An Lingrong after rebirth

In fact, the reason why An Lingrong was eager to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager was that what she really hoped for deep in her heart was to obtain the Empress Dowager's protection.

She knew very well that she couldn't rely on the emperor. After all, why did the children born to the concubines in the palace die one after another? Was it not related to the emperor?

In her previous life, Shen Meizhuang had the protection of the Queen Mother, so her child was safe. Otherwise, who could escape the Queen's clutches?

The Queen Mother indulged the Queen for the sake of the glory of the Ulanara family and the Uya clan, but offspring were still the most important thing in her mind.

Although An Lingrong followed the emperor, she was wondering in her heart how she could get the protection of the empress dowager?

The Queen Mother probably just finished worshipping Buddha, and the scent of sandalwood still lingered in the palace. An Lingrong felt uncomfortable with the smell, but could only suppress it quietly and not show it on her face.

After watching the emperor finish his ceremony, An Lingrong knelt down and saluted the empress dowager with the support of Qiufang. An, a noble lady of the Yanx Palace, paid her respects to the empress dowager, wishing her good health and longevity.

The Empress Dowager didn't understand why the Emperor suddenly brought people here. An Lingrong looked like a beautiful girl from a small family. She didn't look like someone who would flirt with Lord Huo. She looked clean, refreshing and well-behaved.

The empress dowager nodded and smiled, "You are the noble lady Shu, right? Please stand up, Zhuxi, and take a seat!"

An Lingrong performed the ceremony obediently and thanked the Empress Dowager. Qiufang helped her sit down.

The emperor said that today it was Concubine Shu who wanted to come to the empress dowager. The empress dowager raised her mouth slightly, nodded slightly, and a kind smile appeared on her face, and she said softly: "Oh?

It turns out to be Concubine Shu, please stand up quickly." After saying that, he turned his head and looked at Zhu Zhuxi beside him, and said with divine guidance: "Zhu Xi, go and move a seat for Concubine Shu."

When An Lingrong heard this, she hurriedly bowed again and replied softly, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty the Queen Mother." Then, she stood up carefully and slowly sat down with the help of Qiufang beside her.

At this moment, the Emperor suddenly spoke, smiling and speaking to the Queen Mother in a relaxed tone, "Mother, today it is the Concubine Shu who wants to come and pay her respects to you.

He said that he had a great event to tell you personally, so that you, old man, can be happy too."

The empress dowager was delighted and said with a smile, "What's the matter, please tell me, Concubine Shu?"

An Lingrong stood up, bowed slightly and said: "This afternoon I felt unwell so I asked the imperial physician to come. He said I am one month pregnant and the baby is healthy."

The Queen Mother was delighted: "Great! There hasn't been such a big happy event in the harem for a long time."

An Lingrong was also happy and said: "I am unlucky, but I have this happy event. It is all thanks to the protection of the Queen Mother and the Emperor."

When I saw the Queen Mother from afar during the selection, I felt very close to her, so I wanted to share this happy event with her. Please don't blame me if I disturbed her.

The Queen Mother listened to An Lingrong's words. She was a sensible child and her expression softened immediately. She sat down to talk and looked like a blessed person.

The Empress Dowager said: Maybe it has been a long time since there has been such a happy event. Even though the imperial physician has told you to take a good rest and not to get too tired, Shu Guiren wants to come and tell you in person.

My son walked over with her and shook off the snowflakes on my shoulders. Lady Shu was worried that the cold and damp air would be brought into the palace and affect the Empress Dowager.

As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the empress dowager's expression became somewhat unpredictable, and she stared at An Lingrong for a long time.

The Queen Mother did not find anything unusual, so she slowly opened her mouth and gently said, "You should still listen to the doctor. After all, the matter of the heir is of great importance, so you should try to go out less in the future."

Hearing the Queen Mother's caring words, An Lingrong quickly bowed and saluted, saying, "Thank you very much, Queen Mother, for your concern."

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction, then turned to Zhuxi beside her and said, "Zhuxi, go to the storehouse and get my pair of nanmu bead bracelets and give them to Concubine Shu."

After receiving the order, Zhu Xi bowed respectfully, then turned and left to carry out the empress dowager's order.

Ling Rong hurriedly stood up and repeatedly declined, "The Empress Dowager has shown such great kindness that I dare not accept such a generous reward!"

The Queen Mother waved her hand gently and said with a smile: "Why not? I am in a good mood today, so just consider it as a gift to the future little prince."

An Lingrong knelt again and solemnly bowed to the Queen Mother to express her gratitude.

She said softly, "Thank you, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, for your reward." The Queen Mother responded amiably, "Well, there's no need to be so reserved. Sit down quickly."

He sat for a cup of tea before bidding farewell to the Empress Dowager!

Zhuxi handed a cup of tea to the Queen Mother and said with a smile: "The Queen Mother is really happy today."

The Queen Mother took the teacup, took a sip, and said, "It is a happy event that the concubine is pregnant, and I am naturally happy. But being pregnant is nothing, and being able to give birth safely and let the baby grow up is a real talent."

