When the news of the conferment of the six palaces came out, some were happy while others were sad.
When Liu heard that Zhao Yuancheng wanted to promote her to the position of concubine, she was overjoyed. However, when she heard that her surname would still be used as her title, her joy was immediately extinguished.
"What does Your Majesty mean? The elders who served in the Eastern Palace before all had titles. Even Sun was given the character 'Hui' (Wisdom). But I have nothing! Your Majesty, aren't you slapping me in the face?"
Yun'er hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, please calm down. You are the prince's biological mother and a concubine. Who would dare to look down on you?"
Concubine Liu sat on the couch, her eyes filled with coldness. "Fu has already been promoted to Concubine before she even gave birth. If she gives birth to a prince, won't she be promoted to Imperial Concubine right away? If that happens, will there still be a place for us mother and son in the harem?"
"With the Empress around, how could she watch Fu's son ascend to the throne of Crown Prince?"
Liu held her forehead with her hand, a trace of fear flashing across her eyes. "That being said, I can't just sit there and wait for death."
"My lady, what do you want to do?"
"I will never let Fu give birth to this child safely."
"No," Yun'er hurriedly advised, "The Emperor was very concerned about Huayang Palace after the last incident. If we take action again, I'm afraid we will only bring disaster upon ourselves."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Concubine Liu's face was filled with annoyance. "We can't just watch her give birth to the child and let her become the crown prince, right?"
"My lady, I have heard some gossip recently."
"What?"
"I heard that Concubine Yi was the one who planned Xia's death that day."
Liu Fei was stunned. "Tell me clearly, what exactly is going on?"
"I don't know the details, but it seems that Concubine Yi took such ruthless action against Xia in order to consolidate her position in the palace."
"Nonsense," Concubine Liu said disdainfully, "Even if Xia gave birth to a princess, she was only a palace maid. How could Concubine Yi take such a person seriously?"
"No matter what the truth is, the princess is already seven years old. If she knew that her biological mother was murdered by Concubine Yi, what do you think she would do?"
Concubine Liu's mind moved, "Yes, the princess is a child after all, and she didn't use too much force. Even if she offended Fu, the emperor couldn't say anything."
"Your Majesty is clever."
A few days later, Concubine Liu went to Ci'an Palace to visit the second princess. Coincidentally, the Queen also brought Princess Jiahe to pay her respects to the Queen Mother.
Seeing the eldest princess taking care of the second princess, Concubine Liu said with relief, "Although Jiahe is young, she has the demeanor of an elder sister. It is because of the good education of the Empress."
The Queen smiled gently, "I heard that You'er caught a cold a few days ago. Is he feeling better now?"
Concubine Liu stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The palace physician is very skilled and You'er has recovered."
"That's good." The Queen Mother sighed, "I miss these grandchildren the most. As long as the children are safe and healthy, I will be satisfied."
Concubine Liu smiled and said, "With the Queen Mother's blessing, the children will be safe and sound."
As they were talking, the eldest princess started to make a fuss about going out to build a snowman. The Queen happened to have something to discuss with the Queen Mother, so Concubine Liu said, "Since Your Majesty has something to discuss with the Queen Mother, why don't I accompany the princesses out?"
The Queen Mother thought for a moment and said, "It would be better if the wet nurses all followed and served carefully."
"Yes, then I will take my leave first."
The group walked to the imperial garden. Concubine Liu was thinking about something in her mind, but because her wet nurse was present, she didn't dare to speak.
It was not until Jiahe was about to pick red plums that Liu Fei knew that her chance had come.
"Aunt Ping, the princess's hand warmer is cold. Please add some charcoal. I am here."
Aunt Ping was the eldest princess's wet nurse. She did not object to Concubine Liu's order, but took the hand warmer and turned to leave.
Concubine Liu took Jiahe's hand and slowly walked towards the plum garden. She asked softly, "Princess, do you want to pick plum blossoms for the Empress?"
Jia He hummed softly and said innocently, "My Queen Mother likes Hongmei the most."
"Princess, you are truly filial." Concubine Liu sighed falsely, "I remember that your biological mother also liked Hongmei."
When the princess mentioned her biological mother again, her tender face immediately fell. Concubine Liu squatted beside her, holding her little face, and asked, "Does Jiahe miss her mother?"
Jia He endured it, but tears kept welling up in her eyes. After a long time, she nodded, "I do, but Aunt Ping said that Mother committed a heinous crime. No matter how much I miss her, I can't mention her. Empress Liu, is that really true?"
Concubine Liu looked around, and after making sure that no one was around, she whispered, "Jiahe, your mother was murdered."
"What?"
"You are so young, I shouldn't tell you these things, but I really can't bear it. Your mother is so gentle, how could she do such a vicious thing? She was framed."
"Who is it?"
Concubine Liu sighed, "It's all in the past. Now you're being raised by the Empress, and you have a bright future ahead of you. Just forget about it."
Jia He missed his biological mother to begin with, so he was unwilling to follow Liu's advice. He quickly asked, "Madam Liu, if you knew the truth, why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, but the person who framed your mother is now in favor. If she knew about this, I'm afraid I wouldn't have a good life."
Seven-year-old Jiahe already had the ability to think, and immediately thought of someone in her mind, "Is it Empress Yi?"
Upon hearing these three words, Concubine Liu quickly covered Jiahe's mouth. Although she looked terrified, she was already overjoyed in her heart.
"Good child, just know it in your heart, but don't say it out loud." Concubine Liu instructed Jiahe in a deep voice, "I am telling you the truth because I feel sorry for you because you lost your mother at a young age. Now that you know it, you must pretend that you don't know it from now on. Otherwise, if your mother Yi finds out, I'm afraid Tang'er will lose her mother too."
"Why did she want to harm my mother?"
"The harem has always been like this. Your mother was the first person to serve your father. How could Concubine Yi tolerate her?"
Hearing this, Jiahe's face showed hatred that was not in line with her age. She bowed respectfully to Concubine Liu and said, "Thank you, Concubine Liu, for telling Jiahe the truth. Jiahe will never tell anyone else about what happened today."
"Good boy, listen to Madam Liu's advice and don't dwell on the past. I'm sure your mother, if she's still alive, wouldn't want to see you surrounded by hatred."
"The hatred for killing my mother is irreconcilable. How could Jiahe forget it?"
After saying this, Jiahe turned around and left, holding Hongmei.
Liu Fei slowly stood up, her almond-shaped eyes full of pride.
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