Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Struggles
I was taken aback, and after telling the nanny to take good care of Jiuzhen, I put on a robe and ran out.
I was led to Chu Zi's house, and there was already a crowd of people around the door, they all bowed down when they saw me coming, I didn't have time to say anything, I was about to enter the house, but was stopped.Jing Ming stood in front and said: "Miss, the death of the hanged person is very horrifying, you better not..."
I didn't want to worry about these at all, but when I saw Chu Zi's remains, I was still frightened, my face turned pale with fright, I was shocked and sad at the same time, and I couldn't help tears from the corners of my eyes.
A group of people from Eryu Palace, headed by Shanshan, knelt in front of me, and I looked at them faintly wanting to get angry.
It was heard that Chu Zi ended her life depressedly because she was squeezed out by other palace people, and they couldn't escape the responsibility for Chu Zi's death.I knew that even a small Eryu Palace could not escape the competition for favor. In this Eryu Palace, I followed me many years ago, and the qualified ones were Shanshan, Ruyi, Cusi, Chuzi, Xingdan and Jingming.Shanshan is already a first-rank female official, in charge of all affairs of the harem, while Ruyi, Cusi, Xingdan and Chu Zi are second-rank female officials.They all knew that Shanshan was getting old, and sooner or later she would hand over the power of the female officer, if Chu Zi was missing, there would be one less person to compete for.
But when the words of reproach came to my lips, I couldn't utter them. Could it be that I am not responsible?The palace people took advantage of the loophole... If it weren't for my suspicion and disregard for Chu Zi, the situation like today would not have happened.
Fighting openly and secretly runs through the entire court from beginning to end. I was lucky enough to be in the highest position, but even if the battle of fame and fortune no longer happens to me, it will still happen among the palace people who serve me.
After the anger subsided, I became more helpless, and I said weakly: "Aijia doesn't say much, you know who is at fault. Aijia just hopes that such things will not happen again in Eryu Palace. Your temperament is sad. Everyone knows it in their hearts, and they all have their own arrangements, if it goes too far, the loss outweighs the gain.”
However, she kindly comforted me afterwards and said, "Miss, in fact, Chu Zi died like this, and this old slave felt a little at ease. Who killed Prince Cheng... Chu Zi and Ting Yi have a very good relationship, and Ting Yi has become a As a member of King Nanying, Cheng'er's appointment as the crown prince will naturally damage the interests of King Nanying. Chu Zi's suspicion is very serious, and her death may be a good thing for us."
I looked at Shanshan strangely, could things really be so simple?Is Chu Zi really the incomparably secretive murderer hiding in Eryu Palace?If so, that would be a real relief.
After Chu Zi died, no one dared to live in that house anymore.Maybe the palace people had a guilty conscience and always said that the house was haunted at night, and they heard women crying from time to time, and the nearby palace people also moved out one after another. The palace room was later sealed up and became the forbidden area of Eryu Palace.
Today is the day when King Duanyu enters the palace to worship.
In the morning, I combed Jiuzhen's hair carefully, and Jiuzhen yawned and asked me: "Mother, why did you wake up your daughter so early today? It's been a long time to dress up..."
I tied a pink ribbon on Jiuzhen and said, "Because today is a very important day for you."
Jiuzhen nodded and said, "Yes, my daughter is going to be one year older."
I shook my head lightly and didn't explain anything.But Jiuzhen, today is the day you meet your biological father.
After a while her hair was combed, Jiuzhen stood up and took pictures from left to right.The nanny praised from the side: "Diji really looks more and more beautiful."
Jiuzhen smiled sweetly and said, "Because I am the daughter of the queen mother."
I knelt down and stroked Jiuzhen's face, and said to her solemnly for the first time: "Not only because you are the daughter of the queen mother, but also because you are the child of your father. Jiuzhen will definitely be as outstanding as your father."
Jiuzhen's eyes were confused, obviously she had no idea about the word "father", so she just nodded slightly.
Through the curtain, King Duanyu walked in slowly, smelling the fresh air outside.I still clearly remember that he was wearing the dark blue prince's dragon robe that day, which set off his tall and slender figure.
When he sat down next to us, our eyes met through the curtain, but we fell into a long silence.
I only heard him say to the palace people: "You all wait outside, the king has something to say to the queen mother." The calm tone carried an unquestionable taste, as if he had always been the male master here.
After all the palace people retreated, he got up again and hooked the curtain, and said to me with a chuckle, "Do we still need these?"
My heart tightened, and I quickly turned my face away.I hate it... As time goes by, the middle-aged King Duanyu has become more mature, calm, and personable; and as a woman, I must have become old, ugly, and ugly.
He stepped forward quickly, gently lifted my chin and turned to him, and said in a low voice: "Nuxi, don't hide, let me take a good look at you. I came here from a far away place, and I have a lot of things in my heart and mind. It's your appearance, I'm so anxious."
I wanted to push him away, but instead I was pulled into his arms and hugged him tightly.
The strange masculine breath frightened me, I pushed him harder and said, "No, how could we do this."
When he held me in his arms harder and said "I don't care", he was like a willful child, which reminded me of the scene in my youth.
"Nuxi, how long has it been since we met? Five years, six years, or seven years? I only know that it's been a long, long time, and I miss you all the time, suffering from missing you. I miss you, I miss you... ...you never know how much I miss you..."
Listening to his naked confession, I think he is indeed different from before, and has more confidence as a man.I could feel his body trembling slightly as he said these words.My eyes became moist, I gave up struggling, and stretched out my hand to wrap his arms around him slowly.
We stayed like this for a while, then I wiped away my tears and said with a smile, "I think you miss me not only, but also your daughter." Then I rushed outside and ordered, "Take Jiuzhen bring it here."
After a while, Jiuzhen opened the door and walked in bouncingly. Seeing a strange man in the room, she looked up and asked me: "Mother, who is it?"
I introduced with a smile: "Jiuzhen, he is yours..." But my words stopped, I could only change my words and say: "He is Brother Twelve Emperors, Prince Duanyu..."
King Duanyu glanced at me, said nothing, stretched out his hand and greeted Jiuzhen gently: "Jiuzhen, child, come here."
Jiuzhen looked at me hesitantly, and I nodded to her.
King Duanyu caressed Jiuzhen's hair fondly, as if he couldn't get enough of it, and praised, "Jiuzhen is really pretty."
Jiuzhen replied sternly: "The queen mother said it was because my father was handsome and I looked like him."
King Duanyu looked at me in surprise, I blushed and lowered my head in embarrassment.
That day, King Duanyu held Jiuzhen in his arms and asked a lot of questions, but Jiuzhen didn't pay much attention to him, and he was very familiar with him in less than half a day.
