The Fourth Lady and Relatives
Due to the conspiracy of Concubine Li and Concubine Rong, Changsun Anye conspired with Prince Jian'an and others to kidnap and harm the Jiedutu of Yanyou Kingdom. Yin Banluo summoned the Yin family's men to dodge Prince Jian'an's advance by posing as civilians. Chen Feng, protecting the Jiedutu, drove back Prince Jian'an's troops. Later, upon learning that their leader had been captured alive by Wei Ningshuang, the rebels dispersed.
Because of this civil strife, the rumors about Wei Ningshuang herself being a sinister concubine that brought disaster to the country were alleviated, and even the people began to spread the idea that women can also be strong.
As for Xuanyuan Haonan, he was asked by Li Lin to apologize, but nothing happened.
Since Chen Yun became the queen, in addition to handling harem affairs every day, she also met and made friends with the wives of a number of ministers.
On this day, Huang Youbing brought relatives from her father Chen Lu's family and relatives from her mother's side.
In the autumn season, although the dim Kunning Palace was luxuriously decorated, there were few people serving.
After everyone saluted, Chen Yun spoke, "First, I am here known as Changsun. You are not allowed to publicize my name, or you will be able to find me anywhere. Secondly, you didn't support my parents back then, so how can you have the nerve to meet me today?"
The visitors all looked embarrassed, so they urged: "Okay, you can reply now."
Huang Youbing said, "Ying'er, even though they didn't do the right thing in the past, they regret it towards us now. Just be generous and forgive the past."
"Mom, you don't have to speak for them. No one comes to see you for no reason. Just speak frankly!"
Huang Youbing said, "As you know, both my parents' families have a certain amount of wealth or status, so it's nothing more than seeking a job. And one of them has committed a crime. Some have been slandered by a villain. And this villain is extremely powerful. So I want your help."
Chen Yun looked at the awkward smiles on these people's faces, then helplessly asked them to stand up.
At this time, Changsun Anye entered with Li Lin under the control of the soldiers.
Chen Yun immediately stepped out of the host's seat and bowed. Li Lin looked at the people around him, then pointed at Changsun Anye and said, "I don't want to hurt the Queen's feelings. How should you deal with the people of your Changsun family?"
Changsun Anye knelt down and begged for mercy: "Please Queen, for the sake of being from the same Changsun family, please show some mercy. I will definitely make amends for my sins!"
Chen Yun's relatives were winking at each other in surprise. Huang Youbing was also embarrassed by the conversation.
Chen Yan didn't take it seriously, but in his heart he was thinking, "I'm not related to them by blood. If the Changsun family has done me a favor, they will definitely be loyal to me. But I can't directly express my opinion. I have to think of a way! As for the bad words spread by the Chen family, forget it."
"Your Majesty, I cannot have any objections."
Li Lin looked at the crowd around him and thought, "Are these relatives here to ask for help in the Empress's career? Why didn't they help the Empress in the past?" Then he looked at Changsun Anye, sneered, and continued thinking, "The same goes for these nominal relatives. None of them are useful."
"Then I will kill all the evil people who have insulted the Queen and put an end to it all."
After hearing Li Lin's words, all the guests knelt down.
Chen Qing pretended to sigh and looked away with a sad face.
Seeing Chen Yun like this, Li Lin hugged Chen Yun. Chen Yun said nothing and looked at Changsun Anye.
"The Queen is the mother of a nation. How can she be so merciful? Changsun Anye... should he be killed or not? Queen, please answer me."
She knew that Changsun Anye's cowardly and timid look must have been directed by someone, but she didn't want to get involved in political affairs.
Chen Yun bowed and replied, "A hen crowing at dawn violates the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues. This matter involves power and the previous dynasty, and I cannot violate it."
"If it were up to me, I would kill anyone who has harmed the Empress. For example... these people?" Li Lin pointed at Chen Yun's relatives, then at Changsun Anye. Those relatives immediately pleaded, "There are always fools who use the Empress's status to do foolish things. I will not allow anyone to bring even a little stain on the Empress."
