imperial dream

After the queen returned to Changle Palace, she told her personal maid, E'er, who was her dowry maid and grew up with her since she was a child.After hearing this, E'er thought to herself: My lady is finished, and this time the Guo family has been implicated.He pulled her and said, "Miss, are you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid of death, but I'm afraid that it will hurt the Guo family."

"It would be great if Empress Dowager Liu was still here..."

The queen cried. She knew that no one would help her at this time. The Queen Mother Li would definitely love her own son, so...

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly heard someone shouting outside: "The Empress Dowager is here——"

Their master and servant went out to greet them. After the ceremony, Empress Dowager Li entered the room and sat down, while the Empress entered the hall on her knees.The Empress Dowager stepped back, stood up, helped her up and said, "Rong'er, the Ai family should punish you for the crime you committed, and there is no way to punish the daughters of the Guo family, do you know?"

The queen knelt down again and said: "The empress dowager, the concubine knows that death is inevitable, please give the Guo family a way to survive, the empress dowager does not want glory and wealth, but only wants to live."

"You get up first."

"Chen and concubine dare not."

"It's impossible to give you the second seat." The Queen Mother looked at her personal maid and said, "Are you afraid of death?"

E'er was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood that Empress Dowager Li wanted to protect the Guo family, so she shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, slaves are not afraid of death."

Empress Dowager Li nodded and said, "Okay. The Ai family must protect their son. You go to Jinfu Palace to ask Concubine Yang."

E'er knew that the emperor had always respected Concubine Yang of Jinfu Palace, but since the emperor made the empress, Concubine Yang no longer saw anyone. She knew that Concubine Yang didn't like the empress, would she really be willing to save the Guo family?

"Perhaps you don't know, Concubine Yang will find a way to protect the Guo family."

The queen asked strangely: "What is the relationship between our Guo family and Concubine Yang?"

Empress Dowager Li smiled and said, "You don't need to know this."

E'er said: "The Empress Dowager, I'm afraid that the servants will be killed by the guards if they don't see the Empress Dowager."

"If Rong'er goes, there will only be a dead end, and it won't help."

E'er didn't understand, but said goodbye to the queen: "Let E'er call you Miss for the last time, please take care."

The queen hugged E'er and cried, "If there is an afterlife, Guo Rong will definitely repay your great kindness to my Guo family."

E'er shed tears and said: "There is really an afterlife, and E'er will still be Miss's girl." She left after speaking.

The queen mother said to the queen: "Son, although Aijia doesn't know your real intention to beat the emperor, Aijia believes that you are not targeting the emperor. It's just that the officials of the previous court have made a big fuss about this matter, and the emperor must give them an explanation."

Since the queen was young, her mother had only called the child the night before her wedding with the emperor. Now that her mother has passed away, she has never heard of this child again.Even the Empress Dowager Liu never called herself that, so she threw herself into the arms of the Empress Dowager Li and cried: "Mother, the concubine didn't intend to hit the emperor, but the concubine accidentally hit the emperor because the nobleman was soliciting truths in front of the emperor. Even if you have the courage, you will not hit your husband. It is immoral. Women should follow women's morals. The concubine knows that she is not worthy of the emperor, and the concubine has already known that the consequences will be disastrous. The concubine is the queen , if this matter is not pursued, all women will follow suit in the future, and the world will be in chaos? If the Guo family can be kept alive, the ministers and concubines will die in peace."

The queen mother nodded and said: "Okay. With your words, it is not in vain that the emperor secretly protected the Guo family in the previous court."

The queen was stunned: Will the emperor protect the Guo family?In the past eight years, the emperor has never liked himself, let alone defended himself.

"Some people in the court who disliked your father said that the Guo family had no way to teach their daughters, and the emperor threw him out of the hall at that time, so the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty naturally knew what the emperor meant, but there were many people who said you were not. "The queen mother continued.

The empress said happily: "Please thank the empress dowager and concubines to thank the emperor."

The queen mother took out the token and said: "You take the token of the Ai family and go to the Xianwang mansion to find the eighth prince and Niang Niang, they will protect Guo's family."

