Chapter 338 Audience

Crown Princess Chen was from Tongzhou. Her father, Chen Ke, was a Gongsheng; her mother, He, was the daughter of a nobleman. She was chosen as Crown Princess in the 10th year of Chengping. She was well-educated, well-mannered, and beautiful. She gave birth to three sons for the Crown Prince. In the 20th year of Chengping, there was a palace coup. The Crown Princess and three of the Emperor's grandchildren were trapped in Zhongcui Palace and starved to death.

It is said that before her death, the Crown Princess cut off her own flesh to feed her son.

Dou Zhao walked silently on the road leading to Zhongcui Palace, feeling uncomfortable as if a huge rock was pressing on his chest.

Song Mo quietly held her hand and whispered to comfort her: "It's okay, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess are both very easy to talk to."

Dou Zhao took a long breath, smiled at Song Mo, and said softly, "I'm fine, don't worry."

Song Mo nodded, but the worry between his brows did not dissipate.

He couldn't help but think secretly that Dou Zhao might be pregnant, and the first three months were the most critical period, when she couldn't sit in the palace. Would it be inappropriate to bring Dou Zhao to pay respects to the Crown Princess at this time... But if he didn't come, it would be suspected of disrespect. When the Crown Princess became the mother of the country, Dou Zhao, a lady of the super first rank, would have to go to the palace to pay respects to the Empress and the Empress Dowager every New Year and festival, and on the first and fifteenth day of the month. Who could guarantee that today's Crown Princess, tomorrow's Empress, would not make things difficult for Dou Zhao?

He felt sad just thinking about it.

We have to find a way to make Dou Zhao visit the palace less often in the future.

The two of them, each with their own thoughts, silently followed the eunuch into the East Palace.

The chief eunuch Cui Yijun, who was beside the crown prince, was already waiting at the gate of the East Palace.

He was in his thirties, thin and elegant, with a gentle smile, but very respectful to them.

Dou Zhao had only heard of this man, and this was the first time she had dealt with him in her two lifetimes.

In his previous life, the crown prince was shot to death. He protected the crown princess and three royal grandsons and escaped from the Eastern Palace, intending to go to Cining Palace to ask the Empress Dowager for help. On the way, he was shot to death by the Jinwu Guards at that time. As a result, the crown princess and three royal grandsons were trapped in Zhongcui Palace.

Dou Zhao felt very strange when he saw Cui Yijun greeting Song Mo.

Cui Yijun suddenly looked over and nodded at her with a smile in his eyes, just like a scholar well-read in poetry, without any trace of the humbleness of a eunuch.

Dou Zhao thought of his nickname "Cui Cheap", and then thought of Wang Yuan - Wang Yuan had a kind face and looked like an elder with a broad mind, but in fact he was narrow-minded than anyone else and would take revenge for any slight.

She couldn't help but sigh secretly.

It can be seen that no matter who you are, once you reach the top, you are not an idle person and you cannot judge people by their appearance.

Dou Zhao did not dare to be careless. He bent his knees slightly and bowed to Cui Yijun.

Cui Yijun was very surprised, but he soon regained his composure and with a kind smile invited Song Mo and Dou Zhao into the East Palace.

Song Mo followed Cui Yijun to the front hall, and a palace maid led Dou Zhao to the side hall at the back where the Crown Princess lived.

This was the first time Dou Zhao met the Crown Princess.

She was in her prime at this time, with a slender figure, and wore a casual royal blue embroidered full-sleeved blouse, which was as bright as pearls in the morning dew, delicate and elegant.

Dou Zhao took a glance and lowered his eyelids, respectfully saluted the Crown Princess.

The Crown Princess ordered the maidservant beside her to bring Dou Zhao a golden stool, and said with a smile: "I have long heard that the Dou family of Beilou is a famous and prestigious family in Northern Zhili. Today, when I met Madam Dou, I know that what they said is true."

These one sentence moved Dou Zhao slightly.

