Chapter 154 Pointing to a Clear Path
At the same time, Qingning Palace.
This is the residence of Prince Rui's biological mother, Concubine Shu. Emperor Sheng has bathed and fasted three days in advance for the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, so naturally he will not come today.
Therefore, Concubine Shu asked Princess Rui, Zhen Hanyi, to stay in the palace overnight.
The young master Zhao Yuanmu had already been taken to sleep by the nanny. At this time, Zhen Hanyi was sitting beside the beauty couch, gently massaging Concubine Shu's shoulders, with a look of wanting to say something but stopping herself.
Just now, they were talking about the Crown Princess...
When Concubine Shu saw Zhen Hanyi's hand gradually stop, she couldn't help but look up at her. Seeing her distraught look, she couldn't help but frowned slightly.
"Han Yi?"
Zhen Hanyi suddenly came back to her senses.
"What's wrong with you?" Concubine Shu was a little dissatisfied.
She chose this daughter-in-law herself. She wanted her to be beautiful and her own, in order to win back Lang'er's heart.
But now it seems that no matter how beautiful her appearance is, it can't shake Lang'er's feelings for that woman.
Fortunately, Hanyi was obedient enough and her belly was strong enough to give birth to a cute grandson for her.
Zhen Hanyi raised her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. After hesitating for a while, she said, "Mother, how about...giving her a chance to live? Her son is still young..."
Concubine Shu was stunned for a moment, and it took her a moment to realize that the "she" Zhen Hanyi was referring to was the Crown Princess.
She suddenly sat up from the couch and looked at Zhen Hanyi up and down in disbelief, which made Zhen Hanyi look terrified and she quickly lowered her head.
Concubine Shu couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Are you sincere when you say this?"
Zhen Hanyi met Concubine Shu's gaze and nodded weakly.
Concubine Shu couldn't help but look at Zhen Hanyi again and again. Seeing that her eyes were clear and did not seem to contain any hidden calculations or disguises, she suddenly burst into laughter.
"It's my fault. With your temper, why did you bother to join the royal family?"
When Zhen Hanyi heard this, she turned pale with fright and quickly stood up to admit her mistake: "Mother, Hanyi is not——"
Concubine Shu waved her hand, patted the soft couch in front of her, and motioned her to sit down.
Zhen Hanyi was full of uneasiness, but still sat back obediently.
At this moment, Concubine Shu looked at Zhen Hanyi with a gentler gaze and raised her hand to poke her forehead.
"You're a fool."
"I only knew you were respectful and obedient, but I didn't know you..."
"No one knows a child better than his mother. Lang'er doesn't have his eyes on you. I know that. If he knew you, he would definitely like your personality."
"You are Mu'er's mother, and you are devoted to Lang'er. In this case, I will show you a way forward."
Zhen Hanyi was flattered to see that Concubine Shu suddenly became close to her, but she didn't know what Concubine Shu would say, so she couldn't help feeling uneasy.
She had been thinking a lot these days, but the more she loved Mu'er, the more she seemed to understand the difficulties of the Crown Princess, and she could not hide the sympathy in her heart.
Although they are both in the deep palace, at least she still has the prince, but the crown princess... to put it bluntly, she is an orphan and a widow, surrounded by enemies on all sides.
What she didn't want to see was a strong and innocent mother being pushed into the abyss in order to plan for a great cause.
She knew she was naive, but her parents had taught her this since she was a child.
A good character is the foundation of a woman.
Her manners are elegant, her words are appropriate, she is neither arrogant nor impetuous, neither flattering nor vulgar. Only by being upright in heart and conduct can you gain the respect of others.
The royal family is the heavenly family and the model for the world. She didn't understand why these words became wrong when they came to the royal family?
Concubine Shu seemed to understand Zhen Hanyi's heart. She curled her lips and chuckled, and there seemed to be a hint of bitterness in her smile.
"Han Yi, kindness... is a good thing, but here, it is a death warrant."
"Why do you think His Majesty suddenly mentioned the flower viewing banquet in front of me that day in the Imperial Garden?"
Zhen Hanyi was a little naive, but she was not stupid. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but cover her lips with her hands, with a look of shock on her face.
Concubine Shu leaned back on the soft pillow and smiled coquettishly but with a hint of sarcasm, "Hanyi, look, this is the emperor's will. The emperor is calling on me."
Zhen Hanyi's eyes were filled with disbelief. She lowered her voice and asked, "But mother, why did father want to--"
“Shh—”
Concubine Shu raised her hand, and her green index finger gently touched her delicate lips. The smile on her lips became ambiguous.
"So, fight and compete. Whoever laughs last is the winner. If you are compassionate, be careful not to be eaten... not even a bone is left."
When Zhen Hanyi heard this, she couldn't help but shudder.
Upon seeing this, Concubine Shu retracted her meaningful look and her face became bright again.
"Han Yi, let's get back to the topic."
"A man's heart is very big. In addition to power and status, it can also accommodate many women."
"Since you gave birth to Mu'er, your mother will be more inclined towards you. You don't have to help Lang'er in any way. As long as you teach Mu'er well, it will be your greatest achievement."
"As for the woman in Lang'er's heart, if she doesn't die, what if she gives birth to another 'Mu'er' in the future? How will you deal with it?"
"I think when that day comes, even my mother won't be able to control Lang'er."
When Zhen Hanyi heard this, she looked up suddenly, feeling shocked and panicked.
Concubine Shu's eyes fell on Zhen Hanyi's face and she said softly, "So, she has to die. Even if Lang'er misses her for the rest of his life, so what?"
At this point, Concubine Shu seemed a little dazed. She lowered her eyes to look at the bright nail polish on her fingers and whispered:
"Even if he loses his throne for the rest of his life because of that woman, so what?"
"When a person dies, everything is gone. In the future, if Lang'er gets his wish, he will respect me as the Empress Dowager."
When Zhen Hanyi heard this, her beautiful eyes widened slightly. At this moment, she couldn't tell whether her mother was talking to her or talking to herself.
After all, she had heard that the emperor had a deep affection for the late queen, and since the late queen passed away, the position of the empress has remained vacant until now...
"Mother..."
Zhen Hanyi called out tentatively.
Concubine Shu suddenly came back to her senses, lowered her eyes, and after a moment of silence, she said calmly, "So, Hanyi, this is a life-and-death situation, so don't have those ridiculous sympathies."
"Just think hard and try your best. If you win, try to pick up your good heart and be a good person."
"If I lose, I will just be beheaded. I have personally experienced the most prosperous and wealthy life in this world. What regrets do I have?"
As Concubine Shu spoke, she leaned back, lazily nestled in the cloud-like soft pillow, and waved her white wrist.
"Go, go see Mu'er, and you'll be able to harden your heart."
"A mother is strong. Which woman in the palace is not like this? The Crown Princess is like this too, isn't she?"
Seeing that Concubine Shu didn't want to say anything more, Zhen Hanyi stood up obediently. However, her mind was churning with thoughts and she could not suppress her sadness.
The instigator of all this is obviously...
She bowed to Concubine Shuying on the beauty couch and murmured softly, "Hanyi... Thank you, mother, for your guidance."
She turned around and walked out with heavy steps.
At this moment, Concubine Shu slowly opened her eyes.
She turned her head and her eyes fell on Zhen Hanyi's graceful back, and then her sight penetrated out and seemed to see from afar the palace called "Qinghuan Palace" standing in the center of the palace.
There, is the emperor's residence.
Concubine Shu raised her lips, her smile was playful yet bitter, and finally she covered her eyes and murmured:
"Just wait and see, everything will be in vain in the end..."
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