The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 734

Chapter 734: 340 Slapping the face (Fifth update)

In mid-June, a torrential rainstorm struck the Capital City, which lasted for five days. Numerous farmland and houses were drowned, and the Ministry of Works was busy dredging the drains in the city. Even the construction of Empress Dowager Zhuang’s residence was temporarily halted. Lord Gu was recalled to help deal with the crisis.

The Ministry of Revenue was occupied with helping civilians regain their agriculture.

A group of Hanlin officials who were knowledgeable in agriculture was dispatched to the countryside. Astonishingly, Xiao Liulang was amongst them.

The day before his departure, he paid a visit to the Renshou Palace to bid farewell to Empress Dowager Zhuang.

In the study room, Empress Dowager Zhuang grumbled while reading her letters, "It’s not like you are going very far away. It’s just a day’s journey by carriage. There’s no need for a formal farewell!"

As soon as her voice faded, Eunuch Qin walked in with a bundle, "Xiao Xiuzhuan, please accept these. They were personally selected by the Dowager herself. We were about to deliver to your place in Bishui Alley, and conveniently, you came by yourself!"

Xiao Liulang glanced at the two large bundles of items, then looked at his great-aunt.

Oh, what happened to not saying goodbye?

Empress Dowager Zhuang glared at Eunuch Qin furiously!

Eunuch Qin awkwardly touched his nose, "Ah, I just remembered there are still several accounts I haven’t checked. I’ll leave now!"

With that, he ran off as fast as he could!

"When do you leave?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked.

"Early tomorrow morning," replied Xiao Liulang.

Empress Dowager Zhuang inquired, "Who else is going with you?"

Xiao Liulang replied, "Wang Xiuzhuan, Li Xiuzhuan, and Yang, the imperial reader."

Empress Dowager Zhuang indifferently ordered, "Guards!"

Eunuch Qin stepped in, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

Empress Dowager Zhuang commanded, "There are several scriptures here that need to be copied. You, go to the Hanlin Academy and ask for Yang, the imperial reader to transcribe these scriptures."

"That won’t be necessary, Great-aunt," Xiao Liulang stated, "Using a butcher’s cleaver to kill a chicken. I can handle it."

Empress Dowager Zhuang thought for a moment, indeed one shouldn’t overprotect. Such small fry could serve as a good practice for the boy, that would be their fate.

"Is dinner ready yet?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked Eunuch Qin.

Eunuch Qin hurriedly replied with a smile, "We’ve been waiting for your order to serve, Your Highness!"

Xiao Liulang accompanied Empress Dowager Zhuang to have dinner in Renshou Palace, and afterwards, he planned to leave.

Empress Dowager Zhuang casually remarked, "I’ve been sitting all day. I should go out for a walk."

In his mind, Eunuch Qin thought, why didn’t you just say you wish to accompany Master Xiao!

Xiao Liulang’s lips curled up slightly, "Okay."

The two, grandmother and grandson, stepped out of Renshou Palace.

The heavy rain not only flooded half of the Capital City, but also many areas of the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, Renshou Palace was the most powerful among them, all of the accumulated water was drained, the road was filled up, paving the way to the palace gates, ensuring unhampered travel.

The same was true for Huaqing Palace.

Today, the sunset was beautiful, the weather was cool. Imperial Concubine Jing, dressed in nun’s clothing and wearing a nun’s hat, sat in a palanquin with an extravagant canopy, which seemed out of place.

Ever since Imperial Concubine Jing was injured, she had been recuperating in Huaqing Palace. The torrential rain had been falling for several days. The imperial physician advised that she should not always be in the Sleeping Palace. She needed to get some fresh air.

Therefore, the emperor ordered her to be carried out in a palanquin.

In order to walk with Xiao Liulang, Empress Dowager Zhuang did not ride in her own phoenix-carrying sedan.

Their parties unexpectedly bumped into each other, putting Imperial Concubine Jing in a somewhat superior position.

"Ma–"

Eunuch Qin was about to loudly admonish the concubine for not descending from the palanquin upon seeing the empress when–

Xiao Liulang beat him to it. He made a greeting gesture commonly seen among religious people and said, "Reverend Jing’an."

The face of the palace maid beside Imperial Concubine Jing instantly changed.

What Reverend Jing’an? This is Imperial Concubine Jing!

Even the emperor himself addresses her as mother!

Imperial Concubine Jing remained composed.

Xiao Liulang introduced, "Imperial Concubine Jing has been away from the palace for a long time. Having become a nun, she must have forgotten her past. This is the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, anyone would feel obliged to salute Empress Dowager Zhuang.

"Descend the palanquin." Imperial Concubine Jing raised her hand and looked at Empress Dowager Zhuang.

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked back at her.

Their gazes were extremely tranquil. Nobody could guess what they were thinking.

Ms. Cai reached out her hand to assist Imperial Concubine Jing.

Imperial Concubine Jing was still in pain. Her injuries were in a delicate spot, and her recovery was awkward yet slow.

Imperial Concubine Jing, leaning on Ms. Cai’s hand, slowly approached Empress Dowager Zhuang and gave her a Buddhist salute, "This humble nun..."

Before she could finish, Empress Dowager Zhuang turned around and left without even looking back.