In the past, the throne of imperial concubine was a dispute between "two Lis and two Guos".
Concubine Li gave birth to a son, but because she had not taken good care of the little princess before, Emperor Hongwu, who attached great importance to his offspring, secretly took note of it. Even though she was the head of the six eastern palaces, Empress Xiaoci and Emperor Hongwu had no intention of honoring her, and Concubine Li was thus eliminated.
Concubine Guo Hui gave birth to three sons and two daughters, and relied on her belly to gain a foothold in the harem. However, Concubine Guo Hui's father, Guo Zixing, was the adoptive father of Empress Xiaoci. Later, Emperor Hongwu annexed half of his father-in-law's territory and army, killed Guo Zixing's son Guo Tianjue, and took his own daughter Guo as a concubine. This dark history that was almost forgotten by the world was exposed by a small censor named Liu Hai in a memorial to erect a monument for Guo Zixing. Concubine Guo Hui was thus eliminated.
Although Concubine Li Shu had no children, she raised the little princess very well. Her personality and behavior were very similar to those of the late Concubine Chengmu Sun, which won the favor of Empress Xiaoci and Emperor Hongwu. After Empress Xiaoci died, she was promoted to Concubine Li, commanding the six palaces and acting as the empress. Just when people thought that Concubine Li would become the successor, she died of a sudden illness.
Finally, only Concubine Guo Ning was left. Concubine Guo Hui was eliminated because of her embarrassing background, but Concubine Guo Ning's background was impeccable. When Emperor Hongwu passed by Guo's house, Guo Shanfu had a keen eye for heroes. He not only pushed his daughter Guo into Emperor Hongwu's room to serve him at night, but also ordered his two sons Guo Xing and Guo Ying to follow Emperor Hongwu and charge into battle. Buy one get two free.
Guo gave birth to the tenth prince, Prince of Lu, and was named Concubine Ning. The eldest brother Guo Xing and the second brother Guo Ying were both named Marquis of Gongchang and Marquis of Wuding for their military exploits. Guo Xing currently commands the imperial guards, while Guo Ying followed Fu Youde, the commander of the Southern Expedition Army, to the war in the 14th year of Hongwu. The Southern Expedition had not yet ended, and none of the soldiers returned.
Among the concubines in the harem, Concubine Guo Ning's family was the most powerful. Especially when the aide Cheng Pengju instigated Ma Ye, her second brother Guo Ying was also in the southern expedition army. Hu Shanwei connected various clues together, and Concubine Guo Ning was the most suspicious.
After the death of Concubine Li, there were only four concubines in the harem: Concubine Guo Hui, Concubine Guo Ning, Concubine Li Xian, and Concubine Da Ding.
Concubine Guo Hui had an awkward background and was eliminated long ago.
Concubine Li couldn't even take care of a little princess, which disappointed Emperor Hongwu. Of course, he would not let her take care of the harem.
Concubine Da Ding was a remarried concubine of the King of Han. She was taken into the harem by Emperor Hongwu through trickery and force. Even though she gave birth to two princes, she lost out like Concubine Guo Hui because of her embarrassing background.
If she is chosen from among the concubines, she will definitely not be able to convince the public and will lack dignity.
Therefore, it was inevitable that Concubine Guo Ning would take the throne. After Concubine Li died suddenly of an illness, Emperor Hongwu handed over the power of the harem to Concubine Guo Ning. If nothing unexpected happened, Concubine Guo Ning would be conferred the title of noble concubine.
In the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Hu Shanwei heard the news and felt that Concubine Guo Ning was more suspicious. He asked Haitang: "Concubine Li died of a sudden illness? What disease did she have?"
Haitang shook her head: "I don't know, anyway, it was very sudden, she was taken out of the palace for burial that day. As both were imperial concubines, the funeral standards of Imperial Concubine Mu and Concubine Sun were completely different, it was very hasty and deserted."
Hu Shanwei asked again: "Now that Concubine Li has passed away, who will take care of the little princess?"
