Although it was late at night, the lights were still on in the warm pavilion of Linqing Palace, and the silhouettes of two women were vaguely swaying on the window shadows.
Because it was still the beginning of August, there was no fire in the Warming Pavilion, but Huang Taiji’s main queen, Zhe Zhe, was still sitting on the kang as usual. And sitting next to her was a young woman in palace attire, with a beautiful appearance. Delicate and charming, she was Huang Taiji's favorite concubine Zhuang Fei.
The second daughter of Concubine Zhuang, the second daughter of Beile Zhaisang of the Mongolian Horqin Tribe, her surname was Borjigit, her given name was Bumu Butai, and her nickname was Dayu'er. She was the owner of Yongfu Palace among the five palaces in Huang Taiji's harem, and was also the ninth son of Huang Taiji. Her biological mother. Because she was Queen Zhezhe's biological niece, if Huang Taiji was not staying in Linqing Palace or Yongfu Palace, she would often come to chat with Zhezhe, sometimes very late. But at this time, in the Nuan Pavilion There were only two aunts and nephews, and no maid or eunuch was around to serve them.
Zhezhe said: "Yu'er, do you think that Master Fan can mention it to the emperor?"
Concubine Zhuang said: "Auntie, he will definitely mention it. Because among the princes and ministers of the Manchu Dynasty, only Fan Xueshi can mention this matter to the emperor without arousing the emperor's suspicion. Moreover, Fan Xueshi only proposed to the emperor to establish a prince, and He will never recommend anyone to be appointed, so the emperor will not doubt him."
Zhezhe nodded and said: "You do think more carefully than me, but I am still worried that even if the emperor is determined to establish a heir, will he definitely appoint Fulin? Will he appoint someone else, then we will waste our money? Isn’t this hard work making wedding clothes for others?”
Concubine Zhuang said: "Auntie, don't worry. It's hard to say if it will happen in a few years, but if the emperor appoints a crown prince immediately, I can guarantee that Fulin will be appointed."
Zhezhe still frowned and said: "If the emperor is asked to choose between Fulin and Boguoer, I think the emperor will definitely choose Fulin, because Fulin is not only older than Boguoer, but also much smarter, but this Isn't there still a Hauge here? Although his mother was from a humble background, Hauge must have been an adult, and over the years, he has made a lot of achievements and was highly appreciated by the emperor. Now he has been named a prince. I'm afraid that our arrangement will end up giving Hauge an advantage."
Concubine Zhuang smiled slightly and said: "My aunt has thought too much. If the emperor wanted to establish Hauge, he could have established it a few years ago, and he would not have waited until now. Moreover, his mother's step-concubine should have been promoted to Guan Sui Palace long ago. They have been vacant for two years. Although the step-concubine is from a humble background, she is still the biological mother of the emperor's eldest son. After so many years, it is not too much to be in charge of the first palace. If the emperor really wants to make Hauge his heir, he will never treat her badly. Just ignore it. Unless..."
She paused for a moment, then lowered her voice and said: "Unless the emperor knows that his time is coming to an end and the country needs the emperor, it may still be possible, but now the emperor thinks that his body and bones are still strong, so he will never become a hero. It’s perfect.”
Zhezhe's expression changed, and he finally nodded, saying: "Actually, I understand all the truth you said, but I just can't let go of it. Three years ago, during the battle at Jinshan, the emperor suddenly suffered from a nosebleed and almost almost It scared me to death. If the emperor had gone at that time, I'm afraid that the throne would have been occupied by Hauge. Then there would be room for us and my mother to stand in this palace. Fortunately, you were clever and concealed the emperor's condition. , it has only been postponed until today. To be honest, I have been on tenterhooks for the past three years, fearing that the emperor would suddenly withdraw his hand that day."
Zhezhe's words also touched Concubine Zhuang's heart. She sighed quietly and said, "Yes, in the past three years, we have spent countless efforts and searched for many panaceas, just to drag the emperor away. But
Now the great master also said that there is nothing they can do with the scriptures. Even though the emperor looks strong on the surface, in fact, one day counts, he may fall at any time. To be honest, my aunt is not worried. I am actually not worried either. It’s just that we
I couldn't delay it any longer, so I had to think of this way. I knew it was a risk, but I still had to give it a try."
Zhezhe also smiled bitterly and said: "I can't say that much. In the past three years, you have also put in a lot of effort. On the one hand, you have to teach Fulin well, and on the other hand, you have to serve the emperor well. You also have to supervise the master and the others to prepare medicine.
Alas! I hope God will open his eyes and bless us for once!"
Concubine Zhuang also gave a wry smile and said: "The Han people have a saying that is very good, it is called, 'It is up to man to make things happen.' We have done everything we can say according to the scriptures, and now we can only look to God."
It was August 9, the 16th year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, and the 8th year of Chongde (1643) in the Qing Dynasty.
Although it was autumn, the sun was still blazing at noon. Outside the Yongfu Palace, the green shade was swaying and the cicadas were singing. Concubine Zhuang was lying on the couch with her eyes closed to relax. Suddenly she heard someone shouting outside the palace.
: "The Emperor has arrived."
Concubine Zhuang suddenly opened her eyes, sat up from the couch, hurriedly straightened her clothes, and went out with a group of palace maids and eunuchs.
Huang Taiji walked into Yongfu Palace with a tired look on his face. Concubine Zhuang hurriedly stepped forward to salute and said: "Your Majesty, good luck."
