jdhmnovel Chapter 250 Return
Chapter 250 Return
When Baoque gently woke An Lingrong up, she was still half asleep and half awake, and it took her a while before she responded in a daze.
"I tossed and turned last night and couldn't fall asleep. Please prepare a cup of strong tea."
Today is Princess Anle's third day of baptism, and she must be there in high spirits.
Looking at her pale face in the mirror, An Lingrong asked Baoli to apply several layers of powder on her carefully to cover up the signs of fatigue.
Princess Anle was in poor health, so the third-day bathing ceremony was relatively simple and the procedures were not that complicated.
Except for the confined Concubine Li, Concubine Duan and Concubine Ying, the other concubines presented carefully selected gifts.
An Lingrong prepared a gold longevity lock engraved with the words "long life and wealth". She specially asked her mother to go to the royal temple in the suburbs of Beijing to find a master to bless it.
Although Shen Meizhuang had narrowly escaped the clutches of Concubine Hua, she still felt a bit of sympathy for the frail young Princess Anle. She gave her a pair of exquisite silver longevity locks and a pair of small silver bracelets.
Looking at Princess Anle crying because of the cold water, Shen Meizhuang's eyes showed envy.
Doctor Chen said a month ago that her body had recovered enough and she was ready to conceive.
Thinking of the child she was destined to have, Shen Meizhuang silently vowed that if she was lucky enough to get pregnant again, she would doubly protect her child.
Recently, when serving the emperor in bed, Shen Meizhuang clearly noticed that the emperor was unable to cope with the situation, which made her realize that she needed to make plans early.
No matter whether the child she gives birth to is a prince or a princess, they will be her future support.
In fact, Caiyue and Caixing had privately suggested that she take Princess Longyue, who was not valued in Shoukang Palace, into her lap and raise her.
But whenever Shen Meizhuang saw the child, she would think of Zhen Huan who had fooled her, and a resistance would arise in her heart.
Shen Meizhuang gently touched her abdomen and decided to ask Chenpi to come over after she returned and prescribe a real prescription that could help her get pregnant.
After Princess Anle's third-day baptism banquet, An Lingrong learned from Wei Lin that Concubine Lan, Concubine Hui, Noble Lady Qi and Noble Lady He were all taking fertility-enhancing drugs to regulate their bodies.
"Doctor Wei, do you have any news about the person in Jingren Palace?"
An Lingrong asked softly, calculating in her heart that the deposed queen's dragon fetus should be more than two months old.
"Your Majesty, I overheard a colleague mention that Concubine Li has been behaving strangely lately. She refuses to cooperate with the imperial physician's pulse diagnosis and won't allow outsiders to approach her."
"Only Qiu Da Ying was allowed to serve him in daily life. Even the eunuch Jiang Fuhai, who was in charge of the palace, was not allowed to approach him."
"Colleagues even suspected that Concubine Li was suffering from a brain disease."
Wei Lin reported all the news he and Yao Tong had heard.
"Okay, I understand. You..."
When An Lingrong was about to continue asking about the pulse case in Shoukang Palace, the announcement at the door interrupted her.
"Doctor Wei, please take the pulse of the Eighth Prince and Princess Zhaohua first."
An Lingrong gave instructions as she walked outside.
"Concubine, please pay your respects to the Emperor!"
"Rong'er, get up quickly."
The emperor strode over and pulled her up. He touched her cold little hand and asked her questions with concern.
"It's getting colder. Why don't you put on more clothes?"
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern. Today, Imperial Physician Wei came to check Hongyao and Zhaohua's pulses. You know that they are not very cooperative."
"I stayed with them in the hall for a while longer, so I didn't feel cold anymore."
"I remember that the Ministry of Internal Affairs will send charcoal when the weather gets cold. Let's add a few more charcoal basins in the main hall."
There are three children in Yonghe Palace. If they catch a cold, they will have to go through a lot of trouble.
He doesn't have many children, so it's better to take precautions as early as possible.
"Your Majesty is wise. I will immediately order someone to add more charcoal to the basin."
As the weather grew cooler, the affairs of the front court seemed to become easier, and the emperor had plenty of time to walk around in the harem.
With just a glance from An Lingrong, Bao Ge understood what kind of dinner to prepare to suit the emperor's taste.
No matter where the emperor went, what he cared about most was the food in Yonghe Palace.
Hongyao and Zhaohua were more lively and active than their brother Hongzhan. They were not afraid of the emperor and walked forward shakily, each holding one of his thighs.
"Dad...Dad..."
The two of them shouted at each other and would not stop until the emperor agreed.
After getting a response, he laughed and started a new round of calling.
The emperor held a child in each hand and asked with a smile.
