mtl008 Chapter 369 Taking the opportunity to establish authority
Chapter 369 Taking the opportunity to establish authority
"I'm awake now, please come and help me wash up."
An Lingrong pushed herself forward with her hands and stretched out her legs from behind the opened curtain.
She took a deep breath of the cool air and suddenly felt refreshed.
The news she received before going to bed last night kept her awake all night. The person in the mirror, who looked as white as jade, had visible dark circles under her eyes.
An Lingrong sighed deeply, feeling mixed emotions.
Although she never told Hongzhan her ambition directly, the mother and son both worked towards that goal in tacit understanding.
No matter what, Hongzhan must be informed of what happened yesterday as soon as possible, so that he can understand that there is no such thing as father-son love in the royal family.
Baoli was combing her hair, and An Lingrong gave instructions to the people standing by.
"Bao Que, go to the study in the East Side Hall and ask Sixth Prince to come over."
Hongzhan will go to Shangshufang to study after his birthday this year. He heard that the prince would go to Shangshufang for morning reading at Yinshi (3 to 5 in the morning), so he moved up the study time after the wake was over.
An Lingrong thought about his future path and acquiesced to his change.
All she could do was to provide Hongzhan with the best meals and let Weilin take care of his health in time.
"My son, please give my regards to E Niang!"
"Hongzhan, get up quickly."
An Lingrong said this in a gentle voice, and carefully observed his complexion.
Children who practice martial arts are different. They have rosy complexions and appear to be much more energetic than the Seventh Prince.
"Studying is hard, do you have any snacks to fill your stomach?"
Hongzhan didn't understand why his mother called him before dawn, but he still answered honestly.
"Mother, I have already eaten the cakes prepared by Xiao Quanzi."
"Mother asked the kitchen to make some minced meat porridge. You can have some with her later."
Hongyao and Zhaohua haven't gotten up yet, so they don't need anyone to serve them dinner.
An Lingrong gently stirred the minced meat porridge in the bowl and calmly told her son everything that had happened recently.
"Mother knows this may be a bit cruel to you, but I can't hide it from you."
Hongzhan took a long time to digest it before he stood up and bowed solemnly to An Lingrong.
"Your son understands your mother's good intentions."
An Lingrong placed her hand on Hongzhan's shoulder and felt the thinness under her hand, which made her heart ache.
She pulled him into her arms and patted his back gently.
"Hongzhan, I am the mother of the three of you, and this will never change in my lifetime."
"Mother won't let anyone hurt you."
"Hongzhan understands that mother has put a lot of effort into ensuring the safety of me, my brothers and sisters."
Hongzhan hugged An Lingrong's neck tightly and whispered in her ear.
"Mother, Hongzhan will work hard to grow up and help you take care of his younger brothers and sisters."
The emperor is so heartless to his own children, let alone concubines like my mother.
Hongzhan felt that he should go to the Shangshufang to learn skills as soon as possible, and Hongyao's talent for martial arts should not be wasted.
In fact, what he was most worried about was his younger sister Zhaohua. Princesses of the royal family could hardly escape the fate of marrying off to a foreign country.
During the previous emperor's time, few princesses who were married off to foreign countries lived long. Even if they knew that there was something fishy about the princess's early death, no one would stand up for the girl who married out, and they would just send another person to marry.
For the next quarter of an hour, neither mother nor son spoke.
When Baoque showed his head at the door, An Lingrong gently put Hongzhan on the ground and served him another bowl of hot minced meat porridge.
"Studying takes a lot of brainpower, so eat something first. When mother comes back from paying her respects, we'll have breakfast together."
Hongzhan smiled and nodded.
When An Lingrong stepped out of the hall, it was already bright.
Bao Que, who was helping his master walk forward, replied in a low voice.
"Master, Concubine Xin from Changchun Palace has been waiting outside Yikun Palace since early morning."
"Sister Nian is not someone who cares about details like the deposed queen. Concubine Xin is being too cautious."