The queen knelt down and knelt down and said, "Thank you, Queen Mother. After the concubine has secured the Guo family, I will die to preserve the dignity of the Zhao family."

The queen mother naturally understood that she knew that the queen must die, otherwise she would not be able to silence everyone.He nodded and said, "Go!"

The queen went back to her house and changed into casual clothes and left the palace.

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In the Palace of Eight Sages, the queen was brought into the hall by the housekeeper, and she was stunned when she saw that the emperor was here, dressed in casual clothes.Soon, he knelt down and said: "The concubine sees the emperor, long live my emperor."

"Pingshen." The emperor replied.

"Meet the lord, empress."

Di Niangniang came over and pulled her and said, "Rong'er, the queen mother asked you to come, right?"

The queen nodded.

Di Niangniang said: "My child, the emperor has already said it. You husband and wife are a pair of enemies. If you were born in an ordinary family, what happened today would not happen." Di Niangniang dragged her to the emperor as she spoke. Sitting down beside him, "But this matter is irreversible."

The queen said: "Your Majesty, I know that my crime is unforgivable, please, my lord..."

The Eighth Prince waved his hand and said: "This king has asked the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Punishment, Ministry of Officials and Kaifeng Mansion to protect Guo's family, but your next emperor uncle is helpless."

"As long as the Guo family is safe, the courtiers and concubines will protect the dignity of the royal family with death." The queen knew that she would not be able to secure her post.

The emperor took her hand and said: "Rong'er, I haven't given you anything for eight years as a husband and wife, and this is the only way in this life." At this time, the Eighth Prince and his wife quietly left.

The queen cried, but she still asked: "Has the emperor ever liked his concubines?"

The emperor held her hand tightly, tearing down and said: "Since the day of our wedding, when I formally married you into the palace, I have never thought of marrying other women. I just want to grow old with you."

"What about Yungui?"

"You are my first woman, you taught me how to be a husband, you are irreplaceable."

The queen threw herself into the emperor's arms and cried, "With your words, even though Rong'er died, she would have no regrets."

The emperor hugged the queen tightly, he didn't say anything, he knew that he not only wanted to keep the Guo family, but also Guo Rong's life.

In the early morning of the next day, the emperor did not go to the court, and he was locked in the palace alone.

Some people in the court advocated abolishing the empress, some advocated punishing the Guo family, and some opposed the abolition of the empress. The court officials knelt for a whole floor outside the emperor's bedroom.Prime Minister Lu Yijian found that he couldn't stand it any longer, and just held on. He advocated abolishing the empress, and knew that the emperor would definitely abolish the empress, so he didn't bother talking to everyone.Until noon, the emperor's imperial edict came suddenly. The eunuch Liu Yu came out of the imperial study and read out the imperial edict: "Following the heavens, the emperor's edict said: Empress Guo has been in the palace for several years and has no heirs. She voluntarily abdicates to practice, and is specially named Jing The concubine, Yujing Chongmiaoxianshi, was given the name Qingwu and lived in Changning Palace forever.

Yushi Zhongcheng Kong Daofu, admonisher Fan Zhongyan, etc. took the liberty to go ahead.In particular, Kong Daofu and Fan Zhongyan were dismissed from Beijing, and other ministers who made admonishments were fined for half a year.

Appreciate this! "

All the officials were dumbfounded. The officials kneeling outside did not expect that the emperor would do the same, and issued an imperial edict without anyone's consent.No one dared to object, so we had to accept the decree and thank you.

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In Changle Palace, the queen heard that the emperor did not pursue her natal family, and she had no regrets. She took a three-foot white silk to protect the dignity of the royal family. After she kicked the stool, the noble concubine Zhou Yixin came in and rescued the queen.

The queen looked at her and asked, "What are you doing to save me?"

Concubine Shu knelt down and cried, "Empress, please save Fang'er?"

"Prince? He... what happened to him?"

"I don't even know the concubine. I woke up this morning with a high fever. I invited the imperial doctor in the palace and they all said that there is no cure for it."

