Chapter 97 I no longer have any hope for that man
The Royal Concubine didn't say it directly: "It doesn't matter whose idea it is. Haven't you always wanted a child? This is just right. I think the sixteenth prince is quite well-behaved and cute. I think you will like him too."
As soon as Concubine Zhen heard what the Imperial Noble Consort said, she knew that the person who proposed giving her the Sixteenth Prince to raise was definitely not Emperor Wen Zhao.
Come to think of it, that man has always been jealous of her identity, so why would he take the initiative to ask her to raise a prince.
Concubine Zhen laughed at herself and guessed, "That's what the queen meant."
When the imperial concubine saw that she had guessed it, she also admitted generously: "It's me."
Concubine Zhen stood up and bowed, saying sincerely, "Thank you very much for your kindness, Your Majesty, but let me consider it for a moment."
Raising a child was a serious matter, and the Imperial Concubine understood Concubine Zhen. She picked up the teacup and took a sip, then said slowly, "Take your time to think about it. I'm not in a hurry."
Concubine Zhen thanked him, sat back in her chair, lowered her eyes and thought carefully.
She had learned from Tong Tong that it was Emperor Wen Zhao who did not allow her to have a child. She was disheartened and had long since given up any hope for that man. She also had no attachment to Dasheng at all.
After driving away Nanny Chen who was ordered to secretly drug her, she decided that she must find an opportunity to return to Yao Kingdom in the future. She also asked Yunzhi to send things to the little prince several times, and the little prince accepted them.
Although the two had never spoken to each other, and Yunzhi and Cong'an had never said anything, the two sides finally started to interact. In the future, she should pay more attention to the little prince, and with time, their relationship would always be closer.
However, most men in this world have the same moral character. Even if they no longer have feelings for their women, even if they are disgusted by them, they are still unwilling to let their women leave, let alone a king of a country.
However, if she really managed to escape successfully, given Emperor Wen Zhao's casual attitude towards women and his pride as an emperor, he would not relentlessly pursue a woman he despised and would not insist on getting her back.
She had hands and feet, could ride a horse and shoot, and was good at managing Yunzhi's finances. She and Yunzhi had already discussed that if they could really escape and return to Dayao, they would find a place with simple folk customs, hide their identities and do some small business, and live the rest of their lives in ease and comfort.
She would never go back to her original home.
She had escaped, and for her own safety, she could no longer appear in front of the public with her original identity.
Furthermore, her parents sent her to marry a beautiful woman in order to cling to power and for the sake of their son's future. She had already given up on the couple who only cared about their son and didn't want to see them again in her life.
Recently, with nothing to do, she and Yunzhi were discussing what to do in the future.
However, all these plans are based on the premise that she can escape.
She had no relatives in Dasheng and could not fly, so she never expected to leave Dasheng on her own. She placed all her hopes on the little prince.
But she also knew that even if the little prince was willing to help her escape from this cage in the future, he would have to wait until he grew up safely and he had to have the ability to do so.
The little prince is only nine years old this year. If something goes wrong along the way, or if the little prince cannot take care of himself when he grows up and has limited abilities, then all her plans will be nothing but wishful thinking and will be in vain.
If you really think about her plan carefully, the chances of success are slim.
It is very likely that she will not be able to leave in the end.
She had no ambitions and was deeply hurt by her parents. She was originally willing to stay in Dasheng and hoped to have a child and live a stable life in the harem of Dasheng.
But Emperor Wen Zhao was too heartless and refused to let her have a child, so she thought about leaving.
But now, things have taken a turn for the better.
Even though Sixteen's child is not her biological child, she will never be able to have her own children in this lifetime.
Not to mention that Emperor Wen Zhao would not let her give birth, the medicines she drank without knowing it must have damaged her body's foundation. Even if she went to sleep with another man, she would not be able to give birth. What's more, it was impossible for her to do such a thing.
She knew that Sixteen was a weak and fragile child, but very well-behaved, and just looking at him made people feel pity for him.
