Chapter 171 The Selection of Foster Mother
Concubine Zhao sent the copied female commandments Xia Ying to Shoukang Palace.
At this time, Xiao Heng happened to be here too.
The Empress Dowager threw the pile of rice paper heavily onto the rosewood table, her eyes frosty as she said with dissatisfaction, "Emperor, this is your concubine. She couldn't even bother to pay her respects to me, and actually asked the palace maid to present the female commandments."
Xiao Heng put down the teacup in his hand: "Hasn't Queen Mother always disliked Concubine Zhao? It's better that she doesn't come, otherwise it will only make Queen Mother more angry."
Seeing that her son was still protecting Concubine Zhao, the Queen Mother snorted coldly: "Just protect her!"
"I asked her to copy the "Instructions for Women" so that she could engrave 'Woman's Virtues, Woman's Speech, Woman's Appearance, and Woman's Skills' into her bones! But she still refuses to repent. In my opinion, twenty copies of the "Instructions for Women" are not enough!"
The Buddhist beads swayed on her wrist, making a tiny sound.
Seeing this, Nanny Zhu handed the teacup to the Queen Mother and said softly, "Quickly calm down, Queen Mother. Don't let such a small matter upset you."
The Queen Mother took the teacup and took a sip. Only then did her expression ease a little as she remembered the important purpose of calling Xiao Heng here.
She slowly twisted her Buddhist beads. "The Fourth Prince is weak. Who does the Emperor intend to raise him?"
Xiao Heng looked directly into the Empress Dowager's eyes and said calmly, "I intend to let Concubine Xi raise the Fourth Prince."
"No!" Xiao Heng had just said that when the Queen Mother rejected it outright.
"Xipin is still young and has never raised a child. How can she know how to care for a child? If it were a healthy child, it would be fine, but the Fourth Prince is frail and needs a meticulous and experienced mother to care for him."
Seeing Xiao Heng frowning and hesitant, the Queen Mother sighed and softened her tone: "Your Majesty, that is my grandson. I cannot possibly harm him. He is also your child. I believe you understand better than I do what is more important."
Xiao Heng stroked the jade ring on his thumb and lowered his eyes in thought.
Perhaps this child is indeed not suitable for Miaomiao to raise.
This is good for both the child and Miaomiao.
There is still a long time to go, and there will be more children in the harem. Then we can choose a healthier royal heir to raise with her.
I believe Miaomiao can understand and won’t blame herself.
After a moment, Xiao Heng raised his eyes and said, "Then according to your opinion, who should be entrusted with the care of the Fourth Prince?"
"Mingpin." The Queen Mother said slowly.
"Mingpin has been in the palace for quite a few years now, and she once gave birth to a prince for the emperor. Unfortunately, the child was born weak and died before he was even named. This has always been a pain in Mingpin's heart. Now, letting her raise this child can be considered as compensation for her."
Because many royal children died young, there was a rule that only royal heirs who were officially named would have a seniority order.
The prince born to Concubine Ming died before he was included in the imperial record, so he is now called the deceased prince.
As soon as Xiao Heng heard it, he knew the empress dowager's selfish motives. Mingpin was her niece, so she would naturally favor her.
"Mother, I also pity Concubine Ming for losing her son. But Concubine Ming is not the right person. She has always been willful and domineering, and she acts carelessly. How can she take care of the sick Fourth Prince?"
The Queen Mother paused as she twirled her Buddhist beads. "Does the Emperor have a more suitable candidate?"
Xiao Heng thought for a moment and realized that the Queen had to take care of An'er and deal with the affairs of the harem, so she had no time to take care of the child.
Concubine Ning is a suitable candidate, but Yuan'er has been weak since childhood, and I'm afraid Concubine Ning has no time to distract herself.
The only one left is Concubine Chu, but Concubine Chu has the second prince, so it is impossible for him to let the fourth prince be raised by Concubine Chu.