Zhu Xi paused, knowing that the Queen Mother was talking about Jingren Palace, and then said: "Shu Guiren is blessed. She will be safe under the protection of the Emperor and the Queen Mother."

The Queen Mother said calmly, "Noble Lady Shu is not blessed at all. She has other plans. She had to brave the cold and walk with the prince today. She just wanted to find another backer. She thought the prince couldn't handle this matter."

Zhu Xi could see these things clearly, and replied: "The Queen Mother is now concentrating on worshipping Buddha, do you want to interfere in the affairs of Concubine Shu?"

The Queen Mother let out a long sigh, alas... "I don't want to interfere in the affairs of the harem, it's really..." The Queen Mother hesitated to speak, a trace of helplessness in her eyes.

Seeing this, Zhu Xi hurriedly comforted her, "You, Queen Mother, care about the harem, and you are also thinking about the emperor and the royal heirs. But the matter of this noble lady Shu may need to be considered in the long run."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly and said, "You are right. This matter still needs to be considered. However, I don't want to interfere too much in the affairs of the harem."

Since she (the queen) came to power, no matter how many children were born in the palace or the harem, there were too many wronged souls, and the emperor had few sons. It was all her fault.

Since it involved the Queen, Zhu Xi didn't know what to say. After thinking for a while, he said: Your Majesty the Queen can never surpass you!

Having said that, you have to know that she has been in charge of the entire harem for a long time, so her methods and wisdom have naturally increased a lot!

"Otherwise, how could Concubine Xin and Concubine Fang have miscarriages so easily?" the empress dowager said worriedly.

For a moment, the hall was completely silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will always keep an eye on Concubine Shu's situation. If anything is wrong, I will report to you in time." Zhu Xi hurriedly comforted her.

The Queen Mother looked at Zhu Xi, a trace of relief flashed in her eyes, and said: "With you here, I can feel more at ease."

Zhu Xi smiled and said, "It is my honor to be able to share the Queen Mother's worries."

The Queen Mother frowned slightly, recalling Zhuying's medical skills, and said, "I remember clearly that Zhuying was proficient in the art of medicine.

If Lady Shu can speak honestly in front of everyone and ask for my blessing, then I will send Zhuying to the Yanxi Palace to accompany her until she gives birth to a prince. "

After hearing this, Zhuxi pondered over the Queen Mother's words in his heart, and couldn't help but worry about Concubine Shu's situation.

The Queen Mother patted Zhuxi's hand gently and said, "Okay, you've worked hard, go down and rest."

Zhuxi bowed and took his leave, his heart full of worry and melancholy.

The emperor arranged for a sedan chair to send An Lingrong back to the Yanxi Palace. He transferred Xing'er to An Lingrong's place as requested and told Xing'er to take good care of Concubine Shu. Then he took the sedan chair back to the imperial study.

The emperor ordered Su Peisheng, "Go to Jingren Palace and tell the queen that I am here to have dinner with her."

Su Peisheng replied with a smile! The Queen must be very happy! The Emperor waved his hand, and Su Peisheng bowed and left.

The emperor was left sitting in the sedan chair in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking about!

After receiving Su Peisheng's message, the entire Jingren Palace was excited and prepared to welcome the emperor's arrival. You know, the emperor only comes back on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month.

The Queen is sitting in front of the mirror! Jianqiu is combing the Queen's hair so that she can be in her best condition to meet the Emperor. Both of them are smiling.

Jianqiu said respectfully: "Empress, the small kitchen is carefully preparing the old duck soup that the emperor loves to drink.

The rich aroma has begun to spread. Madam, do you want to go and check it out in person?"

Hearing this, the Queen nodded slightly, expressing her agreement, "Well, of course I will go and take a look myself.

After all, it's rare for the emperor to come to Jingren Palace, so there must be no slackness or negligence in anything!" Jianqiu quickly combed the queen's hair.

After saying that, Jianqiu carefully helped the queen up, and the two of them slowly walked towards the small kitchen.

"Your Majesty, this old duck soup is the emperor's favorite flavor, please try it." Jianqiu said softly.

The queen gently scooped up a spoonful of soup and put it into her mouth to taste it carefully. After a moment, she nodded slightly and showed a satisfied smile: "Well, it tastes good, just what the emperor likes."

Before the queen left the kitchen, she heard the eunuch's sharp voice: "The emperor has arrived!"

A hint of surprise flashed in the queen's eyes, and she quickly ordered Jianqiu: "Go and tell the emperor that I will be there soon."

Jianqiu went and greeted the emperor. The emperor asked, "Where is the queen?" Jianqiu replied, "The queen is in the kitchen, check to see if the soup she made for the emperor is ready!"

The queen quickly put something in the soup and stirred it gently with a spoon. She thought to herself: "I have to find a way to keep the emperor here..."

After a while, Jianqiu came back and whispered to the queen, "Your Majesty, the emperor is waiting for you in the palace."

The queen smiled slightly, straightened her clothes, and walked into the palace with Jianqiu. When she saw the emperor, she bowed and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

The emperor smiled and helped the queen up, saying, "Queen, there is no need to be so polite."

