Chapter 406: Burial of the Concubine vs. the Ruthless and Romantic Emperor 54
In Cining Palace, the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed like it could drip water.
The Queen Mother was sitting on the phoenix couch, twirling a string of Buddhist beads in her hand. When she heard that Concubine Zhang was demoted to agree, she was instantly furious.
"Does this rebellious son still have the Ai family in his eyes?"
The Queen Mother's voice trembled, "Zhang Mansion is his mother's family, and Concubine Zhang is his cousin. How can he be so ruthless? ”
Although he had long known that his son was cold and ruthless at heart, he was still furious when something happened.
The palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they fell to the ground and did not dare to move.
The queen mother's face was still angry, and she said angrily to the nanny beside her: "Go and ask the emperor to come to Cining Palace immediately. The Ai family must question him!"
Royal Study Room, Long The fragrance of saliva and the fragrance of ink are intertwined, quiet and peaceful.
Emperor Jing was dealing with a mountain of wrinkles when he suddenly heard his mother's summons and knew what was going on. Impatience and irritability flashed in his eyes.
He hesitated before finally going there.
Emperor Jing stepped into the Cining Palace. He stood tall and straight, and the hem of his dragon robe swayed rhythmically with his steps. His face seemed careless and romantic, but there was indifference deep in his eyes.
As soon as the Queen Mother saw Emperor Jing, she asked angrily: "Yuan'er, that Concubine Zhang is your cousin, and the Zhang Mansion is your mother's family. How can you demote Concubine Zhang to a promise so easily? This makes How disappointed is your uncle?”
The corners of Emperor Jing’s mouth raised slightly, half-smiling, with a cynical and romantic attitude in his smile.
He said unhurriedly: "Mother, I am the emperor, and the world is under my control, not to mention the affairs of the harem. That Concubine Zhang dared to instigate her father and the ministers to attack me. It is a crime of great disrespect to criticize the affairs of the harem. I see that I have been given a lighter sentence in the past, so why should the queen be so angry? "
The Queen Mother was so angry that she was shaking all over. She stood up suddenly, walked quickly to Emperor Jing, and stared at him: "You traitor! For the sake of Qin Zhaorong, you completely ignored the ancestral rules and made the harem a mess. Now that you are still treating Concubine Zhang like this, you are not afraid The ministers are cold to you, are you afraid that the harem will be in chaos from now on?"
Emperor Jing raised his chin slightly, his eyes even more cold, he said nonchalantly: "Mother, my great achievements in the court, Can't you see that I can save this day? Peace will allow the people to live and work in peace and contentment. I am just doting on a woman in the harem, so what?” Naturally, she should be favored more by those ministers who tried to interfere. My thoughts are simply wishful thinking. Queen Mother, you should enjoy your old age in this Cining Palace. Don’t forget that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics.”
The Queen Mother heard the last sentence: “The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. ", his face turned pale.
She seemed to have all her strength suddenly taken away. She staggered back a few steps and almost fell.
The nanny on the side hurriedly reached out to help, but the Queen Mother waved her hand away.
Her lips trembled slightly, and it took a long time to squeeze out a sentence: "Okay, a good harem should not interfere with politics. Yuan'er, your wings are hard now, and you don't even take Ai Jia's words seriously. .”
The Queen Mother’s voice was angry and sad, and her eyes were disappointed.
Emperor Jing bowed slightly, his expression still cold and ruthless, "Mother, I am also following the ancestral system. I will take care of the affairs of my harem. Please don't worry about it anymore. "
He is very romantic, but he is also very ruthless. Let alone his mother's family, if his mother dares to continue to dictate to him and interfere too much, he may do something even more outrageous.
The Queen Mother looked at Emperor Jing, how could she not know what her son was like?
She slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if suppressing the turbulent emotions inside her.
After a long time, she opened her eyes again, her eyes had become calm and indifferent: "Since the emperor is so determined, the Ai family will not say anything more. From now on, the Ai family will be here in Cining. She eats food in the palace, chants Buddha's name, and no longer cares about worldly affairs. I just hope that the emperor will not regret today's decision."