King Duanyu held Jiuzhen on his lap and asked, "Jiuzhen, can you play the piano?"
Jiuzhen shook her head and replied: "Although everyone said that the queen mother's piano skills are very good, she has already passed the piano skills to the emperor's brother, so she won't teach me. She is partial."
King Duanyu and I couldn't help laughing when we heard Jiuzhen's childish words, and King Duanyu said, "Then how about I teach Jiuzhen?"
Jiuzhen opened her eyes wide and asked in amazement, "Can Brother Huang also play the piano?"
King Duanyu smiled slightly, took the qin by himself, bowed his head and played it intently.
The music flows slowly... through the ages.
This is the second time I've heard this song.
It's been years and years since I first heard this piece... yet I haven't forgotten every note of its mournful gravity.
At that time, there was no Jiuzhen, and there was no so-called King Duanyu at that time.That day the Twelfth Prince finally came back from the army. I saw him on the swing and jumped into his arms happily.Then the Twelve Princes played this piece of music that day, when I was still a girl.I even danced, just for the man I liked.
Then, I became a woman...
The song stopped suddenly, Jiuzhen and King Duanyu looked at me blankly, and at some point two tears had flowed down my cheeks.
"Mother, what's the matter with you?"
I hastily wiped away the tears and said, "It's nothing, it's just that this song is really sad. Jiuzhen, do you know what this song is called?"
Jiuzhen shook her head, and I said, "Jiuzhen, remember it well, this song is called, and only you Twelve Emperor Brothers in this world can play this song, and you..."
"And you," King Duanyu picked up Jiuzhen and continued, "and you will pass on this song, which I promised your mother when you were still in the womb."
As dusk approached, it was inconvenient for King Duanyu to stay in Eryu Palace any longer. Jiuzhen wept and tugged on King Duanyu's sleeve and said, "Will you come to see Jiuzhen again tomorrow?"
King Duanyu nodded and promised, "I'll teach Jiuzhen how to play the piano tomorrow, okay?"
Only then did Jiuzhen cheer happily.
When King Duanyu left, it was snowing lightly, and the entire palace was shrouded in whiteness and purity.
Looking at the back of King Duanyu leaving, Jiuzhen tugged at the corner of my sleeve and said, "Queen Mother, Brother Twelve Emperors is so handsome... Is this the elegant gentleman often mentioned in ancient books? He looks so handsome. He is even more handsome and mighty than the emperor's elder brother... Can we make him the number one handsome man in Dayin or something?"
I tapped her forehead and said with a smile: "Little girl, you have only met a few men in total."
Jiuzhen curled her lips and said, "But I know he must be the best."
The return of King Duanyu caused more commotion in the harem. After all, the women in the harem rarely saw other men except the emperor and the young prince, let alone such a handsome prince.
After tea and dinner, King Duanyu inevitably became a topic of discussion among the maids, and his concubines were also vividly circulated by people.
"I heard that there is a young lady who peeked at the prince from behind the screen that day and secretly promised that she would go to the mansion to be a young lady..."
The palace maids burst into laughter, and a straightforward palace maid stood up and said, "Oh, sisters, don't laugh too. If you were the lady of the family, and now the prince wants you to be a concubine, would you be willing? Tell me." , you don’t want to? Or do you not want to?”
That maid pointed and asked around, the rest of the maids just laughed but did not refute.
"That's just a hypothesis! We are not Miss Da, can the prince still take a fancy to us?" Yi Gong'e chirped.
"I heard that there are also a few concubines who used to be maids in the mansion, but were later favored by the prince and became concubine... But it is said that these wives are all beautiful and intelligent, with both talent and appearance."
"Don't look at the prince's many wives and concubines, but do you know who he loves most in his heart?" The straight-hearted Gong'e suddenly lowered her voice and said mysteriously.
The other maids suddenly calmed down and listened to her, and my heart tightened too.
"His favorite is his first concubine, a girl named Yunnu in the past. She used to be an official prostitute, and was redeemed by the prince on the night of budding. The prince respects and likes her the most, even the wife Not as good. Besides, the prince only let her have his only child, a son, and the other wives have no heirs. In the future, the prince's title will definitely be passed on to this child, and Mrs. Yunnu, who has a son to rely on, is better than other wives. No. Tell me, how deep and lingering is the relationship between them..."
That day, King Duanyu took Jiuzhen and me to Feidongyuan to enjoy the snow.
King Duanyu and Jiuzhen were chatting and laughing over there, Jiuzhen got along very well with King Duanyu these days, sometimes even closer than me, which made me a little jealous from time to time one time.
King Duanyu supported Jiuzhen and asked her to pluck a bouquet of flowers from a red plum tree. He came to me and said with a smile, "This is for the queen mother."
I took it, blushed slightly, lowered my head and sniffed the fragrance of plum blossoms silently.
The afternoon sun shone warmly on King Duanyu, Jiuzhen and me.The aroma of plum blossoms after the snow made me a little dizzy. Looking at the smiling faces of King Duanyu and Jiuzhen, I felt that King Duanyu was my husband and Jiuzhen was our child. This is the best time for a family of three to walk together after dinner. Such an ordinary scene, such comfort and such happiness.
Suddenly I heard Jiuzhen call "Daddy".
I turned my head away in surprise, and King Duanyu was also surprised, and then he called Jiuzhen in surprise and said, "Jiuzhen, call again..."
Before Jiuzhen could speak again, I snatched Jiuzhen into my arms and asked with a sullen face, "Who told you to call me that?"
Jiuzhen was frightened by my expression, she felt aggrieved and said, "Li'er has a daddy to call, everyone has a daddy to call, why can't I?!"
Lier is Jiuzhen's playmate and accompanying student who was summoned to the palace, and she usually has a very good relationship with Jiuzhen.
I whispered, "Anyone else can call, but you can't."
King Duanyu couldn't bear it, and stepped forward to persuade: "She's still a child, she's just shouting and playing."
I turned cold and raised my head to ask King Duanyu: "She doesn't understand, but we know what it means... What will others think if they hear it?"
King Duanyu was speechless, but Jiuzhen stretched out her hand to hook King Duanyu's neck as if she had grasped a life-saving straw, and cried out stubbornly, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!"
Jiuzhen broke free from my arms just like that, and hugged King Duanyu tightly without letting go.
King Duanyu hugged Jiuzhen even tighter. Hearing Jiuzhen's cries, his eyes were already red.
He stroked Jiuzhen's hair, kissed her, and murmured, "Jiuzhen don't cry, don't cry, I'm sorry for you, I'm sorry for you..."
At that time, my arms were already empty.
