flstandardbreds Chapter 189: Laughing
Chapter 189: Laughing
Concubine Xiao De was able to laugh. She smiled and said, "This is the best path I can take. My family didn't treat me well. Even if I could leave the palace, I would just marry a random man and live with him. I don't like that. It's better to be like this now, free and without worries."
Concubine Xiao De poured a cup of tea for the Empress Dowager Cixi. She had served the Empress Dowager Cixi for a long time and knew that she had a light sleep, so she only drank tea in the morning and did not drink tea in the afternoon or evening.
"No woman in the harem is as open-minded as you." The Empress Dowager Cixi took a sip of tea and said, "You don't even think about your own old age."
Concubine Xiao De said calmly, "The Emperor, for your sake, made me a concubine when I first entered the palace. After he ascended the throne, he gave me the title of the Fourth Concubine. These titles are enough for me to be respected by everyone in the harem."
Everyone thought she had just fallen out of favor, but they didn't know that she had never been favored by the emperor.
Everyone in the harem said that Emperor Yongjia was fond of women, but Concubine Xiao De thought otherwise.
Since I have already married him, if the Ninth Prince really wants to, I have no reason or right to refuse.
On the night when she was taken into the mansion, a banquet was set up and the Ninth Prince also stayed in her room that night.
But nothing happened. After the servants left, the Ninth Prince found a couch to sit on and went to sleep, with no intention of having anything to do with her.
Moreover, the Ninth Prince had told her frankly that he would do his best to keep her safe. They were husband and wife in public, but what they were like behind the scenes was something they only needed to know.
Because of this incident, Concubine Xiao De always thought that Emperor Yongjia was a gentleman.
She really had no worldly feelings for him, so even though she had been helping to manage the harem and doing his work, she had never had any other thoughts.
Concubine Xiao De also knew why Emperor Yongjia gave her these titles.
Most of it was because of the Empress Dowager Cixi. In addition to the fact that she had served the Empress Dowager Cixi, more importantly, the Empress Dowager Cixi was also a maid.
The Ninth Prince had watched his biological mother being despised and bullied because of her status since he was a child, so he was quite caring towards himself since he also came from a former maid.
In fact, he wanted to make up for the regret that he could not protect his mother in his childhood.
"Poor child." The Empress Dowager Cixi held Concubine Xiao De's hand and patted it. It was not that she could not guess why Concubine Xiao De was so heartbroken.
A person's mentality is determined by everything that happens along the way.
Concubine Xiao Defei had a poor family background, her parents were not good people, and her family was large but not harmonious.
When she was ten years old, she was sold into the palace by her parents.
Entering this imperial city at such a young age, it would be fine if I met a master who could protect me.
People like her who cannot protect others will suffer not only themselves, but also the people under them will suffer even more.
So as soon as Concubine Xiao De entered the palace, she saw the fickleness of the world and the fickleness of human nature, and she was also beautiful.
Good looks are sometimes wealth, but when you can't protect yourself, it becomes danger.
At that time, he must have been teased by others a lot, and all these things shaped his character.
Concubine Xiao De had suffered a lot following her, and she had been following her since she was only eleven or twelve years old, so the Empress Dowager Cixi treated her as half a daughter, and it was not an exaggeration to say that she felt a little sorry for her.
Concubine Xiao De smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Your Majesty? My life is not hard. It is only because I met Your Majesty that I have a good life."
For a moment, the former master and servant's eyes were red. The Empress Dowager was filled with emotion, but she was still worried about her. She sighed and said, "You really don't want to follow the emperor. It would be nice if you could bring a child to your side to raise."
The Empress Dowager was hesitant as she spoke, because she realized that this matter was difficult. "It's a pity that the emperor doesn't have many children, so there is no need for a mother. Otherwise, we don't ask for a prince, but it would be good to have a considerate princess to raise him."
Concubine Xiao De was about to speak when Aunt Fanghua outside opened the curtain and said, "Empress Dowager, Concubine Qin is here."
Qin Liuse came, and for a moment, the two of them stopped talking about these private matters.
As soon as Qin Liuse arrived, the Empress Dowager Cixi smiled from ear to ear. This child was really pleasing to her eyes.
It’s not that Qin Liuse is good at talking or coaxing old people. On the contrary, the Empress Dowager Cixi, who is experienced and knowledgeable, has a sharp eye.
She liked the way Qin Liuse was smart, yet worldly-wise yet unsophisticated.
As they are all women living in the harem, the Empress Dowager Cixi naturally knows that with Qin Liuse's current favor, if she wants to rely on her son's favor, she can do whatever she wants in the harem.
The fact that she has been favored for so long yet still lives in Shu Yuexuan's remote little place tells us that this child has a very good character.
As a mother, it is natural for her to hope that her son is surrounded by such a person, who is both pleasing and virtuous.
Qin Liuse walked in gracefully and said, "Liuse pays respects to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Defei."
"Come here and sit down." The Empress Dowager Cixi greeted Qin Liuse with a smile, and Concubine Xiao De also looked at her with a smile.
"The Emperor should have already arrived at the hunting ground. This trip will take seven or eight days. You and Concubine Xian will be in charge of the harem." said the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Qin Liuse said "naturally" repeatedly, "It is our blessing to share the emperor's worries."
As the three of them were talking, the topic suddenly turned to Concubine Ning.
The Empress Dowager asked, "The Imperial Concubine is about to give birth, and I don't know when it will be. I have been waiting since the Mid-Autumn Festival, but my grandson has not come out to see me yet."
Qin Liuse smiled and said, "The prince may have felt that it was too hot outside some time ago, and wanted to stay in his mother's belly for a few more days before coming out. The weather has not been right these days."
Qin Liuse's words made the Empress Dowager Cixi laugh.
Qin Liuse said, "The virtuous concubine and I visit the imperial concubine every day, and the gynecologist from the Imperial Hospital is waiting in the imperial concubine's palace, just waiting to give the empress dowager a grandson."
"Don't worry, Queen Mother. Just prepare the gift for the first meeting. When we meet for the first time, you will have something to give out."
The Empress Dowager nodded at Qin Liuse and said, "You little mischievous ghost, I have been ready for a long time, just waiting for the baby to come out and call me ancestor."
Qin Liuse said, "The Queen Mother is a little anxious. She asked people to call for help before she even came out."
Then he looked at Concubine Xiao De and said, "Don't you think so, Concubine De?"
Concubine Xiao De also laughed when she heard this.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly, "After all, she has given birth before, so I am not worried. It is always easier for a woman who has given birth to another child."
Qin Liuse nodded. Although she had never given birth, she understood the principle.
After all, when Emperor Yongjia returned with a full load, his son was almost born, and he was truly in high spirits.
The Emperor Yongjia, whom Qin Liuse was talking about, was already galloping in the hunting ground with a large group of people.