There is no need to go to the Three Treasures Palace. Although the imperial concubine often lets her two children play together recently, she has never shown her face. Today, she came to Yonghe Palace to wait for her to meet. Now she is leading her fourth brother,
She would have an excuse to come and go as she pleased.
"In the future, if your concubine comes to see Brother Six when I'm not around, just be there and wait on me. Don't be rude in a hurry. Your concubine is not a scourge." Lan Qi smiled and told Ziyu and others that she
Knowing that if he acted calmly, his subordinates would feel at ease. After that, he walked into the house unhurriedly and heard Yinzhen's loud laughter. Hearing the words "brother" made his heart feel sweet. He already knew that he was not the only "sister"
.
Walking into Yinzhen's house, she saw Concubine Tong sitting sideways by the kang. Yinzhen was lying on the kang awkwardly and could not move. Yinzhen was walking around him, leaning over to talk to him from time to time. The little brother was babbling.
A few times, and occasionally moving her lotus-jointed arms, the imperial concubine smiled and clapped her hands to guide: "Yin Zuo, come here, Yinzuo, come here, oh! You can't push Yinzhen, be careful of hurting your brother, he is still young, you have to coax him."
If you want to tease him with the cloth tiger, talk to your brother quickly."
Such a peaceful and beautiful scene made Lan Qi feel conflicted. The imperial concubine would obviously teach Yinzhen not to "hurt" his brother, but why did the prince say that Yinzhen was robbing other people's things? He also remembered that Xuan Ye hugged her dimly last night.
He said vaguely: "Don't worry, Yinzhen is not a bad boy."
"The master is back." The wet nurse noticed Lan Qi's return and came up with the other maids to salute. Lan Qi herself came in front of the imperial concubine and was about to kneel down. The imperial concubine said "no courtesy" in a dignified manner.
But then he hugged Yinzhen and asked him to come down to salute the concubine. The little guy must have been trained. He was no longer as tough and stubborn as before. He kowtowed in a decent manner, but when he got up, he hid in the embrace of the concubine.
The biological mother is still calm.
The imperial concubine took her son back to the kang and let him play by himself. She straightened her clothes and said slowly, "I have something to say to you. Should I go here or somewhere else?"
"I got a jar of good tea for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Would you like to have a taste, my concubine?" Lan Qi said, without waiting for the imperial concubine's reply, and ordered Huan Chun, "Serve tea in the main hall, using the water from the Gulian Spring."
Concubine Tong stood up proudly and glanced at her with disdain, "Empress De's concubine is expensive, but the water used in Chengqian Palace is still Yuquan water. You have traveled thousands of miles to get Gulian Spring from Lushan Mountain, and the specifications of Yonghe Palace are higher.
Are we going to catch up with Kunning Palace in the end?"
Lan Qi didn't take it seriously and guided the concubine to the main hall. She explained in response to these words: "These Gulian springs are used for tribute. They are only found in Cining Palace, Ningshou Palace and Qianqing Palace. I have a few concubines here."
The emperor asked Eunuch Li to bring the jar, so that it can be used when the emperor comes to drink tea on weekdays. Last night, the emperor opened a jar and left after only drinking half a cup of tea. There is still half a jar of spring water that does not need to be kept if it gets dirty.
It’s such a pity.”
Concubine Tong sneered: "The rest of the co-authorship is for me to drink?"
Lan Qi responded calmly: "It's not the rest. If the emperor comes today, he will also use half of the jar of spring water. It is only because the empress is noble that I dare to give it to you. If you don't come, I will also not dare to use it."
The imperial concubine could no longer be picky. She originally wanted to have something to say with Wu Yashi, but if she continued to be picky, it would be hard to say anything after she became stiff. When she sat down in the hall, Huan Chun was not so quick to boil water, so the noble concubine simply told them to leave.
Anxiously, he ordered the palace door to be closed so that she could talk to the concubine.
Lan Qi also came prepared and went to close the door in person. When she turned around, she saw a fruit plate on the table. She brought it over and placed it in front of the imperial concubine. She actually asked: "Is the empress coming to talk to me about last night?"
"
Concubine Tong lowered her head and rubbed a gold bracelet inlaid with precious stones on her wrist. She said without raising her head: "You are smart. Then tell me, what did you hear in Cining Palace?"