Both of them are princes, and even those born to the same mother are not treated equally, not to mention that they are not born from the same mother.
After much thought, Xiao Heng still felt that Liu Yuetang was the most suitable.
She is careful, considerate, gentle, and well-educated. It is most reassuring to leave it to her.
The Queen Mother was afraid that after many twists and turns, the fate would fall on Liu Yuetang.
He quickly said, "The Fourth Prince cannot do without his biological mother's care now. Let's discuss this matter after the Fourth Prince is one month old."
Xiao Heng nodded gently: "Alright, I will decide on the name of the Fourth Prince in the next few days. Since Concubine Su has made great contributions in giving birth to an heir, I also plan to raise her status."
The Empress Dowager's face darkened slightly. "The Emperor is still going to give her a promotion? Not punishing her is the greatest grace."
"If it weren't for the fact that Su Cairen herself suffers from heart palpitations, why would my grandson be born with this disease?"
"Mother, the imperial physician said that the Fourth Prince died of premature birth and near-asphyxiation in the womb."
The Queen Mother pursed her red lips, a trace of sadness in her eyes: "That is also her fault. If she had cared a little more about the heir in her womb, she wouldn't have given birth prematurely. I don't know how much suffering my grandson has to endure."
Xiao Heng was speechless for a moment, feeling very impatient.
Although he was also angry about Lan's death, which caused the Fourth Prince to be born prematurely.
But he is also a son. If he puts himself in the Queen Mother's shoes, he will not be able to remain calm and composed if she is in danger.
Not to mention that Su Nanqing is still a woman, and she has always depended on her biological mother.
If you want to blame someone, you can only blame God.
Xiao Heng was afraid that if he stayed any longer he would argue with the Queen Mother again over other matters. He was almost suffocated by the one thing after another that had happened recently, and he just wanted some peace and quiet.
So he gathered his sleeves and stood up, and the dark python pattern embroidered on it became faintly visible as he bent down.
"I have taken note of what your Majesty has said. I still have government affairs to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
After saying this, he strode out without waiting for the Queen Mother to reply.
The Queen Mother was already accustomed to this situation.
She raised her hand to rub the temples and felt dizzy.
After leaving Shoukang Palace, Xiao Heng went directly to Yaohua Palace.
At this time, Concubine Zhao was taking care of her hands.
Mix angelica and rose water in water, then soak your hands in it.
Seeing Xiao Heng coming, Xia Ying walked in with a happy face: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty! The Emperor is here."
Concubine Zhao's fingertips trembled slightly with joy, and ripples suddenly appeared on the water surface.
But after a moment, her eyes dimmed.
That day, when the Queen Mother punished herself by making her copy the "Legal Admonitions for Women", Xiao Heng was also there.
But he did not stop it and allowed the Queen Mother to punish him.
Is it because I have a gentle personality that makes him think that I won’t be sad and will swallow my grievances?
While he was lost in thought, Xiao Heng walked in.
The moment he saw Concubine Zhao, Xiao Heng's tired expression eased a little: "Is Jiaojiao nursing her hand?"
"I have been copying the Women's Commandments for three whole days, and my hands are sore and uncomfortable." She drooped her eyelids, her face showing a sense of alienation and coldness.
Xiao Heng looked at the shattered flower shadows on the water and said in a gentle voice, "Jiaojiao, Queen Mother has set up a small Buddhist temple in the palace. She probably won't be returning to Chongfu Temple in the next few years. Be respectful and cautious in front of Queen Mother, and don't let her find fault with you again."
Concubine Zhao raised her head and looked at Xiao Heng: "Even if the Queen Mother punishes me, the Emperor will protect me, won't he?"
Xiao Heng sat beside her and said earnestly, "But I can't protect you all the time."
"The Queen Mother is blaming you for not going there in person to pay her respects."
"She doesn't want to see me, so why should I bother paying my respects to her? Doesn't the Emperor also dislike paying his respects to the Empress Dowager?"
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