Chapter 28 Chapter 28 Power and Influence
I sighed and said, "Tingyi seems to have something on her mind."
Jing Ming was slightly taken aback, and then said casually: "Maybe she is reluctant to leave Miss. Besides, going far away will inevitably make her feel uneasy."
"If that's the case, I'm afraid something happened."
Jingming said seriously: "Miss, I believe that there may be one with you, but there will never be another. Splashing tears have disrupted our plan once, so Tingyi must marry Nan smoothly no matter what. To win the king. Miss, for her own longevity, no matter what happens, she must be cruel."
I said in a low voice, "I know."
But what worried me the most happened.
When I saw Tingyi kneeling in front of me respectfully and bowing her head deeply, I had a bad premonition in my heart.
"Miss... the servant does not want to go..."
I froze there, staring at her all the time, examining her coldly without speaking for a long time.
Tingyi said in a trembling voice with a crying voice: "Miss, please take back your life... I beg you..."
"Reason?" I burst out these two words without a trace of emotion.
Her kneeling body trembled visibly, but she stammered in reply: "Servant, servant..."
I said, "Do you have a sweetheart?"
Tingyi suddenly looked up at me, her slightly red eyes filled with surprise and despair.
I sneered, "Yuan Yao?"
Tingyi's shocked expression became more intense, she bit her lip, and finally said in shame: "Yes."
At that moment, my heart finally sank to the bottom, and that kind of despair was many times stronger than hers.Tingyi, I don't want to force you, so are you going to force me?
"Love with each passing day? Tingyi, have you forgotten what you said to me? Have you forgotten your promise to me?" I questioned her with anger and resentment.
Tingyi's face turned pale, and she eagerly explained: "Miss, no! It's not like that! The servant is really loyal to the lady, and she warned herself in every possible way at the beginning...but then she really couldn't control herself more and more. Xinyi... this servant can no longer tolerate King Nan Ying!"
In fact, I know, I know.Yuan Yao is an excellent man, it's not surprising that Ting Yi has a crush on him.Maybe when she didn't understand love, she would willingly marry King Nan Ying for a certain purpose, but she understood love in this last month, whether it was luck or misfortune...
I was silent for a long, long time, but Tingyi kept looking at me with that pitiful look of anticipation and pleading.
In the end, I clenched my palms tightly under the large sleeve robe with exquisite gold patterns, and finally said the cruelest words: "I will fulfill you... If you two are in love..."
Tingyi's whole body shook like five thunderclaps, her face was suddenly pale as paper, and tears rolled down in strings that could no longer be restrained.Her lips trembled, and she could no longer speak.
We are facing each other like this.
I don't know how long after this, she finally knelt down for me and said something to me with sobs.
Although the words were blurred, I still heard them clearly.
"Miss, I'll go."
Later things went as expected.
First, a coincidence between Nanying Wang and Tingyi was arranged, and then Nanying Wang was attracted by Tingyi's paintings. Because of their like-mindedness, they gradually communicated more and more.Tingyi's beauty and intelligence also won the favor of King Nanying. Finally, on a warm spring day, King Nanying took the initiative to come to Jujiu Palace to beg Tingyi to me. agreed with him.
In April, King Nanying was leaving the palace with Tingyi.
Before leaving, Tingyi went to Jujiu Palace to say goodbye to me. The clothes she wore were much richer and more luxurious than those of Gong'e, but she couldn't hide her forced smile.
I couldn't bear it in my heart, so I took her hand and said, "Do you want to see him for the last time?"
She shook her head slowly, and said sadly: "He doesn't have a slave in his heart at all, even if he came, it was just for the sake of the lady. Although Tingyi is a lowly maid, she still has self-respect... alms Love, slaves no longer ask extravagantly..."
I lowered my head guiltily, and said softly, "Tingyi, I am ashamed of you."
Tingyi smiled slightly, but it was sad and beautiful that I had never seen before. She held my hand tighter and said, "Miss, I don't blame you. Miss, your heart is kind. Tingyi used to think so, I will still think so in the future." Then she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said firmly: "Miss, don't feel guilty for this servant, this is the fate of this servant. The servant will definitely work hard to please King Nanying. , I will definitely live up to your expectations of this servant, and that is the mission of this servant for the rest of her life."
I listened to her decisive words, and my heart was filled with sorrow and sorrow.The happiness of a woman's life has finally become a task. Is this luck or misfortune?
I have no idea.I can't even give myself an answer.
When Tingyi finally bowed to say goodbye to me, I finally stopped her.I walked up to her and said to her word by word: "Tingyi, there are only two kinds of people in this world that you can't offend. One is desperadoes, and the other is treacherous villains."