Lan Qi answered lightly: "Ms. Hui Bin came here. After a few words of comfort, the Empress Dowager promised to find out the results within two days."
"Two days? Isn't it too hasty?" The imperial concubine didn't believe it. She raised her eyes and looked at Lan Qi suspiciously. She was even more surprised, "How come you are so obedient to my words? You just answer whatever I ask you?"
"I'm just telling the truth. Since your Majesty asked, of course I have to answer." Lan Qi took a few steps back and sat down on the edge. The two of them sat not close to each other, and she calmly waited for the imperial concubine to continue asking questions.
.
But Concubine Tong did not ask any more about the affairs in Cining Palace. She finally stopped beating around the bush and said straight to the point: "Yin Zhen was born to you after all. You definitely don't want your son to be bad, right?"
Lan Qi nodded, but said nothing, while the imperial concubine continued: "Although he was born by you, I am his mother-in-law now. From now on, only I will share the honor and disgrace with him.
If something goes wrong, he will naturally not be easy, right?"
"Your Majesty is right." Lan Qi looked at the imperial concubine, already guessing what she wanted to say.
"I once stopped you halfway. Your status was still so low at that time, but I asked you to stand together, but you flatly refused. At that time, you were thinking about the emperor, the empress dowager, and wanted to be a
Virtuous man, you must not be able to let go of these thoughts now, but what you can't let go of even more, shouldn't it be the child?" The imperial concubine was a little proud, as if she had a chance to win, "Now I am here to say this to you again, for the sake of Yin.
Zhen's future, for the sake of his future, don't let anything go wrong. The two of us get along well and take care of each other no matter what, just for the sake of our children, how about it?"
Sure enough, these words were true. From the moment Ziyu waited at the intersection and told her that the imperial concubine was here, Lan Qi was thinking about what the imperial concubine wanted to do with her. She guessed that it was to avoid something like last night. Maybe she also wanted to be in this palace.
She can have right and left hands, someone who can come out to speak for her at critical moments. After all, the power of her mother's family is strong behind the scenes, and water far away cannot save the fire nearby. If something important happens in the palace, wait until family members outside come to know about it, and everything will be over.
It's late.
"What do you want me to do?" Lan Qi pretended to be stupid.
The imperial concubine hummed softly, with a strong sense of sourness in her arrogance, and said: "Of course it's because you have a good time in the palace. You come in and out of Qianqing Palace and Cining Palace just like your own home. The Empress Dowager treats you in every possible way."
I believe that the emperor will also obey your words. I don’t study much, but I watch a lot of plays. I understand clearly what it means to be a beloved concubine. Isn’t it you who is the only concubine who has been the most beloved concubine in the harem since the Kangxi Dynasty? So?
We just hope that we can get along harmoniously. If someone in the future thinks of poisoning the Chengqian Palace and making me take the blame, Debi, please stand up and mention this palace in front of the two palaces. If you protect me, you will protect the fourth elder brother.
"
After hearing this, Lan Qi said seriously: "I don't dare to call myself a beloved concubine. If the empress wants me like this, then even if I give birth to my fourth brother, I will never be qualified to be her mother-in-law. I am just a hand and foot."
Be diligent, those who have been palace maids will only serve their masters. As for the empress saying that she is afraid of taking the blame, I believe that the Long Live Lord and the Empress Dowager are the wisest. If such a thing really happens, they will definitely clear the empress and concubine.
It's totally insignificant. Besides, I want to get along well with you. Please forgive me for my offensive words. Do you think I dare not to get along well with you?"
Concubine Tong is not stupid either. Her words sounded very clear. She just refused. She couldn't help but feel angry and glared at Lan Qi: "When Concubine Wen harmed me, didn't you stand up and speak for me? In Xian
In the Fu Palace, both the Emperor and the Queen Mother believe in you. It was possible in the past, but why can't it be done in the future?"
Lan Qi calmly replied: "Those are facts. What I said is the truth. Concubine Wen herself has confessed her guilt. The Queen Mother and the Emperor cannot talk about whether they believe in me or not, and I have already told you that I
I’m not trying to help you, but I won’t tolerate anyone doing evil.”
The imperial concubine was surrounded by herself, and her head was full of confusion. She frowned and thought for a long time before humming: "You have such a powerful mouth. Of course you will stand up and tell the truth about those things that you know the truth, and you will ask me."
