Chapter 204: Love for a Lifetime
When mentioning Xiao Si, tears welled up in Pei's mother's eyes again.
"When the Empress sent word that she was pregnant, my mother became extremely worried, fearing she would be murdered. After hearing that a concubine could summon her biological mother to the palace to take care of her, she began to prepare."
"But who would have thought that the Empress would not allow me to come to the capital because she was afraid of the long journey. During the days when you were expected to give birth, my family never slept a wink, fearing that something might happen to you."
"Mother is even more sad and guilty. I didn't give you a good family background. You were inferior to others as soon as you entered the palace. I wasn't even by your side to look after you when you gave birth. I am truly an incompetent mother."
"Fortunately, the queen has lived up to her promise and gave birth to a prince safely. Mother can finally put her mind at ease."
Pei Tingyue's heart was filled with mixed emotions. She stood up and hugged Pei's mother, "Don't be sad, mother. You will be able to see your daughter often in the future."
Pei Tingyue told the emperor about his plan.
Mother Pei was a little surprised at first, then nodded with tears in her eyes, "Okay, from now on, mother will stay in Kyoto with the queen."
When the three sisters-in-law heard about it, they were surprised and happy.
There is the uneasiness of leaving the homeland and the anticipation for the future.
Speaking of Xiao Si, Mother Pei asked worriedly, "Now that the Empress has left the palace, who will take care of the little prince?"
Pei Tingyue smiled and said, "In the Imperial Concubine's palace."
Mother Pei nodded slightly: "Is that the Imperial Concubine that Her Majesty mentioned in the letter?"
"It's her. When mother comes to the palace, I will take you to meet her."
Mother Pei still had a worried look on her face. She asked anxiously, "Is this Imperial Concubine really as good as Your Majesty said?"
Pei Tingyue explained with a smile: "Yes, when my daughter was in a low position, it was the Imperial Concubine who took care of her. She is the one to whom she is most grateful."
Mother Pei nodded and said, "There is such a kind person as Duiyue'er in this world. Mother is grateful to her and is willing to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures to pray for her day and night."
Pei Tingyue smiled and said, "Mother, there's no need to be like this. I remember all the kindness that the Imperial Concubine has shown me. Between her and me, we are sincere to each other. There's no need for us to do these things."
Pei Tingyue chatted with her three sisters-in-law for a few more words. Seeing that it was getting late, Pei's mother gave her a look and the three sisters-in-law left.
For a moment, mother and daughter were the only ones left in the hall, and they were finally able to have some private conversation.
Mother Pei looked far away and spoke slowly.
"Ever since the Empress came to the capital and was selected, there has been a steady stream of people visiting our residence."
"Lin'an Prefecture finally had a concubine, so naturally, officials from all walks of life wanted to curry favor with her. Previously, they only tried to curry favor with her, offering her a promotion for your father and official positions for your brothers. Some even went so far as to offer her millions of gold and valuables."
"Your father knew that accepting gifts meant doing things for them. That would not only cause trouble for the family, but would also implicate the Empress. Therefore, your father refused all of these offers and warned your brothers and sisters-in-law not to accept bribes in secret."
"But later, your status rose higher and higher, from Baolin, to Jieyu, to Zhaoyi, and finally you became pregnant with the emperor's heir, and you were already a favored concubine. These people could no longer hold back. First, the prefect came personally, and then third-rank officials and second-rank officials came one after another, half-fawning and half-threatening, forcing our family to accept the gifts."
"Your father had no choice. The lives of his family were still in Lin'an Prefecture. If he completely broke off relations with them and angered them, even if someone suddenly disappeared, they wouldn't be able to find out who did it. So, he refused everything he could, and accepted some that he couldn't refuse."
"These things, including gold, silver, jewels, land deeds, and farmland, are all extremely valuable. Now that I've come to Jiangzhou, I've brought them all with me, unopened, and locked them up in the warehouse."
"Here is a list with the names of the officials and the specific gifts. I'm giving it to you now. Please handle it."
Pei Tingyue took the envelope with mixed feelings.
She felt extremely guilty: "Mother, it's my fault. I didn't bring any glory to my family, but instead let them suffer such a threat."
Mother Pei smiled and shook her head. "It was glorious, especially during the New Year holidays. Our family received imperial decrees and rewards, and so many people envied us. Even the people in our streets and alleys were all beaming when they talked about you."
Pei Tingyue whispered, "What's the point of all this external splendor? I haven't made life comfortable for my family, and I've only caused them to worry. When I sent letters home, they didn't accept any of the money, but instead put so much of it into the palace. I feel really guilty."
Mother Pei held her hand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes again. "It's Father and Mother who are feeling guilty. The palace is expensive, and the money we gave you was so little, not as much as others. We've already been unfair to you, so how could we possibly take the money you've worked so hard to save?"
Pei Tingyue said, "After my daughter gave birth to Zhou Zhou, the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress all gave her a reward of ten thousand taels of silver. Now that I have enough money, I will give it to my family next time. You are not allowed to return it, otherwise my daughter will be angry."
Before Pei's mother could say anything, Pei Tingyue said coquettishly, "Mother, are you going to make your daughter angry?"
Mother Pei quickly said, "Don't be angry, Madam. The family will accept it."
Pei Tingyue then started to laugh.
Mother Pei smiled a little, but quickly put it away. She asked cautiously, "Last year you were promoted repeatedly. Is the Emperor treating the Empress well?"
Pei Tingyue thought about it and decided to speak well of him. "Well, after I went to the emperor's bedchamber last March, the emperor has often summoned my daughter to his chamberlain. He has been treating her better and better. Even after Zhou Zhou was born, his favor for her has not diminished."
Mother Pei finally breathed a sigh of relief: "The Emperor is truly kind to the Empress, and Mother is relieved."
Mothers need to be more observant than others.
She had seen it just now. When the emperor went up the stairs, he supported his daughter. Even when he sat down in the hall, he let his daughter sit first before he sat down himself. And when he cried just now, the pain in his eyes was clear.
Each of these things actually showed their love and affection more than that of an ordinary couple. Now that her daughter had said it herself, she was completely relieved.
However, she still warned: "The palace is not like home. You can't let your majesty lose his temper. Especially with the emperor, you should be gentler if possible. He is the emperor, and it is impossible for him to always put on a sullen face to appease women."
Pei Tingyue smiled and said, "Mother, I know everything. I never lose my temper in front of the Emperor because I listen to him."
Mother Pei looked at the sweetness on the corner of her lips and became a little worried again.
Flowers don’t last forever. If one day, my daughter loses her love, I will be heartbroken and frustrated...
At this moment, Pei's mother did not realize that her worries were completely unnecessary.
The emperor who ruled the world truly gave his daughter the utmost love throughout her life.
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