Chapter 262: Birthday Banquet Disturbance
In a few days, the regent presented the paper in public, as if he completely forgot that he had said that the son was not filial to his stepmother two days ago, he praised Gong Xiangxiao for his pure filial piety, and finally said that such a good son is a pity to pass on to his biological mother He is weak and sick, and has been very ill for the past two days. Now he is lingering on the sick bed, and he wants Chunjia to give them two better imperial physicians.
Chunjia naturally agreed directly.
So the imperial physician went to the Prince Regent's mansion for two days in full view, and Chunjia had to send an attendant to visit him. Two days later, Gong Xiangxiao's handwritten note arrived before the imperial court, requesting to be removed from the throne on the grounds of being ill.
According to a tacit understanding, Chunjia refused, refused, refused again, and agreed the fourth time, and soon issued an imperial edict to change him to Marquis.
Gong Xiangxiao was still recuperating at this time, but after receiving this order, he asked people to pack up and leave the palace without saying a word.
Actually, he would rather live in the other courtyard where Chunjia received the palace maid than stay in the palace for one more day.
The regent was indifferent when he heard the news, while Lu Jifei, who was also recuperating in the backyard, gritted her teeth with hatred, wondering if she should take advantage of this ignorant stepson and do something alone.
"Your Majesty must not do it." However, the dowry maid reminded, "Have you forgotten? This time the prince originally planned to abolish the world... Shouninghou, but the Empress Dowager personally intervened, and His Majesty also helped Shouninghou , This dragged on for a few days, and gave him a Marquis! If something happened to him right now, how could the two in the palace let it go? Slowly speaking, His Majesty will definitely make trouble for the palace. It is the Empress Dowager, I'm afraid I won't let it go. After all, who called Shou Ninghou often went to and from the palace when he was a child, and the Empress Dowager watched him grow up?"
Concubine Lu said angrily: "That bastard is Shenzong's flesh and blood. Could it be that my Zhen'er is not?! If I knew it would be right for Zhen'er to come to the Empress Dowager from time to time, then what kind of bastard is that!"
That's what she said, but Lu Jifei also knew in her heart that it was impossible for Gong Xiangzhen to copy Gong Xiangxiao's position and feelings in front of the Empress Dowager.
Xiaozong was still there when Gong Xiangxiao often went in and out of Qingci Palace. The relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Regent was buffered by Xiaozong, which was not too bad. And at that time, the Empress Dowager did not expect that her own son would become extinct. Looking at Gong Xiangxiao's cheap grandson, although she had regrets, she also had hopes.
After Xiaozong passed away, the Ji family refused to let the Prince Regent and his son take the throne, preferring to choose an heir for Xiaozong from a distant branch. When he got the idea...just keep him with him so that he won't see the Empress Dowager very much.
This is the case for the eldest son, but the regent is more cautious about the youngest son from the stepmother. For so many years, no one outside knows what the youngest son of the regent's mansion looks like.
How could it be possible for Gong Xiangzhen to go to the Empress Dowager to fight for favor, besides, the Empress Dowager might not be in the mood to let the concubine's children hang around in front of her all the time.
"Could this be the end of the matter this time?!" She understood, but Concubine Lu still felt aggrieved and said to herself unwillingly, "Even though that bastard is no longer the son, he still has to be named Marquis. Besides, leaving the Imperial Capital from now on, I feel free and happy!"
The dowry persuaded: "Isn't what you are thinking about so that our little prince can be the son? Now that the Marquis of Shouning has been changed to the Marquis, wouldn't it be good to give up the position of the son? Otherwise, the Marquis of Shouning has always been in good health and It is the eldest son of the first wife, no matter there is something wrong or something is wrong, and thus loses the position of the son, there are some speculations outside, what good is it for our little prince?"
Is it glorious to squeeze out the brothers and take the top position?
Even if you do this, it's hard to admit it when you go out!
