Chapter 901: Chapter 901: Looks Familiar
It turns out Xiao Linzi had already climbed to the top of the tripod ladder. With a snip of the scissors, he cut down the highest and most vibrant plum branch and placed it into the basket hanging by the ladder, preparing to make another cut.
Jin Xi intended to remind him, but her master was caught up in her own emotional self-indulgence. She called out once but got no response, so she stood aside quietly, accustod to such behavior.
Concubine Fang Pin couldn’t lant any longer, rubbing the handkerchief in her hand as if in a fit of anger. If it weren’t for Sister Lian’s involvent, she wouldn’t have tolerated this foolish eunuch’s disregard for orders.
She quickly walked over to the tree where Xiao Linzi was cutting plum blossoms, her tone slightly stiff as she said, “Stop, who told you to cut?”
Xiao Linzi was about to move on to another plum branch when he was startled by a voice from below. He looked down and answered honestly, “The master ordered it.”
“Who?” Concubine Fang Pin asked in disbelief.
“The master.” After Xiao Linzi replied, seeing that Concubine Fang Pin seed to have nothing else to say, he snipped down again, and with a “snap”, another branch fell.
Concubine Fang Pin was still in a daze, instinctively wanting to scold him, but since it was Lian Hua’s order, she hesitated…
As she mulled it over, she thought that if these flourishing cold blossoms were not cut, they would soon fall and turn to dust. Since Sister Lian wanted them cut, it was surely for elegant purposes, so it was permissible.
With this thought, Concubine Fang Pin completely understood, and as she watched Xiao Linzi cut down each branch, leaving the tree a ss, she didn’t feel a bit regretful; instead, she even helped pick out the best branches.
However, while she was indifferent to Xiao Linzi’s actions, she began to feel for Xiao Jizi and the others who were shaking down the snow.
“Use less force, or the petals will fall and lose their beauty…”
“Hey, that flower got folded, be careful…”
What could have been done in no ti was dragged out painfully under Concubine Fang Pin’s direction. Light shakes wouldn’t dislodge the snow, and heavy shakes were unacceptable to her, needless to say. What should have taken a while was dragged out for two quarters of an hour.
On the way back, Xiao Jizi was ntally exhausted, too tired even to talk to Concubine Fang Pin. When asked, he only responded briefly, avoiding further conversation to escape triggering her wrath.
Yet, even so, Concubine Fang Pin wouldn’t let them off, insisting that upon returning, they find an elegant porcelain pot to hold the snow. Ideally, one with illustrations of the Three Friends of Winter. If not available, a refined orchid-decorated porcelain pot would do. She went through several options until Xiao Jizi and the others understood her wishes…
Where in Canglan Court could one find items that align with elegance? Alas, Xiao Jizi was left with a belly full of woe.
anwhile, outside the Main Hall of Canglan Court, several figures were busy. Among them, one had large apricot eyes, crescent-shaped eyebrows, and cheeks rosy and glowing, at present laughing heartily, directing the creation of snow sculptures with great glee.
Inside the flower house, Nanny Qi squinted while making small shoes, listening to the peals of laughter outside, occasionally peeking through the window, only feeling reassured seeing the compliant behavior.
Last night, the north wind howled, and upon waking early this morning, Lian Hua stepped outside to find the world draped in silver; it lit up her eyes with delight.
She hurried through her breakfast, sat a while longer under Nanny Qi’s disapproving gaze, but couldn’t hold back and ventured out with her attendants, strolling around the courtyard, in high spirits.
That wasn’t enough; she thought of several great ideas, giving one order after another. One was to find a spot to set up a stove, rolling a pot of boiling broth, slicing lamb thinly, and dipping it to cook before eating it with sauce.
Snowy days pair well with hot pots, thus was their lunch with Nanny Qi. She sent soone to ask if the Emperor would return for lunch, only to find he was too busy as the year-end approached, regretfully leaving it for another chance.
However, she thought of another way to compensate: taking advantage of the snow, she would try out the “boiling snow to brew tea” thod. When the Emperor returned, she’d prepare a pot for him to taste. As for herself, she and Nanny Qi would sample a little first, just a sip, that was her second idea.
The third idea, of course, was to build snown. How delightful!
Resolute to act, she divided the people into groups, sending them off. All able hands were employed as she, along with Xiao Qing and a few young eunuchs wielding shovels, began making snown.
The snown she directed were diverse: ponies, gold ingots, chubby snown, and more. Her inventive touch gave each snowman quirky and adorable features, and after completing one, everyone laughed heartily at their creations.
These snow sculptures ford a row outside the Main Hall of Canglan Court, resembling a playground, stripping the snow-covered ground bare.
Just after finishing one snowman and instructing soone to place its nose and eyes as she directed, no sooner had she the chance to admire it than she heard soone call, “Sister Lian.”
“Hmm?” Lian Hua turned and, surprised, exclaid, “Sister Fang, what brings you here?”
Concubine Fang Pin’s eyes glead with joy, her voice soft as water, “It’s been a while since I saw Sister Lian, so I ca. How have you been lately?”
Lian Hua, brimming with energy, replied, “I’ve been great! Sister Fang, co quickly to see the snown I’ve instructed them to build.” With that, she went to pull her over.
Concubine Fang Pin felt delighted, hurriedly stepping over to be led by Lian Hua to see the snown.
They stayed outside for so ti. Concubine Fang Pin saw the snown, which, while not as elegant and beautiful as plum, orchid, bamboo, or chrysanthemum, were unique and lovable. She couldn’t help but praise them, comnting on each one. Lian Hua was impressed, finding Sister Fang’s vocabulary extensive and at tis incomprehensible.
She looked at Concubine Fang Pin with admiration, making Concubine Fang Pin joyfully cover her mouth to laugh, feeling as if Lian Hua understood her so well.
During a brief interlude, two palace maids carried a brazier and bowed to them from a distance before entering the Main Hall.
One of the palace maids seed familiar to Concubine Fang Pin; the last ti she visited Canglan Court, she had encountered this maid near the gate and felt she’d seen her before but couldn’t recall where.
Seeing the palace maid again, Concubine Fang Pin found herself lost in thought, certain she’d encountered this maid long ago, but where?
“Sister Fang, how about this large ingot of gold?”
Concubine Fang Pin snapped back to reality and saw the garishly ford ingot of snow. About to frown, she was stopped by Lian Hua’s earnest gaze, expecting her to share insights.
Almost instinctively, she started to praise it, ransacking her mind for complints, making Lian Hua nod repeatedly and comnd Sister Fang’s vast knowledge, delighting Concubine Fang Pin even further.
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