Once a decision is made, time seems to fly by.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day to set off.
Shi Muyuan bid farewell to the young emperor and got into the carriage bound for the South of the Yangtze River.
At this moment, Concubine Rui was at a loose end in the palace. She planned to go to the imperial kitchen, but suddenly received the news that the empress dowager had taken all the chefs with her when she went to the South of the Yangtze River for disaster relief.
She almost smashed all the things within reach in the palace.
Zhu'er, the maid beside her, wanted to stop her several times, but couldn't do anything but watch helplessly.
When she saw Concubine Rui's hand about to touch the reward from the late emperor, Zhu'er finally couldn't hold back.
"Your Highness, you mustn't touch this. This was bestowed upon you by the late emperor. If outsiders find out, they might spread rumors."
Hearing her words, Concubine Rui's anger subsided a bit, but she still felt uncomfortable.
"How daring she is! Taking all the people from the imperial kitchen with her. How are we in the palace supposed to live?"
The maids beside her didn't even dare to breathe loudly, for fear that if she got angry, they would be in trouble.
Just as Concubine Rui was about to find another place to vent her anger, a eunuch's voice suddenly came from outside.
"His Majesty has decreed that since the empress dowager has taken the people from the imperial kitchen for disaster relief, if others in the palace want to eat, they should send their own people to the imperial kitchen to cook for themselves."
Such an order immediately caused a chorus of groans, but since it was the emperor's order, they couldn't say anything.
Just then, Concubine Rui's stomach growled. She could only turn her gaze to her personal maids.
The maids had no choice but to go to the imperial kitchen to cook with trepidation. However, the food they served was all smashed to the ground.
The leading maid received a solid slap on the face.
"Is this what you've cooked for me? Do you think this is edible? Eat it all right now and let me see."
The maids looked embarrassed. They didn't want things to turn out this way, but there was nothing they could do. They had never learned how to cook; they only knew how to serve others.
Seeing them standing there stupidly, Concubine Rui flew into a rage.
"Can't you hear what I'm saying? If you don't finish this food today, don't even think about going back."
After saying that, she turned to look at the guards at the door.
"Come in and keep an eye on them. If anyone doesn't finish eating, execute them on the spot with a rod."
After dealing with these people, Concubine Rui felt much better.
She lay in bed for a long time and decided that such a good opportunity couldn't be missed. She must go and have a share in the action, and not let that bitch take all the credit.
So, Concubine Rui secretly sent someone out of the palace to buy several boxes of the emperor's favorite pastries, and then went to the imperial study.
When she first walked in, the emperor was dealing with memorials.
"Your Highness, do you have anything to discuss today?"
Concubine Rui quickly placed the pastries on the table.
"Your Majesty has been working hard. Why not take a break first? I've specially prepared your favorite pastries."
The young emperor casually glanced at the lunch box, but didn't open it eagerly as he used to.
"Your Highness, if you have something to say, just come to the point. I still have a lot of things to deal with."
"Then, I'll just say it. I heard that my sister has gone to the South of the Yangtze River for disaster relief. I think I'm also a part of the harem, and I'd like to go and help."
Hearing this, the young emperor looked at her seriously.
"I think it's better for Your Highness not to get involved in this matter. The empress dowager has already set off with her people. Even if you go there now, it will be too late. You'd better just stay in the palace and wait for the news. I'm sure the empress dowager will be back soon."
Since Concubine Rui had made up her mind, she wasn't going to give up easily.
"Your Majesty, I'm really worried about the common people. Please let me go. Besides, my maternal family has encountered such a big problem recently. I hope I can make up for the family's sins in other ways."
In fact, she didn't really care about the prince's mansion. Over the years, her family had received many promotions and benefits thanks to her, but she never got any of the good things. With the help of the empress dowager and the emperor this time, she had finally got rid of this burden, and it was a relief.
However, no matter what, the prince's mansion still had some use value. This was a good opportunity to gain some favor with the emperor.
Hearing this, the young emperor really began to hesitate and fell into deep thought.
After a while, he said, "Since Your Highness has said so, I hope you can assist the empress dowager well after you get there."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll go back first."
Concubine Rui's lips curled up slightly. She knew that the young emperor wouldn't have the heart to refuse. It was really easy.
The young emperor sat at the table and thought for a long time. He decided to send a letter to the empress dowager first to remind her.
At this moment, Shi Muyuan hadn't had such a large amount of exercise for a long time. She felt that her back was about to break. Sitting in the carriage was really tiring.
So, they had to stop and rest every few kilometers.
The national teacher had rested many times on this journey. He mocked her from the side.
"If the empress dowager really can't get used to it, you'd better go back. I can also lead the people to find the people in the South of the Yangtze River. However, if the common people ask, I won't know how to explain."
Shi Muyuan felt deeply despised. She wanted to refute but couldn't find a single word. Finally, she could only say weakly.
"I won't rest so often later."
"Heh, the empress dowager even has to rest every few steps while sitting in the carriage. People who don't know might think there's something in the carriage that scares you."
"No, it's okay. Let's go."
After saying that, they set off again. This time, even if she wanted to stop, she wouldn't say so actively.
Fortunately, maybe because the man knew she was uncomfortable, they walked quite slowly. By the time it got dark, they finally found an inn to stay in.
Just as Shi Muyuan was about to go to sleep, she suddenly received a message.
"Empress dowager, you'd better come out and take a look. I think you should be prepared in advance."
"What do you mean? What happened?"
Cui Qizhou put the letter sent by the young emperor on the table. "Concubine Rui might be coming. We'd better make some preparations."
"What? What is she doing here? It's taken us so much effort to get here. If we have to take her along as a burden, when will we ever reach the South of the Yangtze River? Maybe by then the common people will have suffered a great deal."
After hearing this, Cui Qizhou glanced at her meaningfully. "A burden?"