Chen Yun's heart was filled with panic, but it also rippled. "He actually insisted on doing this for me? This can't be done."
Chen Yun supported Li Lin and said, "Anye's crime deserves death. But everyone knows that my family has received no help from relatives, yet we were driven away. If I kill them, the world will surely think that I am taking advantage of your majesty's favor to seek revenge."
Li Lin looked at Chen Yun with regret, then slowly wiped away the tears from her face.
"You really don't have anything else to say?"
Li Lin's words seemed to be hoping to convey something he was thinking. Chen Yun paused thoughtfully, recalling the days of daily fear of famine, living in a loess house, and struggling to survive. She couldn't help but sigh, "To be honest, there were times when I insulted them. Their current situation is perhaps a case of evil deeds being punished. If Your Majesty truly wishes to ask, I would rather spare their lives."
Hearing this, Li Lin immediately stretched his head forward in surprise. He never expected that his wife would be so broad-minded.
Chen Yun explained frankly, "Gossip can melt gold. I don't mind being criticized, but I'm worried that Brother Feng will have trouble getting anywhere in the court. Furthermore, this matter is fraught with doubt. Think about it, Anno's penchant for wandering the streets, drinking, and gambling is well known to everyone. So, if we consider human interaction a herd of livestock, then people of different status should have their own herds. Behavior that crosses that herd is abnormal. Anno... perhaps there's something else going on."
"Queen, I'm sorry to trouble you. I'll leave Changsun Anye to my trial, but your relatives..." He looked at Chen Yun's relatives with disdain, "I'll leave it to you to deal with."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Changsun Anye quickly kowtowed in thanks, and Chen Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, "Although the Changsun family isn't truly my family, I hope this attempt to win them over will be effective. I still need to think about how to resolve this kind of situation in the future. This approach is too dangerous now."
A palace maid came forward to inform Li Lin of Shi Lu's arrival, and Li Lin's eyes instantly became serious.
"Let him in!"
Chen Yun simply said a few words and then sat down to the side. Li Lin was touched by this unintentional action. He looked at Chen Yun, and Chen Yun also looked at him. Chen Yun didn't know why Li Lin was looking at him, so he widened his eyes and gestured. Li Lin just turned away with a bored look and waved to the guards.
"Take him to the Censorate for investigation, and then bring him to my study when the results are out."
Chen Yun waved his hand and winked at Huang Youbing, who took the relatives away.
At this time, Shi Lu passed by the person who was leaving and then saluted.
Chen Yun looked at Li Lin: "Aren't you busy?"
"I'm not busy. I'll just accompany the Queen first." Then he sat down alone next to Chen Yan, muttering to himself, "Humph! This bastard came here to collude with my Queen. I'll find a reason to sentence you to death."
Chen Yun gestured for Shi Lu to sit down. "Tell me, what brings you here today, Brother Shi? If it's about the Imperial Merchants purchasing additional goods, then forget it."
Shi Lu sat down and spoke in detail, "Your Majesty, I come to you today out of helplessness. Someone with the same surname as yours, Chen, is using your status to rebel against the imperial court. This has now caused business in Le'an Town to become difficult, and the problem has spread to the Guanglong area, causing prices to soar. I previously sought help from Your Majesty, but to no avail. I hope Your Majesty can intervene to put a stop to this."
"This is why I am so angry. How dare those fools use the name of a member of the royal family so casually? I will not hesitate to die!"
Chen Yun asked, "Who is he?"
"I think their names are Chen Xiaobo, Huang Da and..."
These familiar names were Chen Yun's relatives. She didn't want to hear those people's names again, she just wanted to know the whole story. So she gestured for an explanation.
It turned out that the food made by his relatives sickened people and cut corners in the workmanship. This not only offended the town officials, but also affected the entire town's business. As a result, the entire town of Le'an was unable to conduct business. Therefore, local officials and aristocratic families began to suppress the Huang and Chen families.
