Chapter 290: They are all helping each other
By the time the fourth son's succession ceremony was complete, the second son's funeral would have already been over by the time the flower had gone cold! As long as there was no internal strife in the Li family, there would be no chaos in the capital.
Li Yuanxiu glanced toward the palace gate, anger flashing in his eyes. Those aristocratic thieves waiting to take advantage should keep their eyes open. His Li family empire will never end like this!
With Prince An's help, Duke Ling and Marquis Weiwu's full support, and the Minister of Personnel taking the lead in lobbying some upright civil officials, even though there were still voices of opposition, both overt and covert, it could not change the outcome that the fourth prince, Prince Qi, would become the successor.
Just wait until tomorrow to officially ascend the throne.
The weather was still rather sweltering in late summer, and a large amount of ice had to be placed in the hall to keep the body intact. Jiang Wan was pregnant, and it was impossible for her to run around in such a cool place with her belly bulging for a long time.
Concubine Rong, who had barely managed to control her sadness, pulled the Princess of Qi up from the ground with a haggard face.
"Xianfei, I'll leave this to you for now. The fourth son's wife is pregnant, and we can't let her work so hard. I'll take her to the side to rest and relax."
"Yes, Sister Rong Fei, you can go ahead."
The virtuous concubine wiped away her tears and was very easy to talk to.
After all, she had been his mistress for many years. Although they were both concubines now, they should not be treated the same. Xianfei was also a rare and intelligent person, otherwise she would not have been able to reach her current position.
"Rong Fei, why do you... um..."
Zhu Mingfu must have been completely bewildered, actually daring to speak out and cause trouble at such a critical moment. Fortunately, Concubine Liang, who was kneeling beside him, was agile and reacted quickly, turning around and covering his stupid mouth with one hand.
"Sister Hefei, please check on Si Ning and see if she's cried herself hoarse. She's still such a young child. Now that her father and mother are gone, she'll have to rely on her brother and sister-in-law for love and care from now on. This poor little girl!"
It must be said that Concubine Liang's character is indeed worthy of her title, and she is a very kind person. However, she herself would never admit it, and would only pout and snort coldly, looking very difficult to please.
If it weren't for the fact that Si Ning and her own Jianing had a little bit of similarity in their features, she wouldn't have bothered to help the fool Zhu Mingfu.
Can't you see what's going on now? How dare you provoke Consort Rong and Consort Xian, who have the prince? This person is courting death without even choosing a place!
Concubine Xian looked at Concubine Cheng, who very obediently stepped forward and, together with Concubine Liang, skillfully took Concubine He, the fool, to a corner to reason with her.
Jiang Wan took the words and actions of these mothers into consideration and followed Concubine Rong to the side hall in silence.
"Wanjie, please sit here and rest for a while. I'll have someone call the imperial physician to take your pulse. Although it is indeed very sad right now, the dead are gone, and the living must continue to live."
Rong Fei's tone was filled with grief, but she remained rational.
"Especially since you are pregnant with the grandson of the Emperor, you must take good care of him. This will give peace of mind to both the deceased and the living."
"I'm in good health and can hold on. There's no need to call the doctor. Don't worry about me."
Jiang Wan held a handkerchief and wiped Rong Fei's tears.
"You can't be so sad. How sad would Father and Mother be if they saw this? They've always felt guilty towards you..."
"No!"
Rong Fei interrupted Jiang Wan with red eyes.
"I've never felt that Yunniang has wronged me. Only I know how difficult it was for her back then.
My husband had a difficult situation too. In such a desperate situation, if he didn't rebel, he would only die. But once he embarked on this path, he could only be pushed forward by everyone against his will.
In this life, ever since he married me, he has never been happy again. I am the one who feels guilty towards them. I was the one who squeezed in between them because of the family's stake..."
People with good natures will only compromise even when they are complaining. This is true for Qiao Yunshu and Zhao Yu'e.
Jiang Wan has always felt sorry for these two women who have suffered all their lives.
"Mother, please don't say that. None of you are wrong. It's the chaotic world that's at fault."
"Yes, it was the world back then that was wrong."
Concubine Rong raised her tearful eyes and looked towards the main hall, where her husband and the sister with whom she had fought and supported for half her life were lying.
"It's good that they left together. They were depressed for half their lives, and now they can finally be free. No one will bother them anymore, and they can finally be together quietly. It's good."
Turning back to look at Jiang Wan, she forced a smile that was sadder than crying.
"When you and the Fourth Brother become the new emperor and empress in the future, you can just seal the imperial mausoleum. I won't squeeze in."
"…Mother?!"
Jiang Wan's eyes widened in shock.
"There's no need to be so surprised. Your eldest brother has already told me that the fourth brother will ascend the throne tomorrow. You should have received the news as well."
The two pairs of eyes met, Rong Fei's look bitter but also relieved.
"I won't be buried with the Emperor. The virtuous concubines and the others all think so. Back then, the Emperor and us had various exchanges of interests, and everyone had already gotten what they wanted in the beginning.
He even gave more than the emperor.
There are only a few concubines in total, and each of them has a child. This is the escape route that the emperor has prepared for us. After all, we have been with him before, and we are all kind-hearted.
No matter if they are princes or princesses, they can always provide for their respective mothers and consorts until their death. So..."
Rong Fei's tears fell again.
"Let him be with the person he wants to be with. He has been depressed for so many years in this life. Now that the person is gone, let him follow his heart for once!"
The sunset glow is as red as fire, and when it falls from the sky to the earth, it is accidentally stained with many human sorrows. When it shines into the gentle eyes opposite, people can't help but feel sorry for her.
Jiang Wan also looked towards the main hall.
The Emperor might actually be considered a good man, otherwise he wouldn't have so many women devoted to him. Whether it's the Empress, Rong Fei, or even Xian Fei...
It seems that everyone is gritting their teeth to help each other.
The tangled mess that once existed can finally fade away with the passing of a generation. Only by being open-minded can we help those who remain live better.
This may not be a bad thing.
So she nodded.
"Mother, may I discuss this with my husband later?"
"good."
Concubine Rong stood up.
"You rest here for a while. I'll go to the front to accompany them. We won't see each other again."
"Well, although I know this is a bit useless, I still want you to take care of yourself. If you cry yourself sick, my brother and sister-in-law will be worried sick."
"good."
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