Chapter 371: Ni Zhaoyi's Thoughts
Ni Zhaozhao knelt on the ground as Liu Gongzheng entered the palace to inform Princess Zhaoren that she was pregnant. Princess Kunxing's joy was written all over her face, and the worry she had been wearing all day due to government affairs had lifted.
"That's great! It's really great!" Princess Kunxing muttered.
Lu Ling also laughed and said, "That's great! Congratulations!"
Then someone said to the palace maid, "Go, get the best supplements from the palace and send them to the palace so that Sister Zhaoren can have a good rest!"
"Thank you for your concern, sister. I and Zhaoren would like to thank you." Princess Kunxing said.
"We are all family, why are you being so polite to me!" Lu Ling said.
When Liu Gongzheng saw Kunxing and the queen finished their conversation, she asked, "When will the princess return to the palace?"
Princess Kunxing turned her head to look at the memorial on the desk and said, "Tell the prince that I will definitely be back when the lights are turned on!"
"Yes! The prince consort asked me to tell the princess to take care of herself before I came here. There are endless state affairs to deal with!" Liu Gongzheng said.
"Go down!" Princess Kunxing said with a change of expression. She thought to herself: "Aren't there so many widows here? Why are you showing off your affection here? You have no sense at all."
Although Liu Gongzheng didn't understand why the princess was angry, he still left obediently.
In the palace, after hearing Liu Gongzheng's words, Zhao Xiaofei didn't say anything, but went to Li Sihong's room.
As soon as I entered the door, Li Sihong was watching her son Li Guangzong writing.
Seeing that Zhao Xiaofei was in a bad mood, she said to her son, "Let's stop practicing here for today! Go back to bed early!"
"Oh!" Li Guangzong nodded, turned around and saw that it was his father, and said happily: "Dad! Can you tell me a story?"
"Okay!" Zhao Xiaofei never refuses his son's request.
But Li Sihong could tell Zhao Xiaofei was in a bad mood, so she said to her son, "Your father is tired. I'll tell you tonight. Go back to your room first. I want to talk to you about something."
"Oh!" Li Guangzong followed the wet nurse back to the house with his head down.
Seeing her son leave, Li Sihong stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong? I see you're in a bad mood!"
"Nothing! Just a little tired!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Is the eldest princess not coming back today?" Li Sihong asked.
Zhao Xiaofei nodded. Princess Kunxing's position in his heart was becoming increasingly important. Li Sihong could see this and felt bad. People are selfish. Even if they have been educated in women's discipline and training, it can't stop a woman's jealousy.
"You don't want her to be the princess regent, right?" Li Sihong asked.
"It was my idea to make her the princess regent, but I don't want her to take all the power like this. It's enough to just show her respect in front of all the civil and military officials every day. Protecting the children in the palace is the most important thing, and the most important thing is that my son comes back safely." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"She has her own difficulties. This country belongs to the Zhu family, so it's normal for her to be worried. Besides, which official in the court is worry-free? Without her dealing with those ministers in front, our safety cannot be guaranteed at all. You are not afraid that she will become Wu Zhao, are you?" Li Sihong said.
"She won't!" Zhao Xiaofei answered Li Sihong's question quickly and confidently.
This made Li Sihong feel a little jealous. How could you be so sure? Only a woman could understand a woman! When you were away, she was calling the shots in the court, managing balances, killing corrupt officials, and providing disaster relief.
Even though I don't go out, you can find out what's happening in the court if you ask around.
In the palace, Princess Kunxing said to Ni Zhaoyi, who was kneeling on the ground, "What? Aren't you going to worry too much?"
"I am a Confucian and was taught the precepts and teachings for women. Women have their own duties, but state affairs should be decided by the ministers in the court!" said Ni Zhaoyi.
"Shut up! Do you mean that I am unfaithful to my husband?" Princess Kunxing's face was a little gloomy.
"I dare not! The princess and the queen are the most noble women in the Ming Dynasty. Now that the emperor is gone, the queen mother should be in charge of the country. But I have never seen a princess ruling the country from behind the curtain!" When Ni Zhaoyi said this, everyone's face changed.
Is everyone thinking that Concubine Ni is crazy? How dare you say such things in front of the Empress and the Princess Regent? Aren't you afraid that the Princess and the Empress will order you to be locked up and banished to the cold palace?
"Hahaha, as expected, Prime Minister Ni's granddaughter is very individual! But Lord Ni is knowledgeable and far-sighted, so how could he raise someone as short-sighted as you? When the country needs you, you shrink back and only find excuses to refuse!" Princess Kunxing sneered.
Everyone felt a shudder in their hearts when they heard this sound. Looking at Princess Kunxing's expression, it was as if a layer of frost had covered her face.
"How can I compare with my grandfather? I am a weak woman. As long as I can do my duty of supporting my husband and raising my children, that's enough. I, a concubine, have never thought about anything else!" said Ni Zhaoyi.
"Go down!" Lu Ling said. She didn't want her sister-in-law to banish Consort Ni to the cold palace.
Since the queen had let her go, she didn't bother with it anymore.
Ni Zhaoyi returned to her palace, tears silently streaming down her face. Didn't she know that if she had offended Princess Kunxing like this today, she would most likely be retaliated against?
Of course she knew, but she did this on purpose. She had never considered entering the palace, and her eyes had turned red as she watched herself enter. As she boarded the sedan chair, her grandfather turned around, his shoulders heaving. She knew that her grandfather, such a strong man, was crying, and her heart was in agony.
Now, at such a young age, she was already a widow. And without children, her heart was even worse. Others could have children to look after their whole lives, but she, alone in the deep palace, would have to live out her days in solitude. This was not what she wanted, so she decided to confront Princess Kunxing directly, hoping she would be driven out of the palace in anger.
As soon as Concubine Ni left, Kunxing said to Lu Ling, "I know her intentions well! She's so arrogant because she's the Prime Minister of Master Ni! Just wait! Sooner or later, I'll get her in trouble!"
Late at night, Zhao Xiaofei was still coaxing Zhao Wenxian in Princess Kunxing's room. Because Zhao Wenxian woke up crying in the middle of the night, as a father, he told him a story.
Zhao Xiaofei then told him the story of Snow White.
The little one fell asleep before the story was finished, and he fell asleep too.
Kunxing returned and looked at the two men, finding them hilarious. They were both sleeping astride the blanket, their faces facing inward. Their movements were perfectly aligned, and the sight of them practically melted Kunxing's heart.
But Zhao Xiaofei was an adult after all, and he could still smell the perfume. He opened his eyes, looked at Princess Kunxing, and said, "You're back! Have you finished handling the affairs of state?"
"No! How can it be finished? My husband is right! How busy are the government affairs?" said Princess Kunxing.
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