Imperial Palace
Fengyi Palace
Ever since Prince Li left for his fiefdom, the Queen's condition has become increasingly serious. She used to be able to handle trivial matters in the harem, but now she is bedridden all day, as if all her strength has been drained away.
Although the emperor often came to visit, he only said some comforting words, which did not help much for the queen's condition.
The maids beside the queen guarded her day and night, and couldn't help but shed tears as they saw the queen becoming increasingly thinner and haggard.
Those concubines who were usually suppressed by the queen began to get restless, trying to take advantage of the queen's serious illness.
Today, the Queen was in a slightly better mood, so she leaned back on the pillow and listened to the nanny's report on official business. The nanny paused:
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has already called off the engagement with the daughter of the Jiang family who was given to Prince Li, and has also instructed her to participate in the selection next year."
The Queen was stunned for a moment as if struck by lightning when she heard this:
"How dare the Jiang family daughter cancel my son's marriage... cough cough cough, the emperor is getting old and confused... wuwuwu!"
Mammy quickly covered her mouth and said anxiously:
"My lady, words can cause trouble. Please stop talking nonsense. Are you sick and confused?"
At this time, a palace maid's soft report came from outside the palace:
"Your Majesty, Concubine Jiang requests an audience."
"Please come in." The nanny ordered the little palace maid outside the door.
"Mammy, I really don't want to see these concubines. They come every day and my head hurts so much."
"Your Majesty, don't you think the Jiang family's daughter is ungrateful? Do you want to cause trouble for the Jiang family? Wouldn't it be easy to start with Concubine Jiang?"
The Queen's lips curled up slightly. What the nanny said was right. Concubine Jiang had been in a big conflict with the Jiang family some time ago. This time, she could be used to create some trouble for the Jiang family. It would be a piece of cake.
A moment later, Concubine Jiang, dressed in a green dress, walked in gracefully and saluted. The Queen was too lazy to watch her pretense:
"What are you doing today, Concubine Jiang? I'm recovering from my illness. If there's nothing important, please kneel down and greet me!"
Jiangpin glanced at the Queen, and seeing that she was not displeased, she plucked up her courage and said:
"Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for many years. I would like to go home for a visit recently. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."
The Queen raised her eyebrows:
"Well, it has indeed been many years. So, you go back first. I will mention it to the emperor and prepare some gifts for you. The weather is getting colder. Give my Shuiyunjin brocade to Concubine Jiang and the Huangyuzhu head ornament to her."
The nanny curled her lips and smiled, gave these things to Jiangpin's maid, and personally sent Jiangpin out.
"Empress Jiang, my queen is quite dissatisfied with the second lady of the Jiang family's breaking off the engagement. Do you understand?" She looked at Concubine Jiang with a sharp gaze and a half-smile.
Concubine Jiang understood immediately that the Queen wanted her to vent her anger.
Shortly after Concubine Jiang left, Emperor Song came to Fengyi Palace to visit the Empress. Looking at the Empress's face, which was so thin that it looked like a human, Emperor Song felt a surge of pity in his heart. He slowly sat down beside the bed and said softly:
"Queen, you must rest and recuperate. The harem still needs your care and attention."
The queen forced herself to gather her strength and sat up, her voice as weak as a candle in the wind:
"Your Majesty, today Concubine Jiang came to me and begged me, saying that she wanted to go home for a visit. I agreed, considering that she has been in the palace for many years. I was planning to discuss with Your Majesty and let her go home."
Emperor Song nodded slightly and said, "In that case, then grant her the permission."
"Empress, I want to adopt the sixth prince under your name. What do you think?" Emperor Song stared at Empress Ouyang with a sharp gaze.
A bitter smile played across the Queen's lips. Was this clearly the Emperor telling her? How long had her son just arrived at his fiefdom? And yet, he was so impatient?
"The Sixth Prince is still young, only four years old, and barely remembers anything. If you can raise him carefully, he will surely become your solid support in the future."
Emperor Song gently stroked her hand.
"Then register him under my name! I will do my utmost to take care of him, just as I would my own eyes."
The emperor was very relieved and said with a sense of relief:
"He lost his biological mother. I will send him to Fengyi Palace this afternoon so that he can feel the warmth there."
The Queen looked at the Emperor tenderly, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection like a pool of spring water:
"Your Majesty, the dancers and noble ladies sent by various countries have not yet been arranged. Will they all be kept in the harem, or will they be given to ministers as a token of your grace?"
The emperor turned the ring on his thumb and said thoughtfully:
"Send a few to officials of the third rank and above, especially Su Cifu. His wife just passed away. While the mourning period is still hot, choosing a princess of noble status for him would be a kind of comfort."
The Queen smiled and nodded repeatedly. Seeing that the Queen looked tired, the Emperor whispered a few words of advice and then turned back to Longchen Hall.
After the emperor left, the queen said to the nanny:
"You go and arrange this matter. You can take care of the rest yourself. Draft an imperial decree. Pick a few thoughtful people from the Zhenguo Mansion and have them go with Concubine Jiang to the Zhenguo Mansion. You will personally issue the imperial decree."
She made it clear that she knew and went to arrange everything.
Grand Prince's Mansion
The eldest prince, Song Chengxuan, emerged from his staff room, pondering their advice. The staff had suggested he try to win over the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, whose two officials, one second rank and the other third rank, were both powerful officials.
He strolled to the courtyard of his concubine Cao Qiang. Her elder sister was married to Jiang Shuyan, so it was a natural thing for him to win him over through her.
Seeing the eldest prince coming, Cao Qiang hurriedly stood up to greet him, his face filled with joy. After the eldest prince sat down, he got straight to the point and spoke frankly about the matter. Cao Qiang frowned slightly after hearing this, thought for a moment, and said:
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