Chapter 113: She will eventually get...
When Zhao Changning heard the Queen's words, he was surprisingly not surprised. Instead, he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. It was a little unexpected, but also within his expectations.
Her eyes were slightly deep as she looked at the queen, which looked particularly profound under the light. She did not speak for a long time.
The Queen was a little nervous. "Changning, do you think I, I am extremely rebellious? If you want to tell the Emperor, I, I..."
Zhao Changning pretended to be troubled and lowered his head.
Chunyun was anxious and pushed her shoulder. "Changning, our queen is very kind to you and treats you like her own sister. But look at the emperor, how does he treat you? He summons you and dismisses you at will. Moreover, with your talent..."
Zhao Changning just found it extremely interesting.
Interests can move people's hearts, but if they cannot be shaken, it means that the reward is not enough or the threat is not serious enough. This is the case with her and the queen at this moment.
Should I do it or not?
Maybe you will die if you fail, but everyone will die eventually, and humans are the most suicidal creatures in the world.
She slowly raised her head and nodded with a troubled look on her face, "Your Majesty, I am naturally considering the eldest princess, but regarding this matter, you..."
The queen breathed a sigh of relief, and thinking of Zhao Changning's concern for Yao'er, her heart, which had been lifted up in the air, slowly settled down.
"Don't worry about that. I will make sure it's perfect. No matter what, I will always consider Yao'er."
Zhao Changning stopped talking.
Sure enough, just five days later, there was a big commotion in the Qinzheng Hall. Almost all the imperial physicians went there, but no news leaked out.
Three days later, there was a disturbance in the court, and the emperor reluctantly let out a few words, saying that the emperor had also contracted chickenpox.
Zhao Changning was really curious about how the queen did it, but there were many things where curiosity was meaningless, and she didn't care about the truth.
Chickenpox is highly contagious, and many palace maids and eunuchs who had never had chickenpox were also infected, which undoubtedly increased the panic.
The emperor directly sent all the princes and princesses who had not been infected to the Jingshan Palace in the hope that they could avoid it.
The Queen and Zhao Changning were used to managing the harem and could still control it, but they both did not interfere in the Qinzheng Palace.
As the first wife of the emperor, the empress naturally showed concern for him on the surface. She brought soup and medicine to him every day, and brought the concubines to pay their respects to the emperor at the door to reassure him.
This move naturally won everyone's approval. The queen has always been prestigious, and now she is even more respected. As for some dissenting voices, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Zhao Changning was actually a little nervous. Chickenpox can indeed be fatal to children, but not necessarily to adults.
But her worries were soon dispelled because the emperor was not infected with chickenpox, but smallpox.
This was more terrifying than chickenpox. The most important thing was that the Imperial Medical Office had been using the same method to treat chickenpox to treat the emperor's smallpox until someone finally discovered the clue.
However, this news did not spread, and the people in the Imperial Hospital did not dare to make it public. If the crime was carefully examined, everyone would be sentenced to death.
But more importantly, smallpox is more contagious and faster than chickenpox. Once it spreads, how can Dayong withstand it now?
Such important news eventually reached the Empress Dowager. After all, they were married and there was no Empress Dowager in the harem, so the Empress Dowager had to know.
"It's actually smallpox. Then, what about the Qinzheng Palace? Should we move the emperor out?"
The head of the Imperial Hospital wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Absolutely not, Empress. The Diligent Administration Hall has been completely sealed off. We have also used medicine around the Diligent Administration Hall. As long as you are careful and don't go there on weekdays, the disease will not spread. If it spreads, it will cause trouble. Even the Emperor himself will not be able to stop it."
The queen breathed a sigh of relief, the sadness in her eyes seemed to be overflowing, and she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
She choked up and said, "My dear doctors, please do your best to help me. The emperor's health cannot withstand such hardship..."
Everyone responded and started to persuade him, all with sad expressions on their faces.
Zhao Changning saw it clearly from the side. She noticed that the queen was worried and anxious, but also felt relieved. She even pursed her lips slightly when she heard that it was better for the emperor not to move.
