The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir

Chapter 106: Solicitude for the common people

Yes, she did have an ulterior motive in involving Liu Hanyun, who Marquis Moyu had secretly been protecting. But, when in Rome, do as the Roman do. She didn't have any allies in this harem, and it was difficult for her to execute any plans.

Fortunately, she hadn't chosen the wrong person. Even after wearing slightly more glamorous clothing and expensive jewelry, Liu Hanyun's eyes were still clear. She didn't go around causing trouble. Other than going over to Old Madame's place to pay respects each day, she didn't leave Linghan Courtyard. She even sent over some snacks to Feiwan Courtyard to express her thanks.

Marquis Moyu also stayed over in Linghan Courtyard for a couple of nights. He always remembered and felt grateful towards Liu Hanyun for saving his life. Therefore, he wanted to help her by ensuring that her new position was stable. She was no longer safely at the edges.

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Liu Hanyun normally had an unobtrusive presence. Now that she had suddenly been promoted to an honored concubine, Qi Siling was furious. Nie Sangyu had promoted Liu Hanyun right after she punished her with washing her dress. Wasn't this just a deliberate attempt to be at odds with her?

Swinging her handkerchief and holding a few gifts, Qi Siling started walking over to Linghan Courtyard to "greet" Liu Hanyun. On the way there, she saw Muxu and her servant girl, Luqiao.

Muxu hadn't received much favor since being promoted to a concubine and still had the demeanor of someone that came from a commoner's family.

Luqiao was indignantly saying, "No matter what, you came into this household with Madam. It's really baffling that Madam would choose to promote Mistress Yun instead of you."

Hearing these words, Qi Siling's resentfulness immediately dissipated. Smiling like a Cheshire cat, she walked over to them and said, "Ah, so it's Muxu. Did you come here to see the new honored concubine?"

Since becoming a concubine, Muxu hated when other people addressed her by her first name as if she was still a servant girl. Unfortunately, she couldn't afford to offend Qi Siling. She could only salute her and said, "Mistress Ling, this servant hopes you're doing well."

Qi Siling helped her up from her saluting position and sighed. "When I heard that Madam was promoting someone to an honored concubine, I thought it would be you. I didn't expect that it would Mistress Yun. She's not close to Madam at all."

Muxu pursed her lips. Her expression didn't look very good. "It's up to Madam to decide who she wants to promote. Even if other people are unhappy about her choice, there's nothing they can do about it."

Qi Siling shook her head and said, "Alas, perhaps, Madam still remembers and resents you for stepping on her back in order to climb up. Does it matter that you're a concubine now? Your status is still low, and you're not favored at all."

Muxu stiffly stood in place.

Qi Siling looked at her with sympathetic gaze for a while, then swung her handkerchief and resumed walking to Linghan Courtyard first.

---

Two months after the outbreak of smallpox, the epidemic had finally started to slow down. The imperial physicians had figured out a way to treat smallpox and had the various pharmacies provide the medicine to the common people.

Ji Man sent servants outside to inquire about the situation and found out that many people had died outside of the capital. However, the Heavens had been kind to Ning Errong. She had already recovered from smallpox, and it would only take about a month for her smallpox marks to fade away. Nie Qingyun had already bought her back to Nie Residence. After this episode, the relationship between these two people should have grown stronger.