Emperor Jianzhang was working in Funing Palace at this time. Although he was drunk yesterday, he still did not dare to slack off. Hearing that Prince Chen wanted to see him, he was waiting in the side hall. Emperor Jianzhang immediately put down his pen and said, "Didn't I let him rest for a few more days? Why is he here? Let him come."
The son must be the first to see the emperor. Emperor Jianzhang gave the order and Gao Xuance came over soon.
"I, your son, pay my respects to your father. May your father live forever."
Emperor Jianzhang said with a smile: "You monkey, hurry up and get up. You came here so early, you must have something to ask me."
Gao Xuance rarely gets impulsive, and this was probably the case with Yao Niang. He certainly couldn't say that he didn't take a concubine because of a woman, although he wanted to say so. But if he said that, Yao Niang would probably have no place in the palace.
He and Yao Niang had finally been able to be honest with each other about everything, and he didn't want anyone else to ruin their relationship.
"Father, I have something personal to tell you."
Seeing his serious expression, Emperor Jianzhang thought it was something serious, so he quickly dismissed everyone and looked at him and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Gao Xuance sighed, "I want to set up a place to practice Taoism. I can't bear to be bothered by worldly affairs, but I can't bear to leave my wife and children. How about you talk to Luo for me? Let her divorce me. My son is not born to be suitable for marriage."
"Nonsense! You are so grown up, why are you still so nonsense? You want to practice Taoism all the time. What should your father and mother do? Your father-in-law has interceded for you many times. Although it is also for the sake of the country, he married his daughter to you. I don't think there is any problem with your wife." Emperor Jianzhang thought to himself that no matter how grown up Xuan Ce is, he still has the mentality of a child.
Gao Xuance turned away and said, "My son still loves Luo very much, but he just likes her. She is making me unable to practice Taoism, and my son doesn't know what to do. She has tried hard not to bother my son, but he still finds it annoying."
His voice sounded distressed, as if he didn't know what to do.
Emperor Jianzhang was in a very good mood. He knew his son very well. He believed that he was a man of outstanding talent and a strong mind. It was a pity that he became obsessed with Taoism and became absorbed in it.
Fortunately, he has his daughter-in-law, Luo, who can pull him back a little and make him become a normal person. Otherwise, he would really be like a bachelor and do whatever he wants, and his mother would never be able to control him.
I had originally planned to send a few more people over, but looking at his expression, if there were too many women, his patience would be too low, and he might really get angry and leave, looking for a secluded place to practice Taoism.
Thinking of this, Emperor Jianzhang smiled and said, "How about this? You have nothing to do these few days anyway. You can rest at home for a few more days. I promise to build a Taoist temple for you in the future. How about that?"
Gao Xuan Ce was surprised: "Really? Then when will this day be in the future?"
"Anyway, we have to wait until these days are over. The national treasury is tight now. If your father builds a Taoist temple for you, others will criticize you again. You have made great contributions, but now you will be accused of extravagance and waste." Emperor Jianzhang taught in detail.
He completely regarded Gao Xuance as just his son. Other sons had requests, but Xuance treated him like an ordinary son treats his father. Whenever he had any confusion, his son would always come to him.
Gao Xuance seemed to be in a much better mood after asking. Emperor Jianzhang sent people to reward Yao Niang. After all, it was not easy to get along with his precious son. Either he was away from home all day, or he complained about his wife and children being noisy when he was at home and wanted to practice Taoism.
Yao Niang was inexplicably rewarded with a satin bonsai by the emperor. She was a little confused for a moment and asked Gao Xuance, who was wearing a Taoist robe: "What happened? Why did my reward father me?"
"Of course I know that you, the princess, have done a great job. Not only are you filial to my mother and manage the household business, but you are also good to me. Who inside and outside the palace doesn't know how good you are?" Gao Xuance said seriously.
Yao Niang looked at him and asked, "Did you say something good about me in front of the emperor?"
Although she had doubts, she was already very sure that it must have been Gao Xuance who said that, otherwise the emperor would not have been so kind to her.
