Chapter 154 An Lingrong 95
Not long after, the An family was promoted to the upper three banners of the Manchu army by the emperor and was given the surname Anjia.
Although An Lingrong's position remained unchanged, all her treatment was in accordance with the standards for an imperial concubine.
Almost as soon as the imperial decree was issued, the sick empress dowager immediately summoned the emperor.
"My son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Hurry up and get up. I've been ill these days and it's not convenient for me to meet with the emperor. Is the emperor feeling well these past two days? Why does he look so much more haggard?"
The emperor sat by the bed, his eyes revealing undisguised fatigue. "The court has been busy these days, and the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine are not in good health. I can't help but feel overwhelmed. I'm sorry to have caused the Empress Dowager to worry."
"Birth, aging, sickness and death are common to all human beings. Even the emperor cannot change it. Your Majesty is the ruler of a country and should put the mountains and rivers of China first." The empress dowager's words of comfort came out of her mouth, but Yinzhen found them harsh. Looking at the empress dowager's weak and pale face, he didn't say anything, but just nodded slightly.
The Empress Dowager could see that the Emperor was unwilling. She had been very careful in her interactions with the Emperor over the years, but she was in a situation where she had no choice. Even though she knew that some words would only further fracture the already thin bond between mother and son, she still had to say this:
"I heard that the Emperor promoted the Imperial Concubine's mother's family to the Zhenghuang Banner?"
"It is true. Does the Empress Dowager think it is inappropriate?"
"No, I think it's quite appropriate." The Empress Dowager shook her head, agreeing, "She is the prince's biological mother after all. A lowly status wouldn't be good for the Sixth Prince. Besides, Imperial Concubine Yi is pregnant and in poor health. The Emperor's compensation is a sign of his grace."
When Yinzhen heard that she had no objection, his expression became less tense and his tone softened a bit: "The Empress Dowager has a profound understanding of things."
"I'm not a man of profound insight. I was just casually chatting." Seeing the atmosphere ease, the Queen Mother sighed inwardly and continued, "It's just that... I think the Emperor should be more cautious in treating the Imperial Noble Consort."
The emperor's gentle aura gradually faded, and he once again became the emperor whose emotions were hard to discern. The eighteen pieces in his hand made a crisp clinking sound, striking the empress dowager's heart.
"What does the Queen Mother think?"
"I'm old, how can I care about these things? I just feel that the Imperial Concubine has been plagued by misfortunes since entering the palace. She is only in her twenties this year, and I'm worried that she can't bear such a great blessing. Besides, we always have to consider the Empress. The Imperial Concubine's position is the same as the Vice Empress. Wouldn't the Emperor hurt her feelings by doing this?"
The Emperor paused fiddling with the beads, and when he looked up again, his face expressionless. "Since entering the palace, the Imperial Concubine has always behaved well. The reason for her current behavior is well known to the Empress Dowager and me. It is truly the result of a villain causing unrest in the palace."
"She gave birth to my heir, and now she's pregnant with twins. She's always put me first, serving me tirelessly for years. Furthermore, I didn't promote her, but seeing she was gravely ill, I was unable to help, so I could only offer this small compensation."
"She never spoke a word. These external things are only to comfort me. Is it true that the Empress Dowager will not even grant me this?"
The Empress Dowager hadn't expected the Emperor to say such words for Concubine Yi. The words stuck in her mouth, and then she burst into a heart-wrenching cough: "Emperor, cough, cough, cough—Are you blaming me for what you said?"
"My son dare not." Seeing the empress dowager coughing painfully, Yinzhen waved his hand quickly, and Zhuxi hurriedly stroked the empress dowager's back and brought her hot tea. The empress dowager felt better after drinking it.
"Madam, please have a good rest. There are memorials in the Yangxin Palace waiting for me to review. I will be leaving now."
The empress dowager was lying on the bed, exhausted. She nodded casually, looked at the emperor's back, and let him turn and leave.
In fact, she didn't mind giving the concubine the treatment of an imperial concubine, but she couldn't make such a request lightly. If she really died of illness, it wouldn't matter even if the emperor wanted to posthumously confer the title of empress on her.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
"Zhuxi, do you think that child has this blessing?"
"I don't understand what the Empress Dowager said. I just hope that she can recover well." The nanny who had accompanied her throughout her life in the palace just tucked the quilt gently for her.
………
The gates of Chengqian Palace remained closed for six months. The turmoil outside seemed to have no bearing on this peaceful palace. Even those outside the palace gradually forgot about the imperial concubine who had once sparked a civil war.
Newcomers to the palace, such as Concubine Zhen and Concubine Kang, had never even seen her face, so naturally they had no real feeling for this so-called favorite concubine.
The Queen was also in high spirits as she was happy about the good news. She hadn't heard her say that she had any headaches or fevers in the past six months. She kept a tight control over the palace affairs. From time to time, when she heard that Longyue was unwell, she would call Concubine Jing to Jingren Palace to reprimand her. Although Concubine Jing didn't understand what she meant, she had no choice but to admit her mistake honestly. She was also very grateful to Concubine Duan who always came to visit and comfort her. The two of them became familiar with each other after a few visits.
It was in such a harmonious and beautiful harem that An Lingrong took action one day in the clear autumn weather.
On the day she gave birth, the Emperor happened to be in the Yangxin Palace listening to the new Consort Kang playing the pipa. Then he heard Su Peisheng rush in in a panic and drop to his knees, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is giving birth!"
Yinzhen stood up suddenly, left Kang Changzai aside, and took Su Peisheng straight to Chengqian Palace.
"Are the imperial physician and midwife ready?"
"According to the Emperor's instructions, the eight midwives' family backgrounds were carefully screened and they were arranged to serve the Imperial Concubine in Chengqian Palace early in the morning. The imperial physicians were also divided into two shifts and waited in Chengqian Palace every day, exclusively for the Imperial Concubine's use."
Su Peisheng trotted along behind the sedan chair, still replying steadily. Chengqian Palace was not far from Yangxin Palace, and they arrived there in a short while.
The emperor walked in quickly and heard Lingrong's cry of pain.
Yinzhen swayed his body, and Su Peisheng, who was standing beside him, brought a chair just in time to cover up the emperor's loss of composure.
The servants of Chengqian Palace held their breath, observing with reverence and caution. Led by the head palace maid and the chief eunuch, they were busy but not chaotic.
Seeing their composure, the emperor relaxed a little. The servants hadn't panicked yet, so the imperial concubine's condition shouldn't be too serious.
Soon, the empress and all the concubines arrived. The emperor said a few perfunctory words and became a little impatient. Fortunately, the empress had the right idea and stopped talking at the right time, sitting aside and waiting.
The other concubines could only stand by and serve.
This life was just two hours. Kang Chang, who had just entered the palace, was already angry with the imperial concubine for the emperor abandoning her. Now she had to stand in the flower pot bottom for two full hours. She had resentment in her heart and it showed on her mouth.
She lowered her head and whispered to Concubine Zhen, who had entered the palace at the same time, "It's been so long since the Imperial Concubine gave birth, why hasn't she given birth yet?"
Concubine Zhen, who had put on makeup, also wiped her neck with a handkerchief. "Who knows? I've never suffered this kind of hardship since I was a child. Do you smell it? The room is filled with the stench of blood. It's unbearable."
The two of them lowered their voices and could only huddle together to whisper. Kang Changzai was tall and bent over to listen to what Zhenpin said and was about to make a joke, but her knee slipped and she fell to the ground.
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