Chapter 96 An Lingrong 37
Although Cao Qinmo wasn't well-educated, she was incredibly ruthless. Two days later, she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The usually reserved old lady, for once, spoke up and asked An Lingrong to stay and recite Buddhist scriptures for her.
"You do have a nice voice." The Queen Mother had only been looking for an excuse to lure An Lingrong into her Shoukang Palace. First, to warn An Lingrong to remind the Emperor, second, to test her character, and third, to prevent her niece from taking action and ruining the hard-earned heir to the throne.
Unexpectedly, this young girl, with a modest family background, was so calm and composed. She chanted sutras and worshipped Buddha with her every day, and served her well at her morning and evening visits. Even she, an old woman who usually disliked meeting people, was very pleased with An Lingrong.
"It's a shame that such a beautiful voice has to accompany an old woman like me to chant scriptures every day."
Ling Rong picked up the last Buddha bean and smiled faintly when she heard this: "This is because the Queen Mother loves me and this child. She wants me to accumulate blessings and longevity for him early on."
Everyone likes to hear good words, especially Lingrong, whose face has become more compassionate since she had a child. She is no longer as unapproachable as before, but more amiable and respectable.
There were several young eunuchs and palace maids in Lingrong Palace, and they even worshipped her as a Bodhisattva.
So what she said was indeed convincing.
"And... the cakes in the Empress Dowager's Palace are also delicious." The girl said the last sentence a little embarrassedly, and a slight blush appeared on her smooth face.
The Queen Mother was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help laughing: "I thought you were showing filial piety to me, but it turns out you're just trying to get some of my food."
Ling Rong was like an innocent girl again at this time: "I am not eating your food for nothing, Queen Mother. The cheese in my palace is very good, so I brought some here specially to honor you."
"You are so thoughtful." The Queen Mother granted her honor and ate a little bit of it for the first time. It was indeed soft, sticky and sweet, and very much to her taste.
"The food in your palace is indeed excellent. No wonder even the Emperor and Concubine Cao are full of praise for it." The Queen Mother seemed to be joking with her unintentionally. "It just seems a little different from the way we cook here."
"This is how it's done in my hometown. It's all home-cooked food. I'm glad Your Majesty and Sister Cao don't dislike it."
"Home-cooked food is so good. It's comfortable and hearty." The Queen Mother smiled and praised, then asked, "I vaguely remember your father was an official in Songyang County?"
"That's right, the Queen Mother has a good memory."
"I'm old and useless now. I only have a good memory for these little things. You're so far away from home, do you miss your parents?"
Ling Rong paused as she sorted through the Buddhist scriptures, a hint of bitterness creeping into her smile. "...Of course I do, but my parents take care of each other, and I have my younger siblings to serve me, so I think I'm doing pretty well."
"What parent wouldn't miss their child? Even with your brothers and sisters, they'd worry about their daughter leaving home." Then he comforted her, "But from what you said, you can tell that your parents love you deeply and that your children are harmonious. I think you must be from a loving family. No wonder you were raised so well."
"My father and mother were a couple who came together from humble beginnings, supporting each other all the way through life. There were times when there were misunderstandings and disagreements. Fortunately, my father eventually changed his mind and treated my mother with respect."
"That's it. Respecting your wife and keeping order in place is the way to build a prosperous family."
"The Queen Mother is right."
Seeing An Lingrong agreeing with her, the Queen Mother smiled with satisfaction, and the atmosphere between the two became more harmonious.
After the child spent another day with her in Shoukang Palace, the empress dowager finally said to Zhuxi behind her, "Send someone to Chengqian Palace to tell Concubine Yi that she won't be needed from tomorrow. The weather is getting colder, don't get sick again."
"Yes, I'll go right away." Zhu Xi came back in after delivering the message. She saw the Queen Mother eating another piece of cheese and couldn't help but smile, "The Queen Mother likes Concubine Yi very much."
"Who wouldn't like such a lovely person?"
Being diligently served by An Lingrong every day, she had a kind heart and it was naturally difficult for her not to like this good-looking and docile child, not to mention that she was pregnant with her son's child.
Most importantly, her family background was far superior to that of Concubine Hua. The daughter of a lowly official, without support from her natal family or a noble birth, the children born to a concubine like her were better.
If the Queen is willing to adopt Concubine Yi's child, it would be much better than the Third Prince. Not only would she have a clean child, but she would also have a helping hand.
Unfortunately, whenever this matter was brought up over the years, Yixiu would never budge, no matter how respectful she looked. She even refused to give the Third Prince a jade plate while she was raising him.
"How foolish... If Concubine Yi had a son, it would have been such a great opportunity..." The Queen Mother sighed in an ambiguous tone.
Zhu Xi, who was beside him, naturally knew about the lawsuit and understood the Queen Mother's thoughts, but...
"I see that the Empress has not yet put it down. I'm afraid she won't agree."
"Hmph, of course she won't agree. Do you think I don't know about her little tricks? Concubine Fang and Concubine Xin are fine, but Concubine Yi must keep this baby. This child won't hinder her position as Queen, and I don't know what she's being stubborn about."
"The harem has been childless for years. She's treating my son like a fool, and she's not afraid of dragging down the entire Ulanara family."
"The Queen is very sad. The Queen Mother will slowly persuade her. Sooner or later, the Queen will understand your painstaking efforts."
The dim candlelight suddenly trembled, and the shadow behind the empress dowager distorted for a moment: "If it weren't for the Ulanara family..."
The sound gradually died down in the lonely palace, and she still didn't utter those last whispers.
………
"That's great. The Empress Dowager finally understands the good qualities of our young lady." Ziyuan chattered, combing her hair while telling her about the news in the palace during this period.
"During the past few days that you were kept by the Queen Mother, those people in the harem were very proud. They all said that you were too arrogant. Now that you have fallen into the hands of the Queen Mother, you will definitely suffer the consequences."
"Well, the food in Shoukang Palace is good."
"Pfft, if those gossipers behind your back heard this, they would definitely vomit to death. Haha, our queen is kind and gentle, and everyone loves her. The Queen Mother must like you very much."
Ziyuan fixed her hair, and Biqing, who had made the bed, smiled happily. These past few days, Aunt He had accompanied them to the Empress Dowager's palace. Although their mistress seemed to be in good spirits, they couldn't help but worry. Now, they could finally put their minds at ease.
Ling Rong was helped to the bed by the two of them and nodded casually: "Yes, she likes me very much, and she likes the child in my belly even more."
"It's understandable that a grandmother likes her grandson."
"Yes, she likes it so much that she wants to give it to her niece." Ling Rong turned over and fell asleep after leaving behind this earth-shattering sentence, leaving the two of them anxious and worried all night long, and they couldn't even sleep well.
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