Yun Fenghuang's doubts were also raised at Luqintai. The imperial concubine's attendant Luo Yi poured a cup of warm red date tea and frowned slightly: "Isn't this too coincidental? The empress dowager has always been shrewd, Your Majesty. He is also a wise and powerful person, so I am afraid he will become suspicious."
"It happened that the Empress Dowager and His Majesty had different opinions on the marriage of Princess Jinyun, so everyone believed that it was Ji's doing." Concubine Zheng took a sip of tea and said calmly, "After all, yesterday It was only that night that His Majesty told Mao Zhaoyi that the marriage between Her Royal Highness Princess Jinyun and Ji's son was just a rumor! If something unexpected happens in the palace next and attracts attention, it will be called weird! "
He smiled again, "Besides... In the past, Concubine Shu had a miscarriage, Yue Jieyu had a miscarriage, and even I had a miscarriage not long ago. Do you think that the empress dowager, a loving mother, or your majesty, have ever doubted the so-called truth that finally came out? Is it the truth? It’s almost the same this time.”
"It's just that in the past, it was because it hindered the Ji family's power and it was difficult to investigate further. This time, it is playing into the hands of my loving mother, the Empress Dowager, and Your Majesty. I don't intend to investigate further."
"Anyway, those two girls don't have a good impression of Mrs. Ji. They are happy to see the consequences of throwing dirty water on Mrs. Ji's head. It's good if they don't help to add fuel to the fire. How can they take the initiative to clear Mrs. Ji's grievances?"
"It's a pity that neither your majesty nor the loving mother empress dowager can really fall out with the Ji family now." Luo Yi breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little angry, "I don't know when we can get back the blood debt of our little prince. !”
Concubine Zheng's eyes darkened slightly when she heard this, then she returned to normal and said calmly: "With the current situation in the palace, even if the child is born, I am afraid he will be worried every moment... After all, this mother-in-law is incompetent and cannot protect him. "
She lowered her eyes, hid her emotions, and sighed, "Besides, it's unknown whether Ji's did this. I just feel that with my uncle's connections in the palace, he can hide it from us and plot against me. However, this palace is still confused. Apart from Ji, I can’t find anyone else. But in this big world, there are always some people and things that we never know. Maybe the culprit is not Ji, but Ji. But was ignored by me?"
"Is it possible that it's Mao Zhaoyi?" Luo Yi couldn't help but said, "My maid, I see that Mao Zhaoyi is really annoying. The queen didn't say anything, so she kept questioning the queen! She didn't want to I think if it weren’t for the empress, she would..."
The following words were related to Concubine Shu's death. Even though there were only two masters and servants in the room at this moment, she was still cautious not to say it out loud. She only snorted coldly, "Those who cross rivers and burn bridges, your concubine's praise is in vain!"
"You have always been smart, why are you so confused today?" The imperial concubine was not angry, she smiled calmly and said, "Mao Zhaoyi did that on purpose. She may not have suspected that I wanted to harm her, but you think, I am like this During the confinement period, Zhao Chenggui didn't take much personal care of her. Who knows if someone might reach in and use this palace's territory to frame her? It's good that she has this vigilance, otherwise, here, If I can't reach the palace, won't all my efforts have been in vain?"
In the final analysis, Yun Fenghuang's background prevented Concubine Zheng from being hostile - if the Queen and Concubine Shu were so difficult and wary, the Concubine would definitely not be so relaxed.
But Yun Fenghuang, where the lintel of the Xie family was placed, Zheng Guifei felt that it would be better for this ally to be smarter.
After all, her family background is no longer good, and no matter how smart she is, what qualifications do she have to ask her, a noble concubine, to bend over backwards and take the initiative to show her kindness
It won't be of use at critical moments in the future!
Anyway, this Zhaoyi's natal family is not good enough, and the left and right people cannot threaten the imperial concubine's plan.
Well, the imperial concubine’s plan is to take the back seat.
From the beginning of the emperor's personal reign, although Empress Ji has been in the middle palace so far, the previous dynasties and the harem all knew that after the emperor's position was completely stabilized, there would be basically no surprises whether Empress Ji would die or be abolished.
In the case of Zheng Fengli, the reason why the Zheng family was docile and cooperative was actually because they wanted to wait until the Ji family fell and recommend the concubine as their successor - so they must not make the emperor hate the Zheng family.
For this reason, Concubine Zheng, who was not considered a top performer in the palace, became more and more virtuous and virtuous.
After all, Emperor Chunjia didn't have much friendship with the imperial concubine in the first place. If the imperial concubine displeased him again, then it would be basically impossible for the Zheng family to produce an empress Zheng.
"Fortunately, I have formed an alliance with Mao Zhaoyi in advance." The imperial concubine thought lightly in her heart, "After all, Zhaoyi is young, impulsive and daring... If there is something to be eradicated in the future, I will take the initiative. Introduce her and then give her a side drumbeat."
