Chapter 62 (None)
"Today, the Earl of Yong'an came to the palace to meet the Emperor, saying that he has been deeply favored by the Emperor over the years, but his descendants are unworthy, and he wishes to return his title. His descendants can live a leisurely life and be content with that."
As Emperor Yuanming spoke, he glanced at Jiang Ling and said uncomfortably, "The Earl of Yong'an is getting old. Of the noble families who fought alongside Emperor Taizu to establish the empire, only two or three remain. The Earl of Yong'an's mansion is far from the court and is the most honest of all."
Jiang Ling understood. The Marquis of Yong'an was well-informed and acted quickly. He used the title of Marquis to ensure the safety and stability of Consort Duan in the harem.
This move by the Marquis of Yong'an may seem generous, but it was actually a clever scheme!
The title of Marquis of Yong'an was not hereditary. By the time of his son, the title would be downgraded to that of a founding viscount. By the time of his grandson, the title would be downgraded again to that of a founding baron.
There are twelve ranks of nobility, with viscounts having eleven ranks and a rank of fifth grade. Barons have the lowest rank and a rank of sixth grade.
The nobles received stipends and fiefs, but the fiefs granted to the Great Yin were nominal. A fief of five hundred households was merely a favor. Even in a real fief, each household only contributed about twenty or thirty large coins; not all the taxes levied by the fief belonged to the nobles.
The descendants of the Marquis of Yong'an were all unambitious, holding only nominal titles and idle positions. The vast Marquis's mansion lived off the Marquis's fourth-rank salary and the shops and land inherited from his ancestors.
After becoming a baron, the Yong'an Earl's family became commoners. Although the fourth prince died young, Consort Duan was still young and could have children later.
If one can produce a son in one fell swoop, one can at least be granted the title of a prince. The maternal family of a prince is far more valuable than that of a fallen baron.
Jiang Ling listened quietly, his gaze fixed on Emperor Yuanming without blinking.
For some reason, Emperor Yuanming felt increasingly guilty as he met Jiang Ling's bright eyes, and each word he spoke was incredibly difficult: "The Earl of Yong'an is getting old, and as a descendant of a loyal minister of the Great Yin Dynasty, I also feel sorry for him. Consort Duan is still young, and she was overwhelmed with grief at the loss of the Fourth Prince, and was instigated by others to say a few incoherent words. Now that she has realized her mistake, I will be lenient and plan to demote her to the rank of Talented Lady after she recovers, so that she can come and apologize to you properly."
Fearing that Jiang Ling would be angry, Emperor Yuanming said to Xiao Yi, "I will certainly not treat you badly. When Xiao Zhou turns one year old, I will make you a Consort Chen."
Consort Chen was a title Emperor Wenzong bestowed upon his favored concubine. It's similar to the Imperial Noble Consort in later generations; when there are too many favored concubines, the value of a concubine is reduced to almost nothing due to inflation.
Moreover, whether it is Consort Chen or Imperial Noble Consort, at most they are only consorts, and the difference between them and the Empress is not just one or two ranks, but a fundamental difference.
The Empress is the mother of the nation, and all other imperial concubines, whether they are imperial consorts, noble consorts, or imperial concubines, are considered concubines of the nation.
Emperor Yuanming's desire to reclaim the title was not solely due to Consort Duan; it was also related to the political situation of the previous dynasty.
The Great Yin Dynasty had been established for over a hundred years, and the descendants of the Xiao family had spread far and wide. Just supporting the royal family and relatives required a huge amount of money and grain.
The sons of the late emperor had already divided up all the land and mansions. The emperor kept having sons and couldn't bear to see his own sons suffer, so he tried every means to consider their needs, and stripping them of their titles was a common method.
Emperor Yuanming was the emperor, the supreme ruler, and his remorse was more effective than favoritism.
If she gets annoyed by the noise and embarrasses him, it will be a case of losing more than she gains.
Jiang Ling didn't want to be too sensible either, because sensible people often suffer grievances and losses. She didn't say anything, just sat there quietly.
Emperor Yuanming panicked and hurriedly said, "It's all because the palace maids who serve her are incompetent. I have already ordered the Palace Attendants to take away the palace maids who serve Consort Duan and send them to be replaced; experienced and experienced governesses will go to her side to properly instruct her."
Jiang Ling couldn't hold back any longer. Looking at Emperor Yuanming in disbelief, she asked, "Does Your Majesty mean to kill the palace maids around Consort Duan?"
Emperor Yuanming frowned and said, "They did not perform their duties well and failed in their duty to advise. I dealt with them according to palace rules. What wrong have I done?"
Fanghe was flogged and sent to Willow Lane, where she died from her injuries.
Although Fanghe brought this upon herself, Jiang Ling always felt regret and self-blame whenever he thought about it, since they had spent every day together.
Fanghe's crime did not warrant death. If someone had spoken up for her then, Gong Zhengsi's stick would have fallen less heavily.
