As expected, as soon as Yang Yushi died, rumors suddenly spread in the capital.
No one dared to criticize the emperor openly, and they had to criticize a few words in private: "Yang Yushi is really unlucky. He just sent a memorial asking for the harem to be opened, but he was kicked out of the court directly by the emperor. He was young and energetic.
Yang Yushi, how can you bear this? If you can't think about it, won't you be able to survive?"
"Speaking of which, the emperor is really very affectionate towards the empress. Just a memorial made the emperor Long Yan furious and drove the dignified censor out of the court."
"Everyone says that the Queen is virtuous, and it seems they are all saying it to others. In my opinion, the Queen is narrow-minded and quite jealous!"
"The empress's reputation as a virtuous woman was clearly promoted..."
"Hush! Don't say such nonsense! If someone with a heart hears it and spreads it to the palace, it will be terrible. With the precedent of Yang Yushi, don't you also want to end up committing suicide in shame and anger?"
That's how things are in the world.
When a man behaves improperly, it is mostly the women at home who are scolded. "A good wife and a good husband seldom bring disaster" is regarded as a wise saying.
No one dared to criticize the emperor, so the criticism fell on Queen Xie.
These rumors eventually reached Jiaofang Palace.
Mrs. Xu entered the palace worriedly and told Xie Mingxi all the rumors she had heard: "... Queen, the commotion and noise outside are not good these days!"
"These people who have sore tongues and give birth to sons without sex are just talking nonsense, saying that the Queen is envious and not virtuous, and they also say that the Queen is..."
Mrs. Xu glanced at Xie Mingxi, swallowed back the more unpleasant words, and said in a low voice: "Queen, the rumors are coming fiercely, you must be on guard against them!"
It is better to defend the people's mouth than to defend the river!
Xie Mingxi certainly understands this truth. The power of rumors cannot be underestimated. She herself is well versed in the way rumors can hurt people and manipulate public opinion.
"Thank you grandma for reminding me." Xie Mingxi smiled slightly and said calmly: "I know this well."
Just have a few.
Mrs. Xu was very knowledgeable and quickly changed the subject.
…
The next day, Empress Xie sent Xianghui to the Yang Mansion and rewarded Mrs. Yang generously. She also sent people to the Yang family to deliver oral instructions, saying that Mrs. Yang and her son should be respected and not insulted at will.
A few days later, Queen Xie summoned Mrs. Yang into the palace and personally spoke to comfort her.
This series of actions brought Empress Xie a lot of good reputation and also diluted the rumors in the market.
At the same time, the Ministry of Criminal Justice sent out several detectives to arrest some gangsters who spread rumors in the streets and alleys, beat dozens of boards and sent them to jail.
Two officials who did not practice moral ethics were dismissed from their official positions because they gossiped during a private banquet.
The act of killing chickens to scare monkeys quickly bore fruit.
Within a few days, the rumors were suppressed. No one in the court mentioned the emperor's acceptance of concubines again.
However, everyone knew very well that this was only a temporary calm. Everyone was watching silently and secretly staring at Jiaofang Palace. If Queen Xie is happy soon and gives birth to an heir, everyone will be happy.
If there is no movement within a year, no matter how the emperor and empress react, someone like Yang Yushi will definitely file another memorial.
…
Fulin Palace.
The incident involving Yang Yushi was widely circulated, and even though Empress Dowager Yu was lying in bed to recuperate, she was not unaware of everything.
Queen Mother Yu also felt confused.
Whose handiwork did this matter come from?
She is now trapped in Fulin Palace, with almost no one available around her, and her influence on the court is minimal. Could the person who secretly instigated Yang Yushi's memorial come from the Yu family? Or those county princes?
Or is it an important official of the imperial court secretly spying on what's going on in the palace?
Of course, no matter who did such a thing, Queen Mother Yu felt happy.
After Xie Mingxi took the secret medicine in the palace, let alone a prince, even a princess could not be born. Xie Mingxi could withstand it for a while, how could it be possible that she could withstand it for the rest of her life?
Sooner or later, Xie Mingxi will follow in her footsteps and have to swallow her anger and silently give in.
The "deeply affectionate" emperor Sheng Hong would gradually be fascinated by fresh beauties like Emperor Jianwen back then.
It is a man's nature to like beauty.
The so-called virtue of loyalty is a requirement for women. It is a matter of course for men to accept beauty, and the reproduction of children is a top priority.
On this day, when the empress and empress brought A Luo to pay their respects, Empress Dowager Yu deliberately mentioned the rumors: "There are some unpleasant rumors outside that slander the empress. Even the Ai family has heard a lot."
Sheng Hong raised his eyebrows slightly and said calmly: "Someone is just making trouble for nothing and secretly making trouble. Don't worry, mother, I don't take it to heart at all."
Xie Mingxi smiled slightly, her eyes full of trust and tenderness: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for protecting me."
Queen Mother Yu: "..."
This couple made it clear that they were deliberately showing off their affection to annoy her!
Empress Dowager Yu had been ill for such a long time. Not only was her body weak, but her temper became increasingly irritable and irritable. Her anger suddenly rushed up, and her wrinkled and sallow face turned dark red.
Xie Mingxi took two steps forward and asked with concern on her face: "Why did the Queen mother's blood suddenly surge and her face flushed? Is it because she is worried about her daughter-in-law?"
"In this case, my daughter-in-law can thank her mother for her concern."
Queen Mother Yu took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in her heart, and responded with a smile: "Among the daughters-in-law of the Ai family, you are the most filial. If the Ai family doesn't love you, who do you love?"
Xie Mingxi smiled and said: "My mother loves my daughter-in-law so much, and my daughter-in-law is extremely grateful."
Empress Dowager Yu snorted coldly in her heart, and opened her mouth to poke Xie Mingxi's heart: "However, one thing is right. A'luo is seven years old, and it is time for the queen to give birth to a prince for the emperor. The country of Daqi can only
Handed down."
Xie Mingxi responded without changing her expression: "That's what the Queen Mother said."
Queen Mother Yu sneered in her heart and looked tired on her face.
The emperor and empress quickly resigned and left.
…
After everyone left, Queen Mother Yu closed her eyes and wondered what she was thinking.
After a while, Queen Mother Yu opened her eyes again and called Yu Qiao over.
After Zhi Lan died, Yu Qiao fell ill. After recovering from the illness, Yu Qiao became the most useful person around Queen Mother Yu.
Yu Qiao is in her thirties this year. She has a handsome face and a slim figure. But there is always a lingering gloom between her eyebrows. Compared with the past, Yu Qiao talks a lot less. She bows her head respectfully and says: "
What are your orders from the Queen Mother?"
Queen Mother Yu gave a few instructions in a low voice.
Yu Qiao's pupils shrank slightly and she glanced at Queen Mother Yu subconsciously.
Queen Mother Yu has not looked in the mirror for a long time.
Therefore, Queen Mother Yu did not know how ferocious she looked at this time.
"Yu Qiao," Queen Mother Yu glanced over with some displeasure: "Did you hear clearly what the Ai family said?"