Even though Jiuzhen was warned many times, Jiuzhen seemed to be against me and refused to change after repeated admonitions.
I could only blame Li'er, and scolded her: "Who told you to teach Diji those obscene words?!"
The so-called obscene words are because the address of the royal relatives in the palace always contains the word "Huang", and folk words such as "Daddy" are naturally classified as vulgar.
Li'er, who was the same age as Jiu Zhen, knelt in front of me and replied tremblingly: "Empress Dowager, Li'er will not dare anymore, and never again."
I knew in my heart that it wasn't her fault, but I just wanted to use her to warn Jiuzhen, but I had no choice but to take the bamboo board and angrily ordered Lier below: "Stretch out your hand."
Li'er was afraid of losing her face, but she didn't dare to refuse, she stretched out her little hand tremblingly.
With a bang, the bamboo board hit Lier's hand hard, and Lier's hand twitched.
Soon there was another blow, and with the falling of the bamboo board, Li'er's tears rolled in the circles of her eyes. She tremblingly bit her lips desperately, not daring to cry out.
Jiuzhen was kneeling on the side and turned her head stubbornly not to look at it, but with the crisp crackling sound, she suddenly burst into tears.
"Queen, stop beating, stop beating..." Jiuzhen moved to me on her knees and hugged my leg, begging, "Queen, please stop beating Li'er, it's my daughter's fault if you don't do her business , Jiuzhen never barked again, never dared again..."
Jiuzhen hugged Lier and cried bitterly.
I looked at them and stopped. The bamboo board in my hand seemed to weigh a thousand catties. I couldn't bear it anymore, so I let go weakly, and the bamboo board fell to the ground with a slam.
Jiuzhen, Jiuzhen, I don't feel heartbroken when you cry, and the queen mother feels better, but I can't find a place to cry... Are you much happier than the queen mother?
Perhaps since that incident, Jiuzhen began to realize that I am not only her loving mother, but also an empress dowager who holds the power of life and death.Since then, her closeness to me has always been mixed with a trace of fear and restraint. It's just sad that I didn't realize it at the time. When I realized it, unfortunately, the gap between me and Jiuzhen was already very deep. deep.
After lunch, I leaned on the low table and listened to the palace people telling stories. I gradually felt sleepy, so I closed my eyes and took a small nap.
Feeling a slight movement in the haze, I opened my eyes and saw that King Duanyu was gently covering me with a coat.
I sat up and looked at him in a daze.Suddenly he woke up and wanted to ask the palace people to come in and serve him.
King Duanyu saw my intention and stopped him, saying, "Nu Xi, I told them to retreat."
I sighed softly in my heart.
How come I can't understand what King Duanyu's eyes reveal, but I keep pretending not to understand.In the past few days, I tried my best to avoid being alone with him, and always stayed with Gongren or Jiuzhen.
I forced a smile to him, but King Duanyu held my hand gently at this moment.
"Your hands are still as cold as when you were a child." King Duanyu said, taking my hand and sticking it to his heart, "But my whole body is hot."
Through the fabric, I can not only feel his hot body temperature, but also the powerful beating of his heart.
So powerful.
I blushed with embarrassment, not daring to look up at him.
However, I could feel that he was staring at me intently, and the warm eyes made me feel at a loss.
Slowly, he moved closer to me, his face getting closer and closer to me, I even saw my face in his eyes, and then he kissed my lips.
I opened my eyes wide.
It was just light and tentative at first, but gradually turned deep and intense.
I was so surprised that I even forgot to struggle, I was just dumbfounded. Although I have become a wife and mother, this scene has been so long that I don't know how to deal with it. I let King Duanyu's hand slip from my shoulder to Rubbing lightly or heavily on the back.
Until I was hugged by King Duanyu, until I faintly saw the bed covered with veils in the inner room, I suddenly woke up, and then pushed him away.
"No...we can't, we..."
King Duanyu's voice was hoarse but he asked me in an extremely calm tone: "Why not? We are just mature men and women. Nuxi, have you forgotten that you were also in my arms that day, exuding a faint fragrance... ...I even think it was just a dream. Nuxi, let us prove to each other that day was not just a dream, you really belonged to me..."
I looked at Wang Duanyu's handsome and mature face, it was a face that could make any girl's heart beat.
Listening to his love words, it's as if the spring breeze blows over the land that has been frozen for many years, loosening it, making me blush and heartbeat.
His masculine breath mixed with lust made the body of a man I hadn't seen in many years become hot.
I resisted, struggled, my heart beat, loosened, and trembled.
I don't know how to refuse. After all, we have a past and even gave birth to our children. It would be hypocritical to refuse.However, I know that this is a sin, a scandal between the empress dowager and her stepson prince, and my rationality tells me that I cannot do this.However, I can feel my body's instinctive desire, clamoring naked.
The bed is within easy reach.
Tears flowed down the corners of my eyes, but at the same time, I let go of those hands that were pushing me away, and fell powerlessly.
Maybe since I had Jiuzhen, there has been an inseparable bond between us, and I can no longer escape it.
King Duanyu got my tacit consent, carefully placed me on the bed like a treasure, and slowly tore off my robe...
At this moment, someone outside announced: "The emperor is here!"
I woke up immediately, pushed Duanyu away in a panic, put on my robe and arranged my messy bun.
When Zhuan Fu walked in, I had no time to return to my seat, and King Duanyu and I were standing separately. I don't know if Zhuan Fu noticed my unconcealable panic, but I felt that such a scene was extremely embarrassing.
Zhuan Fu was obviously surprised to see King Duanyu with me, he glanced at me suspiciously, then walked straight over and said, "Queen Mother, King Duanyu, please sit down."
However, when we were all seated, the first sentence Zhuan Fu said was: "King Duanyu has been in the palace for many days, right?" His tone was already displeased.
I was shocked in my heart, I don't know why Zhuan Fu suddenly said such words to King Duanyu who has always been respected, even, I never thought that Zhuan Fu, who has always been kind, would say such words.
King Duanyu was also surprised, and at the same time, as a powerful prince, he was even more dissatisfied with the young emperor's words. Just about to argue, I took the words away: "King Duanyu came here this time to bid farewell to Ai's family."
I shook my head slightly to King Duanyu, even with a pleading look, King Duanyu forbeared several times but finally did not speak.
Zhuan Fu let out an "oh", and then said nothing, just lowered his head and fiddled with the teacup in his hand, and the air seemed to freeze at this moment.
Suddenly Zhuan Fu knocked the teacup on the table lightly, then looked up at King Duanyu in astonishment and asked, "Prince Duanyu, what else can you do? If there is nothing else, you can step back. I still have something to tell the queen mother." .”
