An Lingrong after rebirth

Chapter 254: Master and Servant Conversation

"Sun Zhuxi shook his head and smiled. "You are too polite, Queen Concubine Wan. The snacks were prepared by the Queen Mother earlier, and they were just some of the most common ones. Who would have thought that the Queen would praise them so much?"

After saying this, Sun Zhuxi obviously didn't want to say anything more, and continued: It's time for the Queen Mother to worship Buddha, and I can't talk to Your Majesty anymore. Please forgive me.

Aunt, you are so polite. I will take my leave now. Please do as you please.

"The three of them left Shoukang Palace. Zhen Huan also knew that Liu Zhu was not someone she could discuss this matter with, so she ordered the sedan chair to return to Sui Yuxuan as soon as possible, and carried Long Yue into the sedan chair without saying anything more."

.........

Cheng Qiangong

Today, Hong Zhao sent someone to tell An Lingrong early that he would take Hong Jun back to Chengqian Palace for dinner.

"Since I went to the prince's residence, it's been a rare trip back like this. An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang were already in the small kitchen, preparing dinner for the two children."

"As the sky gradually darkened, Shen Meizhuang turned her head and looked out the window, wondering, "It's already this late, why haven't you come back yet?"

"An Lingrong smiled and said, 'Don't worry, sister. It must be that the naughty Hong Zhao made the teacher delay the class. But it seems that he should be here soon.'"

"As soon as An Lingrong finished speaking, the voices of two children were heard outside. Putting down the spoon in her hand, An Lingrong walked to the door and said, "Stop shouting. Go wash your hands and change your clothes first. We will have dinner soon."

The call of "Mom" made the two of them look at each other helplessly and smile.

"Hong Zhao smiled and pulled Hong Jun to the main hall. Hong Sheng and Jin Yu were in the hall. Suddenly, another round of chirping sounds came."

An Lingrong shook her head helplessly and turned to say: Sister, listen!

"Children like to laugh and make noises, and I think it's very pleasant to hear them. Do you think you have to be sullen and silent all day to be considered a good child?"

"An Lingrong was stunned after hearing this, then laughed and said, "I can't argue with you, sister. Then you'll have to trouble you to take care of the food yourself when we eat."

After hearing this, Shen Meizhuang pushed An Lingrong and said, "Gosh, you have a powerful mouth."

.........

"On the other side, Zhen Huan returned to Sui Yu Xuan with a lot on her mind. Cui Jinxi had been waiting at the door long ago. Seeing Zhen Huan's expression, she signaled Liu Zhu to take Long Yue to the side hall first."

"She walked forward to support Zhen Huan and said, "My Lady, the Queen Mother summoned you suddenly, but what are your instructions?"

"Of course the Queen Mother did give instructions, but Zhen Huan didn't understand the meaning, and for a moment she didn't know how to answer Cui Jinxi."

Weiwei shook her head and went in to talk.

When Cui Jinxi heard this, she immediately understood what was happening today and thought it would take some thought.

"After hearing this, he did not speak a word, but helped Zhen Huan slowly into the main hall, poured a cup of tea for Zhen Huan, and then stood beside her respectfully."

After finishing her cup of tea, Zhen Huan let out a long sigh and said, "Jin Xi, you know that Qin Chang in the garden gave birth to a prince safely today."

"Cui Jinxi was stunned after hearing this. Naturally, this matter had not yet been sent to Suiyuxuan. Even if Su Peisheng knew about it, he would not tell her everything, so Cui Jinxi naturally didn't know about it yet."

"My lady, I don't know about this matter yet. Could it be that the Empress Dowager sent it because of this little prince?"

Zhen Huan frowned. I had previously thought that if Huanbi got pregnant, I would have more bargaining chips in my hands in the future. But today the Queen Mother summoned me...

Said some unclear words...

"Your Highness?" Cui Jinxi was puzzled, but Zhen Huan was still hesitating about how to speak and explain to the Queen Mother what she said today.

Really... I don't understand at all! After thinking for a while, Zhen Huan still didn't understand what the Queen Mother meant.

He simply told Cui Jinxi everything the Queen Mother had said.

After she finished speaking, Zhen Huan spoke again: "Jinxi, what do you think the Queen Mother meant by this?"

"Last year, Zhen Huan did not go with us to the Old Summer Palace for the summer vacation. She had no idea what happened in the garden. Naturally, she was completely in the dark and had no clue."

"At this moment, I can only say these two words to Cui Jinxi, hoping that she can help me and understand the meaning of the Queen Mother's words."

"After hearing what Zhen Huan said, Cui Jinxi was silent for a long time. However, she was very smart and her years of living in the palace made her more alert. However, the Queen Mother was obviously more experienced and she had no clue for a while."

