The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 47 - Conquering Chunqi

"Chunqi, are you dissatisfied?" Qiu Ming's voice was emotionless, but Xiao Luzi, who had spent more time with him, could tell he was somewhat angry.

Chunqi suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Qiu Ming, answering seriously, "Eunuch Qiu is the head steward of the Hall of Leisure. If the lady says nothing, how dare I be dissatisfied?"

Her words had a sarcastic tone. Qiu Ming, having served in front of the emperor for so long, had seen it all. He clasped his left hand over his right wrist and let them hang naturally in front of him, then sternly said to Chunqi, "You were brought here by the lady herself, so you should understand more than others. But your attitude is not that of a servant, but of a master. The lady indulged you because you were lively and cute, but you must know that the palace has no shortage of lively and cute masters, but rarely lively and cute servants. Do you know why?"

His words made Chunqi grit her teeth, but she couldn't retort. "Because lively and cute servants don't end well. They either get beaten to death or expelled from the palace. Neither path is one you'd want to take, right?"

"You!" Chunqi was furious. She had grown up with Lin Wanyi, and the masters of the main house were kind, rarely using strict rules on their servants. So, the maids and servants of the East Wing could maintain their nature without much oppression.

In the palace, though she was cautious, seeing how quickly Lin Wanyi gained favor, Chunqi's nature became more active. She felt they had overthrown a noble together and were now in high spirits, so a few privileges wouldn't hurt. But to Qiu Ming, these were like grains of sand, intolerable.

Seeing Chunqi's eyes fill with tears, Qiu Ming softened his tone, "You took a whip for the lady, showing your loyalty, which is commendable. The lady often praises you in front of us. But Chunqi, I ask you, if one day the lady falls into trouble because of your carefree nature, will your guilt and regret be of any use?"

Chunqi was speechless. "In this palace, we servants may be insignificant, like weeds, but we are also important. Our every word and action represents the Hall of Leisure and the lady. If we are not cautious, we might bring trouble to the lady without realizing it. Do you want to wait until disaster strikes to cry in regret? I ask you, will it help?"

Chunqi burst into tears, both scared and shocked. She had always thought these were small matters, forgetting that in the palace, nothing is small. A small mistake could become a weapon in someone else's hands, piercing the heart. The lady often advised her, but she would forget after a few days. This time, Qiu Ming's scolding made her realize her mistakes.

With red eyes, she bowed to Qiu Ming, "I will remember Eunuch Qiu's words today. Bitter medicine cures illness, and harsh advice is good for the soul. I understand that Eunuch Qiu is looking out for the lady and for me. In the future, I will follow Eunuch Qiu's instructions and never repeat today's mistake!"

Qiu Ming smiled and helped Chunqi up, then addressed the three present, "We four serve the lady closely. When we go out, we represent the lady, so we must not make mistakes, understood?"

"Yes, Eunuch Qiu," they all replied.

Lin Wanyi, sitting by the bright window, listened to Qiu Ming's words outside and smiled. Qiu Ming, trained by Eunuch Dong, was indeed capable. He used different methods to manage the three servants: emotional reasoning with Xia An, trust and training with Xiao Luzi, and a mix of kindness and strictness with Chunqi. Even Lin Wanyi might not manage her servants as well. The palace was truly full of hidden talents!

She remembered the emperor's words when Qiu Ming was sent to her, "Your foundation in the palace is weak. You can't even protect yourself. I must take more care, so you won't be left without clothes to wear!"

She chuckled, feeling warm inside. As she continued sewing the emperor's nightclothes, she became more focused.

Time flew by. That afternoon, as usual, Lin Wanyi was sewing the emperor's nightclothes, with Xia An and Chunqi helping with the threads. Suddenly, Qiu Ming's voice came from outside, "Mistress, Eunuch Jiang from Linzhi Palace is here, bringing items for the Dragon Boat Festival from Lin Guifei."

"Please invite Eunuch Jiang in."

"Yes."

Qiu Ming opened the curtain and led Jiang Heqing in, followed by two eunuchs carrying trays of items.

"Servant Jiang Heqing greets Lin Daying."

"Eunuch Jiang, you're too polite. It's such a hot day, and you've troubled yourself to come."

This year's summer had arrived early. It was only early May, but the sun was already scorching. It hadn't rained for days, making the palace stifling. The Hall of Leisure was better, with many flowers and plants in the courtyards. Opening the back window allowed a breeze to flow through, making it somewhat cool. But Jiang Heqing, walking from Linzhi Palace, had sweat around his hat brim.

Xia An brought a bowl of cold tea to Jiang Heqing, who drank it without hesitation and then said, "In this whole palace, only the lady's cold tea is so refreshing. A bowl on a hot day is truly comfortable!"

"If Eunuch Jiang likes it, I'll have Chunqi prepare some tea leaves for you to take back. Just brew it and let it cool."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you, mistress."

Lin Wanyi smiled. Befriending Jiang Heqing was also a way to send messages to Lin Guifei. No matter her personal feelings, her brother's future was still in Guifei's hands. Until the competition ended, her brother's name could be crossed off at any time, so she had to be careful.

Jiang Heqing, always smiling, said after drinking the tea, "Guifei instructed me to bring these items for the Dragon Boat Festival to the mistress. There are sachets to ward off evil, five-colored silk threads for the wrist, and a five-poison fan, all very fitting for the occasion!"