Chapter 79
Fengwu Palace.
The queen comforted the anxious Ding Changzai.
"Don't panic. You are pregnant now, so you need to stay calm. I have already asked someone to deal with the rumor. They will be severely punished, and no one will ever talk nonsense in front of you again."
Ding Changzai was worried: "But I am worried that Concubine Lan might have some problems."
The Queen patted her hands and said, "The rumors are groundless. Imperial Concubine Lan is not someone who believes everything she hears."
"What about His Majesty?" Ding Changzai said, "Will His Majesty... dislike my child like the Seventh Prince did?"
The Queen said with a smile: "Your situation is different from that of Concubine Yun. Relax and don't get upset and hurt the fetus."
Ding Chang stroked his lower abdomen worriedly and nodded.
After a while, she suddenly stood up and half-knelt down, "Your Majesty, please take full charge of my pregnancy care. I know I can't keep this child, so it's better for you to raise him directly! This will also help me earn a future for this child."
"Mrs. Ding, stop talking nonsense."
The Queen quickly helped her up and said, "Even if you can't raise the child, you still have to wait for His Majesty to decide who to give the child to. How can you and I have the final say on matters concerning the heir to the throne?"
"Besides," the queen paused, "if it was a prince, His Majesty would not consider me either."
Otherwise, the current balance among the princes will be broken, which is something Your Majesty absolutely does not want to see.
Ding Changzai: "Please have mercy on me, Your Majesty. If it is a prince, then Your Majesty will have the final say. But, but if it is a daughter..." She had tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty..."
The Queen looked reluctant and sighed, but still could not agree. She just said: "I agree to take over your pregnancy care, but child, let's wait until you give birth. Fengwu Palace is used to being quiet, and I don't want to cause a quarrel in the future."
Ding Changzai said gratefully, "Thank you, Madam."
Queen: "I will invite Concubine Lan to come over later, and you two can talk about this matter."
Ding Changzai: "Okay."
-
Shunning Palace.
The bedroom of Concubine Xuan.
Xin Qing said softly, "There is no source for the rumor. I asked around and some said it came from Concubine De's palace, some said it came from Concubine Ruan, Concubine Wen, Concubine Yi, Noble Lady Rong, and even... some even said it came from our palace."
Concubine Xuan shook her head: "This is to drag in all the palaces with princes."
However, Concubine Rong can be ruled out.
She only follows the lead of Concubine Lan. Spreading such rumors will not benefit Concubine Lan, so she would never do it.
"Pay attention to it in time. Tell me immediately if there is any news."
After the incident with Concubine Chu, she asked her family to investigate and found out that the mastermind might be Concubine Lan.
This matter is related to the Sixth Prince. Although it has nothing to do with Xiaoqi, it is always better to be more careful.
-
Xiuxiang Palace.
Concubine Lan has just returned from Fengwu Palace.
Talked to the anxious Ding Changzai about the rumors.
She was filled with rage and resentment: "Isn't it obvious that she is afraid that I will do something to her? She is using the power of the Queen to teach me a lesson. A mere concubine really thinks she is so important!"
Lian Zhu said: "Don't be angry, Madam. It's really beneath your dignity to argue with her."
Imperial Concubine Lan: "I haven't even settled the score with her yet. If the child in her belly is really unlucky for Xiaoliu, I will definitely..."
A fierce look flashed across her eyes, and then she withdrew her expression.
Now that Ding Changzai is being cared for by the Queen, her pregnancy is safe.
She waved her hand and said, "The Queen has taken the initiative to support her, so I can't just say nothing. Are the pieces of satin that Rong Guiren sent over a few days ago still in the warehouse?"
"Put them all there. Your Majesty, you may not like the material, but I think it is also very good silk," Lian Zhu said. "She always sends you the new goods as soon as they arrive."
Concubine Lan: "Just give those pieces of fabric to Concubine Ding, and it will also comfort her. She won't have to worry all day that I will harm her. In the end, the loss of the child is all blamed on me."
Lian Zhu nodded: "Yes."
After receiving the silk sent by Concubine Lan, Ding Changzai felt relieved and prepared a small gift in return.
-
Midsummer passed in a flash.
Qu Watanabe is already over seven years old.
The second prince left the palace to build his own residence and moved out of the prince's residence two months ago. The banquet to open his residence was not so grand and solemn, but was held peacefully and low-key.
The third prince asked for mercy so that he could leave three months earlier instead of waiting until the spring.
As one group leaves, another group moves in.
The fourth prince reached the age to move into the prince's residence, but he was reluctant to leave his old small bed, so he delayed moving for a long time.