"Bengong is no longer the queen, and besides, I don't know medical skills, how can I save the prince?"

"The imperial doctor said to use a thousand-year-old dragon ball as a medicine, but my concubine has never heard of a thousand-year-old dragon ball. Since Bai Yutang stole the three treasures, I only know that there is a thousand-year-old dragon ball here. Please help the empress to save the crown prince? "

"There is indeed a dragon ball here in this palace, you follow me."

"Thank you, empress." Concubine Shu followed the queen to the bedroom, who knew that the dragon ball box was still there, but the dragon ball was gone.

At this moment, Miao Yulin, the imperial concubine of the Zhao Festival, came in and said, "Your Majesty, have you lost your Dragon Ball?"

The queen nodded and said, "How did you know?"

"Bring it up!" Concubine Miao Jie said, and saw two guards come in with two maids: one is Xiaoshan from Changle Palace, and the other is unknown to them.

Concubine Miao Jie pointed at them and said: "Fortunately, I was seen by my concubine. This woman is Yuhe, the maid of nobleman Wen. When my concubine saw her sinking a bead into the Jinshui River, I asked her It turns out that Xiaoshan, a maid from Changle Palace, sneaked into the dormitory last night while the empress was asleep and stole the dragon ball, and handed it to Yuhe today. Now both of them have confessed."

"What about the Dragon Ball?" Concubine Zhou Shu asked anxiously.

"The Jinshui River is running fast, and there is nowhere to find the Dragon Ball." Concubine Miao Jie replied.

When Concubine Zhou Shu heard this, she fainted on the spot. The queen hugged her and said to Concubine Miao Jie: "The prince has a strange disease, and he needs dragon balls to save him, but now...now..."

Concubine Miao Jie knew the seriousness of the matter, so she first said to the guards: "Take these two women down and lock them up. Send people to the Jinshui River to salvage the dragon balls, and notify the emperor to ask him to surround the Nuanchun Pavilion. If the prince is safe and sound, Drive her out of the palace; if there is anything wrong with the crown prince, I have no choice but to ask the emperor to judge, and the harem will not allow anyone to harm the emperor's heirs." Concubine Miao Jie took over Concubine Zhou Shu and said to the queen: "My lady, my concubine heard that Concubine Yang asked the court to be a little bit better." The officials gave advice to the emperor, and the emperor issued an edict to make you Concubine Jing, Immortal Master Yujing Chongmiao, give you the name Qingwu, and become a monk in Changning Palace."

"What? The emperor didn't give me death?"

Concubine Miao Jie nodded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Queen knelt on the ground and cried: After eight years of husband and wife, the Emperor actually made such a decision for his concubine?Not only the Guo family, but also the concubines are preserved, even if they are not queens, even if Changle Palace is renamed Changning Palace and become a nunnery, the concubines are content.

"Your Majesty, this concubine wants to take away the servants of Changle Palace."

"En." The queen nodded, knowing that perhaps E'er exchanged her life for her own.

From then on, Changle Palace was renamed Changning Palace. Except for one Concubine Jing, there were very few second people here.

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Half a month later, the dragon ball was not salvaged, and the eldest son of the emperor, Zhao Fang, passed away so early. Concubine Zhou Shu fell seriously ill because of the loss of her son, and her mood has been very low.

The emperor sent someone to kill Shangrou, nobleman Wen from Nuanchun Pavilion, for life. Within three months, he heard that nobleman Wen had died of illness.

Immediately after that, there was a long discussion about the emperor's succession: the emperor originally wanted to straighten Zhang Yan, but she had a weak character and was afraid that she would not be able to do so.Among the five noble concubines, only Concubine Miao Jie and Concubine Feng Xian are the most suitable.Concubine Miao Jie gave birth to the second son of the emperor, Zhao Xin, but this child was weak since childhood. It seems that Concubine Jie never wanted him to be the crown prince. If she was promoted, Xin'er would naturally be the crown prince. stronger.Since Concubine Xian gave birth to Princess Zhao Yi, the imperial doctor said that she was weak and should not have too many heirs. Didn't this put a lot of pressure on her?Concubine De is not suitable, and Concubine Li Pang Feng is expected to be opposed by civil and military officials in the whole dynasty because of Pang Yu's matter...

