flstandardbreds Chapter 227 Discovered to be a Substitute
Chapter 227 Discovered to be a Substitute
Chapter 227 Discovered to be a Stand-in
"Then he smiled and said, "It's just that the imperial examination, which takes place every three years, is not something that ordinary people can achieve. Although your cousin is hardworking, it may be difficult for him to make a name for himself."
"An Lingrong didn't speak immediately after hearing this, but she was carefully thinking about the Queen's intention in her heart! But she couldn't figure out what the other party's purpose was in doing this for her."
After a moment, An Lingrong let out a sigh of relief. What the Queen said was right. The imperial examination was not something that ordinary people could achieve.
"If my cousin from the Xiao family can have this blessing and serve the emperor, it will naturally be the glory of the Xiao family. If he fails this time, I'm sure he will work harder next time."
"I know what kind of people my uncle and aunt are from the Xiao family. They will definitely not force my cousin to gain fame."
"After An Lingrong said these words, she felt a little indifferent. No matter what you planned, she would not care about Xiao Yan's imperial examination results. How could you plan anything that would affect her?"
"After all, my current position is noble, and it can be said that it is due to the emperor's favor and the honor of giving birth to three children. It has nothing to do with the things of the previous dynasty."
"No matter how Yixiu plots, she can't plot against me. If An Lingrong understands this, she will naturally not care."
But Yixiu's next words made An Lingrong's mind completely confused.
"Although Concubine Shu's family background is not good, Hong Zhao is loved by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. I wonder if you have thought about his future?"
"An Lingrong subconsciously looked around quickly, and then she realized that the servants who followed her had retreated several meters away without her knowing."
The only ones who could hear Yixiu's words just now were Hongzhao and I.
"But An Lingrong still felt her heartbeat quicken. Yixiu's words really made her... a little unable to accept them."
I really don’t understand what the Queen said…
"It doesn't matter if you don't understand now, you will understand in the future. What I said today is not to ask you to do anything immediately, but you need to understand that in life, you must not only look at the present."
It is said that a mother's status is determined by her son. In the harem, isn't it also true that a son's status is determined by his mother?
"Hong Zhao is now the emperor's favorite prince, so he can come and go freely in the Yangxin Palace. But have you noticed that the Fourth Prince can hardly even set foot in Zijing City?"
Isn't this situation because he doesn't have a good mother?
"Let me be frank with you. Your family background is too poor. Even if the emperor conferred a fifth-rank official title on your father, it would still be far from enough."
Is there still a lot you need to do?
"Speaking of this, Yixiu paused, and suddenly bent down to touch Hong Zhao's head. The Empress Dowager sent Zhao'er here. You and your mother should go to Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager carries Zhao'er's favorite snacks in the palace every day. Zhao'er, remember to come and eat when you are free someday."
"Hong Zhao nodded with a smile, as if he didn't understand what Yi Xiu just said at all. Yes, thank you, Empress Dowager."
"Yi Xiu smiled and stood up straight. Concubine Shu is in a hurry to go to Shoukang Palace. I won't keep you talking any more. Don't keep the Queen Mother waiting for too long. Go earlier."
After saying this, Yixiu turned and left. An Lingrong knelt down and respectfully saw the Queen off.
"Looking at Yixiu's leaving figure, An Lingrong didn't move for a long time. Hong Zhao seemed to be unable to wait any longer and shook An Lingrong's hand. Mother, aren't we leaving yet?"
An Lingrong came back to her senses, lowered her head and smiled at Hong Zhao, "Let's go." Although her steps were moving, her thoughts in her mind were a little messy.
"Suddenly mentioning Xiao Yan and talking about Hong Zhao's future, what exactly does the Queen want to do?" Is she trying to make herself see clearly her family background and that she can't bring any help to Hong Zhao, or...
"The Queen wants to raise Hong Zhao herself? This idea just came to my mind, like a weed in spring, growing in the wind."
An Lingrong felt her fingers go slightly cold. Could it be that Yi wanted to...
"I want to use the same method I used on Concubine Qi, killing the mother and keeping the child, on myself? But on second thought, I feel that it is impossible."
"If Yixiu really has feelings for Hongzhao, why would she say these things in front of me? I'm afraid all the calculations are overwhelming me."
But if this is true, then what is the purpose of the other party's action?
"My queen, Qiu Fang came up to her and supported An Lingrong. She interrupted An Lingrong's thoughts and turned to look at her. An Lingrong let go of Hong Zhao's hand and said, "Zhao'er, go to the wet nurse. Mother and Aunt Qiu have something to say."
