Chapter 11 His Highness Finally Appears
After His Majesty left the palace for his southern tour, the harem remained peaceful for a while. However, as news of His Majesty's imminent return spread, this apparent tranquility was immediately shattered.
Since the death of the previous queen, the virtuous concubine who gave birth to the eldest son of the emperor, Prince Yu, has been regarded as the most senior old person in the upper palace. She is quite prestigious in the harem and even slightly surpasses the other two concubines.
Seeing that people below were uneasy, Concubine Xian simply took the lead and summoned all the concubines to her palace, saying that they wanted to discuss the matters of welcoming His Majesty back to the palace. Others gave her this face, except Concubine Shu, who had always been at odds with her.
When Concubine Xian looked down to her left, she saw that only Concubine Shu's seat was empty, and her expression turned unhappy.
De Fei, always diplomatic, hurried to smooth things over, "Since His Majesty left the palace, Sister Shu Fei has not been feeling well. She's been to the Imperial Hospital several times. Prince Jin even invited someone to the palace to visit her today. I think Sister Shu Fei is indeed seriously ill."
"Hmph." Concubine Xian sneered and slammed the teacup in her hand onto the table. "She's not sick at all. She's probably too embarrassed to see anyone."
Earlier, he had boasted to her that the Prince of Jin would be the charioteer on his southern tour, but unexpectedly, His Majesty suddenly changed his mind before the departure and slapped her hard, which also allowed her to vent her anger. The crown prince was always chosen from the eldest son, and even though her Yun Che was the eldest son, His Majesty favored the Prince of Jin, born to that bitch Concubine Shu, making her resent Concubine Shu and her son for a long time.
However, thinking that Yun Che had used his position as regent to smooth over relations with several ministers of the previous dynasty, her expression brightened again.
"Let's not talk about these disappointing things. I have already ordered people to prepare for the welcoming banquet in three days. My sisters should also clean up their own palaces in advance to welcome His Majesty. Don't let His Majesty's return to the palace spoil the fun."
The concubines below had different expressions. It was Concubine Yang, the former favorite, who spoke first: "I heard that Your Majesty brought a commoner woman back to the palace on this return trip. I wonder if this is true?"
She clenched her fists, but her face remained calm. Unlike the three concubines whose positions were secure due to their sons, she had truly relied on His Majesty's favor to rise to her current position. His Majesty had already been quite cold towards her before leaving the palace. To be brought back to the palace by His Majesty, the commoner must have some skills, and she might even threaten her position again.
The virtuous concubine glanced at her with a hint of sarcasm. Concubine Yang was so naive only because she entered the palace late. Their emperor was not a sentimental person who would favor one person for a long time. Instead of hoping for his favor, it would be better to find a way to give birth to a child first to consolidate her position.
"I have indeed heard of this matter, but according to rumors, the woman was born into a lowly merchant family. It must have been because she was more beautiful than ordinary people that His Majesty brought her back to the palace. At most, she would be given the title of Imperial Concubine. It's not a big deal. Sister Yang, don't worry."
Hearing the sarcasm in her words, Concubine Yang's face froze, and she forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your concern."
But he secretly hated the old woman, Concubine Xian, for being so hostile to His Majesty because she couldn't get his favor. He didn't know who had been running to the emperor's presence every day in the name of Prince Yu.
Returning to Yilan Palace where she lived, she waved away the serving maid in frustration, feeling so upset that she had no way to vent.
Before His Majesty left the palace, she went to the imperial court to ask for an audience many times, but was driven out without even seeing His Majesty. She had done nothing wrong, so why did His Majesty suddenly ignore her?
No, she couldn't give up like this. She had to find a way to regain His Majesty's favor.
On the other side, in Jingxiu Palace, after being informed by the palace servants, Prince Jin Chen Yunyi finally saw his biological mother, Concubine Shu, who had been away from home for over a month claiming illness.
Concubine Shu was lying on a pearwood chair, looking even more haggard than outsiders expected, which shocked Chen Yunyi and he really thought she was seriously ill.
Seeing her son's tall and graceful figure, Concubine Shu raised her hand and rubbed her forehead, her expression softening a little. "Why did Yun Yi come to the palace today? Could it be that those two from the previous dynasty, Prince Yu and Prince Zhuang, are trying to trip you up again?"
Chen Yunyi sat down beside her and calmly took a sip of the tea on the table.
"It's just some ghost tricks. There's no need for you, mother, to worry about it."
Prince Zhuang's biological mother was merely a talented woman, and even though he grew up under Concubine De's wing, he was naturally inferior in status and did not dare to directly challenge him. Only Prince Yu, relying on his status as the eldest son, would constantly order him around, but he simply ignored him.
Prince Yu held a superior position. If his father had intended to appoint him as the heir, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until today? He now saw Prince Yu as nothing more than a clown, whose whirlwind life wouldn't last long. He had deliberately allowed Prince Yu to socialize with ministers in the former court these days, just to wait for his father to return to the palace and observe his fate. His father's greatest fear was forming factions in the court.
Concubine Shu looked at her son with satisfaction. Whether in appearance or personality, Yun Yi was the most like His Majesty. Even His Majesty himself had said, "This child is most like me." This made her confident that His Majesty favored Yun Yi as the crown prince.
"If you can successfully represent His Majesty on this southern tour, you will definitely be able to suppress the others after returning to the palace." Concubine Shu still felt very regretful and somewhat resented His Majesty for going back on his word. "How could I have known that His Majesty would suddenly change his mind?"
Chen Yunyi paused, his heart stirring for some unknown reason. He vaguely felt that while he had missed out on this southern tour, he had also lost something more important. But he remained impassive, "Father naturally has his reasons."
Shu Fei knew her son always had his own ideas, so she stopped talking and changed the subject. "Mother heard that you rarely come into the backyard. Although I don't like the princess's personality, she is from the Duke's Mansion after all, and it was arranged by His Majesty personally. You must give her some respect. If you and the princess can give birth to a grandson first, you will have more leverage with His Majesty."
When she brought up this topic, Chen Yunyi's face showed displeasure, even a hint of annoyance. However, in front of his mother, he suppressed his temper and pretended to understand.
"Mother is right. I will pay attention to it."
As for whether he would do so, he had his own plans in mind.
After coming out of Concubine Shu's palace, he returned to the palace in a cold and solemn manner. Without even saying hello to the princess, he buried his head in the study.
The maids carefully held the tea beside him, not daring to make a sound. His Highness had become increasingly close to His Majesty over the years, his aura so overwhelming that even the maids who had served him since childhood dared not disturb him.
Chen Yunyi picked up the pen and drew on the paper with great speed, his brows furrowed more and more. Finally, he suddenly threw the pen aside in frustration, held his forehead, looked up at the ceiling and couldn't help sighing.
"Why can't I see clearly?"
On the delicate snow-wave paper, there is a picture of a beautiful woman with a slim figure.
However, the beauty's face was blank.
Why do I dream about you so many times but still can’t see your face clearly?
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