In the early morning, Emperor Xiyue just lay down for a short rest when he heard Eunuch Li knock on the door and come in.
"Your Majesty, it's not good, Dongchu's frequent movements may attack the border at any time!"
Emperor Xiyue suddenly opened his eyes, lifted the quilt and got down on the ground, his face was gloomy, "What news is there for the old Duke Jin?"
"Your Majesty, Your Highness is staying together in the valley. It is too difficult for outsiders to enter. The First Prince of Eastern Chu leads troops to guard outside the valley, just waiting for His Highness to leave the valley."
Emperor Xiyue glanced at the terrain of the valley. It was easy for people inside to get out, but it was difficult for people outside to get in.
"Let all the ministers enter the palace immediately!"
Eunuch Li nodded and ran out immediately.
After a while, the maid outside the door said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here."
Emperor Xiyue couldn't help frowning, and saw Empress Dowager Song walking towards this side with the arm of the maid, and Emperor Xiyue stepped forward to meet her.
"Why is the queen mother here?"
The Empress Dowager Song glanced at the exhausted figure of Emperor Xiyue, and she didn't get angry, "How long will the emperor be satisfied, just because of a person who doesn't care about Xiyue, he keeps procrastinating, It's about Xiyue, the Ai family can't sit idly by."
Emperor Xiyue frowned, "Mother, this matter is not as simple as it seems..."
"Your Majesty, the Ai family has lived for most of their lives and has never seen anything. Now that the Eastern Chu and the Three Kingdoms are attacking, the Emperor has not even decided on a coach. Do you want to repeat the same mistakes and let the tragedy happen again!"
The Empress Dowager Song looked at Emperor Xiyue furiously, "The Ai family knows that you love Concubine Zhao and support Concubine Zhao's son to take the throne, but what is going on now, we cannot tolerate negligence. Even if the second prince comes back, he may not be willing to put Xiyue on the throne. In my eyes, the emperor is betting on the whole of West Vietnam!"
Emperor Xiyue moved his lips, but he didn't refute anything for a while.
"Your Majesty, the sixth prince is also your son. Wentao and martial arts, his biological mother died early but he has been very peaceful. There is no reason why he would not go to Xiyue. The sixth prince's maternal ancestral family is a good general. The sixth prince should be given a chance gone."
The Empress Dowager Song had firm eyes and was very optimistic about the sixth prince.
Emperor Xiyue was stunned for a moment, and then the sixth prince Song Pei came to his mind, and he pondered for a while.
"Your Majesty, the second prince is dissatisfied with Xiyue, and there is a Princess Yihe blowing pillow wind by his side. If it is Zhan'er today, he will be no different from Aijia!"
Empress Dowager Song was disappointed with Emperor Xiyue. She had just demoted Concubine Zhao, and immediately promoted the second prince to be the crown prince. As a result, Concubine Zhao would return to her position sooner or later. Empress Dowager Song would never allow such a thing to happen.
At this time, Eunuch Li stepped forward, "Your Majesty, all ministers are already waiting in the Palace of Political Affairs."
Emperor Xiyue nodded and glanced at Empress Dowager Song, "Mother, let me think about this matter carefully."
Before the Empress Dowager Song could speak, Emperor Xiyue had strode away, leaving the Empress Dowager Song in place, her eyes flickering, wondering what she was thinking.
"Send someone to watch, and tell Aijia as soon as there is any news."
The Empress Dowager Song was determined to support the sixth prince to the throne, so she suddenly raised her eyes to look at the majestic palace not far away, which was Fengqi Palace.
After returning to the palace, the Empress Dowager Song sat on the first seat, and she was greeted by Nanny Yuan.
"Your Majesty, Yiran Palace has been brewing medicine in the yard for the past few days. That master is too worried. If this continues, I'm afraid..."
Nanny Yuan hesitated to speak, but concubine Zhao beat a good hand of cards to pieces. The Zhao family collapsed, lost their successor, and even the emperor was alienated.
The Empress Dowager Song relaxed her brows, and took a sip of tea, "We have been together for so many years, the Ai family still understands a little bit, Concubine Zhao is stubborn, and she likes to play tricks, but she has no idea, this time for the Zhao family, she made such a virtue , blame her for being incompetent!"
The Empress Dowager Song took a deep breath, suddenly seemed to think of something, frowned displeased, "As for the emperor, it's all for others to see, how can you say that you are born after decades of relationship."
