Chapter 268: Obstruction
"This servant never meant to instigate. I just couldn't help but talk too much because of my quick words. Please forgive me this time, Miss Ling! I will never dare to do it again in the future."
Hongmei kowtowed and begged for mercy, her face full of tears, looking pitiful at Chu Chu.
Ling Jingshu didn't change her expression. She looked at her coldly for a long time before slowly opening her mouth and saying, "I think this is the first time you have made a mistake, so that's it! If you have any bad intentions or malicious instigation again in the future, I will definitely report it to the Queen personally and take it seriously." "
Hongmei thanked her, wiped her tears with her sleeves, and stood up cringingly, not daring to look up again.
Several other palace maids watched helplessly as Hongmei failed to flatter her and was humiliated instead. They felt awe-struck in their hearts and unanimously put away the contempt in their hearts.
Although this new female official, Ling, is young, she is not someone who is easy to fool.
Ling Jingshu's eyes swept over everyone's faces one by one, and her voice was neither high nor low, neither quick nor slow: "Thanks to the Queen's trust and respect, she summoned me to the palace. Since I have entered the palace to take this job, I will do my best. , You must never betray your mother’s love.”
"The fact that you are under my command can be considered a fate between us. I hope you all can work together to do the job of serving the flowers and plants."
"I'll also say the ugly things first. If someone secretly has any thoughts that they shouldn't have, as long as they are discovered by me, I will not be lenient."
Everyone did not dare to neglect and agreed together.
After Ling Jingshu said this with a stern face, she quickly relaxed her brows and smiled gently: "Okay, everyone doesn't need to be nervous. Now in order, everyone will talk about what they do on weekdays. Hongmei, you Let’s talk about it first.”
After this demonstration of power through both soft and hard tactics, Hongmei became much more well-behaved and told her errands honestly. After that, several other palace maids also answered one by one.
Ling Jingshu listened and took notes carefully.
…
It was pretty much what she had expected.
Large areas of flowers, plants and trees are in the imperial garden, and most of the ones planted in the Jiaofang Hall are potted plants. Some need to be moved to the sun every day, some need to be placed in a cool place, some need to be watered, and some need to be pruned. We also need to catch insects regularly and so on.
Six people can take care of these trivial matters more than enough.
The real difficulty is that new peonies must be planted and cultivated every year to present to Queen Xu.
Every year in April, when the peonies are in bloom, Queen Xu holds a flower-viewing banquet. By that time, if there are no novel and beautiful new peonies, Queen Xu will definitely punish her.
Luo Yan calmly detained the three palace maids, two of whom were good at growing peonies. Twenty pots of new peonies have been planted in the peony room in the Jiaofang Palace, all of which were carefully cultivated by the two palace maids.
It's the first month of the year, and those new peonies have just sprouted. If no one takes good care of it, I don’t know how many pots will bloom in April!
This Luoyan really had bad intentions and deliberately caused her trouble.
If she is really like Hongmei said, she will go to Luoyan to ask for someone. Either you have to beg Luoyan in a low voice, or you have to make a scene and report to Queen Gaoxu. The former would have to be humble and humble, while the latter would make her seem overbearing as a newcomer to the palace. Even if it comes to Queen Xu, Luo Yan can find a bunch of excuses to evade.
When the time comes, she will be the one to be embarrassed!
Thinking of this, Ling Jingshu couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips with a sarcastic sneer.
What a Luoyan! What a show of force!
She had to endure Empress Xu's power for the time being. Even a mere Luoyan wanted to show off his power in front of her, but he really made the wrong decision.
Ling Jingshu quickly made up her mind and ordered the maids: "What do you do on weekdays, so what will you do today? Hongmei, please lead me around the Jiaofang Palace to familiarize myself with the environment, and then Go to the Peony Room again.”
Hongmei responded respectfully.
…
Exquisite potted plants can be seen everywhere in Jiaofang Hall. At this time, the weather is cold and most of the branches have not yet sprouted. Some potted trees are evergreen all year round, adding a bit of greenery to Jiaofang Hall.
"These flowers, plants and trees are all well taken care of." Looking at the green bonsai, Ling Jingshu felt calm and happy, and praised with a smile: "You are usually very attentive."
Hongmei spoke more cautiously: "It is an honor for the slaves to serve as servants in Jiaofang Palace. How dare you not be dedicated to your work."
Ling Jingshu glanced at Hongmei but said nothing.
People come and go in Jiaofang Hall, so you have to be extra careful when speaking, lest someone accidentally overhears you.
After spending more than half an hour walking around the Jiao Fang Hall, Ling Jingshu asked Hongmei to lead her to the Peony Room.
This peony room is located in the northwest corner of Jiaofang Hall. It is made of high-quality bamboo and can block wind, rain and sunshine. Looking from a distance, it looks quite elegant. The unique fragrance of bamboo floated over faintly.
Except for the palace maids who specially come to take care of the peonies, few people come here on weekdays, so it is very quiet.
When I walked into the peony room, I saw that the same bamboos were used to set up shelves of different heights. Various flower pots of different sizes were placed on the shelves, all with peonies planted inside.
At a rough glance, there are at least hundreds of pots.
Ling Jingshu fell in love with this place almost at first sight, and wandered around the peony room with great interest, lowering her head to take a closer look from time to time.
Hongmei followed Ling Jingshu. Seeing Ling Jingshu's interest, she couldn't help but ask, "Can Miss Ling also grow peonies?"
Ling Jingshu hummed casually.
She has loved peonies since she was a child, and she has spent most of her free time in the garden. Since her rebirth, she has only thought about two things: one is to cure Ling Xiao's eye disease, and the other is revenge. Such a leisurely mood at this moment is vaguely something that only existed in the boudoir in her previous life.
Ling Jingshu carefully looked at each pot after pot, and it was almost noon.
Hongmei then asked carefully: "Madam Ling, what will happen to this peony room in the future? Who will take care of it?"
The two palace maids who were in charge of the peony room in the past were taken away by Luo Yan. If Luo Yan doesn't let them go, who will take care of this peony room?
Ling Jingshu smiled faintly: "Don't worry, I will take care of this peony room in the future."
What?
Hongmei was stunned and blurted out: "How can Madam Ling do such rough work!"
Doing rough work is fine. More importantly, there are still many new varieties that were just cultivated last year, and it is unknown whether they can be planted and bloomed this year. Ling Jingshu took over so rashly, what if she messed up?
Hongmei's doubts and worries were written on her face.
Ling Jingshu understood her thoughts clearly, but did not explain at all, just said: "Let's leave it like this for now. From tomorrow on, you will come with me to the Peony Room to work."