Chapter Thirty-Eighth Achievement of the Four Concubines√

There was silence in the hall.

There was one thought in everyone's mind: I saw Tu Qiongdagger.

If Empress Ji was allowed to take charge of the harem again, the mother and son Chunjia and Empress Dowager Yuan were reluctant but prepared to make concessions after assessing the situation, then raising the prince in the middle palace must be the bottom line that the mother and son will never agree to.

Even if the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Ji brought up the former emperor, orphans and widowed mothers, and death or life... Chunjia would not nod.

Because it is too dangerous for him.

You must know that Ji Muzi's twins not only don't want to be raised by Empress Ji, but even Gu Zhen doesn't want to give them to him, so he didn't hesitate to pull Empress Dowager Qu out as a shield.

But for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law of the Empress Dowager, what were they trying to do when they made such a big concession last year? Isn't it just to let Ji's girl give birth to the emperor's heir!

In the end, the child was born, but Ji's daughter was not allowed to take care of her at all - this is not a question of whether the child will be intimate with the Ji family when he grows up, but a question of whether the child can be raised if the child is in other people's hands!

Can they not fight?

But I also know this question, if you ask it directly, Chunjia must have prepared a lot of reasons to evade.

In this way, the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Ji sang together, without mentioning Ji Muzi's mother and son, but first took back the power of the harem for Empress Ji.

Now, taking advantage of the opportunity of the real concubine, the candidate for Gongxiang Rang's adoptive mother has been brought up—everyone knows in their hearts that whether it is the Empress Dowager or the Empress Dowager Ji, they actually have no intention of entrusting Gong Xiangrang to the Zhonggong to be raised. They mentioned this child mainly to pave the way for the heir born of Ji Muzi to be raised under Zhonggong's knee.

Speaking of which, if Chunjia refuses to "send" Gongxiang Rang to Zhonggong's knees, the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager Ji will definitely mention the fate of the twins.

Concubine Zhen can take part in managing the six palaces while raising the two children, why can't Empress Ji?

Empress Ji's qualifications in presiding over the harem are even higher than that of Concubine Zhen!

If Chunjia does not refuse, then even if Gongxiang Rang is recorded under Concubine Shu's name, the Ji family will not lose. Anyway, it is the prince, or the de facto eldest son of the emperor. Not to mention, the empress dowager just strongly ruled out King Qi Get out, this is the truth and the eldest son of the emperor in name!

The most important thing is, how could Gongxiang Rang's current adoptive mother, Concubine Zhen, agree to hand over her son to others?

At this moment, Chunjia's thoughts changed, and finally she said slowly: "I think this is inappropriate. After all, concubines are different. Ling Zi has a high status. It would be unfair to other princes to raise the concubine prince himself."

"Furthermore, Ling Zi's body and bones are healed now, and she is still young. There may not be any good news in a few days. If she moves Rang'er out of the middle palace at that time, I'm afraid it will hurt the child's heart; if she doesn't move out, she will be afraid of Ling Zi's death." Zi is too busy."

"So Rang'er should be raised in Xuanqing Palace first."

Empress Dowager Ji frowned and said: "The emperor mentioned this matter, and the Ai family was planning to talk about it. Ling Zi has been in the palace for many years, and has never left. Now there are three princes staying here, and the princess also has one. It's empty, and I can't explain it even if I go there."

Anyway, Zhonggong must have a son!

"Mother, Ling Zi has nothing to do before." Chunjia said calmly, "Since the emperor's grandmother and mother, you have become a vegetarian and prayed for blessings, and donated to Tzu Chi. My descendants have shown signs of prosperity. All concubines Gradually happy, let alone Ling Zi, the middle palace? Do you think so?"

Didn't you say that my heirs have landed one after another this year because of your efforts?

Then how can you not believe that your daughter Ji will be able to give birth to a son for me next time?

Now there will be a son-in-law, so why raise the son-in-law himself?

Empress Dowager Ji said lightly: "I'm afraid that Ling Zi is clumsy and won't be interested."

You basically don't go to the Central Palace, let alone Empress Linxing, how can a queen give birth to a son by herself? !