The Queen said softly, "I have specially prepared old duck soup for Your Majesty. Would Your Majesty like to try it?"

The emperor nodded happily: "Then I must taste it carefully."

The Queen personally served the Emperor a bowl of soup and handed it to him. The Emperor took the bowl, took a sip, and praised, "Mm, it tastes very good. Thank you for your hard work, Queen."

In fact, the queen does not have to do it herself. You, the noble queen, do not have to do these things. Just tell the servants and they will do it.

The queen smiled and said, "It's just a small matter. I can do it well. As long as the emperor likes it, it's worth it no matter how hard I work."

The emperor looked at the queen with tenderness in his eyes: "The queen has always been so considerate and virtuous. I am very pleased."

The Queen took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, I have something else to say to you..."

So, the two of them started talking in a warm atmosphere, and the queen used words skillfully to try to get the emperor to stay a little longer.

The emperor and the empress chatted while eating dinner, and it took them half an hour to finish. The emperor then said: I have something happy to tell you.

When the Queen mentioned some happy event, the Emperor smiled and said, "Noble Lady Shu is pregnant." The Queen's hand holding the water cup froze, thinking, is this a happy event? It's not like I'm pregnant.

When the Queen heard the Emperor's words, her expression remained unchanged. She immediately smiled and said, "It is indeed a great joy. It has been a long time since a concubine in the harem has been pregnant! I congratulate the Emperor."

The emperor smiled and responded: "You are the mother of a country. The children of the concubines in the harem are also your children. Congratulations."

The Queen bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will not care about these trivial matters. After all, the heir to the throne is more important."

The emperor continued, "It's just that Concubine Shu is in a weak condition. The imperial physician said that she needs to take good care of herself. The weather is cold and the roads are slippery. Concubine Shu won't be able to come and pay her respects to you next time. The virtuous queen won't mind this, right?"

The queen said that she didn't care, but she hated it in her heart. She didn't feel any pain even when her fingernails dug into her palms.

She thought to herself: "Shu Guiren is the daughter of a small county magistrate, a young woman with no background or support. If she hadn't had some influence on Empress Chunyuan, she wouldn't have been promoted to Guiren so quickly.

As the queen, paying respects is a rule set by our ancestors. Not wanting to pay respects just after you become pregnant shows that you don't take the queen seriously.

Although it is respectful for me to not greet you when the Emperor asked me to, how can this not be contempt for the East Palace?"

The queen suppressed her dissatisfaction and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is right, I understand.

It’s just that in the harem, sisters greeting each other is also a manifestation of friendship. Lady Shu is pregnant now and cannot come to pay respects, but I will send people to visit her from time to time.”

The emperor nodded with satisfaction and said, "I am very pleased that the queen is so reasonable."

Although the queen was unwilling, she could only endure it temporarily. She knew very well that she had to maintain a dignified and virtuous image in front of the emperor. All she wanted was the emperor's respect.

The emperor was very satisfied with the queen's reaction. He held Yixiu's hands with both hands and spoke again: Shu Guiren is the first one to be pregnant.

There hasn't been such a happy event in the palace for a long time. Why not add to the joy and promote her to the position of concubine?

Yixiu's face froze, then she smiled stiffly and said: "Your Majesty's ancestors' rule is that concubines are not promoted as soon as they become pregnant. Concubine Shu has only been in the palace for more than three months, and she has been promoted once."

Was it because I was promoted too quickly? This blessing is too great.

I know that Concubine Shu is pregnant and the Emperor is happy. But Concubine Shu is the daughter of a small county magistrate, with no status or background. If she is promoted too quickly, will it cause others to be unfavorable to her?

Why not wait until Concubine Shu gives birth to a little prince before being promoted? That would also be legitimate, right?

After listening to the queen, the emperor felt that what the queen said made sense, so he said, "I'll listen to you and you make the arrangements."

Yes, I obey your command. Yixiu watched the emperor let go of her hand and picked up the book beside him, and then stopped talking. She knew that the emperor was not happy that he would not let her be promoted to Shu Guiren.

She spoke again: I know that I didn't promote Concubine Shu to a higher rank in time, and I have wronged Concubine Shu. I asked Jianqiu to pick out these good things from the warehouse and send them to Concubine Shu.

The Emperor nodded his approval and then quietly read. The Queen thought to herself that it seemed that she had underestimated Concubine Shu.

Then the queen rolled her eyes and said, "Jianqiu, go to the storehouse and get the pair of gold, jade and coral earrings. They were given to me by the empress dowager when I married into the palace. Go and give them to Concubine Shu."

Congratulations on her pregnancy, Jianqiu knelt down and saluted, "Yes." Just as she was about to turn around, the emperor called her.

How can you give the things that the Empress Dowager gave you to Concubine Shu? Well, you don’t have to worry about Concubine Shu’s gift. I will ask Su Peisheng to pick a few and send them to her.

I have something else to do in the imperial study, so I'll leave first. You should go to bed early.