King Duanyu was indeed humiliated, and my heart was lifted. Zhuan Fu was still fledgling, and he really shouldn't treat a powerful local prince with such an attitude.
I looked at King Duanyu and motioned him to leave first, not to confront Zhuan Fu head-on, even if it was just for me...
King Duanyu was a little resentful, he got up and saluted Zhuan Fu hastily, then turned around and left resolutely.
I looked at the back of King Duanyu leaving, and said to Zhuan Fu in a somewhat blunt tone: "The emperor really shouldn't treat King Duanyu like this, we still have to rely on his military strength..."
Instead, Zhuan Fu answered the wrong question, saying: "Just now, my minister was tending flowers and plants in the imperial garden. I met Ruyi. She said that you were taking a nap. I didn't expect King Zhuanyu to be here."
When I heard this, my face suddenly turned red, as if I was a little girl who had been reprimanded for doing something wrong.But slowly I calmed down again, and said coldly: "Yes. The Ai family was taking a nap, but Prince Duanyu came and disturbed the Ai family's light sleep; if the emperor came first, it would be the emperor who disturbed the Ai family's rest. gone."
I was really angry with Zhuan Fu that day, but what I have to admit is that Zhuan Fu's strength and coldness that day was the most emperor-like day I have ever seen.
King Duanyu finally left.Nothing happened to us, which made me secretly relieved.
However, it is also different. I think the relationship between us has surpassed the ordinary love between men and women, and has been replaced by a deeper feeling and bond.
Although we are far apart and we don't even know when we will meet next time, his position in my heart is unmatched by others. He is someone who understands me and trusts me, and he is also the father of my child.
I looked at Jiuzhen who was crying at the side, sighed, hugged her, and watched King Duanyu's back with her far away...
Spring is approaching quietly, and the happiest thing in the palace is that the emperor will finally consummate the marriage with the empress and become a real husband and wife.And what I look forward to most is that the harem can give birth to a prince as soon as possible, so that the lineage of the emperor's family can be maintained for a long time, then I will be considered retired.
I have secretly instructed Zhuan Fu's personal eunuch, Qu Qiuquan, to remind the emperor to spend the night at Fengyi Palace, and I also revealed this meaning when the empress greeted her in the morning.
Zhu Yu was surprised when she heard this, and then lowered her head, her face was full of shame, and there was some worry and fear faintly.
I smiled and comforted her: "Queen, this is a happy event."
"But, my son is afraid..." Zhu Yu didn't dare to continue, but shed tears silently.
Looking at Zhu Yu's petite body, I couldn't help but feel compassion.Thinking about her, she is also pitiful. She grew up beside her father and lacked the care of her mother. Now she is helpless in the palace. It is really difficult for her to serve a man who is still a little strange to her. .
"The queen comes to Ai's house." I gently called her to my side, took her hand lightly, and said, "After this night, you will not lose anything, on the contrary, you will have the greatest person in the world." Husband, and Aijia is your mother, you have two more relatives by your side, and you will have your own children in the future. Don't you think this is a good thing?"
My persuasion finally dispelled Zhu Yu's fear, she finally stopped crying, and nodded slowly.
That night, Zhu Yu and Zhuan Fu consummated their marriage smoothly.
Although Qiuquan said that the emperor hesitated that night, he finally went to Fengyi Palace as I said, and the emperor drank some wine before leaving.When I arrived at Fengyi Palace, I took off my clothes, put out the lights, and brought out a red handkerchief with a white background in the morning.
It was obviously different when Zhu Yu came to pay her respects in the morning.
I have to sigh that a woman changes and grows so fast. When facing other people in the harem, she begins to make herself dignified, undoubtedly declaring to them that she is the real master of the harem.
When I saw it, I secretly agreed. Only in this way can she rule the harem and be worthy of being a qualified queen.
On the top is Zhu Yu, the official palace, on the bottom there is the beloved concubine Dai Jun, and there is the dancer Bi Che in the middle. I am very satisfied with this harem layout and look forward to their birth of Zhuan Fu's child.I think that Zhuan Fu's mentality is not yet fully mature, so he doesn't plan to accept Xiunu for the time being, so as to avoid prematurely falling into the never-ending struggle among the concubines in the harem.
For the time being, I am relieved about the matter in the harem, but the matter in the court also makes me feel sad.Although I have completely returned the government to Zhuan Fu, the important positions in the court are generally held by the Nangong clan, so when they come to pay their respects to Zhuan Fu's ill-considered government orders, they will often report to me, which always makes me worry secretly, but It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter.
Never mind, after all, Zhuan Fu has already formally ruled personally, and I also retreated to the harem, if I interfere in political affairs, it will affect Zhuan Fu's majesty as the emperor; no matter what, these decrees are not a matter of one or two people, but affect the people of one side. I clearly know that it is unreasonable to deal with important matters concerning the safety of the country, but I really can't bear to ignore them.
"Miss, Miss..." Shanshan's call pulled me back from my thoughts.
"Miss, little Di Ji has already played a piece." Shanshan reminded me.
"Oh," I was a little embarrassed, then I clapped my hands and said, "Jiuzhen plays really well."
Jiuzhen raised her head and looked at me, she didn't show any expression, but asked casually like a little adult: "Have you listened, Queen Mother?"
I felt a little guilty, and was about to say something, when Jiuzhen interrupted: "Forget it, it's not once or twice that my mother does this, Jiuzhen is used to it. Jiuzhen will play another song for my mother."
This time I listened carefully, and couldn't help but secretly marvel at Jiuzhen's talent in piano art.In just a few days of King Duanyu's stay, Jiuzhen's qin has already played well.
I did not hesitate to praise Jiuzhen, saying: "Jiuzhen, the queen mother is proud of you."
After Jiuzhen left, Shanshan told me: "Today, I heard that the head of the House of Internal Affairs reported to the emperor that the harem cost a lot, especially Eryu Palace. It is suggested to reduce the expenditure."
I thought about it in my mind, the cost of Eryu Palace is indeed more luxurious, not to mention that I have to tailor new clothes every month, even the ordinary servants of Eryu Palace are different from other palaces, they wear high-quality fabrics, and their salary Also be superior.
"Oh? What did the emperor say?"
Zhen Shanshan smiled slightly, and replied: "The emperor said, since you are the emperor and rich in the world, why should you treat your mother badly? Even if you want to reduce expenses, please cut from my expenses first."
I was moved when I heard this, although I had many conflicts with Zhuan Fu in the harem and political affairs, but as a son, Zhuan Fu treated me with sincerity and filial piety.I don't know if Zhuan Fu understands, but the reason why I use my status as empress dowager to suppress him is because I treat him sincerely, regard myself as his real mother, and consider him everywhere. His most solid and powerful backing.