The emperor considered too many things, so he didn't choose a suitable candidate, so the back seat has been vacant for two years.

It has been two years since the emperor actually came to power.The second year of Jingyou was the first time the emperor chose a concubine since he was in power. The emperor fell in love with the young Cao Zhen at first sight. She is not only beautiful, but also smart. What's more, she has a good background. Her father and brother They are all military commanders, guarding the border between Song and Liao.

The emperor who has been in power for a short time naturally knows that if she is named queen, then the border of the Song Dynasty will be safe and sound.For the sake of the people's living and working in peace and contentment, the emperor had to pay more attention to Cao Zhen.Therefore, she also became the first woman in the history of the Song Dynasty to be concubine Zhen immediately after entering the palace.

The emperor has been in contact with her for a long time and discovered many things, such as: she loves calligraphy, especially good at Feibai style, the emperor himself also loves calligraphy, and the two of them can study Feibai style together with her, the emperor also because of her, his own Feibai style Body calligraphy has made rapid progress.The two studied classics together, the emperor was good at literature but not martial arts, while Cao Zhen was born into a family of military generals, but she was also good at literature, this is what the two of them have in common, many things hit it off.The emperor gradually fell in love with this young concubine. In fact, the emperor was only seven years older than her.

In the second year, the emperor chose an auspicious day for the zodiac, and officially canonized her as a queen.

One day, the two of them took a walk and passed Changning Palace. The emperor couldn't help thinking of Queen Guo, and thought to himself: It's been three years, how is she doing?Will it be the same as before?

Empress Cao saw what the emperor was thinking, so she pulled the emperor and said, "I heard that Changning Palace is the residence of Concubine Jing. I wonder if I have the honor to meet her?"

The emperor smiled and said: "If you want to see her, you can go." The emperor thought to himself: She is so smart.

"I don't dare to do it alone, can the emperor accompany me?"

The emperor nodded and followed her into Changning Palace.

I saw Guo Rong kneeling in front of the Buddhist hall and reciting scriptures...

She heard footsteps and thought to herself: Very few people come to Changning Palace, it is not a big day.After reading a scripture, she turned around...

Then the Buddhist beads in his hand fell down: "Your Majesty?" Guo Rong looked at them in surprise.

The emperor picked up the beads and handed them to her. Guo Rong took the beads, but the emperor did not let go of her hand.

Empress Cao withdrew from Changning Palace and waited outside the palace.

The emperor held her in his arms and held her tightly: "Rong'er, it's been three years and you've lost weight."

Guo Rong pushed him away and said, "Your Majesty, the poor nun's name is Qingwu."

"Except for the queen, you are still my pure concubine."

Guo Rong knew that what the emperor said was right, he was still willing to join hands with him, but no matter what, they couldn't be called husband and wife anymore.Although I don't know that woman, since she can come with the emperor, I think she is either a concubine or a concubine.He said: "The Yi people outside the gate are waiting quietly, Your Majesty is still far away from the place of Buddhism."

"She won't disturb us." The emperor put his arms around Guo Rong and entered the inner hall and said: "This was the place where you and I got married. How could I forget the wedding night? Whenever I was with other women, I would think of you."

Guo Rong leaned against the emperor and said, "Is this concubine reminded of the time with His Majesty? It's just that it's hard to get back now..."

"Silly girl, come back and be my concubine? You and I will be able to live together forever."

"Now, I can only be a concubine. After a hundred years in the future, I will not be buried in the same mausoleum as Your Majesty..."

"The emperor and empress are buried together, you and I will never be together." The emperor sighed: Even if you become a concubine, is it still the same?Everyone thinks about it.

Suddenly I heard someone talking outside...

"See the Empress."

"Pingshen." Empress Cao asked: "Beauty Zhang and Concubine Jing are very close?"

