Chapter 17: Your Majesty is Too Kind
Queen Shen glanced at the people kneeling on the ground, and then spoke sternly: "I see that none of you took the lesson of Qiu's incident yesterday to heart."
The concubines complained bitterly, how could they not take it to heart? Today they dared not speak!
Jiang Wanqing hadn't kneeled for such a long time since her sister became favored in the palace and everyone in the family gave in to her. At this moment, she couldn't help but sway slightly.
"Jiang Changzai! I'm talking about you. If you can't kneel well, go outside on the brick floor!"
Queen Shen suddenly shouted so loudly that Jiang Wanqing almost fell to the ground.
She looked up blankly and saw Queen Shen glaring at her, her tone full of disappointment: "I thought you were sensible, unlike your sister, but who would have thought you were even more ignorant than her! You dare to talk nonsense in front of His Majesty, demotion is the least of your punishment!"
Jiang Wanqing's face turned pale and blue, and her body swayed.
Does the Queen know what she said yesterday?
Did His Majesty tell me, or did my sister...
After Queen Shen finished scolding her, she stared at Concubine Wu again: "They are newcomers who don't know the rules. Concubine Wu, don't you know it either? You and those of you who followed His Majesty out of the palace have relied on His Majesty's generosity and nostalgia to stir up so many troubles in the past two years, causing the former officials to be so angry that they advised His Majesty to restrain the concubines. Don't you feel ashamed?"
These words made the old concubine in the palace feel embarrassed, but it was indeed the truth.
They had always thought that His Majesty was gentle and tolerant, so they acted without restraint in their words and deeds. In the past year alone, there have been dozens of cases of fighting among each other, and it can be said that the situation is a mess.
Apart from the one time when His Majesty severely punished Concubine Qian who attempted to frame Concubine Jiang, His Majesty left all other matters to the Queen to decide, and she was lenient each time.
The ministers of the previous dynasty were originally unwilling to interfere in the affairs of the harem, but the harem was really too excessive. The emperor's family affairs were also state affairs, so they had to report to the emperor one after another.
Your Majesty is right. As a benevolent monarch rarely seen in a thousand years, you are just a little too lenient to the concubines. Just give them some advice. They mainly blame the Queen for her poor management of the harem, and they also hope that the Queen Mother will take care of things.
They were originally gloating over the attacks on the Queen, but who knew that His Majesty actually listened to them!
First it was Qiu Da Ying, and then it was Concubine Jiang’s sister. Is Your Majesty going to start reorganizing the harem?
After Queen Shen scolded the old ones, she scolded the new ones. Her thunderous power was unleashed, and all the concubines were submissive and did not dare to say a word except admitting their mistakes.
It's okay for those with more seniority, but it's hard for the newcomers who have just entered the palace. They originally thought that His Majesty was kind and the Queen was tolerant and gentle, but as soon as they entered the palace, these two turned into Yakshas. What kind of fate do they have?
Queen Shen scolded the concubines for a full half hour before letting them leave.
She leaned back in the phoenix chair and rubbed her temples tiredly.
Suqin quickly ordered the maid to bring hot tea, served Queen Shen a few sips, and then helped her massage her acupoints, saying, "Your Majesty, after what happened today, I'm afraid many people will hate you."
"What can I do?" Queen Shen raised her eyes and looked at her, wanting to say something but stopping herself. Finally, she closed her eyes and changed the subject: "They can't cause any trouble even if they hold a grudge. This palace belongs to His Majesty. As long as he still thinks that I am the queen who suits his heart, I can rest assured."
Suqin sighed with emotion.
*
After Pei Yan left the court, the empress dowager called him to the Cining Palace on the pretext of feeling unwell.
This time, not only Empress Dowager Wen was present, but Wen Yao was also there.
She was wearing a light blue skirt and a lily-shaped bun. She had only a few hairpins and looked very plain at first glance. It was hard to imagine that the hairpin with the lustrous white magnolia flower would be worth a fortune.
Wen Yao was originally sitting by the bed talking to the Queen Mother. When she saw Pei Yan coming, she immediately stood up and politely greeted him: "I greet your Majesty."
"What do you mean Your Majesty? You should call him cousin."
Empress Dowager Wen smiled and scolded her niece.
Pei Yan had his usual gentle and polite expression and asked Wen Yao to excuse herself.
Wen Yao stood up: "Thank you, my Lord..." She seemed to have difficulty saying those two words, her cheeks slightly red, and finally said: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Queen Mother Wen looked at the two of them with a smile: "Yan'er, I know you like younger ones. When the late emperor arranged for you to marry and choose concubines, Concubine Jiang was the youngest, so you favored her. Now my Yao'er is a few years younger than Concubine Jiang. I wonder how you will favor her?"
Pei Yan smiled, but didn't say anything. He then walked towards the Queen Mother and said, "I heard that your mother is not feeling well? Did you take any medicine today?"