After I stopped participating in the government, I often held banquets to pass the time when I was in the harem.That night I held a small banquet by the willow pool, and invited Zhu Yu, Dai Jun and other harem concubines to enjoy the moon and taste wine.
Looking at the bright moon like a hook in the dark blue night sky, listening to the elegant melody played by the silk and bamboo troupe, sipping the sweet rice wine on the table, and occasionally a few wisps of cool wind blowing, it is really pleasant.
During the dinner, Mr. Dai made a toast to Zhu Yu. I noticed that Zhu Yu was a bit reluctant, and I heard her say in a cold tone: "I don't feel well today and don't want to drink too much." Although Zhu Yu tried her best to pretend to be arrogant, she He was still young, his voice was clear and immature, and he was not such a sharp person, so he pretended to be nondescript.
Dai Jun was a little embarrassed, but Zhu Yu still drank the glass of wine, and said with a bit of yin and yang after drinking, "But Concubine Dan, you are the emperor's favorite concubine, I dare not offend you."
I know that Zhu Yu is jealous of Dai Jun, and I heard that Dai Jun made things difficult for Zhu Yu when she greeted Zhu Yu in the morning.
This morning, the eunuch in the respect room came to report that in the past month, Zhuan Fu had visited the concubines in the harem eleven times in total, of which eight times he went to Daijun Palace, one went to Biche's, and Fengyi Palace only two times. Second-rate.Of course, given Zhuan Fu's age, such a number of times was too pure-hearted and ascetic.
But what happened afterwards really made me unhappy, Zhu Yu did a little too much.
After drinking, Dai Jun and Zhu Yu both emptied their cups, and Gong'e, who was carrying a jug, went up to refill the wine.
Dai Jun sat closer to the palace woman, and the palace woman filled Dai Jun with wine first, and then walked up to Zhu Yu.
Perhaps according to the strict rules of etiquette, it was indeed the maid's negligence, but it was a relaxed banquet, and everyone didn't care.Unexpectedly, Zhu Yu lost her temper. She threw the wine glass on the ground, stood up and slapped the palace woman, cursing: "I am the rightful master of the harem! You are a slave! You just despise me like this!" palace!"
The good atmosphere of the banquet was completely ruined by her.
I was a little angry, even though she is the empress and the rightful lord, Mrs. Tai belongs to my family, and she is also the favorite concubine of the harem, in fact she is not inferior to her at all, even stronger than her in terms of background.I respect her father, and I pity that she has no mother since she was a child, and she has always been more tolerant, but she is too arrogant.
I stood up suddenly.Zhu Yu also found that she was too extreme, and looked at me with a look of uneasiness on her face.I didn't say anything, and walked away with a sullen face.
Back at Eryu Palace, Jingming took the tea from Gong'e and handed it to me, saying, "Miss is very tolerant of the queen."
I sighed, "This Zhu Yu really makes me angry sometimes. I know it's because she is innocent and has no scheming, and she can do whatever she wants. We also have these feelings about her, jealousy, The dissatisfaction is just that we know how to hide it, but she still can't."
"Miss is right, it's just that it's hard for her to survive in the palace."
"She was not from the palace. I used her to bring her into the harem. Speaking of which, I feel ashamed of her, so I want to treat her as leniently as possible."
Jing Ming nodded, then thought of something, waved his hand to tell the other palace people to retreat, leaned close to me and said in a low voice: "Since the emperor and queen consummated their marriage, this servant has been thinking about one thing, I don't know if it's also Miss's thinking."
"Oh? What is it, tell me?" I narrowed my eyes and asked.
"Should we put some medicine in the Queen's diet?"
What Jingming said touched me, yes, I have also thought about his thoughts.
"Go on."
"Since the queen is just a pawn used by the young lady, then let her be the queen, but the issue of the heir and prince does not mean that she has a share. The slave knows that the young lady has always regretted that the queen is not from the Nangong family, but this does not mean that The next emperor will not be of Nangong's blood. As long as we put some medicine in Empress Zhu's diet, and the emperor favors Concubine Shu so much, once Concubine Shu gives birth to a prince, she will definitely be canonized as the prince, that is, the future emperor. "
What Jingming said is right, only if the next emperor sheds the blood of the Nangong clan, can I guarantee the stability of my background, and the power of the Nangong clan will last forever.
It's not that I haven't considered such an approach, but if I really do this, I feel sorry for Zhu Yu. This child is helpless in the palace, and it gives me a feeling of calculating Zhuan Fu.
I sighed and said, "Let's let nature take its course. Besides, Zhuan Fu used to go to Daijun's room more often. I think there is no reason why heaven doesn't favor Nangong."
However, I went with the flow for more than half a year. Not to mention Zhu Yu, even Dai Jun showed no signs of pregnancy. I went from worrying to anxiety before, and then had trouble sleeping and eating.
If the bloodline I choose cannot be continued, and other princes will succeed after only one generation, then...then what I have done before is not just fetching water from a bamboo basket?
So when I told Zhuan Fu that I wanted to draft women into the palace, it was no longer in a negotiating tone.
Zhuan Fu didn't say a lot of reasons for his objection. I have seen him coaxing children patiently. I'm afraid he also wants to have an heir himself.He just lowered his head and said: "But I already have Lord Tai, and I don't want to feel sorry for her..."
I replied: "I'm afraid Concubine Dan is sorry for the emperor. We gave her a chance, but she was too disappointing."
That day I invited Zhu Yu and Dai Jun to come to Eryu Palace to have some snacks, and I sat on the first seat and mentioned it seemingly unintentionally: "Recently, the harem may be busy, Jingming, they will go out of the palace in the next few days to serve the harem among the people. I've picked a show girl." Then I carefully observed the reactions of the two of them.
Zhu Yu was peeling the grapes, paused for a moment, then ate the grapes as if nothing had happened and said, "This is a good thing."
