But spring in Suxin Palace seems to come later than outside. There are no flowers in full bloom, only willows piled with smoke and half a tree of pear blossoms.
The second prince walked in slowly, being careful not to step on the grass growing out of the cracks in the bricks.
Since this empty and lonely yard cannot be cleaned every day, it is better to let wild grass and wild flowers decorate it with life, which will make it look more lively.
Jiang Cairen is outside the house now, sitting on a bamboo chair next to the stone well railing.
Although the sun has risen very high, the shadows of the jujube trees are also dense, blocking the dazzling sunlight.
"You're here," Jiang Cairen looked at his son, a smile blooming on his face, like the spring that had been hidden. "Last time you came, the jujube leaves hadn't sprouted yet. Now the jujube flowers are about to fall."
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"It's true that my son hasn't come to visit his mother for a long time." The second prince walked over and took the chair from Aunt Mei. "He has been busy outside the palace these days."
"The queen has sent you another errand? No matter how important the errand is, you must take care of your body. I see that you are thinner and darker than before."
"I'm not too tired. It's just that I got dark after riding twice under the sun." The second prince said with a smile, "Don't worry, mother, my son is fine."
At this time, a young eunuch walked in and bowed to greet the second prince.
Uncle Gui was too old and could not survive the last winter.
So I called this little eunuch to serve me. He was a bit naive, but his hands and feet were pretty quick.
"Has mother received the things I asked people to deliver a few days ago? If there is anything missing, please tell me."
The second prince was very filial. Even if he could not visit Suxin Palace often, he would always send someone to take care of him.
But Jiang Cairen rarely told him what he wanted. He always told him that he was fine here.
"Put it away. There are too many things. There are not many people here and we don't need so much. It would be a pity to leave them for nothing." Jiang Cairen's white jade-like face did not have a trace of wrinkles.
It was as if her appearance had been sealed away along with her relegation to the cold palace.
"I don't have much talent. It's just that my mother didn't ask for anything outside her." Although the second prince smiled, his heart became more and more sad.
He always wanted to give his mother the best, but it seemed he could never give it to her.
"Since you haven't been here these days, has anything happened in the palace?" Jiang Cairen asked, "Although I'm shut up here, I can vaguely feel that since the new queen came to power, the palace has never been truly peaceful."
"Something did happen at the Queen's birthday banquet this year." The second prince felt a little strange. Jiang Cairen usually didn't pay attention to this, so why did he suddenly take the initiative to ask today, "Everyone was shocked."
The second prince told Jiang Cairen about the matter in more detail, and also about Ge Qing.
"This is really unbelievable and unheard of." Jiang Cairen said after hearing this, "I guess the queen is still worried about this matter right now!"
"Of course the queen is feeling difficult, but the matter is over after all." The second prince said, "Shang Qiyan didn't hear anything from his side. I don't know how he explained it to the emperor."
"Shang Qiyan was naturally recruited by the Queen to help her. He has been with the Emperor for so many years, and he knows the Emperor's temper best. He has ways to calm the Emperor down." Jiang Cairen smiled, "But this time the Queen, although
On the surface, I didn’t suffer any losses, but I suffered a lot of hidden losses.
The emperor must have known in his heart that she was indispensable, and he was wary of her after hurting Qiyan.
Moreover, I had a falling out with Concubine Fu, and Concubine Xian and the Liu family were also reprimanded."
"Mother is right, no one really took advantage this time." The second prince said, "The prince hasn't gone back to study these days. He has been staying with the queen. All things put together are not as good as the prince alone.
Let the Queen worry about it."
"The queen is a bit too demanding. She is too strong and can easily overuse her strength." Jiang Cairen said.
"Nowadays, the Queen rarely comes to me for matters in the palace." The second prince said, "I think she is also on guard against me!"
"The queen is suspicious by nature. How many people are she not guarding against?" Jiang Cairen smiled, "Just do your own thing well."
"Mom, there's no need to worry about me, I'm such an old person now," the second prince said.
"How about Ayu and Ajin?" Jiang Cairen asked about the two granddaughters, "There must be reliable people taking care of them."
These two children were born to Ma Feiyan, and Ma Feiyan was sentenced to death. These two children were not implicated because they had royal blood, but they lost their mother after all.
"Don't worry, mother. The nanny and maid they have had since childhood have not been replaced. The queen is not worried either, so she specially sent someone from the palace." The second prince naturally felt sorry for his two daughters.
These two children, one seven years old and one five years old, were so ignorant that they couldn't understand why their mother suddenly disappeared.
"Speaking of which, it's time for you to remarry," Jiang Cairen said. "The position of the prince's concubine cannot remain vacant forever. If Ma's death was not that way, you might as well remarry two years later.
But she was sent to die by the emperor, and you can't stay for a sinner for too long. What you know is that you don't have her in your heart; those who don't know think you have something on your mind."
"What mother reminds me is that the queen didn't mention this matter, so it was inconvenient for the son to say it. Besides, there is no suitable person at the moment." The second prince had the same difficulty as the second prince.
His status was awkward, and he relied on the Queen for everything. In any case, Ma Feiyan was considered the Queen's niece, so he couldn't appear too unkind, lest the Queen feel uncomfortable.
"There is nothing that should be mentioned or should not be mentioned. As long as what you propose is beneficial to the queen, she will naturally adopt it." Jiang Cairen said, "In my opinion, if you want to renew your relationship, it is best to find a relative on the fifth prince's side."
"Why is this? The Queen and Concubine Fu are already at odds with each other. How can I marry a relative from Lan Ning's side?" The second prince was very surprised.
"Why not? You must know that the Queen and Concubine Fu are not at odds with each other, and they only know each other well. They still have to appear harmonious in front of the Emperor.
If the Queen takes the initiative to let you accept Lan Ning's relatives, the Emperor will naturally be happy and will praise the Queen for being sensible and generous.
And you can tell the queen that you married Lan Ning's side to better monitor them. After all, the queen really wants to know herself and the enemy." Jiang Cairen patiently explained to his son, "This is a check and balance, and the queen will understand.
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"Mother, why are you so concerned about these things today..." The second prince looked at Jiang Cairen, always feeling that the mother in front of him was so strange.
"Silly boy, I am planning for you." Jiang Cairen looked at his son, his eyes as gentle as water, "After you do this, you can move forward or retreat. I am also here to keep you safe!"