In fact, the emperor was not incompetent, but rather a wise ruler. Unfortunately, no one is perfect. After being a wise ruler for a few years and eliminating dissidents, he became willful and unscrupulous. Most importantly, he did not have as good a body as the previous emperor.
At this time, the emperor was fully concerned about Dayong, which was actually exactly what the queen wanted. No wonder they were husband and wife, close relatives and distant relatives, and knew each other's temperament very well.
When the queen saw that everyone had left, the sadness on her face slowly faded away, but she did not look happy anymore. Instead, she looked extremely tired, with a hint of sadness and uneasiness in her eyes.
Zhao Changning handed her a cup of cool tea and said, "My Lady, please drink some tea to moisten your throat."
"I caused this smallpox. It wasn't easy." The Queen suddenly murmured, "Changning, am I the one who is vicious, or is he the one who is ruthless?"
It's not that he is very bad, nor is it that he is heartless. It's not that they must turn against each other. They have been married for many years, and their relationship is no longer something that can be summed up by the word "love". However, years of cold treatment and distrust have finally chilled her heart.
By letting that little bastard be the crown prince, he was effectively destroying her and Yao'er's chances of survival. In fact, he had never really considered them, mother and daughter.
Zhao Changning didn't expect the Queen to trust her so much. She quickly took the Queen's hand and squeezed it hard. "Your Majesty, don't think too much. Think about the eldest princess and the third prince."
It had been a long time since anyone mentioned the Third Prince who had passed away many years ago. When the Queen mentioned her innocently dead son, the hesitation and indecision in her eyes indeed disappeared.
A string of tears fell on her thin cheeks, but hatred flashed in her tired eyes. "Yes, you are right, Changning, I can't think so much."
But as they had been married for so many years, it would be a lie to say that they had no feelings for each other, but the hatred they felt at this moment was also real. The queen felt heartbroken and fainted.
Summer gradually passed, the maple leaves slowly turned red, and with the autumn wind came the heat in the air dissipating, and a cool breeze finally blew over.
In the end, three children in the palace were lost. Yu Zhaoyi's child was the first to get chickenpox and was treated in time, but Yu Zhaoyi dragged her sick body, unable to sleep day and night, and eventually passed away.
The emperor was not in a good condition when he learned the news, because he missed the best time for treatment at the beginning. As a result, the area around the Qinzheng Hall became a restricted area in the palace.
The news could not be concealed after all. When it was learned that the emperor was actually infected with smallpox, the concubines who had been clamoring to go in and serve the emperor all day long fell silent overnight.
It was said before that the queen monopolized the emperor and refused to let anyone serve him, but now she has backed down.
Like that disaster, the emperor's physical discomfort was also a disaster.
The court was the first to stir up trouble. After all, the country cannot be without a king for a day. At the same time, the topic of appointing a crown prince was also very popular.
As Zhao Changning expected, the fourth prince, who was almost ten years old, became the first choice, and her false news finally came true.
The Queen was furious. "Are they all blind? That little bastard has no potential to be the Crown Prince. Impossible, impossible..."
Zhao Changning stopped the queen and patiently comforted her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. This matter has not been decided yet."
"Yes, yes, it hasn't been decided yet." The Queen was worried and confused. "Changning, what should we do? Now that we have the female official and you, Yao'er may be able to succeed, but how can we make it right?"
Zhao Changning was very calm. "My Lady, the best strategy is to go with the flow. If you are too impatient, you will reveal your true colors. This matter will cause a lot of trouble."
The Queen's hatred for the Fourth Prince was deep-rooted. She said viciously, "How about I give him smallpox? Or even chickenpox?"
"No." Zhao Changning shook his head. "That's too deliberate. The doctors at the Imperial Hospital are no scumbags. One time was an accident, but twice must be intentional. The Emperor might notice it before it's exposed, which would be bad for you. The current situation is already very good."
The queen closed her eyes, her clenched hands were covered in blood, showing how much repression she was feeling in her heart.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Zhao Changning began to thank the late emperor. He taught her many things, the most important of which was patience and waiting patiently.
Song Huan also took the opportunity to enter the palace to pay homage to the queen and finally met his aunt.