Gao Xuance refused to admit it: "That's not true. You are obviously a good person, and everyone can see it. Why do you say it was me who said it?"
Yao Niang didn't believe this, but when she looked at Gao Xuance's dark face, she couldn't help but say, "How about this, you and I apply the facial mask together, your face is too dark from the sun, right?"
"Do you dislike me?" Gao Xuance pinched Yao Niang's cheek in dissatisfaction.
Yao Niang shook her head: "No, you were just more handsome before. Every time I see you, my heart beats so fast, you're not like myself anymore."
"Really?" Gao Xuance was overjoyed. He didn't expect that Sister Yao liked him so much.
When it comes to coaxing people, if one can coax a child into submission, it is no problem for him to coax an adult. Yao Niang nodded heavily: "Of course it is true. Who can coax you with words?"
"Okay then, I'll become whiter now." Gao Xuance also started to puff up his face.
The youngest son, Chengze, was over one year old and was just beginning to learn to speak. He became very excited when he came in: "Mother, I want some fruit, but it's sour."
"Well, eat less sour food." Chengze imitated Yao Niang's usual way of speaking.
Yao Niang was also very emotional. She was wondering why the two children were the same as those born in her previous life. She was also wondering if all the children born from her belly would be the same. Now she realized that she had been with the same person for two lifetimes.
As a result, no one heard about Gao Xuance's concubine again. Even Yao Niang herself was very surprised. The palace was not a place that talked about monogamy. Although Emperor Jianzhang was quite good to Concubine Hong, he still had many young concubines. Since Gan was given to Prince Zhou, it was reasonable that a concubine should be given to Prince Chen now. However, there was no movement.
The Prince of Chen is young and has made such a great contribution, but he has no more room for promotion. He is already a prince with double salary and his son has been named the crown prince. At this point where he is so noble, all he can do is reward him with some good things, and the normal thing is to give him women to increase his weight.
Yao Niang would of course not want to share a husband with someone else, but she and Gao Xuance had a very good relationship. Relationships are different from other things. When two people are in a good relationship, no one can come in between.
But if the emperor really wants to give someone down, she will have no choice but to start with Gao Xuance.
Fortunately, Emperor Jianzhang didn't know why he didn't send anyone.
At the same time, bad news came from outside the palace that Prince Fenyang had passed away. Prince Fenyang was the late emperor's younger brother and held a high status. Because he held the position of Right Zong Zheng, all the people in Prince Fenyang's mansion were in the capital.
The relationship between Emperor Jianzhang and Prince Fenyang was not bad, so he asked the fourth prince to offer sacrifices. Of course, he had to wear mourning clothes. Mu Wantong couldn't help but complain: "Why didn't you give this task to my third brother?"
Although the fourth prince was a little uncomfortable in his heart, he felt that it was nothing as he had lived in obscurity in the palace for many years: "Why are you making trouble? It's not a big deal. I'll be back soon. Who dares to ask me to do anything?"
Although the Fourth Prince treated Mu Wantong indifferently in the palace and the two of them seemed a little alienated, he still praised Mu Wantong a lot when someone mentioned her.
Just like when Emperor Jianzhang waited for him to return from Fenyang Palace, he asked about the sacrifices and then asked Mu Wantong: "How is your wife?"
The fourth prince also praised her, "My son is very grateful for her care. Recently, she has been the one who has educated our eldest son and made sure he does not fall behind. She also helps with the daily affairs of the mansion."
"I thought she came from a border area when she married here. At that time, some people said that the King of Zhennan doted on his daughter too much. I was worried that she would not behave well, so I asked the people at the Imperial Concubine's place to teach her some manners. I didn't expect that she would be doing well now." Emperor Jianzhang said calmly.
The fourth prince hurriedly said: "Mu was indeed spoiled by her father-in-law at home, but she is still very good to me." Fearing that Emperor Jianzhang might have some opinion about Mu Wantong, the fourth prince explained.
This was actually not what Emperor Jianzhang wanted to hear. Emperor Jianzhang himself never liked strong women. The women he liked in the palace were mostly those who were considerate like Concubine Hong, or those who were very gentle and eloquent.