She did not call Yuan'er, but called the emperor, which is enough to show that there is a gap between mother and son.
Emperor Jing heard it and also heard the warning in his mother's words.
But he didn't care. He just saluted again and turned to leave.
Looking at Emperor Jing’s leaving figure, the Queen Mother sighed softly, wondering if she was really old?
She turned around and walked towards the Buddhist hall, and said to the nanny behind her: "From today on, no one will be seen in Cining Palace. The Ai family must concentrate on worshiping the Buddha."
Nanny responded respectfully. He made a sound, looking worried.
Fengyi Palace.
The queen sat on the couch, looking sad and confused.
She stared blankly ahead, her thoughts like a mess.
Jin Xuan walked in quietly. Seeing the queen's appearance, she was filled with worry.
She said softly: "Your Majesty, you have been sitting for a long time. Why don't you drink some tea to moisten your throat?"
The queen seemed not to have heard and was still immersed in her own thoughts. middle.
After a long while, she slowly spoke: "Jinxuan, what do you think I should do? The harem is now turned upside down by Qin Zhaorong, and the emperor loves her so much, but I can't do anything about it."
Jin Xuan pursed her lips and comforted: "Empress, you are the master of the harem. As long as you are stable, the harem will still rely on you sooner or later. Although Qin Zhaorong is favored now, she has not yet After giving birth to an heir, there are still variables. "
The queen smiled bitterly and shook her head: "Variables? I see that the situation in the harem is no longer within my control. For her sake, the emperor even ordered Concubine Zhang. Even if she can be reduced to a promise without mercy, she has such a big dispute with the Queen Mother. If I act rashly, I am afraid that the end will not be any better than Concubine Zhang."
Jin Xuan heard this as well. Silent, not daring to speak anymore.
At this point, the former harem has calmed down, but this calm is more like the calm before the storm.
Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Yu Yao has been pregnant for more than eight months and is approaching nine months.
The body is getting heavier and heavier, and the discomforts in the late pregnancy also follow one after another.
She frowned slightly and leaned on the soft couch.
Emperor Jing sat aside and looked at her distressedly. He gently lifted her feet, placed them on his legs, and massaged her gently, trying to relieve her discomfort.
At this moment, Lu Xi hurriedly came in and reported: "Your Majesty, it's not good. The Yungui concubine fell down on the road. Now she has unbearable abdominal pain. She is afraid that she will give birth prematurely."
Emperor Jing heard about Lu Xi's story. Reporting, he frowned slightly and stopped his movements.
Yu Yao also sat upright worriedly and looked at Emperor Jing: "Giving birth is a big event for a woman. Your Majesty, please go and have a look."
The Yungui concubine became pregnant almost at the same time as her. Months, but there is still some time left.
The so-called seven alive and eight dead, Yungui concubines are afraid of danger.
Emperor Jing nodded slightly. Although he didn't like the Yungui concubine, she was still pregnant with his child.
He pondered for a moment, and then told Lu Xi: "Send the imperial physician to Chenxiang Hall quickly. Is Po Wen ready? If not, transfer the ones from Taihe Hall first, and be sure to make sure The safety of the Yungui concubine and the child."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lu Xi accepted the order and then hurriedly retreated.
After Lu Xi retreated.
Emperor Jing turned to Yu Yao and patted her hand reassuringly, "Don't worry Yao'er, I'm going to have a look right now. You are now heavy and have difficulty moving, and you can rest assured to stay in the Hall of Supreme Harmony until I come back." . ”
Although Yu Yao wanted to follow him, he also knew that he was unable to move at the moment and following him would only cause trouble.
She nodded, worry appearing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, please go quickly. I hope that the Yungui concubine and the child will be safe."
Emperor Jing smiled and touched her Face, stood up, straightened his robes, then left the Hall of Supreme Harmony in a hurry, and drove to the Chenxiang Hall.
Fengyi Palace.
The queen was playing with the caged birds leisurely.
A palace maid hurriedly came in and reported: "My queen, I heard that Yungui's concubine fell down on the road and now has unbearable abdominal pain. She is afraid that she is going to give birth prematurely."
