Only Consort Ju, who enjoyed the emperor's favor for twenty years, could say such things and use such a coquettish and clingy tone.
During the six months that Wen Zhiyun had been massaging the Tian family, he often saw the two of them being affectionate like an ordinary married couple, sometimes enjoying each other's company, sometimes whispering sweet nothings.
The Imperial Concubine had also subtly expressed her dissatisfaction with her status as a concubine, but the imperial family always remained silent. So the Imperial Concubine wisely changed the subject.
This is the first time I've seen something so straightforward.
Wen Zhiyun huddled behind the gauze curtain, wishing she could hide herself completely.
The imperial family seems to be responding with silence, as usual.
This time, the Imperial Concubine, however, was oblivious to the situation and turned away with a resentful expression. "Brother A-Yuan, I am thirty-seven years old this year."
“We met when we were seven, got married when we were seventeen, and it has been thirty years since then. I always thought I would be your legal wife, and that I would have children with you until we grow old. But look at me now, look at me.”
"My temples are gray, and my eyes are full of wrinkles. I'm getting old, Brother Ayuan."
"In a few years, I will fall ill, I will die, but I won't even be able to be buried with you. We can only gaze at each other from afar in the imperial mausoleum..."
A low sob arose, perhaps containing genuine emotion, making one feel sad.
The taciturn emperor reached out and embraced the now-faded concubine, gently stroking her back like a child.
One time, one time, and another.
After a long silence, the man's deep voice rang out, "Let me think about this matter some more."
The fact that you're even thinking about a topic you've always avoided shows that you're wavering.
Consort Ju burst into laughter through her tears, "Brother Ayuan said he would never betray me."
The two embraced tightly, their unspeakable emotions spreading throughout the hall.
The only one at a loss was Wen Zhiyun, who was huddled behind the gauze curtain.
Eavesdropping on the emperor and his concubines' conversations was already terrifying, but learning that Consort Ju might be promoted to the rank of empress turned their anxiety into worry.
Like Zheng Ruqian, he didn't understand politics, but he knew it must be related to his fifth younger brother.
He wanted to tell Changyan immediately, but he couldn't step out of the gauze curtain.
After much deliberation, I remained hesitant.
Wen Zhiyun clenched her fair fist and gave herself a slap on the neck.
The skillful application of force made him dizzy, and even as he was about to fall, he didn't forget to keep quiet.
After an unknown amount of time, Wen Zhiyun was woken up by being pushed.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the anxious face of Steward Wu's godson. "Dr. Wen, Dr. Wen, what's wrong? Wake up!"
"Young Master Wu..." Wen Zhiyun's voice was hoarse, "What's wrong with me?"
"You were found unconscious in the main hall, but the imperial family didn't punish you. They just told you to rest and recover before coming for a massage." Eunuch Wu looked puzzled. "How did you faint? Was there an assassin, or were you feeling unwell?"
Wen Zhiyun stared at him blankly without saying a word.
Such a tender and delicate young boy, only fourteen years old, was already busy in the Imperial Hospital. It is said that the lights were on all night long, which shows his hard work and dedication.
Eunuch Wu's heart softened, and he waved his hand, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you later that you're not feeling well. Now go back to the Imperial Hospital and rest well."
"Thank you very much, Eunuch Wu." Wen Zhiyun said timidly, then carried the medicine box away.
Only when no one was following him did he quicken his pace and rush back to the Imperial Hospital as fast as possible.
With the protection of the Yan family members and the calm planning of Changyan, the two brothers were able to meet in the dark of night.
“Xiao Wu…” Wen Zhiyun’s eyes reddened as soon as she opened her mouth, “You’ve suffered so much, what are you going to do?”
Chang Yan looked over, completely bewildered.
“I heard in the main hall today that the imperial family wants to establish Consort Ju as empress.” Wen Zhiyun said with difficulty, “The eldest prince is already the eldest son, and if he is now the legitimate heir, then he will definitely be the eldest legitimate heir.”