How could the smart Tingyi not understand what I said, her expression changed, and she said tremblingly: "It's him..."
"Yes, it's Jingming." I told her confidently.
She looked up at me incredulously, and said, "Miss, you know, you clearly know and still..."
I know that her heart may be bleeding now, and I know that if I don't tell her, maybe she will feel better in her heart, but she is leaving, this is a lesson, this school motto hurt her, I don't want to hurt her again .
"Because you disdain Jingming and always laugh at Jingming for offending him, so it's not Huaspilei who left this time, but you. I know Jingming's plan, he must have said something serious to Huaspilei behind his back, That's why Hua Pilei was so terrified and dared to disobey my order. But——the reason why I didn't choose Hua Pilei is because I can see from this that she is too easy to be instigated by others, and she can't complete my plan like this. Ting Yi Do you understand now?"
It's another day.
I was woken up by the chirping birds on the branches outside the window, and slowly opened my eyes.
Ru, who was waiting by the bed, saw that I had woken up, and quickly got up to fetch the warm milk, warm water and hand towels that had been prepared.
After I cleaned up carefully, I turned around and told Ruyi, "Go and ask Tingyi to come over, I have something to do for her."
Ruyi was taken aback, and then reminded in a low voice: "Miss, have you forgotten? Didn't Sister Tingyi already..."
I woke up, then fell silent.I looked around inadvertently, only to realize that Jujiu Palace is so desolate and deserted, dead, walking away...
Ruyi also became sad, and murmured: "Miss, that day the servant saw Sister Tingyi crying all night under the quilt..."
I was silent, but felt a faint pain in my heart.
"But," Ruyi's voice suddenly raised a bit, "Miss, I will try my best to be like Sister Tingyi in the future, and I will serve you well..."
I looked at her slightly flushed face, smiled faintly, and said, "Call Aunt Combs Hair to come in."
During the breakfast, Shanshan reported from the side: "Miss, a new batch of maids and eunuchs have arrived in the palace recently, and they should be assigned to each palace after a month or two of training."
I drank a small spoonful of porridge and ordered, "Oh? Is it finally time for a newcomer? That's okay, Shan. You can secretly pay attention to see if there are any dutiful and clever people. Pick a few and come over."
Lvqiu is dead, Jixiang is dead, Tingyi is gone, Huaspianlei is reprimanded to clean the courtyard, and the maids who are close to me are only Shanshan and Ruyi, so I promoted another maid from the usual estranged maids. The maid named Chu Zi.
Before Tingyi left, she recommended her to me. She said to me: "I am afraid that after I leave, there will be no more caring people around the lady, and Chu Zi and the slave are from the same village. Good. She is careful, intelligent, and loyal, so you might as well test it out, she should be of use to her."
Regarding the fact that I did not promote Xingdan to my side but promoted Chu Zi who was usually distant, the palace people discussed in private, and even secretly speculated on why Xingdan didn't please me, and there were many opinions.
I privately said to Xingdan: "I really wronged you."
Xing Dan quickly shook his head and replied: "The servant once remembered what Miss said, 'everything has its own, and everyone fulfills its duties'. If Xing Shan can be more useful to Miss outside the palace, then Xing Shan will have no regrets Continue to clean the courtyard for Miss."
I nodded in satisfaction, and then asked seemingly casually: "How is the fifteenth prince?"
Xingdan replied bluntly, "Very good." Then she looked at me with wide eyes in surprise, "Miss, you know..."
I said in a flat tone: "It's not that I don't believe that you will send someone to monitor you, but once I reach the position I am now, I have to be cautious in everything and even walk on thin ice, trembling. So I need to know the whereabouts of others well, so that I Only by eating well and sleeping soundly, can you understand the simple form?"
Xingdan knelt down in trepidation, "Xingdan absolutely dare not blame Miss, on the contrary, this servant deserves death for acting without authorization. It's just that this servant went to help An Jieyu when she saw that An Jieyu was seriously ill, and the fifteenth prince had few people to take care of her. "
I half-closed my eyes to look at her and asked, "You pity him?"
Xing Dan hurriedly replied, "How dare you use the word 'poor' as a slave."
"You should go less in the future. After all, you are from Jujiu Palace, and your words and deeds are not your own business. Besides, after all, the fifteenth prince is a dragon, and his life can be guaranteed without any worries. It's just that the current situation is not so satisfactory. That's all."
There was an unconcealable worry on her face, and she asked: "Miss, I feel that you are a little indifferent to the fifteenth prince... In fact, as long as you say a word, the situation of the fifteenth prince can be..."
"I hate that kid," I cut her off, curtly.