Even if there are some cheerful ones, they are just small interests.
However, Emperor Jianzhang had heard that Mu Wantong and Concubine Yan had not gotten along well. This was of course because he heard Concubine Hong mention it occasionally. Mu Wantong herself had bullied Yao Niang who was about to give birth. How could Concubine Hong allow her to bully her own daughter-in-law?
Now the fourth son seems to be more humble and honest. As for his princess, she is too powerful.
So, he waved his hand and directly gave a virtuous woman to her. Since he was the emperor, he did not need to look at anyone's opinion.
The fourth brother had only one son. Even the third brother, who had been in the palace for such a short time, had two healthy sons. In comparison, the fourth brother's sons were too few, so of course he had to give the child away.
Perhaps Mu Wantong would put on airs as the daughter of Prince Zhennan in front of others, and even throw the women sent by Concubine Yan in the past to the laundry department and the place where the hardest work had to be done. But now the emperor personally gave people away, and the ones he gave directly were two daughters of officials. Although their fathers' status was not as high as Gan's, and they themselves were only conferred the title of madam, they were not palace maids who could be easily sent away.
This is very difficult to do.
However, what surprised her even more was that among the two women who were given the title of Madam by the Fourth Prince's Mansion, Yao Niang actually saw an acquaintance, Zhong in her previous life. In this life, she became the daughter of the Jia family, a sixth-rank official of the Imperial Household. Strangely enough, this Zhong Shixin was about the same age as herself, probably around twenty years old.
How could she enter the palace at the age of 20? Normally, women would have been married when they reached the age of 15, but her relationship with Mu Wantong was just average. Although Zhong Shixin was famous for her virtue in her previous life, her current life was a tragedy. She thought she was a girl from the Luo family, but she returned to the Zhong family, a family that highly favored boys over girls.
So, she didn't want to delve into it any further and just wait and see how she lives in the future.
Mu Wantong was very puzzled. She asked the maid Zhenniang, "Why didn't you send any other women to your third sister-in-law's place, but sent her to me? Could it be that I am easy to bully?"
Zhenniang advised, "Don't tell me that Prince Zhou has also given it to him. Maybe it's because Prince Chen just came back and finally had a few days to rest. They are always separated as husband and wife. The emperor won't give it to him yet, but he will give it to him in the future."
Mu Wantong shook her head: "In fact, you and I know very well in our hearts that even though the Prince of Chen is not good to the people in the world, he has always been very good to Luo Yaoniang. There is no doubt about this. I think it must be the Prince of Chen who said something. But Fourth Brother will not say anything for me. He has long been separated from me because of the matter of Concubine Yan."
Zhenniang said anxiously: "What does this have to do with you? It's all Concubine Yan's own fault."
"After all, it's because I didn't stop her." Mu Wantong regretted it very much now. If she had stopped Concubine Yan back then, it is very likely that Concubine Yan would be fine and the Fourth Prince would still be able to compete for that position, instead of just wanting to be a virtuous king now.
At this time, she realized that it was too late that everyone would rise together and suffer together.
I used to think that if she married a good man, she would live a happy life. But now I wonder why others can be happy if they marry bad men?
Zhenniang advised: "Now you have to pay attention to the two ladies given by the emperor. Madam Jia is eighteen years old and has a gentle and kind temperament. The other Madam Lin is humble in words but arrogant in actions."
"Mrs. Lin's father is a Yuanwailang, and Mrs. Jia's status is lower, but they are chosen by the emperor because of their good looks and temperament." Mu Wantong took a sip of tea, as if she was considering something.
How she wished it could be the same as before. If she felt that no one loved her here, she would run back home and her father would always look for her and spoil her.
Now she can't leave anywhere.
But it is said that Yao Niang married off both Danju and Ziying. Although Danju was born a slave, she was freed from slavery and became a maidservant of Princess Chen. Yao Niang even found her a low-ranking female official. Danju then married the ceremonial guard of the palace and was usually in charge of Prince Chen's travels.
