Qingyue Garden, a secluded courtyard.
Shunpin sent gifts to the three newly promoted concubines in the Mountain Resort. She had no objection to Chunpin and Yingpin...
The only person she couldn't stand was Concubine Rong.
"Another one who takes advantage of the situation. Others work hard to get pregnant and give birth to children, but in the end, all the babies are taken advantage of by these people." Shunpin sat in front of the ice mirror, waving an ice gauze embroidered fan in her hand, and her words were full of dissatisfaction.
Kangpin and Roupin, who were Zhaoyi at the same time as her, were both promoted to the position of concubine because they raised children for other people.
But she was the one who was conceived and given birth to after much hardship.
Those who had given birth to children with great difficulty could receive the same treatment as those who had not. Some of them even raised princes while they only gave birth to a princess...
Shunpin has always disliked them.
"Master, children born by yourself are more intimate. The Second Princess is friendly with you. Look at Concubine Kang, who was dragged to the temporary palace by the First Prince. The Second Prince has such a good helper as the Wen Family. Now he is just young and ignorant, so he sticks to Concubine Rou. When he grows up, he will definitely be closer to Concubine Lan of the Wen Family, and will not be close to a foster mother..." Chunque comforted:
"The third prince's biological mother is from the Dong family, if Rongpin is lucky, she will be like Roupin. In the future, the child will not be close to her. If he is unlucky, he may end up like Kangpin!"
Shunpin was instantly refreshed, "That's right, that's right, how can someone else's child be the same as my own? My own princess is still the best, I think they will have troubles in the future."
"Isn't it? The Second Princess is your biological daughter, you are the most blessed." Chunque praised with a smile:
"In two days, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will send new clothes. When you put on the new clothes, His Majesty will surely be amazed."
When mentioning this, Shunpin sighed softly, "She is not as beautiful as these newcomers."
Recently in the Mountain Resort, Concubine Bai has been quite favored.
She was one of the four beauties who entered the palace at the same time as Su Ruhuan and others. Her father was the governor of Dongchi Province. Bai Jieyu seldom interacted with others and had a low-key personality, but her painting skills were superb and were praised by the emperor.
Shunpin looked at herself and realized that she couldn't compare to Fu Jiaoyi's cuteness, nor Bai Jieyu's talent. There were also gentle Lanpin and stunning Yanpin in the palace. She had to compete with these newcomers...
Her only reliance is His Majesty's occasional visits to the princess.
Compared with the old concubines who had no royal heirs, she was the one who could often see His Majesty.
As long as His Majesty comes to see the princess again, she still has a chance.
When she was in the palace before, all those concubines who were more favored than her were gone. She had achieved her current status by giving birth to a princess. If she worked harder and was lucky enough to have another child, she might be able to go even further.
Thinking of this, Shunpin's fighting spirit was ignited again, and there was a hint of expectation in her eyes:
"When the clothes are delivered from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, bring them to me immediately. I will dress up well, as His Majesty will come to see the princess."
A few days later.
The carriage of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived at the Mountain Resort, bringing hastily made clothes and jewelry to the concubines in each palace.
The concubines have been staying here for more than two months, and as usual, they have to be given a lot of rouge and powder.
The palace servants came in carrying several large boxes.
Chunque excitedly presented a box to Shunpin, "Master, new clothes have arrived!"
Shunpin was waiting to wear her new clothes to show off in front of the emperor, and she was in a very good mood, "Quickly take them out so I can see them..."
"This Tianshui Blue and maple leaf red dresses are both very beautiful. This jewelry... why is there only one set? Didn't I say that this Tianshui Blue dress would look good only with a jade headpiece." Shunpin was displeased because she didn't see the new jewelry she wanted.
She wanted what was within her allotment.
Jadeite is a kind of jade provided by the Imperial Household Department to concubines to make jewelry.
Every season, concubines were allowed to have two sets of clothes and jewelry made by the Imperial Household Department. Different concubines had different materials and the amount of jewelry they received was also different.
Shunpin originally wanted to make a whole set of green bamboo-patterned skirts and jewelry. Such an outfit would make her look refreshing in the midsummer.
The palace servant who was in charge of delivering the boxes and cages hurriedly apologized:
"Please calm down, Concubine Shun. The amount of jadeite obtained by Caizhensi this month is not much, and it can only make one set of head ornaments. Please forgive me, Concubine Shun, I will make it for you next month."
Shunpin frowned, "Since you can make a set, why don't you make jewelry for me?"
"This...this Concubine Rou also wants a set of emerald jade headdress, so...so..." The palace maid looked embarrassed.
Shunpin was even more dissatisfied. "We are both concubines, but I was promoted earlier than her. I have more seniority than her, so why should I give it to her first?"
"This is how Caizhensi arranged it... I was only responsible for delivering the goods. I really didn't know..." the palace servant replied stutteringly.
Shunpin's face was grim, but she didn't say anything in front of the servants, "You all go down."
After everyone left...
Chunque said angrily, "Why should Caizhensi make jewelry for Concubine Rou first? You should be the first one."
"Why else? Isn't it because the Second Prince is Lanpin's nephew, so the head of the Caizhen Division tries to curry favor with the Second Prince, and even Roupin gets benefits as well." Shunpin was very angry.
Caizhensi is one of the twelve departments under the jurisdiction of Concubine Lan.
Lanpin had always been kind to the second prince's adoptive mother. The officials in the palace were all based on who they were, so naturally, what Roupin wanted was more important than what she, the biological mother of an ordinary princess, wanted.
"If she hadn't raised the second prince, Concubine Rou would still be just a Zhaoyi. Is she worthy enough to snatch things from me?" Concubine Shun cursed angrily.
She has always been narrow-minded.
But I don't have the courage to harm anyone.
He just spoke ill of Concubine Rou in private with some familiar concubines to satisfy his own desire.
Summer passes and autumn comes.
After staying in the Mountain Resort for half a year, the emperor returned to the palace in mid-September with his ministers and concubines.
…
Half a month later, Zhongcui Palace.
Ever since the Second Prince almost got into trouble last time, Concubine Rou has been very careful about his diet and does not dare to take him out to visit friends or attend banquets.
The mother and son live in a quiet corner, learning to read and keep each other company every day, which is quite a warm feeling.
"This character is pronounced 'Han' - this is Han'er's name." Concubine Rou took out a piece of rice paper from a thick stack and read it.
The second prince looked a little sleepy, yawned, and said, "Han——"
"Are you sleepy, Han'er? Well, learning to read is boring. Let's take a break." Roupin asked with concern.
She doesn't force her children to learn. If the children are still young, she will teach them a few more words if they are interested, and a few less if they are not interested. She just takes her time.
She is very patient.
"Hmm..." The second prince yawned again. Suddenly, his little body swayed, his eyes turned black, and he fainted.
Concubine Rou was immediately panicked and shouted, "Quickly call the imperial physician!"
After a while, Judge Zhao rushed over after hearing the news. He carefully felt the Second Prince's pulse and his face changed instantly:
"The Second Prince has been poisoned!"
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