Chapter 136 Mother-Son Bond
As the Lunar New Year approaches, Consort Hui, Chen Meizhuang, remains a highly sought-after new favorite.
Among the newcomers, Consort Fucha and Consort Borjigit, who had already served the emperor, caused no significant stir. Of the four who had not yet served the emperor after Shen Meizhuang, Fang Jiayi was too young to do so.
The remaining three, whether due to the Emperor's busy schedule or simply forgetfulness, were never summoned. Fortunately, Xia Dongchun, with her good family background and the help of her family, did not suffer any mistreatment. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, under Shen Meizhuang's protection, also fared relatively well.
However, only they themselves know whether they feel disappointed.
However, during this time, the other women in the harem had no time to watch them make a fool of themselves, because rumors were spreading in Jingren Palace that the Emperor intended to bestow great honors upon the women in the harem during the first New Year after the mourning period.
Without the Empress's tacit approval, how could such news dare to spread from Jingren Palace? It's probably highly likely to be true. Therefore, upon hearing this news, many people were eager to take action.
After all, in this palace, besides offspring and favor, the higher the rank, the better.
Now that Qi Yuebin is supporting the Second Prince Hongyun, he naturally no longer lives in the cramped and secluded Yanqing Palace. He now lives in Qixiang Palace with Consort Ning, Mei Qiyue.
"Your Highness, the Second Prince has gone to see Consort Ning." Jixiang stood next to Qi Yuebin, who was pruning the flowers, and whispered her report.
“Hongyun is a filial son. Consort Ning has been ill for some time, so it’s time to go and see her. Tell the servants to be careful and take good care of her.”
With a "snip" sound, Qi Yuebin casually gave instructions while slowly and methodically pruning away the unimportant branches, shaping the flower into the form she desired.
"Yes." Jixiang responded, hesitated for a moment, and then couldn't help but ask, "Recently, rumors have spread throughout the palace that the Emperor intends to bestow titles and honors upon the concubines. Does Your Majesty think it's true?"
"The Empress is always cautious; the news wouldn't get out without the Emperor's permission."
Hearing Qi Yuebin say this, Jixiang became even more conflicted. If Qi Yuebin saw this, he would think she was worried about him, so he explained calmly, "I am already a concubine, which is the end of my career. No matter how many titles I am given, it will not be my turn."
Seeing his master's relaxed demeanor, clearly not taking this to heart, Jixiang breathed a sigh of relief, but another suspicion weighed even more heavily on his mind.
"Your Majesty, with the grand conferment of titles upon the harem, I imagine Consort Ning will be no exception... The next rank up is Imperial Concubine, who can then raise their own children..."
"Crack!"
Qi Yuebin paused, put down the scissors, and was unusually troubled by a mix of emotions. Jixiang's worries were also her worries. Over the years, her life hadn't been bad, but there was one thing that she could never let go of.
She was, after all, just Hongyun's adoptive mother. The more she cared for Hongyun, the more uneasy she felt. When she first adopted him, Qi Yuebin only wanted a son to support her in her old age, and she only hoped that Hongyun would show her some sincerity. But as Hongyun grew older, Qi Yuebin wanted more and more.
Hongyun wasn't bad, but she gave her whole heart as a mother, and Consort Ning did the same. Hongyun only had one child, yet her love for her mother had to be split in two. How could a return of only 5% be considered a worthwhile deal for Qi Yuebin?
Thinking about what Jixiang had just said, Qi Yuebin became unusually irritable. He also found the trimmed flower branches in the vase displeasing and pulled them out, throwing them on the ground.
"No matter how much effort I put in, or how well I prune it, it just won't grow like what's grown in a bottle..."
In Changchun Palace, Consort Li Jingyan resided in the left hall, while Noble Lady Geng Shanyun lived in the right side hall. It was a day of rest for the Imperial Study, and the Third Prince Hongshi, along with the Fifth Prince Hongzhou, came to Changchun Palace to pay their respects to their birth mother.
"Hongshi, are you tired from studying? Are you hungry?" At the palace gate, as soon as she saw her son arrive, Li Jingyan rushed over happily and asked Hongshi about his well-being.
Eight-year-old Hongshi felt he couldn't maintain his composed older brother image in front of Hongzhou. He blushed with embarrassment as Li Jingyan coaxed him like this.
"Mother, please stop talking. Fifth Brother is still here."
