Luzhu and others were startled and panicked. They even forgot the proper etiquette. Lan Qi, on the other hand, was very calm and led them to the door. They bowed in front of the imperial concubine without asking her why she came.
, just saying hello.
As expected, the imperial concubine went straight to her dormitory and said with a smile: "I have never been to your dormitory. I heard that it is just like the No. 1 Scholar's room, full of books and ink." Lan Qi was not far away.
Following closely, the imperial concubine suddenly stopped again. She seemed to have heard that Zhong Cui's palace was unusually quiet. She looked around and asked, "Are you the only one here?"
"Empress Duan and Lady Bu went to Concubine Rong's place for a reunion. It has been raining for a few days and the children are all bored." Lan Qi responded, but after saying this, her heart tightened. She was so good-natured, why did she mention "children"?
Two words.
There was a smile on the imperial concubine's eyebrows, and she pointed at Lvzhu and the others and asked, "Why is Huan Chun, who usually follows you, not here?"
"Huan Chun..." Lan Qi was a little nervous in her heart. She didn't want to mention the news of Concubine Wen's happiness. She was afraid that when Huan Chun came back halfway, the concubine asked her whether Huan Chun was telling the truth, or whether she was hiding it but it was different from what she said.
It was troublesome, so he confessed, "Huan Chun went to Xianfu Palace to send congratulatory gifts to concubine Concubine Wen to congratulate Concubine Wen on her pregnancy."
"Yes, it's time to congratulate you." The imperial concubine's face turned ugly and asked Qinglian, "Have we congratulated you?"
How could Qinglian say that her master was not allowed to congratulate her? She knelt down and said that she was guilty of negligence. The imperial concubine then smiled and said: "Go, prepare something decent now and send it to me quickly. Don't be rude in front of others. Others will treat me as my wife."
The palace is narrow-minded and cannot see Concubine Wen's kindness."
"Slave, slave... let's go now." Qinglian frowned. It was obvious that the imperial concubine sent her away on purpose, but she also couldn't figure out what the master wanted to say to the noble man when he stayed. If he said that he wanted to harm the fetus in her belly, it was
Absolutely impossible, I guessed right, the imperial concubine is thinking about this child.
After Qinglian left, Lan Qi had introduced the imperial concubine to the East Side Hall and asked Lvzhu and the others to serve tea. However, Lvzhu, Ziyu and Yukui did not move, and sent the timidest Xiangyue to get some tea. The three of them seemed to
She was determined not to leave her master at all, so as to prevent the imperial concubine from making things difficult for her at any time.
When Xiangyue came to serve tea, the imperial concubine had already seen through their thoughts. After drinking tea, she sneered: "Go down, you all. You are standing here like putting candles. How can I talk to your master? Let's talk about it."
As for what I said, I don’t want you to hear it, everyone in this palace has left, why don’t you leave?”
Yu Kui responded: "Slaves serve tea and tea for the empress and noble people, and do not dare to neglect."
"I have drunk enough." The imperial concubine stared at them coldly, and glanced at the noble man again, "I have never heard that you are a sharp-tongued person. How can you train the palace maids to love talking back? I just asked them to go
Waiting outside, you can’t even shout anymore?”
Lan Qi apologized and gently told her people, "Go, you don't need to be here anymore."
"Master..." Lu Zhu was anxious. Lan Qi looked at them deeply, turned around and faced only the imperial concubine. After all, they did not dare to insist too much and left uneasily.
The door of the palace was closed, and the patter of rain outside became much softer. Before Lan Qi entered the door, there were still a few dead leaves on the trees in the yard. At this moment, the scene of the dead leaves swaying in the rain was still in front of her. For some reason, she felt in her heart
There is a smile, and there is a smile on the lips.
"The noble lady is in a very good mood." The imperial concubine said quietly, "I just saw you standing under the eaves and looking at the rain. No wonder the emperor likes you. You are so beautiful. It's rare that you have such a big belly and you are not fat or ugly.
.”
Lan Qi leaned forward and said, "Your Majesty is so flattering that I don't dare to be my concubine."
"When will the baby be born?" the imperial concubine suddenly asked without warning, looking straight at Lan Qi, "I heard that the imperial doctor thought it was a boy."
Lan Qi's heart trembled slightly, but she tried her best to respond calmly. When she mentioned that late October was the day of birth, the imperial concubine smiled: "My birthday falls in October."
"Mother Congratulations." Lan Qi lowered his head, fearing that she would see her slightly twisted eyebrows.
"What kind of gift does the noble lady intend to give to me?" The concubine held her face with one hand, her smile was full of intimidation, and there was pride that could not be refused in the corners of her eyes. She asked Lan Qi, "I think of this."