Today is his first day living in the prince's residence. He took a special leave to move. After school, Qu Watanabe went to see him with the fifth prince and the sixth prince.
It is located in the southwest of Ganji Palace where the prince is, across the Liyang Gate.
The vacant East Palace is located in the southeast of Ganji Palace.
Between the Eastern Palace and the prince's residence, there is the Kanyin Gate, twelve arch bridges, and the Liyang Gate, facing each other from east to west.
Both the Eastern Palace and the princes' residences are quite close to the six ministries, making it convenient for the princes to contact court officials and state affairs.
Qu Watanabe was not clear about the construction of the East Palace.
He felt that what the prince built was really not very good.
It seems that this place has been expanded before, but the princes of the current Zhou Dynasty are getting older and not many of them live here, so many of the expanded palaces are in a state of disrepair.
The fourth prince lived in the [Panshi Courtyard] that used to belong to the second prince.
As soon as you enter the door, you will see all kinds of strange-shaped stones in the small courtyard.
The fourth prince was sweating profusely and was giving orders: "Be careful, everyone, be careful, my bed—"
His bed was very, very heavy, and the palace servants were complaining bitterly. God knows, for these people who were professionals in helping the princes move, it was the first time they had seen someone even move their bed.
The Sixth Prince: "Fourth Brother, you wouldn't do that."
The fourth prince wiped his sweat, turned his head, and said faintly: "If mother was not so determined, I would have wanted to pry away the floor tiles under my bed."
Qu Watanabe: “…”
The fifth prince: “…”
It was really hard for Concubine Yi to argue with Fourth Brother about prying the floor tiles. Qu Dubian held his forehead and said, "Fourth Brother, ask them to stop for a while and take a break."
The Fourth Prince: "Okay, stop for a moment and move later."
The palace maids put the bed down gently, and it made a thud, which showed how heavy it was.
Qu Watanabe: "Everyone, drink some ice sweet water."
Behind Ye Xiaoyuan were two eunuchs carrying wooden barrels filled with cooling water to which he had added a little honey and ice cubes.
The palace servants were all grateful.
The fourth prince also scooped a bowl and squatted on a stone to drink.
"Xiao Wu, go and scoop me a bowl." The Sixth Prince had servants around him, but he was used to ordering the Fifth Prince around.
He actually doesn't like to call the Fifth Prince brother.
Qu Dubian threw a stone and said, "Sixth brother, go by yourself, don't rely on fifth brother for everything."
The Sixth Prince snorted, "What's the matter, Xiaoqi? He is happy to do it. You can also go to him if you have any troubles."
"It's okay, Xiaoqi. Do you want it? I'll serve you a bowl." The fifth prince smiled.
Qu Watanabe: "Thank you, Fifth Brother. I'm not thirsty."
The fifth prince nodded and served a bowl of ice sweet water to the sixth prince.
He seemed willing and even smiling, but Qu Watanabe always felt that the Fifth Prince seemed to be even more silent.
"Fifth brother..." Qu Duanbian wanted to say something, but the Fourth Prince pulled him and said, "Xiao Qi, come in with me and take a look at my new pillow."
The Fourth Prince pulled him into the bedroom, where a lot of miscellaneous items were piled up.
He fiddled with it for a while, then stuffed a pillow into Qu Duanbian's hand and said, "Want to take care of Xiaowu and Xiaoliu?"
Qu Watanabe: "I don't think it's good to go on like this."
The fourth prince sat on the sundries and patted his brother's arm, "It's no use. Didn't you try it on me before?"
Qu Duanbian coughed lightly: "Fourth brother, you still remember."
"Well, their relationship is not up to them. If you are worried, just pay more attention to Xiaowu, or distract Xiaoliu." The fourth prince usually knows everything when he sleeps.
Qu Dubian glanced outside and saw the fifth prince and the sixth prince, one standing and one sitting.
He sighed.
It's not that he doesn't understand, but as he has grown up, he really wants to ease the situation.
An unequal relationship becomes more distorted as it grows older.
Qu Watanabe: "If you don't change, you're really going to be stuck in this pattern."
The Fourth Prince: "Xiao Qi, at least the relationship between them and you remains unchanged, so stop worrying. It's tiring."
He was worried that his seventh brother would worry too much and not live long.
"Maybe if Fifth Brother moves out of Changxin Palace, things will get better," Qu Dubian returned the small pillow to him, "Okay, Fourth Brother, I appreciate your hard work in getting me out. I understand."
