Chapter 139 The Game Begins
In order to show her respect and support for her mother, and also to improve her mother's favorability, the eldest princess did not dare to sit directly on her mother's throne. Instead, she placed a chair on the right side of the throne as her current position as the regent princess, which was praised by all the ministers.
The ministers in the court are not only supported by the eldest princess, but also by the second princess. However, the queen has already said that if they dare to trip each other up, they will be eliminated early.
They did not dare to challenge the Queen who had been in power for 35 years, so they remained inactive, or perhaps because there was no better time.
It was the first day that the eldest princess was in power. She felt really good to be in power. But when she returned to her residence with a beaming smile on her face, she saw the forced smiles of the princess' husband and two concubines.
The princess' husband, Zhao, and her two concubines came forward to pay their respects and said auspicious words. The three of them helped the princess change into her court dress and served her tea before they said in a deep voice:
"My eldest daughter, after you went to court today, the Queen's personal maid, Aunt Lan Xin, took the three children away from home, saying that the Queen missed her granddaughter and grandson, and asked them to stay with her in Zhuo Xiu Garden for a few days and then send them back after a few days."
After hearing this, the eldest princess' face was obviously unhappy, and then she curled her lips into a sarcastic smile and whispered:
"Haha, the Queen Mother is worthy of being the Queen Mother. I was wondering why she handed over the government affairs to me so easily. It turns out that she is waiting for us here!
If I do anything not to her satisfaction, my child may have to stay with her forever. This is tearing my heart out!"
As he spoke, he clenched his fists.
"Grand Princess, be careful with your words!"
The princess' husband, Zhao, was a typical royal husband. After hearing what the princess said, he immediately stepped forward and covered her mouth with his hand, fearing that someone might be eavesdropping.
The eldest princess also realized that she had said something wrong. Although her face was terribly gloomy, she did not say another word. The two concubines looked at each other and did not dare to step forward to offend them.
"Did you tell the three children when they left? Did you bring anyone useful with you?"
The eldest princess continued to ask with a sullen face.
"Don't worry, Princess. I have explained everything to them in detail. The eldest daughter is sensible and she will take care of her younger brothers and sisters. They have brought all the things they often use. However, Zhuo Xiu Garden is a royal garden after all, so each person is only allowed to bring two personal servants.
Aunt Lan Xin said this when they were preparing to set off, and told the three of them to choose who to follow, and not to allow us to interfere. Do you think this is what the Queen meant?"
The princess' husband felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.
"Can they choose useful people?"
The eldest princess is more concerned about this.
"The two chosen by the eldest daughter are OK. The second daughter chose the servant who usually plays with him. The third daughter chose the wet nurse and her daughter."
The princess' husband spoke truthfully.
The eldest princess thought about it for a moment, then said to the princess husband:
"When they came back, the people around Xiaoer and Xiaosan had changed."
No reason was given.
"Yes, I understand."
Because her three precious children were sent to Zhuo Xiuyuan, the eldest princess' good mood on the first day of court disappeared without a trace. She had realized that her mother's assessment had already begun and that the throne was not so easy to sit on.
Because of this, the eldest princess became more cautious when handling state affairs. She could not leave any flaws, as these would affect her mother's judgment.
One month after the eldest princess came to power, the court lady Lan Xin personally sent back the three children of the eldest princess, along with rewards for the three children.
The lady official Lan Xin had a gentle face. She smiled and bowed to the eldest princess, and said with a smile on her lips:
"The Queen knew that the eldest princess must miss the children, so she ordered me to send the children back, saying that it would be better for the children to be with their parents, and she did not want to delay the three children's studies."
"Thank you for your consideration, mother. However, the children have rarely seen you in the past. This time, they can be regarded as my three children. It's okay for them to stay for a few more days."
The eldest princess said immediately.
"As the number of children in Zhuo Xiuyuan increased, the Queen smiled more often and was in much better spirits. However, the six little guys were too noisy when they were together, chattering all day long.
Rong Shijun was afraid that it would disturb the Queen's recuperation, so he suggested that the three little guys come back first, and you take them to serve the Queen in person the following year, saying that only you, the eldest princess, could control these three naughty monkeys, and the Queen naturally agreed. "
Lady Lan Xin's smile remained unchanged, and her reply revealed something, but it also seemed as if she said nothing.
"I see. I am relieved. Aunt Lanxin, please give my regards to the Queen Mother on my behalf, and also to Lord Rong."
"Don't worry, Princess. I will definitely pass on your message."
Lan Xin immediately said goodbye. Zhao personally saw her off and handed her a bulging plain purse. After watching the other party accept it, she returned to the yard.
At this time, the eldest princess had ordered her two concubines to take the second son and the youngest daughter away. The two were younger, so she only left the eight-year-old eldest daughter to question her.
"Nannan, was your visit to Zhuoxiuyuan okay this time?"
The eight-year-old girl was delicate and pretty. If you looked closely, she looked a bit like the empress. She said with a serious face:
"Mother, everything is fine with my daughter and her brothers and sisters in Zhuoxiuyuan this time, except that she had a fight with my second aunt's little sisters."
When she spoke later, her voice even lowered.
The eldest princess raised her eyebrows and asked directly:
"Why? What did your grandmother say? Did she punish you?"
Nannan scratched her cheek, frowned and said:
"My second aunt's three sisters said that my second brother was a money-loser and his only use in the future was to be sent out to marry a foreign prince. I didn't understand what "marrying a foreign prince" meant, but Nannan felt that it was definitely not a good thing! So she started arguing with them.
Nannan said that both the younger brother and the younger sister in our family are their mother’s treasures, and that’s why her mother would never give her younger brother away.
They said that it was our mother who lied to us, so my second brother started to cry. When my third sister saw my second brother crying, she started to cry too. I…I…I got so angry that I rushed over and beat up the three of them!"
Nannan clenched her fists while speaking.
The eldest princess gritted her teeth when she heard this, but she didn't want to scare the child, so she continued to encourage Nannan in a gentle voice:
"And then?"
"Because our fight alarmed the maids, they were very powerful and separated us in no time. Then they sent us to the Empress Dowager. She asked me what happened and punished me to squat in horse stance for half an hour.
Then he made the three sisters who scolded his second brother stand by the lotus pond and shouted for half an hour, "I was wrong! Second brother is not a loser! If Fengqi country is in trouble, we will go to marry!" His voice was hoarse.
During the process, the Empress Dowager even sent someone to deliver some throat-soothing tea so that they could drink it and continue shouting! I felt relieved watching this! I felt like I could still squat in horse stance for another half an hour!"
(End of this chapter)
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