The house where the princes lived is not worse than the six east and west palaces, and the terrain there is high, so there will be no waterlogging even in the rainy season. Therefore, although no one has lived in the five east and west palaces of the Qianqing Palace for twenty years (there were no underage princes in the last year of the Hongwu Dynasty, the fourth year of the Jianwen Dynasty, and the eleventh year of the Yongle Dynasty), the houses are well preserved and can be moved in with a little cleaning.
When it rains for several days in a row, you can basically see the sea in the East and West Liugongs, and every house has an unbeatable sea view.
The only drawback is that it is too far away from the emperor.
However, Emperor Yongle was not interested in women, and he was on military campaigns most of the time, so he was not in the palace, so the distance did not matter to him.
In order to solve the housing problem, Concubine Zhang and Hu Shanwei personally went to the East and West Palaces for an on-site inspection. The houses were good, and they were baked with charcoal and spices to drive away moisture and dampness. There were many houses, and everyone could at least get a large courtyard. It was actually more spacious and comfortable than the East and West Palaces.
In addition, the Imperial Garden is located in the middle of the East and West Five Palaces. Whenever the concubines feel bored, they can come and take a walk and play in the garden at any time.
After inspecting the place, Concubine Zhang nodded repeatedly, "The royal family has its own dignity. If a bunch of concubines are squeezed into one courtyard, it will be like a landlord's courtyard in the countryside, which is inappropriate. However, there has never been a concubine settled here, so I need to ask the emperor for his opinion."
Concubine Zhang was a woman with her own opinions. She respected Hu Shanwei, but she did not blindly follow Hu Shanwei's opinions like Concubine Guo of the Hongwu Dynasty.
However, meeting such a leader, Hu Shanwei felt more relaxed than before - because power means responsibility. During the Hongwu Dynasty, Concubine Guo delegated almost all power to six bureaus and one department. When encountering every problem, he would ask like Di Renjie, "What does Yuan Fang think?" and then use his opinions. Hu Shanwei had to take all aspects into consideration, because if he made a mistake, he would have to take full responsibility.
Now, Concubine Zhang uses her own brain first when encountering something, considers all aspects carefully, and can find reasons and feasible solutions when raising objections. She takes responsibility together with the six bureaus and one department. With such a leader, Hu Shanwei finds it much easier to do things.
Hu Shanwei nodded, "Yes, I will wait for news from the Imperial Concubine and then redistribute it."
Concubine Zhang asked Emperor Yongle, who agreed without thinking, "… Since there are good houses available, use them. Concubines don't have to live in the six palaces. The capital will be moved anyway. The land for the imperial city and palace city in Beijing has been measured, and the blueprints have been drawn and sent here. If this palace city is broken, it's broken. There's no need to repair it. It's a waste of money and manpower."
"Yes, I will arrange it right away."
After receiving the highest instructions, Concubine Zhang took her leave, and Emperor Yongle looked at the blueprints of the new capital.
Judging from the blueprints, the new capital and the imperial palace were planned to be well-balanced and square, just like Jack Ma's face.
The new palace was rebuilt based on the ruins of the Yuan Dynasty's imperial palace. The foundation and basic plan were ready. Emperor Yongle's eyes fell on this place. The former Prince of Yan's Mansion was built by enclosing an area of the Yuan Dynasty's imperial palace. From the age of 20, he and Empress Renxiao lived here for more than 20 years. The couple worked together to govern the Yan area and laid the foundation for the later Jingnan Campaign.
Emperor Yongle gently rubbed the location of Prince Yan's Mansion with his fingertips and murmured, "Miaoyi, we are going home."
Emperor Yongle was the master of this palace, but he had no sense of belonging. When Huang Zicheng was dying, he pointed at his nose and cursed him, "Thousands of years later, your majesty will not be able to escape the word of usurpation."
Emperor Yongle felt that the Yan area in the north was his home. He only lived in this palace temporarily and had no feelings for it. He just let it be dilapidated and lived in it for the time being. There was no need to spend money and effort on fine decoration of a rented house.
No matter how beautifully bloomed all the flowers were, they are now left to the broken wells and walls. This is not my home.
Emperor Yongle was full of longing for the new palace, where he and Empress Renxiao had beautiful memories of their marriage for more than 20 years. This was his home. He did not notice the disappointment in Concubine Zhang's eyes when she left, or her slightly trembling voice.