Knowing the son is more like the mother, the Emperor Xiyue's thoughts naturally cannot be hidden from the Queen Mother Song, otherwise the Emperor Xiyue would not have directly given the identity of the second prince to protect Concubine Zhao at this critical moment.
There is a son who is the crown prince, who would dare to offend Concubine Zhao, the Zhao family will make a comeback sooner or later
thing.
Empress Dowager Song suddenly cast a gloomy look at Nanny Yuan, "Ai's family has been feeling unwell recently, so go and tell Concubine Xu Shu to let her and Concubine Xu take care of the Sixth Palace temporarily. Concubine Xu Shu is smart, but don't let Ai's family down." .”
The Empress Dowager Song hummed lightly, rolled her eyes, and conferred a few more nobles, and asked the people in the respect room to arrange the sleeping quarters.
"Tell the sixth prince again, find a way to give Zhao Yan, the eldest son of the Zhao family, a chance to make meritorious deeds and atone for his sins, and give more compliments, so that Concubine Xu Shu can go to Wen's family to talk about the past when she has nothing to do."
Nanny Yuan understood, "Yes, this old servant will go right away."
The Empress Dowager Song pinched Concubine Zhao's weakness and insisted on suppressing Concubine Zhao, so that the Zhao family would never stand up.
Nanny Yuan informed Concubine Xu Shu personally, Concubine Xu Shu obediently agreed, and Nanny Yuan left.
"Your Majesty, the Zhao family has fallen, why does the Empress Dowager still want to promote the Zhao family?"
Pin Yan couldn't figure it out, it was too much for the queen mother to help the Zhao family, but to ask her own mother to help.
The corners of Concubine Xu Shu's mouth curled up. The Wen family was Madam Zhao's natal family. Supporting the Wen family was to make Madam Zhao rise in disguise.
The reason why the second prince left Xiyue was because of the Zhao family. The more prosperous the Zhao family was, the less likely the second prince would come back.
It had to be that the Queen Mother Song's play hard to get was really powerful, and gave the Zhao family a gold medal to avoid death, completely eliminated the rift between mother and child, and made Xiyue Emperor grateful to the Queen Mother Song.
Only the Empress Dowager Song understood how much Emperor Xiyue cared about Concubine Zhao, and gave the Zhao family a way out, which was to fulfill the relationship between Emperor Xiyue and Concubine Zhao.
But Emperor Xiyue ignored one point, that is, the second prince, who is now His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, had invisibly alienated Zhao Zun, Concubine Zhao, and Emperor Xiyue.
To put it bluntly, without the support of the crown prince, the entire Zhao family and even the concubine Zhao are just at the end of their strength, and sooner or later they will completely decline.
"Go back and tell my father that Wen Yuyan, the granddaughter of the Wen family, has a good-looking appearance and a generous demeanor. I am very pleased with this palace, and let the Xu family prepare to hire her."
Since the Empress Dowager Song threw an olive branch to pave the way for her, Concubine Xu Shu naturally had to behave well.
Pin Yan nodded, "Your servant will send someone a message."
The Xu family acted very quickly, and replied that night, asking the eldest son of the Xu family to marry Wen Yuyan.
Concubine Xu Shu smiled, and went to pay her respects to Empress Dowager Song the next morning, and told her about it by the way.
The Empress Dowager Song was really surprised, and she became more and more satisfied with Concubine Xu Shu, "Concubine Xu is not tired, Concubine Shu will be tired, so take care of her, the emperor likes a gentle and considerate woman most, but Concubine Shu don't worry about it It's not necessarily a good thing for a woman to be too strong."
Concubine Xu Shu nodded immediately when she heard the words, "Thank you Queen Mother for your compassion, it is my concubine's blessing to be able to share the burden for the Queen Mother."
The Empress Dowager Song's eyes softened a lot, and she looked at Concubine Xu Shu's temples again, and said in a low voice, "Although the peony on Concubine Shu's head is gorgeous, it makes Concubine Shu more delicate and charming, but the Ai family thinks that Haitang is more suitable for Concubine Xu." concubine."
Concubine Xu Shu was slightly surprised, what about crabapple flowers? She remembered that Empress Zhao had always liked peony flowers before, but Concubine Xu Shushu was not high enough to dare to wear peonies, so she found a similar peony instead, but Queen Mother Song saw through it.
Concubine Xu Shu's cheeks were slightly hot, and she pulled the peony flower from her head.
