Emperor Jianzhang was seriously ill and unable to attend to state affairs. Many people in the cabinet requested to see the emperor. They even hoped that the emperor would decide on a crown prince, so that the country would be stable.
Of course, the inner cabinet favors the eldest son more. Without a queen, the eldest son is the legitimate heir.
When Concubine Hong came over, Emperor Jianzhang was already unable to speak, and just pointed at her, meaning that he wanted Concubine Hong to serve him. After Emperor Jianzhang came to power, he gave important positions to almost all the eunuchs around him. The most favored one among them was the eunuch Feng Jinzhong, who was in his fifties and wore a bright red dragon robe, which made him look more majestic.
"Your Majesty." Concubine Hong's face was filled with sorrow.
There is no doubt that Emperor Jianzhang was a gentle monarch and a husband who valued love and loyalty. That year, Lin was chosen as the principal wife. She hid in her room and dared not go out. It was this gentle young man who said to her: "Ayun, I will never let you down."
Life in the deep palace was really hard. Even she felt that her future was in danger. It was he who made promises to her again and again.
In fact, he is just an average-looking man, but he is really good to himself.
"Prime Minister Feng, I have already blocked the news in the palace to prevent them from panicking. His Majesty will definitely be fine, but it would be bad if the news gets out and is used by someone with ulterior motives." Concubine Hong said calmly to Feng Jinzhong.
Feng Jinzhong knew that Concubine Hong was deeply trusted by Emperor Jianzhang, but now that the emperor had fallen, he didn't know who would be in charge in the future. But at this moment, it was right to block the news, otherwise, the whole world would be in an uproar. Now the court was at war and the throne was vacant, and there was a fear of a disaster that would destroy the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I understand. Don't worry, the Imperial Hospital is taking turns to treat Your Majesty." Feng Jinzhong comforted Your Majesty Hong.
From then on, Concubine Hong took care of the emperor here. She never mentioned the matter of appointing a crown prince, nor did she complain about anything. She just took care of the emperor.
The eldest prince saw that Concubine Lin did not move, so he could not help but ask her: "Mother, since father is ill, why don't you go to take care of him? You can't let Concubine Hong take all the credit."
Now that they already knew about their father's illness, they should rush to the front to prevent their father from establishing Chen as the Prince.
Concubine Lin smiled and said, "My dear child, your father is already speechless. Even if he chooses someone, the ministers in the inner chamber will not agree. My mother and I are naturally superior to others in terms of clan law, and the people of the world will not agree."
Victory is assured, so why bother doing anything more? There is no news in the palace that the emperor is in poor health, so they should just pretend they don't know.
Furthermore, Concubine Lin instructed: "Hong Xiuyun is used to competing for favors. I think she is trying to persuade the emperor to depose the eldest son and enthronize the youngest son. The more she does this, the more the emperor will see that she has ulterior motives. The ministers in the inner cabinet and the eunuchs in the Imperial Household Department will never give in. The emperor's succession is not decided by one person."
Even Yao Niang was surprised at Concubine Lin's composure. She thought to herself that it was no wonder that Emperor Tianlu was able to ascend the throne smoothly in his previous life. The emperor's favorite Concubine Hong and Prince Chen had died one after another. Their opponent was a very patient and powerful person.
At this time, Yao Niang also crouched. She had already said what she should tell Concubine Hong. If she was too impulsive, Yao Niang would be helpless. She was just a prince's consort, and there were palace rules in this palace.
The little Chengyun in her arms was babbling, as if he wanted to speak urgently. Yao Niang smiled and said, "You are just a silly kid. You need to grow up quickly. When your father is at home, he obeys me in everything and is considerate to me. But when he is away, he doesn't talk to me at all. Do you think he is a treacherous man?"
In the past, I could only take care of other people’s children, but now I take care of my own children, which is of course completely different.
Not everyone can experience that feeling of blood connection.
Bai Ying and Bai Zhi came in and said, "Princess, has something happened outside? You are not allowed to walk around the palace casually now. The food delivered today was delivered by the kitchen staff."
As expected, the news was blocked. Yao Niang glanced at her personal maids and said to them solemnly, "From now on, don't go out unless it is necessary."
In the previous life, the eldest prince was made the crown prince only after Prince Chen died and Concubine Hong also passed away. Now, as long as the emperor is still alive and Concubine Hong is by his side, he should be fine as long as he doesn't make any mistakes.