In this way, she deceives people she doesn't like, but still maintains the image of being dignified, virtuous and not causing trouble, no matter how good it is.
Thinking of this, the imperial concubine told Luo Yi: "The alliance between me and Mao Zhaoyi must not be spread out!"
Luo Yi nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Madam. Although I think what Mao Zhaoyi did today is too much, I don't know the importance of it."
"Why are you so ignorant of the importance?" At the same time, in the Xianzhi Pavilion, Queen Mother Ji looked gloomy and was scolding the queen, "I asked you to find something to cover up the rumors about Jinyun and Minggan. How can you do it to me at this time? Is Zhao’s wretched maid taking action? Now, there’s no need to investigate, Yuan and the emperor will also suspect our family! Aren’t you causing trouble for the family!”
Empress Ji had a wry smile and helplessness on her face: "Mother, this matter... has nothing to do with my daughter-in-law."
"It doesn't matter?" Queen Mother Ji was startled.
I heard the Queen carefully considering her words and said, "My wife is coming here now and wants to ask the Queen Mother if the people arranged by the Queen Mother in Luqintai acted rashly on their own initiative!"
Empress Dowager Ji shook her head: "Impossible! Zheng Ju was born in the eunuch palace. When the imperial concubine entered the palace, she only brought a small dowry. Privately, many people in Yanlan Palace were given by Zheng Ju... Even here in the palace, the Ai family It’s not easy to interfere. But I have two eyes and ears inside to occasionally pass on news. They have no way of contacting the people who add things to the Zhao’s anti-fetal medicine. Even if they want to mess around, they don’t have a chance!”
"Then maybe we have been tricked!" Empress Ji frowned and said, "Do you remember that before we went on summer vacation, my wife told you in private that Zhao Chenggui was not the only one in Yuzhen Palace? In fact, it was not just Yu Zhen Palace. , and Hu Fengyi of Yijia Palace was also suspected to be pregnant. However, Wei Jieyu, the head of Yijia Palace, had not been in the palace for a long time and was still young. The Hu family deliberately concealed it for various reasons, so she never found out. …”
Empress Dowager Ji asked her to come up with something to divert everyone's discussion about Princess Jinyun's marriage. What she wanted was to spread the news that the two concubines were pregnant.
One is to change the topic; the other is to show the results of Empress Dowager Ji's special trip to Shanyuan Temple to pray for blessings, and to ease the relationship between Ji and the emperor.
As a result, she planned to arrange for someone to come to announce the good news this morning, but something went wrong last night at Luqin Terrace.
Nowadays, the rumors are spreading all over the palace. The emperor's confidant, Duke Yi, has come to the palace to ask for an audience. He righteously stated that the safety of the emperor's heir cannot be ignored. No matter how humble the biological mother is, if the biological father is the emperor, he must be honored with gold and jade. Gui, if you keep being vague like this again and again, does the emperor want an heir? !
Should the throne of the Gongxiang clan be passed on?
Is there anyone left to take responsibility for the safety of the people of the country? !
Just listening to these three questions in a row, you can tell how excited this important minister of three dynasties is now. He expressed his stance like this, and no matter what others thought, they couldn't remain indifferent. Just when the queen came over, she received news that Prince Regent Zheng Ju, Cui Wan and others all submitted letters one after another, expressing that they could not let go of the person who tried to murder the emperor's heir this time, no matter who he was, no matter what he had done. Credit, no matter what... Anyway, this time it must not be left unattended!
These people took the lead in saying this, so you can imagine what kind of bloody storm will follow...
Sadly, this bloody storm will come towards the Ji family if nothing unexpected happens...
Empress Ji pondered: "Normally, after Zheng's miscarriage, even if she was not warm to Zhao Chenggui, she should not take risks with Zhao Chenggui's unborn heir... After all, her Majesty Yanlan Palace never came and went, and she had no concubines. Pregnancy, if Zhao Chenggui’s pregnancy has three long and two short children, there will not be a second similar compensation!”
Because Concubine Zheng had been called out by Empress Dowager Yuan for not taking good care of Zhao Chenggui before. At that time, she didn't care because she had just had a miscarriage. But if Zhao Chenggui failed to give birth, it would be natural that she would not be given any pregnant concubines, and even the Yanlan Palace concubines would be removed if they became pregnant.
"Then what if Zhao Chenggui has a bad pregnancy?" Empress Dowager Ji raised her eyebrows and snorted, "Ms. Zheng is even willing to use her own pregnancy to frame Concubine Shu - otherwise, how could she be so careful with Concubine Shu? The concubine bumped into her—how could she not let go of Zhao Chenggui?"