Ziying married a captain outside and instantly became a sixth-rank lady. Gao Xuance had met the captain about this marriage and felt that although the other party was a little ambitious, she also had talent.
She prepared generous dowries for both of them and married them off in grand style.
Therefore, Concubine Hong sent two more maids to serve here. Xing'er sent them here personally. She smiled and said to Yao Niang, "The Royal Concubine said that you were short of people. I asked Lady Mo to train them and sent them here. If you are not satisfied with them, just tell me."
"Since she is someone from the Empress's side, how could she be dissatisfied?" Yao Niang glanced at Xing'er and said something with hidden meaning.
Gao Xuance rarely heard Yao Niang talk like this. Normally, if she spoke in such an ambiguous way, it was very likely that there was something wrong with Xing'er. However, Xing'er had always revealed to him a lot of things about Concubine Hong. Maybe Yao Niang was wrong?
Xing Er also seemed to know nothing. She smiled and said, "Since the person has been sent, I will leave now. I know that no matter who it is, the princess will definitely be able to train him properly. I am just giving you instructions."
She was well aware of Luo's jealousy. This was different from Zhou Wangfei Xu Qingrong who pretended to be virtuous, and also different from the Fourth Prince Mu Wantong who openly regarded all young women as love rivals. She would only encourage Prince Chen to fight.
How can a man be a mother-in-law if he wants to achieve great things? As the Princess of Chen, she only knows how to drink jealousy.
If he can't even tolerate his own maidservant, how can he tolerate others?
"It's good to have your instructions." Yao Niang kindly asked Bai Ying to send her out.
Gao Xuance couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy: "What's wrong with you? Xing'er often passes messages to us. Is there something wrong with her?"
"Hmph, that's just towards you, but not necessarily towards me. When I was harboring Chengze, I was almost killed by Concubine Yan. One of the reasons was that Concubine Yan asked the palace maids to let me go on the pretext of Xing'er. So I think this matter has something to do with her, but I just didn't have any evidence to prove it at the moment." Yao Niang thought carefully.
"That won't happen. All those close to her are under our control. How could they betray us? In this palace, who else has a better place to stay than the Royal Concubine?" Gao Xuance thought.
Yao Niang never thought that Xing'er's family was actually in the hands of Concubine Hong. No wonder Concubine Hong was so confident in using her.
She herself was puzzled as to why Xing Er targeted her and even wanted to harm her.
"Then let's observe and observe first. Anyway, I think there is something wrong with her."
It just so happens that Xing'er's true colors are difficult to reveal, and although she is a princess, she cannot casually investigate the people around the royal concubine. Xing'er is cunning in that she is very loyal to Gao Xuance.
There are very few people in this world who can empathize with you. Now the adjustment period between her and Gao Xuance has really begun.
But you can't always expect others to fully understand you and believe in your vision. You must do things that others trust. Especially for someone like Gao Xuance, if you want him to listen to you, you must make the right decision, instead of relying on the relationship between husband and wife to make him listen to you blindly.
Gao Xuance was relieved to see that Yao Niang did not force him to do anything. It was not that he did not trust Xing'er, but it was too late to suspect a loyal person for no reason. At least he had evidence.
In terms of closeness, Yao Niang is of course the person closest to him, but in this life, he cannot only have love, the world is also very important.
People in the world should make full use of anything that can be used.
He is very clear about this. Every step he takes now seems easy, but is actually very difficult.
He said to Yao Niang solemnly: "If she has any problems, or really hurts you, I will never let her go."
Yao Niang nodded with a smile.
Jinghao's marriage has been arranged. The bride's surname is Wang, and she is the youngest daughter of the Minister of Works mentioned by Yu before. It will be difficult for Yu to enter the palace these days.
At night, when Yao Niang and Gao Xuance were lying together, she recalled: "In the previous life, my son had already become a high-ranking official, and I myself had been conferred the title of a first-rank lady, but I always thought of the little boy holding the lantern. Look, he has finally grown up and married now."
