Chapter 216 The Queen is Moving Back to Changchun Palace
Meng Yan walked straight to Empress Dowager Jiang without looking around and bowed to her.
"This concubine pays her respects to the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Jiang was delighted and said with a smile, "Get up quickly. You're pregnant, so it's hard to be formal. Forget about all these matters of face." After laughing, she said, "Come up quickly and sit next to me."
Meng Yan thanked her with a smile, took Ruizhu's hand, slowly stood up, walked forward, and sat on a throne beside the empress dowager.
Empress Dowager Jiang took her hand and asked her about her well-being. She answered with a smile and did not take Concubine Xuanhe seriously.
When Concubine Xuanhe saw this scene, her expression became even darker.
She worked hard and planned for her whole life, but in the end, the phoenix crown of the Queen of the Great Zhou Dynasty fell on someone else's head.
Hearing the intimate words above, Concubine Xuanhe felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife and she tore the handkerchief in her hand.
"...It's all because of my incompetence. I've worried the Empress Dowager. Fortunately, everything is fine."
"You kid, why are you so polite?"
Empress Dowager Jiang said this, then suddenly turned to Concubine Xuanhe and said, "Old sister, now that we have a queen in the palace, we have someone to decide everything. We can enjoy a peaceful and happy life from now on."
Concubine Xuanhe was caught off guard by the Empress Dowager's sudden address to her and shuddered. She quickly smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager is right. The Empress is deeply favored by the Emperor. She is young, beautiful, intelligent and capable. Naturally, she is good."
What she said was a bit nonsensical, showing that she was as frightened as a bird with a broken horn.
Meng Yan looked at her, her red lips curled slightly. "Your Highness, I've been in charge of the palace today, and I hope you will forgive me for my shortcomings. A few days ago, I heard that the Queen Mother had a stroke and fell ill. I wonder if she has recovered?" At this point, her smile deepened. "I was also very worried when I heard the news, but at that time, the Emperor kept me in Ti Shun Hall to recuperate, and I was unable to go out and visit you in person. I hope the Queen Mother will not blame me."
Concubine Xuanhe's face turned ashen, and after a while she said, "Your Majesty, what are you talking about? You are the Empress appointed by the Emperor, and you are pregnant with the heir. Your body is precious... How dare you worry about my little illness..."
The words sounded sour, as if the entire hall was filled with the smell of Shanxi aged vinegar.
Meng Yan's brows relaxed as she smiled, "Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. I'm the Empress, and it's my duty to look after the six palaces. From now on, if Your Highness has any troubles, please send someone to inform me. Don't feel embarrassed. Your Highness is already at an age where she can enjoy her retirement, and we shouldn't disturb her too much."
Seeing Meng Yan acting like the mistress of the harem, Concubine Xuanhe's face became even uglier.
She forced a smile. "Your Majesty is right. I thank you for your kindness. It's time to take my medicine. I won't sit with the Queen Mother and the Empress any longer. I'll be leaving now."
After she finished speaking, seeing that the two people at the table were silent, the empress dowager nodded and smiled, then stood up and left.
As she reached the door, she suddenly heard Meng Yan's voice from behind her, "The Emperor has issued an edict from the court, imprisoning Liang Benwu and confiscating the Liang residence. Over the past two days, many concubines have also reported Liang to me, alleging that she is causing trouble in the harem. I figured that now that I've taken this position, I should do a few things well and help the Emperor. So, I took the initiative this morning and issued an edict to demote Liang to a commoner and have her brought to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation. However, if the charges are proven true, what will be Liang's fate? Will she be banished to the cold palace or... I'd like to seek the Empress Dowager's advice."
How could such a large Liang family, the most prestigious family in the capital, be defeated like this?
Listening to Meng Yan's tone, it sounded as if she had just crushed an ant with ease.
Then I heard Empress Dowager Jiang say, "You are already the Empress. From now on, you can make decisions on such trivial matters on your own. There is no need to ask me again."
Let her make the decision...that means she can decide life and death in the harem, and the empress dowager will no longer interfere.
Empress Dowager Jiang, this really gives her power.
