mtl008 Chapter 495: The Disharmony between the Two Imperial Concubines (2)
Chapter 495: The Disharmony between the Two Imperial Concubines (2)
An Lingrong smiled gently, that smile concealing a bit of bitterness and helplessness, but also a bit of relief.
"Your Majesty, it is a great blessing to be liked by you."
Neither she nor her mother met a good man. Fortunately, God gave her a second chance and she escaped from the fire pit with her mother early on.
Now she holds the position of noble concubine, and has two healthy princes and a lively princess. This is a situation she could not even dream of in her previous life.
It's pretty good now. The emperor has someone else in his heart, and she also has something to ask for...
The emperor didn't notice the subtle change in the person's mood at all. He still held her hand tightly, his eyes blurred: "These years, only by your side can I feel a moment of comfort. You and Chunyuan are really becoming more and more alike. Sometimes I..."
An Lingrong let the emperor hold her hand, but the smile in her eyes never really reached her eyes.
An Lingrong helped the emperor, whose voice was becoming increasingly quiet, back to the bedroom, and called the palace maid who was standing by, and whispered instructions to her.
"I've drunk too much and feel a little dizzy. I need to take a break. Please help the emperor wash up first."
"Yes, slave, go right away."
An Lingrong drank the hangover tea brought by Xiao Dongzi and served a bowl to the emperor.
Seeing her come in, the two palace maids were obviously frightened for a moment, but she did not take this abnormality to heart.
The maids in the Yangxin Palace served the emperor personally. If he wanted to take one of them into the harem, she, as a concubine, would be unable to stop him.
"Leave this to me, all of you retreat."
An Lingrong gently coaxed the emperor to drink the hangover tea, then she pulled out a thin quilt and slept beside him, only half an arm's length away.
Late at night, when she heard the person sharing her bed calling out "Rou Ze" in a daze many times, she chose to remain silent.
It was not until it was almost time to get up that she carefully fed the emperor half a cup of warm water.
Hearing Xiao Xiazi's footsteps coming from outside the door, An Lingrong moved and rolled to a position within a fist's distance from the emperor.
"Your Majesty, it's time to leave the bedroom!"
"emperor......"
Seeing that the emperor had no reaction to Xiao Xia Zi's words, she gently patted the emperor's shoulder and called softly in his ear.
"Your Majesty, I will help you get up!"
"Okay, I'll get up right away." The emperor said considerately as he sat up. "Rong'er, it's still early outside, you should sleep a little longer."
"Your Majesty, you work hard day and night for the people. As a mere woman, I cannot help you. I can only serve you well."
As An Lingrong spoke, she got out of bed lightly.
She took the bright yellow court robe from the palace maid and skillfully changed the emperor's clothes.
While arranging his court beads, the emperor grasped her fair and tender hand.
"Rong'er, Hongyao and Zhaohua are both grown up now, and you have some free time now, so you can help Concubine Hua share more of the palace affairs."
"I, my concubine, listen to your Majesty."
An Lingrong agreed obediently.
She knew in her heart that the emperor's old illness had recurred.
It was said that she was asked to help Concubine Hua share the palace affairs, but in fact it was to seize the palace power from others.
If the two imperial concubines in the harem don't get along, wouldn't that be a good opportunity for Ling Yunfeng?
The Emperor really puts a lot of effort into Zhen Huan, doesn't he?
An Lingrong smiled as she saw the emperor off to the morning court, then turned around and led Baoque back to Yongshou Palace.
"I'll take a nap first. Remember to wake me up at the beginning of the morning to have breakfast with the prince and princess."
"Yes, slaves obey."
When An Lingrong woke up again, the sun had already covered the earth.
As soon as breakfast was over, Hongyao urged Xiaolinzi to take him to Xianfu Palace.
Yesterday, Concubine Jing brought Hongxia to An Lingrong's house and said she wanted to paint his portrait, and An Lingrong did not refuse.
Zhao Hua saw his brother trotting out of Yongshou Palace, and walked up to An Lingrong with sparkling eyes.
"Mother, Sister Anle said that a lot of new and interesting things have been sent from outside the palace, and she invited me to go to Yikun Palace to play. Can you take your daughter to see them?"