I only heard the Empress Dowager Song say again, "The Ai family's favorite is the crabapple flower, which is enchanting but not beautiful. Once the Ai family wore a plum blossom hairpin, but the emperor forced it to tear it off and handed it to the Ai family. I don't know when it started, but I fell in love with peonies. A while ago, Ai's family went to visit the emperor, and found that the tea cups on the table were all crabapples."
Concubine Xu Shu was in a daze. The Empress Dowager Song was telling herself about Emperor Xiyue's preferences in a disguised form. She said gratefully, "I thank you, Empress Dowager, for your guidance."
Empress Dowager Song raised her lips and smiled, "Get up, there are some things you don't have to be too serious about, don't be in a hurry, you are a smart child, so you can naturally understand Aijia's painstaking efforts."
Concubine Xu Shu nodded yes, the two chatted for a few more words, Empress Dowager Song waved her hand to show that she was tired, Concubine Xu Shu then withdrew.
Concubine Xu Shu met Concubine Yun on the way, and the two nodded their heads. Concubine Yun made a half salute, "I have met Concubine Shu."
Concubine Xu Shu smiled and helped Concubine Yun to her feet, "Concubine Yun does not need to be too polite, the Empress Dowager has already rested, Concubine Yun can come back in the afternoon."
Consort Yun looked into her eyes, then nodded, and soon parted ways with Concubine Xu Shu.
Concubine Yun looked at Concubine Xu Shu's gentle leaving figure, frowned for a while, and Madam Cen said, "Msg Concubine, why don't we come back in the afternoon."
Concubine Yun Zhe hummed lightly, then returned to the East Palace, dismissed Madam Cen and told Li Shuang, "Go and inquire about Concubine Xu Shu, and what the Xu family has done recently."
Carrying Shuang nodded yes.
Concubine Yun looked at Concubine Xu Shu and always felt that something was going on, especially conspiring with Queen Mother Song.
After more than an hour, Carrying Shuang whispered a few words in Concubine Yun's ear, causing Concubine Yun's face to change slightly.
Sure enough, she guessed it right, the Empress Dowager Song was dissatisfied with the Zhao family and intended to support the sixth prince.
"The side concubine, Yiran Palace..." Carrying Shuang hesitated to speak.
Consort Yun frowned, "What happened to Yiran Palace?"
"Concubine Zhao has been ill for several days, and I heard that she can't get up anymore."
Concubine Yun's pupils shrank suddenly when she heard the words, she stood up abruptly, her heart was beating violently, she always felt that there must be something going on here without the hands and feet of the Empress Dowager Song.
These days, the Empress Dowager Song often avoids talking about Concubine Yun, and the number of meetings is much less. Even if they meet, they are just talking about family affairs and will not reveal too much.
Obviously she was really wary of Concubine Yun, so Concubine Yun sat back on her chair, thinking a lot in her head, struggling and confused.
Finally, Consort Yun stood up abruptly, "Where is Princess Chaoyi now?"
Carrying Shuang said in a low voice, "When the maidservant came, she saw that the princess had gone to Yiran Palace, so she should be going back soon this time."
Princess Chaoji has been living in the unmarried Lexian Palace in the palace, and she has to pass through a small garden. Concubine Yunfang didn't wait to think about it, "Staying in the house is really boring, let's go to the garden for a stroll."
Just at this time, Nurse Cen stepped in, "Is the side concubine going to enjoy the flowers?"
Concubine Yun Ze nodded, "Yes, it's not an option to stay in the room all the time, let's take a look."
Nurse Cen didn't have time to think about it, and accompanied Concubine Yun to the garden, Concubine Yun glanced at Carrying Shuang, Carrying Shuang immediately understood, and followed.
"Mother, let this servant follow you. You have been unwell for the past few days, so take a good rest."
Unexpectedly, Nanny Cen refused and insisted on staying with Concubine Yun, Concubine Yun's face darkened, and she strode away.
Sitting in the garden leaning against the railing, leisurely looking at the cheerful fish in the pond, Concubine Yun Fang was thinking carefully.
"Miss side concubine, be careful of catching cold when it's cold by the pool." Carrying a reminder, Concubine Yun came back to her senses, and when she raised her eyes, she saw Princess Chaoyi walking towards this side with the maid.
Concubine Yun stood up, "It's a bit cold, carry Shuang, go get some clothes for Bengong."