When a woman gets married, she takes her husband's surname. But if her family is prominent and she has an imperial decree, she is usually called Madam by her family name, just like Jiang, who was born in the Duke of Dingguo Mansion and was the wife of the Duke of Yingguo Mansion. People in Kyoto called her "Madam Jiang" instead of "Madam Yingguo".

The Crown Princess's words not only praised Dou Zhao, but also flattered the Dou family. No wonder he had the reputation of being "well-educated and well-mannered".

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." Dou Zhao stood up and thanked her humbly.

"You don't have to be so reserved." The Crown Princess smiled and asked Dou Zhao to sit down and talk to her. "When you come to the palace more often, you will know that I am the most casual here."

There were many two-faced people in the palace, and Wang Yuan often said that he was the most easy-going one.

Dou Zhao secretly complained in his heart, but said "yes" with a smile.

The two were talking about everyday things.

One is kind and the other is thoughtful, and the atmosphere is very harmonious.

Suddenly there was a loud sound of footsteps outside.

Dou Zhao was secretly surprised.

The footsteps were getting closer, mixed with anxious cries.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please slow down!"

A small bright yellow figure emerged from under the warm curtain of the side hall.

"Mother, mother!" The little figure threw himself into the Crown Princess's arms, "Look, I caught a sparrow!"

The white and tender little hand tightly grasped a gray bird, which she held up to show to the Crown Princess as if to invite praise.

The Crown Princess frowned slightly, but her voice was still gentle as she said, "Why are you so naughty? I told you not to tease those golden chickens, but you went to catch sparrows. Didn't I tell you? Every sip and every bite is a gift from God, you must not hurt these little things at will..."

The child lowered his head gloomily and said "oh" softly.

Dou Zhao looked at the child, who looked no more than five or six years old, and knew that this was the emperor's eldest grandson.

She smiled and stood up to salute the emperor's eldest grandson.

The child looked at her strangely.

The Crown Princess said, "This is the wife of the Crown Prince of the Duke of Ying's Mansion."

The child's eyes immediately lit up like the sun.

"Are you Song Yantang's wife?" He looked at Dou Zhao as if she was something strange. "You are not as pretty as Song Yantang, why would he marry you? Song Yantang won first place in the Autumn Festival when he was twelve years old. I am now learning horse riding and archery from my master. My great grandfather said that I can also participate in the Autumn Festival next year..."

She is not as pretty as Song Yantang...

Dou Zhao was embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.

"Shou'er, don't be rude!" The Crown Princess's face darkened and she said, "Why don't you apologize to Madam Dou!"

Dou Zhao didn't dare to ask the emperor's eldest grandson to apologize to him, so he smiled and said, "The emperor's eldest grandson is innocent and lively, the Crown Princess doesn't need to be too harsh."

The Crown Princess looked slightly sad and sighed, but she did not insist that her son apologize to Dou Zhao. She gave the eldest grandson a few words of admonition and asked the servants to accompany him back to the warm room in the back hall to study: "... Your grandfather will check your homework in a few days. Be careful not to answer well and be punished by kneeling."

The emperor's eldest grandson shuddered, clearly showing fear.

He snuggled up to his mother, hesitating and unwilling to leave.

The Crown Princess smiled and shook her head, her doting expression evident in her words. She ordered the palace maids to give the Crown Prince the new snacks that the kitchen had presented a few days ago.

The palace maid smiled, bent her knees and replied "yes".

The Crown Princess thought for a moment and then said, "Bring some back for Madam Dou to try."

Dou Zhao hurriedly stood up and thanked him.

The maid went to bring in some snacks.

There was a scent of osmanthus floating in the side hall.

For some reason, Dou Zhao felt a tightness in his chest and was about to vomit.

She took a deep breath and suppressed the discomfort in her chest.

Who knew that the Crown Princess was touching her chest and covering her mouth, looking like she was about to vomit.

The servants in the room all changed color, shouted "Madam", and hurriedly brought over basins and bowls.

The Crown Princess vomited with a "wow".

Dou Zhao felt angry and took out a handkerchief to cover his mouth.