When Bai Ying and her friends were living in the Luo family, there were many people in the family. Although there were some conflicts, they were all very simple. However, they changed quickly after entering the palace. The palace seemed peaceful, but in fact there were many tricks inside, so they spoke in a reserved manner and asked people to understand the meaning for themselves.
"Yes." Bai Ying and Bai Zhi responded in unison.
People outside the palace didn't know yet. Luo Zhizheng saw Yu coming back from the Lin family with a frosty face, and couldn't help asking: "What happened? The son of the Marquis Zhongjing died, but there are still sons and daughters. Are you so sad?"
Yu looked at her husband in disbelief: "My dear, the Crown Prince's wife was still young. Who wouldn't be sad if the pillar of the family died for no reason?" Her husband was really careless.
Luo Zhizheng snorted coldly: "I want to tell you, your son-in-law is still on the battlefield. If he dies, it won't be too late for you to cry. Why should you be sad for an outsider?"
"Why are you like this?" Yu felt that she couldn't stand her husband anymore.
She had always thought that she treated him differently, and that she might be able to change him over time. However, after so many years, he was still the same, always cold-blooded.
Maybe, when I die, he will still feel that he already has children, grandchildren, and even grandchildren, so losing me is not a big deal. Just like his beloved inkstone, if it is gone, he can just find a good one.
Just like when she thought Gao Xuance treated Yaoniang very well, even she, an outsider, thought it was good, but Yaoniang said: "If his life is 100%, then 90% is power, and 50% is his mother. I and the child can only get 50% at most."
Yu felt that this feeling was subtle. She was over 30 years old and shouldn't care about these things, but this feeling of grief for others still made her very sad.
Luo Zhizheng saw that Yu was angry and shook his head: "You really don't know what you are talking about. The Lin family is the eldest prince's family. Lin Weinan is dead, shouldn't we celebrate? Why are you sad?"
"You know that's not what I meant." Yu wanted to ask if the death of a partner is a painful thing, and everyone has feelings. This has nothing to do with Lin Weinan's position.
Luo Zhizheng sighed slightly: "Why are you so stupid? You just want to ask if I will be sad if you die one day? There is nothing to worry about. I am much older than you. I can tell that I will die early. If I die, you will have children and won't have to serve me. You will be in a higher position and live a happier life than Second Aunt."
Mrs. Yu had not expected him to say this, and she couldn't bear it anymore: "Master, why bother saying this? You will definitely live a long life."
Although my husband can be a bit harsh at times, he does understand people's hearts and treats me well.
"You are so stupid. Fortunately, your daughter is smarter than you." Luo Zhizheng sighed.
Yu said nothing, and didn't want to pay attention to him, but she felt sad when she thought of Wei Feng crying like that. She lost her husband at such a young age, and her son was still young. The Wei family was not as good as before. Because of the issue of the heir, the Zhongjing Marquisate might have gone from a glorious and military-worthy mansion to a second- or third-rate one.
The Mansion of Marquis Zhongjing
Wei Feng has always been very satisfied with her situation. She is the wife of the prince of Zhongjing, and the Princess of Chen is her close friend. It can be said that she can get along well with both sides.
Even though she had a son and a daughter, Lin Weinan was a person who was very good at maintaining his reputation. As the original wife, she had always been respected in the mansion. She didn't want to make any more changes in her life, but it didn't go as she wished.
My husband is dead and my child is still young...
There are twelve branches in the Lin family, and each one is eyeing her covetously. She is really tired.
Why is it so difficult for her to find someone to rely on? It turns out to be like this after just a few days of good life.
Wei Feng cried for herself and for her son as well.
Seeing her daughter-in-law like this, Mrs. Lin did not forget to say to Lu and Zhuang Lingyi: "You can also persuade her for me. She should always think about the child. Alas."
Zhuang Lingyi said to Lu: "It's really pitiful, but now we should cheer up."
"Yes." Lu felt a little sympathy for Wei Feng, but she also envied her. Without a man, she could enjoy the wealth of the entire marquisate, which was not a bad thing.
They all tacitly acknowledged that it was impossible for Wei Feng to remarry, and considering Wei Feng's current condition, remarriage was absolutely out of the question.