Now that she knew he was treated like that by Lingpin, that vicious woman, she felt heartbroken just thinking about it.
She really couldn't understand why Concubine Ling treated her child like that. If she had a child, she would definitely hold the child in her hands and love him, and would never let him suffer the slightest injustice.
However, if she raised Sixteen, it would be equivalent to completely giving up her previous plan. She couldn't raise half of the child and then run away, otherwise the child would be very sad.
She would never do such irresponsible thing.
The Imperial Concubine had already drunk two cups of tea. Seeing that Concubine Zhen was still frowning and thinking, she spoke up, "Haven't you made up your mind yet?"
Concubine Zhen was still struggling: "I..."
The Imperial Concubine did not know that Concubine Zhen was thinking of leaving. She thought that Concubine Zhen did not really want to raise someone else's child, and it was difficult to refuse her, so she comforted her by saying, "No need to worry."
If you don't want to raise a child, then don't raise one. Don't force yourself. Raising a child is different from raising a cat or a dog. It depends on both parties' willingness. You don't have to refuse just because I'm asking you."
Concubine Zhen was confused and asked, "If I don't raise him, what will happen to Sixteen?"
"I will ask His Majesty and the Queen again and send Sixteenth to be raised somewhere else." The Royal Concubine said this and stood up to walk out.
When Concubine Zhen thought of the cannibalistic women in the harem, her brows furrowed. Even Concubine Ling, her biological mother, could do such a heartless thing. If Sixteen met another one like that, or met someone like Concubine Kang and Lu Zhaoyi who abused children...
When she thought of the skinny little boy, who might fall into the wolf's den again if he wasn't careful, Zhenpin's heart couldn't help but tighten. She suddenly made a decision and ran after him: "My Lady Imperial Concubine, I am willing to raise Sixteen."
---
In Chongde Hall, Emperor Wen Zhao told the sixteenth prince about the treatment of Concubine Ling.
When the Sixteenth Prince suddenly heard that Concubine Ling had been sent to Yongsi Palace, he felt so sad that tears welled up in his eyes.
For a little boy of only seven years old, even though he had learned that it was Concubine Ling who had deliberately made him sick many times, he was raised by Concubine Ling herself after all, and he had truly experienced the love from a biological mother.
In the child's innocent world, Lingpin is still his most important relative.
The pretty and well-behaved little boy burst into tears but made no sound. He just cried silently. Emperor Wen Zhao felt upset when he saw this.
The queen also felt uncomfortable watching this, so she turned her head away and secretly pressed the corner of her eyes.
Emperor Wen Zhao held his son in his arms and said, "My dear child, you are not only the child of that woman, but also the son of your father and the noble prince of Dasheng. You cannot allow her to do such a thing. She is a treacherous person and has committed a serious crime. The laws of Dasheng will not allow her to live freely outside. Your father will send her to Yongsi Palace to reflect on her mistakes."
The sixteenth prince looked up at Emperor Wen Zhao with eager eyes: "Father, can my mother come out? Can I see her again?"
Looking at the little boy's eager eyes, Emperor Wen Zhao couldn't bear to tell the truth. He reached out and touched his head, saying ambiguously: "See if she can admit her mistakes. We can talk about this later."
The little boy lowered his head and stopped talking.
He knew what Yongsi Palace was, and he also knew that no concubine who entered there had ever come out.
He knew that he would never see his mother again in this life.
For her own sake, his mother deliberately made him sick again and again over the years. He felt very uncomfortable, but he still couldn't bear to leave her.
When the little boy thought that he would be motherless from now on, he felt terrified and helpless, and tears kept falling down his face.
He got down from Emperor Wen Zhao's arms, knelt on the ground, kowtowed, wiped his tears, and said with a sob: "Father, I don't blame my mother. She will definitely not treat me like that again in the future. Please forgive her this time."