One piece, I’m afraid there is no better gift than that.”
Lan Qi said in her heart, are you talking about the child? And she felt that Concubine Tong's behavior was not the worst. She could tell her directly and clearly, even if she asked her face to face that she wanted a child, it was better than the insidious tricks behind her back.
After feeling the discomfort in his throat, he asked, "What gift would you like to have? I wonder if I am within my ability."
"Hey." The imperial concubine stretched out her slender jade fingers, her bright red nails dazzling. Lan Qi looked at her in a daze and pointed at her belly and said, "This child, I want this child."
The imperial concubine retracted her fingers, leaned back on the chair, and said calmly: "You noble nobleman, you should understand that your status is not enough to raise the emperor's heirs by yourself. Based on your family background, the emperor has sealed you as a noble man.
Special favor, if you are promoted to the concubine position, the ministers of the previous dynasty may not agree. Count the days, the next time the palace will be sealed, I don’t know when it will be. You can rest assured where your children will be raised in these years. Why don’t we live together?
It's easy to put the child in Chengqian Palace and come over to have a look, what do you think?"
Lan Qi remembered that earlier, the then Concubine Tong stopped her halfway and asked her to stand with her, half coaxing and half threatening. After refusing, she was warned not to help the then Concubine Zhao. She did not expect that she would be like this in the past.
After a long time, Concubine Tong's temperament has not changed at all, but she came to ask her for a child so directly, which can be considered magnanimous.
"Don't want to?" The imperial concubine said coldly, her eyes were cold. She had obviously said the most polite words. Once she was rejected at this moment, she would not know what cruel words she would say later.
Lan Qi took a deep breath and said slowly: "I forgive you, I am not a concubine..."
But the imperial concubine interrupted her sternly and said boldly: "Aren't you the one who stayed by Queen Niu Hulu's side in the end? She didn't say anything to you? But Queen Niu Hulu told me that the emperor had discussed it with her a long time ago.
Okay, when there is a new born princess in the palace, let me choose one to raise in Chengqian Palace. What a coincidence, it will be your child."
Lan Qi frowned. She also remembered what Xuan Ye said to her. He said that he did not want to suffer the grievance. It seemed that the queen did not lie to the concubine, and Xuan Ye had not forgotten it, so he gave herself reassurance early? In that case
, Lan Qi raised her heart and said directly: "Your Majesty, I forgive you. It's not that I am unwilling. It's just that the Emperor promised early in the morning that he would send the child to Cining Palace to be raised. The Empress Dowager also knew about it, and she only waited for the birth.
Today, I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
Concubine Tong sat dumbly after hearing this. The emperor actually thought so thoughtfully about this woman. This shows that the Niu Hulu family really did not lie to herself. Xuan Ye must have been thinking about this matter, so he hurriedly agreed to the child's whereabouts, with something in his heart.
The sound was like something breaking, and there was a stabbing pain for no reason. She held her chest and breathed slowly for a long time before asking again: "What did you just say?"
Lan Qi looked at her squarely and spoke clearly one word at a time: "I can't satisfy your Majesty's wishes. This child will be sent to Cining Palace when he is born. I'm not even qualified to promise you, so you still invite your Majesty."
Forgive me."
After saying that, he stood up and saluted solemnly. Even though his belly was high and it was difficult to move, he still knelt down devoutly. The humiliation on his knees was nothing at all. His status was already below that of a noble concubine. The grievances of kneeling down were compared to the pain of losing a child.
, the former is really insignificant.
"Seriously? Wu Yalanqi, do you know the sin of lying about the imperial edict?" Concubine Tong suppressed the anger in her heart and slowly stood up. The kneeling Lanqi was much shorter, and she seemed a bit condescending, and suddenly jumped
He came over and pinched Lan Qi's chin, with long eyebrows and ferocious eyes, and asked clearly word by word, "Wu Ya, have you thought about it? I will go to Cining Palace to ask the Empress Dowager
, if it hadn’t been for this, you would have had good fruit to eat.”
Lan Qi was indeed panicked. She only told Aunt Sumala about this matter. She told her to trust Xuan Ye, so she didn't mention it to the Queen Mother again. If Concubine Tong really rushed over to ask, what if Aunt Sumala
Grandma is not around to support...
"Come on, go to Cining Palace!" Before Lan Qi could think about it, Concubine Tong opened her chin, and she was so strong that Lan Qi knelt down and sat back. She quickly held her belly and didn't dare to move, then she heard
There were noisy footsteps outside. After a while, it became quiet. Lvzhu and the others who were kneeling outside the door rushed in immediately. They were frightened and panicked when they saw their mistress kneeling on the ground. They helped her to the heated kang in the inner hall with all their hands.