"Okay, I'll go with you right away."
An Lingrong agreed with sympathy.
Although she had accumulated some wealth, it was still far from what the Nian family had achieved in prosperity for more than thirty years.
Besides, there were some things she didn't dare reveal in front of the emperor, so she could only temporarily let the child suffer.
An Lingrong asked Baoli to send Zhaohua to the back hall of Yiku Palace to find Anle, while she went directly into the main hall.
"Sister Nian, before the Emperor went to court today..."
"Lingrong, you don't have to feel embarrassed. I, your sister, have long anticipated that the emperor would weaken my power in the palace. From the former deposed empress to me, and later Shen Meizhuang, and even you. He has always been trying to prevent one person from dominating the palace."
Hua Gufei sneered.
"Now, she wants us to fight because of that bitch far away in Lingyun Peak. She's really cruel!"
"Sister Nian, we both have children. The emperor's behavior is truly chilling."
An Lingrong stepped forward, held her hand, and made a solemn promise.
"Lingrong knows that my sister wants to protect the family and Anle's heart. I won't let you down."
"You've done enough for me. Let me handle the rest. If the Emperor doesn't want to see the two concubines at odds, then we'll show him."
Concubine Hua leaned close to An Lingrong's ear and whispered something. Songzhi and Baoque watched the two ladies whispering in the main hall. They focused their attention outside the hall and did not let anyone get close.
The two discussed for about two quarters of an hour. Concubine Hua's arrogance instantly increased, and she glanced at the person beside her.
"An Lingrong, what do you think of me?"
An Lingrong thought about it and advised directly.
"Sister Nian, you don't have to be like this. It's normal for your temperament to soften after giving birth to Anle."
Concubine Hua's arrogant and haughty attitude had a wide impact, and could make most people in the harem instantly remember what she used to look like.
Isn't this just asking for trouble?
"The Emperor's intention is to see us fight, with one side gaining power while the other loses. If that's the case, why don't we 'fight' each other? But who wins and who loses is up to us."
An Lingrong looked at Concubine Hua with a smile.
"As one rises, the other falls. Others fall, but we rise. What do you think, Sister Nian?"
“That’s really good!”
Concubine Hua nodded in agreement and leaned closer to An Lingrong to listen to her more detailed plan.
The emperor acted quickly. As soon as she woke up from her break, Xiao Xiazi arrived at the Yiku Palace to deliver the message.
"Empress Hua, the Emperor feels sorry for you handling the palace affairs, so he decided to let Empress Shu assist in managing the six palaces."
Nian Shilan's smile disappeared instantly. She asked in confusion, "Eunuch Xia, did the Emperor specify how Noble Concubine Shu should assist?"
Xiao Xiazi was embarrassed for a moment and continued to convey his master's words.
"Empress Hua, the Emperor's original words were that the two concubines in the harem are virtuous and capable, and that he would like you to discuss everything with them."
"I have delivered your message. I have other work to do in the Yangxin Palace, so I will withdraw now."
Xiao Xiazi ran away after he finished speaking. He himself felt that the emperor's decision was somewhat unkind.
With Concubine Hua's overbearing personality, she didn't even give face to the deposed empress who almost monopolized power. How could she be willing to discuss all palace affairs with Concubine Shu?
After hearing the emperor's order from Hanzhu, Concubine Jing exclaimed in surprise.
"The Emperor asked the two concubines to discuss and handle palace affairs? Is your information correct?"
"My Lord, this news was personally delivered by Eunuch Xia, who serves in the Yangxin Palace, to the Yikun Palace. At that time, Concubine Hua thought that the Emperor had a reward, so she didn't try to avoid anyone."
This news had already spread among the palace people, and as soon as Hanzhu went out, someone took the initiative to tell her.
"I understand. You can go and help the Seventh Prince rest."
After adopting the Seventh Prince, Concubine Jing devoted herself to him.
Now that the news had spread that the emperor had asked the two imperial concubines to negotiate and handle palace affairs, she once again began to silently count the bricks of Xianfu Palace late at night.