Only then did Gao Xuance realize that she was reborn not only to avoid Luo Jingrou, but also because she had her own things to do.
It can be seen that he doesn't care enough about Yao Niang on weekdays.
Then I heard Yao Niang say, "In fact, I was really happy when my mother came to the palace to accompany me. After my rebirth, I didn't spend much time with my mother. My mother always said that I took her to the palace to enjoy happiness, but in fact, it was not true. She was the one who accompanied me."
Although the servants are loyal, they are not the ones who can say these things with me. My mother has her own family, her husband is busy every day, and her sons are also busy when they grow up. She is actually alone.
"Now that my brother is married, my mother will definitely not be able to come to the palace as often. I am happy but also a little disappointed."
Gao Xuance listened to her talk about these girlish thoughts and listened very seriously: "From now on, when I'm at home, you can tell me anything you have, and tell me what's on your mind. I ignored you before, okay?"
Originally, she just said it casually, but she didn't expect Gao Xuance to answer so seriously. Yao Niang couldn't help but lean on his chest: "I'm afraid you will dislike me in the future. Well, I just said it at the moment. Let's go to sleep."
"You don't believe me? Do you think I'm just talking and will abandon you in the future?" Gao Xuance suddenly sat up.
Yao Niang felt that he was too sensitive and overreacted. She always felt that Gao Xuance was sometimes insane, but she didn't want to answer this question against her will. Since the two of them had decided to be honest with each other, she just said, "We will need to work hard in the future. It's good enough to live well now."
Dugu Jialuo had always wanted to be monogamous for her whole life, but in the end Yang Jian had other ideas. She also wanted his loyalty, but she wanted independence even more.
If a man has feelings for her, she will also be loyal to him. If a man changes his mind, she will certainly not trust him anymore.
But human hearts have always been unpredictable. Instead of thinking about the future, it is better to live well in the present. It is always better to be happy day by day. What's wrong with that?
Gao Xuance held her shoulders and said, "I am not a heartless person. You protected me from the arrows, made love with me, and treated me so well. I have been yours for a long time. Why do you always act like you will change your mind in the future?"
Is it because he didn't do well enough?
Yes, he was away from home for a long time. Fortunately, Yao Niang was in the palace and no one coveted her. Otherwise, having a gentle and considerate person would be better than him who was outside every day.
No, this is not possible. He cannot just say it, he has to take actual action to make sure Yao Niang will never be able to leave him again.
Otherwise, if he didn't have the identity of Prince Chen, there would be countless people who like and love Yao Niang, and many more who are gentle and considerate than him. Perhaps Yao Niang would feel that she made a mistake in marrying him.
Yao Niang couldn't see his expression in the dark, but Gao Xuance's personality was changeable, and he was more sensitive than women. It was true that he had always been good to her, but he could easily go astray.
"Don't be too excited. Why do you always talk about these things? It's all my fault today. I've talked too much about trivial things. You still have to go to court tomorrow. Let's go to bed quickly." Yao Niang stroked his hand and said.
Gao Xuance originally wanted to take advantage of the situation to get out of trouble, but he was a little embarrassed and stiff for a moment. Yao Niang was a little angry. This man was too much. If she didn't put an end to his arrogance, he would step on her head in the future.
She angrily shook off his hand on her shoulder and yelled at him, "How long are you going to make trouble? I'm sleepy, and you're still like this. Do you always say one thing and mean another, always asking others to promise? Show me how to do it. I don't need you to say it."
Seeing Yao Niang so angry, Gao Xuance softened for some reason. He promised repeatedly: "I will definitely do it for you to see in the future, so don't be angry."
After saying that, he lay down and went to sleep obediently. Yao Niang was speechless. She should have just vented her anger instead of wasting time talking to him. So, she snorted coldly and uttered two words: "Go to sleep."
Yao Niang, who had been sleepy for a long time, fell asleep immediately. Gao Xuance heard her even breathing and said faintly, "You are so fierce to me, you fierce woman."
After he finished speaking, he looked around again and checked Yao Niang's breath before he breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately you fell asleep and couldn't hear it."
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