The primogeniture system lasted for hundreds of years in the Dayu Dynasty. The eldest son born to the principal wife was usually the most valuable and was also the most common eldest son born to the principal wife.
However, there are always exceptions. When the first child is not born to the principal wife and occupies the position of the eldest son of a concubine, then the principal wife loses her status as the eldest son.
For example, Zhu Changhong was the eldest son born out of wedlock.
For example, Zhu Changyan is the eldest son.
Historical records also state that legitimate and illegitimate children are considered separately, and regardless of whether there is an illegitimate eldest son, the first child born to the principal wife is always the legitimate eldest son.
However, in the Dayu Dynasty, the distinction between the eldest son and the legitimate heir was deliberately made.
Zhu Changhong won the support of the Fang family simply by virtue of his age, becoming a popular candidate for crown prince in the hearts of the people of Fengjing. If he were to become the legitimate heir, the other princes would have no chance at all.
"The eldest son of the legitimate wife should be chosen, with priority given to the eldest son." Chang Yan said in a light tone, "It seems that Consort Ju can no longer hold back."
"What will you do if the eldest prince becomes the legitimate heir?" Wen Zhiyun asked, her eyes reddening. "Fifth Prince, is there anything I can do for you?"
When the imperial family reorganizes the inner court, even the Imperial Medical Academy, with its long reach, cannot reach it.
Consort Ju couldn't contain herself; perhaps she too had realized that the Second Prince was not to be underestimated.
Rather than passively waiting to be beaten, it's better to take direct action and nip it in the bud.
When it comes to shrewdness and cunning, the Ju family is the best.
A sobbing sound came from the side. Changyan looked up and saw that his fourth brother was holding back tears.
He chuckled, took a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her, saying, "Don't worry, she won't get that position."
The boy's tone was so certain that Wen Zhiyun was lost in thought and almost blurted out, "Why?"
Yes, why is that?
Consort Ju couldn't get that position in twenty years, so why are you so sure she can get it now?
"It's true that they were childhood sweethearts, and it's true that they were very much in love, but they forgot the golden words of their grandfather, and they forgot that the price for Consort Ju to enter the Eastern Palace was that she could never be a wife."
The late emperor was resolute and decisive, and his constant warfare led to an empty treasury and widespread suffering among the people.
In his later years, he regretted his autocracy, decided to relinquish power, and elevated the status of aristocratic families to check and balance the emperor, so as to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
But how could a wise emperor allow his descendants to be sidelined and his maternal relatives to expand their influence unchecked?
How terrifying it must be when powerful families possess their own power, can influence the emperor's heart, and are related to the next emperor by blood.
“The combined power of a noble family, maternal relatives, and the maternal family of the Crown Prince is too immense, and the resulting tragedies are countless.” Chang Yan spoke indifferently, as if he were an outsider. “Therefore, when the Emperor’s grandfather established the Crown Prince, he stipulated that the Crown Prince could not marry a woman from the Ju family, and at the same time, he arranged for a woman from a family of doctors to take the place of the principal wife.”
Unfortunately, the woman surnamed Yan from the family of doctors was Changyan's mother.
The two childhood sweethearts shared a deep bond, and Consort Ju couldn't let go of this relationship. She became a concubine with tears in her eyes, and the entire Ju family became even more low-key and forbearing, even at the cost of withdrawing from the ranks of top aristocratic families.
When the late emperor was alive, the imperial family was still able to treat his wives and concubines equally. When he succeeded to the throne, he made Lady Yan his empress and Lady Ju his imperial concubine.
As time went by, the bond between childhood sweethearts eventually overcame everything, and Consort Ju began to enjoy exclusive favor, even giving birth to her eldest son first.
Even ordinary noble families required the principal wife to give birth to the eldest legitimate son before allowing concubines to give birth to children.
But Changyan was four years younger than Zhu Changhong.
This reflects both Empress Yan's lack of ambition and the imperial family's favoritism towards their childhood sweetheart.
In the end, the woman from a family of doctors died in despair.
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