New Year’s Eve, royal family banquet.
Gu Jiu followed Princess Pei into the palace.
Xiao Qin'er didn't come this year because she had to stay in confinement after giving birth.
The third wife, Cai, was in poor health, so Li Lai could not enter the palace for fear of passing her illness to the empress.
Only Gu Jiu, Ouyang Fu, Concubine Shen, and Concubine Luo followed Pei into the palace.
Several princes followed Prince Ning to pay homage to the emperor.
When they arrived at Changchun Palace, they paid their respects and greetings as usual.
Concubine Xiao Shufei was not in good spirits, as if she had not had enough rest.
She leaned back on the Arhat couch, lazily asking the female historian beside her, "Has Huyang entered the palace?"
The female historian bowed and said, "The princess has arrived at the palace gate and will be here soon."
Concubine Xiao Shu nodded and asked Pei: "How is the palace doing recently?"
"Thank you, mother, for your concern. Everything is fine in the palace."
Concubine Xiao Shu took a sip of the ginseng soup and continued, "Qin'er will give birth to the palace's eldest grandson and will be rewarded handsomely. When she is out of confinement, have her bring the child to the palace to pay her respects. I, too, want to see my little grandson."
Pei smiled and said, "Don't worry, mother. As soon as the confinement period ends, your daughter-in-law will bring her and her brother to the palace to pay their respects to you, mother."
Concubine Xiao Shu smiled subtly, then turned her gaze to stare at Gu Jiu and Ouyang Fu.
"Ouyang, you've been married for three or four years now. Why haven't you added any children to the palace yet?"
Ouyang Fu looked apprehensive. "Your Majesty, I have been following the doctor's orders and taking the right medicine. I'll be feeling better once the new year begins."
Concubine Shen also spoke for Ouyang Fu, hoping that Concubine Xiao would not make things too difficult for her.
Concubine Xiao Shu snorted coldly, her eyes instantly turning cold, appearing rigid and cruel. "I will give you another six months. If you are still pregnant after six months, I will personally give a beautiful woman to Liu Ping. However, you will still be the mistress, and any children born to concubines will have to call you mother."
Ouyang Fu felt very aggrieved.
But facing Concubine Xiao Shu, she couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal and could only lower her head and respond, "Granddaughter-in-law will obey the Empress's order."
Concubine Xiao Shu hummed, "I know you are a sensible person. I hope you won't let me down."
What could Ouyang Fu say? She could only swallow her grievances and try hard to put on a smile.
Then, Concubine Xiao Shu turned her attention to Gu Jiu. "Gu, it's been over a year since you came into the family, and you still haven't gotten pregnant. What's wrong with you?"
Gu Jiu nodded slightly and said calmly, "Your Majesty, my granddaughter-in-law and Young Master Zhao have been together for a long time and there is no news yet."
Concubine Xiao Shu said sternly, "You are the eldest daughter-in-law of the royal family. I hope you can shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the eldest daughter-in-law, which is to bring more children to the royal family and expand the family line for Prince Zhao.
This palace hopes that you can restrain your mind and use it more on the right path, and stop thinking about messy things all day long. As the eldest daughter-in-law, giving birth to a legitimate son is the most important thing at the moment."
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow quietly. What did he mean by a mess? How could having a child become the most important thing?
Is there nothing else to do in life besides having children?
Besides having children, shouldn’t we also do something else?
In short, Gu Jiu did not agree with what Concubine Xiao Shufei said.
She kept her true feelings to herself, not saying a word. At the same time, she said respectfully, "Granddaughter-in-law will follow your Majesty's instructions."
Concubine Xiao Shu stared at Gu Jiu's belly. "I heard that you've been weak and sickly since childhood, and I'm afraid it's difficult for you to have children. I've been married for a year and there's still no sign of pregnancy. I expected this a long time ago."
However, precisely because you are not in good health for childbearing, you must work harder and give birth to a legitimate son while you are still young. I do not want Liu Zhao's eldest son to be born from a concubine."
Gu Jiu narrowed her eyes slightly. What did Concubine Xiao Shu mean? Was she going to arrange a woman for Liu Zhao? She hadn't even asked for her opinion, but she was already meddling in her and Liu Zhao's lives. That was a bit too much.