Hearing this, the queen's heart moved. , an imperceptible smile flashed across his eyes.
She raised her eyes slightly, with a hint of calculation flashing in her eyes, and whispered to Nanny Qin beside her: "Nanny, have you dealt with everything?"
Nanny Qin approached, He bowed and said: "Don't worry, Madam, everything has been taken care of and no one will find out. The maid next to Yungui Concubine has been bribed by us and drugged her daily diet as instructed."
"This medicine is extremely secretive. There are no obvious symptoms on weekdays, but over time, it will make the fetus extremely weak in the belly. Now that she fell, it has made matters worse. The child will never be born, even if He was born a sickly child and will definitely not pose a threat to the queen."
The queen nodded slightly, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
She straightened her clothes and hurried to the Agarwood Palace with the palace maid.
The concubine gave birth, and as the queen, she naturally had to be present. When the concubines in the harem heard that the Yungui concubine had given birth prematurely, they all rushed to Chenxiang Palace one after another.
Some are looking forward to the death of Yungui concubines, while others are hoping for a good show.
When Emperor Jing rushed to Chenxiang Hall, several concubines waiting anxiously had gathered outside the hall. They were standing or sitting, with varying degrees of worry on their faces.
Seeing Emperor Jing's arrival, everyone quickly stood up and saluted: "I, my concubines, see the emperor, long live the emperor."
Emperor Jing waved his hands impatiently: "Everyone, get up."
After saying that, he walked quickly to the door of the delivery room. The door of the delivery room was closed tightly, but the painful screams of the Yungui concubines came out one after another.
The hearts of those who listened trembled, and the atmosphere became extremely solemn.
Emperor Jing frowned, glanced at everyone, and finally landed on the queen, asking: "Queen, how is the situation of the Yungui concubine?"
The queen took a step forward, gently blessed herself, and said in her tone With a hint of sadness: "Back to the emperor, my concubine has just arrived. The specific situation is not yet clear. I only know that the Yungui concubine suddenly gave birth prematurely and is in critical condition."
Emperor Jing frowned. Even tighter, he turned to Lu Xi and ordered: "Go and ask the imperial doctor quickly, how is the situation of the Yungui concubines, mother and child?"
Soon, the imperial doctor Zhang ran over sweating profusely and knelt in front of Emperor Jing. , said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, the Yungui concubine has a difficult delivery, the fetus is in an abnormal position, and the concubine is weak. The situation is very critical. I and others are doing their best to rescue, but..."
"But what?" Emperor Jing's voice suddenly rose, interrupting the doctor's words.
The imperial doctor trembled and continued: "But I'm afraid that neither mother nor child can be saved. Please make a decision early."
When Emperor Jing heard this, his face was ashen and his anger could not be concealed: "Nonsense. Of course it is to protect the prince!”
The concubine’s duty is to continue to produce heirs for him, does this kind of question still need to be asked?
As soon as Emperor Jing said these words, the imperial doctor hurriedly kowtowed and responded: "Yes, I will do my best to protect the prince."
After that, he hurriedly returned to the delivery room.
The concubines present were not surprised by the emperor's decision, but they were inevitably sad in their hearts.
The queen looked as usual and said nothing.
In the delivery room, the screams of the Yungui concubines could be heard endlessly, as pots of blood were brought out, and the smell of blood filled the air.
Her strength gradually disappeared and her voice became weaker and weaker.
Finally, the screams stopped, and a faint cry of a baby could be heard.
Everyone present knew that the child was born and did not wait for the midwife to take the child out.
There was a burst of crying in the delivery room.
The concubines present felt a thump in their hearts. They each looked at each other a few times, knowing that the Yungui concubine might not survive.
At this time, the midwife came out with the prince in her arms. The prince was wrapped in bright yellow brocade. His small body looked particularly thin, his face was blue and purple, and his breath was very weak.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Yungui has given birth to a prince."
The midwife looked frightened and lowered her head tremblingly.
Emperor Jing hurriedly stepped forward and felt extremely sad when he saw the thin and thin prince in his swaddling clothes, with weak breath, as if he might die at any time.
This is his first son. Even if he is not born to the woman he loves, he is still his child.