"Rong'er, why can't I see Hongzhan?"
"Your Majesty, Hongzhan heard that my younger brother has begun to learn, so he is clamoring to study."
"I couldn't persuade him, so I sent Xiao Linzi to read him simple primers like the Three Character Classic and the Hundred Family Names."
"Hongzhan is a child who can sit still. He won't go out until he finishes listening to the whole lesson every day." An Lingrong shook her head slightly, feeling the change in her child.
Before she had enough of enjoying Hongzhan's dependence, he turned into a well-behaved child.
It's quite hard to adapt to this sudden change.
"Let's go and take a look!"
The emperor had placed all his hopes on Hongshi, a hopeless person, but when he heard that his sixth son was good at studying, he became interested.
He walked out holding the two fair-skinned babies who had smeared his saliva on them, and An Lingrong hurriedly followed him.
The emperor, standing at the door, listened to the childish voices inside and did not make a sound to disturb them.
He looked at the chubby ball with satisfaction, and something flashed through his mind quickly.
The emperor observed patiently for a while before returning to the main hall.
"Your Majesty, please wipe your face."
An Lingrong handed over the warm handkerchief.
Hongyao and Zhaohua did not hold back on his words. The emperor's face had already turned cold, and the hot handkerchief was applied to it, warming up his entire face.
Thinking of the scene he had just seen outside the door of the East Wing Hall, the emperor suppressed the urge to ask Hongzhan to go to the Shangshufang to study.
Xia Qi found out some things. Hongzhan is still young, so it is not appropriate to expose him to those people too early.
After dinner, only An Lingrong and the emperor were left in the room.
An Lingrong poured the emperor another cup of tea and stood quietly by his side without saying a word.
She keenly sensed that the emperor was hiding something in his heart.
The emperor's emotions were difficult to discern and he rarely showed them in front of her.
The only person in the entire harem to whom he could confide his secrets was Zhen Huan, who was suffering in Ganlu Temple.
An Lingrong has never been someone the emperor is willing to confide in.
She has this self-awareness.
As the sky gradually darkened, the emperor, who was sitting on the couch in deep thought, finally responded.
When he looked up, he saw a woman busying herself in the dim candlelight.
The needle and thread in her hand flew, constantly shuttling between the fabrics.
Looking at the gentle glow emanating from her, the emperor knew that Concubine Shu was sewing clothes for the children.
"Rong'er, the palace maids will take care of Hongzhan and the others' clothes. Why do you have to do everything yourself?"
"Your Majesty, my mother made all my clothes for me, stitch by stitch. I also want Hongzhan, Hongyao, and Zhaohua to wear clothes made by my mother."
Hongzhan's reading voice constantly reminds her that the children will eventually grow up and leave her one by one.
She wanted her children to live as comfortably as possible while they were at her knees, and she also wanted them to remember that no matter what happened outside, she, as their mother, was their lifelong retreat.
According to the rules set by our ancestors, when a prince turns six, he must leave his biological mother and go to the prince's residence. The same applies to princesses.
The emperor is a man who values rules. Even if An Lingrong is reluctant to leave the child, she will not cry and beg him to keep the child without any restraint.
"Rong'er, you are a rare good mother."
The emperor placed his big, broad hand on her shoulder and sighed from the bottom of his heart.
"After Hongzhan and the others went to the prince's residence, they can come back to see you every ten days, and you can also send them gifts."
"Your Majesty, I understand. Our ancestors set the rules for the good of the children."
An Lingrong lowered her eyes. Hongzhan was almost old enough to remember things, and some things should be slowly instilled into him.
Fortunately, there is only the eldest princess in the prince's residence, unlike the previous emperor's residence where there were so many princes that it was overcrowded and each of them had evil intentions.
"Rong'er, I'm glad you figured it out. I came here today because I have something to tell you."
An Lingrong stopped what she was doing, looked at him with a smile, and acted submissive as if she was listening attentively.
The emperor looked at the weak woman who trusted him wholeheartedly, and changed his words.
"I sent someone to the Imperial Hospital to inquire. Rong'er, your health has long since recovered. How about giving me a prince?"
"I will obey your Majesty."
An Lingrong lowered her head embarrassedly, and the tips of her ears were red.
Her eyelids trembled slightly as she lowered her head. The emperor's real intention was not to drink, he was just laying the groundwork.
"Rong'er, you've already given me three children, why are you still as shy as if you just entered the palace?"
The emperor, jokingly carrying the petite woman, walked into the inner room.
Zhang Wuwei said that although his body was damaged, if the woman he slept with was healthy, there would be a certain chance of pregnancy.
Looking around the harem, no one has a better body than Concubine Shu.
Moonlight streamed through the half-open window onto the soft couch, and the emperor put the person with a blushing face down.
