… Entrust the prince to her!
If we were to describe Yunxiu's subconscious reaction, it would be that the Empress Dowager was testing her.
These words are really too unexpected, even shocking. How can we use the word "entrust" casually
When Empress Xiao Zhao was alive, she did not dare to interfere with the prince's upbringing, for fear of angering the Empress Dowager and the Emperor... The prince was of noble status and was the legitimate son of Empress Yuan. When it came to entrusting someone with a task, she was not qualified even if she became a noble concubine.
The instructions to Yinreng were all given in private, and never made public. Yunxiu calmed down, wondering if the ancestor had noticed something and was using this as a warning to her
Soon, Concubine Yi overturned this speculation.
After the Empress Dowager sighed, there was no hint of joking in her words. Her eyes were gentle and non-pressing, and she used a questioning tone. She could actually read a hint of anticipation in her tone.
If I were to test him, no matter what my attitude was, it wouldn't match. What's more, the empress dowager who raised Xiaowu was sitting here!
—The ancestor’s question was sincere.
The joy of being promoted to noble concubine still remained, but after she thought it through, it was difficult for her to describe the complex emotions she felt at that moment.
Putting aside the differences between concubine mothers and legitimate sons in the royal family, Yun Xiu thought that few people would dislike the prince.
Yinreng was in his early teens, polite and sensible, and not lacking in childishness. He was the kind of person who would return your kindness to you in full if you treated him 80%. He was proficient in both civil and military affairs, his intelligence was unmatched, he loved his younger brother, and was especially filial to his father, the Emperor.
Ever since she softened her heart during the confinement period, Yunxiu had spoken many heart-to-heart talks to him, always crossing the line without any scruples.
At the beginning, perhaps it was just for the sake of having a smooth life in the future. After all, her impression of the prince had always been shallow, and she only had the memory of him being enthroned and deposed twice in her dreams.
But after being together for such a long time, the little prince gradually became flesh and blood, alive, and when he looked at her eagerly, it made people feel more distressed. Her heart was not made of stone, so how could she be so cold and hard and indifferent!
To be disrespectful, apart from his status as crown prince and the emperor's favor, Yinreng was, after all, just a child without a mother.
Not to mention his care for his two younger brothers Yinqi and Yinlu. He taught Xiaowu Chinese and how to write, and took care of Xiaojiu more attentively than the wet nurse. Yunxiu could not find fault with him at all, and of course there was no need to find fault with him - ordinary families, brothers, might not have such a friendship. She was grateful, so how could she find fault with him
As time went by, I really put some sincerity into it.
It was really because Yinreng was too smart and sensible, much better than Yinqi and Yinzhen. Yunxiu felt sorry for the ending of his dream. At the same time, the love she felt for him, as faint as a candle flame, gradually deepened.
For her own obsession as a noble concubine, and for her gradually developing true love, Yun Xiu made a decision early on that in this life she would stand behind the prince and help him to continue along the "right path".
But it was not right after all, so she could only do it in private, and therefore spent a lot of time thinking about not leaving any gossip or handle. Now, the Empress Dowager said that she would entrust Yinreng to him...
Yun Xiu is of course willing!
"Grandfather, what virtue and ability do I have?" In just a few breaths, her thoughts turned several bends. She calmed down and stood up to salute in fear. "The prince is of noble status. According to the rules, even if I am a concubine, I have no right to educate him..."
She didn't say she was unwilling, but only mentioned her status and rules. The Empress Dowager's old and turbid eyes suddenly brightened, she smiled gently, and fell into reminiscence.
"He was the child that Hesheli gave birth to at the risk of her life in the delivery room. I still remember it very clearly." The Empress Dowager said slowly, "The emperor felt sorry for him because he had no mother since he was a child, so he brought him to his side and taught him personally... When Baocheng was three years old, he had smallpox, and the emperor even skipped the morning court and took care of him for two days and two nights without sleep, until his face became haggard and covered with stubble."
"Now that Baocheng has grown up, I am increasingly worried." The Empress Dowager waved her hand to let the palace maids leave, and then said bluntly, "If he had smallpox at this age, and the Emperor went against all odds to take care of him day and night, it would inevitably have a different meaning... The ministers' letters of advice and remonstration would come like snowflakes. Alas, everything can never go back to when we were young!"
Although the Empress Dowager spoke cryptically, Yunxiu understood what she wanted to say.
“Those ministers” must be referring to powerful ministers, such as Mingzhu of the Nara clan… No matter what, the Empress Dowager was worried that someone with ulterior motives might cause trouble and a rift would appear between father and son!
I was shocked for a moment that our ancestor thought so clearly.
Before Yunxiu could speak, the Empress Dowager changed the subject and said kindly, "Rules are set by people! I know that the Crown Prince often goes to Yikun Palace and treats Xiaowu and Xiaojiu as a brother. He is the only one who has said good things about you among all the concubines in the palace. This is not easy, it is not easy."