Xing Dan blurted out in surprise: "Does the lady really dislike the fifteenth prince as An Jieyu said?" But she immediately denied herself, "No...Miss is not that kind of person, otherwise she wouldn't be like that." To the slaves..."
I said calmly: "I hate old people and children. Old people are the easiest to rely on their old age, just like the queen mother; while children are most likely to rely on their parents' favor and their own age to be arrogant and willful, but I have never been like that. So I don't like them."
"Why does the lady love the fourteenth prince so much?"
I took a look at Xingdan and asked back: "Has Fu'er ever been loved by her mother? No. We share the same fate, so I cherish him and love him."
That day, I walked through the long verandah to visit Yu Zhaorong, but I heard whispers nearby.
I followed the sound and saw two young women sitting with their backs to me not far from the right. One woman was crying with her head lowered and wiping her eyes, while the other woman was gently comforting her.
I saw them wearing red tube top dresses, plain white double-breasted veils on their upper bodies, and simple double-horned buns on their heads. They were about thirteen or fourteen years old, and they seemed to be the new maids entering the palace.
"Sister Fang'er, believe me, I really didn't break the vase..." the woman cried, looking extremely wronged.
The woman next to her sighed softly, and said, "Xiaochun, I know, it's not your fault, Aunt Zhang deliberately made things difficult for you, but who made us have no money to take care of her..."
The one named Xiaochun cried even more aggrieved, "Why is Aunt Zhang so upright, and asked me to pay for it... That's the jade bracelet that my mother saved for me..."
The woman named Fang'er didn't try to persuade her anymore, she just put her hand on Xiaochun's arm and sighed again.
Xiaochun curled up and cried for a while, then raised her head and said: "Sister Fang'er, you are smarter, you gave up the relics your mother left to you, and see how kind Aunt Zhang is to you now... I just didn't want to give up. , I didn’t expect that in the end... I offended Aunt Zhang again. If I had known that I would have handed it over as early as you, I wouldn’t have been bullied like this today..."
Fang'er asked calmly, "Even if you do it again, will you be willing?"
Xiaochun was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head with difficulty.
Fang'er smiled sadly, "The palace is not a reasonable place at all. You see, we have been in the palace for a month, what kind of life are we living? They don't treat us as human beings at all, let us go east as we go Let’s go west, let’s go west, laughing and thanking the master for the reward even after being beaten... We may lose our lives one day, so what’s the use of thinking about those things outside of us?"
Xiaochun lowered his head and fell into silence, then said in a low voice: "Yes, in this palace, only the master's life is his life, and those of us who are servants are not even as good as pigs and dogs..."
Fang'er nodded and said: "Those people are either beautiful or noble, ordinary daughters of poor families like us are not so blessed. At this point, we can only pray that we can find a good master in the future It's..."
Xiao Chun blinked her eyes and asked: "Sister Yi Fang'er, which concubines in the palace can be regarded as good masters?"
"Then I don't dare to make rash judgments. The power in the palace is intricate and complicated. How can you and I see it clearly? But the Queen, Concubine Xiaode, Concubine Yanshu, and Concubine Shuxian are all ladies. , the power in the palace is also solid, it should be our best lodging. I heard that Dong Xiuyi and Jiao Chongyuan are more kind to others, if we can serve them, we will be lucky. As for the other concubines, even though there are many kind people, but If we are all neglected, it will inevitably make us servants also suffer..."
"Sister, why don't you talk about the imperial concubine? Her power in the palace even surpasses that of the queen, and others are saying behind her back that she is actually the real master of the harem... and I heard that being her slave is not only rich in rewards, He is quite proud outside, as if he is half a master... Besides..." Xiaochun seemed a little shy, "Besides, there are many opportunities to get close to the emperor, maybe he can fly to a branch and become a master suddenly... "
Unexpectedly, Fang'er smiled and replied: "Could it be that my sister thinks that the concubine's cunning and intelligence will cause such a mistake in her palace? If she can let you wait around, she is sure that you will not be favored by the emperor, or she I am sure that you will not be noticed by the emperor."
"Then, even so, it's fine if you're just the maid of God's noble concubine, and you won't have to be bullied by others in the future... The other maids are scrambling to go. I heard that Man'er and Hongxia have already bribed the steward." Eunuch, you will be assigned to Jujiu Palace."
The palace servants next to me have already lost their faces. They have already committed the crime of usurpation by talking about the harem concubines behind their backs.Just as Ruyi was about to stop drinking, I stretched out my hand to stop her. I want to see what this little girl will say about me.
Fang'er said slowly: "I think the imperial concubine is the tallest and most magnificent tree in the harem. She stands tall and looks down on the other people in the harem with arrogance and indifference."