"Ling Zi was ill in the past, and I was afraid of disturbing her." Chunjia said calmly, without changing her face, "Now that she is cured, she will naturally follow the rules... and the queen is smart and sensible, she can be my virtuous helper."

According to the rules, it is the first and fifteenth day of the lunar new year to live there.

Empress Dowager Ji is of course dissatisfied. Although it is better than not going to Yanfu Palace to spend the night at all, but there are only two nights in a month. Empress Ji has not conceived in these years. Wouldn't the chance of conceiving next time be even lower?

When will the so-called son-in-law be born?

No matter what, it is safer to have a ready-made prince.

"This is all for the future. Having no children in the middle palace is not a solution after all." The Empress Dowager Ji said, "Furthermore, the middle palace was originally the mother of all the emperor's heirs. Even if there will be biological flesh and blood in the future, is it right now? Can't you raise a concubine? Since Miner is the eldest son of the emperor, he is already a head taller than his concubine brothers. It is only natural for the empress to raise her in person."

As he spoke, he glanced at Yun Fenghuang, "Even though Concubine Zhen and Concubine Shu are sisters, their status is a bit lower. Is there any reason for the son of the fourth concubine to be raised by the concubine?"

"Earlier, the queen was ill, so it's fine to let Concubine Zhen take care of her for a few days."

"Now that the empress is well, how can she keep bothering the real concubine?"

Yun Fenghuang argues with reason: "The empress mother, the empress dowager, said: when the empress sent the pregnant Zhao family to Xuanqing Palace, she didn't say that she was just taking care of her, and the concubine raised her son these days like her own. I really can't bear to be separated! I beg my mother, the empress dowager, to help me!"

As he spoke, he fell to his knees and kowtowed heavily.

Chunjia gave her support: "Mother, the reason why Concubine Shu was chosen as the successor was because of Duke Yi's loyalty. Both Duke Yi and his wife agreed that Concubine Zhen would raise Rang'er on her behalf, and they did not dare to disturb the Queen. After all, Concubine Shu has gone, and Ranger is young, so we should ask Ranger's parents what they think about such matters?"

Yi Guogong will definitely not fall to the Ji family.

So of course the Empress Dowager Ji would not adopt this suggestion: "Heir of the royal family, when will it be my servant's turn to dictate? Duke Yi has always been sensible, why is he so confused now that he is getting older?"

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty." Seeing that the atmosphere was getting worse, a concubine suddenly came out from under Yunfenghuang and said loudly, "Since the real concubine is reluctant to part with the eldest prince, it is not a solution to have no children in the middle palace, but the palace is now The eldest prince is not the only prince, the twin princes born by Ji Yuwan are said to have returned with Fengjia this time, and entrusting them to the middle palace to be raised, wouldn't it be the best of both worlds?"

Well, it sure came.

Gongxiang Rang is just an excuse, and the twins are the highlight.

If this is not arranged properly, it will not be torn up just after returning.

Now, when Tuo said that... oh, it was Jia Chongrong who said that, and immediately lowered his head deeply.

Even so, she could still feel the murderous gazes from Chunjia, Queen Mother Yuan, and possibly Concubine Zhen and others.

Jia Chongrong shivered subconsciously, kneeling more obediently.

But, all said and done.

No matter how good-looking and supple the posture is now, is it meaningful?

"Mother, about the twins born by Ji Yuwan, I am planning to come over to discuss with you two tomorrow." Chunjia looked away, turned to Queen Mother Ji, and said slowly, "My knees are empty, and having twins is of course Happy. It’s just that the Qin Tianjian... has some opinions.”

"If these two children are handed over to the concubine to be raised, I'm afraid... it will be difficult to raise them."

Empress Dowager Ji did not show a look of shock or anger.

Because it's the expected thing.

"Then you mean, these two children?" she asked calmly.

Chunjia said: "Qin Tianjian calculates that it should be raised by Queen Mother Qu."

The Empress Dowager Ji was silent, the Empress Dowager was also silent, and the others did not dare to speak, and for a while there was a dead silence in the hall again.

