Chapter 721: Can Be a Concubine

"Concubine Lan's people?" The queen asked with cracks on her dignified face.

"Yes, that's Concubine Lan. A palace maid who was with her before had an incident and was kicked out three years ago." Aunt Xi knelt on the ground and reported everything.

He lowered his head and did not dare to peek at the Queen's face.

The hall became quiet, so quiet that Grandma Xi could hear her breathing clearly, and Grandma Xi's head lowered lower and lower.

It took a while before I heard the Queen's voice: "Is he really Concubine Lan's?"

"This servant can be sure that he is indeed from Concubine Lan!" said Aunt Xi.

This time there was another long period of silence. There was a depressing feeling in the silent atmosphere, and the suppressed Grandma Xi couldn't breathe.

"Why did Concubine Lan's people appear next to Miss Shao Wu of the Xingguo Duke's Mansion? Could it be that... she took a fancy to her?" The queen's voice seemed to be talking to herself, and it sounded quite peaceful.

"My slave, I don't think it's like that. The palace man did have to leave the palace three years ago because of something. That time, the queen acted justly, and even the emperor couldn't say anything!"

Aunt Xi carefully reminded her that what happened three years ago was a fight between the Queen and Concubine Lan. It was indeed an accident. Moreover, the accident ended in the victory of the Queen, and the confidants around Concubine Lan were taken away. Kicked out of the palace.

The Queen was silent again. She naturally remembered this incident. How could she forget the victory when there were many two people competing secretly.

Three years ago, Shao Wanru was just the second young lady of the Qin family. She just came from a remote place and had no involvement with the capital. It was indeed impossible to be related to Concubine Lan. The only thing that could be related was Chu Liu. Chen went to Jiangzhou and heard that he lived in General Ningyuan's mansion in Jiangzhou.

But it was just a living. Shao Wanru was only eleven years old at that time and knew nothing. No one could possibly plot against such a young girl. Moreover, she was not favored at that time. On the ground of Jiangzhou He had already been in trouble with the eldest lady of Qin Mansion.

No matter how you look at it, it’s impossible for Concubine Lan to choose her!

Is it really just an accident? She was a little unsure.

"Three years ago, I heard that the Queen Mother wanted to betroth the fifth lady of Duke Xingguo's mansion to Prince Chen. Is it true?" said the Queen Mother.

She said this very softly, and she didn't mean to ask Grandma Xi to answer, she was just talking to herself subconsciously.

Three years ago, she guessed this. She felt that all the behaviors of the Queen Mother were suggestive. She first summoned and then asked Shao Wanru to go to the side hall to rest. King Chen happened to be in the side hall. It seemed that the Queen Mother wanted to He tried to get along with them, but the Queen always felt very suspicious.

Shao Wanru was not an excellent candidate, so why did the Queen Mother like her so much.

The Queen is the daughter-in-law of the Queen Mother, and she also understands some aspects of her partial mother-in-law. She always knew that the Queen Mother wanted to find a powerful and noble daughter for King Chen, so that King Chen could survive after she was gone. , he can enjoy his glory in peace, even if the new emperor doesn't like him in the future, with the protection of his natal family, the new emperor can't do anything to him.

Although Shao Wanru's status is not bad, and she is backed by the Ruian Grand Princess's Palace and the Xingguo Duke's Palace, people familiar with the situation know that Xingguo Duke's Palace cannot support Shao Wanru, and the Ruian Grand Princess's Palace is empty-handed. The candidate was not the Queen Mother’s favorite.

At that time, the Empress Dowager most likely had that intention when she gave the jade pendant, so she expressed it first, but how could the Empress Dowager be willing to accept the offer only to her? Like this time, she would definitely re-select in secret.

As for the rumors that have been released, they are just some people's most intuitive guesses based on the Queen Mother's behavior at that time, and should not be taken seriously.

Since it couldn't be true, Concubine Lan wouldn't interfere.

So, was it really just an accident after Concubine Lan's maid was kicked out of the palace?

"Go check the records of her leaving the palace at that time and see why she went to the Qin Mansion to be a nanny. Who asked her to go, or did she ask for it?"

After pondering for a while, the Queen Mother ordered a concubine beside her.

"Yes, your Majesty, I will go and check now!" The eldest maid hurriedly left, and the hall became quiet again. The Queen frowned and thought about the matter quietly.

This incident was so unexpected that it made her have various speculations for a while, but when she thought about it carefully, she didn't know which one was true. It seemed that they were all possible, some were more likely, and some were more likely. Smaller.

Aunt Xi knelt there with her head down, not daring to move. Even if she didn't look up, she knew that the Queen's face looked very ugly now, and the news she had brought was heavy.

One was sitting, the other was kneeling, and there were two maids standing beside the queen, but they were both quiet and silent.

"Queen, Your Highness Prince Zhou is here!" A eunuch's sharp voice suddenly came from the palace door.

"Invite him in!" the Queen said coldly.

The door of the palace opened wide, and Chu Liuzhou strode in. When he saw the kneeling Aunt Xi, he just glanced at her, and then continued to move forward, walked to the Queen, bowed, and asked with concern. He asked: "Is the queen feeling unwell?"