Reminded by Hongshi, Li Jingyan noticed the small figure beside her and chuckled as she patted Hongzhou's head. "Hongzhou's here too. He must be here to see Sister Geng."
"Yes, Lady Li." Hongzhou pursed his lips, smiled shyly, and looked a little embarrassed.
"Oh dear, Mother, you really are..." Hongshi was speechless. What was his mother saying? Why did Hongzhou come to see his birth mother instead of his mother?
"Is Hongshi hungry? Mother will take you back for a meal." Li Jingyan misunderstood Hongshi's meaning and quickly pulled him back. Hongshi couldn't break free for a moment and didn't even have time to say goodbye to Hongzhou.
"Mother, I didn't..."
"Yes, yes, Mom knows. I've prepared all your favorite foods, so don't worry..."
"Mother, I'm not hungry..."
"Nonsense, your mother sees you've grown taller recently. You're growing fast and hungry, so don't be embarrassed..."
Seeing Li Jingyan leading Hongshi away, Hongzhou felt a pang of envy. Empress Li was so good to his third brother. Lost in thought, he suddenly met the eyes of Geng Shanyun waiting before the palace. Seeing her smiling face, Hongzhou couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Did his mother miss him too…?
"Mother."
“Hongzhou”.
"I'm here." Hongzhou's short legs tumbled over to Geng Shanyun, and he looked up at her with a pair of round eyes that looked just like Geng Shanyun's, full of expectation.
Geng Shanyun's heart stirred, and her hand, which was at her side, twitched slightly, but she ultimately did not touch his head like Li Jingyan had done.
"Come in."
After uttering those words curtly, ignoring Hongzhou's disappointed gaze, Geng Shanyun turned and went into the inner hall first. The relationship between mother and son seemed extremely distant.
"Let's have a meal together."
"Okay." Hongzhou, who was originally disappointed, followed Geng Shanyun into the main hall. When he saw his mother sitting down at the table and beckoning to him, Hongzhou couldn't help but smile and scurry over. He was overjoyed to see that there was a dish of sweet and sour pork, which was his favorite. His mother still liked him after all.
After Geng Shanyun gently placed a piece of sweet and sour pork on his plate, Hongzhou felt like the happiest child in the world.
“Mother will eat too.” Hongzhou’s eyes were bright as he looked at Geng Shanyun, so bright that Geng Shanyun couldn’t help but look away.
"Thank you, Hongzhou." Geng Shanyun ate the food that Hongzhou put on her plate, and Hongzhou was so happy that he couldn't stop putting food on her plate, wanting her to taste every dish.
Fortunately, Geng Shanyun stopped her in time, saying, "Don't just put food on my plate, you should eat some too. Do you like this sweet and sour pork?"
"I love it, I love it so much." After eating the meat that his mother had put in his bowl, Hongzhou felt that it was even more delicious than before.
"That's good..." Geng Shanyun hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Hongzhou was indeed happy, she gently smiled and asked softly, "Have you gone to Jingren Palace to pay your respects recently?"
"Yes, I did. Yesterday, my elder brother took me to dine with my mother. Both my elder brother and my mother like Hongzhou very much." Faced with his mother's question, Hongzhou answered obediently, just like a child who couldn't wait to prove his excellence to his mother.
"Yes, the Empress and the First Prince both like you very much... Hongzhou, can your mother ask you for a favor?"
"Mother?" Although the smile on his mother's face was still gentle, Hongzhou felt a little scared when he met her eyes.
“It’s very simple,” Geng Shanyun’s tone was unusually fluctuating. “Your imperial father is going to bestow titles upon the harem. He will definitely discuss it with the Empress. Hongzhou, since you are so favored by the Empress and the First Prince, please put in a good word for your mother. We don’t need any high positions, just a concubine rank will do. Hongzhou, Hongzhou, are you listening?”
The sudden increase in volume from Geng Shanyun startled Hongzhou, causing his eyes to redden slightly. He stared blankly at Geng Shanyun's somewhat ferocious appearance and nodded blankly.
Perhaps realizing that she had revealed a bad side to Hongzhou, Geng Shanyun took a deep breath, adjusted her attitude, and put on the smile that Hongzhou used to know and cherish.
“It’s your mother who’s worried… Hongzhou, your mother just doesn’t want you to be looked down upon by others. Your birth mother is just a noblewoman, and it won’t look good for you if word gets out, right? I know little Hongzhou loves his mother the most, and he will definitely help his mother fulfill this wish, won’t he? It’s very simple…”
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