99 Sister
◎The princess really looks like the queen◎
Rong Qianyu submitted a memorial to the palace, and after a few days of rest, she had to return to the palace.
She has been outside the palace for a month, and she certainly doesn't want to go back, but the harem is in turmoil, and it is not a solution to just stay lazy.
When the enemy comes, we will fight him; when the water comes, we will block it with earth. She and Fu Hua will fight to the death.
There was only one carriage back to the palace, and she returned through a side door. She didn't want to make a scene. In this bleak season, everything seemed shrouded in a melancholy hue. Withered branches and lingering snow, just like her current situation. But as long as she could survive the cold winter, lush greenery would soon sweep across the world.
She wanted to fight with Fu Hua to the end, and for the sake of preserving the kingdom that was once established through marriage, she would do it no matter how difficult it was.
Xue Ji went back to the palace first due to her status, and Rong Pan followed her in the sedan chair. Both of them looked unhappy today, just like when they first got married.
This time, however, she was doing it despite knowing it was impossible. While in the same situation, her state of mind was far less positive than before. "Your Majesty is returning to the palace today. I'm truly lost. But there's no need to rush. A little delay won't matter."
Rong Qianyu was cold and quiet, occasionally lifting the curtain to look out the window, then reluctantly lowering it again. "Time waits for no one. If I don't return, I'm afraid the position of empress won't even be mine. Cui is due to give birth in a few months, so of course I have to go back."
This return to the palace is different from the previous times. The risk is greater this time, and he has already torn his relationship with Fu Hua, so it is bound to be a bloody storm.
Rong Pan saw that she had no expression and knew that she was upset. "His Majesty said he would pick up the Queen outside the Meridian Gate!"
"Let him do whatever he wants." Rong Qianyu said calmly.
Originally there was only one sedan chair, and Rong Qianyu really didn't want anyone to know that she had returned with such fanfare. But when she approached the palace gate, she saw Fu Hua waiting at the Meridian Gate with some important ministers and concubines.
Rong Qianyu angrily lowered the curtain, feeling even more unhappy. It was really tiring to have to play along with him.
She straightened her clothes in the sedan chair, and got off the carriage with a smile on her face. "Your Majesty, I have returned from my illness."
Fu Hua stepped forward and helped her up, tears welling in his eyes as he choked with sobs as he said, "Queen, please get up quickly. I have prayed for you day and night, and you finally returned safely."
Hearing him say this, Rong Qianyu felt disgusted, and several ministers behind her also showed disgusted expressions. The common people were not aware of the tax reduction, but everyone in the palace knew about it.
The emperor personally issued an order, requiring the empress to kneel throughout the palace before he would agree. The wind and snow were getting stronger and stronger, and the empress was alone, kneeling in the snow for two or three hours in a single layer of clothes.
Not to mention a weak woman, even a strong man cannot withstand the damage of such cold air invading the body. What's more, women are weak to begin with, and such an incident would probably cause great damage to their bodies.
While Rong Qianyu was recuperating in the palace, even He Qiong, who had always looked down on her, couldn't help but plead with Fu Hua.
"Greetings, Her Majesty." Cui Rumei pinched her waist and walked slowly forward to pay her respects.
Rong Qianyu hadn't seen her for more than a month. She looked her up and down and didn't expect her belly to grow so fast.
"Long time no see, Cui Zhaoyi. Your belly is getting bigger and bigger."
Cui Rumei beamed with joy after saying this, stroking her belly and looking at Fu Hua lovingly, "This is all due to the emperor's great grace, and it is a blessing for me. Your Majesty and His Majesty have reconciled, and I believe that a legitimate son will be born soon."
Rong Qianyu could no longer tell whether what she said was true or false. Was it because of the maternal instinct emanating from her pregnancy, or was she confronting her face about not being favored? Whatever it was, she didn't care much.
She did hate the couple in front of her, but the child was innocent, so she had no intention of taking her anger out on him. She just smiled and said, "Thank you, Consort Cui, for your kind words."
After returning to the palace, Tan Lu brought Shu'er to pay her respects to Rong Qianyu. "Your Highness, you have finally returned safely. Shu'er pays her respects to the Queen Mother."
