Chapter 203 Going to See the Fifth Prince
How could she not understand the power of this? But for so many years, the Chen family had always stood at the top of the court, trembling with fear. When the Crown Prince was still alive, the Emperor was already wary of the Chen family; otherwise, he wouldn't have always supported the Yao family. It wasn't until the Yao family grew in power that the Emperor began to balance things out, giving the Chen family a chance to breathe. Power in this world is always fought over, but in the end, isn't it all in vain? The Queen sighed.
"Madam Fang, I'm actually tired of all the fighting and even being the queen. What's the point of living a human life?"
Thinking of the difficulties the Queen has gone through over the years, Nanny Fang's eyes were filled with heartache.
"My Lady."
The Queen spoke slowly.
"I chose to adopt the Fifth Prince. Firstly, both I and my family need a prince. The Fifth Prince is the most respectful and filial to me among all the princes. Secondly, I want to avenge the Crown Prince, and both I and the Fifth Prince need help."
"When that day comes, I will not allow the daughter of the Chen family to enter the palace. This palace is nothing more than a prison. What good is there in it?"
"Once the matter is settled, I will ask my father and brother to resign from their posts, and I will also ask the Fifth Prince to lower his guard against the Chen family. The rest of the Chen family can continue to serve as officials. Whether they can be reused depends on their own talents."
Nanny Fang stopped trying to persuade her after hearing this. There really wasn't anything good about this palace. She had accompanied the Empress through so many ups and downs over the years. The Empress had worked so hard to manage the six palaces, but in the end, she even lost her only son...
"Since Your Majesty has figured it out, I will not try to persuade you any further."
The Queen suddenly spoke.
"Pan'er will be giving birth in about two months, right?"
Aunt Fang pondered for a moment.
"According to the time, I will be giving birth in two months."
Upon hearing this, the queen stood up and picked up the small clothes, hat and shoes on the bedside.
"Luckily, Concubine Shu is pregnant, which gives me a reason to make clothes for the child."
Madam Fang, pick out all the clothes I made and the good things in my storeroom, and send them to the Chen family. Ask them to find a way to send them to Pan'er."
"It's the hardest thing for a woman to be pregnant. I don't know if he's eating well or getting enough rest."
Nanny Fang, the Queen, began to feel sad again and hurried forward to comfort her.
"Your Majesty, Miss Pan'er has always been a sensible person. She is the most filial to Your Majesty and is also deeply devoted to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Even if it is for Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, this old servant believes that Miss Pan'er will take good care of herself and the child."
The master and servant were talking.
The palace maid came in and spoke respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhou requests an audience."
A hint of surprise flashed in the queen's eyes.
"Concubine Zhou actually came to Fengyi Palace?"
The Queen quickly composed her expression and gave the order.
"Please come in."
Then he walked towards the front hall.
After a while, Concubine Zhou walked into the hall under the guidance of the palace maid.
She was wearing a simple yet elegant palace dress, with a faint smile on her face, and bowed to the queen.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Queen. May you live a thousand years."
The queen stood up, gave him a light support, and said with a smile on her face.
"Sister Zhou, you are so polite. Please take a seat. I was thinking of waiting for a few days until you are settled before visiting. I didn't expect you to come today. It's really rare."
Concubine Zhou smiled gently and said.
"I have just left Jingsi Palace, so I should come here to pay my respects to Her Majesty. Thank you for your care over the years."
The queen listened and spoke gently.
"As the Queen, it is my duty to take care of the six palaces."
Then he instructed Nanny Fang.
"Hurry up and serve tea to Sister Zhou."
Seeing this, Concubine Zhou looked at the Queen and smiled.
"The Queen is still as virtuous as ever."
The Queen looked at her and spoke.
"Sister Zhou, we have known each other for many years. Now, because the Fifth Prince's status is a bit special, if you don't mind, why not call me Sister Chen?"
Concubine Zhou nodded.
"Sister Chen."
The queen nodded and looked at Concubine Zhou.
"You and the Emperor..."
After hearing this, Concubine Zhou smiled helplessly.
"As expected, I will face this problem when I come to Sister Chen's place."
"Sister Chen, I know you're doing this for my own good, and for the good of the Fifth Prince, but I really don't want to get involved in the palace's gossip anymore. I'm thinking of finding an opportunity in the next two days to ask the Emperor to allow me to live in a secluded palace, and continue to live my life the same way I did in the past."
She is really stubborn. The queen looked at her helplessly and spoke.
"Sister Zhou, aren't you still alert to the situation in Jingsi Palace? Even if you truly don't fight or compete, there will still be people who fear the Fifth Prince. He's grown up now and already holds his place in the court. As long as he holds that position, as his biological mother, how can you avoid the harem's struggles?"
"What's more, parents who love their children will plan for their future. Although Concubine Zhou married the Emperor in her early years... you have lived in Jingsi Palace for all these years without suffering any injustice. This is not only because the Emperor remembers our old relationship, but also because the Zhou family has made significant contributions in the court and often sends people to take care of things. They even give me gifts during festivals. Why is that?"
Concubine Zhou lowered her head after hearing this.
The Queen glanced at her and continued speaking.
"This is because the Zhou family cares about you, their daughter. Your father, your mother, and your brothers are afraid that you will suffer in the palace. You are simple-minded, and what happened back then was indeed a plot. The emperor back then..."
I am the queen, how can I say that the emperor is wrong? The queen paused before continuing.
"But we have to live on. Now that the Fifth Prince is registered under my name, it's no exaggeration to say that I'm protesting against Prince Rong in the court. As his mother, even if you don't want to get involved in trouble or fight, you should at least care about him a little and protect yourself. Don't let yourself become a burden to him."
Thinking of the fifth prince holding her and rushing out of the sea of fire, Concubine Zhou pondered for a moment.
"Does the Empress really wish for me to leave Jingsi Palace? Does the Fifth Prince love his mother so much?"
When she said "walked out of Jingsi Palace", it naturally did not mean that she walked out, but that her heart walked out of Jingsi Palace.
"I treat the Fifth Prince as my own son, but I have never intended for you two to become strangers. If you are willing to leave Jingsi Palace, the Emperor, out of remorse for what happened back then, will surely be willing to promote you. Then the Fifth Prince will have someone to love and care for him."
Concubine Zhou looked at the Queen and then smiled.
"It is a blessing for me and the Fifth Prince that he can be remembered under Sister Chen's name."
"I have to return to the Yangxin Palace later. Is it convenient for me to go see the Fifth Prince now?"
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