Xiaochun became excited when she heard this, nodded repeatedly and said: "Sister is right. That day I saw the imperial concubine passing by the Xiefang Hall from a distance, surrounded by palace people, the grandeur and formation were simply amazing..."
"But," Fang'er changed the subject, "that tree looks majestic, but it's hollow in the middle. The imperial concubine doesn't have any background power at all, and she has no heirs. All she relies on is the favor of the current emperor, and that's the most important thing. It is ethereal and ethereal. So it cannot withstand the wind and rain, but the tree is big and windy, but it must have experienced the most wind and rain. It was so ostentatious in life, and it will be extremely tragic when it dies. Think about it. Once she dies, the servants who serve her should How will you be implicated? So it can be said that serving the emperor and concubine is the most dangerous destination in this palace!"
The palace people were already aggrieved in the back, but I calmly listened to her finish.
It is rare that there is such a clear-eyed person in this harem, and that person is a little girl who has just entered the palace.
I took off the green jade pendant around my waist, pointed to the maid named Fang'er and said, "Try her with this."
Ruyi said: "Miss, I saw that Fang'er picked up the jade pendant and flipped through it, but when she saw Miss's name, she put it back on the ground in a panic. It's really strange."
I snorted coldly, "She could hide it for herself, but she didn't, which shows that she is not greedy for money; she could also pick it up to curry favor with me, but she didn't, which shows that she doesn't want to have anything to do with me. And I just don't want her to get what she wants."
After two months of Gong'e's training, when she was brought and knelt in front of me with her head bowed, I didn't give any orders, but suddenly asked her: "Do you know Cusi?"
She was a little strange, but still calm, and replied: "This servant is stupid, I hope your mother will show it clearly."
I chuckled, got up and walked around her for a while, and then said unhurriedly: "The dodder is a very tenacious plant, but it can only survive if it clings tightly to the big tree." ..."
She must have sensed something, I could feel her body tense up suddenly.
I walked in front of her, looked down at her and said without a tone: "You think you can guess others very well, then, guess what your good friend Xiaochun said when he came to Bengong?"
Her kneeling body trembled, and when I ordered her to raise her head, I saw a face with a surprised and hurt expression as I wished.
I smiled, changed the subject and said, "It's right or wrong for you to say what I said. You are very smart, but you still lack training—just like you shouldn't say casual things in such a place, just like you You shouldn't easily believe that the people around you will tell you all your thoughts, and if you can't show your emotions, it's easy for others to see what you think..."
I watched her expression change again and again, and still smiled and said: "Let me give you a favor, give you a chance, how about teaching you well?"
She looked up at me in surprise, then lowered her head, and said respectfully, "I'm relying on your mother to give me more advice."
I nodded in satisfaction, "Then Jujiu Palace will have a maid named Cusi in the future."
She was a little hesitant, and tentatively refused to say: "Your Majesty...Fang'er is the name given to this servant by the mother who had a difficult childbirth before her death. It may have no charm to you, but it is of great significance to this servant. Please ..."
I interrupted her, and said without the slightest doubt: "You are right in saying something, the palace is a place where there are no human feelings and no reason. I will say it again, your name is Cusi, and you can only rely on this tree Live as a tree..."
In fact, what Dodder said is not unreasonable. My "tree" is huge on the outside and hollow on the inside, and I understand it in my heart.
Looking at the concubines in the harem, the empress, concubine Yanshu, and concubine Shuxian all came from famous families. Although concubine Xiaode came from a humble background, she has the eldest son of the emperor to rely on.Even Jiao Chongyuan, who is at the end of the ninth concubine in this palace, still has a fifth-rank father to rely on, and I can really be said to be alone and helpless.
The emperor hates the Dan family, and I have never regarded them as my relatives.
The emperor never promoted the Nangong family because of my mother, and he even held a grudge, so that the two aunts could not come to the palace to congratulate me when I was celebrating the ceremony.
I secretly knew that he was complaining because the Nangong family didn't take my mother home when she was suffering, so my mother died of depression.But in fact, the Nangong family has no right to take the daughter back without any right to take the water thrown out by the married daughter. Maybe the emperor also understands this truth, but he still stubbornly neglects Nangong for so many years, and the slow promotion of Nangong is no longer unreasonable. old power.
I have no relatives to rely on, and I understand this deeply.So after I was named Emperor Guifei, I have been secretly observing whether there is any force in the court that I can support and rely on.
Jiaochongyuan is my concubine whom I regard as my confidant, so her background power can also be used by me; I also invited Shi Jiuzhang, a well-known academician in the court, to teach Zhuan Fu to study, and his youngest son came to the palace to study with him. power on his side.But their official positions are not enough for me to rely on safely. This is what secretly worries me until I meet an opportunity later.
