vrcanaries Chapter 184 Sunflower
Chapter 184 Sunflower
After a while, Liu Zhu came forward and reported: "My lady, the Imperial Household Department has delivered something. Xiao Luzi asks you and the Empress to go down."
An Lingrong was a little confused. If they were given the gift, they could just accept it directly. Why did they have to go downstairs in person?
Seeing her puzzled expression, Liu Zhu explained, "Xiao Luzi said that the person who sent the gift was from his hometown."
Oh, I almost forgot about this!
The two of them came downstairs. Xiao Luzi stood in the hall with his hands hanging down. When he saw them, he quickly saluted and said, "Greetings to the two masters. My lady, I have brought someone here. I wonder if you have time to see him!"
An Lingrong nodded: "Let him in!"
Xiao Luzi was overjoyed and walked out quickly. After a while, he entered the hall with a young eunuch.
The young eunuch was seen holding a crystal clear vase carefully in his hands. In the vase were several gorgeous sunflowers in full bloom.
He walked briskly to Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong, slowly squatted down, and placed the vase firmly on the ground beside him. Then, he knelt on his knees, head bowed, and said in a clear and resonant voice with an extremely respectful attitude, "Your servant Zhao Yingjiu pays respects to Concubine Hui and to Noble Lady Wen."
"Get up!" Shen Meizhuang said lightly, and then looked at the person in front of her with interest.
He was thin, with a slightly yellow complexion and plain features. There was nothing special about him. If he were thrown among the thousands of eunuchs in the Forbidden City, I'm afraid no one would even look at him a second time.
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang looked at each other and nodded.
Being low-key and not ostentatious is the most basic way of survival in this palace.
Zhao Yingjiu slowly stood up, raised the vase in his hands high, and said respectfully, "The flower room has just grown new flowers. I have selected a few of the most beautiful ones and sent them to you two ladies for your enjoyment."
The sunflower has a large, rounded disk, and its petals are a vibrant, golden yellow, shimmering with life. The entire plant exudes a simple, natural aura, imbued with endless vitality and energy.
"This flower is quite rare! Eunuch Zhao is so thoughtful!" An Lingrong refused to let anyone take it, letting him hold it in his arms. She then added, "There are so many flowers in the greenhouse, and you chose this one. Do you know anything about its behavior?"
I know this; I've done my homework.
"Sunflowers face the sun from the time they germinate to the time their disks bloom. Their leaves and disks follow the sun from east to west during the day, hence the name sunflower."
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang sat in their chairs without saying a word, waiting for him to continue.
Zhao Yingjiu raised his aching arm, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead, but he still held the vase tightly in his hand and continued, "The sunflower's disk always faces the sun. This unwavering attitude represents loyalty and worship. It reminds me that we should maintain a heart of loyalty and reverence for the things we admire."
Hearing this, An Lingrong nodded slightly in agreement, and said to Xiao Luzi beside her, "I like this flower. Go and get it."
This can be regarded as taking over his loyalty.
Xiao Luzi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He quickly stepped forward and carefully took the vase from Zhao Yingjiu's hands. At the same time, he gave Zhao Yingjiu a reassuring look. After receiving this look, Zhao Yingjiu's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he slowly lowered his arms, which had long been numb.
Placing the vase on a carved pearwood table, An Lingrong leaned over and plucked a delicate petal, holding it in her hand to play with it. She said calmly, "This sunflower can receive the sun's warm rays because it strives to grow despite all the hardships and dangers. Otherwise, why would the sun choose it over other flowers?"
Shen Meizhuang, who was standing by, couldn't help but smile and nodded upon hearing this. She added, "This sunflower not only has a rich fragrance that is both relaxing and pleasing to the eye, but more importantly, it also produces plump sunflower seeds for people to eat. If it were just a beautiful, empty shell without any practical use, its value would be greatly reduced, and it might even become useless."
Zhao Yingjiu, who had been standing by with his hands hanging down, quickly bowed respectfully and said, "My two masters are truly wise. Every word you say makes sense. I understand!"
It depends on whether he has the ability.
Seeing that he was also a smart man, An Lingrong changed the subject: "I often heard Xiao Luzi say that you and he are from the same hometown and have helped him a lot. Seeing you today, I have to reward you, Liu Zhu!"
Liu Zhu stepped forward, took out a piece of silver and handed it to him.
Zhao Yingjiu didn't take it. He kowtowed again and said, "Xiao Luzi is my lifesaver. Although I am stupid, I understand the meaning of love and loyalty. I dare not accept the reward from my master."
It's not stupid. If it takes the silver, it will make up for its previous contributions!
An Lingrong wasn't angry either, and ordered, "Since you don't want it, I won't force it. Xiao Luzi, Liu Zhu has made some snacks. Take a plate for Eunuch Zhao to try!"
"Thank you, young master!"
After he left, An Lingrong asked Shen Meizhuang, "Sister, what do you think of him?"
Shen Meizhuang nodded: "He is quite a smart person!"
An Lingrong also nodded: "He values loyalty and righteousness, so we can use him with confidence. It all depends on his ability. If he can satisfy us, he will be a good helper."
On the other side, Xiao Luzi led Zhao Yingjiu to a quiet place.
Zhao Yingjiu let out a long breath before saying, "Oh, I was so scared that I broke out in a sweat."
Xiao Luzi patted his shoulder and said, "You performed well. I can see that my mistress is satisfied with you!"
"Thank you, Brother Lu, for coming today." Zhao Yingjiu also showed a happy look on his face.
"We brothers don't need to talk about this! Do you understand what the young master said?"
"I understand. I will let Concubine Hui see my abilities as soon as possible."
Xiao Luzi said with some regret: "I don't know you yet. You have been keeping a low profile for so many years, otherwise you would not be in your current position long ago!"
Zhao Yingjiu sighed, "Alas, I have no one to back me up. If I try to stand out, I'll just become a thorn in the eyes and flesh of others. How dare I!"
After saying that, he looked at Xiao Luzi again and said, "Brother Lu, in fact, your ability is not inferior to mine. If you ask Miss Wen to transfer you to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, wouldn't it be more convenient for you to work for her?"
Xiao Luzi shook his head: "I am very... happy to be with my young master. You won't understand this feeling even if I tell you."
The young master was different from the other masters in the Forbidden City. He vaguely felt that Young Master Wen treated him as a "friend". When these two words appeared in his mind, he was shocked.
Seeing Zhao Yingjiu's puzzled look, Xiao Luzi slapped him and said, "I only have one thing to say. If you are given an important position in the future, you must be loyal. Otherwise, don't blame me for disregarding our brotherhood."
"What are you talking about? Don't you know me?"
He himself is capable, but there are many capable eunuchs in the Forbidden City. They are not lacking in ability or loyalty, they just lack an opportunity.