Shu'er is four years old now, and she is becoming more and more beautiful. Her little face is rosy, and she looks very cute with two little buns.
She walked forward and touched Rong Qianyu's face. "Is mother feeling better? I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you so much."
Rong Qianyu held Shu'er in her arms and kissed her, then asked, "How's Yan'er?"
Tan Lu replied: "I have been taking care of them. They are having a great time together."
"That's good." Rong Qianyu stood up and thanked him. "I'm very grateful to you for helping me recover from this serious illness. If it weren't for Doctor Zhou, I'm afraid I would have died long ago."
Tan Lu hurriedly helped her up. "Your Majesty, you don't have to thank me, nor do you have to thank him. It is his duty to cure the disease and save lives. He would never stand by and watch someone die." She paused. "But, Your Majesty, have you thought about your future?"
"Since I came back early, it means I have figured it out. I don't need to endure it anymore."
□□It is common for women to become jealous of each other for the emperor's favor, causing unrest and even desperation, and even shaking the previous dynasty. In order to survive, Rong Qianyu must take the initiative.
"It's just... people have no intention of harming tigers, but tigers want to harm people's hearts." Tan Lu looked a little worried.
"She's not even a tiger," Rong Qianyu was no longer afraid. She still looked down upon a foolish woman who fawned over others and used her beauty to please them. "I've had enough of being a good wife and mother. I have to fight for myself."
After March, it will be Qingming Festival in a few days. Spring is in the air, new buds are gradually sprouting in the palace, and flowers in the suburbs of Beijing are blooming.
"It's spring, and the cherry trees are blooming."
Tan Lu immediately knew what she was going to say, "It's a relief for the eldest princess to be gone. If I were in his place, I would also hate him."
"These days have been really frustrating. I can only hide here with the Empress. It's just a pregnancy, but look at her. She can offer any kind of delicacies, and His Majesty will eagerly send them to me as long as I ask for them!"
Rong Qianyu leisurely trimmed off the overhanging branches, "She's so favored, she's about to give birth."
Tan Lu had been tormented and troubled recently, and she hated Cui Rumei to the core. "How can such a person be worthy of being the biological mother of a prince? I heard that she often embarrasses Sister Liu. It's also pitiful for the eldest prince. His mother is powerless and can't protect him."
"I know about this, too. She is indeed a bit too domineering."
"I heard that she often promotes brothers and uncles from her mother's clan. In the past few months, she has promoted four or five of them. Not long ago, she even helped one of her cousins get an official position in Beijing."
Rong Qianyu looked up and asked, "Your Majesty, didn't you say anything?"
Tan Lu had no choice but to nag Rong Qianyu helplessly, "Your Majesty said that she is favored, and Your Majesty will obey her."
"Doesn't the Queen Mother know?"
"Ever since the eldest princess' sudden death, the Queen Mother's health has deteriorated. She has been confined to bed all day, taking medicine, and hasn't had much time to deal with these matters."
The Empress Dowager is ill, and the only one who can really make decisions in the harem is Rong Qianyu.
At this moment, Rong Pan came hurriedly to report: "Your Majesty, Rong Guo's carriage has arrived outside the city."
"Let's go, my sister is here."
The drums and music stopped, Rong Ruoyu got off the carriage and walked slowly with the support of her maid. She was wearing a red dress, just like when Rong Qianyu entered the palace, but not as grand.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, and all the sisters."
Fu Hua went to help her. The resemblance between them was enough to move him. He stared at her blankly, unable to take his eyes off her. She looked very similar to Rong Qianyu, but she was brighter, more charming and innocent than Rong Qianyu, with a unique charm.
"The princess really does look a lot like the queen!"
She was dressed in red, with fair skin that seemed to transmit light, and a gentle disposition. "How dare I compare myself to my sister? Your Majesty, you are truly flattering me."
Another beauty arrived today, and Fu Hua was overjoyed. "What rank did the Queen say I'd be given?"
Rong Qianyu didn't bother to pay attention, "It's all up to your majesty to decide."
"Then confer the title of Consort Min. If you sleep with me tonight, you will be promoted together with these elders on an auspicious day."