In fact, Concubine Zhang's attitude towards this matter was scheming and she held a tentative attitude: the five east and west residences were where the underage princes lived.
Emperor Yongle made the decision without hesitation, which can only mean one thing: that is, the emperor was sure that no new prince would be born in the palace... It is unpredictable whether a boy or a girl will be born, but it can be said simply that no new baby will be born in the palace.
This would explain why the emperor summoned her to sleep with him but never touched her.
Concubine Zhang was a proud person. She was confident in her figure and appearance. Even when they were sleeping in the same bed, the emperor, who was in his prime, was not moved.
It's not my problem, it's the emperor's problem.
The emperor was only in his forties, yet he was able to fight on the battlefield. He never coughed all year round and was in good health. It was not a physical problem.
So... the emperor doesn't want to touch or give birth.
Not only that, Concubine Quan, who had slept with the emperor as frequently as she did, also had no movement in her stomach. It was probably for the same reason that the emperor did not touch Concubine Quan.
The emperor summoned Concubine Quan to sleep with him just to listen to the flute.
After uncovering the cruel truth, Concubine Zhang felt as if a basin of ice water had been poured over her head, and her heart went cold.
"Move forward to Changchun Palace." In desperation, Concubine Zhang decided to find Concubine Quan and break that layer of window paper. If Concubine Quan was the same as her, she would give up completely. If Concubine Quan had actually slept with him, then she still had hope.
Upon hearing that Concubine Zhang was coming to her palace, Concubine Quan immediately ordered the palace servants to get ready and greet her at the palace gate.
Concubine Quan was the mistress of Changchun Palace. She lived in the main hall. Six concubines who were also of Korean nationality lived in several side halls. When Concubine Zhang came to visit, Concubine Quan was followed by six "sisters" who all saluted Concubine Zhang.
Looking at Concubine Quan bowing to her, for some reason, Concubine Zhang had always regarded Concubine Quan as a rival, either ignoring her or suppressing her. But when she saw Concubine Quan again today, she no longer felt any disgust.
Concubine Zhang said, "Stand up, all of you leave. I have something to say to Concubine Quan."
The six "sisters" looked at each other in bewilderment. They thought that Concubine Zhang was here to pick a fight with Concubine Quan.
Concubine Quan Xian said: "You all should withdraw."
Looking at the calm and composed Concubine Quan, the resentment that had just disappeared in Concubine Zhang resurfaced: she hated Concubine Quan's expression the most. She was obviously just a concubine of a vassal state and had no foundation, but she always acted confident and acted as if everything was just a passing cloud.
Concubine Zhang said, "Aren't you afraid of me?" The six sisters didn't even dare to look at her!
Concubine Quan Xianfei said: "Since taking charge of the harem, the Imperial Concubine has handled everything impartially, rewarding those who have made contributions and punishing those who have made mistakes. My sister has not done anything wrong recently, so why should she be afraid of the Imperial Concubine?"
Concubine Quan is really good at talking.
Concubine Zhang felt ashamed of herself and could only speak frankly: "My sister has served me in bed five times this month."
Concubine Quan lowered her head, as if a little shy, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness and for not looking down on my humble appearance."
You are still a pushover! Then everyone in this palace is a bunch of dogtail grass!
Hypocrisy, how hypocritical!
Concubine Zhang wanted to test whether Concubine Quan was really "sleeping with him" or just chatting with him under the quilt like her, but Quan looked adamant and it was difficult to pry her mouth open.
Concubine Zhang decided to change the angle and asked, "Concubine Xian is in her prime. The Emperor often summons you to play the flute. I'm sure you'll be pregnant soon."
Concubine Quan pretended to be confused even though she knew the truth. "What good news? How come my sister doesn't know?"
Concubine Zhang, the daughter of a general, was simple and direct. She simply pointed at Concubine Quan's belly and asked, "Don't you want to have a baby?"
Concubine Quan folded her hands, protecting her belly like a shield, and lowered her head. "As a concubine in the harem, it is my responsibility to have children for the royal family. However, children are arranged by God and cannot be forced. If you have them, it will be great. If not, I am in the Ming Dynasty court. I am grateful for the emperor's love and the care of the imperial concubine. I am very satisfied with my current life and dare not ask for too much."
Impeccable. Every word was carefully chosen, without any loopholes or flaws.