That day I was going to the emperor's Qinzheng Hall, but on the way I ran into Mr. Li, the right prime minister who was called to the palace to play an official role.
Mr. Li is in his fifties this year, with a thin body, dark skin, and a small beard on his chin, making him look ugly.But his eyes were full of energy, vaguely revealing a shrewd scheming.
I hastily covered my face halfway with the incense fan, while he retreated to one side and bowed his head.
"My humble servant pays his respects to the empress."
His tone was flat, his attitude was neither humble nor overbearing, and he didn't intend to flatter me just because I was the emperor's favorite concubine.
This made me look back curiously at him in the purple official uniform after walking away.
After I went back, I summoned Aunt Wang to talk about what happened today, and then asked, "What is the origin of the right chancellor?"
Aunt Wang smiled and replied: "Miss, you don't have to be surprised. The right prime minister has always disdained the concubines in the harem and never participated in it. There have been many concubines who tried to win him over in the past, but they have run into trouble..."
I heard my heart move, raised my eyebrows and said: "Oh? Then this Master Li is really an outlier in the court. The other ministers are trying their best to win over the favorite concubine in the harem in order to become famous and rich for a long time, aren't they?"
"The right prime minister does have a strange temper. But he is also wise to protect himself. After all, no matter how many high-ranking, powerful, wealthy and honored he is, he cannot pass it on to future generations."
"So he's childless?" I asked in surprise.
"Oh, he has only one son, and he managed to get a son in old age, but he is a fool. The right prime minister himself came from a humble background, but he was so arrogant and arrogant. He insisted on marrying his son a lady from a rich family, saying that he was the real ancestor. The door lintel. But just think about it, as long as the family is in a better situation, how could it be willing to marry its daughter to a fool? So until now, his family has not married a daughter-in-law. Isn’t Prime Minister Right just about to end his children and grandchildren... "
"So it's like this..." I nodded slowly, thoughtfully.
When Mr. Li entered the palace again, I deliberately arranged another "encounter".
I first showed an expression of surprise, then smiled at him, and took the initiative to greet him: "The emperor has repeatedly called Mr. Li into the palace to perform affairs, which shows how much he thinks highly of him."
Master Li had no expression on his face, but simply replied: "The imperial concubine is absurd."
I didn't seem to mind his attitude at all, and continued to say enthusiastically, "Lord Li is modest. Regardless of other things, if you can occupy the position of prime minister on the right, you can see that you are different from ordinary people. Besides, a man should have lofty aspirations. Not to mention, it can be more kind to the descendants and honor the ancestors. With Master Li's talents, the tiger father has no dogs, and the son must be extremely smart. With a little support from the adults, he will naturally have a bright future, which is enviable."
Master Li finally raised his head to look at me at this time, his complexion sank, his tone became more distant and indifferent, he said: "I'm afraid that I will disappoint the empress, the only son of my minister is a fool, has the empress really never heard of it?"
I showed a surprised expression, and then replied with an apologetic face: "Yo, that palace is really rude. There are few people in the deep palace who know the situation of the courtiers, so it is inevitable to be reckless. I hope Master Li will forgive me. I don't know if your son was married? "
Master Li blushed at this moment, and said: "Your Majesty is deliberately fooling the old minister?"
I smiled and said softly: "Lord Li may have misunderstood my good intentions. Since your son is not yet married, I do have a good marriage here, but I don't know if Master Li has this intention..."
Master Li looked at me incredulously, but still asked me with a little bit of anticipation: "Who is it?"
"Emperor Concubine Zhaojiao." At the end, I deliberately added, "I wonder if Master Li is satisfied?"
Master Li opened his eyes wide, and he lost his usual composure. He replied, "Your Majesty, are you joking? To tell you the truth, the old minister really wanted to marry a lady from a great family for my son, but he has never been able to do so. Most ladies would You don't want to marry my foolish son, not to mention the golden branches and jade leaves of Emperor Zhaojiao..."
"You don't need to worry too much about Mr. Li. Since I can say it, I will naturally have a way to do it. Whether it will be successful or not depends mainly on what Mr. Li wants."
Master Li groaned, gradually calmed down, and fell into silence.
I know that Mr. Li has experienced more than 30 years of ups and downs in the court, and he has long experienced a keen mind. He knows that I will not help him so much for no reason, and he must be weighing the pros and cons at this time.
I went on to say: "There are three unfilial sons who are the most serious. I think Mr. Li knows better than this palace. If Mr. Li doesn't even have people who worship the ancestral temple behind him, Mr. Li may have no face to face the ancestors of the Li family, right? Or if it is a good thing, the descendants of the Li family will inherit the royal blood, isn't it fulfilling the long-cherished wish of the Lord to honor the ancestors? Why are you still hesitating?"