Qin Changzai... Qin Changzai...

"After mumbling a few words, Cui Jinxi's eyes suddenly lit up. Your Majesty, this Qin Changzai suddenly stayed alone in the garden to take care of the baby. Did she do something to anger the Queen Mother?"

Wasn't she staying in the garden because she was not feeling well? Could it have anything to do with the Queen Mother?

"My lady, I have heard the eunuchs say that it was the Queen Mother's order that Qin Changzai stayed in the garden. My lady should know that the Queen Mother never said anything about the affairs of the harem."

"Even when Concubine Zhen passed away, there was no movement in Shoukang Palace, but how come this Concubine Qin was able to receive the Empress Dowager's decree?"

"A word awakens a person from a dream. Cui Jinxi's words immediately brightened up the confusion in Zhen Huan's eyes."

"Yes! If the Queen Mother doesn't like Concubine Qin and wants her to raise the Ninth Prince and let Concubine Qin indulge herself, it is not impossible."

only……

"It is safest to treat Ninth Prince as your own son..."

"This sentence... has a profound meaning. Does it mean that the emperor wants to change the jade butterfly of the Ninth Prince?"

"Or do you want to completely kill Concubine Qin and make Prince Nine your own son? The deep meaning behind this cannot be explained in just a few words."

"But changing Jade Butterfly is extremely difficult. Even if Zhen Huan is now revived and very popular in the harem, she can't guarantee that the emperor will personally issue such an order."

"In that case, it seems that there is only one way left. Zuo Si thought about it again, and Zhen Huan finally spoke out: Jingxi, do you think the Queen Mother wants me to... to kill Qin Changzai?"

"You are legitimately raising the Ninth Prince? This was said so bluntly that Cui Jinxi's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately realized what was going on."

Maybe... this is really the only way?

"My Lady, I think the most important thing now is that we must first find out what happened in the garden last year. Only then can we decide what to do next."

"How about I find a chance to find Su Peisheng tomorrow and find out something?"

"Zhen Huan closed her eyes slightly after hearing this. For now, this is the only way. Xue Yidian is so good, but it will be hard for you."

Your Majesty, you are too kind. I cannot accept your words! Cui Jinxi knelt down and said, “Your Majesty, if… the Ninth Prince can succeed, where is He Chang? Do you still need Doctor Wen…?”

"Zhen Huan was silent after hearing this. It turned out that she had discussed with Cui Jinxi about wanting Huanbi to get pregnant, but now her guess has come true. Why does she still need Huanbi?"

"Let's put this matter aside for now. Doctor Wen is usually very busy and may not be available for the moment. Let's talk about other things after you have asked clearly tomorrow."

Yes, I will ask someone to go to the Imperial Hospital and inform Doctor Wen!

Well, I'm a little hungry. Let someone bring me dinner.

Yes!

……

"The atmosphere in Suiyuxuan is a bit depressing, and Chengqian Palace is not much better."

"After the children had dinner, Hong Zhao took An Lingrong into the side hall, with a look on his face that showed he didn't know what to say."

"An Lingrong found it a little funny to see her son like this. This was the first time she had seen him like this since he could remember."

"Zhao'er, what happened? Why are you in such a difficult situation?

Hong Zhao scratched his head and said, "Mother, the Empress Dowager went to the prince's residence today and brought snacks to her son."

"An Lingrong was stunned. She knew about this, but she didn't understand how she knew Hong Zhao had come back specially. But what did the Empress Dowager tell you?"

"Hong Zhao shook his head. Mother, not the Royal Mother. My son saw that she was not very happy, so he asked her about it, but the Royal Mother did not tell him. It was only when I asked Aunt Jianqiu in private that I found out the reason."

For some reason, An Lingrong felt a tightness in her heart and asked immediately: What's the reason?

Mother, do you still remember what your son told you before, about the Empress Dowager’s child?

of course I remember.

"An Lingrong responded subconsciously without thinking; Hong Zhao's eyes became a little sad, Mother, Aunt Jianqiu said that March 26 is eldest brother's birthday. The Queen Mother has been looking at eldest brother's old clothes recently and is very sad..."

"At this point, Hong Zhao sniffed and continued, "Mother, my eldest brother has passed away for many years, but the emperor did not posthumously confer a title on him. I don't understand."

Why is this? My eldest brother is the son of the Empress Dowager, the legitimate son, so shouldn't he be more honorable?

"Hong Zhao's words made An Lingrong pause. In all these years of her past and present lives, she had never thought about this question."

"Yes, the eldest prince is the legitimate son and the eldest son. Even though he has passed away, his noble status is an unchangeable fact. Why didn't the emperor confer a posthumous title on him despite all the honors he has?"

