Rebirth: Ruyi goes crazy in the harem

Ever since that unpleasant parting with the Emperor that day, the Cining Palace has been shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.

The corners of the Empress Dowager's eyes, which had been well maintained, now had fine lines on them. Even the most delicate makeup she had used in the past could not hide her old age.

Her eyes had lost their luster, and were as dull as glass covered with dust. The Queen Mother stared blankly at herself in the mirror, looking helpless and incompetent.

Fujia took a sandalwood comb soaked in plum blossom snow water and gently combed the empress dowager's long hair.

Suddenly he saw strands of white hair growing among her black hair, and Fujia panicked and wanted to hide them.

"Fujia, there's no need to hide. I know I'm old after all."

The Queen Mother noticed something was wrong just from Fujia's imperceptible stiffness for a moment. The look of sadness and self-mockery on her face was something Fujia had never seen before.

"The Queen Mother has been blessed for a long time, how can she get old? The Queen Mother will still happily watch Princess Roushu get married."

When Hengti was mentioned, the Queen Mother's face finally showed some life.

"I have calculated everything, even disregarding my dignity, and quarreled with the emperor like a shrew. In the final analysis, I just wanted to protect my two daughters.

Although Hengti got a good marriage, Hengchu was eventually abandoned by the emperor and the Qing Dynasty.

I really can't face Hengchui. That's my first child.

Ever since Hengchu got angry, I have been angry with the late emperor. For the sake of my own pride, I cruelly abandoned the newborn Hengchu, asked to be deposed, and went to Ganlu Temple.

At that time, I really thought that I would never see Hengchu again in this life.

But later, fate played a trick on me, and I returned to the palace and became Concubine Xi. When I saw that Hengchu only recognized Concubine Jing and not me, my heart was really broken.

Then, the late emperor was dying, and Hengchu was hastily married off to a distant place. Why did my daughter have such an unfortunate fate?

Fujia, tell me, is it because all the evil deeds I have done in the past have come back upon my daughter, that even the late emperor is unwilling to bless Hengchu?"

Fujia naturally understood what the Queen Mother was talking about.

Over the years, every time the Empress Dowager had a nightmare, the person she called out was either "Silang" or "The Emperor."

Fu Jia arrived late and did not know the details, but he understood that the late emperor had always been a thorn in the empress dowager's heart.

The Queen Mother eventually fell ill. The Emperor sent Qi Ru to treat her, but the Queen Mother remained bedridden and showed no improvement.

As a daughter-in-law, Ruyi had to go to the Cining Palace often to serve medicine despite her pregnancy, and also to speak a few words for the emperor in front of the empress dowager.

After several times, the Queen Mother was so annoyed that she simply didn't want to see Ruyi anymore.

After being busy for several days, sandwiched between this mother and son who were like two stubborn stones that could not be warmed up, Ruyi was very tired.

At lunch time, she just picked up a piece of pearl duck with chopsticks, but before she brought it to her mouth, her brows frowned, and she covered her mouth and started to retch.

The emperor poured water for her and patted her back with concern, "Ruyi, what's wrong with you?

Didn't the imperial physician say that morning sickness won't occur this month? But are there other discomforts?"

Rong Pei quickly spoke up, "In reply to the emperor, Imperial Doctor Jiang said that the queen is getting older, and this pregnancy is not as stable as the previous ones.

In addition, I have been traveling between the Cining Palace and the Imperial Household Department these days, and I have been a little overworked, so I feel unwell. I need to rest more, worry less, and be less busy..."

"Rong Pei, shut up."

Ruyi interrupted Rong Pei's words in a gentle voice, forcing a tired smile and said, "Your Majesty, it's nothing serious."

The emperor's face darkened. He understood that the empress dowager must be in a bad mood. She took advantage of Hengchu's second marriage to openly and secretly to bully Ruyi, making her angry.

"Concubine Yu assists in managing the six palaces and has always been upright and rigorous.

I will order the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites to take good care of Hengchui's second marriage this time, and let Concubine Yu take more care of it, and I think it will be no problem.

Ruyi, your health is the most important thing. You should stay in Yikun Palace and take care of your pregnancy. You don't have to care about the trivial matters outside.

As long as you give birth to our legitimate son safely, you will be a hero of the Qing Dynasty."

Ruyi thanked him meekly.

After the emperor left, she picked up her chopsticks again and continued to eat the pearl duck in small bites.

Rong Pei served her food, "My Lady, you clearly have a good appetite, and the baby looks good too.

Now there is a rift between the Queen Mother and the Emperor, and you are the only one in power in the harem.

I don't understand why you would give up the power of the six palaces on the pretext of being unwell. "

Ruyi put down her chopsticks and wiped her hands gently with a white handkerchief, "It is because everyone knows that I am the only one in charge in the harem, so I cannot rashly stand out and get involved in trouble.

Otherwise, if there is any trouble in the harem, I will have to deal with it, so how can I rest assured and take care of my baby?"

Rong Pei knew that the emperor cared about this baby, and nodded as if she understood, "Your Majesty, are you afraid that someone will take the opportunity to cause trouble and offend the legitimate son?"

Ruyi smiled lightly, "Now that the Queen Mother has lost her power, she will be even more anxious to send someone to the Emperor. The Emperor has no intention of favoring a new person, so the only ones he can use are the old ones.

The one in Jingyang Palace is almost eight months old now. Counting the days, Concubine Cheng’s belly should be in trouble soon.”

After lunch, Ruyi was about to take a nap on the couch. Hailan suddenly came to visit, and as soon as she entered the palace, she walked quickly to Ruyi with an anxious look on her face.

"Sister, I heard that the Queen Mother tortured you so much that your pregnancy seems unstable? What did Imperial Doctor Jiang say? Is it serious?"

Ruyi's sleepiness was startled by Hailan, so she had to explain in a low voice in her ear.

Hailan then sat down at ease, peeled a tribute orange and handed it to Ruyi, and did not forget to scold, "Sister, are you hiding this from me now?"

Ruyi took the orange, and the sour juice exploded in her mouth, which was very delicious.

"Only if I can hide it from you can I hide it from others. Moreover, you are so smart that I can't really hide it from you."

Hailan smiled happily.

But after a while, his expression darkened again, and he said cautiously, "I just received the emperor's order.

They said that they would ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Rites to hurry up and arrange the marriage of Princess Qi Duanshu. All matters during this period were to be handed over to me for review.

Sister, is there really no room for change in Princess Duanshu's remarriage?"

Ruyi was dismayed and bowed her head. "The Queen Mother used her illness to fight back, and used filial piety to suppress it, but it failed to change the Emperor's mind. This matter is naturally a foregone conclusion.

The emperor issued an edict to confer the title of prince on Dawachi, and the marriage was scheduled for late spring.

However, this matter is not honorable after all, so the emperor only ordered to do it quietly and keep everything simple. "

Hailan nodded helplessly, "Yes, there has never been a case of a princess remarrying in the Qing Dynasty.

As for this wedding ceremony, not to mention the Emperor, even Princess Duanshu herself probably doesn't want to hold it.

If I were a princess, I would be so ashamed that I would die. I would rather die than gain a reputation for chastity, but I would never agree to that."