Master Li finally made up his mind, bowed respectfully to me, and said, "From now on, it's all thanks to your success."
I stretched out my hand to help him up, and said cordially: "To each other, why should Mr. Li be so polite?"
After Master Li got up, he asked hesitantly: "Uh, I don't know when this matter will be..."
I smiled in my heart. It is impossible for Mr. Li, who is already old, not to be in a hurry when it comes to inheriting incense.So he replied: "The Princess of Jing'an Palace is Lord Li's distant cousin, right? You can ask her to choose an auspicious day to propose marriage to the Queen, and then I will speak kindly in secret, and it will come naturally."
Master Li frowned, with a look of embarrassment on his face, "Although Wang Taifei is the old minister's cousin, she doesn't see her very often... Now she speaks rashly, I'm afraid she won't agree. Since the empress wants to help the old minister, why don't you help him to the end and speak on your behalf... "
I chuckled, and explained: "My lord is confused. If I were the one who said this, then no matter how extravagant I say in the future, it will be worthless. Even if Wang Taifei is a palace official who has long lost power, but if I get in the way Because of her status, the emperor will not refute her face at that time, so there is room for maneuver. You don't have to worry about not having any contact with her. As long as you send some generous gifts to ease her current poor life, she will be happy to help you Serve."
Master Li understood and nodded.
Then I pointedly said: "It can be seen that it is beneficial to associate with concubines in the harem, Mr. Li, don't you think so?"
After returning to the palace, Shanshan asked me worriedly: "Miss, do you really want to win over Mr. Li? I'm just afraid that this person is unreliable. I heard that this person has a small stomach and a gut, and he will take revenge for every grievance. When he becomes powerful, he will kill him." The neighbors who had underestimated and humiliated him were all dragged into prison and beaten up, and many of them even lost their lives... It can be seen that this man is a cruel man..."
I played with the red peonies that were in full bloom in May, and said in a calm tone: "I don't think there is anything wrong with him doing this. Besides, you only know one thing, and you don't know the other. If you don't know, he also has serious feelings." In a place of righteousness, even after being rich, he has never abandoned his wretched wife who shared adversity, otherwise he would not have only one stupid son..."
Shanshan was stunned, a little surprised, "I didn't expect him to have such a side, it turns out that the young lady has already inquired thoroughly."
I cut off the broken branches and leaves of the peony, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Do you really think that I am hungry? I will never do things that I am not sure about. It does not mean that I can completely predict the results, but I will ensure that I will keep it. There is room for self-salvation. People like Prime Minister You have a clear hatred, which is what I appreciate and value him. As long as he is truly grateful to you, are you afraid that he will be unfaithful to you? It’s just this favor It just needs to be big enough."
At this time, Doshi calmly interjected: "The gift from the empress is indeed heavy enough, so heavy that the servant doubts whether it can really meet the wish of the empress..."
I looked back at her, Cusi would always talk to me in such a non-tactful way, but I didn't feel annoyed, I needed such a person by my side to calmly remind me all the time.However, whether it is Chu Zi, Cussi or the eunuchs who later entered Jujiu Palace, I just value them, but I can no longer find the feelings I had for Ru Lv Chui Tingyi, so I don't allow them to call I am "Miss", but "Niang Niang", otherwise it is disobedience.
I asked Tusi: "I ordered you to memorize the people and events in the palace for several years, so let me ask you, how many times has the emperor visited Zhaojiao since Si Chongyi was thrown into the cold palace?"
Dosi replied calmly: "Except that the emperor visited Emperor Zhaojiao seven times within a month of Si Chongyi's conviction, I don't care about it anymore."
"Then, let me ask you again, since I became the noble concubine of God, Zhaojiao has been refused to attend any banquet, big or small, on the grounds of being weak. Has the emperor noticed?"
"The emperor is indifferent, and doesn't care about it."
"Last question, Zhaojiao started coughing profusely a few days ago, do you know what disease she has?"
Doshi was at a loss for words for a while, and then she replied: "Although the maidservant knows that Diji is unwell, but because there is no imperial doctor to diagnose it, so I don't know yet. Could it be that the empress has already predicted Diji's illness?"
I smiled slightly, shook my fan leisurely and said, "What kind of disease... is naturally decided by me."
Later, Wang Taifei found the queen and brought up the marriage, but the queen herself did not dare to make a decision, so she naturally reported the matter to the emperor.
The emperor was silent when he heard this, but the atmosphere was extremely awkward, and he said dully after a long time, "Let me think about it."
In the end, Princess Wang had no choice but to say goodbye.