Although the power struggles within the harem were bloodless, Jiang Ling was not a true member of the Great Yin Dynasty. It wasn't that she was too foolish to fight them, but rather that she had her own bottom line and couldn't be so indifferent to life.
Some time ago, when Lady Xue entered the palace, Jiang Ling entrusted Jiang Wenxiu to find Fanghe's family and hand over the silver and valuables she left behind to her relatives.
However, the fragrant lotus remains an indelible regret for Jiang Ling.
"How can they possibly fulfill their duty of persuasion? Will they listen? Will they dare to persuade? Will they even be able to stop them? What scoundrels! How many lives are you willing to sacrifice for your beloved concubine! Scoundrels, scoundrels, scoundrels! There's someone behind this, and I don't believe you can't find out! Consort Zhao, you haven't mentioned it at all, only because of the Second Princess, right? Only your beloved is important. They're all born of parents, and other people's lives don't matter? Etiquette doesn't apply to commoners. You think you're some noble lady who knows propriety and shame? Can't you be a decent human being? Have some shame!"
Jiang Ling cursed inwardly, but said aloud, "The palace maids are innocent. Your Majesty, I beg you to spare their lives."
Emperor Yuanming was enraged by Jiang Ling's scolding, and his face darkened. Just as he was about to lash out, the Third Prince began to whine and cry in his cradle.
Jiang Ling, disregarding Emperor Yuanming, quickly leaned over to look. He saw the Third Prince kicking his little legs and moving his little mouth, seemingly hungry.
"Don't cry, don't cry," Jiang Ling coaxed softly, holding him in her arms and turning to breastfeed him.
The third prince stopped crying immediately after nursing. Jiang Ling lowered her head and looked at the infant in her arms, silently saying in her heart, "Eat, eat, grow up safely. Your mother asks for nothing from you, only hoping that you will grow up to be a person, a person with humanity."
Emperor Yuanming's anger vanished instantly. He stared blankly at Jiang Ling; in the candlelight, her eyes were red-rimmed, and she exuded an inexplicable sorrow.
For a moment, Emperor Yuanming's heart was involuntarily torn with sorrow.
In the harem, he knew her as well as he knew himself. Her thoughts, joys, and sorrows sometimes angered him, sometimes made him laugh and cry, and sometimes stirred his heart and shocked him.
For example, she was furious and cursed wildly because she had no complaints of her own, yet she pleaded for a mere servant.
Emperor Yuanming did not understand what it meant to be a human being; perhaps, it was someone like her.
The winter night was bitterly cold, and every breath filled the air with white mist. Stepping out of Fanying Pavilion, Emperor Yuanming looked back and saw the lamps under the eaves casting a warm and tranquil glow.
Just like the places she frequented, they always exuded comfort. Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but smile; it was because she always managed to find the most comfortable way out amidst the many rules.
Live without competing or fighting, live an open and honest life, and have a clear conscience.
After taking a few steps, Emperor Yuanming slowed his pace and said, "Huang Liang, go to the Palace Administration Office and release those palace maids from Cuiwei Pavilion. As for that midwife Zhang and the wet nurse, give them ten strokes of the cane and spare their lives. Consort Zhao... punish her with six months of confinement. From now on... release the palace maids from Cuiwei Pavilion. Before they leave the palace, let them come to Fanying Pavilion to kowtow."
Huang Liang was slightly taken aback. He quickly turned around and glanced at the brightly lit Fanying Pavilion. He hurriedly accepted the order, handed the lantern in his hand to Zhang Shan, and rushed to the Palace Administration Department.
Miyako no Tsukasa.
Song Gong was preparing to rest in his quarters when he heard Huang Liang arrive. He quickly put on his clothes and muttered as he walked outside, "Why is he here?"
"The Emperor has decreed." Huang Liang glanced at the dark room and went straight to the point: "Release the palace maids in Cuiwei Pavilion. As for Zhang the midwife and wet nurse, give them ten strokes of the cane. Be careful not to kill them. Have Bai Qin and the others go to Fanying Pavilion to kowtow and express their gratitude."
The Song palace was taken aback and quickly summoned the palace maids on duty, giving them instructions one by one.
"It's cold outside, come inside and have a cup of tea." Song Gongzheng turned and went inside.
"Alright, I'll have a cup of hot tea with you." Huang Liang sneezed, his hands in his sleeves, and followed him into the house.
The tea in the thermos was still warm. Song Gongzheng poured a cup and placed it in front of Huang Liang, then sat down at the table and asked, "Is there someone else?"
"There's no one else, they're the ones who committed the crime." Huang Liang took a sip of tea, raised his chin towards the direction of Fanying Pavilion, and said with emotion, "Didn't you hear that they were told to go to Fanying Pavilion to kowtow? It was that person who pleaded for them."