The fourth prince approached quietly, "Xiaoqi, would you like to stay with me tonight?"
Qu Watanabe declined: "Fourth brother, I will come to accompany you in a few years."
The fourth prince sighed sadly.
"All right."
After going out, Qu Dubian pulled the fifth prince to the other side to help.
After the Fourth Prince's bed was moved in, they also helped to tidy up the items inside.
Qu Watanabe: "Fifth brother, you will also move in in two or three months. Which courtyard have you chosen? Tell father in advance and ask someone to come and clean up."
The fifth prince smiled and said, "It's still early, no rush."
Qu Dubian hooked his neck and blinked, "Fifth brother, if you are unhappy, please tell me."
The fifth prince was silent for a second, "I know."
But Concubine Rong was still his mother after all. If obtaining the position of concubine could make his mother less obsessed with climbing up the social ladder, it would be okay for him to be patient.
He took the bench that Qu Duan was holding and said, "Give it to Fifth Brother. Don't tire yourself out. Go sit over there."
"It's okay, let's go together."
-
The day after the Fourth Prince moved, he was almost late for class.
As soon as he arrived, he couldn't help but complain to Qu Dubian: "The prince's residence is too far away from the Sixth Palace of the East Garden..."
It's literally the diagonal distance.
Qu Watanabe: "Fourth brother, would you like to get up earlier in the future?"
The Fourth Prince: "I can sacrifice my breakfast time."
Qu Watanabe gave a thumbs up.
He can't do that. He feels uncomfortable if he goes hungry. He would rather sleep less than eat less.
Sometimes, I feel a little bored after listening to Master Xi's lectures too much. Qu Dubian's thoughts drifted away, and he thought that there was still a month before Ding Changzai gave birth.
The Queen has been looking after him for nine months, so it must be safe.
The rumors from the past are no longer heard now, and even the Sixth Prince doesn’t take them seriously. Will there be any more twists and turns?
He was still thinking about it in the morning, but unexpectedly, after school, when he and Zhiyi returned to Shunning Palace, he heard a piece of news.
"Concubine Ding has started giving birth!" Xin Qing pushed open the palace door breathlessly, and this was her first words.
Concubine Xuan: "Only nine months."
They were eating, and Qu Dubian slowed down the process of picking up food.
Xin Qing: "I heard from the people in Fengwu Palace that she suddenly felt severe pain and then she saw blood after fainting. Fortunately, there are imperial doctors and experienced midwives in Fengwu Palace, and Nanny Su also rushed over."
Zhiyi: "Empress Xuan, mother, should we go take a look?"
Guo Changzai said, "Sister, I'll go take a look. You don't have to go. Just stay in the palace and watch over them. Don't let them run around."
Concubine Xuan: "Okay, Xinqing, go and take another look."
Qu Watanabe: "Ye Banban."
Ye Xiaoyuan nodded: "Okay, I'll go too."
Guo Changzai led the two of them there in a hurry, and on the way they met some concubines who were also heading that way.
The birth of a concubine is a big event in the harem. No matter if it is for fun or for unspoken rules, anyone who is interested will go to take a look. Even if the concubine does not come, the palace will send at least someone to go.
This time Ding Changzai suddenly gave birth, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that there was something fishy going on.
Guo Changzai was one of the first to arrive. Standing in the corner of the main hall, she heard the wailing in the delivery room in the side hall, and felt sad. Often the women cried miserably and finally had no strength left. She always felt that Ding Changzai was in some danger this time.
The queen sat at the top, and soon, the concubines who had heard the news stood on both sides. Some spoke in low voices, while others glanced around, observing the expressions of the people around them inconspicuously.
After a while, the main ladies, including Concubine Lan, Concubine De, Concubine Wen, Concubine Yi, and Concubine Ruan, also came and sat below the Queen.
They come early, but women do not give birth quickly.
After waiting for about two hours, the sky gradually darkened and the palace was dim, and Emperor Chongzhao finally arrived.
"Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao came here after finishing his government affairs. He waved his hand and said, "Everyone, get up."
"Empress, how is Concubine Ding doing? How long will it take?"
Queen: "It's been more than two hours. I don't know how much longer it will take."
"Didn't she say that the birth would take another month? Why did she give birth so early? Queen, you didn't take good care of her. Did the imperial physician tell you what the reason is?"
The Queen stood up and confessed: "It was my negligence. The Imperial Physician said that Ding Changzai had been exposed to blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing substances for a long time, which caused the fetus to become unstable as the pregnancy progressed."
Guo Changzai's heart skipped a beat.
