Zi'an sneered and turned away.
Aunt Ashe smiled a little and followed Zi'an out.
Imperial Concubine Mei rushed out, grabbed Zi'an's arm, and said angrily, "Zi'an, why are you so angry with him? He's not in good health, you might as well not come to treat him. You are committing a crime of insubordination, do you know that? To be honest, this is a serious crime."
Zi'an broke free from Imperial Concubine Mei's hand and said coldly, "My Lady Imperial Concubine, although what I said was unpleasant to hear, it was also true. Old Seven was sincere to him, but what did he get in return? I treated him for many times, but what did I get in return? He is your man, you protect him, but what about my Old Seven? Don't I protect him? Also, Old Seven has done so much for you and your prince, so now I can't even say a fair word?"
Imperial Concubine Mei was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect Zi'an to be so angry. "This, this is not what I meant. It's just..."
"Just what? Just now that the position of Crown Prince has been decided, you should just concentrate on serving the Emperor and be a wise man?"
Zi'an's words really showed no mercy to Concubine Mei. Although Concubine Mei was not the queen, her son was named the crown prince, so she would definitely be more honorable than the queen in the future. Zi'an was just a princess, and he scolded her in front of so many palace servants outside Xiwei Palace. Concubine Mei was really ashamed and angry.
"My Lady, your stupidity is chilling." Zi'an said, bowing and saying, "I wish you a prosperous future."
After saying this, he turned around and left without even looking at Concubine Mei's face.
If after all they have been through together, she is still so confused and thinks that everything in front of her is within her reach, then she is too naive.
Did she really think that by coming to the emperor's bedside and serving him every day, she could gain a good reputation and have no worries
As Aunt Ah She and Zi An walked back, she smiled and said, "If the Empress Dowager heard what you said today, she would definitely be very happy. In the past, she was attracted to you because of your evil nature. But after you married Old Seven, you and Old Seven changed a lot, which almost disappointed the Empress Dowager. Fortunately, that kind of temper has returned."
Zi'an sighed, looking at the fallen leaves in the yard, "How could I be willing to say such cruel words? I was trembling with fear and treading on thin ice before, but it was only because I had someone I cared about in my heart. I always thought that I could keep the other person safe by keeping things quiet. I was forced into a dead end. The emperor said that he was guilty of deceiving the emperor, which was too much. He didn't remember what the seventh brother had done for the Great Zhou or for him. He only remembered that the seventh brother had disobeyed him, and he didn't even ask why. If it was the emperor, it would be fine. He has his own position and is obsessed with it. But Concubine Mei really disappoints me. She hurt me once, and I was willing to believe her. Today, she said such words to me."
"Empress Mei is really confused. I thought she was smart for once, but she is ultimately a person who can hardly accomplish anything great. She makes a mistake every time, and then wakes up, but then makes the same mistake again. It is useless for the prince to have such a fickle mother." Aunt Ashe murmured.
When Zi'an heard her say this, he realized that the Empress Dowager knew about what happened in the past.
In fact, Concubine Mei knew very well what she was thinking. She was not really trying to gain a reputation for being virtuous. She really had the emperor in her heart. However, after so many years of neglect and indifference, she had not been able to wake up and instead continued to indulge herself. She wanted to fulfill her love, but she sacrificed others.
The most unforgivable thing about people is that they cannot distinguish between gratitude and grudges, or right and wrong.
Especially, her love was one-sided. Did she really think that she was the only one in front of the emperor's bedside now, and that the emperor's few heartfelt words to her meant an everlasting love
It's ridiculous.
Zi'an talked to the Empress Dowager for a while, and then Murong Jie returned from court.
He was followed by Prince Liang and Prince An. They entered the palace and greeted the Empress Dowager. Murong Jie then walked to Zi An and shook her hand. Her hand was then surrounded by his. "Are you tired?"
"Not tired, how about you?" Zi'an looked at his face, it seemed that he was still angry and there was some fatigue in his eyes. He knew that he was probably really angry after today's battle.
"I'm not tired, but I'm afraid I won't be able to leave the palace so early today. You can either wait for me here, or ask someone to send you back to rest first." Murong Jie said.
"Okay, I'll leave the palace first," Zi'an looked at Prince An, "Mother said she would come to the mansion today, I'll go back now, there's still plenty of time."
Prince An looked at Zi'an and said, "If you are still okay, go to the mansion to see her so that she doesn't have to travel back and forth. Her health has not been very good."
Zi'an smiled and said, "Okay, I'll go."
Prince An hummed and took a big sip of tea. "I have been arguing for the whole morning without even a drop of water. My throat is really burning."
Prince Liang said with a smile, "I didn't expect that my uncle is so eloquent. Today, I have broadened my horizons."
I always thought that the Second Prince was a taciturn person, the kind that couldn't even say a word even if you hit him with three sticks. Today, I really have a new appreciation for him.
The Empress Dowager looked at the three of them, "How was your day?"
"Wonderful!" King Liang also took a sip of tea. "My dear ancestor, it's such a pity that you didn't see it with your own eyes and hear it with your own ears."
"It's the same thing you're telling me now. I don't like to hear anything like a hen crowing at dawn."
"I'm afraid no one dares to speak up now," Prince Liang seemed very excited. "Guess who the uncle invited today?"
"Who is it?" Aunt Ashe asked curiously.
"Great Scholar Yuan!" King Liang exclaimed in admiration.
Zi'an was stunned. Academician Yuan, isn't he Yuan Cuiyu's father, her grandfather
The Empress Dowager was also a little surprised. "You actually invited the Grand Secretary back? But, time is limited, how can you invite him back?"
Murong Jie smiled and said, "It's a coincidence. The Grand Secretary happened to be in the capital to visit the county lady. He has already arrived at the Qingzhou Posthouse. Someone from Su Yue Tower came to report, so I hurriedly ordered Su Qing to invite him."
"Uncle Sun said that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs, which is a rule set by Taizu. The Grand Secretary directly said that Taizu set this rule because Empress Qian controlled the government and caused chaos. However, since the Empress Dowager, the harem has supported three emperors. If we use the rules of Taizu's time, then do the ministers' salaries still have to be calculated according to Taizu's reign? Do the hereditary succession of fiefs and marquises still have to follow Taizu's reign?"
The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "When it comes to quoting classics, no one can match Yuan Daxueshi. I used to dislike this old scholar. He is very old-fashioned, but when it comes to talking about great principles, he is so eloquent that no one can refute him."
"Isn't it?" After these words came out, Uncle Sun's face turned ugly. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, even if he was the prime minister, his annual salary was only a hundred taels. This annual salary was fine, after all, officials in the capital had many other sources of income. However, the hereditary succession of the marquis was related to the descendants of some dukes and marquises for generations. Who dared to take on the job of Grand Secretary
(End of this chapter)