mtl008 Chapter 255 Companion
Chapter 255 Companion
"Hongzhan, did you remember clearly what Mother said to you?"
Before leaving, An Lingrong confirmed with her son again.
Hongzhan nodded heavily, "Mother, I will remember your instructions and take good care of my brothers and sisters. I won't let them go too far away from us."
His pure eyes blinked, and his chubby little hands circled his mother's neck, whispering another reassurance in her ear.
"Mother, I will remember every word you said."
There are bad guys who are plotting against him and his brother, trying to take them away from their mother.
He must cooperate with his mother to protect his ignorant younger brothers and sisters.
When An Lingrong and her group arrived at Shoukang Palace, Concubine Lan came forward to greet them warmly.
"Sister Noble Consort Shu, please come in quickly. The Empress Dowager is still worshipping Buddha and will come out to meet the princes and princesses when the time comes."
"Thank you, Sister Lanfei."
An Lingrong responded with a smile, while cleverly avoiding the hand she extended.
"Hongzhan is very strong. Sister Lan Fei has just recovered from a serious illness, so I'll carry her to avoid tiring you out."
"Sister Shu Guifei is really considerate. My sister is fine now."
Lan Fei smiled and followed her half a step behind to lead the way.
An Lingrong had a clear view of the situation inside from the entrance of the main hall and discovered that all the concubines with children had come to Shoukang Palace.
Even the eldest princess and Princess Wen Yi, who were raised by the prince, made a rare appearance.
Everyone greeted each other as they did in the past, the children gathered together and chattered, and Hongzhan's eyes were always on Hongyao and Zhaohua.
Occasionally, when the Seventh Prince and Princess Anle intended to leave the hall, he would remind them.
"Sister Noble Concubine Shu, Hongzhan is very much like an older brother. Could you please share with the sisters how you usually teach your children?"
Concubine Lan, who noticed this scene, was even more satisfied. She smiled and praised.
"Princess Lan, if you want to learn from Concubine Shu, you have to be strong enough to have good news first."
Concubine Hua, holding the teacup, took over the conversation with a smile.
"If I remember correctly, the emperor has always been very fond of you."
"Does Concubine Lan need to see the imperial physician?"
She stared at Lan Fei's abdomen with playful eyes.
"I have been married to the Emperor for over ten years and have yet to bear a child. I suffer day and night and feel ashamed of the Emperor's love."
"Thanks to God's mercy, I was able to give birth to Princess Anle."
"Princess Lan, please don't be shy about seeing a doctor."
Concubine Hua dragged out the word "ah" for a long time, fearing that others would not hear her gloating.
The two of them were in charge of the palace power under the emperor's order, and there were occasional frictions. People were accustomed to their bickering.
Only An Lingrong knew that Concubine Hua was speaking up for her.
As soon as An Lingrong confirmed that Concubine Lan and the Queen Mother wanted to snatch the child away, she turned around and informed Concubine Hua.
Concubine Hua, who held power in the palace, gave her many favors and even gave her people outside the palace.
"Thank you for your concern, Concubine Hua. I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately and need to summon the imperial physician to take my pulse."
Lan Fei replied softly.
Nanny Liu just brought back a letter from home. There is a doctor in the Imperial Medical Bureau who has an old acquaintance with my father and is a trustworthy person.
Her mother told her to recover as soon as possible and give birth to more children for the royal family.
"What are you talking about? You sound so happy. Let me hear it too."
The Queen Mother walked out slowly with the support of Sun Zhuxi and spoke gently but with dignity.
The high-ranking Concubine Hua replied with a smile.
"Replying to the Queen Mother, Concubine Lan is very interested in the art of raising children. I urge her to start anew soon."
"What Noble Concubine Hua said makes sense. The Emperor has no children. You should really do your best to expand the royal family."
"I often dream of the princes and grandchildren playing and frolicking in Shoukang Palace, but when I wake up, all I hear is Longyue's crying."
The Queen Mother glanced at the children standing or being held beside the crowd, and a relieved smile appeared on her face.
"I just feel that Shoukang Palace is too deserted, so I want to see the children."