Even Zhuang Lingyi himself thought so.
In the past few years since her marriage, Zhuang Lingyi's life has undergone tremendous changes. The husband she once thought was talented and brilliant turned out to be a mean man who was obsessed with fame and fortune. He even favored his concubine over his wife. After marriage, he took his adopted daughter-in-law as his concubine and was inseparable from that woman.
It is really painful for a married woman. She thought that starting a family after marriage would be very happy and joyful. She had no idea that it would be so difficult.
They came over to persuade Wei Feng, and Lu said, "Grandma Lin, for the sake of the children, you should cheer up. The old friend is gone, but the living must look forward."
"Yeah, you're usually a person who can take things easy, so what's the matter with you now?" Zhuang Lingyi also stepped forward to persuade him.
Wei Feng forced a smile: "Thank you for comforting me. I am much better now. Don't worry, I will definitely take good care of myself."
Seeing her like this, Mrs. Lu felt very heavy-hearted. You know, Lin Weinan was a brave general, and now he is dead. Her husband is still at the front line, and she doesn't know what happened to him.
You have to know that the troops were led by Prince Chen and Prince Jinyang, and these two were not good people, especially Prince Chen, who was cruel and ruthless.
"Grandma Shen, what are you thinking about?" Wei Feng asked hurriedly when she saw that Lu had not said anything for a long time.
Mrs. Lu shook her head: "Prince Lin is a natural military talent, but he suddenly disappeared. I wonder if it's in Prince Chen's place..."
此話一出，莊令儀卻是很贊同的，她家中也是世代行伍，因此她道：“晉陽王和宸王沆瀣一氣，想必再有勾結，我們是女眷，不了解前方戰事，但我家也在軍中有耳目，知道太多貓膩了。”
魏鳳看向陸、莊二人，她知道也許從現在開始，她和瑤娘的友誼已經不複存在了。
無論她喜不喜歡自己的丈夫，可丈夫死于宸王之手，她也不可能和宸王一派打好關系了。
喪夫之仇永遠也原諒不了。
宮中洪貴妃的消息只能封鎖一時，卻無法一直封鎖，尤其是內閣部衆人強力要求見到建章帝，怕他已經遭遇什麽不測的時候，馮公公最終也抵擋不了。
後宮既然知曉了，嚴妃和林貴妃都要來，這個時候洪貴妃倒是有私心，讓兒媳婦瑤娘過來即可。
瑤娘聞言，立即過來了。
“母妃，父皇的病症如何了？”
“一直不見好轉，需要時日，但是好在晚上不喘了。承運呢？他這些日子可好。”
洪貴妃心中很惦記這個孫子，尤其是兒子高玄策若是有事，這個孩子可是一根獨苗。
見瑤娘點頭，她才放心。偏偏這些人進來時，洪貴妃正在喂藥，這些時日，她打扮的非常素淨。
以前這些朝臣幾乎沒見過洪貴妃，只知道外人稱她為妖妃，卻不知曉她到底是何長相？這些內閣之人中也有羅至正，他是禮部尚書，如果天子駕崩，禮部是要即刻準備新帝的登基典禮的。
羅至正在這裏見到女兒也很訝異，建章帝有四個兒媳婦，怎麽在這裏的是她和洪貴妃？