Concubine Xuanhe felt a chill down her spine, as if her only support had collapsed. She walked unsteadily and tripped over the threshold, nearly falling. Fortunately, the palace maid was quick-witted and quickly supported her, thus avoiding embarrassment.
Her face was ashen, and she was unaware that she had bitten her lips until they were bleeding. She staggered away, supported by a palace maid.
Meng Yan saw it with an indifferent expression.
Of course, she had never forgotten Lin Yanrong, and what she said just now was deliberately said to the old concubine.
Only by sweeping them all away together can the harem be truly peaceful.
She was lost in thought for a moment, but heard Empress Dowager Jiang sigh beside her, "She has carefully served me for half her life, yet now, in her old age, she is so confused."
Meng Yan quickly turned to look, only to see Empress Dowager Jiang's kind face, etched with sadness. A sudden realization dawned on her: the Empress Dowager had toiled her entire life, a journey fraught with bloodshed and intrigue, devoid of any close friends or family. Only the Concubine Xuanhe could barely be considered a companion. Yet, in the end, she had still betrayed the Empress Dowager by committing treason for the sake of her family name.
One can imagine the vicissitudes and lamentations in the Empress Dowager's heart.
The royal family is ruthless, and friendship in the harem is even more rare.
Somehow, Meng Yan suddenly thought of Bai Yuxin. She was lucky to have such a good friend in the harem.
She reached out her hand, grasped Empress Dowager Jiang's, and softly consoled her, "Your Majesty, this isn't new. Her wolfish ambitions have been there ever since she entered the palace. Your Majesty, there's no need to be disheartened by such a person." Then, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you have a son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and Aunt Zangxiu in this palace. We are a harmonious and beautiful family."
At this point, Meng Yan lowered her head and smiled, gently stroking her belly, "When this comes out, the Empress Dowager's knees will be even more lively."
Empress Dowager Jiang looked along the direction of her hand. She was three months pregnant and her belly was just beginning to show, but it was not very obvious.
In there, is her little grandson.
Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Jiang's eyes became even more loving and friendly. She laughed, "Well, after all, a girl is better than a boy. She's gentle and considerate, and she'll give me grandchildren! She's a hundred times better than that brat Hao'er!"
These words made everyone in the hall laugh.
Zang Xiu, standing at the side, said with a playful smile, "The Empress is truly a brilliant person. When she speaks, she is soothing to the heart. This is worthy of the Empress Dowager's love and care in the past."
Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and said yes. She suddenly raised her hand and touched Meng Yan's cheek. Looking at her plump and beautiful face, she smiled and said, "Girl, it's time for you to call me 'Mother' instead? Come on and call me that."
Being stared at by the Queen Mother with eyes full of expectation, Meng Yan suddenly felt a little embarrassed, her face flushed slightly, she lowered her head, and after a while she said softly, "Mother."
The sweet and crisp cry made Empress Dowager Jiang's heart burst into joy. She laughed a few times and said, "Well, you should have changed your words long ago!"
This laughter finally dispelled the gloom in the hall.
Empress Dowager Jiang pulled Meng Yan aside and spoke many words of greeting, carefully asking her how she ate three meals a day and how she slept at night. She then said, "You are already the queen, and it is unfair for you to still wear the crown and clothes of a noble concubine today."
Meng Yan smiled and said, "The Emperor just issued an edict in the court today to make me the Empress, so I am still wearing my old clothes. The Emperor has already ordered the Imperial Household Department to speed up the procurement of the Empress's clothing. However, there is one thing I would like to ask for your mother's grace."
Yin said, "There's nothing much to say about formal court attire. It must be worn according to the rules. But as for the empress's crown, I'd like to ask my mother to give me the crown that belonged to the princess."
Empress Dowager Jiang was slightly startled and frowned. "You and the late Empress had a very good relationship, so of course you don't have those concerns. However, the old things of our ancestors are inevitably a bit unlucky. You are different from Wang. You are the Empress that the Emperor asked for himself. I am afraid that the Emperor will not agree."
