“Right now, this child is the most suitable candidate,” the Empress Dowager nodded, then looked up at Shang Xiche again, as if she had thought of something: “Or, Your Majesty, you…”
Shang Xiche tightened his grip on his knees and shook his head: "I cannot. I took Qin Weiyang as my concubine before because the Ninth Prince did not give her a title; but this bandit is the Ninth Prince's consort, bestowed by my imperial decree. If I take her as my concubine again, what will the world think of me?"
He does want to marry her.
That little female bandit was exceptionally fair-skinned and delicate; which man wouldn't be tempted by her?
But at this critical juncture, his imperial throne and reputation are definitely more important to him.
The Empress Dowager nodded silently and said, "That makes sense. Then, let's go with Xize."
"Your Majesty summoned me not just to discuss this, but also to discuss follow-up actions, right?" Shang Xiche knew the Empress Dowager very well and asked, "What do you hope I will do?"
"The Emperor doesn't need to offend the Ninth Prince too much. After all, at this critical juncture, before things are settled, it's not good for the Emperor to have too much of a falling out with the Ninth Prince. You just need to try to keep the Ninth Prince at the Thirteenth Prince's celebratory banquet and prevent him from spending too much time with that bandit. That way, I can find an opportunity to let Xize and that bandit meet alone." The Empress Dowager slowly took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, appearing calm and composed, as if she had the whole situation under control and victory in her grasp.
Shang Xiche nodded in agreement.
The number four is a homophone for "death." To ward off evil and bring good fortune, people of Da Zhao's family, especially those with some money, would hold a four-month or four-year-old banquet for their children. They hoped to receive blessings from their elders and ensure that their children would grow up safely.
Consort Yin knew that the emperor's health had deteriorated and that he would never be able to have children again.
Although the thirteenth prince, Shang Chenghao, was not her biological son, he was still considered to be born of her; this child was her future hope and support, so she naturally wanted to protect him.
Consort Yin was fully aware of the situation both inside and outside the palace.
Therefore, for the April banquet of the thirteenth year, Consort Yin originally planned to only invite a few long-lived elders from her maternal family to come and see the thirteenth year and bring him some blessings.
Unexpectedly, that old hag, the Empress Dowager, actually persuaded the Emperor to hold the 13th National Congress!
Last year at her birthday party, that old man disregarded her reputation and made a scene.
Now they don't even care about Thirteen's good fortune and retribution, and they don't care about her and Thirteen's life or death. This is to cut off her and the Yin family's way out!
With the April banquet on the 13th just around the corner, Consort Yin grew increasingly angry.
She slammed her slender white hand on the tea table, even knocking off the nail guards on her fingers, and said through gritted teeth, "Just because I haven't shown my teeth doesn't mean you can take me for a pushover!"
Beside her, Nie Meier said weakly, "Your Highness, Hao'er can only rely on Your Highness. Hao'er's blessing ceremony tomorrow must not be disrupted. That would be unlucky and would diminish Hao'er's blessings."
"Your body hasn't recovered yet, go back and rest first. I will handle this matter myself," Consort Yin said coldly, glancing at Nie Meier with a hint of disdain.
Nie Meier bit her lower lip, a hint of forbearance and resentment flashing in her lowered eyes. She stood up, curtsied, and said, "Yes, Meier takes her leave."
After Nie Meier walked away.
Hui Jin took a step closer and whispered to Consort Yin, "Your Majesty, Consort Nie secretly went to see the Thirteenth Prince last night in the middle of the night. She even wanted to breastfeed him herself, but fortunately the wet nurse discovered it in time and stopped her."
"It is said that once a child drinks his mother's milk, he will only listen to his mother; Thirteen was born to her, so it is only natural that she hopes Thirteen will recognize her as his mother and stand up for her in the future." Consort Yin's contemptuous smile was very cold.
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