旁人則看到一中年美婦在旁服侍，只見此女蛾眉鳳眼，杏眼桃腮，即便中年亦是風采依舊，再有她身畔站着年輕女子，更是容顏絕代，目如秋水。
只聽馮進忠介紹道：“洪貴妃娘娘和宸王妃在這裏侍疾。”
衆人都看了羅至正一眼，好歹這位是宸王妃之父，但羅至正則行禮如常，似乎宸王妃和他一點關系也無。
瑤娘和洪貴妃對視一眼，她站出來道：“諸位大人，父皇的病需要靜養，這幾日已經好轉了不少了。你們近前來吧。”
建章帝這些日子一醒來就見到的是洪貴妃，她對自己盡心盡力，從無所求。
阿雲一直如此，從前他就一直委屈她，現在更是，他不能倒下，若是真的倒下，那麽阿雲怎麽辦？還有他的病來的太急了，雖然他近來有些病弱，但是不會這般，有一種可能就是中毒了。
但誰會在禦前下毒？而他下毒後，得益者又是誰呢？
建章帝見閣輔大臣進來，含笑點頭，臉龐雖然帶着病弱，但是看起來的确好轉許多。
“陛下如今口不能言，禮記曾說，敬冠事所以重禮，重禮所以為國本也。國本乃國之根本，而太子者，國之根本。我等今日過來是想請陛下早立國本，才能安天下臣民之心，如今前線還在打仗，若被敵國知道，國家将何去何從？”
這些話本來是沒有什麽問題的，連洪貴妃和瑤娘也無法說不對。甚至在洪貴妃想說什麽的時候，瑤娘在她身後拉了拉她的衣擺，洪貴妃才忍住嘴。
這個細節，當然也落到有心人的眼中，就比如羅至正，他覺得郁氏怎麽會生出瑤娘這樣的女兒來。宸王還在外面，若到時候逼宮也不是不可能，現在何必跳出來。
大皇子那裏安靜的很，洪貴妃若此時跳出來，恐怕就會遭到言官攻擊，現在比的就是耐性。皇上已經在偏寵洪貴妃了，當務之急是皇帝趕緊好起來，若實在是好不起來，那也不能出錯。
建章帝聽到這話，閉上眼睛，衆臣也無可奈何。
畢竟他們也不能現在逼迫皇帝吧，萬一皇帝出什麽事情，那他們可就是罪人了。
洪貴妃見建章帝閉上眼睛，心中狂喜，才對馮進忠道：“馮公公，陛下剛服完藥要歇息，不如讓幾位大人有事再奏吧。”
在衆人固有印象裏，洪貴妃應該是非常跋扈，林貴妃是老實軟糯的，可今日見洪貴妃行事頗有章法，的确在禦前不說什麽，再有宸王妃，也只是憂心皇帝的病情。
當然，也有人疑慮：“馮公公，如今皇上病着，怎麽不見元子侍疾？”
馮進忠則道：“是陛下指定了洪貴妃來的，既然沒有指旁人過來，我們也不敢喊啊。”
現在皇上又沒死，他說的話當然就是有效的。
後宮的事情，這些人哪裏管得了，這些人先行撤退，瑤娘見他們走了，才心中暗自松了一口氣。
見這些人走了，洪貴妃又對她道：“你還是回去吧，承運那裏也要人照顧，若有需要，我再喊你過來。”
“那母妃在這裏辛苦了，兒臣就先走了，您千萬要珍重。”瑤娘道。
洪貴妃笑道：“你放心吧。”
這次只是閣輔小試牛刀，之後一個月，建章帝病情依舊不見好轉，雖然沒有駕崩這麽嚴重，但洪貴妃也支撐不住了。
好容易洪貴妃回去宮中一趟，周王則是過來質問于她：“母妃，父皇的病到底如何了？現在人心惶惶的。”
“沒什麽事情，你不必憂心。”洪貴妃擔心周王是來故意探聽消息，馬上告訴林貴妃的。
周王卻道：“三弟現在在外，如今群臣都支持大皇子，母妃，我看……”
“好了，你不必再勸我。你若有心，把自己身子顧好，再多生些子嗣，還有你媳婦那裏，生的小郡主病病殃殃的，這次可不能再不保重了。”洪貴妃懶得和周王再說。
可她知曉，皇帝是很難好轉了，都一個月了，皇上一直纏綿病榻。
如今，只能賭了。
林貴妃非常能忍耐，即便現在大皇子急躁，她還要勸：“你知道那藥叫什麽嗎？叫映山紅，最多活不過三個月。現在已經過去了一個多月了，只要你父皇駕崩，宸王在外，你就是名正言順的皇帝，甚至都不需要和任何人商量。”
皇帝沒有立皇後，大皇子就是居長。
大皇子這才按捺下來：“是，兒子記住了。”
“你千萬不要急躁，因為你父皇的位置很快就是你的了，既然已經等了這麽多年了，再等一個月你都等不了了嗎？”林貴妃叮囑兒子。
她再不下手，等宸王立了軍功回來，兒子要久居人下了，甚至等宸王羽翼豐滿，将來兒子再也抗衡不了。
為何這世間的事情這麽不公平，她明明是正妃，卻和側妃一般，只封貴妃？兒子是名正言順的皇長子，卻要被別人壓着。
大皇子神情扭曲：“要怪就怪她們母子自不量力，我們是撥亂反正罷了。”
自從皇帝的病情不見好轉，瑤娘就時常被洪貴妃喊去侍疾，回來卻不和任何人提起皇帝的病情，甚至是沐宛童上門來問。
“三嫂，父皇病情到底如何了？”沐宛童也是焦急。
他們已經是非常不滿洪貴妃在這中間搞風搞雨，仿佛陛下是她一個人的，壓根不讓她們過去看，沐宛童在心裏已經罵了洪貴妃一百遍了。
瑤娘道：“父皇還在服藥。”
“那到底怎麽樣了呢？”沐宛童覺得瑤娘狡猾，不說實話。
瑤娘則道：“四弟妹，你也是鎮南王府出身，知曉什麽叫窺伺帝蹤乃是大不敬，聖上的身體脈案怎麽是我等知曉的，你問我我也是無可奉告。”
她甚至對沐宛童道：“你若真的擔心，可以自己去福寧殿問，你問我做什麽呢。”
沐宛童憋了一肚子氣回去，四皇子安慰道：“也許是三嫂不方便說吧。”
“什麽不方便，且等着吧。”
皇上看來壽數不多了，到時候洪貴妃一脈全部都倒大黴，也許全家被屠都有可能。
她這麽想的，也這麽說出來了，四皇子很是驚訝：“你怎麽能這麽說呢？”
“反正我從來沒說我是好人。”沐宛童本身就不覺得自己是什麽好人，他爹不是也常常被言官參說他常常欺負雲南的官員，不尊禮法。
