mtl008 Chapter 183 Compensation
Chapter 183 Compensation
The emperor was silent for a long time, then asked in a slightly hoarse voice.
"Xia Qie, did the ginseng that An Bihuai took come from my inner treasury?"
"Your Majesty, Concubine Shu's filial piety is commendable. She has indeed sent all the ginseng you gave her back home to help Lord An recuperate."
Xia Qi answered respectfully, but secretly sighed that An was less fortunate than Huai.
The birth of rare twins, a boy and a girl, by Concubine Shu was a great opportunity for the An family to prosper.
However, things are unpredictable, and An Bihuai couldn't hold on at this moment.
"The news of An Bihuai's death will remain confidential for now."
The emperor glanced over with a sharp gaze.
"It would be inappropriate if news of the grandfather's death were to spread on the day of Hongyao and Zhaohua's third birthday."
"I'm afraid I can't keep it a secret from Lin Anren. Send someone to explain the pros and cons to her."
The emperor paused and continued, "Shufei is in confinement after childbirth. Ask Lin Anren to conceal this matter from her."
He knew very well that An Bihuai's death was closely related to him.
After An Bihuai's death, the promotion of the rank had to be put on hold, and all he could do was try his best to promote Concubine Shu.
However, from Taizu to the previous emperor, there has never been a precedent of appointing a woman from the Han army as a noble concubine.
The emperor waved his hand to let Xia Qie go, thinking of asking Prince Zhuang, who had proposed a generous reward for Concubine Shu, to come to the palace tomorrow.
"Sixteenth brother, Concubine Shu has given birth to a child, and I wish to promote her. However, there will undoubtedly be criticism from the previous dynasty. What do you think we should do?"
Prince Zhuang pondered for a moment.
"Your Majesty, matters concerning the harem are your family affairs. As long as the Empress Dowager agrees, everything will proceed smoothly."
As for the clan members, the emperor treats his brothers according to the law, and no one dares to approach him without his knowledge.
"I have something I must say. If the Emperor truly values Consort Shu, he must consider her carefully. With the example of Emperor Taizu favoring Empress Xiaoxian, the Empress Dowager may not easily agree."
Seeing that the emperor seemed to be thinking about something, Prince Zhuang continued to make a proposal.
"If my royal brother really wants to reward Consort Shu, he shouldn't make her the target of public criticism."
Prince Zhuang had said this, and the emperor naturally understood what he meant.
This means that another imperial concubine will be promoted to share the pressure with the concubine.
The emperor nodded and expressed his deep agreement with Prince Zhuang's suggestion.
"Sixteenth brother, what you said is absolutely right. I'll trouble you to appease the clan members, and I will personally speak to the Empress Dowager."
Xia Qie discovered that the matter of fake ginseng vaguely pointed to Shoukang Palace. The empress dowager was supported by the emperor, so why would she tamper with the ginseng?
And where did all that money go?
The emperor wanted to wait until Xia Qie found out some clues before discussing it with the empress dowager.
Not long after Prince Zhuang entered the palace, An Lingrong, who had moved back to the palace, learned the news.
She called Baoque over and whispered instructions.
"Send a message to Yikun Palace, telling Concubine Hua to remain calm and avoid provoking others when paying respects in the near future, especially the Empress and Concubine Wan."
As for herself, she also has to behave well in front of the emperor.
When the emperor entered Yonghe Palace, he specifically signaled Su Peisheng to keep quiet.
"Hongzhan should still be taking a nap, don't wake him up."
The palace servants followed the order and the entire Yonghe Palace was silent.
An Lingrong, who was completely unaware of this, was hugging Hongzhan, who usually took a break in the east wing hall, and talking to him.
"Hongzhan, do you still remember the two little kids you met?"
"Mother, those are my younger brother and sister."
"Brother...sister...brother...sister..."
Hongzhan was very interested in these two newly learned names, and he kept shouting them whenever An Lingrong mentioned them.
He kept mumbling to himself, but An Lingrong didn't find it annoying.
Responding to Hongzhan's many questions over and over again.
"Rong'er, can you understand what Hongzhan said?"
Most boys don't start speaking until they are about two years old. Although Hongzhan is smarter than other boys of the same age, there are some things he cannot express.
When he gets excited, he can only make “ahhh” gestures.
Anyway, the emperor, who had been listening outside the door for a long time, didn't understand what his son said.
Seeing the emperor come in, An Lingrong struggled to stand up and salute, but was held down by the emperor.
"Rong'er, you are weak, no need to be so polite."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration." An Lingrong said softly, and at the same time poked her fat son who was playing with his hands without leaving any trace.
"Hongzhan, quickly pay your respects to the Emperor."
The emperor played with Hongzhan in the main hall for a while, then went back into the bedroom.
"Your Majesty, do you have something to tell me?"
Seeing the emperor returning, An Lingrong, who had some guesses in her mind, took the initiative to ask.
"Prince Zhuang mentioned your contribution to childbirth at the third-day bathing banquet and asked me to reward you handsomely. Rong'er, is there anything you would like?"
The emperor stared at An Lingrong intently, not wanting to miss any expression on her face.
An Lingrong knelt on the bed with her head down. Although she had some guesses in her mind, she still maintained a humble attitude.
"Your Majesty, it is a great blessing for me to have met you in this life. I am satisfied with your care and have nothing else to ask for."
She knew that the emperor's suspicion had come back again.
Is this a suspicion that she, who is in confinement, has connections with the previous dynasty?
The emperor is most averse to the harem being in collusion with the previous dynasty. There is no need to think too much about it, it must be the queen trying to put on an act again.
Afterwards, An Lingrong checked and found out that the Queen had indeed delivered old duck soup to the Yangxin Palace.
"Rong'er, I'm very pleased that you are so sensible."
The emperor was moved and held An Lingrong's hand, but he was angry at the queen's alarmist remarks.
Sixteenth brother is right. The promotion of concubines is his family affair and has nothing to do with the previous dynasty.
"You have given birth to two sons and a daughter for me. You have truly worked hard and made great contributions. After I report this to the Empress Dowager, I will promote you to the rank of Imperial Consort."
"I thank the Emperor for his kindness. However, I beg you to reconsider. My rise from the daughter of a county magistrate to one of the four concubines is already a tremendous act of grace from the Emperor, and nothing can be bettered."
An Lingrong bowed deeply, her words revealing deep worry.
"When I first had the ambition to be a great leader, I experienced many attacks from both sides. If I were to rise in rank again, I'm afraid it would only lead to more disputes."
She lowered her eyelids, her tone filled with concern for the children's safety.
"I just want to live peacefully with my three children, Hongzhan, Hongyao, and Zhaohua."
The motherly light gleaming in An Lingrong's eyes caught the emperor's eye.
He thought back to the children who had died young and knew that Concubine Shu's worries were not groundless.
So he gently patted An Lingrong's shoulder.
"Rong'er, don't worry. When you are promoted, I will give you a group of loyal and reliable palace maids and an experienced head nanny."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your grace."
An Lingrong was afraid that the Queen would take advantage of her promotion to the throne to send people to Yonghe Palace, so she acted frightened.
What’s wrong with a kind-hearted mother being a little weak?
Perhaps she had won the emperor's favor, and the emperor mentioned the promotion of Concubine Hua and Concubine Wan.
This time, for the first time, he didn't ask for her opinion.
In the dead of night, a small note was quietly delivered to Yiku Palace.
Concubine Hua, wearing a dark purple nightgown, burned the small note to ashes while crying and laughing.