Oh my god, is there really something dirty? How did that thing get into Fengwu Palace? Can't you smell it?
The concubines around looked at each other, but did not dare to discuss it at this time.
Emperor Chongzhao said coldly: "After such a long time, no one has discovered it?"
Queen: "I have asked the imperial physician to examine Concubine Ding's underwear and daily utensils. The results will be out soon."
Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes.
About a quarter of an hour later, the imperial physician came up with two pieces of clothing.
"Your Majesty, the Queen."
Queen: "But is there any result?"
The imperial physician bowed and said, "Yes, these two pieces of clothing belong to Concubine Ding. When we examined them, we found that they had a very slight fragrance after washing, which could easily mix with the fragrance of the cosmetics that the empresses often use. So it is best not to be noticed when wearing them."
"After burning, I smelled the ashes and found that the fabric had been soaked in a blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing drug. The most powerful smell was... musk. After the treatment, the original smell of the musk was covered up."
Ye Xiaoyuan stood in the corner, looked up silently and glanced at the two sets of clothes.
Emperor Chongzhao: "Okay, good idea."
His eyes swept around coldly, "Who is Ding Changzai's personal maid? What's the matter with this dress?"
The queen raised her hand, and soon, Ding Changzai's personal maid came to the front of the palace and knelt down: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."
The Queen: "Take a look at these two sets of clothes of Ding Changzai. Where did they come from?"
The maid stepped forward and after examining it for a moment, she hesitated and said, "It seems that Chang Zai had just made it a few months ago... She thought the material was hard to come by, so she made it into a underwear. This is..."
Her face suddenly turned pale and she glanced towards the high-ranking concubine sitting on the left.
The Queen's tone sank: "Just tell me what you think of."
The personal maid kowtowed fiercely: "Your Majesty, the cloth that is often used to make clothes was... sent by Concubine Lan a few months ago!"
The whole palace was shocked.
Concubine Lan stood up suddenly: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
After saying this, she suddenly remembered that a few months ago, because of rumors, the Queen invited her to Fengwu Palace. After she returned to the palace, she gave her cloth to express that she didn't have the time to touch a child who posed no threat to the Sixth Prince because of rumors.
Concubine Lan's pupils shrank, and she suddenly turned around, pointed at Concubine Rong and said, "You, the cloth I gave to Concubine Ding was the one you gave me at the beginning. I thought it would be useless if it was just sitting there, so I might as well give it to Concubine Ding."
Lady Rong's face suddenly turned pale.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she took a step back.
"I, I didn't... I didn't!"
Lian Zhu stepped forward and said, "I can testify that my queen has never seen the cloth that Rong Guiren gave her. Otherwise, when the imperial physician took out these two sets of clothes, she should have recognized them, but she clearly didn't react at all just now."
Concubine Lan nodded: "That's right."
Emperor Chongzhao rested his elbows on the table and pressed his fingers on his forehead.
He said, "The cloth has only been with you two."
Concubine Lan and Concubine Rong both knelt down, "Your Majesty, please look into this matter."
"Oh no! There's heavy bleeding! Ding Chang is bleeding heavily!" The midwife from the delivery room in the side hall ran out with a cry of grief.
It was dark outside the hall, with shadows of low plants swaying in the air.
Emperor Chongzhao stood up and walked out quickly. It seemed as if he had returned to the night when Concubine Yun gave birth to her child more than seven years ago. He said in a deep voice, "Save the master."
The nanny's hands were covered in blood. "Your Majesty, now it is no longer a question of saving the adult or the child. I just hope that God will be merciful and save one of them if possible."
After reporting, he bowed and hurried back in.
The scene fell into deeper silence.
Emperor Chongzhao took a deep breath and said, "Noble Consort Lan and Noble Lady Rong will stay in Fengwu Palace. I am Decai."
Eunuch Yu: “Yes.”
"Search Xiuxiang Palace and Changxin Palace."
Eunuch Yu: “Yes.”
He flicked his whisk and left with a few eunuchs, leaving Eunuch Bao here to follow Emperor Chongzhao.
Concubine Lan's expression turned completely ugly.
Suddenly she remembered the previous rumor that Concubine Ding's child would bring bad luck to the Sixth Prince - this gave her the motive to take action.
I would like to ask, in the whole palace, besides her, who else would have a greater motive to harm Ding Changzai?
I'm afraid even His Majesty would be suspicious.
If someone must take the blame for this matter...
Concubine Lan looked at Concubine Rong.
-
About nine o'clock in the evening.
It was already very late when Concubine Guo just returned from Fengwu Palace.