"Come, come, come forward one by one and let me take a good look."
The eldest princess pulled Princess Wen Yi forward and saluted politely under the nervous gaze of Concubine Xin.
The eldest princess, Xiao's mother, was gentle in nature and took good care of Princess Wen Yi who had lost her mother.
The Queen Mother obviously knew the situation and praised with a smile.
"You act like an older sister, you're doing a great job."
"Bamboo Breath, look at the reward!"
Sun Zhuxi lifted the red gauze on the tray held by the palace maid, took out two good-quality peace lockets and handed them to the two of them.
Next, Hongzhan came forward with his younger brothers and sisters. Seeing this, the clever Anle pulled the slow-reacting Seventh Prince and also walked over slowly.
"Grandson Hongzhan pays his respects to the Empress Dowager, wishing her good health and longevity."
"Good, good, good! They are all my good grandchildren."
The Queen Mother personally distributed the prepared jade pendants to the three princes one by one, and also helped Zhaohua and Anle wear peace lockets.
"The floor of the East Side Hall is covered with tribute carpets. Zhuxi, take the princes and princesses over there to play."
"Thank you for your grace, Grandmother."
Hongzhan loosened his clenched hands and staggered forward.
"Grandmother, this is from your grandson..."
He tripped over something and rushed towards the Queen Mother.
"Queen, be careful!"
An Lingrong, with her quick eyes and hands, strode forward, grabbed Hongzhan who had bumped into the empress dowager's legs with one hand, and in panic, brushed the back of the empress dowager's dull hand with the other hand.
"Empress Dowager, it is my fault that I failed to teach my Sixth Prince well, causing him to offend you unintentionally. Please forgive me."
An Lingrong, who had steady the child, apologized with a pale face.
"Noble Concubine Shu, I am fine, you don't need to blame yourself."
The Queen Mother waved kindly towards Hongzhan.
"Hongzhan, come here. Did you come to see the Empress Dowager just now to tell her something?"
"Grandmother, the flowers my grandson raised have bloomed. This is the most beautiful one, and I want to give it to you."
Hongzhan turned his palm upwards, revealing the wilted flower.
The Queen Mother could vaguely discern the jasmine flowers in his hand through the rich floral scent.
"Zhuxi, this is a token of Sixth Prince's love. Please keep it for me."
"Hongzhan is so thoughtful. You should come to Shoukang Palace more often to accompany the Empress Dowager."
Her big hand stroked the child's soft hair, and she was in a moment of realization.
That year, her little Fourteenth went to play in the Imperial Garden and brought back a ravaged and shapeless flower for her.
The dried flowers had long since faded in color, but the empress dowager still lovingly kept the unknown flowers in a box.
Whenever the Queen Mother thought of the poor child, she would take it out and look at it.
The Empress Dowager kept her word and within two days she ordered Sun Zhuxi to bring the Sixth Prince to Shoukang Palace to keep him company.
The calls were made so frequently that even the emperor got the news.
"Rong'er, I heard that the Empress Dowager has been sending people to bring Hongzhan to Shoukang Palace to keep her company lately?"
"Your Majesty, it is true. The Empress Dowager has treated Hongzhan very well, and I am deeply grateful."
An Lingrong smiled and called Hongzhan to her side.
"Your Majesty, can you see if Hongzhan has grown stronger?"
The emperor picked up the child, who was only as tall as his knees, carefully felt the weight in his arms, and nodded in approval.
"Hongzhan has indeed become much stronger."
"Hongzhan, tell the Emperor what you did at the Emperor's grandmother's place?"
An Lingrong noticed that there was something obviously wrong with the emperor's expression when he asked this question, and she lowered her eyes to hide the worry in them.
"Father, there are many delicious cakes and fun things at the Royal Grandmother's place. Concubine Lan has been playing with me all the time."
"I wanted to take my seventh and eighth brothers, Zhaohua, and Anle to see the Empress Dowager, but Nanny Zhuxi said that the Empress Dowager prefers quietness."
"Father, would you please accompany me to visit the Empress Dowager some other day?"
Hongzhan, who spoke very fluently, begged.