To remind you? Isn’t it just like last night? No one knows what happened. It’s only now that I ask you to speak. That’s why I ask you to go and say a few words for me in front of the Emperor and the Queen Mother. You go and say it.
Only then will they remember to take care of Brother Si, and then they will not wrongfully accuse Cheng Qiangong. Aren't you very smart? Don't you understand what I am saying?"
Of course Lan Qi understood. She just thought it would be nice if she could go around and get the imperial concubine to give up the idea. She once joked with the Queen Mother, saying that others would think she was attached to the imperial concubine and would not bully her in the future, but she didn't really
She planned to attach herself to some noble concubine, but she came to her door and "invited" her for the second time. This time she refused mercilessly. In the future, the fourth elder brother would probably not be able to play with the sixth elder brother. Only then did Lan Qi feel that
Some dilemma.
But Concubine Tong seemed determined to win. She took a step back and said, "It's not for me, but for Fourth Brother. You have to think about Yinzhen."
Lan Qi looked at this woman helplessly. Didn't she remember what she had done to others? Didn't she feel that letting others stand barefoot in the cold ground and suffer humiliation might plant hatred in their hearts? Concubine Tong
Compared with Sister Niu Hulu, it is much simpler. It seems that in her consciousness, there is no right or wrong thing, no worthy or unworthy thing, only what she wants to do and what she doesn't want to do.
Lan Qi sighed deeply in her heart: How will she teach Yinzhen?
When Concubine Tong saw that she was silent, she stood up anxiously and said, "If you give me a word, who has the energy to work hard with you?"
Lan Qi had a plan in her mind, stood up and leaned over a little, and told her clearly word for word: "I understand what the empress said. If anything happens in the future, I will think of my fourth brother to be here for you in Taihuang."
The Queen Mother and the Emperor have everything in front of them. But you can no longer tell the third person what you said today. If people outside know that you and the concubine have a tacit understanding, why should the Emperor and the Queen Mother trust the concubine? You said that the concubine is your favorite.
Concubine, do you still remember what you said that day? You let me take care of myself. The emperor can favor me for a while, but not for a lifetime. In this case, for the sake of long-term planning, everything you and me say today cannot be to the concubine.
Three people said, including Mr. Tong and his wife in the house, if you tell others, from that moment on, it is not that I will no longer help you, but that I will no longer be able to help you."
Concubine Tong was most annoyed by hearing such long speeches, and she didn't want to show that she had not turned around. She frowned and thought hard. When Lan Qi saw her like this, she sighed inwardly and explained: "Only people outside think that you and I are still at odds with each other."
No, only my concubine's words have weight. It seems that the last time Concubine Wen wanted to harm you, who would have thought that I could stand up and speak for you?"
"This way..." Concubine Tong suddenly realized it, and felt embarrassed and embarrassed. She coughed twice, glanced at Lan Qi disdainfully and said, "That's good, just agree. I'm not here to see you just for myself."
, in the end, it’s all for Yinzhen. A son is more valuable than his mother, and if anything happens to me and I fall into disgrace, he will bear the stain of being an unbearable adoptive mother."
These few words really moved Lan Qi's face. The imperial concubine had some consideration for her children. She had coaxed Yinzuo so gently just now. She had her own soft spots, but Lan Qi was not lucky enough to bear it.
Concubine Tong was actually in a good mood, her face became brighter, completely different from the angry look just now, but she didn't want to show it to Lan Qi, so she said she was leaving lukewarmly, not wanting the wet nurse to come and report to Fourth Brother and
The sixth brother fell asleep together, and Concubine Tong said generously: "I will take Yinzhen back when he wakes up. I will go back first."
Lan Qi respectfully sent the imperial concubine away, walking with ease and contentment. Lian Lianchun could see that the imperial concubine seemed to be particularly happy and came to ask Lan Qi what was wrong. However, Lan Qi herself had to fulfill her promise and perfunctoryly take the money from Cining Palace.
After putting things off, I was too busy to come over to see the two children. I saw Yinzhen and Yinzuo lying together on the kang, one big and one small cuddling together. I thought that the scene I wanted to see in my dreams was really real before my eyes, and I felt unbearably sad.
I cried, and the wet nurse and maid next to me felt very distressed.
