Chapter 211: The Crown Prince's Concubine (Two Chapters Combined into One)

In the capital, both high-ranking officials and ordinary people attach great importance to the Lantern Festival.

There weren't so many particulars in Liang, but Zhao Shiqing followed the local customs and started sewing new clothes for everyone in her family early on.

Zhao Shiqing was still in mourning, so she already wore plain clothes. Just for the Lantern Festival, she had a white cloak sewn specially. Early in the morning, she put it on and showed it to Zhen Wuduo, who frowned. "My dear granddaughter, can we keep this cloak in the bottom of our closet after the Lantern Festival?"

The old man is old and can't stand seeing his younger generations wearing white.

Zhao Shiqing winked at him and readily agreed. The old man immediately gave her a heavy gold ingot to sew clothes for her.

Zhao Shiqing took the gold ingot and said, "I'll go make you some Yuanxiao."

After saying that, he turned and ran away.

Murong Linlang's eyes burned: "Old man, you've been fooled. That little thing is deliberately hanging around in front of you, just to cheat you out of money."

How could she not know about the apprentice she raised?

Zhen Wuduo smiled and said, "My eldest granddaughter is just teasing me. She is the most filial to me."

Murong Linlang: I just talk too much.

After the family had breakfast, there was a knock on the door. Old Fan went out to answer the door and saw that it was Zhao Tingluo.

Zhao Tingluo came here frequently these days, and the guards had known him for a long time. When they were about to let him in, they saw a young woman and a middle-aged woman standing behind him.

Soon, the three were brought in. When Zhao Shiqing heard that Zhao Tingluo brought two female relatives, he guessed who they were.

Sure enough, the people who came were the Crown Princess and her wet nurse from Prince Fu’s Mansion.

Yesterday, Zhao Tingluo returned to the mansion and quietly told the Crown Princess the news that Xiaobao had come to Beijing. The Crown Princess wanted to come over overnight, but she finally waited until dawn, and then she came over in agony, thinking that Zhao Shiqing and the others had finished their breakfast.

When Zhao Shiqing saw that the Crown Prince's wife was dressed simply with only a silver hairpin in her hair, she knew that they had come secretly without telling anyone in the mansion.

The Crown Prince's Consort first thanked everyone, then looked around. Zhao Shiqing asked Ling Bo to take her to see Xiaobao. Zhao Tingluo wanted to go with them, but Zhao Shiqing stopped him.

"What's going on? Aren't you going to take Xiaobao back openly?"

Zhao Tingluo said hurriedly, "I went back yesterday and originally wanted to tell my grandfather directly, but when I got to my grandfather's place, I saw my useless father kneeling on the ground crying, crying with snot and tears. He said that his youngest son in the village saw other children reunited with their families during the New Year, but he was alone to celebrate the New Year. He was very sad and cried for a whole day. He had a high fever at night and had just recovered in the past two days. Seeing that the Lantern Festival was coming again, he felt heartbroken when he thought that his child would have to celebrate the festival alone again. He cried and begged my grandfather to let the illegitimate son return to the manor to stay for a day and send him back to the village after the Lantern Festival.

When my scumbag father saw me coming, he hugged me and said he would not let the child be an eyesore in front of my mother. When the child came back, he would detain him in the yard and send him away after the festival. He even clutched his chest, feeling excruciating pain, as if he was going to die at any moment.

Zhao Shiqing raised his eyebrows. The Zhao family is full of talents. Prince Fu is an acting genius. He has been pretending to be stupid in front of the emperor for most of his life. Unexpectedly, Prince Fu's son is even better than his father and is also an acting genius.

"And then, you agreed?"

Zhao Shiqing was disdainful. If it were her, she would let that illegitimate child come back and release some snakes, insects, rats and ants into the yard. Don't even mention that the child did nothing wrong. A illegitimate child who was not even as good as a concubine's child was born with original sin.

Zhao Tingluo snorted coldly: "I didn't agree, but my grandmother agreed. Not only did she agree to let that illegitimate child come back, but she also agreed to stay until the end of the first month of the lunar year.

Last night, my mother smashed everything in my grandmother's room. After smashing my grandmother's, she brought people to smash my scumbag father's study. My mother was going to hit my father's head, but my grandfather fainted. My mother was afraid that my grandfather would be angry to death, so she stopped.

Prince Fu cannot die. If he dies, my scumbag father will become the head of the huge Prince Fu Mansion. That is not an ordinary small family. This is Prince Fu Mansion. Although Prince Fu Mansion is not hereditary, my scumbag father's title is Prince, and he has not been changed to Prince of a County until now. In addition, the Supreme Emperor is still alive. Emperor Yongjia is likely to let Prince Fu Mansion pass on to another generation. In that case, my scumbag father will be a prince, not a Prince of a County. Not to mention taking the illegitimate son into the mansion, he can still have more than ten or twenty sons.

