In Ganquan Palace, Concubine Cao's brows jumped heavily when she heard the news that King Qin had entered the palace to meet the Holy Emperor.
For some reason, Concubine Cao had a strong bad premonition in her heart: "Come, please go to the Ministry of Household Affairs and deliver a message to the King of Han. I ask the King of Han to come to the palace to see me when he is free."
Just after noon, the King of Han entered the palace.
The King of Han said with a gloomy handsome face: "This is not right."
"The king of Yan entered the palace with his front foot, and his father, the queen, summoned the king of Qin to the palace. There must be some connection between them."
A thought flashed through Concubine Cao's mind, and she suddenly gasped: "You mean, it was King Yan who begged for King Qin? How is this possible! King Yan almost died in the hands of King Qin, how could he be willing to settle the past with King Qin?
This is absolutely impossible!"
How is it impossible?
"We have all underestimated King Yan." The King of Han frowned with anger, "He will do anything for the sake of being the heir apparent."
"I originally thought about waiting for a while and interceding for King Qin. Firstly, I would please my father, and secondly, I would show my courage and demeanor to all the ministers."
"I never expected that I was one step late! The great opportunity was snatched away by King Yan!"
Miscalculated!
Big miscalculation!
He had tried his best to promote the establishment of a queen, but to no avail. Then he was busy contacting the courtiers to recommend him as the prince, and he was not busy with the King of Qin. Who would have thought that the King of Yan would take the first step quietly.
"It's a shame he can do it." Concubine Cao was furious and anxious, "What should we do now?"
The King of Han was in a confused state of mind and had no idea for a moment. He said dejectedly: "There is nothing we can do. Let's wait and wait and see what happens."
Mother and son sit facing each other in the city of sorrow.
At this time, Concubine Tian Shu and Queen Zhao's mother and son in Luomei Palace were also talking in low voices.
"Fourth brother and I are no match for the second brother." King Zhao lamented: "The eldest brother has received such a big favor, so he must speak well of the second brother in front of the father. Soon, the father will issue an edict.
The second brother is the heir apparent."
Concubine Tian Shu was a little unwilling: "Can't we just watch it happen?"
King Zhao glanced at Concubine Tian Shu: "If you don't watch, what else can you do?"
"In the past, it was the eldest brother who was famous, and later it was the second brother who was the most popular, and the fourth brother who was aggressive. In short, the fight for the throne has nothing to do with me, the King of Zhao, from the beginning to the end."
Hearing these words is both harsh and heartbreaking.
Concubine Tian Shu's eyes turned red, she covered her face and cried for a while: "My mother is cowardly and useless. Not only can't she help you, but she has also dragged you down."
He is also a prince, why should King Zhao be a dwarf?
It was not because her biological mother was of low birth and was looked down upon by others. Even King Zhao was not happy with Emperor Long'an.
After hearing these words, King Zhao didn't even move his brows, and said calmly: "Mom, please stop crying. I have heard these words since I was a child. It is useless to say them, so don't say them."
Concubine Tian Shu was made more and more uncomfortable by her son's words, and she didn't cry anymore. She silently wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
King Zhao thought for a moment and whispered: "From today on, the mother and concubine will stay in the palace. If there is no need, she will go to Luomei Palace."
So as not to offend Concubine Cao and her son and cause trouble.
Concubine Tian Shu responded helplessly.
…
That evening, Empress Dowager Cao held a banquet in Cining Palace.
Princess Yan led her daughter-in-law Yuan Min into the palace. As soon as she entered Cining Palace, she met Princess Qin.
Princess Qin has not been seen in public for a year, and she looks much older to the naked eye. No amount of makeup can hide the gauntness between her eyebrows.
Princess Qin remembered King Qin's instructions and smiled at Princess Yan: "I haven't seen my second brother and sister for a long time. When I saw them today, they looked rosy and even better than before."
Princess Yan smiled and said: "I have always been like this. My sister-in-law, on the other hand, looks much older than before."
Princess Qin: "..."
Princess Qin almost choked and couldn't breathe.
Yuan Min opened her mouth to rescue her at the right time: "Concubine, I'd better go in first and pay my respects to the great-grandmother!"
King Yan listened to his daughter-in-law's words, nodded, and led Yuan Min forward.
Princess Qin swallowed her suffocation and walked inside with Princess Yan.
In the past, Princess Qin was in front. Now the situation has changed, and Princess Qin had to give in and let Princess Yan walk in front of her.
This is just the beginning. Perhaps, before long, I will have to bow down to Princess Yan and say something to please her.
The world is really unfair.
The ignorant and reckless Princess Yan got married to a good husband!
Princess Zhao and Princess Han also entered the palace one after another, and when they met Princess Yan, they were much more affectionate than before.
The princes are vying for the crown prince, and the princes and concubines are also competing. No one is convinced. However, no one can match the popularity of King Yan at the moment, and Princess Yan has become the first among the princes and concubines.
Even Empress Dowager Cao was particularly kind to Princess Yan. At the palace banquet, she specially allowed King Yan and Princess Yan to sit at the top of the table.
Old and young are in order. In the past, this was the position of the King of Qin and his wife.
Queen Mother Cao's behavior seemed to foreshadow something.
Concubine Cao secretly bit her silver teeth into pieces.
Concubine Tian Shu kept in mind King Zhao's instructions, but she did not show any dissatisfaction.
King Zhao told her that temporary glory is not glory, and the real winner is the one who laughs in the end. Just endure it! I have endured it for decades, and I don’t care about this moment.
Soon, Emperor Long'an came with all the princes.
Concubine Cao calmed herself down and stood up to greet King Qin with a smile. She greeted King Qin as if he was her biological son.
Emperor Long'an didn't make Concubine Cao his queen. I don't know if he felt a little guilty, but he has been particularly gentle to Concubine Cao recently: "Concubine, come and sit next to me."
Concubine Cao did not dare to say such hypocritical words as "I am not a queen and am not worthy of sitting next to the emperor." Emperor Long'an was not a weak and sentimental emperor. Once he became serious and cruel, his own son would be willing to imprison him.
It was rare for Emperor Long'an to show his tender side. Concubine Cao thanked her happily and sat beside Emperor Long'an.
King Yan saw it in his eyes and felt secretly awe-inspiring in his heart.
Fortunately, Emperor Long'an was not the kind of old, sentimental and confused emperor. Otherwise, if he had softened his heart before and made Cao Guifei his queen, the King of Han would have become his legitimate son in one fell swoop. The road to fighting for the heir would have become increasingly difficult and fierce.
After the palace banquet that night, King Qin officially "recovered" from his illness and went to the morning court the next day.
However, the Ministry of War has been handed over to General Yuan, and Emperor Long'an had no intention of letting General Yuan return it. Instead, he asked King Qin to take over the errands of the Ministry of Rites.
The Ministry of Rites is both clean and expensive, and it sounds good to the public, but in terms of practical benefits, it is far inferior to the Ministry of War, which has military power.
Needless to say, how regretful King Qin was in his heart. On his face, he looked grateful.
After the King of Qin took charge of the Ministry of Ceremonies, he quickly issued the first memorial. The memorial praised King Yan for his loyalty, filial piety, justice, shrewdness and ability, and was a role model for all the princes. He also petitioned Emperor Long'an to appoint King Yan as his heir apparent.