"My dear, don't be sad. The fourth elder brother loves the sixth elder brother so much that he wants to see his younger brother every day." It was Yinzhen's wet nurse who came to comfort Lan Qi, "When the elder brothers wake up soon, you can play with them for a while and then say
The fourth elder brother is still asleep. I will take the fourth elder brother back later, and the imperial concubine will not care about it."
Lan Qi thought that the wet nurse was on duty in Chengqian Palace after all, so she had to be careful in her words and deeds. She smiled and said it didn't matter, and she had to take her sixth brother to Cining Palace in the evening, so she couldn't waste time.
Zhen's wet nurse did not dare to force her, so she wisely retreated outside with the others, leaving only mother and son.
The two children slept for more than two hours. Lan Qi sat on the edge and watched for two hours. They were all the flesh falling off her body. She couldn't get enough of it. Then her brother woke up first and suddenly there was a stranger.
When he woke up, Yinzhen didn't come back to his senses, and was about to cry while holding his mouth. Lan Qi immediately hugged him and comforted him, and he felt relieved when he saw Yinzuo. It seemed that he knew that he was with his brother, so he was not afraid anymore.
Yinzuo also woke up soon. The baby was difficult to take care of. Lan Qi couldn't care about one thing and the other. She had to ask the wet nurse to take the fourth brother back to Chengqian Palace. But this time when she saw her son leaving, she didn't feel heartache for the first time, as if
She understands that her son is always hers, and when she grows up and becomes sensible in the future, she will definitely be able to hear a sincere "Eniang".
After spending a quiet and warm afternoon, Lan Qi carried Yinzuo to Cining Palace. The sedan stopped halfway, and someone was talking outside. Then she started moving forward again, because Huanchun was watching her and she was not afraid of something similar happening in the past.
After getting off the sedan in front of Cining Palace, I stopped saying that I met Jue Chan and his entourage. They were also riding in a soft sedan, followed by many eunuchs and maids carrying luggage and boxes. They said they were helping Jue Chan and his family.
Before sending it to Xianfu Palace.
Only then did Lan Qi remember to say: "I didn't remember to tell you what we decided after lunch. It's interesting that Jue Chan is always here. How many places does she want to live in as she moves around?"
An excited person said to himself: "Xianfu Palace and Yikun Palace seem to be not far away."
Naturally, she shouldn't worry about these things. Here, Jue Chan wandered to Xianfu Palace. Concubine Wen actually asked someone to open the West Wing Hall for her to live in. Jue Chan didn't dare to accept it. They smiled and said: "Listen.
When I said that Bu Gui was alone in Zhongcui Palace a long time ago, I still promised to live in the west side hall. You are always here now, why can't you live there? When De Bi lived in the east side hall of Zhongcui Palace, she also called Wu Changzai, right?
?I heard that you have been in the palace longer than me, but I know as much as you do."
Jue Chan remembered that when she first arrived at Yikun Palace, Yi Bin and Guo Guiren were also very kind. She would not forget her sense of propriety or become complacent because of Concubine Wen's politeness. She dealt with every word and deed carefully, but in the end she couldn't resist.
Concubine Wen was kind enough to live in the West Wing Hall.
"You are so beautiful. At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet that day, everyone was outclassed, and the imperial concubine lost her luster." The more Concubine Wen said these seemingly affectionate words, the more uncomfortable she became in Juechan's body, but she had no choice.
As for whether I want to stay or go, I can only hope that I will not have more contact with Concubine Wen in the future. It would be best if I can stay alone in the room and no one will pay attention to her.
But Concubine Wen wandered around her room again, looking around, instructing the palace maids to add some decorations, and said in a good mood: "It's great that you are here. My Xianfu Palace is so deserted that crows don't want to fly here.
Except for the few days the emperor comes every month, I look at Dongyun and the others every day. I can see every day that there is a wrinkle on their faces." Then he suddenly asked Jue Chan, "Why do you think the emperor treated you?
Send it over?"
Mrs. Juechan felt irritated by her questions, and she was so unhappy that she vomited without waiting for an answer. Concubine Wen was so frightened that she retreated to the door and asked from time to time: "Are you feeling better?"
Master Juechan pushed Xianghe, and Xianghe understood, and came out awkwardly and said: "Mother, Chang Zai is about to go to bed. If I have anything to say, can I tell you tomorrow when I greet you?"
