mtl008 Chapter 373 The Lively Concubine Lan
Chapter 373 The Lively Concubine Lan
After failing to fall asleep, Huanbi, who was lying on the bed, felt a bitterness in her heart.
She couldn't help but wonder if she had expressed her feelings to the suave Prince Guo earlier, would the outcome have been different?
She did not expect to be the principal wife as she dreamed of, and would be satisfied even if she was just a concubine.
"My lord, it's time to get up!"
Fubao's soft call interrupted Huanbi's thoughts.
Huanbi opened her eyes and stared at the familiar curtain, sighed deeply and blamed.
"Didn't Concubine Hua ask me to finish copying the Buddhist scriptures before paying my respects? Why are you here so early to wake everyone up?"
Fubao lifted the curtain and explained in a low voice.
"My dear lady, when I came back from fetching water, I saw that Concubine Qi had already stood up in the front hall. I heard Yafang say that she wanted to finish copying the five Buddhist scriptures as soon as possible and send them to Concubine Hua."
Huanbi didn't want to lose to Guaerjia Wenyuan, so she stood up without Fubao urging her.
"Then please help me wash up."
During breakfast, Huanbi looked at the cakes and porridge on the table and asked in a low voice.
"Fubao, Baiwei, did anyone enter my bedroom yesterday?"
"My dear, I didn't see anyone enter your bedroom."
Fubao thought more and asked hurriedly.
"My lord, what have you lost?"
"No, it's just that one of my palace dresses is not placed in the right place. Maybe I am overthinking it. From now on, please keep an eye on my bedroom and don't let outsiders get close."
The increasingly bright sky reminded Huanbi of her identity, and she forced herself to suppress her slight thoughts about Prince Guo in her heart.
She is the emperor's woman, destined to bear children for the emperor.
They were not allowed to go out until they had finished copying the Buddhist scriptures. The two noble ladies in Changchun Palace competed with each other and finally completed their filial piety to the empress dowager late at night on the fifth day.
The next day, when An Lingrong saw Concubine Qi and Huanbi appear in the main hall of Yiku Palace, she passed by them with a smile.
"Your humble concubine (concubine) pays respects to Her Majesty Shu Guifei!"
"Everyone, get up quickly."
An Lingrong raised her hand slightly.
The change in everyone started the day before yesterday. When the emperor heard that Hongzhan was studying hard, he ordered Su Peisheng to invite him to the Yangxin Palace to test his knowledge.
Later, seeing that he was making good progress in his studies, he specially picked a time for him to study in the Yangxin Palace.
The emperor also taught the third prince in this way back then. There are many smart people in the harem.
This disrespectful concubine brought Concubine Xin to pay her respects to Concubine An Lingrong.
Not only did Concubine Hua turn a blind eye to this, she also dealt with several palace maids who gossiped.
So every day before the concubines paid their respects to Concubine Hua, they had to do one more thing, which was to pay their respects to Concubine Shu.
An Lingrong told the emperor about this matter with great fear and trepidation. The emperor told her frankly that she was sensible and could bear the courtesy of the people in the harem.
Today she accepted everyone's gifts without any psychological burden.
Half an incense stick later, the plainly dressed Concubine Hua appeared at the top.
"Now that everyone is here today, I have something to announce."
"The Emperor discussed with me yesterday that Princess Wen Yi should be registered under the name of Concubine Lan."
"Princess Lan, please take Princess Wen Yi to Taiji Palace to educate her as soon as possible."
"I obey my orders."
Concubine Lan happily agreed.
Concubine Hua said it in front of everyone, and her adoption of Wen Yi became a reality.
"Congratulations to Concubine Lan on having a daughter."
"Congratulations, Empress Lan..."
No matter what everyone thought, they all congratulated with a smile.
An Lingrong looked at Concubine Lan, who was emitting a warm smile, and knew that the disguise on this person had disappeared and she had finally become lively again.
The emperor's naming of Princess Wen Yi under her name also showed his attitude.
No matter how many girls the empress dowager's mother's family sends into the palace, that family will only have one granddaughter, Wen Yi, and they can forget about having any others.
If we were to say who An Lingrong was most afraid of after the deposed empress was confined to Jingren Palace, it would definitely be Concubine Lan.
She saw the shadow of Zhen Huan in the scholarly Concubine Lan. She was both talented and beautiful, and her every frown and smile seemed to have been carefully trained.
If this girl was not from the Empress Dowager's mother's family, the Emperor would have given her the highest honor and favor long ago.
She was made a concubine as soon as she entered the palace. If she had stronger ambitions, she would definitely go further.
However, the Queen Mother made a foolish move for the sake of her youngest son, and forced such an extremely intelligent niece into a desperate situation.
Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away and there is no one to put pressure on her anymore, Concubine Lan has released her true nature.
Looking at Concubine Lan who was surrounded by people congratulating her, Concubine Xin couldn't help but feel tears in her eyes.
The deposed queen was cruel and ruthless, causing her children to die one after another.
The emperor was angry that she could not protect the child, so he took Shuhe away and did not let the mother and daughter meet.
Shuhe lived alone in a cold palace. She finally had Princess Wen Yi as her companion, but at the emperor's suggestion, she became alone again.
Concubine Xin was afraid of offending Concubine Lan, so she had to suppress the pain in her heart.
But the noble lady Qi who lived across from her was unwilling to let her go.
"Sister Xin, why are your eyes red? Do you have any objection to what Concubine Hua just said?"
Concubine Qi, who was gloating over other people's misfortune, deliberately raised her voice, causing everyone in the main hall to look at Concubine Xin.
Concubine Xin had always lived a low-key life, and when she was suddenly stared at by so many people, she stuttered for a moment.
"Empress Hua, I...I have absolutely no such intention."
Concubine Jing asked with a smile.
"Noble Lady Xin, I've heard that Princess Shuhe and Princess Wenyi share a deep bond as sisters. Are you worried that Princess Shuhe will be lonely after Princess Wenyi leaves with Concubine Lan?"
"Your Majesty is absolutely right. I gave birth to Shuhe and before I could even take a closer look, she left my side. I was panicked for a moment, so please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Concubine Xin bowed to Concubine Lan apologetically.
Today is a good day for Concubine Lan and Princess Wen Yi, and she did indeed lose her composure.
"Noble Lady Xin is always thinking about Princess Shuhe, and there's nothing wrong with that. Wen Yi and Shuhe have a deep sisterly bond, and that's exactly what I'm happy to see. If Noble Lady Xin has some free time in the future, please come to Taiji Hall to visit Wen Yi."
Concubine Lan raised Longyue for some time and was full of expectations for Wen Yi.
She had long heard that Wen Yi had grown into a gentle and virtuous girl under Shuhe's care.
Concubine Lan even wished that the two sisters would spend more time together.
After understanding Concubine Lan's implicit meaning, Concubine Xin nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Apart from the deposed queen who was confined to Jingren Palace, there were still many good people in the entire harem.
Concubine Qi, who failed to provoke Concubine Xin from successfully receiving training, suddenly became distraught.
Father was right. No one in the harem was reliable. She had to give birth to a prince as soon as possible in order to be promoted.
As soon as the greetings were over, An Lingrong was the first to leave the gate of Yiku Palace.
Hongzhan had conveyed news yesterday that the emperor would go to Yongshou Palace for breakfast this morning, so she had to rush back as soon as possible.
When An Lingrong and her group entered the room, they saw Su Peisheng standing guard outside the east side hall. The sounds of two people, one adult and one child, reading could be heard from inside the room.