Palace Journey and Recognition
This was Chen Yun's home. In the candlelight, the simple living room was filled with two families. At this moment, both families were covering their heads, some were stunned, some were relieved, and some were surprised.
Li Lie'ao looked at Li Lin and thought, "Could it be that my silly son has a penchant for being raped?"
Huang Youbing looked at Li Lin and thought, "Am I going to become a nobleman?"
Chen Siyu looked at Li Lin and thought, "What a handsome man. It's not impossible for him to be my brother-in-law."
Chen Feng looked at Li Lin and thought, "Although this kid has given Yunyun a child, he has power and influence. I'll have a chance to escape my poverty in the future!"
Chen Lu looked at Li Lin and thought, "This kid... can we trust him? He's not one of those lechers who thinks with his lower body, is he?"
Xue Lian asked, "So she was the one they were looking for before. Then, after drinking, they had sex and had a relationship, which led to the birth of a son and a daughter."
Li Lin nodded heavily.
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere darkened again.
Chen Yun hid behind the screen and quietly peeked out. Looking at the expressions of everyone in the room, his heart suddenly sank, and he quickly retreated back, thinking to himself: "Is this going to be a fight? Can I still get out?"
Li Lin said unhappily, "Come out, let's face it together."
Chen Yun, holding the two children, carefully moved between Li Lieo and Xue Lian, trying to use the children to ease the atmosphere: "Would you like to hold Little Winter Melon and Little Pumpkin?"
They both took the child, their faces immediately lit up with smiles. Xue Lian even teased the child lovingly, "This boy looks so much like Lin'er when he was little."
Chen Lu asked, "By the way, how are the eldest and second eldest children divided? Also, do the children have real names?"
Chen Yun responded: "Eldest daughter and second son, the names haven't been decided yet."
Li Lie'ao said, "Then tomorrow, mother and son will return to the palace and let the Imperial Historian Bureau name them!"
Chen Yun was both afraid and wanted to test everyone's reaction, so he asked, "Well... can we not enter the palace? Everyone should just do their own work. Can't we just leave the child in someone else's care?"
Everyone said in unison: "No!"
Huang Youbing quickly grabbed Chen Yun's arm and tried to persuade him earnestly, "Why are you refusing? Just think about it, how miserable it is for a child without a complete family. How will they get along with others when they grow up?"
Chen Yun looked at her mother with a bitter heart. She knew her mother's painstaking efforts, but when she thought about everything that would happen after she entered the palace, she was still full of resistance.
"But..." She leaned her hands weakly on the table, her forehead against the surface, "Thinking about my original status, how could I have a foothold in the harem and compare with those women?"
Li Lie'ao said, "What are you two thinking? Giving birth to an heir to the throne means you can't escape the palace's disputes." Li Lie'ao placed the cup on the table and continued, "You see, cups are so easily taken and used. This is especially true for members of the royal family. If you don't arm yourself, you will always be just a cup."
These words actually touched the hearts of the Chen family.
Xue Lian raised the corner of her mouth slightly when she saw the situation, then suddenly turned to complain: "Forget it, we can't force you to go in. We are miserable. We can't take good care of our own grandson. Mother-in-law, it seems that our fate can only end here."
Huang Youbing also cooperated, crying and saying, "It's not your fault! It's my fault for not being well brought up! We are not worthy!"
"If there is an opportunity to get promoted and make money by currying favor with the royal family, anyone who doesn't fight for it is a fool." This is what Huang Youbing thought.
In fact, Huang Youbing had a little plan in mind. Li Lin and Chen Yin could not see the expression behind her sleeves, but Xue Lian could see the cunningness clearly.
Xue Lian understood and shook her head in agreement: "I don't blame you, it's just that my son Lin is not doing well."
At this time, Li Lin and Chen Ying knew that the other party was acting, but they really couldn't stand the two people crying.
Li Lin and Chen Yun exchanged a glance, each seeing the pity in the other's eyes. Their cries echoed in unison, like a blunt knife, cutting their hearts again and again. It was unbearable. Finally, Chen Yun called a halt.
Chen Yun glanced at his family, then at Little Pumpkin and Little Winter Melon, and began to think: "If I enter the palace, provide value and help others, help Li Lin consolidate his position as crown prince, aid him in ascending the throne, and establish my own protection network within the palace. Then, I can take advantage of the opportunity to gain benefits, give back to my family, and at the same time build up my own small treasury for unexpected needs. If all goes well, entering the palace is not a bad idea. Besides... my family has suffered enough. I just don't know what Li Lin thinks?"
Chen Yun stood up and looked down at Li Lin and said, "Li Lin, I hate being deceived the most in my life. If we can't balance the relationship between family and country, it's not a bad thing to be honest. It's best for us to maintain the status quo."
Li Lin stood up and looked at Chen Yun and said, "Chen Yun, listen, I can't let you go. Even if I have to give up the position of crown prince, I will protect you."
