Chapter 100 Lady Li’s Plan
But to be honest, although Jinzhi complained about Li Meiren, she still discovered something: "I think that Li Meiren's behavior today is a bit of a show of goodwill."
The Queen was not unaware of it. Even the dumbest person knew the rules of the palace. Concubines were not allowed to raise children on their own. Concubine Li lived in Concubine Chun's palace. Concubine Chun had always been low-key. According to the rules, when Concubine Li's child was born, Concubine Chun had to be considered first. Concubine Chun had no children, so Concubine Li's child was given to Concubine Chun, and there was nothing wrong with that.
In fact, Concubine Li discovered that she was pregnant, so she should have reported it to Concubine Chun first.
But she deliberately brought the matter to the Queen's attention. Ever since Concubine Chun became infertile, her health had not recovered and she had been recuperating in Chaolu Palace on the pretext of illness. Otherwise, if she had seen Concubine Li bringing up the matter of her pregnancy in person, she would probably have fainted from anger.
It was obvious that he disliked Concubine Chun and was targeting her as the Queen.
"She is hoping that her child will be a legitimate child."
The queen curled her lips and said, "She is stupid, but just the right kind of stupid." She is easy to control and can give birth to children, which is good.
Jinzhi said: "It's great that she thinks this way. If she can cooperate and get close to Fengyi Palace during her pregnancy, even if she has a difficult birth, the emperor will definitely not blame her."
The Queen said, "Let's see if she is sensible. I hope she still has some sense. For the sake of the child in her belly, I don't want to commit murder."
Jinzhi said, "Your Majesty is merciful."
The queen adjusted the golden hairpin on her temples and said, "Go and get ready. The emperor will come tonight."
If a woman in the harem becomes pregnant, it is the Queen's credit, so the Emperor must first go to the Queen to praise her for her hard work in managing the harem, and then he must go to see Concubine Li, the pregnant woman.
Since Xuanyuan Ling had received the news, he went to the Queen's house to praise her.
Xuanyuan Ling came to Fengyi Palace at night. The Queen had been prepared. After dinner, the Queen talked to Xuanyuan Ling about Li Meiren's child: "According to the rules, Li Meiren is still a beauty. It would be too much of a neglect if the prince was raised by her. Concubine Chun has always been in poor health. She fell ill after helping me to organize the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Raising a child is complicated and tedious. I am worried that Concubine Chun's body will not be able to bear it."
When Xuanyuan Ling heard her worry about Concubine Chun, he curled his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes.
"What does the Queen think?" Xuanyuan Ling threw the question to the Queen again.
"I was thinking that after all, Concubine Fang gave birth to the third prince and only got one rank. It would not be appropriate for Concubine Li to get two rank at once. But if she doesn't get promoted, Concubine Li will have to give birth to a child and raise it, which will be unfair to the future fourth prince." The queen sighed, "I haven't been blessed in these years and can't give birth to a prince for the emperor. I like children, and this huge Fengyi Palace is a little too deserted."
Xuanyuan Ling smiled when he heard this: "The Queen said it too early. How can Concubine Li's baby be a prince? What if it's a princess? After all, a princess is not as good as a prince. At least she can be raised as a noble lady."
The status of a princess is not as particular as that of a prince. Although the palace rules are strict, there are precedents. It is said that the emperor's daughter will never have trouble finding a husband, but it is different for princes. If they want to serve in the court in the future, it is better to have a decent adoptive mother. Therefore, there are some loopholes in the strict palace rules. For girls, it is acceptable for them to be raised by their biological mother.
The Queen seemed sad for a moment: "If it is really a princess, I have to ask Lady Li. If she is willing to be raised here in this palace, then she is also a legitimate princess."
"I will go and ask in person tomorrow. Go to bed."
This is what I don’t want to say.
What else could the queen say? The emperor actually took this matter upon himself and asked Li Meiren in person. What a great favor! What? Did the emperor really indulge Li Meiren when she said she was not willing to send the child over? Li Meiren was clearly not favored, but the emperor was still concerned about her belly that hadn't even shown any signs of pregnancy?
Yes, it was almost obvious that the emperor didn’t want her to have a child.
Fortunately, the emperor also cares about the rules, otherwise he would not have come tonight. She has said this much, the emperor will not be so disrespectful to her. If it is a prince, he will definitely be given to her to raise. As for the princess, it would be fine even if Concubine Li raised her herself.
The Queen knew very well that the Emperor was not willing to give her a child. This was an open matter. She could only watch helplessly as other women in the harem had children. She watched their bellies grow bigger and bigger, but she was still unable to give birth. Thinking of this, the Queen felt as if someone was grabbing and twisting her heart, and it hurt so much.
Xuanyuan Ling naturally went to see Concubine Li the next day.
Concubine Li had not seen Xuanyuan Ling for a long time. She had just had a child and had received a wave of rewards. The next day the emperor came and she was ecstatic: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
Xuanyuan Ling said: "Since you are pregnant, you don't need to greet me anymore. Get up."
After that, Xuanyuan Ling asked a few questions about her health and then got straight to the point: "Do you know the rules of the palace? I cannot make an exception and promote you."
When Lady Li heard this, she pursed her lips and said, "I know."
"So what do you think?" The question was asked in a relatively gentle manner.
Concubine Li didn't notice it, because she had thought about this question a long time ago. Although it was unexpected that Xuanyuan Ling asked it in person, she had already thought about how to answer it.
Lady Li said, "I know my status is not high enough, but the heir to the throne is naturally precious, and I have no objection."
Xuanyuan Ling's expression was a little unpredictable for a moment: "Are you really willing?"
Li Meiren thought Xuanyuan Ling wanted to see her attitude. If she said she didn't want to, it would be impolite. Could she still raise the baby by herself? It was impossible. Otherwise, she wouldn't have to make such a fuss in front of the queen. Although she was impulsive, she found out that she was pregnant, so she couldn't just rush into it.
"It is a great honor for me to be the prince's biological mother. I dare not ask for anything else."
"Well said." Xuanyuan Ling praised, but there was some coldness in his eyes.
But Concubine Li lowered her head and didn't notice it, and thought Xuanyuan Ling was really praising her.
Xuanyuan Ling immediately stood up and said, "Then take good care of the baby."
After saying that, he turned and left.
He left Chaolu Palace, thought for a while and decided to go to Zhongyu Palace.
The Queen was worried about who would be the child in Concubine Li's belly. As soon as the Emperor left Chaolu Palace, he sent someone to find out what Concubine Li had said and what the Emperor was thinking. It turned out that the news from Concubine Li was good, but the Emperor turned around and went to Concubine Yu's palace.
If the Emperor went to Zhongyu Palace when Concubine Fang gave birth to her child, the Empress could still say it was because the Second Prince was gone and the Emperor was giving face to Concubine Yu. But now that Concubine Li is pregnant, does the Emperor still have to consider Concubine Yu's feelings?
After all, she has been doted on. Is he really afraid that Concubine Yu will feel uncomfortable seeing her pregnant?
If this goes on, Concubine Yu might get pregnant again! The Queen had seen Concubine Yu become disheartened for quite some time, and she was very upset. Now she remembered the grievances she had suffered from Concubine Yu in the past, and she was so angry that she smashed the teacup.
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