Chapter 119 Dad, Doesn’t Seem to Be a Good Person
Ever since Doukou spoke her first word, Meng Yan had an additional task every day, which was to teach Doukou how to speak.
Doukou was already four years old. Although she had been unable to speak before, it was only due to a mental illness; her voice and tongue were healthy. She had listened to people talking and laughing every day, and she had already learned some words in her mind. Now that she could speak, her progress was rapid, and she could learn a new sentence or two every day.
Meng Yan's child in her previous life was not born safely, so she had never experienced the joy of being a mother. Now that she is experiencing the joy of raising and educating a son or daughter for the first time, she is naturally full of tenderness and joy.
That afternoon, Meng Yan woke up from her nap and called Doukou over to her. She instructed her word by word, "Come and tell your mother that the Empress Dowager has a long and healthy life."
Doukou looked at her with her big black eyes, put her hands behind her back, and smiled with her rosy lips, but she didn't say anything.
Meng Yan thought the words were a bit long, so she separated them and said, "Emperor, Grandmother, and Mother."
Doukou shook her little head and still refused to speak.
Meng Yan immediately understood that the child was deliberately cheating.
She could already say the three words "Imperial Grandmother" two days ago. There is no reason why she suddenly can't say it now.
Meng Yan sat up straight and sighed helplessly, "This child, at such a young age, is already acting like a spoiled brat. He must be craving candy again."
Doukou had a childlike nature and loved sweets. Meng Yan was afraid she would damage her teeth, so she kept a strict watch on her every day and didn't allow her to eat too much sweets. She only gave her some snacks and candies as a reward when she was learning to speak or doing homework.
After a few times, Doukou learned the lesson. Relying on Meng Yan's pampering, she would always ask for rewards first, otherwise she would not speak or write.
Meng Yan pinched the child's rosy cheek and scolded her with a smile, "Little girl, you are playing tricks in front of your mother! Your royal grandmother's welcoming banquet will be in two days. You must learn it quickly so that you can kowtow to her on that day."
Her heart was still set on having the child spend more time with the Queen Mother. There were no princes or princesses in the palace yet, and as Xiao Doukou's only child, the Queen Mother would undoubtedly cherish her. She wanted to secure this favor for her child before the arrival of other princes and princesses; a solid foundation would ensure a smoother future.
Ruizhu filled her teacup for her, looked at her for a moment, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the other day when the Emperor came over, Eunuch Rong took advantage of the moment when no one was around and told me that the Emperor secretly wanted the princess to call him daddy. But the princess, perhaps because she hasn't learned how to do it, or is shy, has never spoken. I wonder if Your Majesty could give it some thought."
Meng Yan listened and was speechless for a moment.
Lu Haozhi had this intention, so logically she should go with the flow and strike while the iron was hot, teaching Doukou to stick to Lu Haozhi and win the emperor's favor, which would be of great benefit to the child's future.
But in this way, in Lu Haozhi's eyes, she was also seeking favor.
She was slightly lost in thought, holding the child on her lap, and asked casually, "Doukou, do you want a daddy?"
"In no mood!"
A babyish voice rang out loudly, Doukou grabbed Meng Yan's neck, and rubbed her little head against her mother, "I don't want to, I don't want to..."
Doukou was too young to understand many things in her little heart. She only remembered that her previous mother had died because of that father. Now, this man who wanted to be her father seemed to be here to steal her mother again.
Dad, he doesn’t seem to be a good person.
At this moment, the palace servant guarding the gate came in and announced, "Your Majesty, the virtuous concubine requests an audience."
Meng Yan knew that it must be about the case of Doukou falling into the water, so she said, "Please ask her to come in." Then she asked someone to carry the princess to the inner room and straighten her clothes.
After a while, Ren Shuyi slowly came in. The two of them greeted each other with a smile. Meng Yan asked her to sit down and asked the palace maid to serve tea.
Ren Shuyi sat down and without exchanging pleasantries, she went straight to the point, "Your Highness, I am here to visit you because of Princess He An falling into the water."
Meng Yan smiled faintly, "I think the answer is clear now?" Before she finished speaking, she added, "If you find another servant to take the blame again, I don't want to hear about it."