"Even if he is called the eldest prince on a daily basis, why doesn't he have a title? What's even more strange is that the queen has never mentioned it in front of the emperor?"

"But even though I am suspicious, it doesn't mean An Lingrong will say anything more about this matter! There must be something wrong when things are out of the ordinary. Why should I rush into this critical moment?"

Then he shook his head and said, Zhao'er, the Empress Dowager doesn't know the reason for this either?

After a pause, he continued, "Zhao'er, do you think the Empress Dowager is sad and want to spend more time with her?"

Mother, I think the Royal Mother treats me very well, but I still remember what you said, that the Royal Mother once wanted to harm you, so...

The son didn't know what attitude to take towards the Empress Dowager...

"An Lingrong doesn't want the grudges between adults to affect the child. Besides, it's good for her son to be favored by the Queen."

Thinking of this, An Lingrong reached out and hugged her son, "Zhao'er, mother understands your thoughts. You are already six years old and have your own ideas."

"That's normal. Your Royal Mother hasn't had any bad intentions towards your mother in the past few years. I guess she was just confused for a while..."

"If you want to spend more time with your mother because of the eldest prince's matter, she won't blame you."

Hong Zhao leaned in An Lingrong's arms and did not speak for a long time after listening.

"After thinking for a long time, he finally spoke. Mother, tell me, if I ask the Emperor to posthumously confer a title on my eldest brother, will it make the Emperor unhappy?"

"An Lingrong shuddered slightly when she heard these words. How dare this child have any idea?"

Zhaoer, this matter...

"An Lingrong wanted to persuade her son not to say too much about this matter, but she didn't think of how to persuade him at the moment, but then she changed her mind."

Now Yixiu has been very good to Hongzhao. If Hongzhao asks the emperor to posthumously confer the title of eldest prince, the queen might...

"She is even more devoted to Hong Zhao, but she doesn't understand the emperor's mind. If this is true, will it cause the emperor to be dissatisfied with Hong Zhao?"

For a moment, An Lingrong felt a little conflicted.

Mother?

"Seeing An Lingrong pause and not speaking for a long while, Hong Zhao raised his head and looked at her, his expression full of confusion."

Zhao'er, mother doesn't know whether your royal father will be unhappy about this matter?

"You are still a child. You can say whatever you want to say, but mother still doesn't recommend you to say it."

Mother, I don’t understand, why can’t I tell you?

After all, he is still a child. No matter how smart he is, he cannot understand the twists and turns between adults.

Zhao'er, think about it carefully. If your royal brother really wanted to posthumously confer a title on your elder brother, why would he have waited until today?

"It has been about seven years since the Emperor ascended the throne, but An Lingrong kept this sentence in her heart and did not speak it out loud."

"Mother, maybe the Emperor has forgotten it?"

"Looking at Hong Zhao's serious expression, An Lingrong suddenly felt that perhaps letting him suffer a little in this matter might not be a bad thing."

After all, he had been favored by the Queen Mother since he was born, and as he grew up, he became the Emperor's favorite child.

Being so smooth sailing may not be a good thing!

"Some confusing thoughts flashed through her mind, and An Lingrong spoke again: If you really want to say it, my mother won't stop you too much, so when are you going to say it? And how are you going to say it?"

"Hong Zhao paused, and shook his head with a bitter face. Mother, I just have this idea, but I haven't figured out how to say it yet."

"An Lingrong's eyes fell on Hong Zhao's bitter face. She wiped her son's face with a smile and continued, "Zhao'er, if you were an adult, it would be extremely difficult for others not to doubt your intentions."

"But my mother's Zhao'er is just a child of about six years old. Zhao'er has forgotten that children speak without restraint."

My son wants to do it today, so I just let him go.

"Even if the emperor is dissatisfied, he will still take Hongzhao's age into consideration. Besides, there are the empress dowager and the queen here, so this matter is not completely impossible."

These four short words were enough to let Hong Zhao know what he should do.

The little boy said with a serious face: Mother, I know.

.........

"Given that Su Peisheng and Cui Jinxi are from the same hometown, it may be difficult to find out the real reason why Concubine Mingqin is in Liuyuanzi."

"But if it's just about Emperor Wen's attitude towards Concubine Qin, we can still find out. Upon hearing this news, Cui Jinxi quickly said goodbye and rushed back to Suiyuxuan."

I hurried in and happened to see Huanbi leaving.

Cui Jinxi bowed and said, "I'm here to see you off, young lady."

"But I didn't get a response from Huanbi. I stood up and turned around, only to see Huanbi holding her head high with an angry look on her face."

"My heart sank slightly, thinking that Zhen Huan would not be so reserved. She would offend this person without any evidence!"