Empress Dowager Wen was displeased with his interruption and snorted, "If you summon Yao'er to sleep with you tonight, I will be well again!"
Pei Yan said gently: "That means you haven't taken the medicine yet."
He turned around and told Nanny Wei who was standing beside him, "Go and make some medicine for my mother. I will not feel at ease until I see her drink it myself."
Empress Dowager Wen didn't want to be changed by him, but she enjoyed the filial piety of the emperor's son, so she felt angry and warm at the same time.
While waiting for the medicine, Pei Yan found a sandalwood chair and sat down. Looking at Wen Yao, who looked shy but had a bit of coldness in her eyes, he asked calmly, "Didn't Concubine Wen go to pay respects to the Queen today?"
Wen Yao's face changed slightly when she heard this, and she immediately knelt on the ground, saying in a fearful tone: "Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Empress Dowager Wen was anxious: "I asked her to come! Why? Your favorite concubine can go every day without paying respects, but my niece can't do it once?"
Pei Yan sighed softly: "Mother, please lie down. I don't mean to blame you."
Empress Dowager Wen then breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down.
Pei Yan continued to look at Wen Yao: "I remember you. When you were three years old, your uncle followed the order of the late emperor to go to the northwest to fight. Your mother happened to be ill again. Your grandmother was the only one who could manage the family. She was afraid that she could not take care of you, so she sent you to the palace to be taken care of by the queen mother."
Wen Yao was stunned for a moment when she heard this, then vaguely remembered the past, and asked in surprise: "Your Majesty actually still remembers such a small matter?"
Pei Yan nodded and said gently: "I also gave you osmanthus candy, but maybe you have forgotten it."
Wen Yao's eyes moved slightly, and then she frowned.
She really didn't remember this incident, and even if she forced herself to think hard, she still had no recollection of it.
Maybe he really forgot. Wen Yao could only thank him first.
Empress Dowager Wen was overjoyed to hear this. It turned out that the two of them had been destined to be together so early on.
Pei Yan also asked about Wen Yao's recent years and what she liked to do on a daily basis.
Empress Dowager Wen was even happier when she saw them asking and answering each other in a friendly manner.
When the medicine was ready, Pei Yan took it and personally served it to Empress Dowager Wen.
Empress Dowager Wen was in a good mood and felt that the medicine tasted sweeter than usual.
But she was still thinking about having her niece sleep with her.
"Yan'er, have you taken my words to heart? The new bride has been in the palace for three days, and you didn't even turn over a sign. You even hung out with Concubine Jiang in broad daylight yesterday. It's really disrespectful."
Pei Yan handed the medicine bowl back to Nanny Wei and sighed helplessly: "I really can't even hide my little mistakes from my mother."
After all, he is not her biological son. After saying this, Empress Dowager Wen realized that she had said something wrong and was afraid that Pei Yan would mind if she secretly inquired about his whereabouts.
Fortunately, the son is very filial and doesn't care.
She softened her tone unconsciously, holding Pei Yan's hand and said, "That's not your fault. It's Concubine Jiang who doesn't understand the situation. Yao'er is very good. If something like this really happened, she would also advise you."
Pei Yan looked helpless: "My mother's constant mention of my cousin reminds me of my childhood when my mother was always thinking about my third brother and ignored me. I feel really jealous and sad."
Empress Dowager Wen was completely amused by this sentence, and as she laughed she felt like crying.
It was her fault. She had never loved Pei Yan since he was a child and had allowed her own son to bully him. However, when she had no choice but to rely on Pei Yan in the end, he didn't mind at all and had respected and loved her as his own mother for so many years.
It was rare for Empress Dowager Wen to feel so guilty. Looking at Pei Yan's gloomy eyes, she even thought that if he really didn't like Yao'er, then so be it. She wouldn't force him.
However, Pei Yan seemed to be afraid that she would worry, and quickly smiled: "But since it is what my mother wishes, I will do whatever I want."
He stood up calmly and looked at Wen Yao: "You should get ready tonight. The Queen Mother is not in good health. I heard from you that you are a sensible person. You should come to accompany the Queen Mother in your spare time and advise her to take care of herself and not worry too much."
This time, Empress Dowager Wen's eyes were really wet.
Although he was a son, she felt as if her daughter had to give herself to someone else for her.
Wen Yao has already bowed her head and agreed.
Pei Yan nodded calmly, then bowed to the Queen Mother: "I have left a few ministers in the Imperial Study. There has been another war in the northwest. I want to discuss with them who to send out to fight. Mother, please have a good rest."
Queen Mother Wen subconsciously wanted to see him off in person, but then she remembered that she was still pretending to be sick, so she quickly sat down and tried to hold back her sobs, then changed her words: "Let Yao'er see you off."
Pei Yan looked at Wen Yao, and a hint of reluctance flashed across Wen Yao's face at this moment, and she lowered her head in panic when she met his gaze.
Pei Yan retracted his gaze and chuckled: "No need."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