很快，建章帝已經病了兩個多月了，洪貴妃已經放棄了，她還勉強在這裏伺候湯藥，但也想好了結局，大不了自己一死，保全兒孫，也沒什麽要緊。
而不是像廖貴妃，等兒子自殺了，自己才瘋。
想不到現在還是走到了這一步。
甚至，她還私下和瑤娘道：“承運那裏若不對勁，你要早日把他藏起來。”
居然到了如此地步嗎？縱然有前世的事情，但今生改變的也不少，瑤娘雖說沒有動搖，但也覺得自己該有退路了。
不能完全仗着前世，就真的依賴前世。
瑤娘在回程的路上見到了林貴妃，她頓時生了一計，眼淚噴湧而出，但似乎又怕人看到的樣子。
林貴妃知曉瑤娘是從福寧殿回來的，正沉吟着，卻見瑤娘立馬又對她眼神不屑，連肩輿都沒停，直接越過去了。
“宸王妃真是無禮……”下人驚呼。
Smart people tend to think too much. If Yao Niang was just crying in front of her, then maybe she did it on purpose for her to see. But she was deliberately trying to suppress her and she didn't even bother to save her face. It can only be said that she was angry and humiliated, and finally went crazy.
Not only did the servants of Concubine Lin think Yao Niang was crazy, even Bai Ying thought Yao Niang had lost her caution today: "Princess, what's wrong with you today... No matter what, Lin is the Concubine."
"Hmph, I'm gambling." Concubine Lin can't wait forever, and Gao Xuance can't fight this battle forever, so Concubine Lin's patience will sooner or later be limited. As long as Concubine Lin makes a move, don't blame her.
…
At this time, Gao Xuance was rushing back day and night. The Donghu people had almost been taught a lesson. He received news that his father was ill, so he had to hurry back. As long as he went back, his mother and Yao Niang would have someone to rely on.
He even killed several horses along the way. Lin Weinan was dead, Shen Liang was still at the front line, the eldest prince could not stage a coup, and he did not have the troops to do so for the time being. Gao Xuance quickly arrived under the palace wall.
The guards at the door hurried to stop them, and Gao Xuance whipped his horse whip at them: "Open your eyes and see that you dare to stop even this king."
The guards knelt down quickly, and Gao Xuance rushed back to the prince's residence. He wanted to make sure Yao Niang was comforted first.
Little did he know that he thought Yao Niang would rush to him like a young swallow, and even pour out her heart to him, but Yao Niang frowned and asked, "Why are you back at this time?"
The timing is wrong. If Prince Chen comes back and Emperor Jianzhang is well again, wouldn't it be impossible to catch the culprit of Lin's mother and son?
Gao Xuance was stunned on the spot.