"The emperor's knees are empty. Although three sons and one daughter are a lot for ordinary people, they are still a little thin for the royal family." After a long while, the empress dowager said slowly, "Especially because your stepfather has no children, and you yourself are a little bit weak." The pulse is passed on alone, and there is no brother to help... The safety of the twins cannot be ignored, if this is the case, then I will trouble the Queen Mother."

Empress Dowager Qu who was sitting in the upper corner bowed her head and said she did not dare.

The Empress Dowager didn't pay attention to her, and then said to Chunjia, "Twins are not suitable to be raised in the middle palace, so let the middle palace take care of Concubine Shu's son."

How can Chunjia agree?

He said: "Grandmother, this matter..."

"This matter is not in compliance with the rules." The Empress Dowager interrupted him, "After Mrs. Zheng left the throne, Mrs. Zhao was taken by the Queen to take care of Yanfu Palace. The Empress Zhen asked to be the heir of Concubine Shu, and her heirs only remembered Under the name of Concubine Shu, right?"

This is a well-known fact, and Chunjia certainly cannot refute it.

The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Concubine Zhen, you said that the Empress sent Mrs. Zhao to Xuanqing Palace to be taken care of by you because she was sick at the beginning, and you didn't say that she would pick her up afterwards? But you also said that the empress sent her to the Xuanqing Palace for your help. I sent it to you because I was ill. Isn’t it normal to be careless at such a time? If the empress is still smart and capable now, why do you need your help? Why do you have to be with Concubine Xuan for the palace affairs these days? Concubine Rui is worried? Tell me, is this the truth?"

Yun Fenghuang lowered his head and said: "Yes."

"Then what's the problem with sending the eldest prince back to Yanfu Palace?" The Empress Dowager said calmly, "No matter how good your relationship with Concubine Shu is, after all, the state owns the country, the law, and the family have family rules. You are just a concubine. Where is the eldest prince? The previous concubine was Concubine Concubine, the next concubine is Concubine Shu. Although Concubine Shu is one of the four concubines after Concubine Gui, you are a concubine who insists on raising him. Little, I don’t understand these things, when he grows up, he understands the superiority and inferiority, what do you ask him to think? Those who know say that you came from a small family, and there is no distinction between public and private. Those who don’t know, think that you and Concubine Shu are close It's a fake, and she deliberately deceived her heir!"

"So, don't get entangled, the Ai family is doing this for the eldest prince's benefit, and for yours as well!"

She took a sip of tea, her eyes didn't fluctuate, and she told Empress Ji, "After the banquet is over, you can follow Zhenfei to Xuanqing Palace to take the child away, so as not to delay it for a day and a half. I can't bear it."

Empress Ji smiled slightly and said, "Yes."

"Imperial Grandmother." Chunjia was silent for a while, and suddenly smiled, "The status of a real concubine is too low to raise Rang'er for a long time, and she can only help take care of her for a short time. How can my grandson not know?"

"The reason why Rang'er has been kept in Xuanqing Palace is because last year when the real concubine was successful in saving her, the grandson promised that when she was promoted to mother concubine, she would be promoted to the next level. Originally, after Rang'er landed, It should be done. It's just that Zhaoqing was born soon, and then there were a few palace affairs that were delayed, so it's been delayed until now... This matter was discussed with Queen Yuan long ago."

As he spoke, he did not give the Empress Dowager a chance to refute or object, and he sped up his speech slightly, "Since we are talking about it today, there is no need to delay, let's do it first. The main position is Yunfenghuang, Keyu Wengong, Suzhang Shushen. I hereby accept the empress dowager's benevolent order, and Jin will be a virtuous concubine. I will bestow a treasure and jade seal [Note]..."

While speaking, Yun Fenghuang already knelt down to listen to the instructions, Chunjia paused for a moment, looked at her with complicated eyes, and replied, "...Wang Aifei will only work hard every day and be careful about herself from now on."

Yun Fenghuang held back his complacency and kowtowed with a straight face: "Concubine, I will obey the holy order and will not disappoint Your Majesty!"

[Note] This paragraph and the following individual words were directly used in the imperial decree of the concubine Chun during the Qianlong period.