Carrying Shuang nodded, and quickly left the gazebo. Nanny Cen was staring at Carrying Shuang's leaving back. Concubine Yun Ze suddenly said, "I don't know what my grandmother is busy with recently. I haven't seen you for a few days. The figure, could it be that I did something to annoy my grandmother?"
Cen Momo came back to her senses and hurriedly said, "How could it be, the empress dowager always loves the concubine the concubine the most, maybe there are some delays, the concubine should not think too much."
Concubine Yun side propped her chin and sighed, and chatted with Nurse Cen for a few words to distract Nurse Cen's attention.
This Lishuang winked at Princess Chaoyi, looked at Princess Chaoyi, and indeed saw Concubine Yun, raised her eyebrows, looked at Lishuang, and said something when she passed by, Princess Chaoyi's face changed slightly, and she quickly acted as if nothing had happened, and continued walking without even looking at Concubine Yun in the pavilion.
From the corner of Concubine Yun's eyes, she caught sight of Princess Chao's face, and she was relieved from the bottom of her heart.
Princess Chaoji walked halfway, took off an earring from her ear, and said suddenly, "My earring fell in Yiran Palace, go back and look for it!"
"yes!"
Yiran Palace
Concubine Zhao leaned on the couch with a pale face and half-closed eyes, her whole body was very delicate, as if she could be blown away by a gust of wind.
Aunt Yu secretly wiped her tears in private, she could only watch Concubine Zhao get weaker and weaker, but she was powerless.
Concubine Zhao covered her mouth and coughed lightly, her little face flushed with excitement, and when she calmed down, she immediately turned pale again, and so on and on.
"Your Majesty, it's time to take your medicine." Madam Yu handed over the freshly brewed medicine.
Concubine Zhao reached out to take it, and at this moment Princess Chaoyi entered the door, Concubine Zhao raised her eyes, "Why are you back?"
Princess Chaoxi squeezed out a smile, "My son's earring fell in Yiran Palace, and I came here to look for it. Aunt Yu, you can bring someone to help you find it."
Madam Yu, who is as fine as a human being, knew that Princess Chaoyi had something to talk to Concubine Zhao alone, "Yes, I will take someone to look for it if I want to, and the princess will wait here for a while."
Aunt Yu waved her hand and immediately led the maid out of the door.
There were only two people left in the room. Princess Chaoyi snatched the medicine bowl from Concubine Zhao's hand, wet it a little and put it in her sleeve, and poured the rest into the potted plants beside her.
Concubine Zhao stared wide-eyed, "Chaoqi..."
"Mother Concubine, we have to guard against the official critical moment." Princess Chaoxi took a deep breath, lifted her skirt and knelt down on the ground, "Mother Concubine, attack the Zhao family, the Zhao family can no longer stay, it is really not worth your nostalgia protected."
Concubine Zhao was slightly surprised, could it be that someone wanted to harm her
Princess Chaoxi said slowly, "The Xu family and the Wen family are married, and the big house will rise sooner or later. The more this is the case, the less likely the second brother will come back. The emperor's grandmother intends to promote the sixth brother, and the father will not last long. When the emperor comes back, not to mention that the imperial court cannot accommodate him, there is no room for the emperor in the whole of Xiyue, and the Zhao family will not be able to survive at that time. This chess piece of the Zhao family has already been watched by the emperor's grandmother, and I beg the concubine to make a decision as soon as possible. "
Concubine Zhao has been ill for the past few days, and the Zhao family didn't even have a personal greeting. Although they sent letters, they all asked Concubine Zhao to apologize to Zhao Zun and ask Zhao Zun to come back as soon as possible.
As a result, Concubine Zhao didn't even bother to look at the later letters, and because she had been ill for the past few days, she simply stopped interfering in anything, and it has been delayed until now.
Concubine Zhao got into a dead end these days and left the Zhao family behind, conferring several concubines for several days in a row. Concubine Zhao didn't say anything, but she was very depressed in her heart.
Suddenly he understood Xiao Concubine a little bit, and he didn't have to worry about his reputation, but Zhao Zun was not allowed to take concubines.
Speaking of Zhao Zun and Xiao Concubine, the two are almost married. Concubine Zhao smiled bitterly, she personally forced her son away, and now even the palace can no longer accommodate her.
Concubine Zhao cheered up, it didn't matter if she died, she wanted to take back those who owed Zhao Zun one by one, even if it was for her two sons.
"Get up, mother and concubine will no longer protect the Zhao family."
With Concubine Zhao's promise, Princess Chaoyi was both surprised and delighted.