Chapter 108 An Lingrong 49
"How is Concubine Hui's pregnancy going?" In Shoukang Palace, the empress dowager looked at the dignified and majestic empress in front of her with a headache. She felt that she had aged ten years in just two months.
From the cup of red flower-infused wine at the chrysanthemum appreciation meeting to yesterday's witchcraft case, the Queen Mother felt that she had underestimated her niece.
I had originally thought she was ambitious and perhaps resentful of me, but ultimately she was concerned for the Ulanara clan. Now, it seemed I was utterly wrong. She wasn't ambitious at all; she was simply foolish. She wasn't just resentful; she was clearly mad, her actions dragging the entire Ulanara clan down with her.
The art of warding off evil has been used by people throughout the dynasties, all seeking imperial power and the throne. Yixiu, the dignified mother of the state, actually resorted to such a heinous crime to murder a pregnant noblewoman, and even more ridiculously, she failed.
It's ridiculous!
"The imperial physician has examined the child and said that there is nothing serious. As long as we take good care of ourselves, both mother and child will be safe." The queen remained dignified and proper. She did not show any sign of losing her composure when she talked about the failure of all her plans. There was even just the right amount of joy on her face.
"That's great. It's rare for two concubines in the palace to be pregnant, and Concubine Yi is the head of a palace. When she gives birth to a child, if it's a boy, it will be the first prince since the emperor ascended the throne. You should take good care of him. When the prince grows up, it will also be your contribution."
The Queen Mother had already reached the highest position a woman could achieve in this dynasty. This earnest persuasion was entirely based on her own thoughts, but it hit the Queen's sore spots at every turn.
Yixiu's face faltered for a moment. Whenever she mentioned having children, she could never calm down. Fortunately, years of practice had steadied her composure. "The Queen Mother is right. Concubine Yi and Concubine Hui are close friends, and even have the same luck. Not only did they both conceive a dragon heir, but they've also been able to turn misfortune into good fortune and turn disaster into blessing."
"No matter if it's luck or ability, I only know that the baby in their belly is the emperor's child, my own grandson." The empress dowager knew what she was worried about, but she thought the queen was worrying too much.
Having been suppressed by Concubine Hua for so many years, the Empress's ambition and courage have been dampened. Any one of Concubine Hua's family can set up a household. If she were not from the Han Army Banner and had made her fortune through military achievements and was feared by the Emperor, I'm afraid the Nian family could really dream of the Empress's position.
But Concubine Yi was different. Though scheming, she wasn't a bad person at heart, had a gentle personality, and was well-positioned. Unfortunately, according to the rules, she couldn't ascend to the position of principal until she gave birth. There was much she could have planned, but now it was all over.
"Queen, I know you've been suffering these years, so I've turned a blind eye to all your misdeeds." The Queen Mother gave her an ultimatum: "The Emperor's harem cannot be without children, and Ulanara cannot produce an unworthy and deposed empress. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Empress Dowager, I understand."
"I hope you truly understand. Although I am old, I am not blind. If the emperor asks me for help, I will have to take care of him for the sake of the heir. Then, as the queen, you will inevitably be criticized."
"I am terrified. I will carefully protect Concubine Yi and Concubine Hui and will never let this happen again."
"Well, that's good. What did Concubine Hua say about the princess eating cassava flour?" The Queen Mother reluctantly believed her and began to clean up the mess of yesterday's events.
"Concubine Hua said she'd already investigated. It was the palace maid who jumped into the well. She was punished by Song Dekang, the eunuch in charge of the Yikun Palace. After being rescued by Concubine Wan, she wanted to return to the Yuxuan, but was rejected. She was resentful. So she put tapioca starch in Wen Yi's food and put the blame on Concubine Wan. After the incident, she was terrified and committed suicide out of fear of punishment."
"She has good reasoning and evidence. It's hard for her." The Queen Mother chuckled. "How's your investigation into the witchcraft incident going?"
"According to Concubine Yi, it was Baojuan and Baoque who usually made her bedding. I sent someone to search their homes and found a silver needle under Baoque's bed." The Queen said this, but showed a hesitant look.
"According to Noble Lady Yi, this maid may be resentful because she stole money two days ago and was severely punished by her."
"Well, very good. It shows that Concubine Yi is sensible and polite. Since she is a wicked slave who harmed her master, she should be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment for punishment." The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction. "However, Concubine Yi is pregnant, so it is not advisable to commit too much killing. Just put an end to it quickly."
What else could the queen say? She could only nod in agreement.
………
On the other hand, although Ling Rong had not been officially canonized, she had already received all the necessary status and treatment and was in a good mood.
It is easier to get things done if you have someone in the court, and the same is true if you have a favorite in the palace.
At the emperor's command, the entire Chengqian Palace began to be renovated without affecting her.
In fact, this palace had been renovated before, and now it was just a matter of cleaning up the main hall and rearranging the furniture and utensils suitable for her position.
The Emperor, perhaps out of a desire to make amends, opened his private treasury and took the opportunity to gift her many fine things. Now all the carefully selected items were displayed in the main hall.
Some of her valuables were also moved there one after another, and she could move in as soon as the enthronement ceremony was completed.
Although the current Heyi Hall was indeed quite to her liking, who wouldn't like something better? After all, people tend to get bored easily.
An Lingrong played with the red coral bracelet in her hand in a good mood, and her mood became even better as she listened to the series of reports from the system.
[Ding—Main Quest Stage 2: The First Palace Master Position has been completed, and stage rewards have been distributed.]
[SB Body Transformation Potion x 3, Loyalty Talisman x 5]
[Hey, Yitong, why are you so generous?] An Lingrong happily greeted System N1, who had not appeared in a long time, in her mind.
N1 also happily sprinkled flowers in her sea of consciousness: [Yes, yes, Tongzi, I went to level up and raised your salary by one level. Moreover, in the future, for the prizes distributed in the main quest, I can help you choose the one you need if you are at the same level~]
[Bullfrog Bullfrog, worthy of being called Wuli Yitong, so domineering~] An Lingrong praised her stupid system loudly without hesitation, and the child's self-confidence was almost swelled by the praise.
[From now on, I will protect you! So, don't be sad!]
Ling Rong was taken aback, then replied with a smile: [No, I'm living a pretty comfortable life. When you were promoted, I even tricked Concubine Hua and the Queen into giving them a try.]
But, but you want to be with that old, ugly, selfish, suspicious old Bidden.
[Pfft, hahaha Yitong, stop being so obsessed with looks~ So this is why you went to level up without saying anything earlier?] Lingrong fumbled with the metallic slime ball in her mind:
"Actually, it's okay. I don't really like the Qing Dynasty, but Yongzheng is pretty good. It's better than the scumbag Long. Besides, do we try to please the emperor just for the sake of him as a person?"
[Of course not, we're here to complete the mission! Ahem... Of course, if he happens to be a handsome guy, I wouldn't mind you having a sweet romance~]
[That's right, he wants me because I'm young, beautiful, and healthy, and I want him to have a queen and die early. We're a perfect match!]
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