Concubine Zhang wanted to reach out and tear off Concubine Quan's hypocritical mask, peel open her intestines, and find out her true words.
People like Concubine Quan cannot be tested with words.
If you want to force her to speak out, you have to show your cards first.
Concubine Zhang suddenly grabbed Concubine Quan's hand.
“Your Majesty, you…” Concubine Quan looked puzzled, but after a brief moment of surprise, she did not struggle to break free or resist Concubine Zhang. She just let Concubine Zhang hold her hand, like a snake grabbing its prey, wrapping around it tighter and tighter.
"Let me ask you—" Concubine Zhang looked at her steadily, "When you were sleeping with the emperor, did the emperor... did he..."
I really touched you.
These five words were so heavy as to weigh a thousand pounds, stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down. Concubine Zhang felt as if a bone was stuck in her throat and she was about to suffocate.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" Concubine Quan Xian showed her concern, but even at this time, she still did not struggle, and let Concubine Zhang pinch her hand until it hurt.
Concubine Zhang came closer, almost face to face, nose to nose, "Why don't you struggle? Why don't you resist? Aren't you in pain? Are you a puppet? And your face—"
Concubine Zhang freed one hand and pinched Concubine Quan's delicate chin, pulling out a layer of skin. "Is your face painted? You wear this layer of calmness all day long. No matter rich or poor, honor or disgrace, you are so calm. How do you do it? Aren't you tired?"
Concubine Quan let the imperial concubine pinch her chin without saying a word, like a gentle little lamb. Facing the butcher's sharpening knife, she did not sense the danger and calmly ate the last bite of "broken grass".
Has the Emperor ever really touched you
no.
Even though Concubine Zhang had pushed herself to this point, she still couldn't bring herself to ask this question.
Concubine Zhang was too proud. Several generations of her family had been high-ranking officials in the imperial court. Even the change of dynasties would not affect the wealth of the Zhang family. She was born into a true aristocratic family, and her pride would not allow her to ask such a shameful question.
Concubine Zhang let go, but she still said hard, warning Concubine Quan Xian, "Don't tell anyone about what happened today."
Concubine Zhang practiced martial arts, had excellent archery skills, and was good at riding and shooting. Concubine Quan was weak and frail, and her left hand had several finger marks left on it.
Concubine Quan didn't even frown, and even made excuses for Concubine Zhang, "There have been many new people in the palace these days, and the Concubine is too tired. It's normal for her to be a little impatient. I'm useless. I can only play the flute to entertain the emperor. I don't have the ability to share the worries of the Concubine. I feel guilty about it, but I won't tell anyone."
Pretend! I'll see how long you can keep pretending!
Concubine Zhang snorted coldly and walked away.
Concubine Quan looked at Concubine Zhang's tall back and head held high, and couldn't help but sigh deeply, revealing a feeling of pity. She felt a little pain in her chin, and when she looked in the mirror, she found that the delicate skin of her chin had been broken by Concubine Zhang's hand. In order to cover it up, Concubine Quan applied a lot of powder on her chin to hide the injury.
When Concubine Zhang returned to the Yanxi Palace, Cao Siyan invited Hu Shanwei to come over. Concubine Zhang told Emperor Yongle what he wanted to do, "… Clear out the rooms in the five east and west buildings, and ensure that everyone has at least a separate courtyard. Don't crowd them together. Each person should be assigned a servant according to the quota. Don't treat them badly because of their background. The concubines in the harem should be treated equally."
While feeling sad and upset, Concubine Zhang also had to take care of the concubines' eating, drinking, defecating and urinating. She felt that the power in the harem that she had once dreamed of seemed meaningless.
The author has something to say: Concubine Quan Xianfei was the most perfect concubine... If it weren't for what happened later, she should have been able to have a good end and thank the little angels who cast the tyrant votes or irrigated the nutrient solution for me~
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated [nutrient solution]:
The Meaning of Travel, Little Fairy in Colorful Clothes, Haha, Everyone Has Their Own Love of Pickled Radishes 20 bottles; Little Frog Mom, Rabbit Who Doesn't Eat Radishes, Tiantian, Abian 10 bottles; Qiqirui 5 bottles; Come on, Qiongju 4 bottles; Grasshopper 2 bottles; Dimple, Qingxuan Zhubai Zhou 19 bottles, Tranquil Orchid, Little Fish, I Want a Little Corgi 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!