When the two met, they were not excited, but sat down calmly and drank tea.
Song Huan looked at Zhao Changning, who was still the same as yesterday, and said with emotion: "Aunt, you haven't changed at all."
Zhao Changning looked at Song Huan tenderly. Perhaps because he was exhausted and had encountered too many things, there were actually some white hairs on Song Huan's temples.
She couldn't help but feel distressed, but couldn't say much to comfort him. "You are more majestic than before, and more like a president."
Thinking of the happy times in the past, Song Huan couldn't help but chuckle, but then slowly shook his head, "Aunt, I'm a little tired. Even now, I'm still facing the devastated Dayong. I don't know where the road ahead lies."
Zhao Changning understood her feelings. "If you are tired, then take a good rest. If Chen Qi and Zhou Miao knew about this, they wouldn't want you to be like this either."
Song Huan thought of his two deceased friends and sighed wearily, "My journey as a female official has been like a ship tossing in the wind and waves. I can't stop anymore."
She felt only tired and helpless.
Zhao Changning held her hand and said softly, "I know, I know everything. You've worked hard these past few years, but we can't hate power before we get real power. Song Huan, we will get what we want."
Song Huan looked at his aunt's determined and bright eyes, and his mood was very complicated, but his heart, which had been wandering and hopeless all day, gradually ignited a spark.
She smiled and said, "Do you know what Gao Cong is doing now?"
Zhao Changning shook her head. Ever since she cut off contact with the outside world, she no longer paid attention to Gao Cong.
"That kid." Song Huan couldn't help but smile when talking about Gao Cong. "He opened a silk shop. Thanks to his good looks, his business is booming."
Zhao Changning couldn't help laughing. The boy loved to enjoy himself and wore new clothes the most. Whenever he was given money, he would buy fabrics.
"He has learned to live seriously."
"Well, I feel quite comforted when I look at him occasionally." Song Huan said with a smile.
Zhao Changning shook his head. He had seen too many intrigues and dirty things, so it was really comforting to suddenly find someone who lived seriously and honestly.
Isn’t this how ordinary people should live?
Smallpox is different from chickenpox, and the hearts of people in the palace are complicated. In addition, even the imperial physician could not detect it deliberately. When the first snow fell in Yujing, the emperor was already on his deathbed, and everyone in the Imperial Hospital shook their heads.
Disease is the most equal. Even the emperor cannot escape birth, old age, sickness and death.
Yunsheng fed the emperor water with a complicated look in his eyes, "Your Majesty, open your mouth."
The emperor shook his head, his breath weak and his eyes cloudy, "Call Changning."
"Okay." Yunsheng agreed without hesitation. He felt that his aunt would definitely come. "I'll go right away."
Zhao Changning was quite surprised to learn that the last person the emperor wanted to see was him.
She asked through the small window, "Did the emperor say anything else?"
Yunsheng was wrapped tightly, with only a pair of eyes showing. He shook his head and said, "No, aunt, I think the emperor has something important to tell you."
But Zhao Changning didn't think so.
It has been a long time since I last entered the Qinzheng Hall. The stone lanterns in the courtyard are still there, under the thick snow, and the corridors and hanging flower gates have been repainted, and they look as red as blood under the white snow.
She followed the imperial physician's instructions and wrapped herself tightly. After opening the door, she found the air in the room was turbid. She couldn't help but hold her breath, as if she had returned to the days of serving the late emperor.
The doors and windows of the house were closed, only two shaded lamps were still on.
Zhao Changning knelt down and said, "Changning pays homage to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor."
A pair of withered hands reached out from the bright yellow tent, and a hoarse voice rang out, "Changning, long time no see."
Zhao Changning walked forward. The emperor's face was covered by a yellow veil, and his expression could not be seen.
She couldn't help but pinch the cotton cloth tied around her nose and said in a muffled voice, "Yes, Your Majesty, long time no see."
The room was quiet for a long time, and suddenly the lamp covered with gauze burst into a spark, and the crackling sound broke the silence.
"Can what I, the emperor, do compare with what my father has done?" the emperor suddenly said.