However, most mothers-in-law, both ancient and modern, like to interfere in the daily lives of their sons and daughters-in-law. This leads to a mess, and everyone is filled with anger.
Therefore, it is not advisable to interfere in other people's lives at will.
After beating Gu Jiu, Concubine Xiao Shu began to beat Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo.
Perhaps because she is older, Concubine Xiao Shufei talks a little too much.
It was not until the palace maid reported the arrival of Princess Huyang that Concubine Xiao Shufei stopped talking.
Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo both had sweat on their faces. They were scolded so badly by Concubine Xiao that they couldn't even raise their heads.
Princess Huyang walked into the hall in gorgeous attire, accompanied by a scent of fragrance.
"Mother, I miss you so much."
Hu Yang threw herself into Concubine Xiao Shufei's arms like a little girl.
Concubine Xiao Shu laughed and said, "Child, you are so old now. You need to learn to be more steady."
"In front of my mother, I will always be a child."
After hearing this, Concubine Xiao Shu was delighted.
Chen Min and Chen Lu also came, and the brother and sister paid their respects to Concubine Xiao Shufei.
Facing the pair of grandsons, Concubine Xiao Shufei's attitude was somewhat cold.
Perhaps it’s because both grandsons have the surname Chen.
It would be a lie to say that Concubine Xiao Shufei had no grudge against Prince Consort Chen. Prince Consort Chen was dead, but he also implicated the palace and Huyang.
In Concubine Xiao Shufei's mind, when Prince Consort Chen was arrested, he had already been sentenced to death.
As for the two children of Huyang and Prince Consort Chen, Concubine Xiao naturally disliked them too.
She blamed Huyang for bringing the two children to the palace. It was really outrageous. If the emperor saw them, there might be trouble.
But in front of so many people, she couldn't directly scold Hu Yang.
She asked, "Are you all alone in the Princess's Mansion okay?"
Hu Yang nodded first, then shook her head. "I'm not able to visit my mother in the palace often. I feel very sad."
Concubine Xiao Shu sighed, "Child, you should be more restrained and not act so ostentatiously."
Princess Huyang lowered her head, looking like she was willing to learn from others.
Pei sneered inwardly: "Pretend, pretend as hard as you can." She didn't believe Hu Yang could pretend all night.
Concubine Xiao Shu taught Hu Yang a few lessons, but Hu Yang did not refute her. Instead, he said he had learned his lesson.
Concubine Xiao Shu laughed and said, "If you had grown up earlier, there wouldn't have been so many troubles."
"Mother, I have reformed myself. By the end of this year, I had not even asked the prince to borrow money to get by. I also want to be able to rely on myself."
Concubine Xiao Shu was pleasantly surprised and looked towards Pei.
Even though Pei was unwilling, she could only hold her nose and admit that Princess Huyang did not go to the palace to ask for money at the end of this year.
In previous years, Hu Yang would come to the door as soon as the twelfth lunar month arrived. He would pay a small sum, sometimes three or four thousand taels, and sometimes eight or nine thousand taels. He would always have to pay to get rid of Hu Yang.
Concubine Xiao Shu was very pleased to receive Pei's affirmative response.
She said emotionally: "Over the years, Huyang, you have finally grown up."
Hu Yang took Concubine Xiao Shu's arm and said, "My daughter just wants to share your worries."
"You are sensible and know how to restrain yourself, which is a relief for me."
"I understand. I will definitely be frugal and learn from my sister-in-law."
After saying this, Hu Yang smiled proudly at Pei.
Pei was disgusted in her heart, but she had to be humble on the surface, "I don't have any ability. The prince is the one who makes the decisions on all matters in the palace. I am just doing what he tells me to do."
"Sister-in-law is so humble."
Concubine Xiao glared at Huyang and told her not to challenge Pei.
Hu Yang pouted and stopped talking to Pei.
Today, Concubine Xiao Shu gave Pei enough face, just because news came from the border that Marquis of Lu Pei Ren was stationed at the border and had made another great contribution.
Last month, Pei Meng, the eldest son of the Marquis of Lu, led his cavalry deep into the grasslands and raided several tribes in Xiliang, beheading 3,000 people, capturing 20,000, and seizing tens of thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep.
A greater achievement was that when Pei Meng was exterminating a tribe, he accidentally killed the third son of the King of Xiliang.
