Chapter 26: The Queen Mother
Sima Jun said, "My grandson brought her into the mansion yesterday. She is currently being placed in Wufeng Courtyard."
The Empress Dowager doted on Prince Yuzhang and had some knowledge of the Prince's mansion. Wufengyuan was a small courtyard, not the principal consort's residence, but it was a suitable place for Lu Shi to reside.
She said "hmm", but then sighed and pushed the soup away.
"Although I accepted Mrs. Lu, it was because of your father's last wish," she said. "Every time I think about how he died on the way to marry this woman, I feel depressed. How can I not hate this woman deeply..."
As the Queen Mother spoke, her voice was choked with sobs.
The eldest princess beside her hurriedly advised, "You're fine, why are you thinking about these things? Third brother is gone, there's still a lot of time to come. Since the Queen Mother has recognized her, you should think positively."
Sima Jun was about to speak when he heard the Crown Prince say, "Grandmother, speaking of Concubine Lu, I have something to report."
"What is it?"
"When my grandson summoned Concubine Lu yesterday, she predicted a disaster for Tongwen Hall. I took this to heart, and therefore ordered the hall to be sealed off," the Crown Prince said. "Sure enough, at ten o'clock in the morning, a natural disaster of drought and thunder struck, causing a fire. Tongwen Hall is my grandson's office in the Eastern Palace, and it's packed with documents, property, and attendants. If it weren't for Concubine Lu's prediction, I'm afraid it would be more than just the destruction of one hall."
Hearing this, the Queen Mother and the Princess were both surprised.
The eldest princess asked curiously, "Is that so?"
The prince laughed and said, "How could I possibly deceive the Empress Dowager and Auntie? If you don't believe me, you can ask Ziheng, he was also present."
Everyone looked at Sima Jun.
Although Sima Jun still scoffed at such supernatural theories, he knew that the prince was telling the truth. He nodded perfunctorily, taking it as his tacit agreement.
The Queen Mother pondered in silence.
The eldest princess thought for a moment and said, "Before my third brother left, he told me that this Lu's father, Lu Ming, was a learned Yin-Yang master. He was well-versed in the Five Elements, understood the principles of fate, and could predict the unknown. He was determined to marry this woman because she inherited the family's knowledge. With her assistance, he could ensure the prosperity of our family and the peace of our country."
The Queen Mother's eyes flickered slightly, and she asked Sima Jun, "Did she say anything else after she arrived at the palace?"
"Nothing was said. After arriving at the palace, I only saw her once," Sima Jun said. "This morning at 11:00 AM, I rushed to the Eastern Palace and ran into Lady Lu in the palace. She said she was ordered by the Empress Dowager to get up at 11:00 AM to copy scriptures in the Buddhist temple."
The Queen Mother finally showed a hint of satisfaction and nodded slightly.
"Even if she contributed to the fire, other matters should be addressed one by one. The Buddha said that karma will prevail. Isn't this the good karma your father left behind? Therefore, you should still copy the Buddhist scriptures. As a widow, she hasn't received the proper instruction of a princess. Copying more Buddhist scriptures and praying for your father's afterlife is what she should do."
Sima Jun bowed and said, "Grandson obeys your order."
The princess looked at Sima Jun, her lips curled up, and she said to the queen mother, "In my opinion, although Concubine Lu has arrived at the palace, she is the widow of the late king after all, and she is not good at anything, so it is difficult for her to be the mistress. When Xiao is gone, Ziheng will inherit the throne. Your Majesty, you should think more about the selection of the princess."
When this was mentioned, the Queen Mother smiled and said, "This is indeed a serious matter. Ziheng, your father is gone, and as the elder in charge of household affairs, it is your grandmother who should make the decision for you on this matter."
Sima Jun stood up and saluted again, "Your Majesty, I understand. My father passed away suddenly, and I, your grandson, am deeply filial. It is neither moral nor rational for me to discuss marriage. When my father was alive, all he thought about every day was the affairs of family and state. He once told me that as a member of the royal family, we should emulate the ambitions of Huo Piao and Yao Yao during the Han Dynasty. When the country is in turmoil, there is no place for family. Now that the north has not been recovered and my father's wish is unfulfilled, I, your grandson, have no desire for marriage. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"
These words were spoken with great force, and his father, the old Prince of Yuzhang, was mentioned several times, which aroused the Queen Mother's sadness.
She wiped her eyes and sighed, "Foolish boy, when a man grows up, he will inevitably get married. Well, you are still in mourning. It won't be too late to discuss this matter after you are no longer in mourning."
Sima Jun agreed.
The Queen Mother spoke to the Crown Prince for a few more words, and then invited them to have lunch in Anle Palace before letting them go back.
"Mother, yesterday I saw Concubine Lu. She was only seventeen years old and looked delicate and frail, but I never imagined she possessed some formidable abilities." After the two of them had walked away, the eldest princess couldn't help but ask, "So, that Yin-Yang family is real?"
The Queen Mother has a far-sighted vision.
"Whether it's true or not, we'll know for sure later," she said slowly, "and have someone keep a closer eye on it."
The eldest princess smiled and said, "Didn't mother originally say that if she was adopted, she was to be buried alive with my third brother?"
The Queen Mother smiled faintly, "A useless person is no different from a clay figurine. If your third brother really does marry a capable concubine, then there's no harm in keeping him."
——
After Sima Jun left, the concubines left behind by Prince Yuzhang came to pay their respects to Sun Weixing.
There were twenty-five concubines in total, and they came forward one by one and knelt down to pay homage.
In her previous life, before Sun Wei entered the Prince of Yuzhang's Mansion, these concubines had been dismissed by Sima Jun, and Sun Wei had never seen any of them.
Looking at them now, Sun Wei couldn't help but sigh in his heart that the old Prince of Yuzhang was really lucky.
Among these concubines, several were older and had served Prince Yuzhang for many years, but the loudest-voiced one was a woman in her twenties named He, whom everyone called He Ji.
Sun Wei had never seen this person in his previous life, but he had heard about him from the elders in the mansion.
He Ji was originally a musician. The old Prince of Yuzhang, while out for an outing, heard her music and was immediately attracted to her, bringing her home. He Ji was a master of music and could recite poetry, all of which appealed to the Prince's tastes. Of all his concubines, he doted on her the most, even taking her to visit the immortals and seek the truth.
Therefore, among all the concubines in the palace, He Ji was the most arrogant. She used the best things and always regarded herself as the princess.
Today's visit was also led by He Ji, who saluted Sun Wei.
Sun Wei looked at her and saw that He Ji was indeed a striking beauty. Although she was wearing mourning clothes, her figure was graceful and her coarse linen clothes could not hide her beautiful face.
In front of Sun Wei, He Ji spoke politely, but Sun Wei could see that there was a hint of arrogance and reluctance in her respectfulness. When she looked at Sun Wei, her eyes were not shy, but stared straight at her.
Sun Wei was quite friendly. After paying his respects, he asked his concubines to sit down and chatted with each of them for a few minutes, asking their names and ages.
When the concubines saw that Sun Wei was young and spoke gently, their reserved airs immediately dissipated a lot.
"I've just arrived at the palace, and I don't know many of the rules." Sun Wei said, "I wonder who was in charge of the harem in the past?"
An older concubine replied, "Before there was no princess, He Ji was in charge of the affairs of the harem."
He Ji glanced at the concubine, the corners of her lips curved, and she said, "Since I entered the palace, the late king has handed the rear quarters over to me."
"Oh?" Sun Wei looked at He Ji. "I'll have to trouble He Ji for guidance in the future."
He Ji bowed slowly and said, "I dare not."
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