Haitang said, "Of course it's Concubine Guo Ning. Concubine Ning's son, Prince Lu Zhu Tan, is already fourteen years old and has long moved to the East Fifth Building of the Qianqing Palace. Concubine Guo Ning has a high status and has the energy to raise the little princess."
Hu Shanwei was full of doubts and ordered Haitang: "Go find Doctor Tan and tell him I'm sick." She was confined to the Xiaoling Mausoleum, but Haitang was relatively free. She greeted the soldiers guarding the mausoleum and was allowed to go out for a while.
Haitang looked up and down at Hu Shanwei, whose face was red, and said, "You are not sick. You don't look like it. Be careful that someone will catch you."
Hu Shanwei jumped into a stream where deer were drinking water. In March, the water in the mountain stream was still icy cold. She shivered and said, "I will be sick soon."
The next day, Haitang replaced her to feed the deer, and told everyone that Hu Shanwei was ill. Doctor Tan came to Xiaoling with a medicine box to check Hu Shanwei's pulse, and based on symptoms such as nasal congestion and runny nose, he concluded that he had caught a cold. "Spring is hot and cold, and it is easy to catch a cold if you don't dress and undress in time. I will go back to prepare medicine for you, and ask the servant to bring it to you. Take it for seven days."
Hu Shanwei thanked him and changed the subject, pointing at the plain clothes that Doctor Tan was wearing. "I heard that Concubine Li died of a sudden illness in the palace. What was the disease? When I was in the palace, Concubine Li was in good health. She was frugal and indifferent. Now she is only in her early thirties, in the prime of life. How could she suddenly become so ill?"
Xiaoling Mausoleum is full of beasts, so there is no need to worry about the walls having ears. Doctor Tan had no scruples and said, "It's not a serious illness, it's just to protect the little princess..."
It turned out that when spring came and the weather turned warmer, the little princess got chickenpox. Concubine Li hurriedly arranged for the little princess to be isolated in a quiet palace, the Yanx Palace, which had been empty for three years, and sent a female doctor who had had chickenpox and palace servants to take care of her.
The little princess was in good health and had a relatively smooth recovery from chickenpox. She had a fever for two days and then the chickenpox appeared. She cried for a while when she felt itchy, but the itching gradually subsided.
However, when the little princess's chickenpox began to subside, Concubine Li in Yonghe Palace suddenly developed a sore throat and fever, the same symptoms as the little princess before. It turned out that Concubine Li had never had smallpox as a child, but was infected by the little princess in middle age.
In order to prevent the spread of the disease, Ru Siyao, with the consent of Emperor Hongwu, sealed off the entire Yonghe Palace and released them only after Concubine Li recovered and everyone was confirmed to have no symptoms of chickenpox.
However, Concubine Li had a high fever for three days in a row. The chickenpox did not break out, but blisters and pus began to appear all over her body. Her head was swollen like a pumpkin, and she was unconscious. She often convulsed and screamed, not knowing whether it was due to pain or some other reason.
At this time, Concubine Li was like a monster. Who could have thought that the woman who was twisting and struggling on the sickbed, bleeding and oozing pus, was almost going to become the Queen of the Ming Dynasty
Emperor Hongwu made an exception and ordered the imperial physicians who had experienced chickenpox in the Imperial Hospital, including Doctor Tan, to enter the closed Yonghe Palace for a consultation with Concubine Li. The result was that the high fever caused by chickenpox caused encephalitis, which could cause disfigurement and paralysis at the mildest and death at the worst.
In other words, Concubine Li was destined to never become the queen.
Five days later, Concubine Li died. Her body was covered with pus and blood and was extremely filthy. To prevent infection, the body was wrapped in lime and carried out of the palace. Concubine Li was hastily buried.
The death of Concubine Li, the death of the little princess's biological mother, Lady Hu, who died of dystocia, and her adoptive mother, Concubine Li, who died suddenly of illness, were ultimately due to infection from the little princess. The Hongwu Emperor was worried that the little princess would be known as a mother killer, so he issued a gag order, saying only that Concubine Li died of a sudden illness. Even the medication records and pulse records of the little princess that she had chickenpox on file with the Imperial Hospital and the female doctor were burned.
