vrcanaries Chapter 378 New Year 2
Chapter 378 New Year 2
After Yongzheng left, Zhen Huan raised a gentle and kind smile on her face. She looked around and said, "Sisters, if you are tired, you can go back to the palace and have a good rest. If you feel bored, you can stay. I have asked someone to prepare snacks and tea. Let's get together and talk."
Xin Baji was the most straightforward and was the first to speak, smiling broadly as she said, "Your Highness, your Majesty is so kind, how could this concubine refuse? I am so shameless as to disturb you!"
Her voice was clear and cheerful, which immediately made the atmosphere in the hall more relaxed.
Seeing her statement, the others naturally didn't want to offend Zhen Huan, and they all responded with a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your hospitality."
Although An Lingrong was still a little sleepy at this time, she knew that Zhen Huan's move was intended to get closer to everyone and consolidate her position in the harem, so she stayed.
However, Pianqi Yuebin is an exception.
She slowly stood up, her expression still as calm and detached as ever: "My sisters, please chat first. I feel a little unwell, so I will return to the palace first."
Zhen Huan's smile remained unchanged as she said gently, "Sis Concubine Duan is not feeling well, so please go back and rest early. Walk slowly on your way."
Qi Yuebin nodded slightly, then walked away gracefully.
While drinking tea, everyone chatted about the scenery of their hometown and the customs of the New Year. Everyone talked and laughed, and the atmosphere in the whole hall was particularly harmonious.
After drinking a bellyful of tea, An Lingrong felt much better. She looked at the people in the hall. There were exactly eight people in total, just enough for two tables of Landlord.
"Sister Zhen... Noble Concubine, why don't we play cards?"
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Okay, sisters, are you willing to play a few games?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes lit up.
The people in Yongshou Palace immediately prepared the side hall.
Eight people were divided into two tables.
Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, Feng Ruo Zhao and An Lingrong, four people of high status, sat at one table, while Concubine Zhen, Noble Lady Xin, Noble Lady Mu and Concubine Kang sat at another table.
The atmosphere at the card table was extremely lively, with the sounds of playing cards and chatting intertwined, and laughter and joy filled the small room.
Half an hour later, An Lingrong took off the purse from her waist with trembling hands, took out a silver note from it and placed it on the table.
Zhen Huan picked it up and took a look at it. "Jin Xi, go and exchange this banknote for small change."
Jinxi took the order and left.
Looking at her departing back, An Lingrong's heart was bleeding. This was her salary for nearly half a year.
Not long after, Jin Xi came hurriedly with a tray. On the tray, ten ingots of ten taels of silver were neatly stacked.
Each of the three people got three, and the remaining one was returned to An Lingrong.
An Lingrong weighed it in her hand, then stood up and walked to another table and asked, "Who won?"
Three fingers pointed at Concubine Mu at the same time.
"Well, the air over there is not good, I feel a little dizzy, let's change seats."
Concubine Mu's face was filled with reluctance: "Your Majesty, I am of low rank and dare not sit with you ladies!"
An Lingrong consoled him, "There's no such thing as big or small at the poker table. Don't worry about it. Go!"
The other three also spoke up: "Go quickly."
"You must carry out Empress Wen's orders immediately."
"Hurry up, the three ladies are waiting for you!"
Concubine Mu had no choice but to stand up and walk to their side, wanting to kneel down and salute them.
Zhen Huan still had a favorable impression of Concubine Mu and said, "No need to be so formal. Rong'er is right. There's no such thing as big or small at the card table. We're just playing casually. Don't be nervous. Take a seat."
"Yes!" Concubine Mu sat down carefully and started playing cards.
Elsewhere, An Lingrong glanced at the "bankrupt sisters" sitting on either side of her. A sly glint flashed in her eyes, and she was secretly pleased with herself. "Hmph, you guys still want to play with me? This time, I'm going to make you lose everything!"
Xinbaji happened to be sitting right across from her, and saw the uncontrollable pride on her face, feeling a little confused.
This time I finally found the right pair of cards.
The atmosphere at Zhen Huan's table was harmonious. Everyone was relaxed and at ease, playing cards while chatting, and even taking time to drink tea and have snacks.
"Sister Mu, Huan'er told me that you waited outside the door for a long time on the day I gave birth, and I haven't even said thank you yet!"
"Your Highness is too polite. I am of low rank and have no relatives in this palace. Thanks to the care you provide, Your Highness and Your Highness, I am able to live a peaceful life. If I have to express my gratitude, it should be to you, Your Highnesses."
"You're welcome. This is my duty!"
"Sister Mu is gentle and kind, and has a good temper. Changchun Palace is not far from Xianfu Palace. If you have time, you should go there more often. We sisters can get closer."
"If your majesty does not mind my stupidity, I will ask for your advice."
The atmosphere at the other table was completely different, lively yet tense.
"Do you know how to play cards? The three of us are a team!"
"I know!"
"Then why don't you give it to me? I only have one left. Once I play it, we'll win!"
"You kept a four, and my smallest number is a five. How should I give it to you? You tell me how I should give it to you!"
"Hey, how can you talk to me like that, sister? Deduct her monthly allowance."
"Didn't you say there's no such thing as big or small at the poker table?"
"Forget it, I won't deduct it!" An Lingrong asked again, "Don't you have three?"
"They each got four threes, and they've already gone out. Didn't you see?"
"is it?"
The other two nodded.
"Couldn't you have kept a bigger card?"
"Can I keep whatever I want?"
The atmosphere in Yongshou Palace was very lively, and everyone stood up only when the sun set.
After Concubine Zhen, Concubine Mu, Concubine Xin, and Concubine Kang left, the remaining four returned to the main hall.
Shen Meizhuang spoke first: "Mrs. Mu is a smart person."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Sister Mei is right. She should play cards while cooperating with us without leaving any trace. Her losses cannot be too obvious, and her wins cannot be too easy."
Feng Ruozhao also said: "Yes, she reminds me of Cao Qinmo, but Cao Qinmo's intelligence is that everyone knows she is smart, while Concubine Mu is different. Her intelligence makes people feel comfortable."
"Correct!"
Listening to their conversation, An Lingrong felt like rolling her eyes.
Just play cards, why so many twists and turns.
The three of them saw her expression, looked at each other, and said in unison: "Did you lose?"
An Lingrong took out a silver ingot from her pocket.
Shen Meizhuang asked in surprise: "Is this a win?"
"No, this is all I have left out of a hundred taels!"
"Losing so much?"
"Yes, I lost ninety taels to you and fifteen taels to Concubine Xin."
How come this account can't be counted together?
"I won five taels from Concubine Zhen and two taels from Concubine Kang. This silver ingot is two taels."
From then on, he only played cards with Concubine Zhen and Concubine Kang.
……
Zhen Huan was already laughing so hard that she couldn't straighten her back. She pulled out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to her: "Rong'er, this is your New Year's money."
An Lingrong took it with a smile and said, "Sister Zhen, shouldn't you give it to Longyue?"
"Longyue has it, and you have it too."
Feng Ruozhao also took out a purse and stuffed it into her hand. "It's a new year. I wish you happiness and health."
"Thank you, sister. I also wish you all the best and hope you become more and more beautiful."