我对朱妘的态度有点吃惊，没想到这半年的时间竟硬生生地把她的棱角磨平了，我看着她有些麻木的表情，不由得感慨时间，尤其是在后宫中的时间竟是如此残酷。
不过末了朱妘又有些幸灾乐祸地说：“臣妾不在乎，反正皇上很少去臣妾那儿。”说完看向玳君。
玳君的脸色变了，手有些微微颤抖，但是她竭力用正常的语调回道：“是啊，皇后说得是，后宫是该充实些了……”
看到她这样我反而有些可怜她了，我起身走到她面前拉起她颤抖的手说：“可是你知道皇帝说什么吗，他说不愿意让你受委屈，他说他不同意……”
玳君听到这话眼泪一下子流了出来，捂住了脸。
“可是，”我的话锋一转，近乎残酷地说了出来，“淑妃你应该知道为什么哀家那么急着召其他女子进宫。淑妃你应当帮哀家好好劝劝皇帝，也只有你有这样的能力。”
玳君泪眼盈盈地抬头看着我，万分痛苦地点了点头。
自古以来出宫挑选秀女就是个肥差，我把这个好差事给了镜明，因为我相信在几个重点的秀女中镜明一定会挑选得合我的心意。
果然，在一个月过后，镜明呈上的百名秀女名单中，打头的五位秀女中有三名是出自南宫氏族，其中有南宫简的孙女南宫椒好，南宫仲的女儿南宫娣儿，以及我母亲同父异母弟的小女儿南宫茜，另两位也都是相貌出众的名门之后，后面则是一些地方中小官僚的女儿或孙女等。
镜明在一旁讲解道：“那位南宫椒好不仅容貌美丽，而且名字起得也吉祥。她身材匀称，而这，”镜明比划着胯骨，“却很宽润，一看就是宜子之相。她今年芳龄二八，正是适合生育的年龄。”
我逐一看过，满意地点了点头，然后提起案前的笔，将南宫茜划掉，交给镜明说：“就这样办吧，你问一下钦天监挑选吉日叫她们进宫，越快越好。”
说起各秀女在宫中的住所安排，我提醒镜明道：“你也莫要太势利，对那些没有背景的秀女们欺负得过狠了。现在可不是看身份，而是看谁能先生出儿子。现在你还能安排她们，但日后说不定谁就爬到你头上来，若是再碰见个心性小的，你恐怕就要吃亏了。”
镜明讨好地回道：“说起福分，那自然是南宫家的小姐了。”
我笑了笑，说：“但愿如此。”
我看着下面那一排排盛装打扮的秀女，就仿佛自己置身于五彩缤纷的花丛般。她们大多只有十五六岁，脸上还未完全褪去稚气，然而我知道这样一张张清纯的脸庞包裹的却是与她们年龄不相符的勃勃野心，宫斗现在就要开始了，而且永远不会结束。
惠太妃指着站在第一排的南宫椒好说：“不愧是南宫氏人，那孩子在这些秀女中尤为出众，艳压群芳呢。”
四名出身高贵的女孩还未侍寝就先被封为才人，住所也是靠近皇帝寝宫的位置。
我特意邀请南宫椒好和南宫娣儿来到尔玉宫，椒好环视了尔玉宫的布置赞叹说：“虽然祖父已经身居高职，不过家中布置却不及尔玉宫的十分之一。祖父一直对我们说，皇太后是极为了不起的女人，是南宫氏的荣耀。”
我笑了笑，说：“哀家希望你们日后也能成为南宫氏的荣耀。你们若是谁能早日诞下皇子，那么将会和哀家一样荣宠至极。”
听完这话，两个人都有些羞赧，娣儿只低头不语，椒好则回道：“如果皇太后肯抬爱于臣妾，臣妾定不会辜负皇太后的厚望。”
我看向她，椒好的眼神透露出一种自信和对机会的渴望。
小小年纪就可以说这样狂妄的话，不过机会确实是为如椒好这般有野心的人存在的。
那日颛福来请安，我问颛福说：“秀女们进宫已经有些时日了，不过似乎没有一个人有宠幸的纪录，皇帝理也不理，这是怎么回事呢？”
颛福还未回答，我就继续逼问道：“是不是皇帝觉得哀家眼光不行，选的人都不合皇帝心意呢？”
颛福连忙否认说：“绝……绝没有那样的事。儿臣，只是最近政务太繁忙，没顾得上。”
我心知这又是颛福的推脱之辞，我叹了口气，露出一种哀伤的表情说：“你知道母后最近经常辗转反侧夜不能寐吗？”
颛福一惊，问道：“母后您是身体不适么？”
我摆了摆手，“是因为心事。你一日无子我就一日难安。母后要求得过分吗？若论感情，母后也到了做祖母的年龄了，只想抱抱孙儿享受一下天伦之乐；若论政治，你贵为天子，只有有继承人才能保证江山稳固，否则你如何向天下臣民交代呢？”
颛福低头沉默不语，半晌才闷闷地回答道：“儿臣知道了。”
“在这些秀女中，都说椒好是有福之人，有宜男之相，皇帝今晚就去她那儿好了。”
那晚颛福确实听了我的话，要到椒好寝宫去，不过半路上又折回了玳君的瑞雀宫，因为玳君突然病倒了。
我听到这个消息大怒，最后想了想压着怒气还是去了瑞雀宫。
刚进屋子就闻到一股浓重的药味，我皱了皱眉，然后就看到在床上躺着的神色憔悴的玳君。
看来她不是故意装病……恐怕是这次秀女的事让她郁火攻心，才突然病倒了吧。
我又是可怜她又是恼怒于她，玳君啊玳君，如果你自己争气一点儿何必沦落到这样的地步？
玳君见我来，就要挣扎着起身向我行礼。
我并没有上前阻止，只是面无表情地看着她。聪明的玳君怎么会看不懂，她有些哀楚地解释说：“太后，臣妾，臣妾不是故意的……”
我在心中重重地叹气。现今的后宫，颛福、朱妘和玳君都是苦恼地活着，朱妘虽然贵为皇后却最为孤单，玳君和颛福一往情深却偏偏不能好好相守在一起，但是这能怨我吗？我又是为了谁呢。如果对他们放任自流，颛福一生无子，就会有好的结局吗？
想到这儿我坐到玳君的身边，温柔地将她额前的散发拨到耳后，我拉住她的手甚至有些低声下气地对她说：“哀家知道对不起你，但是大胤需要皇帝的子嗣来继承。玳君，你无法育子哀家也不能帮你，你去劝劝皇帝，求你。”
听说颛福当天晚上又到瑞雀宫去探病，只是被玳君拒之门外，玳君声泪俱下地劝说颛福离开，听说那晚颛福还红了眼圈，几近落泪。
又过了几日，在我的压力下，颛福终于与椒好圆房。
我稍稍放下心来，赐旨将椒好提拔为美人，赏赐也源源不断而来。
