Chapter 148 The Prince's Foster Mother

While Xie Chen was in court, Pei Tingyue rested for a while.

It’s not that she was sleepy, but she wanted to relax so that she wouldn’t be short of energy and cause fetal movement.

Ever since Xia Yuanpan and Ning Yuanpan told her that she had a slight miscarriage, Pei Tingyue has been extra careful. Not only does she take medicine every day, but she also keeps herself alert, for fear that something might happen to the little baby in her belly.

At noon, Xie Chen returned to the hall.

After changing clothes and having a quick breakfast, the emperor and his empress rushed to Yongfu Palace.

When they arrived, Empress Cui and Empress Dowager Qin had already arrived and were wiping the tears of the eldest prince.

The concubines from the six palaces had almost all arrived. Because Lin Zhaorong had been posthumously awarded the title of Imperial Concubine, they were all dressed in mourning clothes.

Seeing Pei Tingyue behind Xie Chen, Queen Mother Qin instructed, "Pei Zhaoyi, you are old now. Just do your best and don't tire yourself out."

Pei Tingyue responded: "Thank you for your concern, Queen Mother."

Many people came today.

The emperor, empress, queen mother, several concubines, all the imperial concubines, two princes, almost all the masters in the palace have arrived.

Not only these people, but also the two eldest princesses led a dozen court ladies and the concubine of King Xuan was among them.

The hall was crowded with people.

Xie Chen is the emperor, so he only needs to show up.

Soon, he left the temple.

He sent someone to take Pei Tingyue back to Chengming Palace, but Pei Tingyue refused. The empress dowager, the concubine dowager and the queen were still there, so she couldn't go back even if she was pregnant.

Xie Chen had no other choice but to send a message: "As soon as the Queen Mother and the concubines leave, you will return. I will be waiting for you in the palace."

Pei Tingyue agreed.

After following the crowd to light a stick of incense for Concubine Shunzhen, he stayed in the mourning hall for a while.

After Queen Dowager Qin finished reading a sutra on rebirth, she left with several concubines.

Seeing this, Prince Xuan's concubine hurried forward to support Concubine Chen, but was brushed away by Concubine Chen.

Concubine Chen reacted a little violently, and her nails scratched the face of Prince Xuan's concubine, leaving a red blood mark.

King Xuan's concubine covered her face, feeling extremely embarrassed.

When Pei Tingyue looked up, he saw this scene.

Taking advantage of the break, she quietly called King Xuan's concubine to the side hall.

"This is ointment and pearl powder. Please cover it up."

Concubine Chu touched the redness and swelling on her face and said gratefully, "Thank you, Empress Zhaoyi."

She first applied some swelling-reducing ointment and then some powder, and there was nothing unusual about her.

It was a conflict between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and Concubine Chen was the elder, so Pei Tingyue couldn't say anything and just chatted with Concubine Chu for a few words.

The two were chatting happily when eunuchs came from outside the palace frequently to urge Pei Tingyue to return to Chengming Palace.

Pei Tingyue was speechless.

Concubine Chu smiled and said softly, "The Emperor is worried that Your Majesty will be tired. Please go quickly."

Pei Tingyue had no choice but to get up and leave.

Concubine Chu looked at her back and sighed with emotion.

Originally, she just wanted to follow the prince's instructions and get closer to the Concubine Zhaoyi, but now, she really felt sincere about it.

*

Although Concubine Shunzhen was the first concubine to die in this dynasty, her funeral was not given the utmost honors because it was close to the New Year's Day in the twelfth lunar month. However, it was still well-behaved and handled in accordance with the rules.

Pei Tingyue went to Yongfu Palace every day. She was pregnant, so although she didn't have to keep watch, she would always visit the mourning hall several times during the day.

Her belly is almost five months old, and this is quite tiring for her. She looks unhappy and has no energy.

When he returned to Chengming Palace, he always fell asleep immediately.