The emperor returned to Jujiu Palace, his face was full of anger, and he said: "This concubine really doesn't know what is good or bad! I think she has the honor of being an emperor and concubine, but she herself is too ignorant!"
I walked over and comforted the emperor, and said with relief: "Why is your lord so angry? Zhaojiao is sixteen years old this year, and it is a good age for marriage. This is a good thing. Besides, the other party is The son of the right prime minister, his identity is finally suitable..."
The emperor breathed a sigh of relief, and patiently explained: "You are in the palace, and you don't understand the family affairs of the courtiers. The son of the right prime minister is a fool! How can my dragon girl marry a fool? Isn't this a big joke? !"
I showed a surprised expression, and then said apologetically, "I didn't expect it to be like this." Then I suddenly remembered something and continued: "Although it is said that the princess is proposing marriage, the right prime minister is behind it, right? But he How dare he rashly propose a marriage like this? Doesn’t he have self-knowledge? Could it be that his son may not be as stupid as the legends outside, but just a little stupid... Just like Empress Liu, A Dou, although it is said that he is a fool, but The concubine thinks that he is just not smart, idiots don't know 'Happy to miss Shu'..."
The emperor waved his hand and said: "I don't care if he is really stupid or fake, but Zhaojiao must never marry such a person."
I sighed after hearing this, and said quietly: "Your Majesty's love for his children can be seen. It's just that the concubines can't help but feel wronged by His Majesty at this time. Your Majesty considers them so much, have they ever been really grateful?" ? Let’s talk about Da Ji, the emperor carefully selected her husband and son-in-law, not only does she not know how to be grateful, but the concubine often hears that she complains about you in front of the queen..."
The emperor's face darkened, his mind was touched, but he quickly covered it up, and just said impatiently: "Don't tell me these troublesome things. But today's incident reminded me that I haven't seen Zhaojiao for a long time, and I don't want to see Zhaojiao again. Know how she's been doing."
I smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty has been busy with state affairs, so it is inevitable that you will be negligent. I think Zhaojiao can understand your father's hard work. Since your Majesty has thought of her, why don't you let your concubine host a small event on the fifteenth day of this month?" The family banquet happened to be Zhaojiao and Fuer is here too, let's have a get together."
The emperor nodded and said: "This proposal is very good, let's do it like this."
At this time, Zhuan Fu ran in, maybe he heard the words behind, first paid his respects to the emperor and me, and then he fell on my knee and asked coquettishly: "Mother, who do you want to invite?"
I lovingly tidied up the fine hair on his forehead, and replied, "Your imperial sister."
He raised his head and blinked his eyes curiously and asked, "Miss Huang?"
I nodded, and then I remembered that since Si Chongyi was convicted, Emperor Ji Zhaojiao and Zhuan Fu were raised by concubines of different palaces, and they hadn't seen each other for several years.
However, after a few days, the news that Emperor Ji Zhaojiao had contracted tuberculosis suddenly came. The emperor was shocked when he heard that, and hastily sent the personal doctor Miao to check and treat her.
Imperial Physician Miao came back to report with a solemn expression, and the emperor asked eagerly from above: "What's going on?"
Imperial Physician Miao glanced at me who was sitting next to the emperor indiscriminately, and then said in a low voice: "Emperor Zhaojiao has a shortness of breath, a little sticky phlegm, red and dry tongue, thin yellow fur, and a thin and rapid pulse... Suspected symptoms of tuberculosis..."
The emperor stood up abruptly, and asked distractedly: "What is suspicion? Is it true?!"
"Yeah," I also said lightly on the board, "Physician Miao doesn't need to be hesitant, just tell the truth about what's wrong."
Imperial Physician Miao hesitated for a moment, then plopped down on his knees and said, "Emperor Concubine Zhaojiao is indeed suffering from tuberculosis, please mourn!"
The emperor staggered a bit, unable to support himself and almost fell down, I hurried forward to support him.
The emperor's face showed pain, and he murmured: "I'm going to see her, my poor daughter..."
I grabbed the corner of the emperor's robe and shook my head slowly at him.
"My lord, tuberculosis is contagious...it's an incurable disease..."