一时间椒好风光无限，她在家时本就被惯了一些小姐脾气，此时是越发高傲起来，对玳君更是当作眼中钉，时不时地讽刺刁难，但我也没精力去管了。
菟丝有些看不过去，在背后说：“椒好美人未免锋芒太过，其实这样对她并不好。”
我淡淡地说：“可是相面的都说她有宜男之相呢，她也是仗着自己有高傲的本钱。”不过我突然想到，也不知椒好可曾想过，如果她不能怀有龙嗣，那么今日玳君就会是以后的她。我摇了摇头，应当不会的吧。
但是就这样过了半年，当我沉着脸问椒好为什么还没有结果时，椒好再也没有了当初的自信，她哭哭啼啼地委屈说：“太后，请您叫来敬事房的太监来问一问，皇上一个月上臣妾这儿几次？上淑妃那儿几次？”
原来虽然颛福在我的压力下去了椒好的寝宫，但是对玳君的宠爱并未减少，去得最频繁的竟依旧是玳君的瑞雀宫。
我被椒好的哭声扰得心烦，拍桌而起，厉声说道：“你委屈什么！你竟然比不上一个不会生育的女人会抓皇帝的心！你自己是不是也该反省反省！退下！”
椒好走后，我让自己冷静下来，我该想想接下来到底该怎么做。
若说以前我还对玳君存有愧疚和怜悯之心的话，此时此刻我是完全忌恨她了。我明明为子嗣之事那样的焦急，而她身为一个不能育子的女人却一直在霸占着皇宠。
我吩咐下去，“去，把淑妃叫来。”
玳君进来时我在不安地踱着步子，我看到玳君停下了脚步，在她面前平静地说：“玳君，哀家曾给过你机会吧？哀家曾经待你就像待现在的椒好一样好，可惜是你辜负了哀家寄予你的厚望，真是叫人心寒。现在你又置整个国家的利益于不顾，只顾你自己荣耀宠爱！哀家以后不会再让你见着皇帝了，直到皇帝有子嗣为止。今日你就搬出瑞雀宫！”
听到后面的话玳君惊恐地抬起头，她拉住我的裙摆，摇头恳求道：“太后，求您，别把臣妾和皇上分开，臣妾不是要霸占皇上，臣妾只是想着每日可以见到他，跟他说说话。臣妾现在就这么点奢求……”
我冷冷地推开玳君，不想听她的解释。
玳君痛哭起来，断断续续地说：“臣妾并没有阻止皇帝去别人的宫中……只是臣妾不能狠下心阻止皇帝来臣妾这儿。因为，因为臣妾爱他，臣妾心疼他。太后您记不记得，臣妾第一次进宫时，您就叮嘱过臣妾要全心全意将皇上放在心里。臣妾听您的话做到了，臣妾真的做到了。”
“可是哀家现在又不想让你那么做了。”
“可是人的心意哪是那么容易更改的呢？太后求您别把臣妾和皇上分开……”
如果有罪，便让我当那个罪人吧。我不带一丝感情地对玳君说：“难道你现在还不明白吗？自从你是无育之身起，你在后宫就没有容身之地了。至于你所谓的感情，那是多么的微不足道啊。”
下午本来就阴沉的天空突然布满大片乌云，接着是狂风大作，将外面的大树吹得沙沙作响，宫门也被吹得开开合合。
我估计是要下大暴雨了，正要吩咐如意去关好门窗，突然一个人闯了进来，定睛一看竟是颛福，他的眼神呆滞滞的，一身狼狈……
外面的风随着大敞的门猛烈地吹了进来，室内的纱帘开始不安地搅动，仿佛就要吹到天上去。
我知道一定是发生了什么大事，对如意使了个眼色。如意领命退下，临走时将门闭紧。
“皇帝你怎么了？坐下慢慢说。”我让颛福坐下，端了杯茶给他。
颛福好似还没有回过神，半晌才慢慢地抬起头，神情痛苦地说：“母后，儿臣……”
我关切地看着他，然而他的话刚开头却又突然咽了回去。
他连忙喝了口茶，舒了一口气，说：“母后，儿臣挺喜欢玳君的，请您不要那样苛刻对她，她又没有做错什么。”
原来说的是玳君的事。
“她怎么没有做错什么？”我反问道，“她明明为不能生育之身，却还霸占着皇上，致使皇帝现在还无子嗣，国家现在还没有继承人，这不是天大的罪过吗？”
颛福有些激动了，回道：“母后，难道子嗣就那么重要？为了所谓的继承人，您将一个又一个女人塞给儿臣！您从来没问过儿臣愿不愿意，儿臣喜不喜欢！朕不是繁衍后代的工具，朕也是人，也有自己喜欢的人！”
颛福第一次大声地对我那样说话，而我印象中的颛福一直是沉默而静雅的。
我有种说不上来的吃惊，我突然觉得也许我并未了解颛福，并不了解这个我抚养了十多年的孩子。
我语气软了下来，说：“母后知道你喜欢玳君，母后并不是要把她打入冷宫，只是想让她反省反省。若是喜欢她，待你后继有人再接回她也不迟啊……”
“说来说去还是子嗣！在母后的眼中子嗣比儿臣还要重要，母后的前途比儿臣的意愿还要重要百倍！也许您从未爱过儿臣，您一直只想利用儿臣！”颛福攥着拳大声说道。
我睁大眼睛看着颛福，震惊地说不上话来。
“难道不是吗？”颛福转身看着我逼问道，“在这朝堂之上全是南宫氏的人，他们背后所依靠的大树不就是您吗？！朕说的话还不如您的一句话来得管用！政事是这样，后宫闺房之事您也要插手！您到底要逼迫儿臣到什么时候？！朕就像是一个傀儡皇帝！”
我浑身颤抖着，说的话都抑制不住带着颤音，“你知不知道自己在说什么……啊……啊？就为了一个女人，一个玳君，你就这么对你的母亲说话吗……”
颛福别过头没有再说话。
“什么叫哀家逼迫你……你自己身为皇帝做到你应该做的了吗……”我的语调愈加悲伤，只是心也愈加冷硬，“傀儡皇帝？即便是傀儡皇帝，哀家也要你做一个好皇帝！”
我发起狠来，“以后不准你去见玳君！一步也不准你踏进她的宫中！”
颛福再也没有说任何反驳的话来，他只是一言不发地对我行了一个礼，那个礼周全得反而带有说不尽的讽刺味道，然后他打开门决然离开。
我怔怔地站在原地，天空上突然传来一声响雷，我哆嗦了一下，然后木然地看向大敞的门。
雨噼里啪啦地下了起来，风夹杂着雨的潮气直直地向我吹来，划过我的脸，让我感觉到冰冷的疼痛。
书案上的纸被吹得纷飞，屋子里暗得仿佛已经步入黑夜，我再一次感觉到彻底的孤单与无助，一个人呆呆地站了许久。