Zhao Changning responded fluently, "You and the late emperor each have your own strengths. Your gentleness and kindness, your love for the people like your own children, are well known to everyone in the palace, and the people also praise you. Your Majesty, you will get better."
The emperor clearly sensed the alienation and strangeness in the words and couldn't help but sigh, "Are you still blaming me in your heart?"
Zhao Changning shook her head. "Changning has never blamed the Emperor." She hesitated, then continued, "It's just that at the beginning, I did blame you for a while."
The emperor couldn't help but laugh when he heard her say that. "Changning, you are still yourself. I really miss the way you talked nonsense in front of me all these years."
He sighed, "My luck is bad, and I can't count on my descendants to see me off. I never thought that my end would be like this."
Zhao Changning didn't know how to respond, so he just lowered his head and remained silent.
The emperor didn't press him, but instead beckoned Zhao Changning to come closer. "After all, of all the people in this palace, I still only trust you. When my father passed away, you protected me. Now I hope you can continue to help me."
Zhao Changning immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, if you command me, I will do my best."
Her heart felt blocked, and she felt indescribable sadness and discomfort, just like her heart was beating rapidly when she rejected Mingxuan.
…
Yunsheng was waiting outside the door. Seeing the faint candlelight flickering in the room, he paced back and forth anxiously.
Finally, the wind and snow stopped and the door of the Qinzheng Hall opened.
Yunsheng hurried over, supported Zhao Changning, and asked carefully, "Auntie, are you okay?"
Zhao Changning waved to the imperial physician waiting in the side room and said hurriedly, "Hurry up and go in to see the emperor."
She moved step by step to the hanging flower door, her whole body stiff and dazed.
Yunsheng was a little scared, "Auntie?"
Zhao Changning patted his hand. His mind was filled with the emperor's deep voice. He could only vaguely say, "Don't worry, I'm fine."
Hearing the panic and crying sounds coming from the house, everything came to an end.
All the officials were crowded in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, eagerly waiting for the arrival of the imperial edict.
Zhao Changning gave the instructions in an orderly manner, and the queen was responsible for other trivial matters.
When she went to the isolation room prepared by the imperial physician, she suddenly felt sad.
If she thought about it carefully, the late emperor treated her well, and the emperor was quite tolerant towards her, even slightly indulgent for some reasons. But she still lived in an anonymous shadow. Apart from those moments of fear, panic, and life-threatening situations, there were no major conflicts and no generational hatreds. But times had changed and she had come to this point.
During the process, everyone was very determined and took a seemingly correct path. However, looking back on the road they had come, they felt that no matter which one they chose, it was wrong. From the very beginning, everyone was destined to be an opponent. The inevitability mentioned in history books actually happened inevitably.
Time is like power. Everyone wants it and everyone wants to hold it tightly in their hands, but everyone is constantly losing it.
Zhao Changning walked step by step, and the more he walked, the more open he felt, and the more determined he became in his heart.
She realized very clearly that she loved power. She even dared to admit to everyone that what she loved most in her life was power, and she would do anything for it.
Fortunately, she did it.
The Queen was the first to come and see Zhao Changning. Tears kept welling up in her eyes, falling like pearls. Her mottled temples shone silver under the palace lanterns, and her face was full of sadness and pain.
"Changning, Changning, did he, did he die in pain?"
Zhao Changning didn't say anything, but held her hand tightly through the window.
She and she are the best hunters in the deep palace and the most patient sisters. They were forced or voluntarily raised the butcher knife by this world, the emperor, and power. They are allies standing on the same front and close friends who know each other's secrets.
At this moment, because of their common conspiracy, their hearts are completely connected.
"My Lady, don't be afraid, don't look back." Zhao Changning whispered, "Go forward bravely."
The queen leaned against the window frame and cried bitterly.
She could finally avenge her son, but she still didn't feel happy at all.
In the winter of the eleventh year of Cheng'an, Emperor Dayong passed away.
Because of the special nature of smallpox, the emperor's body was brought into the museum at an extremely fast speed. It did not even pass through the Hall of Supreme Harmony for rest, but was sent directly to the Hall of Longevity.