Seeing the child like this makes me feel uncomfortable.
He stretched out his hand and gently touched the prince's face. The cold and fragile touch made him frown even more.
The queen stepped forward and glanced at the prince, with an imperceptible smile flashing across her eyes.
This child seems to be difficult to feed, even if he is the eldest son, what can he do? It's just a name in vain.
Emperor Jing looked at the midwife and asked: "How is the Yungui concubine doing?"
The midwife knelt down, lowered her head and replied: "Your Majesty, the Yungui concubine has passed away."< br>
Emperor Jing frowned, pondered for a moment and then said: "According to my decree, Yungui's concubine is promoted to Concubine Yun, and she is buried according to the etiquette. In addition, Concubine Yun's premature birth is thoroughly investigated."
Concubine Yun has always been in good health. Very well, nothing happened during the pregnancy. She stayed there peacefully for more than eight months. How could she suddenly give birth prematurely or have a difficult delivery?
He would not believe it if there were no secrets.
Lu Xi respectfully accepted the order.
When the concubines present heard this, they all looked nervous, for fear of being framed.
The queen's face tightened, fearing that her conspiracy would be discovered. Although she was panicked, her expression remained normal.
Afterwards, Emperor Jing swept his eyes among the concubines, thinking about whom to entrust the prince to raise.
The concubines present had different expressions. If it was a healthy prince, they would definitely fight to raise him.
But the prince looks so sick and weak, and it is unknown whether he can be fed, so he has become a hot potato.
Emperor Jing’s eyes finally fell on Concubine Zhen, thinking that Concubine Zhen was a good candidate because of her gentle personality and the title of concubine.
"Concubine Zhen, this prince is weak. I will leave him to your care. You must take good care of him."
When Concubine Zhen heard this, she looked a little embarrassed.
This prince is so sick and weak, it may be extremely difficult to raise him.
I can imagine that this is a prince after all. If I can raise him carefully, I will be able to avoid the pain of being buried when the emperor dies.
Thinking of this, Concubine Zhen knelt down and saluted, and responded: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best to take good care of the prince."
After hearing this, the other concubines were secretly glad that they were not involved in such trouble.
Some are jealous that Concubine Zhen got this opportunity, even though this opportunity seems to be a hot potato.
Although the queen was dissatisfied with the emperor for leaving the prince to be raised by Concubine Zhen, she had no time to care about it at the moment.
She was only worried about Concubine Yun's death in childbirth and whether the emperor would find out that it was her own handiwork.
Emperor Jing glanced at the sickly infant prince and looked irritable.
He glanced at the concubines present again, feeling even more displeased, so he waved his hands irritably and said, "Let's all leave."
The concubines did not dare to say anything, and all bowed and left.
Emperor Jing left the Chenxiang Hall and drove back to the Taihe Hall.
Taihe Hall.
Yu Yao sat on the couch with her belly in her arms, reading a storybook boredly.
Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from outside. She looked up and saw the Dog Emperor walking in with a gloomy look.
Yu Yao instantly guessed that the Yungui concubine's condition was not good, so she quickly put down her script, stood up and went to greet him: "What's wrong with the emperor? His face is so ugly? But what happened to the Yungui concubine's sister?"
Emperor Jing quickly stepped forward to help her. Although he looked tired and irritable, he looked towards But she became helpless and doting, "It's nothing, Yungui concubine gave birth to a prince, but the prince was not born well."
He did not mention the Yungui concubine's death in childbirth, which also made everyone around him Shut your mouth and don't let the news of the Yungui concubine's death in childbirth reach Yao'er's ears.
I am afraid that she will be scared when she hears this kind of news.
Yao'er is about to give birth, so there can't be any mistakes.
Yu Yao frowned slightly. Although she had doubts in her heart, she saw that the Dog Emperor didn't want to say more, so she stopped asking.
She touched her round belly and said softly: "Your Majesty, the imperial doctors have superb medical skills. With their careful care, the prince will definitely grow up healthily. The emperor does not need to worry too much."
Emperor Jing was calm. He smiled and didn't say anything. He just helped her sit down and started talking about other things.