Chapter 118 The Legend of Zhen Huan: An Lingrong 28
It would be better if the Empress Dowager were to leave the show early, so she wouldn't have to scheme against this person or that person anymore. It would be better if there was only one mountain on her head left.
Without further ado, in July, the Emperor received news that the Empress Dowager was seriously ill and bedridden.
The Emperor set off ahead of schedule, returning to the palace with his concubines. Less than half a month after their return, the Empress Dowager passed away.
A few days before her death, the Empress Dowager issued a special imperial edict, promoting Consort Shen to the rank of Imperial Concubine Shen and moving her to Jingyang Palace in recognition of her meritorious service in caring for the sick.
In fact, Consort Shen was not the only one who took care of the sick. An Lingrong arranged a schedule for them to take turns caring for the sick, but Consort Shen went to Shou Kang Palace to take care of her every day, and An Lingrong did not stop her.
The Empress Dowager was moved, and also because Shen was her niece. She was worried that Consort Shen might not be favored and would have difficulty getting promoted, so she issued this imperial edict to promote her, which would provide some protection.
The Empress Dowager also issued an imperial edict, exempting the Emperor from mourning and allowing him to continue his lineage. The reason, of course, was that the imperial physician had diagnosed that Consort Wan was carrying a princess.
She also hoped that Consort Shen and Consort Wan would give birth to a prince for the Emperor, a prince with the bloodline of the Ulanara or Uya families, and that this would not be ruined by the mourning period.
A month after the Empress Dowager's funeral, Aunt Zhuxi also passed away due to excessive grief. This was not done by An Lingrong, but by Consort Wan herself.
Yongshou Palace —
"Consort Wan, is Princess Jingwen's cold better?" An Lingrong asked Consort Wan with concern.
"Your Majesty, Jingwen has fully recovered," Consort Wan replied with a faint smile.
After the Empress Dowager and Zhu Xi passed away one after another, Consort Wan was completely free of constraints. Except for Consort Shen and Princess Jingwen, she always had a cold and distant attitude towards everyone else.
Even the emperor was the same; he repeatedly rejected the emperor's advances, and after a few times, the emperor visited Yonghe Palace less often.
"That's good. Tell the palace servants who are serving Jingwen to be more vigilant. They can even forget to close the window. They're too lax." An Lingrong frowned, her expression serious and indignant.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I have already reprimanded them, and the palace maids on duty that day have been handed over to the Censorate for punishment."
Consort Wan clutched her handkerchief, she was also very angry. Although Jingwen was born to someone she disliked, she was still her flesh and blood.
The child was innocent, and she also cared deeply for Jingwen. However, because a young palace maid had been sick for several days, she felt both heartbroken and angry.
How could we let that palace maid get away with it? We've already instructed the Censorate to teach her a lesson.
An Lingrong nodded. "Yes, that's the right thing to do. Make an example of someone to warn others, and the rest won't dare to be negligent."
After taking care of Consort Wan and Princess Jingwen, An Lingrong turned her attention to Consort Wan, who was pregnant.
"Consort Wan, you are seven months pregnant now, so you won't be able to go to the Yuanmingyuan this year."
"I know, the imperial fetus is of utmost importance. Besides, there won't be many concubines left in the palace by then, so I can use all the ice that my sisters have," Consort Wan teased.
An Lingrong replied magnanimously, "Use it as you like."
"But don't use too much ice, it's not good for you or the imperial heir. Imperial Physician Wen will stay in the palace to take care of your pregnancy."
"Yes." Consort Wan smiled and touched her belly. She knew that pregnant women shouldn't use too much ice, so she was just joking.
Consort Hui rose, bowed, and pleaded, "Your Highness, I am worried about Consort Wan. I do not intend to go to the Yuanmingyuan Garden. I wish to stay in the palace to take care of Consort Wan."
"Knowing that you and Consort Wan are very close, I will allow you to stay in the palace to take care of her. I will speak to the Emperor about this."
An Lingrong had no reason to refuse, nor did she intend to.
The original plan was to have a concubine of the rank of Pin or above to take care of them, and Consort Hui and Consort Wan were sisters, making them the best choice.
If other concubines were chosen, the selected person would inevitably be unhappy.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort." Consort Hui smiled sincerely as she thanked her, exchanged a glance with Consort Wan, and sat back down in her chair.
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