The only consolation was that this time the smallpox did not infect anyone. As for the Qinzheng Hall, it was completely closed and no one was allowed to approach it.
On his deathbed, the emperor said through the former female secretary that he would pass the throne to the eldest princess, who would be supported by the current queen and future empress dowager, and that no living people would be buried with her.
There is no doubt that the emperor was a wise ruler, and veteran ministers such as Qi Yuwei strongly recommended that "Wen" be used as his posthumous title.
Although they encountered many obstacles and doubts, and some people even protested by touching the pillars in the hall, saying that there was no such precedent in the ancestral teachings, and that Zhao Changning was spreading rumors and misleading the people, and was a hen crowing at dawn, but in the end they were no match for him and they managed to get through it.
In fact, all this was due to the natural disaster a few years ago that left Dayong in ruins, unable to withstand any more hardships. We also had to thank the emperor for abolishing the cabinet and completely transferring power to the hands of the royal family. We also had to thank the female officials for their persistence. Their existence and talents made it seem not so difficult for the empress to ascend the throne.
The Queen Mother held the military order in her hand, and with lightning speed, she forced the eldest princess onto the throne.
Some people also secretly said that all of this was directed by Zhao Changning. Otherwise, who would have such courage and means?
After the death of the second princess and the fourth prince, the empress dowager also passed away. Before her death, she entrusted Zhao Changning to take care of the new emperor and promoted her to regent until the 20th anniversary of the empress's death.
It was not until the beginning of spring that Zhao Changning was allowed to be released after it was confirmed that he was not infected with smallpox.
Yujing is still gray in the spring, but hidden in the steps, a young bud has stretched out tender green leaves.
Zhao Changning stepped out of the house. The spring weather was bright and sunny, and the sunlight spread like golden water, so bright that she couldn't open her eyes for a while.
"Aunt." Not far away, the empress in bright yellow was running towards this side, followed by many people, including Mingxuan, Song Huan and others.
Zhao Changning smiled towards them, bright, bold, and fearless.
She knew that she had finally reached the peak she had always dreamed of, passed through all the fog, and arrived at the other side she wanted. She was going her own way, and it was useless for anyone to stop her, because she would get it in the end.
-----------------------
The author has something to say: The story ends here. This article is not long and flows smoothly.
Happy, very happy, I have never stopped updating, there are updates every day!
Write down your feelings about this article.
Just like the title, Changning will get it in the end, because she is steadfast and unmoved by external things. She will definitely get it, so I think it is best to end it here. She has walked the road she should walk, grabbed what she should grab, and killed who she should kill. She has never betrayed herself from beginning to end. She is so firm, so firm that it makes me feel much stronger following her.
It is really best to end it here, including the blank space for the final conversation between Changning and the emperor. I originally wrote it, but I deleted it. The definition was too clear, and it seemed to be difficult for Changning, so I left this paragraph blank.
Because everything in the world is the same. People were like this a thousand years ago, they were like this five hundred years ago, and they are like this now. If future generations mourn over them but do not learn from them, people will never learn lessons from history. This must include Changning, and even myself.
In my previous article "After the Bargain Sister's Marriage", I also expressed a similar point of view. History always repeats itself. The only difference is technology and life, but people's hearts never change. There are people who do not love power or money, and there must be people who love money and power. I think it is actually quite interesting to set a character like Changning as the protagonist. History is about small people rising and falling in power and money, leading generations of people, and it never changes.
But there is a kind of heroism in the world, which is to love life after recognizing the truth of life. - Roma Rolland
I hope that I can be like Changning, moving forward unwaveringly, facing whatever the road ahead holds calmly, loving life, and loving myself more every day.
I wish all babies will get what they want and be happy just like Changning!
Ah, it's finished. I'll see if I get any inspiration to write some sequels later! Hehe!
If you like it, please give me a five-star rating [hahaha][hahaha] Love you!
The pre-collection in the column, if you like it, please collect it, I will open a new article as soon as possible, love you! [Haha laugh][Haha laugh][shy][kiss][kiss][kiss][rose]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