Only then did Chen Yun understand why his mother had to bring these relatives to the palace to beg him.
"Madam Ming, His Majesty has granted me authority, so I have ordered the temple officials Xie San and Du Dalang to prepare a list and proceed to Le'an Town to investigate the Huang and Chen families. Also, if they cause trouble again under my name, they can use my badge and relay my words. Even with the Empress's protection, we must obey orders. Those who disobey the rules are also criminals."
Nanny Ming took the badge and left quickly. Shi Lu then realized that the Queen was the backer of both the Huang and Chen families.
"My Lady, could it be..."
Chen Yun immediately reached out to stop him, "Stop! You should know my background, right? There's no need to explain. More importantly, everyone must abide by the rules. Without rules, there will be no order. Sentences can be reduced, but the rules must not be violated."
Chen Yun stood up and said, "Okay, I should go check on the children. Brother Shi, you..." Suddenly, she lost her balance. Shi Lu strode over and supported Chen Yun together with other palace maids. She happened to lie on Shi Lu's chest.
Chen Yun regained consciousness and said, "I'm feeling dizzy. Give me some sweets!"
Li Lin coughed dryly, but Chen Yan calmly pushed Shi Lu away.
"What's wrong with you two?"
Chen Yun patted Shi Lu and said, "Brother Shi, just focus on running the Royal Merchants business. We can handle the affairs of Le'an Town here."
Shi Lu looked at Li Lin, then at Chen Yun, and said with heartache: "I saw that you didn't feel dizzy that day. You must have suffered a lot in the palace. No one sympathized with you."
Li Lin, in a rage, lifted Chen Yun up and said to her gently, "You are the queen, how can you flirt with such a lowly person?"
Chen Yun frowned and looked at Li Lin in confusion, "Why are you acting so pretentiously like a woman?" Then he looked at Shi Lu, "Brother Shi, you're not old enough, isn't it time to get married? If you don't have a partner, I can introduce you to someone."
Shi Lu's heart felt as if it was being cut by a knife, and he was speechless.
On the contrary, Li Lin was amused. He left with a smile on his face, holding Chen Yun in his arms, and said ruthlessly: "I will find a lady from a noble family for you in a few days. You must be more careful and behave properly by then, otherwise, other women will turn you away!"
"Then Your Majesty, do you still want me to explain? If so, I will explain until you can no longer listen."
"Sure. But it has to be sweet."
"You wish."
Shi Lu took a deep breath, smiled slightly and said, "I didn't expect that you would choose him in the end."
However, Chen Yun's family problems cannot be solved overnight because there are other people who have infiltrated the family's interests.
A week later, Zhen Yin, Yan Ruoxi, Wei Ningshuang, and Yin Banluo arrived at the scene. After the four of them saluted, they all tensed up as they looked ahead. The dim Kunning Palace, though luxurious, was gloomy, with some lamps still unlit. Instead, the half-lit, half-dark faces accentuated Chen Qian's disgruntled expression, making it even more serious.
"You're so bold! You actually went to Le'an Town in my name to stir up trouble? The Chen family is just my adopted family, and the Huang family is my maternal family. Are you sending money there to embarrass me?"
Wei Ningshuang spoke first: "Empress, if someone takes someone's love, should the perpetrator apologize to the victim?"
Chen Yun asked: "Is this related to this matter? And what is your response, Concubine Yin De?"
Yin Banluo said, "I can't apologize. The one who should apologize is Xuanyuan Haonan, he is the problem. As for you, Concubine Wei, His Majesty has already let it go, so why bother to raise eyebrows for the Yin family?"
Wei Ningshuang frowned and said coldly, "What is Concubine Yin De doing by making trouble for the Crown Prince again? In my opinion, your family's evil intentions have not changed. They are worried that someone will harm them, so they plan to win over the Queen's family in the hope of protection."
Yin Banluo continued, "What a coincidence! It's precisely because someone wants to hurt him at any time that he is seeking the Queen's protection."
