Xiang Yue lifted the curtain and came in. Pei Rong took the teacup and handed it to the two masters. In her ear, she heard Concubine Lian say softly, "I don't know where the love comes from, but it's so deep. The emperor really loves Concubine Rou."
As she spoke, Concubine Hui coughed lightly. Concubine Lian came to her senses and looked at Fu Qianyu awkwardly, "Don't be offended, sister. That's not what I meant."
Fu Qianyu, however, smiled slowly while holding her teacup. "You are telling the truth. In all my time serving the Emperor, this is the first time I've seen him dote on someone so much. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that the Emperor's affection for Rou Zhaoyi isn't just the kind of favor between an emperor and his concubine, but rather something like the ordinary married couple. It's truly enviable."
Lady Hui held the Sixth Prince in her arms without saying a word, but just quietly watched Fu Qianyu smile. Compared to Concubine Rou's favor, she envied the calmness of the person in front of her more.
Talking about the matter of the empress, he said with a smile: "The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has already chosen the first day of September as the day for the empress to be crowned. Calculating the time, it will only be a few months away."
Seeing that her little son in her arms was already asleep, Fu Qianyu signaled the wet nurse to come and take the child away.
"The clothing bureau just delivered the phoenix robe a few days ago. It was made according to my original measurements. I didn't expect that after giving birth, the waist would be half an inch wider. I've altered it so many times, but I'm still not satisfied. I was just thinking of troubling you."
Lady Hui smiled and said, "I may not have any other skills, but when it comes to needlework, I'm second to none. No one dares to claim first place."
After some chatting and laughing, a palace maid came in shortly to report that the murderer of Concubine Dong and her servant had been found. It was Concubine Wu, who had entered the palace with Concubine Dong.
It is said that Concubine Wu was jealous of Lady Dong's favor and resentful of the difficulties Concubine Shu faced when she first entered the palace, so she decided to kill her and put the blame on Concubine Shu.
After hearing this, the three of them had different expressions on their faces.
Hui Meiren asked coldly, "This matter has been delayed for so long, and there has been no progress. How come it was suddenly discovered?"
The maid replied, "I heard that the Empress Dowager ordered the Imperial Court to close the case as quickly as possible, and the eunuchs serving in the Imperial Garden and the guards patrolling that day could not withstand the torture and confessed."
Fu Qianyu smiled leisurely and raised her hand to send the palace maid away.
Lianpin sighed: "The Queen Mother is really decisive and resolute."
Lady Hui said quietly, "I'm afraid it's not the Empress Dowager's decisiveness, but rather Consort Rou's. If Consort Shu continues to be confined, I'm afraid she'll be on equal footing with Consort Shu before next spring."
Just as Lady Hui had expected, at that time, Zhao Yuancheng was still accompanying Concubine Rou in Yanxue Palace.
Soon Zhu Yu came in and reported in a low voice through the screen: "Your Majesty, someone from the Empress Dowager's side said they would like you to go to Ci'an Palace."
Zhao Yuancheng glanced at Rou Zhaoyi who was already sleeping in his arms, then he got up and walked out. Before leaving, he asked Luzhu to serve him well, and then left Yanxue Palace.
Before getting on the sedan chair, Zhao Yuancheng asked Zhu Yu, "Is the Huayang Palace finished?"
"Yes, the concubines have already dispersed. It is Concubine Lian and Concubine Hui who are talking to the Imperial Noble Concubine."
Zhao Yuancheng hummed, "They are both gentle people. I remember that Concubine Lian is going to give birth in a month."
"Yes, the queen is due at the end of July."
"Go to the Shanggong Bureau and inform them that there's no need to wait until July. Tomorrow, I'll bring Concubine Lian's mother into the palace to serve. Also, there's a pair of Luanjin flower-embroidered hairpins in the storeroom. Find a suitable time to send them to Yongfu Palace for Concubine Hui. Then, convey the order that I'll have dinner at Huayang Palace later."
“Yeah.”
——
Ci'an Palace.
When the emperor came in, the empress dowager was worshiping Buddha in the Buddhist temple. Zhao Yuancheng wanted to wait outside the door, but was politely invited in by Nanny Song.