皇上脸上的神色变了又变，最后还是无力地坐了下去。
“是朕平素对她的关心不够，她怎么得了这样的病啊……”皇上言语间眼圈红了起来，整个人显得有些憔悴。
我在旁边温软地劝慰道：“君上，请不要再自责了，现在我们主要要想想怎么办才好啊……”
皇上摆了摆手说：“朕现在心中烦乱极了……”
我沉默了半晌，叹了口气，吩咐跪在下面的苗太医说：“你们一定要竭尽所能的为昭娇治病……痨病纵然难治，却也是有治愈好的病例，你们切不能松懈怠慢。”
苗太医回答道：“是，微臣们一定尽心竭力为昭娇帝姬治疗。”
我点了点头，吩咐道：“那你下去开药吧。”
苗太医领命而去，宫人们也退下去了，屋里只剩下我和皇帝。
我将自己的手轻轻地搭在皇上的背上，无声的安慰着他。
过了一会儿，皇上渐渐平静下来，转身拉住了我的手。
“奴兮，多亏了有你在身边安慰朕……”
我挨着皇帝坐下，轻声说：“君上，臣妾能理解您悲痛的心情……只是，臣妾还是要问君上昭娇到底怎么办，这事耽搁不成啊，这痨病若是在宫中蔓延开来，后果不堪设想……”
皇上神色沉重，痛心地说：“按照祖宗规矩，染有瘟疫的皇子帝姬都要出宫治疗，可实际上外面的环境清苦，多是就这样病死宫外……朕实在不忍心就这样赶昭娇出去……”
我听完顺着伤感地叹了口气，也跟着陷入了沉默之中。
但是我又突然想起了什么，在皇上耳边低声说：“臣妾倒是想到一件事，也许不失为一个好办法。”
皇上抬头向我询问。
“前几天右宰相不是曾提过亲吗……”
皇上神色先是惊异，然后又隐隐燃出几点希望之光，但很快又黯淡下去，最后只是重重叹了口气，“终是要嫁给那个傻子吗……”
我劝道：“皇上，这也是没有办法的办法呀。昭娇嫁入右宰相家总比孤独在外好，右宰相定能竭力照顾，况且他的府第离宫中也近，皇上可以时时派人去探问照料……”
皇上缓缓摇了摇头，说道：“朕说是这样说，可是昭娇如今得了这个病恐怕连右宰相都不愿意接进门了。”
我听了轻轻冷笑一声，回道：“这可就由不得他了。想当初贸然提亲的人是他，皇室尊严高贵不可侵犯，又岂是他说想退就退的？皇上只要下旨，他难道还敢抗旨不遵不成？”
皇上盯着我良久，忽然问：“奴兮你是不是很希望昭娇嫁出去？毕竟她的母妃曾与你有间隙，还对你施过巫蛊……”
我一怔，然后委屈地说：“君上是这样看待奴兮的吗？奴兮是那样小肚鸡肠之人么？如果真是那样，臣妾又为何将福儿接过来亲自抚养……”说完还默默流下几滴眼泪来。
皇上心软了，懈下了警惕，拍了拍我的手轻声哄道：“朕不过是开玩笑的，爱妃怎么还当真了？别哭了，啊？看看你，再哭胭脂可要花了……”
我又径直哭泣了会儿，然后见好就收，只是将泪噙在眼眶中，哀楚地说道：“臣妾是真心为皇上着想，绝无半点私心……纵然真的希望昭娇帝姬嫁出去，也不过是想为皇上分忧罢了。”
皇上神色一动，严肃地问：“爱妃此话怎讲？”
“皇上不是一直忧虑左宰相在朝中结党营私，势力过大么……如果能和右宰相联姻，就在暗中提高了右宰相的地位，这样他们势力均衡，互相牵制，不就可以维系朝中的稳定吗……”
皇上听完不置可否，只是沉默，然而我知道我最后说的话打动了他。
对于昭娇帝姬染上肺痨一事宫中人莫不闻之色变，然而反应最大的就数右宰相了。
他急匆匆地到找到我，涨红着脸说：“娘娘，您，您真是将老臣害苦了呀！”
我装出诧异的样子，说：“李大人何出此言？李大人想要娶昭娇帝姬当儿媳，现在皇上的圣旨也下来了，本宫不是已经让你如愿了吗？”
李大人激动起来，言语间也谈不上顾忌，“她得了那种病，即便是帝姬也是一文不值了！”
我淡淡地一笑，说：“试问李大人，昭娇帝姬若不是得了那样的病，皇上还会让她嫁给你的傻儿子吗？”
李大人一阵语塞，然后嗫嚅着说：“如果早知道是这样，当初还真宁愿不要……”
我没有在意，而是斯条慢理喝了口茶，玩味地盯着李大人半晌，然后笑着说：“果然是关心则乱呢。”
我放下茶杯，起身说：“李大人，你也无需这样懊恼着急，本宫怎么可能愚弄你呢？现在不过是权宜之计罢了，待她嫁入贵府之后，本宫保证还你个健健康康的帝姬如何？”
李大人睁大了眼睛，说不出话来。
我的语气则有些庄重了，“欺君是死罪，大人现在知道本宫为你到底付出了多少心思了吧？本宫如此善待于你，那么大人你又将如何报答本宫呢？”