Rong Ruoyu knelt down to express her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Fu Hua looked at this face that bore some resemblance to Rong Qianyu and was particularly fond of it. A rare glint flashed in his eyes. "Get ready first. You will sleep with me tonight."
"yes."
Rong Ruoyu followed Rong Qianyu back to Fengyi Palace, took off her cloak and bowed deeply to her, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen, may Her Majesty live a thousand years!"
Rong Qianyu saw this and quickly helped her up enthusiastically, "We just bowed, why are you kneeling again?"
Rong Ruoyu was also very enthusiastic and kept smiling from the moment they met. "I really miss you, sister. I hope you don't mind me."
"Get up quickly!" Rong Qianyu helped her up. "How is father? Is he in good health?" she asked.
"Father and Mother are all well."
Although their relationship wasn't particularly close, they were sisters after all, so they still had to be polite. So, she asked, "Why would you want to come all the way here to suffer?"
She also knew that asking this question was unnecessary. What else could it be? Under the guise of sisterly love, it was all about companionship. In reality, it was of course about sharing the favor. If it weren't for Empress He Wanrou's intention, how could she be willing to come to this den of tigers and wolves?
She now saw Rong Ruoyu as a different person. Ever since her mother's death, her relationship with Rong Ruoyu had deteriorated. She had been bullied by her for a long time, and her current frailty was also closely related to her. She was not used to seeing her so warmly when they met again.
Rong Ruoyu took Rong Qianyu's arm and rubbed her head against her, just like when they were little, but Rong Qianyu was not used to it.
"Sister Ruoyu is really worried about you being all alone. Besides, Father and Mother want me to help you, so as your younger sister, it is my duty to do so!"
She touched Ruoruoyu and said, "Thank you for your hard work." This face looked more and more like He Wanrou, which made her feel annoyed just by looking at it.
"As long as I can accompany my sister, I don't feel tired!" Rong Ruoyu said these words, and outsiders would probably think that they have a very deep affection for each other.
I think Fu Hua can make something of himself again.
"It's getting late today, go back to the palace and wait for the emperor to summon you tonight." Rong Qianyu finally asked her to leave in a gentle voice.
Rong Ruoyu smiled and said, "Then I'll take my leave first."
After she left, Rong Pan was very puzzled, "The Second Princess seems to have improved her temper a lot."
Rong Ruoyu took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands. It must be because she had been with Xue Ji for too long, and she hated to have contact with people she didn't like.
He looked up and asked Rong Pan, "Did she deceive you too?"
Just after they walked out of Fengyi Palace and had not gone far, Rong Ruoyu also showed disgust and sneered at Rong Qianyu, completely ignoring her.
Rong Qianyu was a legitimate daughter, and so was she. Speaking of nobility, her mother was the current empress and had given birth to three sons, so she was still the most noble. She had to be so frivolous with her elder sister and exchange hypocritical greetings, which was simply boring.
"Who the hell is Rong Qianyu? How dare she act so arrogantly in front of me? She's been in the palace for two years and still a virgin. How dare she take the throne of empress?"
Cai Su, the maidservant accompanying her, echoed, "How can she compare to you, Your Majesty? It seems that His Majesty has long since disliked her. When you give birth to a prince, there will be no place for her to survive."
Rong Ruoyu thought she was superior to others and agreed with Cai Su's words, "A boring person like her will just wait to die of old age in the palace in the future."
The master and servant were extremely arrogant and talked loudly about the queen without restraint, regardless of who they met along the way.
"Greetings to Her Majesty Consort Min."
Xue Ji bumped into him head-on. He saw that the man had an unfamiliar face and was dressed like a concubine. He took a closer look and saw that his eyebrows and eyes resembled Rong Qianyu, so he knew his identity.
Rong Ruoyu saw that he was handsome and dressed in casual clothes, so she didn't dare to recognize him. "I'm new here, may I know your name, sir?"
Xue Ji lowered his eyes and replied, "I am Xue Ji, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department."
【Author’s words】
My tenosynovitis has gotten a bit worse recently, and my hands are not feeling very well. I'm going to the hospital tomorrow to see how to deal with it. The updates may be unstable during this period, so please forgive me. I'm sorry.
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