Now that Gong Xiangxiao took the initiative to back down, wouldn't it be better than being charged with killing him?
Moreover, marrying a maid is a little scary. Although it is not a secret that Gong Xiangxiao was often teased by the empress dowager when he was a child, no one thought that when the regent's palace revealed that he would abolish his position as the eldest son, not only Chunjia came out hypocritically to persuade, and the Empress Dowager would also intervene forcefully.
He actually paid more attention to this cheap grandson than to the bastard.
If Gong Xiangxiao hadn't taken the initiative to leave this time, even if their master and servant murdered Gong Xiangxiao, they would have to face the wrath of the Empress Dowager!
The master's seniority and status are left there, because of the Ji family, now there is no taboo or concern, what can't be done?
The point is that Lu Jifei's master and servant, including Lu Chuncao, is there anything worthy of compromise by the empress dowager?
"...that bastard is cheaper!" Concubine Lu Ji wanted to understand this, sighed, and said, "Forget it, find some people to watch him, that bastard dares to attack me in front of the prince. Now stand on your own The door is closed, how do you know that you won't think about harming our mother and daughter? It's better to be on guard."
If there is any fatal reason to be found from this, not to mention what happened to General Xiangxiao, at least it would be good to shake his title.
Anyway, as long as this stepson is unlucky, Lu Jifei will be happy.
... This matter was aroused in the government and the public, but the palace didn't have much time to take care of it. After all, Empress Dowager Qu's birthday had already arrived.
Empress Dowager Qu resolutely opposed it when she first learned that this year's congratulations would be given to her. The reason she told Chunjia was that she was the concubine of King Duan of Fuyang, and it was a fluke to be named Queen Mother. The Empress Dowager was raised in the palace, and if she celebrates so much now, it may be to remind some courtiers to repeat the old saying. Isn't this an embarrassment for Chunjia?
She is a useless biological mother, she can't help Chunjia anything, all she can do is try not to cause trouble to her biological son.
Chunjia naturally reassured her over and over again, promising that nothing would happen...but he didn't know that Empress Dowager Qu turned her head and burst into tears in front of the concubine Xian who was ordered to come here to ask her what she wanted for the birthday banquet: "When Ai's family first entered the palace, , one year younger than you when you entered the palace, but only fourteen. From serving the late king at that time, to following your Majesty and his wife to come to the imperial capital to be the empress dowager, in the past few decades, there has never been a serious birthday celebration! Mostly, people around you will quietly order a bowl of longevity noodles, and say a few auspicious words to Ai's family, it's a birthday!"
Yun Fenghuang said softly: "Your Majesty has seen all your grievances, don't you see that this year, the Six Palaces are thinking about how to congratulate you?"
"It's just that the Ai family sacrificed their lives for it!" Empress Dowager Qu was not grateful, and said with a sneer, "You don't know if others don't know? If it wasn't for your Majesty knowing what Yuan's lowly maidservant did, and trying to smooth things over, Can the Ai family have such an honor?"
The queen mother smiled sarcastically and said, "Ai's family was born in a humble family, and you looked like a noble young lady in Ai's time...so Ai's family was very scared when she was selected into the palace because of her appearance. Don’t dare to fight for anything, don’t dare to do anything, like wood, the masters will do what they say! I thought this would please the master, but I didn’t expect..."
She shook her head and sighed softly, "So when Aijia saw you, he felt much happier. Aijia really hoped that he could be like you back then, fighting for what he wanted! Instead of making a wrong move Wrong step."
Yun Fenghuang said in his heart that there was nothing he could do about it, Queen Mother Qu was sold into the palace by her family, with such a humble background, how could she teach her daughter? Of course, there are also some people who can rise from the grass without a teacher, but it is obvious that Queen Mother Qu is not one of them.
If she had been Empress Dowager Qu, she would have taken advantage of the conflict between Empress Dowager Yuan and Concubine Fuyangzhuang to gain a foothold in the palace and seek the position of side concubine.