The weather was fine when I left, but when I came back, the first autumn rain was falling from the sky.
The lights were lit in Shunning Palace.
Qu Dubian, Concubine Xuan and Zhiyi were all eating and waiting in the main hall.
When Guo Changyi came back, he ignored the dampness on his body and first drank a glass of warm water to calm his pounding heart before saying, "This is really a big deal!"
"Mrs. Ding gave birth to a princess, but she died not long after."
Zhiyi covered her mouth: "Ding... is gone?"
Qu Dubian calmed down and listened to what Guo Changzai said.
Concubine Xuan handed her a cotton towel to wipe her face and head: "Don't be anxious, talk slowly."
Guo Changzai: "The material used to make the clothes was soaked with musk. Ding Changzai wore it for a long time and it became like this. Guess what, the fabric was actually linked to Concubine Lan and Concubine Rong."
"Your Majesty sent people to search the palace and found the undelivered cloth at Rong Guiren's place. Now, Rong Guiren has been detained in the inner prison."
The inner prison was a place specifically for dealing with concubines, palace maids and others who had committed crimes.
"But, we all guessed that maybe it was Concubine Lan who ordered it. Of course, some people also think that Concubine Rong wanted to get rid of Concubine Ding's child in order to please Concubine Lan. After all, she used to please Concubine Lan a lot."
Concubine Xuan: "Is it only Concubine Rong who was locked up?"
Guo Changzai: "The palace maids who served her in Changxin Palace have also been locked up. The inner prison doesn't torture concubines, but there will be no mercy for these people."
Concubine Xuan: "Do you think it was these two who harmed Concubine Ding?"
Guo Changzai hesitated and said, "There must be one..."
Concubine Xuan: "There are too many coincidences in this matter."
After they finished talking, Ye Xiaoyuan came in. He took advantage of everyone's inattention to go around the delivery room. There was a bit of blood on his body, so he quickly took a shower and changed his clothes.
Qu Dubian asked: "Did the emperor tell me who will take care of the newborn baby sister?"
Guo Changzai shook her head: "Now he is being watched by the Queen, and Nanny Su is also there."
"But no matter what, it will be difficult for Concubine Rong to clear herself of the charges. Once she is in prison, it will be difficult for her to get out cleanly." Guo Changzai sighed softly, "If Concubine Lan is willing to help her, it would be fine, but I'm afraid..."
Afraid of adding insult to injury.
Qu Duanbian suddenly woke up, "Oh, right! Fifth brother!"
"Is Fifth Brother still in Changxin Palace now?"
Guo Changzai: "Maybe, Xiaoqi, you...?"
Qu Dubian stood up quickly: "Empress Xuan, Empress Guo, I'm going to Changxin Palace."
Concubine Xuan: "Xiao Qi, it's raining outside."
Qu Watanabe: "Empress Xuan, I think I should go and see her."
Concubine Xuan sighed and asked someone to bring a thick cloak, an umbrella, and a hat.
"I'll go with you. It's cold outside. Let's go quickly and come back quickly. Don't catch a cold and get sick."
"Empress Xuan, you just stay here, I'm fine."
Concubine Xuan knew that her child was a man of his own ideas, and generally speaking, she would not forcibly stop his behavior.
"Okay, then let Xiaoyuan follow you."
"Um."
Qu Dubian held an umbrella and turned to leave the main hall, and Ye Xiaoyuan also followed him with an umbrella.
Zhiyi waved her hand: "Brother, be careful!"
Dahei barked twice and chased after him. He shook his fur and said to Qu Dubian, "Woof."
Qu Dubian patted its head and said, "Old General, if you want to go out, then it will be our Dahei's turn."
Dahei shook his head and walked ahead.
Qu Dubian trotted to Changxin Palace. His martial arts training in the past few years was not in vain. After running all the way here and taking a short breath, his heartbeat calmed down.
Ye Xiaoyuan also practiced it. They walked around Changxin Palace and found that there was no one inside.
The yellow leaves were wet by the autumn rain, and they looked empty and desolate.
The fifth prince is not here either.
When he went out, he met a palace servant passing by and said, "Just now I saw that the fifth prince went to the Purple Palace."
The two had no choice but to go to the Zichen Palace again.
The Purple Palace was brightly lit, and eunuchs were standing at the gate to guard it.
There was a figure kneeling in front of the hall, his clothes already wet by the drizzling autumn rain.
Qu Dubian walked up the stairs holding an umbrella. He looked up and instantly recognized him. He shouted to the back:
"Fifth brother!"
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