自从那次争吵以后，颛福不只没有再见玳君，连其他后宫也未曾再踏入半步，我觉得他是在跟我赌气。
他只是忙，忙于政事，早早地去上朝，晚上埋没于无边无际的奏折之中，成了十足的禁欲皇帝。
宫中人私下里说已经好久没有听见皇上弹琴了，好久没有见过他露出哪怕是一丝的笑容，她们说不明白当皇帝是多么让人羡慕的事，可是他却是那么忧伤。
在那夜深人静的时候，只有勤政殿露出的些微烛光亮到很晚很晚，看得我心酸。
后来我把玳君又接回到瑞雀宫，可是颛福却已经是不闻不问了。
随着后宫的沉寂，我也逐渐地陷入萎靡，我感到一种无力，一种无能为力的失败。也许顺其自然才是最好的？我才是那一直搅乱局面的多余人么？
不想管了啊，也不是我能管的……于是我上书颛福要求去南郊行宫安度余生，虽然那儿尚未修缮完毕。
结果颛福迟迟没有回应，却在几天后被告知南郊行宫的工程已经暂停，工匠们全被遣散回家，理由是朝廷的经费不足。
当我听到这个消息时简直是五雷轰顶，我失魂落魄地坐在那里，简直无法相信我所听到的。颛福，我养育大的儿子，竟是这样对我么？
我感到前所未有的挫败，茶饭不思，只是反复地回忆着思考着，从颛福小时候到现在，那点点滴滴，我到底在哪一步做错了导致了现在的局面。
我几近偏执地想着我的过错。也许我当初就不该逼颛福结婚？也许我不该将玳君塞给他？也许我不该拆散他们？也许我不该指正他在政事上的过失？又或者，仅仅是从我让颛福少弹琴多关心政事时他就恨上我了？
百般布局，百般算计，最后我竟然落到如此局面……甚至连一个安身之所也不可得。
我恍惚度日，直至卧病在床，心如死灰。
后宫妃嫔们都来探病，我看着她们，她们每个人都是花容月貌，都是那样年轻，都是我精心挑选进宫的，颛福抛弃她们的背后实际上就是抛弃了我，她们都是我失败的见证者。
“太后，您好点了吗？”椒好轻轻地问。
我摇了摇头，这几天一直有个想法盘桓在我脑中，也许颛福没有子嗣是上天注定……是我逆天而行上天对我的惩罚，最后的皇位还应该是他的。
“皇太后根本就不吃药，这病怎么可能好，皇后，您劝劝太后吧，太后一直都很喜爱您的……”善善在一旁抹泪道。
朱妘扶起我，接过药碗，略略皱了皱眉，劝道：“太后，您还是喝些吧……您这样子都不像您了。”
我伸手正欲推拒送到嘴边的汤药，突然我的手被烫了一下，只见整个药碗都掉在我的身上，黄黑的药汤洒了我一身。
然后就听见朱妘呕了一声，弯下腰呕吐起来。
我吃惊地看向朱妘，过了一会儿突然意识到了什么，待朱妘稍直起身便抓起朱妘的手腕，将我的手轻轻按压在她的脉搏上。
我的心怦怦地跳着，神情由凝重渐渐舒展开来，是喜脉……
竟是喜脉！
我带着惊喜看向朱妘，朱妘一脸呆呆的，不明所以地看着我。
我将手缓缓地转移到她的小腹上……那里有另一个生命在跳动。
我又活过来了。
当我把朱妘怀孕一事说给颛福时，他也是一脸不可置信。我欣慰地说：“刚才查了敬事房的纪录，日期差不多，算起来都已经三个月了。朱妘听说这事跟你一样吃惊，这傻孩子连自己怀孕也不知道……”
“孩子？朕的孩子？”颛福一时竟也反应不过来。
我拍了拍颛福的肩膀，诚恳地说：“对，你的孩子。福儿，母后前后仔细地想了想，也许真是我将你逼得太紧了吧。现在你也有子嗣了，母后再也不想管那么多，只想好好看着这孩子长大，体会天伦之乐。其余的事皇帝愿意怎么做就怎么做吧，母后相信你自己能开创自己的天下。”
渐渐地颛福的眼睛有点湿润了，他低下头回道：“其实无论怎样，您在儿臣的心中都占有至高无上的地位……儿臣只是不想让您离开，哪怕不能和您说上一句话，但只要您在，儿臣的心里都是踏实的。”
原来颛福心里是这样想的，我听了着实感动，那天我与颛福终于冰释前嫌。
“真是什么人有什么样的命啊……”想想朱妘的怀孕我不由得再次感慨道。
“可不是。我们将心思投到淡妃和南宫美人身上，可不想最后却是平时不受宠的皇后结下龙胎。看来这事也应了有心栽花花不开，无心插柳柳成荫啊。时候到了，就自然成了。”善善也感叹一番。
“这事估计让所有人都吃了一惊吧。”
善善点了点头，“当时在场的妃嫔们都惊住了，恐怕这也是对她们最大的讽刺吧。我看有几个妃嫔很是不甘心呢。”
我明白善善的意思，朱妘如此荣耀，恐怕会遭来其他妃嫔们的忌恨，甚至对她的孩子不利。这也是后宫司空见惯的把戏。
我一定要好好守护住这个孩子。想到这儿，我站起身，对善善说：“走，我们去凤仪宫看看皇后。”
到了凤仪宫，只见朱妘靠卧在床上，脸色苍白，不见半点喜悦之色，下面准备着金铜莲花纹的盂盆。
“孩子，你怎么了？”我首次那样关切地对皇后那般说话。
朱妘连忙起身要行礼，被我拦下。她楚楚可怜地对我说：“太后，儿臣害怕……”
我拍了拍朱妘，宽慰道：“傻孩子，怕什么呢？是女人都会经历这一关的。你还记得你完婚那天哀家跟你说过什么吗？有了孩子，你就不再是孤身一人……”
朱妘的手轻轻地放在肚子上，低头看着喃喃说：“我不再是孤单一人……”慢慢地朱妘不再似刚才那样紧张了，情绪逐渐缓和下来。
“怀了孕以后你可不能像以前那样大大咧咧的了，切忌急走急跑。饮食上更要多加注意，该吃不该吃的，我一会儿会让医女讲给你。其他妃嫔送来的食物你更不要擅自食用，一定要让医女验过才可。”我极有耐心地细细叮嘱道。
朱妘微变了脸色，有些紧张地问：“太后您的意思是，有人会害我？”
我没敢把话说重，就怕朱妘过于担心不利于她安胎，于是轻描淡写地说：“我们谨慎一点总是好的，有哀家在，谁也不敢伤害你和你的孩子。”
朱妘眼神中还有些疑惧，不过还是点了点头。
临走时，我嘱托朱妘的奶娘让她一定要好好照顾皇后，增派给皇后两名医女，又怕凤仪宫年轻的宫娥照顾不周，