Chen Yun felt a full sense of security in his heart, and with a slight smile on his lips, he responded readily: "Okay! I am willing to enter the palace."
Everyone applauded in surprise. Chen Yun quickly added, "But I don't want to fight with other women to the death. And don't expect to sleep with me every day."
Li Lin said, "Now is the time to discuss the canonization. Whether to fight for it or not is not really up to you. Father, Emperor, Mother, Xiao Ying is now a direct disciple of the Yuan Tian Sect. Her master has said that she is required to become the Crown Princess to save the Qiankun Kingdom."
"What?" everyone screamed in shock.
Chen Lu asked, "Could it be the Yuan Tian faction, who is as omnipotent as a god?"
Li Lie'ao and Xue Lian exchanged a glance. Xue Lian nodded and then said to Chen Yun, "The Crown Princess position is no joke. It can't be crowned with a single word. Tomorrow, you will enter the palace as the Crown Prince's Consort. Then, you will compete with the other three Consorts for the position of Crown Princess for a month. During this period, you may use any means necessary. In the end, the ministers will select the winner."
Chen Yun was about to say something, but Xue Lian stopped him. "The Crown Princess needs to deal with the problems of the Eastern Palace. She must be able to handle the disputes in the harem just like me, and at the same time, be able to deal with the officials of the court. The position of Crown Princess has been coveted by the officials. We don't want to take sides, so we decided to have multiple concubines to compete for the position. But you are different. You have no power, which is exactly what we need. I hope you can use it in Qiankun Kingdom and the harem."
Chen Yun weighed the pros and cons in her mind, thinking of her family, her children, and her future. As long as her goal was achieved, whether she was the legal wife or not was not important. So she nodded.
Xue Lian and Li Lieo stood up and handed the child to Chen Yin.
"Alright, Queen, Lin'er, let's go back to the palace!"
After seeing everyone off, only the Chen family was left in the courtyard.
Huang Youbing turned around, took Chen Yun's hand, and said earnestly, "Yun'er, there are no outsiders here. Mother has to say a few words. After entering the palace, control your temper, be humble, respect and take good care of the Emperor, Empress, and your husband, obey appropriately, communicate appropriately, and pay attention to the differences between men and women. Do not cross the line with other men."
Chen Lu also said, "Be careful in all your actions within the palace. Today, since you gave birth to the heir to the throne, there will undoubtedly be jealous people plotting against you. Keep a low profile in your personal life, but be high-profile in your work. After all, you're not from a wealthy family, so your tactics may not be as good as others, but remember to protect yourself and your child. You can forgo all other benefits. Also, if life in the palace isn't going your way, your family will always be open to letting you return."
Chen Yun was so moved that he couldn't hold back his tears any longer. He knelt down with a plop: "Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Xiaoyu, I'm so sorry. I made you suffer because of my willful departure that day."
Chen Yun kowtowed deeply, and Chen Lu, Huang Youbing, Chen Siyu, and Chen Feng gathered around her and helped her up.
"It's my fault. I was resentful at first and it wasn't easy for me to forget you."
Chen Lu embraced his family in his arms, his voice choked with sobs: "We are still a family. No matter how many setbacks we encounter outside, when we return home, we still have the warmth of our doghouse."
Chen Feng: "Yingying, our family will no longer be as miserable as before. I will work hard with my family."
Chen Siyu gently shook Chen Yun and teased with a tearful voice, "Second sister, I want to see how beautiful you look in the palace!"
Chen Yan burst into laughter, but that smile was full of bitterness.
Chen Ying sighed and said, "You are so kind. It would be even better if you could tell me where your current home is."
Everyone then remembered that they had moved and burst into laughter.
Huang Youbing took off her hairpin and handed it to Chen Yun, saying, "We were in such a hurry that we couldn't prepare much dowry. This hairpin is the most valuable thing on your mother's body. We'll give it to you later."
Chen Yun looked at the hairpin in her hand, tears blurring her eyes again. "Thank you. Today is my happiest day. I will never forget your kindness. I'll stay in the private room tonight!"
The family hugged each other and slowly walked out of the house, their figures gradually moving away in the night. Everyone's heart was filled with concern and reluctance for each other. They didn't know what the future held, and only this family affection was like a bright lamp illuminating the dark night.
The next morning, the palace was abuzz with rumors about the prince's new concubine and heir.
When Huang Luo got off the carriage holding the two children, he was accompanied by a group of guards and palace maids.
Walking along the Imperial Road, you can see palaces scattered in an orderly manner, with flying eaves and brackets, magnificent and golden. On the roofs of the palaces stand auspicious beasts of various shapes, looking down from high above, overlooking everything in the palace.
Chen Yun wore a pale blue dress, the hem swaying gently with her steps. A white ribbon tied around her waist further accentuated her slender figure. Her face was as white as jade, and her eyes shone with an innate heroic spirit. At this moment, the two children in her arms were wrapped in a soft quilt, sleeping soundly. Their delicate little faces were faintly flushed in the sunlight, making them look extremely adorable.
