The following day in court, Prince Yu, who was usually silent, unusually submitted a memorial, impeaching Consort Rong, who was currently pregnant with the emperor's child.
"The harem is the Emperor's family affair, but what happened yesterday is enough to show that the Princess has been corrupted by Consort Rong. The Crown Prince and the Second Prince have always been close to Consort Rong. If this continues, wouldn't it bring disaster to Daqing?"
The officials in the court had all heard their wives' complaints, and they were already dissatisfied with Consort Rong. How could a mere concubine not take them all seriously?
Therefore, no one in the entire court spoke up to plead for Consort Rong.
"Then what does Your Majesty think I should do?"
Gu Heng's reaction sent a completely new signal to everyone. In the past, whenever Consort Rong was impeached, Gu Heng would instinctively become furious. But today, he calmly asked Prince Yu how to deal with the situation.
Could it be that Consort Rong has lost the Emperor's favor?
Prince Yu also keenly realized this situation and immediately spoke decisively, "I believe that Consort Rong should be demoted to the rank of concubine, so that she will lose the right to raise princes and princesses."
"The princes and princesses can only receive better training if they leave Consort Rong."
Jiang He remained silent throughout, and Jiang Yu had sent someone to remind him early on that the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence did not need to be involved in this matter.
"Let me think about this some more." Gu Heng waved his hand somewhat boredly, and Cen Hai immediately shouted that the court session was over.
As everyone left the palace one after another, several court officials soon followed Jiang He.
"My lord, what do you think of His Majesty's intentions? Should he punish or not punish?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang He smiled and said, "The Emperor's will is beyond the comprehension of us ministers; he has already made his own decision." With that, Jiang He gracefully departed.
Jinwu Palace.
After the court session, Gu Heng subconsciously went to Consort Yi's place. Consort Yi was wearing a pale yellow dress, with only a jade hairpin in her hair.
"Does Your Majesty have something on your mind again?" Consort Yi massaged Gu Heng's temples with both hands. Since Gu Heng didn't say anything, she wisely refrained from asking further.
Gu Heng liked the well-behaved Consort Yi, so he closed his eyes and began to think about how to deal with her as Prince Yu had suggested.
By demoting Rong'er to the rank of concubine, Ling'er and the other two would no longer be able to visit Lingxi Palace as often, and their true identities would become even more concealed.
But what should be done about the child in Rong'er's belly? If the child is sent to Zhaoning Palace, he is afraid that Rong'er will break down and cause more trouble.
"Are you aware that the princess caused a scene at Princess Yu's banquet yesterday?" Gu Heng suddenly asked, but Consort Yi's hands did not stop moving at all.
"Your Majesty, I have also heard some news." Consort Yi said, following the words that Jiang Yu had taught her beforehand. "But Her Majesty the Empress handled it well. When I went to pay my respects to Her Majesty just now, Her Majesty had already sent Eunuch Wan to deliver some small gifts to the guests who were present yesterday."
"The Empress is always meticulous in her work."
Gu Heng twitched the corner of his mouth, but Rong'er had raised the child to be like that, and yesterday she even made those vile remarks.
"This morning at court, Prince Yu proposed that I demote Consort Rong to the rank of Consort Rong. What do you think?"
"Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously. You will make your own decision." Consort Yi withdrew her hand and slowly poured Gu Heng a cup of tea. "I only know that in special circumstances, some expedient measures must be taken."
As Gu Heng walked out of Jinwu Palace, he stopped in the Imperial Garden and saw Consort An and Gu Qingyao arguing.
To be precise, it was Gu Qingyao's one-sided reprimand.
“Although you hold the same rank as my mother, Consort Rong, you should understand that you are far inferior to my mother in the Emperor’s heart.” Gu Qingyao glared at Consort An with disgust. “Stop thinking about competing with my mother for the Emperor’s favor. Take a look in the mirror and see how much you really are worth.”
"Princess, I have asked myself if I have done anything wrong..."
Consort An was so bullied that she didn't dare to speak loudly, and could only timidly argue back.
"How dare you! You're wrong to compete for favor with Consort Rong." Noticing the bright yellow robe behind the artificial hill, Gu Qingyao deliberately raised her voice, "This princess only listens to Consort Rong, and no one else can interfere with me."
Gu Heng left with a livid face. Consort An was someone he had recently summoned, yet Yao'er didn't seem to care. Was she being deliberately taught to do this?
"Cen Hai, go to Consort An's place tonight."
......
"Mother seems to be very busy lately, so busy that she doesn't even have time for me."
Inside Zhaoning Palace, Gu Qingyan was practicing calligraphy. Hearing Jiang Yu get up, he quickly put down his brush. "In the past, Mother would wait for me in the courtyard after school, but recently she has been busy in the room."
[If Ayan hadn't mentioned it, I would have truly forgotten. Lately, I've been so focused on dealing with Consort Rong that I almost neglected the most important matter.]
Gu Qingyan walked up to Jiang Yu with a smile. Jiang Yu looked at Gu Qingyan's noticeably taller figure and said, "I remember, in a month, Ayan will be celebrating his ninth birthday."
Gu Qingyan was stunned. He had never celebrated his birthday before.
"Mother remembers my birthday?" Gu Qingyan couldn't describe his feelings at that moment, only that he was happy, extremely happy.
"Of course." The palace servants behind Jiang Yu also smiled. "I will personally cook longevity noodles for Ayan. Whatever wishes Ayan may have, I will grant them."
[I will raise Ayan to be a man skilled in both literature and martial arts, and let him live freely.]
"Your child wishes to stay by Mother's side forever."
After dinner, Gu Qingyan mysteriously approached Granny Ling and asked, "Granny, when is my mother's birthday?"
“Her Majesty’s birthday is in September, but it has been a long time since Her Majesty celebrated her birthday.” Ling Mama’s eyes were a little red. “Every year on Her Majesty’s birthday, only the Marquis sends some rare items from outside the capital.”
"It's alright, I'll give it to my mother in the future."
"This servant will tell the Third Prince in secret that Her Majesty loves flowers the most; she loves any fresh flower."
However, no flowers were planted in Zhaoning Palace, and Jiang Yu never held a flower-viewing banquet after entering the palace.
Gu Qingyan was stunned for a moment, then ran to the Imperial Garden and picked a large bunch of roses. He tied them into a bouquet with red string. The roses in April were extremely beautiful, with all kinds of colors coming together, giving off a vigorous vitality.
When Gu Qingyan stood in front of Jiang Yu with a bouquet of flowers, Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned.
"The books say that flowers are a good match for beautiful women. These flowers are barely a good match for the Empress Dowager."
"Mother loves it very much." Jiang Yu took the bouquet with great delight. "Ayan, Mother really likes it."
“Then I will instruct the palace servants to plant flowers in Zhaoning Palace tomorrow, so that Mother can see them when she looks up.” Gu Qingyan’s eyes sparkled like a wet puppy. “So that there will be flowers blooming in Zhaoning Palace all year round.”
"good."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com