As long as Prince Fu is still alive, there is still someone who can suppress the scumbag father, and the scumbag father dare not act rashly.

Zhao Shiqing also grew up in the palace, so she understood what Zhao Tingluo said.

"So what are you thinking now? Why don't you take Xiaobao back first?"

Zhao Tingluo's eyes were firm. "Sister, the Emperor is celebrating with the people tonight and will watch the lanterns with the Empress. All the nobles and officials in the capital will be there, and we from Prince Fu's Mansion will also be there. Although our seats are near the front, only my grandfather can actually sit before the Emperor. My scumbag father can only sit with the nobles."

Zhao Shiqing thought about how favored Zhao Tingluo was in front of the emperor and empress, and she understood.

"You want to bypass your Prince Fu's Palace and bring Xiaobao to the Holy Lord?"

Zhao Tingluo nodded and said, "Tonight, I will use the emperor's golden mouth to let everyone in the capital know that the second son of Prince Fu's mansion has returned."

The room was silent. Zhao Shiqing looked at the little boy in front of him who still had a childish face and nodded.

"Is it just to let Xiaobao recognize his ancestors? Your grandfather is old, and the Prince of Fu's Mansion will belong to your father sooner or later. You are only ten years old, and Xiaobao is even younger. To put it bluntly, if your father wants to kill you, it will be like crushing two little ants.

Your mother, in order to ensure your safe growth, even cruelly sent you to the palace. However, she could only send you once, not a second time. The palace is not a vegetable garden, and the Queen's mercy on your mother can only be used once. Your life is saved, but what about Xiaobao? Can you watch him for twelve hours a day? Even if you can, can you guarantee his absolute safety?

Zhao Tingluo sighed, "Sister, I've actually thought about asking my grandfather to depose my father and make his grandson the heir apparent, but my grandfather loves my father very much, and there's also my grandmother. It's unlikely that they'll agree to depose the heir."

Zhao Shiqing thought for a moment and said, "Then let your mother continue to make a fuss. As long as she doesn't piss off your grandfather to death, it's fine. Or you can think of a solution. Your father can't bear to part with that illegitimate child, right? Then let your father spend the rest of his life in the manor with that illegitimate child. And that illegitimate child's mother is still alive. If she's alive, send her over so that the family can be reunited."

Before Zhao Shiqing finished speaking, she saw Zhao Tingluo's eyes light up. Well, this kid is probably going to take action soon.

An hour later, the Crown Prince's wife came out of the room with red eyes, holding Xiaobao tightly in her arms.

Zhao Shiqing discovered that the two brothers looked exactly like the Crown Prince's Consort. The Crown Prince's Consort was only about 27 or 28 years old, and she was elegant and bright. Even if she only wore a silver hairpin, it could not conceal the nobility that emanated from her bones.

The Crown Prince's Consort bowed deeply to Zhao Shiqing. "I thank Second Miss and your Master for protecting my son. If it weren't for Second Miss and your Master, we would never have met in this lifetime. Also, I'd like to adopt my son's foster brother as my adopted son. What do you think, Second Miss?"

The Crown Princess already knew Zhao Shiqing's true identity. She also learned from Niu Qiu and Xiao Bao that the two brothers had a very difficult life in the capital until they met Zhao Shiqing. Zhao Shiqing took them with him, and they no longer had to worry about their livelihood. Just looking at Xiao Bao's fair and chubby appearance, the Crown Princess knew that Xiao Bao was well taken care of in Liangdi.

Although the Crown Princess did not know whether Niqiu sold himself to Zhao Shiqing, regardless of whether Zhao Shiqing had Niqiu's indenture, Niqiu was Zhao Shiqing's person. If the Crown Princess wanted to adopt Niqiu as her adopted son, she had to get Zhao Shiqing's consent.

Of course Zhao Shiqing agreed.

The woman who could become the Crown Prince's Consort of Prince Fu's Mansion and even dared to smash the old princess's house, her family was definitely not an ordinary official family. Niu Qiu had no father or mother, so it was a good thing for him to have such a godmother.

"I agree. Niu Qiu and Xiao Bao were both illegal residents when they were in the capital. Although their household registration is in my farm, they don't have indentures, just like those tenant farmers." Zhao Shiqing agreed without hesitation.

The Crown Prince's Consort breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the two children did not have indentures to sell themselves. This Second Miss Zhao was quite a nice person. She did not let them sign indentures and raised them for free.

The Crown Princess was about to thank him again when Zhao Shiqing suddenly said, "Sister Crown Princess, you're not going to divorce me, are you?"

The Crown Princess was startled and slowly shook her head: "I have no intention of divorce yet."