"Reporting to the Empress, my concubine was taken care of by Concubine Jing in the early years, so I came to visit." That beauty was the former Zhang Yan, and the emperor arranged her to be with Concubine Jie.

"At this moment, the emperor is talking about the past with Concubine Jing inside." Empress Cao said.

"The concubine will leave first." Zhang Yan planned to leave.

Empress Cao said again: "Is what you are holding in your hand for Concubine Jing?"

"Yes."

Empress Cao walked over and said: "Since you have something to do, you can leave first, and I can pass on these things to you."

Zhang Yan was stunned for a moment, then left the pot of ginseng soup and said, "Thank you, empress, my concubine is retiring."

After hearing this, the emperor asked Guo Rong: "You have a good relationship with Zhang Yan?"

"Yes."

The emperor nodded, thinking to himself: Everyone is still thinking about old love.The emperor put his arms around her and said, "Accompany me to bed for a rest?"

"The one with you is the current queen?"

The emperor nodded.

Guo Rong understood, it seemed that her peaceful days were coming to an end.

The emperor carried her to bed and said distressedly: "How can you be so thin?"

Guo Rong smiled lightly, but did not speak.

"Where's E'er? Isn't she with you all the time?"

"E'er is no longer alive." Guo Rong cried when she thought of E'er.

"What's up with her?"

"When the incident happened, she exchanged her life for the life of my concubine."

"how do I say this?"

"It was she who exchanged her life for the opportunity of Concubine Yang to save my concubine."

The emperor understands. At the beginning, I couldn't figure out who was able to invite Uncle Lian to the Baxian Palace?Trying to protect Guo's family and the queen, it turned out to be the old concubine.

"It's the method that the Queen Mother helped me think about."

The emperor hugged Guo Rong affectionately at this moment, without saying anything...

After half an hour, the emperor pulled Guo Rong out.Guo Rong saluted Empress Cao.

Empress Cao brought the soup over and said: "This is entrusted by Zhang Meiren to my sister. I hope my sister will not disappoint her kindness. In the future, the emperor will come often, and my sister will not have to wear this monk's clothes and serve as a concubine. The emperor will do."

"Thank you Queen Empress."

Empress Cao laughed.

The emperor said, "Have a good rest?"

After they left, Guo Rong drank the soup...

Unexpectedly, a month later, Guo Rong felt unwell, and was discovered by Zhang Yan who came to visit, and invited Song Yuyi.Song Yuyi went out and said to Zhang Yan: "The concubine Jing has been poisoned, and she will die soon. This kind of infection did not occur immediately, but died suddenly after 45 days." Zhang Yan calculated the date and happened to be delivering soup In those days, it was impossible for her to poison herself. She also drank the medicine herself. Her old feelings are rekindled, and she feels that her position is threatened, and she has become the scapegoat.

Zhang Yan became scared when she thought about it, but it was useless to tell anyone now, she just told Concubine Jie the news.On the night of Guo Rong's death, Zhang Yan also committed suicide by taking poison!

When the emperor heard about Guo Rong's sudden death, he sent Imperial Physician Song to investigate. Physician Song naturally told the whole story, and also told the emperor another big thing: Concubine Jing was pregnant with the emperor's flesh and blood for only one and a half months.

That day, the emperor slept with concubine Miao Jie, who told him that Zhang Yan did not commit suicide in fear of crime, but did not want to hurt everyone.

The emperor just felt that Empress Cao was too insidious. In the past, the harem never harmed the emperor's heirs. A nobleman named Wen was killed, at least she was just a nobleman.But it is different now, the reason why the emperor sleeps with Concubine Jie is to remind her to protect their son Zhao Xin.He already owed favors to two people: Guo Rong and Zhang Yan.For Zhang Yan, his heart is full of guilt. No matter what, he can't let her die for no reason. After entering the palace for several years, out of his own selfishness, he didn't even give her a concubine, and she never fought or used means. It's hard to blame her for being wronged now, so she must be given a title.

End of this chapter