TICIEC Chapter 39.1

The next day—

Ning Wanyin ate an extra bowl of food for breakfast.

Today, Ning Wanyin was to serve at Qianxin Palace with writing brushes and ink, so she specially chose a light persimmon-colored, narrow-sleeved, belted dress for ease of movement. A pair of red-gold butterfly hairpins adorned her hair, a style that was neither too ostentatious nor beneath her dignity.

“This concubine greets Your Majesty and pays her respects.” Ning Wanyin bowed.

Helian Qi was reviewing memorials and said without looking up, “Go to the side and paint. Show it to me when you’re done. Wang Degui, prepare a desk for Ning Meiren.”

“Yes.” Wang Degui accepted the order and made the arrangements.

Ning Wanyin was slightly surprised and said, “This concubine is going to grind ink for His Majesty…”

“Grinding ink is such a small thing; anyone can do it.” Helian Qi finally managed to look up at her amidst his busy schedule.

“Draw it well. Don’t waste my dragon-patterned ink.”

Ning Wanyin replied obediently, “This concubine has deeply reflected on her actions and dares not waste the precious ink bestowed upon her by His Majesty. Today, I have specially brought ordinary cloud ink so that I can use the precious ink bestowed upon me by His Majesty to paint after I have learned how to use it.”

“I bestowed it upon you so that you can use it. Even the finest things, if left unused, lose their true purpose.”

Helian Qi continued to review memorials, casually adding: “Once you’ve used it all, I’ll find you some better ink.”

Ning Wanyin’s eyebrows curved slightly, and she curtsied with a look of surprise: “Your Majesty treats me too well. I don’t know how to repay Your Majesty.”

“If your painting doesn’t hurt my eyes, that’s enough to repay me.”

Helian Qi’s gentleness lasted only a few sentences.

If you let him say a few more words, nothing pleasant comes of it.

The new desk was placed below Helian Qi, and Ning Wanyin obediently sat down to copy the painting.

Inside the main hall, only the soft rustling of ink from their writing brushes could be heard.

Wang Degui, attending to her with brushes and ink, was secretly astonished.

When other concubines came to serve the writing implements, they would literally stand aside and grind the ink. But when Ning Meiren came to serve the writing implements…

She was actually here to paint?

After she finished, His Majesty would even give her pointers. So, who was serving whom here?

His Majesty truly showed extraordinary favoritism toward this Ning Meiren.

Indeed.

Helian Qi wanted to give her some favoritism. Because she had handled the task of caring for Shun Pin to his satisfaction, he wanted to bestow some grace upon her.

Ning Wanyin was now studying painting very diligently.

She used to think that her studies were a mess because she didn’t work hard enough, but now she realizes that hard work doesn’t always make a difference.

Her talent in painting was truly mediocre.

But she quite enjoyed painting, finding pleasure in it.

As a result, Ning Wanyin painted with great joy, while Helian Qi’s heart raced as he watched.

“I have to summon my ministers this afternoon. You should go back now.” Helian Qi said, rubbing his sore eyes after commenting on two of her paintings.

Ning Wanyin curtsied and said, “This concubine takes her leave. Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. This concubine has another matter to report.”

“Speak.”

“With Shun Pin’s permission, this concubine has prepared one hundred palace rules for Changchun Palace. The duties of the palace servants are much heavier than before. With the current manpower in Her Highness’s palace, we can manage for a day or two, but as time goes on, I fear that the palace servants will become overworked, and Her Highness’s safety will inevitably be neglected.” Ning Wanyin said sincerely.

“I humbly request Your Majesty to arrange more manpower…”

Helian Qi nodded slightly: “You’ve considered everything very thoroughly. Wang Degui, convey my decree to transfer twenty palace maids to Changchun Palace.”

“Yes!” Wang Degui accepted the order.

Seeing his reaction, Ning Wanyin continued naturally, “I’m worried that someone might use the people around me to do something, so Lingxue Pavilion is on high alert, and we’re a bit short-handed.”

“I’ll transfer ten more to you.”

Helian Qi looked at Ning Wanyin, adding, “You’ll need them for your future duties. I’m leaving these people to you.”

There’s a fixed number of palace servants for each concubine of different ranks.

However, Helian Qi borrowed his own servants, so it did not violate palace rules.

The servants assigned to Changchun Palace will be transferred back after Shun Pin gives birth. However, Ning Wanyin will need to assist in managing the six palaces in the future, so she’ll inevitably need more people.

He won’t transfer this group of people back. If Ning Wanyin abuses her power, these people can also monitor her.

Achieving multiple goals at once.

 

 

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