Chen Yun looked at Zhen Yin and Yan Ruoxi impatiently: "What about you?"
"Sister, I don't know what you're angry about, but it all comes down to the fact that Concubine Yang sent my salary to Le'an Town. She's been holding a grudge against me since the beginning."
Upon hearing Yan Ruoxi's words, Zhen Yin, despite her mask, revealed a look of discontent. "Before Your Majesty became the Crown Prince, the Emperor Retired had already ordered all princes to donate a portion of their own salaries and those of their concubines to Le'an Town. This is merely completing unfinished business. Do you have the right to be blamed by me?"
None of the four people said the key point, and they hesitated. It was obvious that they would make excuses if they were forced to say it. Chen Yan covered his head and tried to think of a solution.
But Yan Ruoxi stood up and said angrily, "Then let His Majesty come over to confront us about whether we should hand it over or not?"
Wei Ningshuang said, "Sister, please don't bother His Majesty when he's doing things. The affairs of the harem are the affairs of the harem."
Chen Yun immediately roared, "Shut up! If everything concerning the harem bothers Your Majesty, then I will not sit on the throne of Queen!"
The four ladies also fell silent.
"I don't want to hear your explanations yet. I want to tell you something first. Please take a seat."
When everyone sat down, Chen Ying signaled to Nanny Ming to take out the things.
"Here is a bamboo. Break it, then break ten more bamboos and see if they are any harder to break."
Wei Ningshuang easily broke one bamboo stick, then when she picked up ten, she couldn't break them even with all her might. Yin Banluo and Zhen Yin also struggled to break them. Yan Ruoxi, on the other hand, broke all the bamboo sticks with one hand.
Chen Yun had been quite satisfied after glancing at them, but was stunned by Yan Ruoxi's behavior. Then he remembered something, "I forgot about your military family. Nanny Ming, bring another thirty bamboos to Concubine Yan Xian."
This time, Yan Ruoxi couldn't break it even with all her strength.
"When a single bamboo is subjected to external force, its bending strength is low. The force is concentrated at a single point, causing the local stress to exceed the material's strength limit, resulting in fracture. However, when multiple bamboos are bundled together, their overall bending strength is significantly increased. This is why it's difficult for you to destroy them. This phenomenon is not only reflected in bamboo, but also shows that people can significantly increase their overall strength through unity and cooperation. Okay, I've finished. Four ladies, I hope you understand."
Chen Yun's words were actually meant to unite the four of them and prevent them from fighting amongst themselves. Naturally, the four of them understood the reasoning and did not dare to disobey Chen Yun. They had no choice but to accept it superficially.
Seeing this, Chen Yun walked out of the palace slowly with satisfaction.
Seeing that Chen Yun had already left, Wei Ningshuang spoke first: "I will not offend others unless they offend me. Stop fighting over these silver coins. Just put them all in my name! Queen, I am willing to take responsibility for this matter. This dispute is resolved." In fact, she was thinking: "As long as I can win over the Queen, I can basically ensure that my current life is worry-free. Even if the Queen doesn't accept it, it's fine."
Zhen Yin also said, "You want to win over the Empress of the Yuan Tian faction and have her work for you in the future, right? Unfortunately, the Empress isn't as greedy as you are. Wouldn't it be better for you to stay in this position and avoid getting yourself into trouble?" In reality, she was thinking, "I don't want to compete with you concubines. Stop interfering with me. My daughters are living in fear right now, and I need to pave a way out for them."
Yin Banluo said, "I just want to help Le'an Town, I have no other intentions!" In fact, she was thinking, "Now that I have become a concubine, I must find a way to make my family live a good life."
Yan Ruoxi said, "Your words are so sweet. How about I be a little more tactful and frank... Please give me a chance to honor the Empress." In reality, she was thinking, "No one in this world can help me. I can only rely on myself. Therefore, if I want to gain a foothold, I need more resources, and the Empress is indispensable."
Thus, the four concubines, each with their own ulterior motives, began a life of interests and conspiracies in the harem.
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