Zhao Shiqing nodded: "It's good that you don't have any ideas. I was really worried that you would be unable to come to terms with it and get a divorce."

The Crown Prince's Consort was startled again, then burst into laughter: "Why should I divorce? I have money, a title, a smart and sensible son, and the support of Prince Fu's Mansion. My parents-in-law are ashamed of me, my uncle and sisters-in-law dare not offend me, and I don't even have to serve that damn man. I can't guarantee that I can still have such a good life after the divorce."

Zhao Shiqing gave her a thumbs up and said, "When my sister comes to Beijing, I'll introduce you two to each other. Maybe you'll get along well."

The Crown Prince's Consort was delighted: "The eldest princess of the Liang Palace? That's great. I've heard of her name in the harem as well. She's as capable as any man."

Zhao Shiqing has a good impression of the Crown Prince's Consort. She also hopes that after her sister comes to the capital, she will have a few friends who are easy to talk to and have some abilities. When she is happy or sad, she will have someone to share with, and when she encounters problems, she will have someone to discuss with.

When the Crown Princess and Zhao Tingluo left, they took Xiaobao with them. Before leaving, Zhao Shiqing hugged Xiaobao and said, "Don't be afraid. Your mother, your brother, Brother Niuqiu, and the rest of us are behind you."

He was born with a jade spoon in his mouth, and his birth determined that he could not have a peaceful life like an ordinary person. Whether tonight was smooth or dangerous, it was all something he had to go through. Once he stood in that position, there was no way back, even returning to Baihe Village to be a farmer was impossible, so he had to move forward, following his mother and brother, and moving forward courageously.

After the mother and her two children left, Niu Qiu felt lost. Zhao Shiqing patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "Don't be sad. The Crown Prince's Consort wants to adopt you as her adopted son. Then you and Xiaobao will still be brothers."

"Why are you so sad, kid? I'm the one who's really sad. Xiaobao is so cute! This is the first time I've met such a cute child."

Murong Linlang walked in at some point and sat down on the chair. She really liked Xiaobao.

Zhao Shiqing pouted. "That's what you told my father when you kidnapped me. You said it was your first time meeting a cute kid like me. So, who was your first time, me or Xiaobao?"

Murong Linlang frowned: "Really? I said the same thing last time? I'm old and my memory is not good. Hey, where's Lingbo? I'll go find Lingbo!"

When he said the last sentence, he was already outside the house.

Zhao Shiqing stroked his forehead. The master never grows up. What can the disciple do?

In the blink of an eye, it was night. As darkness fell, people in the capital city went out of their homes to watch the lantern festival.

The Lantern Festival is held in Baoen Temple. Of course, Baoen Temple is just a place name. The temple has long been gone, leaving only a bell tower.

From a distance, you can see a mountain of colorful lights, which is the bell tower.

Not far from Bao'en Temple, there is a Wangxian Tower, also called Wangxian Pagoda. It is said that when the old emperor, the father of the retired emperor, was still alive, he saw an immortal here, and the Wangxian Tower got its name from this. This tower also became a royal holy place. Whether it was the retired emperor or Emperor Yongjia, when they wanted to have fun with the people, they would climb up to the Wangxian Tower.

In fact, although it was said that he was having fun with the people, the Wangxian Tower was actually heavily guarded. The people could not get in, nor could they see the emperor in the Wangxian Tower.

In order to enjoy this rare opportunity to have fun with the people, a Jade Belt Bridge was built outside the Wangxian Tower many years ago. The Jade Belt Bridge is usually surrounded by railings and guarded by flag bearers. It is only opened together with the Wangxian Bridge when the emperor wants to have fun with the people. At that time, the emperor will walk across the Jade Belt Bridge and onto the Wangxian Bridge, and princes, royal family members, officials above the third rank and their families will also walk onto the Jade Belt Bridge to have fun with the people together with the emperor.

Loach had long since regained his former vigor. He pointed to an open space in front of him that was surrounded by a variety of colorful lights and said, "That's where they do stilt walking. I've asked around, and besides stilt walking, they also do acrobatics. It's bound to be fun."

Zhao Shiqing looked over and saw that the Wangxian Tower was diagonally above the open space. Sitting on the Wangxian Tower, one could look down at the magnificent scenery below.

When they wanted to move forward, they found that the front was guarded by the Royal Guards, and the open space could only be seen from a distance and could not be approached.

Chen Wangxing: "In the final analysis, this is a performance for the emperor. Common people like us can only watch from afar."

Although there are countless colorful lights, it is night, and they are so far away that you can only see shadows.

Zhao Shiqing smiled and said, "It's okay. We've seen stilt walking performances many times before. Unless today's performance is different from the ones we've seen before, there's no need to regret it. Let's go guess lantern riddles!"