The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 359 - Keeping Her Busy

The Fourth Prince didn't understand what his father's effort had to do with a brother, but his mother did.

Fang Yun shot Pei Yao a glare and quickly called the nurse to take their son away.

However, as the saying goes, a gentleman's word is his bond.

That night, Pei Yao stayed in Yuzhang Palace.

Everyone was paying attention to the Emperor's movements. Hearing he stayed in Yuzhang Palace, the other concubines couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

At Yichun Palace, Wan Liangyuan was staring blankly out the window.

Maotao entered from outside, quickly bringing a thick coat to drape over her.

"Why aren't you warming yourself on the couch, Liangyuan? You just bathed and were warm, but now the warmth is gone."

"If the Emperor doesn't come, my heart is cold, so why worry about my body being cold?"

Wan Liangyuan's face was full of sadness, her eyelashes fluttered, and a tear rolled down.

Maotao's heart ached, "Liangyuan..."

"Wan Liangyuan, that's all I am. Song Liangyuan managed to become Lingyi by currying favor with Zhao Fei. Does the Emperor really like Zhao Fei that much?" Wan Liangyuan wiped her tears.

Maotao pursed her lips, "Zhao Fei bore the Fourth Prince and raised the Second Princess. With two children, the Emperor naturally has more affection for her."

Wan Liangyuan shook her head, "It's not just that. I've seen the way the Emperor looks at Zhao Fei. His eyes are full of joy. He's never looked at me that way."

Seeing her mistress so heartbroken, Maotao quickly tried to comfort her.

"Love grows with time. Zhao Fei has served the Emperor longer. You entered the palace late and had to abstain for a year of mourning. Then the war started, and the Emperor rarely stayed in the harem, giving you little time together. Zhao Fei is familiar to him, so they are closer. When the Emperor knows your worth, he'll hold you dear."

Wan Liangyuan listened and nodded quietly.

She said no more and returned to lie on her couch.

In the harem, women striving for favor receive little sympathy.

The next day.

Returning from morning greetings at Jiaofang Hall, Yanwei hurried up.

"Your Highness, everything you instructed is done."

"Quick work." Fang Yun sat down, taking the tea Qingrong handed her. "Tell them to be careful. Don't overwork anyone."

Yanwei nodded, "Rest assured, Your Highness. They know, and I've reminded them."

"Good." Fang Yun nodded, her eyes playful. "Since she wants to be busy, let's keep her busy."

After a short rest, Fang Yun called for the account books to review them.

With the new year approaching, managing the palace allowances and holiday gifts would be demanding.

Fang Yun got busy, and so did Yang Fei.

Yang Fei was selecting suitable potted plants to send to Fengxuan Palace.

"The Empress, being pregnant, can't move around much in winter. Send plenty of flowers to make her feel more comfortable."

"Yes, Your Highness. I'll have the flower room staff handle it," Siqi replied, presenting the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine.

Yang Fei took the medicine, nodding.

Just as she was about to give more instructions, a maid knocked at the door.

"Your Highness, the storeroom manager requests an audience."

Yang Fei frowned, finishing her medicine before signaling Siqi to bring the person in.

Soon, a tall, thin eunuch in his fifties, Li Fuqun, the storeroom manager, followed Siqi inside.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Rise," Yang Fei waved him off. "What is it?"

"Your Highness, with the year-end approaching, it's time to inventory everything in the storeroom. I'm here to deliver the list. However, given the variety of items, some discrepancies may arise. We need your personal verification in the storeroom to ensure accuracy," Li Fuqun explained respectfully.

Yang Fei was displeased. "I need to go personally? The storeroom holds items for the entire harem's daily use. Are you trying to exhaust me? Do you think I'm new to this and can be fooled?"

"I wouldn't dare. It's the protocol!"

Li Fuqun quickly knelt, his face showing distress.

"With the ongoing war, the Emperor and Empress enforce frugality. The harem strictly follows the rules on supplies, avoiding excess. Occasionally, items get damaged or lost and aren't replaced immediately, leading to shortages. This morning, someone from Yuzhang Palace found the storeroom lacking in winter clothes and firewood. Zhao Fei's people questioned why the records didn't match the inventory."

"It's my fault. With the Empress pregnant and consort greetings suspended, I didn't want to disturb anyone. The inventory, scheduled for early October, was delayed. When Zhao Fei asked today, I had to come to you to address this matter promptly."

Hearing Fang Yun's involvement, Yang Fei's expression darkened but she didn't lash out further.

Realizing the importance of handling her tasks well, Yang Fei knew Fang Yun could use any slip-up against her with the Empress or Pei Yao. Despite the inconvenience, she had to visit the storeroom, make an appearance, and then find a solution.

"Leave the list. You may go. I'm not feeling well today. I'll send someone to check the storeroom."

"Yes, Your Highness." Li Fuqun cautiously rose and exited.

As soon as he left, Yang Fei irritably instructed Siqi to summon Yun Qian.

"Your Highness," Yun Qian greeted her.

Yang Fei waved for her to rise and explained the situation, having Siqi recount what had happened.

Understanding the need, Yun Qian prepared to assist.

Yun Qian and the late Yunrou had been close attendants of the Yang family, learning some household management. Though tedious, inventorying was manageable.

Siqi, being illiterate, couldn't help much.

Just as they sorted out the storeroom duties, the flower room sent word.

With the New Year approaching, the palace required floral decorations. Due to the war, funds were limited, and many rare plants were unavailable. The usual arrangements couldn't be followed.

But being the imperial palace, the New Year's Eve banquet needed to impress, especially with foreign dignitaries attending. New plans were essential.

Hearing these reports, Yang Fei grew increasingly frustrated.

She had thought the storeroom wouldn't need attention and the plants were a minor issue. Instead, these problems kept piling up.

And they couldn't be ignored.

By New Year's Eve, Yang Fei would be three months pregnant. While the storeroom could be handled, poor floral arrangements would disgrace the royal family, marking her as incompetent.

However, with her plans for Fengxuan Palace in mind, Yang Fei gritted her teeth, deciding to wait a bit longer.

But just four or five days later, her health declined, and she experienced pregnancy complications.