Concubine Wen did not force anyone to make things difficult for her, but told her to just speak up if she needed anything, and then left happily. Xianghe breathed a sigh of relief, closed the door and ran back to the master and said: "This Concubine Wen is so verbose, no wonder everyone in the palace said
She wonders if she will be like Guo Guiren and others in the future? After all, the emperor will still favor you. If the emperor doesn't care about you, why would you move here? In this way, Concubine Wen
Sooner or later you will get jealous."
As soon as Xianghe finished speaking, the door was suddenly knocked. She hurried to answer the door. It was Concubine Wen who came back with Dongyun. She ran in with a smile on her face and said: "I asked you just now, why did the emperor send you this gift?"
Come?"
Mrs. Juechan looked confused and shook her head: "I don't know."
Concubine Wen smiled: "I asked you on purpose. I know why." She pointed at Jue Chan's belly and said, "The Empress Dowager has decreed that when the child is born in your belly, I will be a princess."
Forget it, he will stay in Xianfu Palace from now on and he will be my child."
"Really?" Master Juechan couldn't believe it.
Concubine Wen asked, "Why, are you not happy? But you have to know that the emperor made this arrangement because he cares about you. Otherwise, if you go to my brother's house or go somewhere else, you won't be able to see me."
How could Mrs. Juechan be unhappy? As long as the woman raising the child is not a concubine, she would be happy even if it were given to a palace maid. She didn't care whether she could see the child or not, let alone whether Concubine Wen could take good care of the child. It was rare for her to be happy.
, bowed to Concubine Wen and said, "I am so willing, I would like to thank you."
"That's good. I don't want to do something wrong and raise your child and be cursed by you secretly." Concubine Wen seemed to be the one who breathed a sigh of relief, so she told her to have a good rest and left.
Xiang He came back after seeing off her guests, only to see her mistress' face glowing red. He also congratulated her on getting her wish. No matter what the future life of Xianfu Palace was like, at least the child's fate was decided. Xiang He asked more curiously.
: "Do you think it was Empress De Bin who begged for mercy? Just now we met Empress De Bin, and she is going to Cining Palace again."
Jue Chan said sadly: "It doesn't matter if she is her or not, I only have this wish."
There is not much movement about this matter in the Sixth Palace. The emperor has always had Concubine Tong and Concubine Wen. Except for the difference in grade, everything else is the same. The favor of the Jue Chan family has faded since June.
It's not worth mentioning. After all, it can't compare to the sensation caused by sending the fourth prince of De's concubine to Chengqian Palace.
Three or four days later, the matter of elder brother's poisoning was also concluded. Several negligent cooks in the imperial kitchen and the eunuch in charge of purchasing paid for it with their lives. It was said that poisonous mushrooms were misused. It seemed perfunctory but it was also serious.
The ground was handled very cleanly. After this incident, Xuan Ye issued a strict decree that each room, department, and place must have clear responsibilities and be managed uniformly by the House of Internal Affairs, such as the imperial kitchen, sewing room, etc., and no other places are allowed to be taken over except by exception.
When it comes to errands, the concubines and concubines in the harem must also report and issue reports at different levels, and must not override them, so as to eliminate hidden dangers in the palace.
The matter of poisonous mushrooms calmed down both inside and outside the palace, but both Lan Qi and Hui Bin knew that the emperor was actually continuing to investigate. Lan Qi didn't know what Hui Bin was thinking, but she was always curious about who was responsible for the murder, maybe someone who did it.
A woman who had given birth to a mother wanted to better protect her son, or maybe it was the words of Grandma Sumala in the tea room that day that had an impact on her. It was a mystery in her heart and she couldn't figure it out.
In the days after August, Xuan Ye spent most of his time in Yonghe Palace, occasionally visiting other places. They were countless days. Concubine Tong had previously said to her face that Lan Qi was her beloved concubine. In fact, Lan Qi was self-aware, so she behaved more carefully.
He is modest and low-key, so that he doesn't have people pointing fingers behind him.
At the end of the year, the court was extremely busy, and the palace was busy organizing the New Year's Eve. Under the peace and bustle, another year passed unknowingly, and in the blink of an eye, we entered the 20th year of Kangxi. The first lively thing at the beginning of the year was that the prince came
Fu, everyone is talking about the two Han teachers chosen by the emperor for the prince, Zhang Ying Shangke, a bachelor, and Li Guangdi, whose reputation is not very good.