mtl008 Chapter 178 Chengxiang
Chapter 178 Chengxiang
"Your Majesty, this matter is of grave importance. I dare to request to report this to you privately."
The queen knew very well that the so-called ginseng was actually a radish in disguise, so she deliberately gave it to Concubine Shu to nourish her body, but the source of the ginseng should not be mentioned in front of others.
"Empress, since this matter involves the royal heir, it should be clarified publicly." The emperor looked serious.
He was worried that Concubine Shu would be too exhausted to give birth, so he ordered Su Peisheng to go back to the inner storehouse and get a real old ginseng.
The queen's lips moved slightly, but no sound came out.
Jianqiu, who was sitting at the last seat, saw that the emperor insisted on asking questions, so she stood up calmly.
"Your Majesty, the ginseng Your Majesty brought was registered by me personally. I remember that the ginseng was originally sent to Taohuawu by Eunuch Su to nourish Your Majesty."
After these words were spoken, even Concubine Hua, who always liked to stab the Queen, shut up.
She once heard her brother mention a secret story about a rumor that the late emperor, who was seriously ill, died after accidentally eating fake ginseng.
Although it is difficult to tell whether this matter is true or not, it is enough to make people alert and they must not get involved in this matter.
When the emperor heard Jianqiu's words, he also recalled some things.
In the second half of the year, his inner treasury sent out a total of four old ginsengs, one each to the Empress Dowager and the Queen, and two to Concubine Wan.
This batch of ginseng was a New Year gift from officials in Longxing District, and he was deeply impressed by it.
Just as the emperor was feeling embarrassed, the empress made a timely suggestion: "Your Majesty, Concubine Shu is about to give birth. Can this ginseng matter be put on hold for now and dealt with later?"
"Okay, let's do as the Queen says." The Emperor went down the steps following the Queen's lead.
He knew very well that there were detailed records of the things that were given out as rewards from his inner treasury, and Jianqiu would not lie without reason.
When he thought about the fake ginseng flowing into the inner treasury, he couldn't help but feel furious.
Ginseng was a daily tonic for the imperial court, consumed daily by the emperor, the empress dowager, and the queen. Its importance is self-evident.
The imperial court had strict control over ginseng. In the past, apart from tributes from various places to the royal family, only princes, dukes, crown princes and meritorious ministers were allowed to send a certain number of people to the northeast to dig a certain amount of ginseng.
In order to avoid overfishing, the late emperor ordered the nobles of the Eight Banners to stop collecting ginseng. Only the royal family had the right to collect ginseng, which became a major source of income for the royal family.
Later in the later period, ginseng tickets were issued. Merchants could purchase ginseng tickets and transfer them or recruit ginseng pickers to go into the mountains to search for treasures.
As soon as the emperor ascended the throne, he took over this lucrative business and encouraged the descendants of the Eight Banners to get tickets and go into the mountains to collect ginseng.
The emperor, who ruled the world, did not expect that fake ginseng would appear in his inner treasury. His anger was beyond words.
Su Peisheng hurriedly took the brocade box into Yonghe Palace. Wei Lin invited him aside and whispered to him, "Eunuch Su, according to Qiu Yingying, the old ginseng that was sent to the delivery room of Concubine Shu came from the Imperial Palace.
The inner storehouse on top."
"To be on the safe side, I would like to ask Imperial Doctor Zhang to verify the authenticity of this ginseng."
Su Peisheng almost dropped the brocade box in his hands. If there was something wrong with the ginseng in the Queen's hand, then the Queen Mother...
He didn't dare to think too much and hurriedly handed the brocade box to Wei Lin.
"Then I'll have to trouble Doctor Wei." Su Peisheng's voice trembled.
Not long after, Zhang Wuwei shook his head at Su Peisheng who was standing in the corridor.
Needless to say, it's another fake ginseng.
If Wei Lin hadn't reminded him, if he had brought a fake ginseng to report, his old friend would probably have suffered again.
