Ji Ling ran forward and grabbed her. "Mother Concubine, what are you doing?"
Those were the characters Mr. Shi had just taught her. She hadn't mastered them yet.
"Ah, of course I'm taking out something for you to eat." Concubine Rui reached out to touch Ji Ling's head.
Ji Ling felt extremely uncomfortable. Her rationality told her that this was her mother concubine, so she stiffened her body that wanted to escape.
Seeing this, Shi Li couldn't help but say, "Concubine Rui, I haven't finished today's class yet."
"You can teach it another day." Concubine Rui said indifferently. In her eyes, children all liked to play. Maybe by saying so, she could gain some favor with these two kids. Concubine Rui thought happily.
After all, these two kids skipped classes quite often. Every time, they made Master Li send people everywhere to catch them.
After thinking for a while, she guessed that the kids might be restrained because he was still there. So, Concubine Rui said, "Young Master Shi, you may go back today. I'll take care of them here. Don't worry."
Shi Li squinted his eyes. Ji Ling walked over and grabbed his sleeve. "It's okay. I still have some questions to ask Mr. Shi."
"Ah, I see. Then Young Master Shi, please sit down too." Concubine Rui said reluctantly.
The veins on Shi Li's hand hidden under his wide sleeve popped up. This Concubine Rui was so unruly. She was causing a ruckus during his class.
Ji Huang watched as Concubine Rui took out things one by one from the food box. His eyes changed. Without waiting for others' reactions, he stepped forward directly. "Is this for us to eat?"
Concubine Rui was overjoyed. This was exactly the effect she wanted.
"Of course it's for the Second and Third Imperial Grandchildren." Concubine Rui picked up a piece of pastry and held it in front of Ji Huang. As expected, the little boy took it without hesitation. Concubine Rui curved her eyes. Kids were really easy to coax.
Concubine Rui picked up another piece of pastry and offered it to Ji Ling. The little girl's eyes were hesitant. She opened her mouth and then reached out to take it. Since her second brother had taken it, it might not be good if she didn't. She thought so.
Seeing that the two kids had taken the bait, Concubine Rui sneered inwardly. Slowly, she would have these two kids firmly in her grasp. She wondered what expression and mood Shi Muyuan would have when she found out that the two grandchildren and granddaughter she had raised with all her heart had been deceived by her.
Just thinking about it made her feel comfortable.
Ji Ling ate little by little, while Ji Huang ate very fast. Soon, the food box was empty. Concubine Rui packed up the food box with a smile and wanted to get closer to the two kids. But Ji Huang, who had finished eating, suddenly said, "Thank you, Concubine Rui, for the treat. My third sister and I are going to continue our studies. Please go back."
His chubby face was serious as he spoke.
He was just hungry and only wanted to eat. Now that he had finished eating, he naturally wanted to start studying. Ji Huang claimed that he was just a kid who loved learning.
However, the truth was that before the class, Shi Li promised him that if he mastered today's learning content well, Shi Li would bring him the signature lotus leaf chicken from Tianxiang Pavilion next time.
As a kid who regarded food as the most important thing, Ji Huang naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
The smile on Concubine Rui's face froze. "I still want to chat with you two siblings." This was a great opportunity to strengthen their relationship. How could she let it go?
"No need. We're going to study. Please go back, Concubine Rui." Ji Huang's voice was still a bit waxy, but his words were firm.
Afraid that he wouldn't finish the tasks assigned by Shi Li today and would miss out on the lotus leaf chicken, Ji Huang suddenly looked at Concubine Rui impatiently.
Concubine Rui was stunned. Everything was fine just now. Why did he change so much after eating?
Helplessly, she knew that one couldn't be impatient when cooking a hot meal. She was worried that all her efforts today would be in vain, so she had to compromise.
She forced a smile. "In that case, I'll go back to the palace first. You two study hard."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Ling and Ji Huang quickly replied "Okay" several times.
When Concubine Rui walked out of Yunya Hall, her face was completely dark. It was her own fault for seeking this humiliation. Zhu'er took the empty food box and followed Concubine Rui quietly, holding her breath.
Inside Yunya Hall, as soon as Concubine Rui left, Ji Ling quickly ran to her desk and rearranged the four treasures of the study that Concubine Rui had messed up. Then, she picked up a piece of rice paper with a heart - broken look. There were a few crooked characters on it, and only one was written in a powerful regular script. The ink that hadn't dried yet had smeared the characters.
Ji Ling pursed her lips and looked sad. Shi Li bent down to look at her at eye - level and rubbed her head. "Sir will teach you to write it again."
Ji Ling sniffled and replied "Okay" from her throat.
Ji Huang on the side was a bit at a loss seeing his sister like this. Finally, Ji Ling walked up to him and told him it was okay, which made Ji Huang relax the frown on his chubby face.
After arranging the two kids again, Shi Li stood by the window with a book in his hand, looking outside with a cold look in his eyes.
Concubine Rui?
Humph.
Young Master Shi felt that he had been completely ignored and was very unhappy.
...
I don't know if it was because of Shi Muyuan's previous decisive actions that had an effect, but Concubine Shen actually came to Shoukang Palace to find her.
Shi Muyuan looked at her blankly as she rambled on in front of her.
After a while, seeing that she didn't respond, Concubine Shen stopped and called her. "Empress Dowager, what do you think?"
Concubine Shen was gentle - natured and had a gentle and elegant appearance. According to Xiaoxiao, she even believed in Buddhism. Looking at Concubine Shen's plain clothes with hidden patterns and the Buddhist beads in her hand, the aura of a Buddhist - loving lady hit Shi Muyuan.
"Ah, I... I think it's good. Yes." To convince Concubine Shen, Shi Muyuan nodded seriously. In fact, she wasn't in the right state at all. She had taken Yaokun to Yinyuan to play last night and didn't return to the palace until late.
It wasn't that Yinyuan was so much fun, but she just liked the atmosphere there. After living in Shoukang Palace for a long time, she always felt that something was oppressing her and making her uncomfortable. Moreover, she had asked Xiaoxiao to find a lot of picture books in Yinyuan for her to read slowly.
Yinyuan was the name she had given to that abandoned mansion.
Concubine Shen smiled. "Did the Empress Dowager not sleep well last night?"
"Yes, indeed. I don't know why I couldn't fall asleep." Shi Muyuan went along with her words.
"In that case, you should go to Baotuo Temple with me to worship the Buddha." Concubine Shen said.
Only then did Shi Muyuan realize that Concubine Shen had been nagging in front of her for so long because she wanted to invite her to go to the temple to burn incense, stay for a couple of days, and purify the evil spirits.