Go up and ask if you want to be declared the imperial physician.
Lan Qi's heart was pounding. She could not predict what would happen to Cining Palace. Xuan Ye had indeed promised that she was not lying about the imperial edict, but the Empress Dowager already knew it. She really said it impulsively,
Concubine Tong was determined to make a fuss. She didn't care how it happened, what she cared about was whether she could achieve her wish.
"I'm fine. Huan Chun hasn't come back yet?"
Yu Kui said: "Probably she was left behind by Concubine Wen."
Lan Qi gasped and ordered her: "Go to Xianfu Palace to find her. Regardless of whether she was left with Concubine Wen or not, ask her to go directly to Cining Palace. She should know what to do when she gets there." Yu Kui did not dare to delay.
, leaving everyone to take care of the master, and went out with an umbrella.
Lan Qi leaned on the kang to protect her belly, and the child moved slightly in her belly, as if to let her mother know that he was still fine, and that he did not become impetuous with her mother's mood, nor did she suffer any discomfort.
Time passed by, and the rain kept falling outside. Suddenly, a strong wind destroyed the flowers and plants, and only heard the whistling of branches dancing in the air. A wet dead leaf fell from the window in the wind. Ziyu immediately came to clean it up and hurriedly
When she was about to close the window, Lan Qi stopped her, slowly moved to the window, and looked up at the tree. The few dead leaves that had remained before were now completely withered, and the clean branches pointed to the sky. Not only was she no longer desolate,
It actually looks more proud and upright than when the branches and leaves are in full bloom.
Her heart felt inexplicably at peace.
Yu Kui came back soon and said that she had met Huan Chun on the way. She had already gone to Cining Palace, so she mentioned the arrival of the imperial concubine, and Huan Chun seemed to understand.
Lan Qi nodded in silence, and when she gradually calmed down, she actually asked Lv Zhu to make some snacks for her to eat. She didn't know what would happen next. Only when she had regained her energy and strength, could she and her child cope with everything.
More than half an hour later, Huan Chun finally came back. He walked in a hurry, and his skirt and shoes were soaked through. He couldn't wait to replace them, so he came back first, and told his master with a proud face: "The imperial concubine left in anger, and the slave waits until
I asked, but I just asked my servant to tell you, please feel at ease."
But Ziyu asked from the side: "Didn't you meet the imperial concubine on your way back?"
Huan Chun frowned and nodded, thinking: "I really haven't met her. Did the imperial concubine leave in a hurry, or did she go somewhere else?"
"There is no movement ahead. If you don't come back, you must have gone elsewhere." Ziyu said and asked Lan Qi, "Will the empress go to find the emperor?"
Lan Qi, however, was at ease. She leaned down as if she was relieved and said softly: "If she goes to find the emperor, I will feel more at ease." Then she turned to look at the rain outside the window and told them, "Wait until the rain stops.
, just send me to Cining Palace. If Concubine Duan and my sister come back, tell me that I fell asleep and I want to take a rest now."
She was very tired. Although she and Concubine Tong had no verbal exchanges, it was a real test of the Empress Dowager's love for her. Perhaps her mother-in-law had already conveyed her words, or perhaps the Empress Dowager naturally favored her.
But she pushed the old man out in front of her without any scruples. What would the Empress Dowager think?
After calming down, she was troubled by this matter again, and she fell into a drowsy sleep. She just waited for the rain to stop and went to Cining Palace in person. As for Concubine Tong, after she came out of Cining Palace in anger, she went straight to Qianqing Palace.
But it wasn't that Xuan Ye didn't see her, he was discussing important matters with the princes and ministers, and Eunuch Li wouldn't let her in to see her no matter what.
The imperial concubine tosses from Zhongcui Palace to Cining Palace, and then rushes to Qianqing Palace to seek an audience. However, the palace has so many eyes and mouths, it has already spread to every corner. Several people here from the Rong concubine gathered to talk. Bu Guiren heard that Concubine Tong
After going to Zhongcui Palace, she was afraid that Lan Qi would be wronged and became restless afterwards. Concubine Rong simply asked her and Concubine Duan to go back first. After they left, she said to Concubine Hui: "The imperial concubine's mind seems to have changed since she entered the palace.
It hasn’t changed.”
Hui Bin peeled a bag of grapefruit in her hand, deftly took out the whole piece of pulp, and put it into the fruit plate full and crystal clear. Then she broke off another bag and continued. When Rong Bin asked this question, she didn't raise her eyebrows and just laughed: "What do you think?