Emperor Wen Zhao and the Empress Dowager had a close relationship and knew the child's attachment to his mother. He felt sorry for his son who had lost his mother at such a young age. But the vicious woman had a bad heart and he really couldn't let her stay with Sixteenth.
He reached out and picked up the little boy, but didn't answer directly: "Good boy, don't be sad. Even though you lost your mother, you still have your father and your mother. If you have any problems in the future, feel free to come to your father or your mother. Your father will also find you a good mother, and she will treat you well."
When the Sixteenth Prince heard this, he knew that his plea was useless and he could not save Concubine Ling. He buried his face in Emperor Wen Zhao's shoulder and cried silently.
Emperor Wen Zhao held his son in his arms and walked slowly back and forth on the ground, patting his back gently and saying, "In the future, you should play more with Xiaojiu, Shiqi, and Shiwu. Play however you want. No one dares to restrain you anymore."
The sixteenth prince stretched out his two little arms and hugged Emperor Wen Zhao's neck tightly, his little shoulders trembling and his tiny cries being suppressed.
The queen wanted to take over and comfort the boy, but seeing that the little boy was very dependent on Emperor Wen Zhao, she gave up. She felt grateful that His Majesty had visited Sixteen quite often, otherwise, without his mother, and if he was not familiar with His Majesty, the child would be even more upset.
Liang Quan's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine and Concubine Zhen are here."
"Come in." Emperor Wen Zhao said, and sat down with the sixteenth prince in his arms.
The Imperial Noble Consort and Concubine Zhen came in and saluted Emperor Wen Zhao and the Empress. Emperor Wen Zhao asked them to stand up and gave them seats.
Since entering the room, Concubine Zhen's eyes have been on the little boy in Emperor Wen Zhao's arms. Seeing his eyes red from crying, her heart involuntarily ached.
Emperor Wen Zhao and the Empress had been observing Concubine Zhen's expression since she entered the room. When they saw that her eyes became moist when she looked at Sixteen, they knew they had found the right person and felt relieved.
Emperor Wen Zhao was very busy and didn't like beating around the bush. He got straight to the point and said, "Princess Zhen, do you know everything about Sixteen?"
Concubine Zhen withdrew her gaze from the Sixteenth Prince's face, nodded and said seriously, "Yes, the Royal Concubine has already told me that I am willing to be the Sixteenth Prince's mother."
Previously, when Concubine Zhen sent Nanny Chen back, Emperor Wen Zhao thought she would hold a grudge and would not support Sixteenth. But now that she not only came but also had such a positive attitude, Emperor Wen Zhao was very satisfied and nodded, "Very good."
Then he lowered his head to look at the little boy leaning on his arms: "Sixteen, Zhenpin will be your new mother from now on. Go and kowtow to your mother."
"I obey your order." The Sixteenth Prince sobbed and replied. He got off the ground, walked to Concubine Zhen, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to Concubine Zhen: "Sixteenth Prince has seen Concubine Zhen."
The Sixteenth Prince did not call his mother, but Concubine Zhen's eyes were still red with excitement. Her fingers trembled slightly as she squatted down to help the little boy up. For a moment, she did not know what to say. She wanted to hug him, but she felt it was too abrupt and was afraid of scaring the little boy. She supported him with both hands weakly and said in a low voice, "Good boy, good boy."
The empress looked at Emperor Wen Zhao, who nodded. The empress smiled and said, "It's time for lunch. Concubine Zhen, take Sixteen back first. I will make arrangements for the rest."
Concubine Zhen responded, and took the sixteenth prince to pay respects to Emperor Wen Zhao, the Empress, and the Imperial Concubine, then left Chongde Hall.
As they walked along the road, Concubine Zhen kept looking at the little boy walking beside her. Seeing that he was quiet and not crying or making a fuss, she felt so soft in her heart that she squatted down and asked softly, "Sixteen, is it okay for me to hold your hand?"
She knew that the little boy had not yet accepted her as his mother, so she only called herself "I".
Sixteen didn't say anything, but he stretched out a little hand.