Along the way, palace maids and eunuchs bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe. She stared straight ahead with a firm gaze and steady steps, showing no sign of the panic and uneasiness that comes with entering the palace for the first time.
Soon, they arrived at the gate of the East Palace and saw Lan Xixi, Chen Youyou and Li Zi already waiting there.
Chen Youyou looked at him sharply, sizing him up in her mind: "A mere lowly person is actually living in the East Palace's Mistress's Hall. Isn't it just because of her son that she is honored?"
Li Zi was also sizing up the person in front of her in her heart: "Climbing onto the prince's bed and secretly giving birth to an imperial heir, isn't that more impressive than that idiot Chen Youyou?"
Lan Xixi greeted Chen Yun respectfully, "Sister has indeed given birth to a royal heir. Congratulations."
At this moment, Chen Ying's arrogance, the perfectly raised corners of his mouth, and his sharp and confident steps seemed particularly majestic.
Arriving at the palace, Chen Yun said, "Put this bell in my hand in front of the door while you bathe and change clothes. Do not leave before bathing."
After bathing and changing her clothes, Chen Yun applied a light layer of makeup. She donned a gorgeous yet elegant palace dress, her hair meticulously combed and adorned with pearls and jade, appearing even more graceful and elegant. Carrying a small pumpkin and a small winter melon, she entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple with graceful, elegant steps, led by palace maids and eunuchs.
Inside the palace, Li Lie'ao, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression majestic yet tinged with kindness. Xue Lian, dressed in a phoenix robe, sat beside him, a gentle smile on her face. Seeing Chen Yun enter, holding the child, their eyes were instantly drawn to him.
"Bringing the two imperial grandchildren, we pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Empress."
Li Lie'ao quickly raised his hand and said with a smile, "No need to be polite, please stand up and let me see the emperor's grandson."
Xue Lian also stood up, walked quickly to Chen Yin's side, took the little pumpkin, and said with a smile: "Oh, my dear grandson, let the Royal Grandmother take a good look."
Xue Lian teased Little Pumpkin and looked up at Chen Yun and said, "Yun'er, don't work too hard on yourself. Just tell the servants to do anything. These two children are our royal treasures."
Chen Yun bowed slightly and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, the Queen, for your concern. I will take good care of myself and the child."
Li Lie'ao smiled and said, "It's time to change your words and call me Father, Emperor, and Mother, Empress."
Then the Zen master and the Hanlin Academy scholar invited Chen Yin and the two children to a series of worship and horoscope calculations, and finally named the eldest daughter, the princess, Li Xin, and the second son, the prince, Li Ziyin.
Chen Yun took out several blueprints and handed them to Li Lie'ao, saying, "Father, these are the designs I wrote. One is for a siege wagon, which can break down city walls and destroy armies. The other is for a repeating crossbow, which can fire multiple arrows at a single shot."
"Good! You are worthy of being my good daughter-in-law. Eunuch Lin, please immediately arrange for someone to send the design drawings to the Ministry of Industry to begin production."
Chen Yun took out a few more boxes and presented them to Xue Lian. "Mother, these three bottles contain perfumes I've created using various flowers. With these perfumes, you don't need to wear a sachet. Could you open them and smell which one suits you best?"
Every time Xue Lian opened one, she could enjoy the different natural fragrance and aroma that came to her nose.
"What a wonderful thing! It has a more complex and better smell than the sachet. Thank you for your gift. Mother is very happy."
Chen Yun pointed northwest again. "The northwest of Qiankun Country is a barren wasteland, while the west is a land of lakes and rivers. I remember hearing about logging in the nearby mountains and forests a few years ago. If this continues, please intensify your efforts to stop it. The mountains and forests can block wind and sand, and the firm soil can prevent flooding and lower groundwater levels."
A historian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what the Queen said is absolutely correct. Please send someone to govern."
"Chen Liangdi, the gift you gave me today is very great. I will do it. Come! Reward Chen Liangdi with ten taels of silver and two pieces of silk."
Chen Ying happily accepted and thanked the gift.
Shi Jianhou approached Chen Yun and bowed, "Your Excellency is a very talented lady. I hope to learn from you."
Chen Yun smiled and said, "No one is perfect, let's learn together!"
However, despite Shi Jianhou's respectful gesture, his face was filled with murderous intent. He pulled out a knife from his sleeve and, in a flash, stabbed Chen Yun. Chen Yun quickly retreated, leaving a slash on his clothes.
Chen Yan kicked him away, and the next second, a group of guards subdued Shi Jianhou.
Shi Jianhou shouted, "You, a lowly person, are not worthy of marrying into the royal family! We will not accept the enchanting concubine who is honored by her son!"
Shi Jianhou's shout echoed in the hall. For a moment, everyone was shocked by this sudden change.
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