Meng Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, that's true, but I didn't just wear it. I just wanted to take a few of the pearls and inlay them, and that would be fine." Then she said softly, "Sister Wang treated me with great kindness in the past, and I don't want to forget her."
Empress Dowager Jiang listened, feeling somewhat touched. After a while, she nodded and sighed, "She's been gone for so many years, and you still miss her like this. This is a sign of deep affection and loyalty."
Meng Yan smiled, her eyes deep and profound, and she suddenly remembered the strange dream in which Sister Wang put the crown on her head with her own hands.
Today, she really took it.
After a few more words, Meng Yan remembered something and said with a smile, "Mother, there is one more thing I would like to hear from you."
Empress Dowager Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Another thing? Fine, tell me. I'm in a good mood today. As long as you don't cause any trouble, I'll agree to your request."
Meng Yan lowered her head and smiled, then told the story.
Empress Dowager Jiang looked at her and smiled for a long time, "What a naughty girl! Do you want me to be the bad guy for you? What's the matter? Have you finally grown tired of seeing Hao'er's face after spending so much time with him?"
Meng Yan hurriedly smiled and said she didn't dare, but she secretly thought in her heart that she was indeed a little tired of being pestered by him these past two days.
Empress Dowager Jiang laughed twice and said, "Alright, do as you wish. If the Emperor gives you a hard time, just say it was all my doing."
As they were talking and laughing, a palace maid came in and announced, "Princess He'an has finished school."
As soon as the sound fell, a small figure came running in.
The little guy came in, greeted Empress Dowager Jiang first, and then rolled into Meng Yan's arms, shouting, "Mother!"
This move made everyone laugh.
Empress Dowager Jiang pointed at the mother and laughed, "Look, this little devil is so clever. She pretends to be nice in front of me, but her true colors show up when she's in front of her mother."
Meng Yan caressed her head and face and looked at the child in her arms.
Doukou was wearing a bright red short jacket with a pattern of golden carp leaping over the dragon gate and silver rats on it, and a bean green butterfly-patterned silk sash with mutton-fat jade tied around her waist. She was not wearing a skirt underneath, but only a pair of autumn-scented satin cotton trousers with a swastika pattern on them, and deerskin short boots on her feet, which made her look even more lovely, as if her face was as white as powder and as beautiful as jade.
After not seeing him for a while, the child has grown taller.
It seems that as long as the parent is not around, the child will grow very fast.
She laughed and said, "Why are you dressed like a kid again? This Meng Ke'er ran in. I thought it was some kid who barged in so recklessly!"
Doukou raised her little face and giggled, "Skirts are too troublesome. I can't run fast or jump well. I don't want to wear them."
Queen Mother Jiang also laughed at the side and said, "This girl has a strange temper. Other girls like to wear flowery dresses, but she insists on being a tomboy. I think it's only been a few years since she started making trouble, so it's better to let her be." She laughed a few times and said meaningfully, "Yan girl, this child has suffered a lot. Her parents died young. I will love her more. Don't take it to heart."
Meng Yan naturally heard it and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, mother. No matter how many children the emperor and I have in the future, Doukou will be the eldest princess."
Empress Dowager Jiang listened, smiled and nodded.
Lu Hao left the court and walked towards Ti Shun Hall at a leisurely pace, with the Bao Xiang flower sachet hanging around his waist swaying.
He stood with his hands behind his back, a calm smile on his handsome face, revealing the extremely happy mood of this True Dragon Emperor.
Of course he was happy. From today on, his Yan'er was his queen and his legal wife.
This feeling of happiness and joy is no less than when he married her into the house.
If Lu Haozhi hadn't thought it was inappropriate, he would have almost hummed a little tune.
Just as I turned into the courtyard of Ti Shun Tang, I saw people coming in and out of the house, constantly carrying out various boxes and cages.
Lu Haozhi's expression changed slightly, and he felt strange.
Rong An observed the other's expression and quickly beckoned a palace servant over. "You, come here. What's going on? Who told you to move things out?"
The man replied, "Eunuch Rong, this is the Empress' order. She has sent people to pack up Changchun Palace and move there today."
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Haozi: You want to dump me right after becoming the queen?!
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