mouth.

How could the Emperor not see their little schemes? He was happy that they had a good relationship. Then he thought of that good-for-nothing Crown Prince, and his eyes darkened. However, this was not the time to punish the Crown Prince. Even if he had made a huge mistake, he was still the heir apparent, and he had to save face for him.

Consort Ling arrived at the Empress's palace. She stood respectfully outside, waiting to be summoned, showing none of the allure she displayed in front of the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, Consort Ling has arrived. She is currently outside the palace. Should we announce her arrival?" asked the Empress's personal nanny.

The Empress reclined on the chaise longue, with a young palace maid massaging her legs and another peeling walnuts for her. She looked quite content. Although she was already a grandmother at an advanced age, she looked only in her twenties because of her excellent maintenance.

"Oh? Where did she come from? If she came from her palace to pledge her loyalty, then let her go back. I find her annoying." The Empress asked indifferently.

"Your Majesty, the palace servants said that Consort Ling came from His Majesty's residence. They heard that the Second Prince brought a young master to see His Majesty," the nanny whispered in the Empress's ear.

After hearing this, the Empress straightened up, waved to the palace maids to leave, and then said...

"Then send it."

When Consort Ling's legs ached from standing outside the door, she was finally granted permission to see the Empress. She wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead, lowered her head, and entered the palace.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress." Consort Ling bowed in greeting.

The Empress waited until she finished her curtsy before speaking.

"Get up. I've told you so many times not to be a stranger. You're such an honest child. Please sit down."

Consort Ling smiled helplessly and said...

"Your Majesty is kind and generous, but etiquette must not be disregarded."

Having said that, he gently sat down on the stool, bowing his head and waiting for the Empress to speak.

Seeing her feigned composure, the Empress inwardly cursed her for being cunning. She asked...

"Why did you come at this hour? Is something the matter?"

"Yes, today I was helping His Majesty grind ink in the palace, and then the Second Prince arrived with the young master of the Song family. I also went to see, to see..." Consort Ling stammered, not daring to continue.

"Just tell her, Lin Mama isn't an outsider. She knows everything I know," the Empress said impatiently, annoyed by her cryptic manner.

"Yes, when I briefly glanced outside the palace today, I discovered that the Second Prince bears a striking resemblance to the young master of the Song family!" Consort Ling said, then quickly lowered her head.

"What?" The Empress was shocked. She paused for a moment and then asked.

"Have you seen clearly? This is no small matter. You don't need to fabricate stories just to flatter me." The Empress calmed down and returned to her usual indifferent demeanor.

"I, Consort Tongjia, swear to Heaven that if I have uttered a single falsehood, may I die a horrible death! Moreover, when His Majesty heard that the two of them had arrived, he was overjoyed. However, it is rumored in the palace that His Majesty favors His Highness the Crown Prince the most... It seems that he is not happy for the Second Prince."

Consort Ling did not forget to flatter the Empress.

"Alright, don't tell anyone about this until I find out." The Empress believed her to a large extent. Others might not know, but didn't she? The Emperor had always had someone he loved but could not have.

"Yes. Your Highness will obey." Consort Ling replied meekly, her demeanor completely devoid of any trace of the arrogance she displayed in the palace.

Seeing how cooperative she was, the Empress was happy to give her face.

"This is tea from the south, Granny Lin. Please pack two ounces for Consort Ling to take with her."

Consort Ling immediately adopted a flattered expression and said...

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I am once again benefiting from your favor."

"Alright, you should go and rest now. The important thing is to produce heirs for the royal family as soon as possible," the Empress said with a gentle smile.

"Yes." Consort Ling's eyes flickered, then she respectfully bowed to the Empress and withdrew.