In this way, it is a question of whether Queen Mother Yuan can raise Chunjia, let alone let Queen Mother Yuan put her adoptive mother above her biological mother.
... She lost her mind, and then smiled and said: "My lady, you said that you hope to be like a concubine. Why don't you envy my lady? Anyway, you are the biological mother of your majesty. Based on this, you say that in this world, from ancient times to the present. How many people can match you? As for the Spring Palace, the loving mother, the Empress Dowager, has always worried a lot. Your place is clean and suitable for taking care of you. It will last forever, who knows what will happen in the future?"
These words are of course not to persuade Empress Dowager Qu to go to bed early, get up early and take good care of her to kill Empress Dowager Yuan, but to imply that Empress Dowager Yuan has so many things to consider, you only need to consider one thing: how to kill him and replace her.
That's it.
Take it slowly, maybe you will find a chance to send her down to see Fuyang Zhuang Concubine?
The two exchanged a tacit look, Empress Dowager Qu slowly wiped away her tears, and asked with a light smile, "Why didn't you bring your two nieces with you when you came here today? The Ai family also wants to see that little girl named Xie Meng." , Is it true that the longer I grow, the more I look like you?"
"They're making a fuss, and I'm afraid they'll disturb you." Yun Fenghuang wanted to inquire about the news while talking about a serious matter, why would he bring two children who didn't know anything about it, so he said, "Meng'er's eyebrows and eyes are quite similar to those of a concubine, but The temperament is more out of the ordinary than the concubine's body. At a glance, it looks the same, but there is still a difference when you look closely. Catch up with the concubine's body to teach her the rules, and then bring it to you to pay your respects."
Empress Dowager Qu said: "Don't be too attached to the children, the Ai family actually likes children to be happy."
As if remembering something, he sighed, "Kunze used to be pretty lively, but these days he's quiet too."
She didn't mention Princess Kunze, and Yun Fenghuang almost forgot that Chunjia had a younger sister. She was stunned for a while before she smiled and said, "Perhaps the princess has grown up, and girls are much quieter when they grow up." .”
After talking like this for a while, seeing that the queen mother had no other orders, she left.
Back to Huanhua Palace, dealt with some palace affairs, presided over the justice for Xie Meng and Xie Kuo who had a dispute, and Chunjia came over.
Yun Fenghuang talked to him about various birthday banquets, which were originally slightly reduced compared to the previous Longevity Festival, but Empress Dowager Qu insisted not to be too extravagant, and only let a few tables be set up in the Jiashan Palace, and go to the harem Congratulations, it's enough for Jiaofang Secretary to arrange two dances.
As for the meeting of the married woman, the ministers' congratulations, etc., are not allowed.
She was resolute in this regard, and after discussing with Yun Fenghuang, both parties believed that such a high-profile at the moment was not beneficial, but made Chunjia feel that she had made up for her biological mother to some extent. .
So at this moment, Chunjia frowned slightly, saying that she thought it was too simple and not lively enough, and Yun Fenghuang said: "I also told the empress dowager the same way, but the empress dowager said that her Jiashan Palace will be safe all year round. It’s quiet, it’s too lively and I’m not used to it.”
Chunjia was silent for a while, sighed, and asked again: "What else can Queen Mother say?"
"Nothing else, I just mentioned Princess Kunze." Yun Fenghuang heard the words and said, "The princess has grown up, so I don't know if the queen mother has thought about the princess." marriage?"
Chunjia pondered for a while, and said: "Empress Qu's mother can decide on Kunze's marriage by herself, but she can't choose from noble families."
After all, it cannot be said that the husband-in-law he found for his blood-related sister is more noble than the husband-in-law he found for his step-sisters.
Yun Fenghuang said: "It's better for you to go and tell the Empress Dowager yourself about this matter, so that the Empress Dowager can be happier. I went there today, and she looks sleepy and not very interested."