Ren Shuyi smiled slightly, "Your Majesty is a smart person, but it's not a servant, it's Concubine Zhao."
Meng Yan raised an eyebrow. "It's her?" She couldn't help but laugh. "Liang Chengbi is willing to invest some money this time. He probably knows that this matter is serious and it won't be effective if he doesn't push someone with some weight to come forward."
Ren Shuyi nodded and said, "The eunuch surnamed Liu endured two days of torture at the Ministry of Punishment, and finally confessed that it was Concubine Zhao who gave him the silver and plotted to murder Princess He'an. Concubine Zhao had repeatedly offended the Empress, and this was known to the entire palace. She was recently made to kneel in public by the Empress, and she harbored a deep hatred for the Empress. She had seen the Empress taking the princess to admire the lotus flowers by the Taiye Lake for two days, and after observing her for two days, she came up with this plan, hoping to frame the Empress for negligent care. Bai promised to befriend the Empress so that they could be apprehended and future troubles could be avoided."
Meng Yan sneered, "It's a good plan, but I think Zhao Chunfang's brain is not very bright, and I'm afraid she can't come up with such an idea. Can't we dig deeper?"
Ren Shuyi looked at her, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her pink lips curved slightly. "She has been operating in the palace for many years, and her power is complex and intertwined. It won't be so easy to succeed. Besides, Your Majesty is intelligent and should have a clearer understanding of the current situation than I do. Zhao was detained and questioned by me, and she has already confessed and signed. Your Majesty should... quit while you are ahead."
Meng Yan said nothing, but she knew what Ren Shuyi meant.
The current situation is extremely delicate.
Her brother Meng Changyuan was fighting at the border, commanding tens of thousands of troops. He was deeply feared by the ministers, especially the group of civil officials headed by Liang Benwu, who made a lot of noise in the court every day.
At this time in his previous life, that group of people would often make veiled insinuations in front of Lu Haozhi, implying that Meng Changyuan held military power and might threaten the lord. It was not until he became disabled in both legs and his temperament changed drastically that they stopped.
If I continue to hold on to this matter now, those people will surely think that Meng intends to pursue me relentlessly and will even gossip and fabricate charges in front of the emperor.
From ancient times to the present, ministers who control a large number of troops have always made emperors suspicious. Moreover, if people whisper in your ears all the time, even the most trust will be worn away.
Besides, Meng Yan didn't know what Lu Haozhi was thinking.
In the previous life, it was indeed wrong for his brother to rush into the palace, but he... still believed it.
Suppressing her thousands of thoughts, Meng Yan smiled faintly at Ren Shuyi, "What the virtuous concubine said is true. It was I who was not thoughtful enough. Since they have thrown Zhao out, let's just close the case here. I should thank the virtuous concubine for her help."
Ren Shuyi's smile deepened, "Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite with me. I still have a long time to live in the palace."
After seeing off the virtuous concubine, Meng Yan sat cross-legged on the kang, closed her eyes and thought for a moment.
When it comes to gaming, it’s all about the long term.
Liang Chengbi sacrificed the rook to save the king, so it was not a bad idea for her to quit while she was ahead, but she had to let everyone in the palace know what the consequences would be if she served as Liang Chengbi's pawn!
Having made up her mind, Meng Yan called Ruizhu, "Go and find out where the emperor is and what he is doing right now."
Ruizhu agreed and went out for a moment before returning, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is currently reviewing memorials in the Yangxin Palace."
Meng Yan nodded, "Help me change my clothes and go to Yangxin Palace."
After packing everything up, she took a sedan chair to the Yangxin Palace.
When he got outside the palace, Rong An felt surprised when he saw her. The imperial concubine was a rare guest in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.
He hurried forward and said with a smile, "The Imperial Concubine has arrived, but are you here to see the Emperor? Please wait a moment, the Emperor is inside seeing the Imperial Censor Zhang."
Meng Yan nodded with a smile and waited outside the door.
An old voice was heard from inside the palace, "The Emperor is now deeply in love with Meng, but you must know that it is easy to raise a tiger, but difficult to kill it. Meng now controls a large number of troops, and there is a risk that she will threaten the Emperor in the future."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