"Consort Shu?" Song Gongzheng, who was usually calm and composed, opened his eyes wide with shock.
"Alas, how dare we, who are merely servants, disobey our masters? Even if Grand Secretary Wei were to advise the Emperor, he could not dissuade him."
Huang Liang gave a bitter laugh, his expression wistful. "If Bai Qinzhi loses her life, those palace maids in Cuiwei Pavilion will truly become wronged ghosts. I actually hope that one day when I commit a crime, someone will plead for me, leave me with a complete corpse, and bury me properly, instead of throwing me into a mass grave to be eaten by wild beasts!"
"Look at you, always saying such unlucky things." Song Gongzheng looked disgusted with a straight face, but felt sad inside.
Although they were female officials and eunuchs, they were ultimately servants. Even those who rose to the high position of Cai Wannian, the Chief Eunuch, could be thrown into a mass grave by a single imperial decree.
Huang Liang stopped there, put down his teacup and stood up. "I have to go back to my post. Your tea is getting cold. The tea from Fanying Pavilion is much warmer."
Song Gongzheng chuckled, and after seeing Huang Liang off, he sat down at the desk, staring blankly at the lamp in front of him, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
The following day, the celebration of the third prince's third birthday was moved by Emperor Yuanming to the Lanyue Palace.
Jiang Ling was in confinement after childbirth and should not go out. The weather was cold, so she only took one of the Third Prince's robes with her. The midwife sang a blessing over the robe, took water from a golden basin, and dabbed it on the robe. The third-day washing ceremony was then completed.
Emperor Yuanming himself arrived, sitting majestically on his throne, solemnly watching the ceremony below.
Although the group of people adding water to the basin were very surprised, none of them dared to utter a sound.
After the ceremony, Emperor Yuanming ordered Huang Liang to collect the Third Prince's clothes and bestowed all the gold and silver jewels from the golden basin upon the midwives and officials of the Ministry of Rites, saying, "From now on, all baby baths in the palace will be conducted in this manner, using clothes instead of the baby. After the bath, the clothes should be carefully stored away, along with the baby's first hair, to bless the child's safe and healthy growth."
One of the old princesses of the Xiao family was genuinely puzzled and couldn't help but stand up and ask, "Where is the Third Prince? How can he bring a piece of clothing for his third-day celebration?"
Emperor Yuanming chuckled and said, “Grand-aunt, you are getting on in years. Regardless of the weather, you must take care of your health and avoid washing yourself with water too often. The newborn baby is also delicate and fragile; how can it withstand such treatment? In the future, the Imperial Medical Academy will make all its knowledge known to the world.”
Before the old princess could react, Emperor Yuanming ordered Huang Liang to begin serving the meal, and the banquet began.
The people in the hall had different thoughts. Some thought it was a good thing, while others felt that Emperor Yuanming was breaking with customs and rules. Out of fear that he was the emperor, no one dared to question him directly, and they waited for the Imperial Medical Academy's response.
Emperor Yuanming drank two cups of wine and then left. Xue and Tao could no longer sit still and hurriedly went to Fanying Pavilion.
Jiang Ling and Wen Juan were wiping and cleaning the Third Prince's bottom and putting on a diaper. Madam Xue instinctively wanted to step forward to help, but Wen Juan smiled and stepped aside to block her, saying, "Please sit down, Madam. Your Highness and I are quick and efficient; we'll get it done in no time."
"Mother, sister-in-law, please sit down." Jiang Ling greeted them, holding the wrapped-up Third Prince in her arms, and said with a smile, "He just had his milk, and he looks sleepy again."
Madam Xue looked at the third prince in his swaddling clothes with loving eyes and said with a smile, "When you were this age, you just ate and slept, slept and ate."
Tao praised, "He looks exactly like the Emperor; he's destined for great fortune."
Jiang Ling chuckled. Being born into an imperial family must be the greatest blessing in the world. However, she said firmly, "His features are just like mine; that's what makes him handsome."
Tao smiled ingratiatingly, while Xue looked at Jiang Ling reproachfully and said with a troubled expression, "Your Majesty, I thought the previous rules for the baby's third-day celebration were very good. When you and Dalang had your third-day celebration, I was also reluctant to take you away. I only heard that you didn't keep a wet nurse and personally fed the Third Prince, which caused a lot of discussion in the capital. The Earl of Yong'an's mansion even came to our door in person, saying that the women in the mansion were ignorant and gossiping behind our backs, and brought generous gifts to apologize."
The smile on Jiang Ling's face gradually faded.
The visit of the Marquis of Yong'an can be seen as an apology on behalf of Lady Duan.
Alternatively, it can be seen as the Earl of Yong'an threatening him.
The Jiang father and son are dull-witted and completely unaware of what is happening in the palace. Dealing with them would be easy.
If the Marquis of Yong'an were truly that clever and capable, he wouldn't have remained inactive in the court.
There must be a master guiding him behind the scenes!
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