Xie Chen saw it with his own eyes and felt heartbroken, so he could only think of ways to coax her to eat and take medicine.

This day is the seventh day after the death of Concubine Shunzhen, and it is also the day when the body is moved.

The eldest prince burst into tears.

Seeing this scene, the palace concubines burst into tears. Pei Tingyue stood among them with her eyes a little red.

Looking at it this way, the child who lost his mother is really pitiful. From now on, there will be no one in this palace who will care about him so sincerely. It is really sad.

By the time we finished all the procedures, it was already dark.

The emperor and empress were already waiting in Fenghe Palace.

Someone was sent to summon Concubine Xie, Pei Tingyue, and an old person from the Eastern Palace, Concubine Wen.

Wen Jieyushi was a knowledgeable palace maid when the emperor was still a crown prince. She was a few years older than the emperor and was considered the oldest concubine in the palace.

He looks handsome, but he doesn't like to talk and is like a transparent person.

Being summoned suddenly at this moment, she seemed a little reserved and chased after Pei Tingyue's sedan chair at a loss, "Empress Zhaoyi? Empress Zhaoyi?"

When Pei Tingyue heard the call, he asked someone to stop the sedan chair.

The night was dark, and she took a long time to identify the person in front of her. "It's Concubine Wen."

Wen Jieyu bowed to her, then bit her lip and remained silent, as if she found it difficult to speak.

Pei Tingyue understood and smiled, "Concubine Wen wants to know why the Emperor and Empress summoned you, right?"

Concubine Wen nodded timidly, "I thought that since Concubine Zhaoyi is now recuperating in Chengming Palace, she must know something. I am worried..."

"I know." Pei Tingyue interrupted her and said with a smile, "It's a good thing, don't worry, Concubine Wen."

The emperor had told her that he wanted the quiet and honest Concubine Wen to raise the eldest prince.

After hearing this, Concubine Wen felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief. She knelt and bowed again, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for telling me."

*

In Fenghe Palace.

The emperor and empress sat on high seats.

When he saw the three people, he gave them seats.

Queen Cui first called Concubine Wen in a gentle voice.

Wen Jieyu seemed frightened and stood up suddenly.

"I am here...I am here."

Empress Cui looked at her and asked, "You are an old servant of the Emperor. You have a kind and honest character. I am very confident in you."

Wen Jieyu was somewhat flattered: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for the compliment."

Empress Cui asked in a gentle voice, "The Emperor and I have summoned you here because we want to ask your opinion on something."

"I obey your command."

Empress Cui smiled and said, "I haven't said anything yet, and you're already obeying my orders?"

Wen Jieyu said, "Your Majesty and the Empress are my masters. I will obey whatever they say."

Queen Cui smiled helplessly.

Xie Chen said, "You don't have to be so humble. I summoned you here simply to ask for your opinion. If you don't want to, the Queen and I won't force you."

"yes."

Xie Chen asked solemnly, "Do you want to raise the eldest prince?"

Wen Jieyu held her breath for a moment.

The eldest prince will be raised by her?

she…

She is timid, not stupid, and she can see some things clearly.

If she doesn't raise the eldest prince, she can live out her life in peace.

By raising the eldest prince, she no longer has to be alone in this palace, but dangers also follow.

Wen Jieyu couldn't make a decision for a moment, and her eyes were full of struggle.

The emperor and empress did not force her, but gave her time to think.

After a long time, Concubine Wen raised her eyes and said firmly, "I am willing."

She was really lonely and didn't want to go on like this.

Queen Cui smiled warmly, "Tomorrow I will issue an imperial decree to promote you to Zhaoyuan to raise the eldest prince."

Wen Jieyu's eyes were red as she kowtowed solemnly to the Emperor and Empress, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

After Concubine Wen left, peace returned to the palace.

Pei Tingyue cleared his throat and sat up straight.

Here it comes.

She wanted to see Concubine Xian's end with her own eyes.