"...I'll take a look for a couple of days." Chunjia frowned slightly when he heard the words. He didn't go to Jiashan Palace many times, and it was fine before. Ever since Empress Dowager Qu almost died at the hands of Empress Dowager Yuan, he went very often It's embarrassing, after all, an adoptive mother and a biological mother, no matter how much they hate each other, they don't treat him badly.
He is more partial to Queen Mother Yuan, after all, he gets along more with Queen Mother Yuan, but he does not have no affection for his biological mother.
After all, he did not favor Queen Mother Yuan to the point of allowing her to kill Queen Mother Qu.
So now every time I go to see Queen Mother Qu, I feel a little inexplicably embarrassed.
Just subconsciously want to procrastinate.
Yun Fenghuang knew it well, and said with a smile: "Two days is fine, otherwise the Empress Dowager probably guessed that it was me who revealed it to you, so you may not be so pleasantly surprised. After two days, it seems that you came up with it yourself."
Chun Jia said, "It's still Ah Huang who sympathizes with me."
They talked and laughed for a while, and when they heard it was raining outside, they packed up and settled down.
The next day, Empress Dowager Qu's birthday came, and there was a raucous commotion in Jiashan Palace, and a banquet was set up early.
Originally, according to the rules, the Empress Dowager Riqu had to greet the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager Yuan successively, but now she and the Empress Dowager Yuan were both so sick that they were "hard to get up"? So I can only send the palace servants to run errands for me.
The servants in front of her went to Qingci Palace and Spring Palace, but the Lord didn't see her, but there were many congratulatory gifts.
Arriving around noon, Gu Zhen led the concubines in costumes to greet him and congratulate him, and the whole palace became more and more lively.
This time Yun Fenghuang brought the two nieces up, and asked someone to hug the First Prince and Princess Zhaoqing.
Empress Dowager Qu had a calm expression at first, but she didn't take it seriously when she saw the respect and flattery of Gu Zhen and others, but she finally smiled a little when she saw these four children.
The eldest prince and Princess Zhaoqing are her own grandchildren, they should have been closer, but they are too young, so they are not as fun to tease as Xie Meng and Xie Kuo, so Empress Dowager Qu hugged her two grandchildren, so she let Yun Fenghuang sent the man back to Huanhua Palace: "Ai's house is bound to make a lot of noise today, the child is still young, so don't be disturbed later, it's not good."
Yun Fenghuang originally didn't want such a young heir to join in the fun, but on her grandmother's birthday, there was absolutely no reason why the infant grandchildren would not be present, so she asked the wet nurse to hug them and kowtow to the Queen Mother to celebrate her birthday, and took the Queen Mother's reward on her behalf. So Qing Du watched the two children go back.
The other emperor's heirs were also treated similarly. In short, before the banquet started, only Xie Meng and Xie Kuo were in front of the Queen Mother.
After all, these imperial heirs are the biological heirs of Empress Dowager Qu, and she sent them back on her own initiative, so it's fine. The point is, on such an occasion today, someone was still absent.
Well, it's still Chunke's wife, Yuan Niangniang.
Including her two concubines in the palace, Yuan Yuniang and Li Shi, did not show up.
Gu Zhen struggled for a while, but in the end he raised his eyebrows to Empress Dowager Qu, saying that the lord of the Huzhu palace was ill recently, and the concubines were afraid of coming to Jiashan Palace because they were afraid of getting sick after serving them every day.
Empress Dowager Qu's expression remained unchanged when she heard the words, and said that she knew it.
The incident was over, but after a long while, the banquet started, and Chun Jia, who hurried over, accompanied Queen Mother Qu to the first place to have a drink. , the people from Huzhu Palace came.
I came to report a letter saying that Mrs. Li suddenly became pregnant and seemed to be about to give birth, and wanted to invite Chunjia and the queen to sit in the town.