The old lady had a bright mind. Otherwise, why would she have approached Yun Xiu and suddenly brought up such a sensitive topic
After a pause, the Empress Dowager sighed again and said bluntly: "The emperor's majesty is growing day by day. If he gets stubborn, I'm afraid that all the civil and military officials in the court will be afraid to persuade him. After thinking about it, after I die, you are the only one who can persuade the emperor. I know you are a good person, and you don't have the petty thoughts of Concubine Hui and others... I hope you can take care of the prince more and don't let a rift appear between father and son."
The old lady saw it very clearly. Concubine Yi and Concubine Hui were different!
In her early years, the Empress Dowager felt lonely in the palace, and the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly thought of the infant Fifth Prince. It was for this reason that she felt a little guilty, and when Yun Xiu personally proposed that the Empress Dowager raise the Fifth Prince, this guilt became even greater.
The Queen Mother liked Yun Xiu the most, and this was not an exaggeration; the Grand Empress Dowager felt the same way, but she did not show it obviously.
After all, she is in charge of the harem, so she cannot be unfair.
In addition, Concubine Yi always had a clear mind, no ambitions, and her heart and eyes were full of the emperor... This was also one of the reasons why she was relieved to entrust him.
Even though people change and no one can predict what will happen in the future, she believes that Concubine Yi's kindness towards the prince is real.
If he really lost his kindness and gave rise to ambition... The Empress Dowager pondered for a while. By then, Baocheng would have grown strong enough, and even if he suffered a blow, he would not be seriously injured.
What's more, there is the emperor.
The Empress Dowager had lived through three dynasties and met all kinds of concubines. She then became convinced that she could never be wrong in judging people!
Likewise, if Baocheng were to ascend the throne, he would not forget the kindness of Concubine Yi, no, Concubine Yi, who took care of him. Concubine Yi's blessings were still to come.
Finally, she asked again in a soft voice: "I will entrust Baocheng to you, are you willing?"
…
Such consideration and genuine desire to protect others are truly touching.
The Empress Dowager has spoken frankly, if she still hides her feelings, she will probably be laughed at!
Yun Xiu took a deep breath, raised her eyes and said solemnly: "I am willing. I will definitely live up to the trust of our ancestors and do my utmost to protect the prince and keep him safe and worry-free!"
Okay, okay.
It was neat and dignified, without any hesitation. She really hadn't made a mistake in choosing him.
The Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother looked at each other and let out a long sigh.
The Empress Dowager's eyes were full of praise. She smiled with great satisfaction and said three good words in a row. She smiled and said to her, "Don't worry. Once I have let this matter go, no one will be able to criticize you."
"Besides, I also know that you need to take care of Xiaowu, Xiaojiu and Yierha. How about this, Yierha will let Noble Lady Le take care of him more... and follow Noble Lady Liang's example." The Empress Dowager paused and said with a smile, "If you really can't take care of him, just throw the child to Baocheng! As a big brother, he should work harder."
"I obey your command!" Recalling the deafening cries of Yinzhen every time she was thrown into Yuqing Palace by the emperor and came back, Yunxiu smiled and agreed without changing her expression, feeling that the ancestor was right.
And the sentence "act like a good noble lady" made Concubine Yi unable to suppress her surprise. Is Yunshu going to be removed from the position of noble lady
Yun Xiu quickly suppressed her surprise and became thoughtful. It seemed that the structure of the harem would also change.
*****
Early spring gradually replaced midwinter, and the dead branches in the Imperial Garden, which had been silent for many months, began to sprout again. However, the weather was still too cold to wear all kinds of thin clothes.
In recent days, the Forbidden City has been more peaceful than ever before.
The Imperial Concubine was busy with heavy palace affairs, so Yunxiu couldn't be lazy either; Huifei stayed at home for a month to "apologize", and Rongfei never did anything weird. If the Concubine was like this, how could the concubines dare to do anything weird
The lessons learned from Concubine Xi and Concubine Ping were fresh in front of us. If we angered the emperor again, the consequences would not be as simple as house arrest and punishment.
But today, a series of imperial edicts were suddenly issued, and soon the six palaces were informed.
Except for those who were prepared, the others were stunned for a long time, unable to come back to their senses... They didn't want to come back to their senses either.
Concubine Hui couldn't believe what she heard!
The title "Wen" was bestowed on Consort Niu Hulu, who was Consort Wen; Consort Yi Guo Luoluo was promoted to Consort Yi, Consort Cheng Daijia was promoted to Consort Cheng, and the fourth prince Yinzhen was recorded under the name of Consort Cheng; Consort Liang was promoted to Consort Liang and was granted the residence of Yonghe Palace; Consort Le was promoted to Consort and was given a new title, Consort Jing; Consort Wu Uya was demoted to Consort Wu...
There was a series of orders that were too overwhelming, but she only remembered those three words—
Concubine Yi!
Her nails dug deeply into her palms. Concubine Hui felt a dizziness rushing to her head. She staggered a few steps and fell limply onto the couch.