"...Yes." Empress Ji thought about it and said, "Actually, Mao Zhaoyi is also very suspicious. Although she was the first to say that she suspected that the imperial concubine wanted to frame her, the concubine's conduct was quite bad. She might not be able to catch a thief but beat him up. Not coming out. It’s just that she hasn’t been in the palace for long, so she may not be able to reach the imperial concubine.”
Empress Dowager Ji said: "But she is Concubine Shu's clan sister. Regardless of whether Concubine Shu really regards her as her sister, Concubine Shu's biological sister is under her control. Do you think she will let go of Concubine Shu's plans during her lifetime? Then Well, when the Ai family was in Shanyuan Temple, they heard that his biological mother, the Jiang family, met Duke Yi Guo at Lechundang two days ago and they had a very pleasant conversation."
She fainted, "That old man Yunzhao! I don't know what kind of ecstasy the Emperor Shenzong poured into him. All in all, all he could think about was that he would die exhausted for Xiaozong and for the present... That idiot Yuan Yuniang plotted to kill Concubine Shu. He can act as if nothing happened, and now that there is no evidence that his legitimate daughter was forced to death by Mao Zhaoyi, he can naturally continue to pretend to be confused... and even continue to support Mao Zhaoyi, which is not impossible."
"After all, Mao Zhaoyi's natal family has very deep roots in Beidi. After all, I and the regent are not of the same mind!"
Of course, in the eyes of the aunt and nephew, there are definitely more than just these two suspects: Ms. Cui was demoted just before. Who knew that the silence during this period was not causing trouble? Mrs. Yaoning is backed by the regent, and is currently the third-ranked concubine in the harem. Once it is confirmed that the initiator of the Luqintai incident is the Ji family, then the former regent will push it, and it is impossible to say that Empress Ji will be deposed. Concubine Zheng took the blame and was banned, and Mrs. Yaoning became the new queen
In addition, the suspect that worries them the most is Emperor Chunjia.
Yes, the emperor is the biological father of Zhao Chenggui's unborn heir, but so what
Although there are fathers in this world who are willing to risk their lives for their children, there are also parents who believe that their children can be reborn after they are gone. The emperor tied his hair and ascended the throne. He had always been trembling with fear. He was only twenty-three this year, far from the age when he was eager to have a child. How could he be expected to regard his child as more important than his own life
Moreover, he still has a pregnancy in Qingmei's belly, and there is also a pregnancy in Lanzhou Yeyu Pavilion, Yu Wan. In comparison, what does Zhao Chenggui's pregnancy mean
When Concubine Zheng had a miscarriage, the emperor didn't feel much distress.
If one could give up a still-unborn child in exchange for political gains or initiative, Ji's aunt and nephew believed that the emperor would not hesitate at all!
"...Anyway, let's all be cautious next time." Finally, Queen Mother Ji was silent for a long time and whispered, "The emperor has a deep grudge against our Ji family. It can be seen from Jinyun's incident that he is not even on the surface now." I don’t even want to give him any face.”
Queen Ji bowed her head and said yes.
Then the Queen Mother said again: "By the way, doesn't the emperor plan to open Enke next year to celebrate Yuan's birthday? From now on, you should pay attention to those outstanding scholars. They must be talented and beautiful, have good conduct, and have a simple family. , The kind with a good family reputation. As for the family background, it doesn’t have to be too prominent.”
"What do you think, Queen Mother?"
The Queen Mother was silent for a while, but still told her: "Ming Hui is now old, it's time to find a consort."
Empress Ji was slightly startled: "But... the family background is not very prominent. Wouldn't it be too unfair to Minghui?"
Although Princess Minghui's appearance is hard to describe, her status as Xiaozong's only direct descendant meant that her marriage was destined to be the best among the daughters of the dynasty.
It would be fine for a new scholar with a less prominent background to marry Jinyun Penglai Kunze, but to marry Minghui, if this was not what Empress Dowager Ji, the biological mother, said, everyone would feel that they had treated Princess Minghui badly!
Queen Ji knew how important she, her mother-in-law and aunt, regarded Princess Minghui. In the past, when the Ji family was in power, she was defiant and felt that no one in the world was worthy of her daughter; now that the Ji family has declined, but Princess Minghui's surname is not Ji, but Gongxiang.
The rise of the emperor also means that the princess's support becomes more and more stable... There is no need for the Queen Mother Ji to lower the standards of Princess Minghui's consort by being a low-key person just because the emperor wants to save her face in Princess Jinyun's marriage.
Because Emperor Chunjia made the decision, he must also find a perfect husband for Princess Minghui, so as not to be scolded by people saying that he inherited the throne of Xiaozong but could not even accommodate his only legitimate daughter.
Based on the Queen's understanding of Chunjia, this person is accustomed to perfunctory situations and will never ruin the good reputation he has built up over the years just for the sake of a princess's marriage.
"Do as Aijia said." But Queen Mother Ji just sighed deeply and said slightly tiredly, "Aijia is Minghui's biological mother, is it possible that she will harm her?!"