Upon seeing this, Concubine Zhen immediately burst into laughter, reached out and gently held it, stood up, and walked forward slowly at the same pace as Sixteen.
Yunzhi, who was walking beside him, saw that her master was only focusing on laughing, so she couldn't help laughing too. She walked over and whispered, "My queen, please talk to the young prince."
"Oh, okay." Concubine Zhen lowered her head and asked gently, "Sixteen, do you like riding a horse?"
The Sixteenth Prince shook his head: "I have never ridden before, so I don't know."
Zhenpin thought for a moment and asked, "It's still a while before dinner, how about we go for a ride at the horse ranch?"
The sixteenth prince raised his head, his eyes still gleaming with tears, "Okay, okay?"
In the past, whenever he wanted to run and jump, his mother wouldn't let him. He never even dreamed that he would be able to ride a horse one day.
Seeing the boy's interest, Concubine Zhen smiled, with a look of high spirits that had not been seen for a long time: "Of course, let's go and ride horses."
It had been a long time since she saw her master so happy. Yunzhi felt sad, but she was also sincerely happy for her master.
The Sixteenth Prince tightened his grip on Concubine Zhen's fingers, with a hint of excitement on his face: "Okay."
---
At noon, Ji Jinyou invited the fifteenth and fourteenth princes to have dinner at Miaoyunxuan. Thinking of the delicious food at Miaoyunxuan, the fourteenth prince nodded hurriedly. But the fifteenth prince said he couldn't go, and when the fourteenth prince saw that he didn't want to go, he also said he wouldn't go. Ji Jinyou didn't force it, and walked back holding the seventeenth prince's hand.
Fifteen and Fourteen walked towards Jingming Palace. When they reached a fork in the road, Fifteen stopped and said, "Fourteenth Brother, you go back first. I have something else to do."
The fourteenth prince glanced at the other side of the fork in the road and saw that it was the direction of Qiuhua Palace, so he asked, "Do you want to see Concubine Dun again?"
The fifteenth prince pursed his lips and said nothing.
Knowing that he had complicated feelings towards Concubine Dun, the Fourteenth Prince patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay, go ahead. I'll go first and wait for you to come back and have dinner together." After saying that, he turned and left.
The fifteenth prince took a deep breath and walked along the wall towards Qiuhua Palace.
He was sad when he first learned from Tong Tong that Concubine Dun would kill him.
When Concubine Dun didn't want him, he was also angry and decided to ignore her for the rest of his life.
But he still missed her all the time. Especially after learning about Seventeen and Sixteen, he missed her even more.
Concubine Dun was only his adoptive mother, but she always loved him very much and never did anything to hurt him.
This is much better than Lingpin who deliberately made Sixteen sick. It is also much better than Kangpin who abused Seventeen and Lu Zhaoyi who tolerated Kangpin.
After hearing what happened to Sixteen today, he couldn't help but think of Concubine Dun again. He wanted to meet her and see what she was doing.
He had sneaked back to Qiuhua Palace several times before, and every time she made something for him, either clothes or shoes and socks, but she had never given him anything.
If I don't give it to him, why bother doing it? The little boy was a little angry, he kicked the palace wall twice, and then continued walking.
It was not a long way, but the fifteenth prince took a long time to get there. He first leaned over to the door and took a look inside. Seeing that there was no one in the yard, he quickly ran to the window of the main hall and stood against the wall beside the window. He listened carefully for a while, and seeing that there was no movement inside, he poked his head to look inside, but he saw no one.
Where did the person go? Fifteen wondered, leaning his elbows on the windowsill, propping himself up, and leaning his head to look inside.
As I was looking around, I heard a slightly excited voice behind me: "Fifteen, you're here."
This voice was so familiar. He had heard it since he was in his cradle. Fifteen's body stiffened, and he jumped off the windowsill and started to run.
Concubine Dun grabbed him, her eyes red, and said, "Fifteen, can we talk?"