Princess Duan was not the only one who was panicking.
Concubine Xian and Concubine Jing were also worried every day and had trouble sleeping and eating.
Concubine Shu was ordered to die and buried, and Concubine Li died of illness. The deaths of the two concubines had the shadow of Empress Dowager Yu behind them.
Next, is it their turn?
Concubine Mei in Hanxiang Palace's illness has improved since King Shu went to Shu. However, she has always been cautious and cautious, and rarely goes out after she recovers. After Concubine Li's death, Concubine Mei simply
They also reported illness together and lived their lives behind closed doors.
The medicinal smell in Hanxiang Palace persists all year round, and Concubine Mei is used to the slightly bitter smell.
"His Royal Highness, the Imperial Concubine," Qin Se came forward with brisk steps and her eyes were full of joy: "His Royal Highness the King of Shu sent someone to deliver a letter. The Imperial Concubine of the Shu also sent people to send clothes and food."
Of course there is no shortage of food and clothing in the palace. However, it is always gratifying that Princess Shu has such a desire to honor her mother-in-law.
Concubine Mei's eyes suddenly lit up and she was filled with joy: "Where is the letter? Bring it over quickly."
Qin Se smiled and handed over the letter.
Concubine Mei couldn't wait to open the letter, crying while reading it.
The King of Shu writes letters every month. Every time Mrs. Mei reads the letter, she looks like this. Qinse has long been used to it. She first rejects all the maids, and then stays with her quietly.
Concubine Mei cried for a long time before her emotions slowly calmed down. She folded the letter with great care, and then said, "Qinse, is there anything strange happening in the palace today?"
Qin Se responded in a low voice: "I'd like to report to you, your servants heard that His Royal Highness Prince Ping was shouting and cursing in the palace again. When the Queen Mother found out, she didn't get angry and only ordered people to keep a close watch on her. However, the Emperor sent Eunuch Luo to take care of him on his behalf.
'visit'."
After Eunuch Luo's "visit", Prince Ping's voice became hoarse and he could not curse a word.
When Mrs. Mei heard this, her heart tightened, and a thin stream of cold sweat broke out on her back.
What a cruel and ruthless Emperor Jian'an!
Even an eleven-year-old boy refused to let go.
This is a life-and-death struggle to grind Prince Ping to death!
Fortunately, the King of Shu has settled down in the vassal territory. Even if there is a quarrel in the palace, the King of Shu will not be implicated. Thinking of this, Mrs. Mei's violently beating heart returned to calmness. She whispered: "Nothing will happen in the future.
, just stay in Hanxiang Palace. Don’t rush to inquire about the news, so as not to cause trouble."
As soon as he finished speaking, "trouble" came to his door.
The palace maid's voice sounded outside the door: "To report to Concubine Qi, Concubine Jing has sent two boxes of bird's nests."
Mrs. Mei: "..."
After Emperor Jianwen died, the concubines in the palace all lived in their own palaces and did not have much contact with each other. Concubine Jing was still ill herself, so she sent people to deliver things. Once she fell into the Jiaofang Hall
In his eyes, it was "the King of Min intends to show his favor to the King of Shu".
King Shu had escaped safely, and Concubine Mei did not want to be dragged into the quagmire. She thought for a moment and said: "Qinse, go to the warehouse to find some decent gifts and send them to Concubine Jing. She also made it clear that I should not leave the palace while I am ill.
.”
It is natural to return gifts after receiving gifts from others. However, "returning gifts" on the same day does not mean to distance yourself. This is also the practice of the harem.
…
Jiaofang Hall.
Yu Qiao reported softly: "To the Queen Mother, Princess Jing today sent two boxes of bird's nests to Concubine Xian, Concubine Mei, and Concubine Duan. All three concubines accepted it. Only Concubine Mei,
Today I asked someone to return the gift."
Queen Mother Yu's eyes flashed and she nodded slightly.
After Yu Qiao retreated, Empress Dowager Yu ordered Zhi Lan: "Go to Hanxiang Palace on behalf of the Ai family and give Princess Mei twenty boxes of bird's nests so that she can recuperate with peace of mind."
Zhilan's soft voice should be.
Empress Dowager Yu controls the harem, giving both grace and power. Concubine Mei is the most contented, but Concubine Jing, on the other hand, is jumping up and down even when she is ill... After today, she will definitely have to be honest for a while.
There is an undercurrent surging in the harem and there is no need to go into detail.
The king of Lu and the king of Min had more and more frequent private contacts.
Prince Lu's Mansion and Prince Min's Mansion are not far from each other and can only be reached by foot over a cup of tea. It is also common to meet for dinner together in the evening.
That night, King Lu invited King Min to come. It had been a year since Emperor Jianwen's death, and the rules of observing filial piety had become much more relaxed. There was no harm in drinking some wine in private.
After half a bottle of wine was consumed, all the waiters who were serving him withdrew. Only the two brothers were left sitting opposite each other.
King Lu looked at King Min intently and whispered: "Ping, King Ping is mute."
Emperor Jian'an was so ruthless that although he did not kill Prince Ping, he ordered his servants to send him a mute medicine. After drinking this mute medicine, you would not be able to speak clearly at first, but later you would become completely mute.
The King of Fujian remained silent and drank the wine in one gulp.
From the moment he plotted against Prince Ping, Prince Ping's ending was already predictable.
A trace of regret and self-blame flashed in King Lu's eyes: "Prince Ping is only eleven years old."
"Don't forget, the seventh brother was murdered when he was eight years old. If the sixth sister hadn't died on his behalf, he wouldn't be where he is today." The King of Fujian said slowly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Two
Brother, we are doing this now just to protect ourselves."
King Lu was speechless for a moment and drank the wine in silence.
The spicy liquid slid down the throat and quickly slid into the stomach. Then, the burning taste spread and gradually turned into bitterness.
Yes, in order to protect themselves, they had to plot against Emperor Jian'an. The more mistakes Emperor Jian'an made, the more beneficial it was to them. The King of Ningxia would never sit back and watch King Ping being bullied...
Everything was within their calculations and expectations.
However, how innocent is the young Prince Ping?
King Lu and King Min looked at each other and looked away in unison.
After a while, King Min cheered up and raised his glass to King Lu: "No matter what, our plan is successful, it is always a good thing. Second brother, I toast you."
King Lu calmed down and raised their glasses together.
Both of them drank very restrainedly. After a bottle of wine, they stopped drinking more and went to the study instead. After a long talk in secret, the King of Fujian took his leave and returned home.
After King Min left, King Lu sat in the study for a while, sighed deeply, and then returned to his bedroom.
Princess Lu Zhao Changqing came forward and said softly: "Your Highness smells of alcohol. I have prepared a sobering soup for Your Highness. Please drink a bowl before taking a bath."
King Lu nodded and drank the sobering soup under Zhao Changqing's gentle service.
After bathing, the couple had a chance to talk alone.
"Prince Ping is dumb." Zhao Changqing lowered his voice: "Does Your Highness know about this?"
King Lu's eyes dimmed and he hummed.
Zhao Changqing had already become suspicious. At this time, he spoke to test him. Seeing that King Lu was unwilling to say anything, he was secretly frightened. King Ping suddenly committed an attack in the mourning hall, and there must be someone behind it who was instigating him. However, everyone around King Ping was killed with a stick, and he was also shocked.
Haven't found out what happened.
Could it be that this person is King Lu?
When brothers speak, they are naturally extremely secretive and will not reach other people's ears...