A palace maid had already noticed her abnormality and asked hurriedly, "Madam Dou, what's wrong with you?"

Dou Zhao didn't dare to say anything, fearing that he would vomit as soon as he opened his mouth, and shook his head at the palace maid.

The palace maid was very smart and quickly brought a basin to Dou Zhao.

Dou Zhao let out a "wow" and also vomited.

The Crown Princess was stunned. She rinsed her mouth with warm water and said with a smile: "You have been married for more than four months, right? Are you pregnant?" Her smile was no longer polite and courteous, but a warm and cheerful one.

Dou Zhao's heart was moved, and she said, "I don't have any elders in my family, so I don't know."

The Crown Princess was slightly stunned, then ordered the palace maid beside her: "Go, invite Old Lady Wu in."

Dou Zhao rinsed his mouth with the help of the palace maid.

A healthy woman in her forties came in, followed by the maids of honor.

The Crown Princess ordered the woman, "Take the pulse of the wife of the Duke of England."

The woman said "yes" respectfully, and a palace maid came over with a pulse pillow, a tea table and a brocade stool.

Dou Zhao stretched out his hand and let the woman feel his pulse.

The Crown Princess introduced the woman to her: "…She was introduced by Concubine Shi. Shou'er and Fu'er were both delivered by her."

Concubine Shi was the daughter of the Shi family, Marquis of Changxing.

Dou Zhao politely called her "Madame Wu".

Mrs. Wu said "I dare not" repeatedly and gestured for her to change hands with a smile.

The side hall became quiet.

The eldest grandson of the emperor spoke in an exceptionally clear and resonant voice: "Mother, is Madam Dou also ill?"

The Crown Princess gently touched her son's head and gently warned him: "Don't talk, Mrs. Wu is examining Madam Dou's pulse!"

The emperor's eldest grandson pursed his lips tightly and snuggled in the arms of the Crown Princess.

Mother Wu withdrew her hand and stood up, bowed respectfully to the Crown Princess, and said softly: "The pulse is like rolling beads, Madam Dou is most likely pregnant."

This was something that was expected, but Dou Zhao was still a little excited after receiving such a confident diagnosis from the doctor.

The Crown Princess even laughed and said, "That's great, I finally have someone to keep me company."

Dou Zhao pretended to be surprised.

The Crown Princess smiled and said, "I am pregnant too! But it's still early in the pregnancy and I haven't told my mother and the Queen Mother yet."

Her face was glowing with a serene yet compelling glow like the bright moon.

Isn't this the joy that only mothers can have?

Dou Zhao said "Congratulations" sincerely.

"Congratulations, congratulations!" The Crown Princess smiled slightly, as if she had taken off a mask again. She looked at Dou Zhao with a warm and intimate look. She ordered the palace maid, "Go and tell the Duke of Yingguo, so that he can be happy too."

The palace maid smiled and left.

Snacks were served and the palace maids brought in fruit bowls filled with apples, citrons and bergamot.

The room was filled with the fragrance of fruit.

The Crown Princess was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something. Then she smiled and said, "The Crown Prince is too careless. Why did he let you come to the palace to meet the Emperor at this time? In this way, Nanny Wang who is by my side is very good at taking care of people. I will let her live in your house for a few days and help you bring out two mature women. Then you will have someone to take care of you in the future..."

Dou Zhao's forehead was covered with sweat.

The Crown Princess obviously knew a lot about her situation. She thought that there were no close female elders in the Duke of Ying's Mansion and her family, and that they didn't understand these matters of childbirth, so she sent a nanny who knew about childbirth to her home to instruct the people around her. This was a great gift, but also a trouble - from now on, how could they distance themselves from the Crown Prince?

Dou Zhao hurriedly said with a smile: "How dare I trouble the maidservant beside the queen! I just didn't check for a while. When the elders in my mother's family got the good news, I think they will send someone to take care of me."

It might offend the Crown Princess, but it's better than getting involved in the fight to seize the throne!