Winter is bitterly cold, and if you get injured, it won’t heal quickly.
At Su Peisheng's repeated requests, Zhang Wuwei followed him out and went to the inner storehouse to pick out a real ginseng.
The ginseng that the emperor usually uses is provided by the Imperial Household Department. Those servants are very smart and dare not use fake products to fool people.
However, the things in the inner treasury were given by the emperor to honor the empress dowager and reward his concubines and ministers, so it is inevitable that there would be omissions.
The Empress Dowager has countless treasures, but you may not be able to use them all.
Even if the concubines and ministers who received the reward knew that there was something wrong with the ginseng, no one would be stupid enough to tell it to others.
This gives the subordinates an opportunity to take advantage of the loopholes.
Su Peisheng could already foresee that after Concubine Shu gave birth, the master would definitely launch a major purge of officials who challenged the royal majesty.
When An Lingrong heard Baoque whispering in the delivery room about the fake ginseng in the emperor's treasury, she covered her mouth in shock.
She couldn't imagine how bold the person behind the scenes was, as fake ginseng had even appeared in the emperor's private vault.
"This matter concerns the reputation of the royal family. You heard nothing, do you understand?" An Lingrong sternly warned the maids and female doctors around her.
"The servant understands."
The midwife and the doctor knew that this was not something they could listen to.
An Lingrong wondered whether the two ginsengs that the emperor secretly gave to Zhen Huan were genuine.
If she spent all her effort to exchange a ginseng for two radishes, it would be a waste of time and effort.
Meanwhile, Lin was wondering if there was any problem with the ginseng sent to the farm, and whether it would make the seriously injured master sick.
An Lingrong stayed in the delivery room for less than a quarter of an hour, and she felt that the intervals between the abdominal pains were getting shorter.
She, who had experience in childbirth, reminded with a pale face.
"Mammy, I feel like I might be giving birth soon!"
"Quickly bring the soft silk and spread another layer on the delivery bed."
Lin ordered hurriedly, tension and distress showing on her face.
He held An Lingrong's wet little hand tightly.
"Rong'er, mother is here, don't be afraid."
"Mother, I'm not afraid."
An Lingrong was in good health and had the magic pill given by the system, so she was not worried at all about not being able to give birth smoothly.
Instead, he held Lin's trembling hand and comforted her softly.
"I have sweat on my forehead. Please wipe it with a hot towel."
She was sweating from the pain, and her sticky hair stuck to her head, which was very uncomfortable.
After Lin wiped her face, she carefully wiped her hair with a dry towel.
As An Lingrong's breathing became heavier, three midwives stood by the delivery bed, ready for action.
The entire delivery room was filled with silent tension.
"My lady, please don't worry, just follow my instructions."
"Take a deep breath, push harder! Take a deep breath, push harder..."
The midwife's calm voice echoed in the room.
"Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince is still waiting for you outside. The princes in your belly also want to see you as soon as possible."
Baoque encouraged his master in a soft voice.
An Lingrong took a deep breath, as if drawing strength from Baoque's words. She said firmly, "Don't worry, I have plenty of strength and will definitely give birth to the dragon fetus smoothly."
"My Lady, I have seen the little prince's head. Please use more force."
An Lingrong gritted her teeth and exerted force. After feeling a tearing pain, something was successfully discharged.
Immediately afterwards, the loud cry of a baby was heard in the delivery room.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! The first baby to come out is a young prince full of energy!" a midwife announced happily.
Another sturdy maid rhythmically pressed An Lingrong's deflated belly with both hands, encouraging her from time to time: "Madam, there's still one more, push harder!"
Not long after, the baby's cry was heard again in the delivery room, this time even clearer and more pleasant.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, you have given birth to twins, a boy and a girl! This is a very auspicious sign of a dragon and a phoenix!" The palace maids and midwives cheered in unison, their faces filled with joyful smiles.
The entire delivery room was immersed in congratulations.