An Lingrong gently raised her head and looked at the person who was taking off his outer robe, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, it's still early. How about going to bed later?"
"I want to spend the night with Rong'er sooner rather than later. What do you think I should do?"
Without waiting for her reply, the emperor smiled and hugged An Lingrong tightly in his arms.
The two of them were very close, and the emperor's breath sounded in An Lingrong's ears, carrying a hint of warmth and itchiness.
The warm moment did not last long, and the emperor suddenly spoke.
"Rong'er, do you know why I like you so much?"
An Lingrong was slightly stunned and moved her head closer to the emperor.
"I don't know, please let the emperor make it clear."
The emperor stroked her long black hair with his big hand, chuckled softly, and put his warm lips close to her ear.
"Rong'er, you are gentle and considerate. Only by being with you can I let down all my guard."
An Lingrong understood that in the huge harem, it was almost impossible to find someone with a humble family background like her.
A concubine whose maternal family is in decline can hardly cause any trouble.
If she hadn't had the system's help and given birth to three children in succession, her fate would have been similar to that of Concubine Duan and Noble Lady Xin.
It seemed that the emperor wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with her. An Lingrong listened quietly without saying anything, but hugged the emperor tightly, as if she wanted to put all her emotions into this embrace.
The emperor patted her back gently in response.
"The previous emperor passed away suddenly, and I hastily ascended to the throne, leaving the court and harem in chaos. Even though I work tirelessly and diligently, there are still many hidden dangers that have yet to be addressed."
"The entry of Concubine Lan and Concubine Ying into the palace is the result of the game between various parties."
"Your Majesty, my concubine..."
"Rong'er, listen to me. The government is corrupt, the treasury is empty, and there are constant internal and external troubles. It's difficult for me to stay in this position."
After saying this, the emperor, who was feeling depressed, let out a long breath. When he lowered his head, he saw the little face in his arms, which was full of tear marks.
"Your Majesty, you have suffered!"
"I have three children to take care of, and I am already exhausted. I beg Your Majesty to take back the power of the palace."
The emperor went through so much trouble, but his focus was still on Concubine Lan and Concubine Ying.
An Lingrong simply offered to give up her palace power.
"Your Majesty, I want to give birth to another prince for you."
"Okay, Rong'er is sensible. I will fulfill your wish."
The emperor smiled and kissed An Lingrong's forehead, then held her in his arms cherishingly.
As the curtain fell, the bed became dim. Baoque carefully collected the clothes that were thrown out from the curtain one by one.
"Eunuch Su, it's cold late at night. I've made some soup in the small kitchen. Please come sit in the small room."
Su Peisheng listened to the familiar noise coming from the room and responded with a smile.
He casually pointed to a young eunuch guarding the room and walked into the small room as if he knew the way.
As soon as he stepped in, warm air hit him in the face, instantly driving away the coldness in his body.
When Su Peisheng saw a small bed against the wall, he smiled.
Concubine Shu was so thoughtful that she even prepared a place for him to rest.
After finishing a big bowl of warm bone soup noodles, Su Peisheng looked at Baoque who was collecting the bowls, and sighed casually.
"Today, the Empress Dowager sent Aunt Zhuxi to the Yangxin Palace to bring soup to the Emperor. I think the soup is really delicious."
"Perhaps the weather was cold and the soup had lost its heat, so the Emperor didn't touch it at all."
"Could Miss Baoque please prepare a bowl of bone noodle soup for the emperor tomorrow morning?"
Baoque, who understood the hidden meaning, quickly agreed.
"Eunuch Su, you are indeed very thoughtful. I will pass the message to the kitchen right away."
"Eunuch, you are tired from serving the Emperor. Please take a nap first. When it is almost time, I will send someone to call you."
The next day, as soon as the emperor left, Baoque reported every word Su Peisheng said.
"It seems that my guess was correct. The Queen Mother is putting pressure on the Emperor."
Judging from the emperor's behavior last night, it is estimated that the previous dynasty is not at peace either.
The former dynasty and the harem are working together, and there is going to be trouble in the harem again.
She looked at the pills in the small medicine cabinet and made a decision.
After serving the emperor, Concubine Lan will inevitably take charge of the palace power. She has the support of the Empress Dowager behind her. There is no need for her to get pregnant under such circumstances.
Not long after, Concubine Jing brought news that the emperor had taken back her palace power on the grounds that she should concentrate on taking care of the Seventh Prince.
An Lingrong was slightly stunned. This was the fate of a concubine without family support.
"Hanzhu, the Sixth Prince was still talking about the Seventh Prince a few days ago. Go back and tell Concubine Jing to bring the Seventh Prince over to play when she's free."