The emperor and empress tacitly understood the matter of establishing the crown prince.
She tried her best to promote the third prince, and Emperor Jianwen knew it. However, Emperor Jianwen always liked the fourth prince more.
Emperor Jianwen's mind wavered and he was still undecided.
This year has been full of events. First, Xishan was assassinated, then the "sixth princess" became the seventh prince, and then the princes proposed marriages. Concubine Lianxiang was favored, Concubine Duan fell out of favor, Concubine Mei was in the cold palace, Concubine Li was banned, and the fourth prince was
Reprimanded, Queen Mother Li was suppressed...
The harem is in turmoil and the peace of the past is no longer the same.
In fact, the past was not peaceful. It was just that many conflicts were suppressed under the appearance of harmony. Nowadays, Empress Yu no longer tolerates it, and her tactics become more and more fierce. Even Empress Dowager Li is often so angry that she breaks down in Cining Palace.
Swearing angrily.
Empress Yu was so powerful that the rise of the three princes was inevitable.
The fourth prince seems to be less holy than before, but in fact he is very powerful. Both his wife's family and the future family of his in-laws are well-known families in the capital. In the battle for the throne, it is not yet known who will win and who will lose.
"What the Emperor said is true." Empress Yu smiled gently: "The establishment of a crown prince is a major matter for the country, and it must be carefully considered. Only when the princes have received their errands can we see the patience of each one."
After a pause, he said softly: "Of course I can't hide my concubine's thoughts from the emperor."
"All the princes are concubines. Although I am my aunt's mother, I am separated from them by a layer. The third prince's biological mother is my cousin, so I am closer to him. Therefore, I treat him more affectionately."
"It's just that I, my concubine, would never dare to influence the emperor's appointment of a heir apparent because of such selfish motives."
"No matter which prince the emperor chooses to be his heir in the future, I will be happy for the emperor."
Queen Yu looked gentle and spoke softly.
Emperor Jianwen stared at Empress Yu and said warmly: "Lianniang, I am not old yet. As long as I am here, you will be honored. My son is also your son. No matter who is appointed as the crown prince, he will be honored."
Be filial and love you."
Empress Yu curled her lips, with tenderness in her eyes: "I have all written down the emperor's words."
Emperor Jianwen put his arms around Queen Yu, and Queen Yu nestled against Emperor Jianwen's chest. The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.
Everything is like before.
…
Half an hour later, Emperor Jianwen took a bath and changed his clothes, and was laid to bed by Lianxiang.
Queen Yu was used to sleeping alone.
The person on duty tonight is Zhi Lan.
Zhi Lansheng is gentle and beautiful, with a dignified temperament. Among all the palace ladies, she is very outstanding.
Most of the palace maids came from humble backgrounds, but Zhilan was an exception. Her father was once the prefect of Jiangzhou. He was convicted of malfeasance and was dismissed from his official position and exiled thousands of miles away.
Zhilan was the daughter of an official family since she was a child, and was raised carefully. When something happened in her family, Zhilan was only twelve years old, at the age when she was beautiful and graceful. Her father was unwilling to make his daughter suffer, so he asked his old friend and colleague to
She took Zhilan in and sent her to the palace to become a palace maid.
Zhilan was knowledgeable, intelligent, and attentive, and she quickly stood out among the ladies in the palace, and was selected by Empress Yu to be her personal female official. Because of her outstanding appearance, temperament, and gentle temperament, she had many admirers among the palace servants.
Eunuch Lu, whose eyes were as high as his head, also secretly fell in love with Zhi Lan.
Zhilan had never had any intention of having sex with a chambermaid. Even though Eunuch Lu was a close confidant of Emperor Jianwen, Zhilan was not moved. She knew that she was the daughter of a guilty minister, and she was lucky to be able to enter the palace and serve Queen Yu as a maid.
.I just want to stay in the palace peacefully and wait until I am forty years old before asking to leave the palace...
Her peaceful life ended a year ago.
Queen Yu ordered someone to take her out of the palace.
She was led to a secluded house, and then met her parents, brother-in-law, nephew, and siblings after seven years of absence.
Her family had suffered at the border for several years, and they were all emaciated and emaciated. When they saw her, they all cried bitterly. She also burst into tears.
After returning to the palace, she knelt down in front of Queen Yu and said softly: "Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for allowing my family to return to the capital. From today on, I will be at Your Majesty's disposal."
…
A year later, Zhi Lan recalled her peaceful life in the past and felt as if she had been separated from another world.
But no matter what, she never regretted her choice.
"Your Majesty, the bedding has been put away, and my slaves are waiting for your Majesty to go to bed." Zhilan said softly.
Queen Yu hummed casually and sat down on the bed: "Zhilan, there are no outsiders here. Sit over here and I will chat with you for a few words."
The rules in the palace are strict.
Zhi Lan had a look of sincerity and fear on her face: "Your Majesty loves me so much that I shouldn't refuse. However, this is really not in line with etiquette..."
Queen Yu smiled faintly: "I ask you to sit down, but it's okay for you to sit down."
Zhi Lan responded tremblingly and sat beside the bed, her eyes slightly lowered, not daring to look at Queen Yu.
Empress Yu did not force herself and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty has been taking Shenxian Pills recently, but he has been taking two pills a day?"
The fact that Emperor Jianwen secretly took the Shenxian Pill was also a very secret matter in the palace. Apart from the imperial physician and Eunuch Lu who donated the medicine, only Empress Yu and Zhilan knew about it.
Zhilan composed herself and responded softly: "I have been taking two pills a day since half a month ago."
Eunuch Lu was a chamberlain and could only be considered half a man. After they got married, he treated Zhilan very well. Not only did he give Zhilan the money he had saved for many years, but he also received all the rewards from Emperor Jianwen.
To Zhilan. No matter how big or small, don’t hide anything.
Emperor Jianwen lived in Jiaofang Hall, and every word, every action, and every move was in the eyes of Queen Yu. Emperor Jianwen naturally wanted to hide the matter of taking medicine in private.
Little did they know that Eunuch Lu had already told Zhilan about the matter in private, and Zhilan quietly reported back to Queen Yu.
Emperor Jianwen didn't even know that the doctor Zhao who presented the medicine was also a member of Empress Yu.
Queen Yu's expression was indifferent, and she couldn't reveal any emotion: "You can tell Eunuch Lu privately that in addition to presenting the fairy pills, you can also prepare some more entertainment for the emperor."
Zhilan responded in a low voice.
Zhilan was quite shocked when she heard such instructions at first. Now, she no longer shows any signs of surprise.
Zhilan also secretly wondered about Queen Yu's purpose, but the more she thought about it, the more frightened she became.
Emperor Jianwen was so indulgent and sensual, but the empress not only did not admonish him, but actually added fuel to the flames.
My dear, what do you want?
…
"Zhilan, are you wondering why I do this?"
Queen Yu's voice suddenly sounded in her ears, as if she understood all the doubts and speculations in Zhilan's heart.
Zhilan was startled and hurriedly stood up and knelt down beside the bed: "Your Majesty, I know this well, and I will never dare to speculate in vain!"
Empress Yu glanced at Zhi Lan, who was slim and fair, and twitched her lips: "Just follow orders and do what you are told. Don't worry about other things."
After a pause, Empress Yu continued: "Your father is a criminal and can no longer be an official. Your brother has no possibility of taking the imperial examination. I have some private property in this palace, so letting them and their son be the stewards is not an insult to them."
"
Zhi Lan was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly to express her gratitude: "Thank you so much, Madam. I would like to thank you for your kindness on behalf of my father and brother."