, the emperor lets her do anything and spoils her, what will be the consequences if it goes on for a long time? Isn’t that the situation now, we are different, step by step, when no one cares about you, how dare you go to the emperor to act coquettishly and cry?
Making trouble?"
"When she goes to see a noble man, it's probably because of her children."
"This is why she is so domineering and arrogant, and the emperor doesn't argue with her." Hui Bin peeled out the complete crystal pulp in her hand, then put it down, wiped her hands with a handkerchief and said, "In my opinion, she is not as good as us.
Well, the toothless tiger, the emperor just knew that she wouldn’t really harm anyone, so he just put it in the harem and let her roar to scare people.”
Rong Bin glanced at her, and she had a sense of proportion in her heart. Ever since her brother caused a scene last time, she had been wary of Hui Bin. This woman's temperament was different from hers and Duan Bin's. She had the Mingzhu Mansion behind her.
But the future that Mingzhu Mansion wants is not that simple.
"Can't give birth to a child and has no scheming skills. Why did Tong Guowei send this daughter here?" Hui Bin always hated Concubine Tong for her son. Even if she didn't let Concubine Tong succeed, she would still hold it in her heart all her life and she didn't know her.
Is it because she was unprepared for the honor concubine and did not hide her hatred and disdain? "Queen Niu Hulu banged her head against a pillar before changing her future. Does she have such a hard forehead? I'm afraid it doesn't matter whether her forehead is hard or not.
, simply don’t have the ability and courage.”
"Don't show this hatred in front of others." Concubine Rong kindly advised, "A toothless tiger is still a ferocious beast after all. It cannot bite people's throats, but with a slap, even the skin and flesh will be cut off.
Death is not terrible at the moment, but neither death nor life is the most terrible thing."
Concubine Hui closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She calmed down and said, "When I mentioned that she wanted to snatch Wu Ya's child, I thought of those days when my elder brother cried. The emperor did that, which really broke my heart, but I
If I cannot hate the emperor, I can only hate this woman."
"The child has come back. If you hold it in your heart, you will only suffer." Concubine Rong advised.
"I don't want to keep it in my heart, Sister Rong, let's... but it's over." Hui Bin's eyes were gleaming and her smile was filled with tears, "I really want to see Wu Yashi, when will our day come, so that I can
I feel more balanced and at ease in my heart. We always persuade each other to be more open-minded. There are always new people in the palace, and the emperor always has new favorites, but being really left out, in my heart..."
"We still have children." This was the only thing Concubine Rong could say to comfort each other at the moment.
The rain that day continued until the evening. It cleared up as the sun set in the west. The sky was actually brighter than during the day. Lan Qi took a rest to regain her energy. She got up to dress and wash up. Duan Bi heard that she was going to Cixi.
Ning Gong was kind enough to let her go in his sedan chair, and Lan Qi did not refuse. Two groups of young eunuchs followed behind her, for fear of something going wrong on the way. When An An arrived at Cining Palace, the young eunuch in front of the door said enthusiastically:
"The Empress Dowager is in the big Buddhist hall at the back. Aunt Sumala said that when you come, just carry the sedan over there."
"Let me walk over. Why don't you take a sedan chair when you go to the Great Buddha Hall?" Lan Qi responded, holding Huan Chun's hand. When she got closer, she saw her grandma sitting outside the door. She came over and stood up to greet her. She was gentle.
He said, "Master is chanting sutras."
"I'll wait a moment." Lan Qi said, but grandma helped her to the door and said softly, "Others can't see you, but the master is here to wait for you."
Lan Qi was worried. Sure enough, she had come to the right place. She calmed down and followed her grandma respectfully to the Buddhist hall. The sandalwood in the Buddhist hall was quiet and deep, and her heart became peaceful. The Queen Mother sat cross-legged in the Buddhist niche.
There was another futon placed in front of me and behind me. I heard the footsteps and said gently: "Sit down carefully. You don't have to be strict about how to sit with your belly stretched out. Just be more comfortable."
Aunt Sumara helped Lan Qi sit down on the futon, and then quietly stepped back. The door of the Buddhist hall slowly closed, and with a loud bang, it seemed that the world of mortals was isolated.
Lan Qi turned her head and glanced, then came back and saw the Queen Mother slowly getting up. Despite her age, her movements were still steady. She burned a stick of incense herself and turned the beads between her fingers. The slight rubbing sound was also affected.
With her heart beating, Lan Qi was just about to calm down when she heard the Queen Mother say: "What will happen in the future? One day I will no longer be there, what will you do?"