The victory report reached the capital, and the emperor was delighted. He encouraged Pei Ren, the Marquis of Lu, and promoted Pei Meng to the rank of General of the Auxiliary State and Commander-in-Chief. Pei Meng's son was given the rank of a thousand households.
He also rewarded the old lady of the Pei family with many treasures and invited the wife of the Marquis of Lu to the palace to encourage her.
Pei was a member of the Pei family and the sister of the Duke of Lu.
At this time, Concubine Xiao Shu naturally had to give Pei Shi enough face. Suppressing Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo, venting Pei Shi's anger, was also supporting Pei Shi.
Pei felt physically and mentally relaxed.
Her brother and nephew have made great contributions, and as a daughter of the Pei family, she feels proud of it.
Every time she entered the palace, Concubine Xiao Shu, as her mother-in-law, would always give her a few words of advice.
Only this time, Concubine Xiao Shufei didn't say a single harsh word to her and even vented her anger.
She was so happy that her cheeks flushed slightly.
Concubine Xiao Shu chatted with her and asked about the situation of the Pei family.
Upon learning that the Marquis of Lu had a legitimate daughter named Pei Man, to whom they had not yet arranged a marriage, Concubine Xiao Shufei instantly became interested.
There is no suitable person in the palace to marry Pei Man.
The eldest son to the fourth son are all married.
The fifth and sixth sons were both born out of wedlock, and their status was not worthy of Pei Man.
Concubine Xiao Shufei immediately thought of her natal family, the Xiao family.
The Xiao family still has legitimate sons who are not engaged, so maybe they can arrange this marriage.
This matter requires the intervention of the Pei family.
Concubine Xiao Shu smiled and said, "Bring Pei Man to me tomorrow. The daughter of Marquis Lu must be of outstanding character and appearance."
Pei smiled and said, "Mother is right. Pei Man is even smarter than her sister Pei Yun."
"Really? It's better for girls to be more lively."
The palace maid reminded them that the time was almost up and it was time to go to Chenghui Palace for a family dinner.
Concubine Xiao moved her legs, feeling a little uncomfortable after sitting for so long.
She said, "No one is vying for the position this year. No matter how hard they try, they can't compete with age or Li Zhaoyi."
Pei asked quietly, "Has Li Zhaoyi been disrespectful to Mother?"
Concubine Xiao Shu laughed at herself, "How could I dare to provoke her? She's the apple of His Majesty's eye now, and she'll be even more special once she gives birth to a prince. Besides her, there's also Jiang Shuyi, who is indispensable to His Majesty every day. Even chores like serving the pens and ink are left to her. I also heard that His Majesty even let her read the memorials and express her opinions. It's really getting more and more absurd."
Gu Ji's heart skipped a beat. Is Jiang Yan already so favored?
Being able to accompany the emperor, not only reading memorials but also expressing opinions on state affairs, is not just ordinary favor, it is the training for becoming a queen.
Didn't the emperor know that such favor was a double-edged sword? If he wasn't careful, Jiang Yan would be torn into pieces.
If the emperor really doted on Jiang Yan, why would he put her in such a dangerous situation?
If he is not favored, who in the entire harem is qualified to accompany the emperor all the time, read memorials, and express opinions on state affairs?
Or maybe the emperor thought he still had another ten or twenty years to live, enough to guarantee Jiang Yan's safety, so he acted arbitrarily?
Gu Jiu was a little surprised and a little panicked.
The emperor's favor is like arsenic with sugar, and Jiang Yan is afraid of being poisoned to death.
Gu Jiu followed everyone and went to Chenghui Palace.
When we arrived at Chenghui Palace, we saw that Concubine Xue, Concubine Xian and others had arrived.
Only Li Zhaoyi and Jiang Shuyi were nowhere to be seen.
Concubine Xiao Shufei teased Concubine Xue, "If I remember correctly, Jiang Shuyi lives in a side hall of Ganlu Palace. Why didn't she come with you? Instead, it's us old people waiting for two young people."
Concubine Xue smiled softly, "Let Sister Shufei know that Jiang Shuyi went to Xingqing Palace early in the morning and hasn't returned yet."