The little princess was only three years old and had no memory. This completely severed the connection between Concubine Li's death and the little princess.
Finally, Doctor Tan told Hu Shanwei: "Almost everyone in the palace knows about this, but because of the Emperor's gag order, no one dares to talk about it. Just pretend you don't know and don't let it slip."
Hu Shanwei nodded repeatedly, his head was hot and his heart was cold:
If the death of Concubine Li was not an accident, then the mastermind behind it must have used extremely vicious and meticulous means!
Concubine Li was killed by the little princess, and no one dared to investigate or discuss her death, so the truth was buried forever.
When Hu Shanwei went to clean the altar of Empress Xiaoci's funeral hall again, his attitude became even more respectful. He used the feather duster to gently brush the chestnut-wood altar, which was nine and a half inches tall, as if he were seeing Empress Xiaoci herself.
Hu Shanwei said to himself, "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I was really wrong. I shouldn't have questioned your order to have me guard the Xiaoling Mausoleum for three years. If I had stayed in the palace, I'm afraid that Concubine Li's fate would be the same as mine. I would die without knowing how I died."
After thinking for a while, he shook his head again, "No, I had chickenpox when I was a child. This trick can't work on me. What more vicious tricks can the other party have?"
The more Hu Shanwei thought about it, the more horrified he felt. He added, "Li Guifei is a stumbling block. She must be removed immediately. I am a poor little person, and I am in the heavily guarded Xiaoling Mausoleum. There is no need to take risks for a little person like me... Your Majesty, you really have a plan that is perfect."
Hu Shanwei asked himself and answered, "Well, if I were... that person, I would at least wait until I had stabilized the harem and managed it as well as Consort Li, and was given the title of Consort. Only after my position in the harem was consolidated would I consider cleaning out some small fish and shrimps. How to control the harem? Of course, I have to make some efforts in the six bureaus and one department, eliminate dissidents, and build up my own power..."
As Hu Shanwei had expected, after the 100-day mourning period for Concubine Li passed, in the height of summer in June, Concubine Guo Ning called a meeting of the seven female officials from the six bureaus, one department and the seven departments. "The tenth day of August is the one-week memorial service for Empress Xiaoci. In addition to the rituals of releasing animals and burning incense, I want to let a group of palace maids leave the palace as a token of grace. Palace maids over the age of 25 can get married without missing the flowering season; elderly eunuchs can leave the palace to retire and recuperate; if there are female officials who want to leave the palace to reunite with their families, we will grant their wish. What do you think?"
Although the question was asked to "everyone", Concubine Guo Ning's eyes fell on Shang Gong Cao. Shang Gong was the head of the female officials, and it was Shang Gong Cao who spoke first every time.
But this time, when Palace Lady Cao heard that “a group of palace maids were to be released from the palace”, she didn’t even bother to cover up, and snorted in anger. Concubine Guo Ning looked at her, but she didn’t say a word and didn’t respond: Since Concubine Ning was asking “What do you think?”, I won’t say anything. Who can say that I am disrespectful to Concubine Ning!
Everyone knows about the bad temper of Shang Gong Cao. When Li Guifei was in charge of the harem in the past, she still gave her 70% of the responsibility and was very courteous to Shang Gong Cao. Whenever there was an important matter, she would always ask for her opinion first. It is said that a new emperor appoints new ministers. Li Guifei was gentle and virtuous, and could tolerate Shang Gong Cao. Shang Gong Cao seemed to be becoming more and more unrestrained.
Since Lady Cao didn't speak, the other six female officials didn't dare to bypass her to answer Concubine Guo Ning's question - the first bird to stick its head out gets shot at, the county magistrate might as well be in charge. Now the harem is in a state of flux, Concubine Li died suddenly less than a year after taking charge of the harem, and Lady Cao is still the highest lady-in-chief. God knows how long Concubine Guo Ning can hold power in the harem
There was complete silence and the situation was at a stalemate for a moment.