"The Queen Mother asked you to go to the Buddhist temple to see her."
Zhao Yuancheng didn't understand what was going on, but he still walked in.
The Buddhist temple is quiet and the sandalwood is lingering.
The empress dowager knelt on the cushion with a pious look on her face. Listening to the movement behind her, she knew that the emperor had arrived.
In front of the Bodhisattva, Zhao Yuancheng did not dare to be presumptuous. He kowtowed properly, lit a stick of incense himself, and then knelt again behind the empress dowager.
"Are you from Yanxue Palace?"
Zhao Yuancheng lowered his eyes and replied calmly, "Zhaoyi just lost her child, so it's only natural for me to spend more time with her."
The Queen Mother sneered, "There have been so many miscarriages in the palace, and even Concubine Qian, I've never seen you so heartbroken. Do you remember that today is the full moon celebration for the Sixth Prince, the Imperial Noble Concubine?"
Speaking of this, Zhao Yuancheng's eyes flashed with apology: "Yes, later on, I will go to Huayang Palace to talk to Yu'er."
"Emperor, you can favor someone, but you can't be devoted to them. Once you are devoted to them, it will bring disaster to the former court and the harem. It's been so long since the Fifth Prince died. Besides Yanxue Palace, have you been anywhere else? Do you still have the heart to investigate the death of Concubine Dong and her servant?"
The Queen Mother slowly turned around, her face solemn. "You are the Emperor, the future of Dajing rests on your shoulders, yet you are now neglecting state affairs for a woman? Do you really want everyone in the world to believe that Concubine Rou is a demonic concubine who is a disaster to the country?"
Zhao Yuancheng's face tightened and he said the word "I dare not".
The Queen Mother slowly stood up, her tone growing graver. "While Lady Dong's father held a low official position, he was still a censor earning a salary from the imperial court. A thousand-mile embankment can be destroyed by an ant hole. You've studied for so many years, do you still need me to teach you this little truth?"
"I dare not."
"Rou Zhaoyi comes from a humble background. It's understandable that you love her dearly. Everyone has selfish desires, and even you, the emperor, are no exception. But don't forget, when love is bestowed upon one person, resentment is also accumulated. Do you really want to cause unrest in the harem for her?"
"Your Majesty, your words are too serious. I would never dare to do so."
The Queen Mother sneered, "As a man, protecting your wife and daughter is the most basic thing. But you are not an ordinary man. You blindly do whatever you want in this palace. You know better than me what the consequences will be. Or maybe one day, you push them too far and make them make the wrong decision and kill Concubine Rou. Then you won't be able to blame anyone else, because she died because of you. Don't let yourself end up like the late emperor, with a reputation for being heartless and disloyal."
After saying this, the Queen Mother turned away.
Zhao Yuancheng knelt in the Buddhist temple for two hours before coming out. At that time, the empress dowager was lying on the couch, with a little palace maid massaging her legs.
Nanny Song looked at the emperor's expression and personally brought a chair to help the emperor sit down.
"Have you figured it out?"
Zhao Yuancheng's face turned serious and he said, "Mother, I know I was wrong."
The Queen Mother opened her eyes and said with a leisurely smile, "Even saints make mistakes, let alone you are so young."
Nanny Song came over with a teacup. Zhao Yuancheng took it and drank half of it before speaking again: "I thank you, mother, for taking care of Lady Dong. Also, Concubine Shu has suffered a lot of grievances recently. I will comfort her."
The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction: "Equal distribution of rain and dew is the sign of prosperity for the harem."
After coming out of Ci'an Palace, Zhao Yuancheng went directly to Huayang Palace. At that time, Peirong was instructing the palace maids to set dinner because she knew that the emperor would come.
Almost all the meals prepared today are Zhao Yuancheng's favorites.
Seeing the emperor coming, Fu Qianyu quickly knelt to salute, but Zhao Yuancheng held her hand and helped her up steadily. She apologized, "Today is the Sixth Prince's full moon ceremony. I only came to see you and your son now. Do you still blame me?"
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