Chapter 41 Concubine Shu
"Now that my father has been appointed Minister of Rites and is highly regarded by His Majesty, and my fourth sister is also quite favored in the harem, it's a critical juncture. How many jealous people are eager to seize on the trivialities of our family and cause trouble?"
Su Li rubbed his forehead, annoyed at her lack of resistance. "As a son, I follow my father with trepidation, not daring to make even the slightest mistake. But has mother ever considered the Su family? Besides being angry every day, have you ever done anything for the future of the Su family?"
“Why didn’t I think about the Su family?”
Zhao Yu also looked furious. "I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you, but you only help your grandmother and your father blame me! Your uncle is stubborn and I can't persuade him. I want Rong'er to be close to her family. Wouldn't that help the Su family? I want to bring Yin'er back and marry her off to a good family. Isn't that also for the Su family's sake?"
“…Mother, I really can’t understand you.”
Su Li took a breath and shook his head in disappointment. "Over the years since Su Rong married into the Earl's Mansion, apart from quarreling with her husband every day and beating and killing concubines and mistresses, has she ever done anything that would benefit the Su family? You and your grandmother have dealt with so many troubles for her, and now she's even taking advantage of the Su family's dominance to actually beat up her husband!"
"What about Su Yin? She's filled with resentment. I confined her to cultivate her character for her own good. Could I bring her back and have her curse His Majesty's concubines with foul language every day? Putting aside her guilt or not, which family in the capital would dare to marry her in the future? Would Mother really want to see that happen?"
“…”
Zhao Yu gritted his teeth and remained silent for a moment. "Su Ci said that. She said that as long as he entered the palace and gained the emperor's favor, she would help Rong'er support her family, help Yin'er marry into a wealthy family, and help the Su family prosper. But now? She is enjoying wealth and luxury in the palace and has completely forgotten her words..."
“That’s enough!”
Su Li couldn't stand it any longer and swung his sleeves, shaking his head in disbelief. "Mother, how do you think father got the position of Shangshu? Isn't it all thanks to Fourth Sister? If she wasn't in the emperor's favor right now, do you think Su Rong could still stay in the Earl's Mansion after beating her husband in public?"
"Did you know that your father was reprimanded by His Majesty in the Imperial Study today?"
"What?"
Zhao Yu was startled. "Your father is back? What's he scolding me for? Is it because of your uncle..."
"Mother is the mistress of this family, but she doesn't even know whether father has come home."
Su Li sighed, "Mother, you always blame father for favoring his concubine over his wife, but for all these years, Aunt Lin has been humble and subservient to you. Has she ever been disrespectful to you? And has father ever said a word to you because of your harsh words towards Aunt Lin?"
"Because my father is very strict about rules, even though Aunt Lin is his beloved, he still remembers the distinction between wives and concubines and the family honor and disgrace. But as for you, my son is your own flesh and blood, and I have to say that you have been hard on yourself all these years."
Su Li shook his head to calm down, his expression indifferent.
"His Majesty announced this morning that he promoted my fourth sister to the rank of Consort Shu. But this afternoon, he specifically summoned my father and asked him to manage the household wives and concubines. Does my mother understand the deep meaning behind this?"
Zhao Yu was stunned and his eyes widened.
"Shufei?!"
"Mother, think about it carefully. If you still value the future of the Su family, your father, your son, and your grandson, you should think carefully about how to act in the future. Your son will take his leave."
Zhao Yu glared at his son, who walked away with a look of disappointment on his face, and slumped back into his chair in a daze.
"Shufei...she has only been in the palace for two months, how could it be possible..."
…
Bamboo Rhythm Pavilion.
Lin Sulan sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.
"Is what the master said true? Ci'er, Ci'er has been promoted to Consort Shu?"
Su Yan smiled, holding her hand and patting it gently: "How can I lie to you? Today I saw Ci'er, she looked radiant and plump. I think she is doing very well. You can rest assured."
“…”
Lin Sulan lowered her eyes, biting her lip with a worried look.
The fact that Ci'er asked her to deliver the contraceptive pills was top secret. Apart from the mother and daughter, only Guyu knew about it. Even the more lively Yanyu was not told.
But now Ci'er has been promoted to the position of concubine. If her secret contraception is discovered...