The Queen's expression looked a bit gloomy.

"No problem, sit down and talk!" the Queen said, pointing to the chair next to her.

King Zhou came over and lifted up his robe and sat down.

"Mother, is there something on your mind?"

"It's about the draft!" The Queen didn't hide anything, she stretched out her hand and rubbed her eyebrows, looking quite tired.

"Isn't there a show yet? Why is the queen already so tired? If she is really tired, just choose a few other concubines to host it. The queen only needs to take one last look!"

Chu Liuzhou said casually.

"Zhou'er, tell your mother, do you have any intention of marrying the eldest lady from Duke Xingguo's mansion as your royal concubine?" the queen asked with a wry smile and shook her head.

As the master of the harem, she seems to have unlimited glory, but in fact, every step is difficult. She has not only the emperor but also the queen mother above her. Neither of these two people is easy to mess with. What she hopes for most right now is her own. son.

If his son steps into that position, he won't have to live on thin ice like he does now.

"Can be a concubine!" Chu Liuzhou thought for a while and said.

At the beginning, he did want Shao Yanru to be his concubine, but recently he has been reluctant to do so. Although it was said that it was Shao Jieer who Chu Qing saved, he was an insider who saw it on the spot. How could he really not know why? Together with Chu Liuyue, they insisted that Shao Jieer was the one who fell into the water because they were afraid that Shao Yanru would really be paired with Chu Qing.

This son of the late emperor, it was obvious at first glance that he was restless, and he used so many tricks to appear in front of the world.

The children of the royal family have always been fond of Linglong, so how could they really be fooled by some coincidences and appearances? Everything is just a means, and through this means, Chu Qing really appeared in front of the world. , became the son of the late emperor, and also had the capital to compete with them.

If he finds another powerful wife, it will not be good for anyone.

However, his acknowledgment of Shao Yanru still existed. From Chu Liuzhou's point of view, Shao Yanru's integrity had already been compromised. The two of them were tugging and hugging each other in front of him. There were still guards around at that time. There was help from the side, and it seemed that he also gave me a hug and a support.

But no matter how much he agreed, he couldn't push Shao Yanru to Chu Liuyue. After thinking about it, he felt that a royal concubine was given to Shao Yanru, who had a reputation that was not good enough. He couldn't swallow it, as if he had swallowed something unclean in his throat. It's like something, but I can still give her the status of a concubine.

"The Duke of Xingguo will not agree to their eldest daughter being a concubine!" The Queen frowned and said displeased.

She and Chu Liuzhou had different ideas. Of course she knew about Shao Yanru falling into the water, but so what. Anyway, there was no news about Shao Yanru falling into the water. Shao Jie'er took the blame for this matter. So in front of others, Shao Yanru was still Intact.

The strength of Duke Xingguo really made her jealous.

"In front of me, they were fighting with other men, hugging each other with their clothes wet, and doing the same with the guards. How can Duke Xingguo have the conditions to talk to me about the position of the concubine!" Chu Liuzhou said disdainfully. road.

With these premises, as long as he puts it forward, Duke Xingguo cannot refuse.

The Queen was not as optimistic as he thought, and her brows were still furrowed: "What if Chu Liuyue gives her the position of a princess?"

"Chu Liuyue also saw her appearance at that time. If he doesn't want to hold his head up in front of me, he can only give her the position of concubine."

Chu Liuzhou said.

The two are brothers and have a competitive relationship. They have had this kind of relationship since they became governors, and they refused to give in to each other. When they saw Shao Yanru falling into the water, the two of them were together. It was because they both hesitated at the time that they gave in. Chu Qing took advantage of the loophole.

The scene of Chu Qing saving Shao Yanru was not known to others, but the two of them saw it with their own eyes. If she were to become his legal wife, he would definitely lose face in front of another person.

No one wants to lose face like this. Even if he fights for the throne, the prince still has the pride of a prince!

After hearing what he said, the Queen was silent for a moment and felt that it made sense.

"Even if you offer the position of concubine, there is no guarantee that the eldest lady from Duke Xingguo's Palace will enter your Prince Zhou's Palace." The Queen pointed out a new question.

"Mother, please don't worry. We will wait until the show girls enter the palace. You are the host of the talent show. If there is any accident or what happens, there are so many people. Who can tell!" Chu Liuzhou He smiled pointedly.

During the draft, you have to live in the palace for a period of time, and there are many concubines in the palace. It is really simple to want something to happen.

The Empress nodded in agreement, but then frowned: "I sent Aunt Xi to educate Miss Shao before, and I had the intention of publicly promoting Miss Shao and beating her secretly, but Something is wrong now.”

"What's the problem?" Chu Liuzhou asked.

The Queen's face darkened and she didn't speak for a while. She said after a long while: "Since you plan to let Shao Yanru enter your Prince Zhou's Palace, then another young lady from the Xingguo Duke's Palace, Shao Wanru, cannot be selected."

"Queen Mother, let her be selected into Prince Zhou's Mansion!" Chu Liuzhou suddenly said, and the Queen Mother raised her head in shock.