Huang Taiji waved his hand and said with a smile: "Get up, it's already autumn. I didn't expect that the weather is still so hot, but the shade of your Yongfu Palace is still cool." He took the lead and walked into the house.
Concubine Zhuang hurriedly entered the room with a group of palace maids and eunuchs, and asked Huang Taiji to sit down on the couch. Concubine Zhuang quickly got a cushion, let Huang Taiji half lie on the couch, and then sat on the side to accompany him.
Huang Taiji half-lyed and half-reclined his fat body on the couch. He felt a lot more comfortable. He took a deep breath and said, "I've been talking all morning. I'm really tired. My head is dizzy and my eyesight isn't clear."
It seems that I am still getting old. I don’t know what’s wrong today. Half of my body is a little numb.”
After hearing this, Concubine Zhuang couldn't help but look worried and said: "Your Majesty, hurry up and send the imperial doctor to check for pulse."
Huang Taiji shook his head and said: "I'm fine, I'm just getting old and my energy is a little low. This request for pulse will make people suspicious for no reason. Don't worry about it."
Concubine Zhuang was still worried and said: "The state affairs are heavy, the emperor has many things to deal with every day, and the dragon body is important, so we should ask the imperial doctor to take a look."
Huang Taiji raised his head and glanced at the palace and said, "Where is Fulin? Why don't you see him?"
When Concubine Zhuang saw that Huang Taiji had said nothing, she couldn't force the imperial doctor to come, so she could only reply: "He went to listen to the lectures at the Grand Scholar Fan, and he hasn't come back yet?"
Huang Taiji said: "Oh? I forgot about it, but it's too hot today. I think we can forget it today and let him come back."
Concubine Zhuang said with a smile: "How come? It's such a hot day, doesn't the emperor still go to court to discuss matters? What's there to be afraid of when the weather is hot? In the future, the emperor's son will expand the land and build a foundation for the Qing Dynasty.
Yes, if you can't stand such a little heat, how can you become a great person in the future?"
After hearing this, Huang Taiji couldn't help but feel moved in his heart, thinking deeply. At this time, a eunuch came in and said: "Your Majesty, today's scraps have been prepared according to scriptures. Where do you think they are placed?"
Huang Taiji said: "Just take it to Yongfu Palace, I will watch it here."
"No." Concubine Zhuang suddenly shouted and stopped the eunuch who was about to leave. Then she turned to Huang Taiji and said: "Reporting memorials and demolitions is still a national event, and it should be done in the imperial study or the Queen's Linqing Palace.
How can I get my concubine’s Yongfu Palace here? Please ask the emperor to take back my order."
Huang Taiji was stunned for a while, and finally gave a wry smile, waved his hand and said to the eunuch: "Just take it to the imperial study room. I want to rest for a while now. I will go there after dinner. Then you can arrange to serve me."
.”
After the eunuch exited the Yongfu Palace, Huang Taiji said with a smile: "I just want the shade of your Yongfu Palace and don't want to go to the Imperial Study Room to get hot. I didn't expect that you can't even understand this."
Concubine Zhuang then said: "It's not that I don't care about the emperor, but that interference in the harem's politics has been a bad sign since ancient times. What's more, the emperor is the sage. The crime of my concubine being involved in the harem's politics is a small one, but it does not affect the emperor's lifelong reputation.
The stakes are so high, how can I not think about the emperor? What's more, there are people waiting in the imperial study, which may not be worse than in Yongfu Palace, my concubine."
Huang Taiji said: "Then I will go to the imperial study room to review the memorials in the evening and ask you to serve me. Will you go or not?"
Concubine Zhuang said: "It is still my duty to serve the Emperor, and I should obey the Emperor's orders. But at night, I can only serve the Emperor's tea and snacks, spread paper and grind ink, or give the Emperor a pat on the back."
Squeeze your shoulders, as for the matters related to the memorial, I dare not get involved, and the emperor should not ask me about those matters."
Huang Taiji smiled bitterly again, shook his head, and said: "With your intelligence, if you help me, you can save me a lot of effort, but you refuse to help me, which makes me worry a lot."
Concubine Zhuang said with a smile: "Actually, the emperor understands better than anyone else that there is no need for help from my concubines?"
Huang Taiji was silent for a while, then waved his hand and said to the palace maid and eunuch next to him: "You all step back, I have something to say with your master."
All the maids and eunuchs retreated, and there were only Huang Taiji and Concubine Zhuang in the whole room. Concubine Zhuang quickly stood up and said respectfully: "The emperor has something to say, I am listening."
Huang Taiji smiled slightly, pulled Concubine Zhuang to the couch, sat beside him, put one arm around Concubine Zhuang's slender waist, and said: "A few days ago, Academician Fan advised me to establish a prince early to appease people's hearts. I thought about it.
After a few days, I feel that what he said makes sense. It’s time to establish a crown prince. Do you know who I want to establish?"
Concubine Zhuang felt her heart beat faster, knowing that it was a critical moment, but she still said calmly: "The establishment of a prince is still an important matter for the country. The emperor is a wise man and has his own conclusions. How can I dare to make random guesses? It's just that this is the imperial court.
This important matter, I am just a girl in the harem, the emperor should not tell me first."
Huang Taiji chuckled and said: "Of course I have to tell you, because I have thought about it according to the scriptures and will pass the decree tomorrow to make Fulin the prince. You are Fulin's mother, so I naturally want to tell you first."
Concubine Zhuang's body couldn't help but tremble. What she had been looking forward to for many years could finally come true.