"Don't worry, Lan'er. Our daughter is smart and clever. She will definitely be able to turn danger into safety."
Su Yan knew that Lin Sulan was timid and had no intention of telling him what the emperor had said today, but he was just a little confused.
His Majesty not only asked him to control his first wife and his wife's family, but also mentioned the Earl's Palace.
It seems that he is speaking up for Ci'er...
——
Ten days later.
The three new empresses received the imperial edict and gathered in Baorong Palace to talk with the empress dowager.
The virtuous concubine Yan Zhiwan is the leader of the four concubines. She wears a ceremonial rouge peacock palace skirt that is gorgeous and dazzling. The good concubine Song Yuxue wears a light purple cloud-patterned robe and skirt that is elegant and beautiful.
Concubine Su Ci wore a pear-pink floral long dress and a snow-white fox fur coat, looking pure and elegant.
But everyone knows which of the three concubines is the most powerful.
In order to promote Su Ci's rank, His Majesty has brought along two Zhaoyi who have not slept with him for a long time. If Su Ci becomes pregnant with an heir in the future, she will probably be promoted directly to Imperial Concubine.
Song Yuxue sipped her tea elegantly, glancing at Su Ci, who was the center of attention, from time to time, with a hint of disdain and jealousy flashing in her eyes.
Yan Zhiwan sat next to Su Ci and had a pleasant conversation with her, completely different from her previous arrogance and aloofness.
"In two days, the end-of-year palace banquet will begin. I'm thinking of giving the Empress Dowager a painting of mountains and rivers. Concubine Shu is a skilled painter, could you offer some pointers?"
"Sister Xianfei, you are too kind."
Su Ci smiled and nodded. "Sister, you are a well-known talent in Zhuojing. I hope you don't look down on my poor painting skills. To be honest, I know nothing about landscape painting. I would like to ask you for some guidance."
"Okay, I've got a studio in Ganquan Palace, so I can paint with my sister in the future."
Su Ci smiled brightly: "Then you're welcome, sister."
The Runan Marquis's family was a military family with generations of meritorious service. Now that Yan Zhiwan has been promoted to the virtuous concubine, I'm afraid Xuan Yi will inevitably have to summon her to his bedchamber once or twice to show his favor.
Now that the Queen is under house arrest, the Queen Mother is temporarily in charge of the harem. However, with three concubines, the Queen Mother will naturally delegate power, and the first one, Concubine Xian, is the best candidate.
She couldn't afford to offend the other person. Besides, the queen was the mother of the country and would be released sooner or later. By then, there would be more concubines serving her in bed, and they wouldn't have to target only her.
**
As expected, after a brief chat, the Queen Mother spoke.
"I am old, and the end of the year is approaching. I am really tired of all the palace affairs. Now that the Queen is in seclusion to educate the prince, you, as concubines, have the responsibility to share the Queen's worries. Let the virtuous concubines, good concubines, and prudent concubines help me manage the affairs of the harem."
The three of them stood up and knelt.
"I obey your command."
The Queen Mother smiled and nodded. "I know you are not familiar with palace affairs yet, so I will send Nanny Xue and Nanny Yi to assist you. They are elders in the palace and have abundant experience. They can also teach you a thing or two."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"His Majesty has arrived!"
More than a dozen concubines paused, then quickly stood up, tidied their appearance, and bowed to welcome the emperor.
"Your Majesty, may you be well!"
"No need to be polite."
Xuan Yi stepped forward and nodded slightly, then tilted his head slightly to glance at the pink and white rabbit-like figure.
"Mother, your Majesty, is safe and sound."
The Queen Mother naturally didn't miss the look in her son's eyes and nodded with some amusement.
"Your Majesty, your arrival is just in time. I'm planning to have the virtuous concubines, the good concubines, and the virtuous concubines learn to manage palace affairs. I've sent Nanny Xue and Nanny Yi to assist. Is that okay with you, Your Majesty?"
Xuan Yi paused as he picked up the teacup, then looked up at the still childish girl.
"Thank you for your hard work, mother. However, Concubine Shu is still young and not familiar with the common etiquette. I'm afraid she will miss the year-end palace banquet. So let Concubine Xian and Concubine Liang take over."
…
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