Concubine Guo Ning's family was powerful, and unlike Concubine Li Guifei's patience, she simply started to call out names: "Fan Gongzheng, what do you think?"
As everyone knows, Fan Gongzheng is the only one who dares to confront Cao Shanggong head-on, and Fan Gongzheng comes from a real wealthy aristocratic family, so he speaks with confidence.
Fan Gongzheng said: "Releasing people out of the palace is an act of mercy and kindness."
Concubine Cao snorted coldly.
"However," Fan Gongzheng changed the subject, "I have been in the palace for thirteen years, and I have never seen such a precedent of releasing people from the palace during an anniversary celebration. I think it is necessary to consider whether to set such a precedent."
It makes no difference whether he said it or not, he doesn't offend anyone. Fan Gongzheng is too cunning.
Being able to survive until today, Concubine Guo Ning was a patient person and was not angry. She looked around and landed on the most cowardly Song Shanggong. "Song Shanggong, what do you think?"
Song Shanggong's hands trembled, and he didn't dare to look at Concubine Guo Ning, nor did he dare to look at Lady Cao. "The Shanggong Bureau is only responsible for needlework. It's a big deal to release people. We in the Shanggong Bureau can't take care of this."
Concubine Guo Ning stared at Song Shanggong and said, "I just want to ask you one question, should we let him go or should we not?"
Song Shanggong felt like sitting on pins and needles, "This... this..." She was being roasted on the fire by Concubine Guo Ning, and it would be wrong to let her go or not. She could only look at Concubine Cao for help.
Lady Cao always bullied her, but Lady Cao was a responsible person who disdained to let others take the blame, so Song Shanggong was willing to be bullied by her. After all, being criticized or criticized by her wouldn't hurt him!
Seeing Song Shanggong in such a dilemma, Cao Shanggong felt ashamed and finally spoke up, shifting the blame onto herself. "Empress Ning, releasing people is a good thing, no doubt about it. But just now, Palace Master Fan said that releasing people on anniversary celebrations is very common, but releasing a large number of palace servants is going to set a precedent. After Empress Xiaoci's anniversary celebration, it will be Concubine Chengmu Sun's anniversary celebration soon - that is, the mourning ceremony for the full twenty-seventh month, as the last major ceremony of the funeral. Your Majesty, do you want to release them? If we release them, there are not so many idle people in the palace to release? If they all stop working, who will do the palace affairs? If we don't release them, Princess Lin'an and Princess Huaiqing are watching us, how are you going to explain it to us?"
Cao Shanggong kicked the ball back.
Concubine Guo Ning choked and said, "How can Concubine Chengmu be compared with Empress Xiaoci? Concubine Cao is worrying too much."
Cao Shang Gong said calmly, "Your Majesty is right. We, the six bureaus and one department, assist Your Majesty in handling the affairs of the harem. Our advantage is that there is strength in numbers. We can help Your Majesty consider the consequences from all directions. There is nothing perfect in the world. Not making mistakes is doing the right thing. What we do is a job that requires a lot of thinking and consideration. I, a humble minister, am doing my duty as a minister, and I am worthy of Your Majesty's trust and the kindness of the harem to the female officials. Ladies and gentlemen, don't you agree?"
All the female officials agreed. Concubine Guo Ning's plan to release the people was blocked. If she wanted to control the six bureaus and one department, she had to get rid of the troublemaker Cao Shanggong first.
Nothing happened at the meeting. After the meeting, Fan Gongzheng warned Cao Shanggong: "Can you be more restrained? A new official takes three actions upon taking office. Concubine Guo Ning set a precedent just to establish her authority."
Lady Cao smiled mysteriously, "Don't worry, I know my limits. The more I contradict her, the more she won't be able to do anything to me. Let's wait and see."
The author has something to say: During the Spring Festival, when I visited relatives and had meals, I felt like I had turned into a messenger of the altar, eating and eating everywhere.
I’m sending you 100 red envelopes, wishing you good luck in the Year of the Pig and prosperity.