Back then, Li Shuren's son had grown up but he still went to Jingren Palace every day to serve the deposed queen, but the deposed queen still abandoned him without hesitation.
However, when An Lingrong thought of the children of Concubine Xin who died one after another, she knew why she did this.
Everyone in the harem has their own sufferings, but they still have to climb up.
When An Lingrong stepped into the main hall of Yiku Palace, Concubine Lan and Concubine Jing walked to their respective chairs.
Looking at the only empty seat below the main seat, An Lingrong walked over without hesitation.
Concubine Hua was a wonderful person. Logically, there should have been a chair placed opposite An Lingrong for the concubine to sit on, but at this moment there was a pot of blooming green chrysanthemums placed there.
This green chrysanthemum is even more interesting.
An Lingrong glanced at Shen Meiyu lightly, and sure enough, her brows were tightly furrowed, obviously she was thinking of the past of Cun Jutang.
"Her Majesty Hua Guifei has arrived!"
Zhou Ninghai's singing voice sounded, and Concubine Hua walked out from behind the curtain with the support of Songzhi.
An Lingrong quickly stood up and took the lead in bowing to her.
"I pay my respects to Her Majesty Hua Guifei. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!"
"Please stand up, sisters, please sit down and talk."
Concubine Hua flicked her tongue and uttered the words that the deposed queen often said.
She cursed in her heart.
Concubine Hua glanced at the people below her and looked at Shen Meizhuang, who was different from the others. She looked at her with her round eyes.
"Princess Hui, I see that you look unwell, but the poison has not yet cleared up. Do you need to summon the imperial physician to take your pulse?"
Shen Meizhuang was shocked and replied calmly.
"Thank you for your concern, my lady. I am fine."
Although she was still sleepy, Doctor Chen said that the effects of the medicine in her body were weakening and she would be back to normal in about half a year.
Concubine Hua took the initiative to start a conversation, and it was obvious that she had no good intentions. Shen Meizhuang waited quietly for her to make a move.
"Since you are not seriously injured, then take Princess Longyue back to Chuxiu Palace as soon as possible."
"Princess Hui, please take good care of the princess from now on. If Longyue gets into any more accidents, it will be hard to explain to the Emperor."
After being poisoned, Longyue has been living in Taiji Palace and being carefully taken care of by Concubine Lan.
Shen Meizhuang had never taken the initiative to visit the palace. Concubine Hua, who was dissatisfied with her, had previously asked the emperor for instructions and accidentally learned from him that Princess Wen Yi should be registered under the name of Concubine Lan and sent back to Chuxiu Palace after Longyue recovered from her illness.
"I obey my orders."
Shen Meizhuang agreed with frustration.
The emperor ordered that Longyue be sent to Taiji Palace for recuperation. After she recovered, she wanted to go and visit him, but the emperor sent a eunuch to tell her to clean up the palace first before picking her up.
These days, Shen Meizhuang was busy keeping vigil for the empress dowager, and at the same time, she was busy asking her confidants to keep an eye on the palace maids.
Chuxiu Palace was in a mess and she really didn't have the energy to visit Longyue.
Shen Meizhuang was too embarrassed to refute that she was unable to visit anyone in the Taiji Hall because she did not manage her subordinates well enough.
She was afraid that if she told it out loud, she would be ridiculed by Concubine Hua.
Everyone in the room looked peaceful, except Shen Meizhuang, who had a sullen face.
Thinking that this was the first time everyone had paid their respects in many days, Concubine Hua, who was holding the Phoenix Seal, raised her hand.
"Princess Hui, it seems you have something to say. Could it be that there is any difficulty in bringing Princess Longyue back?"
"Or perhaps you haven't dealt with the traitorous servants in your palace yet?"
An Lingrong knew that Princess Longyue's poisoning was related to the servants in Chuxiu Palace who betrayed their master. She knew that Concubine Hua was taking the opportunity to establish her authority, so she remained silent like everyone else.