Concubine Xiao Shufei pursed her lips and smiled, whispering, "You sent a beauty to His Majesty, hoping to share Li Zhaoyi's favor. You certainly didn't expect that you would actually send the greatest threat to His Majesty. Now you are riding a tiger and it's difficult to get off. Be careful that Jiang Shuyi will ride on your head and act wildly one day."
Concubine Xue's expression changed. "How dare she! She's already escaped my control before her wings have even grown strong enough. The worst that can happen is that I can just cut off her wings."
Concubine Xiao Shu smiled softly and said, "Your Highness is decisive. If you want to cut off Jiang Shuyi's wings, I advise you to do it as soon as possible. Once the new year begins, I'm afraid the situation will be out of your control."
Concubine Xue turned her head and stared at Concubine Xiao Shufei with a cold look, "Sister Shufei, I don't understand what you said."
Concubine Xiao Shufei said, "Sister Noble Concubine, why are you being so modest? You know exactly what I mean. Your Jiang Shuyi is already showing signs of being out of control.
My dear sister, I sincerely advise you to make a decision early and don't hesitate.
If you hesitate, she'll seize the opportunity and escape your control. Then, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot, with more harm than good."
Concubine Xue frowned, feeling confused and uncertain.
The virtuous concubine had already started drinking by herself.
She interrupted and said, "Both Li Zhaoyi and Jiang Shuyi are threats to us. Be careful that these two will unite to deal with us old people."
Concubine Xue and Concubine Xiao both looked surprised and confused.
Concubine Xiao Shu asked softly, "Can those two unite? They are sworn enemies."
The virtuous concubine snorted coldly, "Are we old people a bigger threat to them, or are they a bigger threat to each other?
As long as we're alive, they'll always have us over their heads, so they can't cause any major trouble. Think about it, how could these two people, who are so favored, really accept this?
Concubine Xue, if you were Jiang Shuyi, would you deal with Li Zhaoyi first, or the Concubine who is above you first?
Concubine Xue scoffed, "You're just exaggerating. These two youngsters haven't even grown strong yet, yet they dare to challenge my authority. Do you really think I can't handle them?"
Xian Fei looked at Concubine Xue with a half-smile, "If you had the means to deal with Li Zhaoyi, why would you have given the beauty to His Majesty to share his favor?"
"you?"
Concubine Xue was extremely angry.
The virtuous concubine smiled coldly, "Those two people do seem to be insignificant, but don't forget, they have His Majesty behind them.
As long as His Majesty supports them, ask yourself, who can overthrow those two? When Li Zhaoyi gives birth to a little prince, it will be even more incredible. She might even snatch the position of Empress away from her.
Just think about it, a bunch of us old ladies in our forties, fifties, and sixties, who have been immersed in the palace for decades, are now old and are being trampled under the feet of a young queen who is not even twenty years old. How would you two sisters feel about that?"
Concubine Xue and Concubine Xiao exchanged glances, and then looked at Concubine Xian together.
There are only three of them who are given the title of concubine in the harem.
The three of them are the masters of the harem, fighting with each other and no one is willing to submit to the other.
But when this balance was broken, the three of them thought of joining forces to deal with the two increasingly powerful Zhaoyi and Shuyi.
The three of them had been fighting for decades, and they were familiar with each other and had a tacit understanding.
Just because the person who knows you best is your opponent, this statement explains the relationship between the three people.
The three of us trip each other up, you step on me and I punch you, we're all used to it.
However, at this time, asking the two young Zhaoyi and Shuyi to ride on their heads was absolutely intolerable.
The two Zhaoyi and Shuyi, the younger one could be their granddaughter.
Asking them to submit to young people is, sorry, impossible.
Therefore, the three of them must unite and kill those two people before they can become powerful.
Concubine Xiao Shufei said, "Let's discuss this matter tomorrow. This is not the place to talk."
Concubine Xue agreed.
The virtuous concubine had no objection either.
The ceremonial officer shouted, and the emperor arrived.
Everyone stood up to welcome the emperor.
Then they saw a shocking scene.
The emperor walked into the hall and took his seat, holding Li Zhaoyi in his left hand and Jiang Shuyi in his right hand.
Li Zhaoyi and Jiang Shuyi sat on the left and right of the emperor respectively.
In terms of seating arrangement, these two people actually surpassed Concubine Xiao Shufei and the other two.
This is a dangerous signal.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
