As the power of Prince Jin grew in the court, Jiang Changning received more and more invitations, which led to her attending banquets in various mansions before the New Year.
Eating dishes of similar flavors, watching the same operas, and chatting about the same topics with the same group of people.
Just when Jiang Changning was busy coping, rumors spread in the capital that the Empress Dowager and the Regent were secretly having an affair.
Based on Jiang Changning's understanding of the Queen Mother, she would never do such a thing, but the rumors spread more and more, and even had details to support them.
Jiang Changning still didn't believe it. Some people came up to her and hinted that the person who had an affair with the Queen Mother was the Prince of Jin. "There are four regents. Why do they think it's my prince?"
"It's because my cousin is the most handsome." Yan Yinyao said with a smile.
"Have you heard the saying that ugly people are the ones who play around, while handsome men are the ones who keep themselves clean."
Yan Yinyao burst out laughing, "Cousin, if you want to praise my cousin, just do it directly, no need to beat around the bush."
"I didn't praise him. I just talked about the facts."
"Yes Yes Yes."
The aunt and sister-in-law treated this as a joke, but Jiang Changning didn't expect that the Queen Mother didn't have such an idea, but Concubine Song Gui did.
Concubine Song Gui wanted to be the empress dowager and to be on equal footing with the empress dowager, but the empress dowager firmly disagreed. She raised the emperor under the name of the late emperor and did not allow the emperor to be too close to the empress dowager.
The Empress Dowager held a nominal position, while Concubine Song Gui controlled the Emperor. The two of them were in a rivalry, and with the Grand Empress Dowager making trouble from time to time, the harem was in chaos.
Prince Qing and Prince De were both old men in their fifties. Even if Concubine Song Gui wanted the position of empress dowager, she couldn't bring herself to deal with these two men.
Prince Jin is the one that her cousin has been thinking about all the time. Despite repeated setbacks, she never gives up. Concubine Song Gui does not want to cause a situation where the sisters are fighting over a husband.
Three of the four were gone, leaving only Prince Yu. Concubine Song Gui used the excuse that the emperor was ill and ordered people to invite Prince Yu into the palace.
"Why is your majesty sick again?" Prince Yu was not in a hurry to go. Concubine Song's various acts of closeness made him both panic and proud.
Among the four regents, he has the weakest power, and Prince Qing will try his best to make him the regent as well, just to unite with him to fight against Prince De and Prince Jin.
Prince Yu was always thinking about how to gain more power. When Concubine Song tried to win him over, Prince Yu did not refuse and deliberately maintained an ambiguous relationship with Concubine Song.
The rumors in the capital that the Empress Dowager and the Regent were secretly having an affair were false, but it was true that the Noble Concubine and the Regent were flirting with each other.
Concubine Song Gui sent someone to invite him again, and Prince Yu went without hesitation.
Two people walked out from the corner of the palace. They were Prince Jin and Chang Youzhong.
Looking at Prince Yu's back, Prince Jin's eyes were solemn, "Go and have someone notify the Queen Mother to catch the adulterer." The Regent does not need four people. The time is right and we can take action.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chang Youzhong replied.
Prince Jin entered the Qinzheng Hall and saw Prince Qing and Prince De drinking tea. He bowed and said, "Hello, uncles."
Then he said in a fake tone, "Prince Yu is late today. He hasn't come yet at this hour."
Here, Prince Yu entered the emperor's bedroom. Concubine Song Gui was talking to the imperial physician. When she saw Prince Yu coming, she said, "Tell Prince Yu about His Majesty's condition, so that he won't worry."
The imperial physician bowed to Prince Yu and said, "Your Majesty caught a cold while sleeping last night. He has taken medicine and is now asleep. He is fine."
Prince Yu frowned, "How did the people around you serve your Majesty? How could you let your Majesty catch a cold?"
"Usually, it was the wet nurse who stayed by His Majesty's side. The Empress Dowager said that His Majesty was a man and should not rely so much on a woman, so she sent a young eunuch to serve His Majesty. This young eunuch was not as attentive as the wet nurse, and as a result, His Majesty caught a cold." Concubine Song Gui sighed.
Prince Yu immediately understood what Concubine Song Gui meant. He hesitated for a moment and said, "You are not doing your job well. You should be punished severely. Take him away and give him thirty lashes."
"Did you hear what the prince said? Take them away." Concubine Song Gui gave Prince Yu a shy smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for making the decision for my mother and me."
"Your Majesty is too polite. I am deeply overwhelmed. It is my duty to share your Majesty's worries." Prince Yu acted in a businesslike manner.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Prince Yu bowed.
"Although government affairs are important, the prince's health is more important. I heard that the prince is so busy that he can't even take care of his meals. This is not good." Concubine Song Gui walked up to Prince Yu and said with concern.
"The noble concubine is right. I will pay attention to it next time." Prince Yu did not step back. Instead, he took a step forward. They were only one step away from each other. He could smell the faint fragrance on her body.
Concubine Song Gui smiled and said, "It's almost lunch time. I have already asked the imperial kitchen to prepare food for the prince. You can get busy after the prince has eaten."
"Your Majesty is thoughtful." Prince Yu still looked serious.
The maid came to report, "Noble Concubine, lunch is ready. Please move to the Plum Viewing Pavilion with your Highness."
"Your Highness, please." Concubine Song said delicately.
"Your Majesty, please."
The Plum Blossom Viewing Pavilion is a two-story building. Sitting in the attic, you can enjoy the plum blossoms all around.
Going up the stairs, Concubine Song deliberately twisted her waist in front of Prince Yu.
Prince Yu's eyes were blazing with anger. He was a womanizing man to begin with, and Concubine Song Gui's seductive attitude made him even more distracted.
There was a banquet table on the attic. The two of them sat down. Concubine Song Gui dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids on both sides and looked at him lovingly, "Your Majesty, I will pour you some wine."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Yu brought the cup to her.
"Don't call me Noble Concubine, call me by my maiden name." Noble Concubine Song said in a coquettish voice.
Prince Yu hesitated for a moment, "Yi Yi Yi Liu."
"Your Highness, have a drink. This is Job's tears wine that I brewed myself, using ancient methods. You should savor it carefully." There was something else in Concubine Song's words.
Prince Yu smelled the wine and said, "The wine has a strong aroma, rich and tempting. It will surely make people intoxicated when they drink it."
"The prince is indeed a wine lover." Concubine Song opened her clothes a little, revealing her charming collarbone.
Looking at the attractive Concubine Song Gui, Prince Yu felt even more dizzy and drank the wine in one gulp, "Yi Liu, you are so beautiful."
Concubine Song Gui smiled, slowly stood up, walked around behind Prince Yu, put her scallion-like fingers on his shoulders, leaned close to his ear, and breathed, "Xia Lang."
Prince Yu was about to embrace this enchanting woman in his arms when he heard a stern shout from below: "Get out!"
This sound is
Her Majesty the Queen!
Prince Yu's face changed drastically, "Why is the Queen Mother here?"
"She went to the temple, how could she come back to the palace so soon?" Concubine Song Gui was also shocked. She had finally found the opportunity.
Could this be a trap set by the Queen Mother
Prince Yu heard the footsteps coming up the stairs and said anxiously, "I have to leave here."
This attic has only one exit. If Prince Yu wants to leave, he can only jump off the building.
"I'll go stop her, you go quickly." Concubine Song Gui straightened her clothes and went to stop the person.
(End of this chapter)