"Hong Zhao didn't say much, just nodded obediently and left holding the nurse's hand."
After another moment of silence, An Lingrong asked: You shouldn't have heard what the Queen just said, right?
"Jianqiu said that the Queen had something to say to the Empress, and asked us to stay away. I didn't hear it."
"An Lingrong thought for a moment, picked out Yixiu's words, and said a few words to Qiufang, and then said: What do you think is the purpose of the Queen's actions today?"
"Qiu Fang frowned after hearing this, and after thinking for a moment, she suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes lit up slightly. Your Majesty, does the Queen not want to see Concubine Wan give birth to her baby safely?"
As the saying goes, those who are involved are often confused, while those who are not involved can see things more clearly. Qiu Fang's mere words made An Lingrong suddenly enlightened.
Yes, compared to herself, in the eyes of the Queen, Zhen Huan is of course more threatening.
"Perhaps the other party's calculation is to make him think that Zhen Huan is pregnant now. If she gives birth to a prince safely, it will inevitably have some impact on Hong Zhao's future."
"She wants to use this opportunity to get Zhen Huan's child. After realizing this, An Lingrong's nervousness subsided a little."
You are right. The Queen must have had this in mind.
"She has always been good at this. The Empress is most concerned about her position as the Empress. It is not difficult to understand why the Empress is afraid of Concubine Wan's favor."
"Qiufang finished speaking, and An Lingrong nodded again. Forget it, after all, this matter will not fall on me. If Concubine Wan brings the child to Chengqian Palace again, I will not see her."
Yes, I understand.
…………
"I don't know if An Lingrong's guess is correct. After only three or five days, news came in that Zhen Yuandao in prison suddenly fell seriously ill."
"An Lingrong didn't know who had done this, but by the time An Lingrong knew about it, Zhen Huan had already knelt outside the Yangxin Palace again."
"But this morning, Yixiu had someone send a candied date soup to Yangxin Palace intentionally or unintentionally. This soup was one of Chunyuan's favorites when he was alive."
"When seeing something reminds you of someone, naturally the old love is more important, and you naturally can't spare the energy to see the new one."
"Su Peisheng bowed his body helplessly, 'Empress Wan, the emperor is busy right now and has no time to see you. You are pregnant now, it's not good to kneel like this.'"
Why don't you go back first, and I will report back to you immediately when the emperor is free!
Zhen Huan's face was pale, and she was not wearing any jewelry. She seemed to have become even more fragile and beautiful than a few days ago.
"After hearing this, I shook my head. Eunuch Su, I know the emperor is busy. Eunuch Su will not even take off his hairpin and wait for punishment to give my father a chance to plead for mercy."
"Su Peisheng was blocked by Zhen Huan's words and didn't know what to say for a moment. Even if he is a favorite of the emperor, how can he order the concubines to do something?"
"She shook her head helplessly, glanced at Cui Jinxi who was kneeling beside Zhen Huan, and then said, "Your Majesty, it is not easy for you to kneel for a long time. I will go in and see if the emperor is free at this moment. Please wait for a moment, Your Majesty."
A look of gratitude immediately appeared on Zhen Huan's face. "Eunuch is willing to pass on the message together. I will definitely remember this favor. Thank you very much, Eunuch."
Su Peisheng waved his hand, said nothing more, and turned to enter the hall.
When the emperor heard the footsteps, he asked without raising his head: Why is Concubine Wan still unwilling to leave?
"Su Peisheng bowed, Your Majesty, Concubine Wan heard about Lord Zhen's situation and said that she came here today not to plead for Lord Zhen."
I just want to ask the Emperor to show mercy and send a royal physician to check Lord Zhen's pulse.
The emperor's fingers gently slid across the rice paper in front of him, and he paused. Who was so talkative as to tell Concubine Wan about this?"
Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter has already been widely circulated in the palace. I am afraid it cannot be concealed even if you want to.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Wan is pregnant now and her health is not good. If something happens to her, it will be more trouble than gain."
"Su Peisheng's words made the emperor's eyes flash with anger. After a long time, the pens in their hands were placed on the table, making a crisp sound, and then he said; Let her in."
Yes! The emperor was relieved, which made Su Peisheng breathe a sigh of relief. He responded and immediately turned around and went out.
"Hearing the footsteps, Zhen Huan raised her head with hope on her face, and before Su Peisheng could speak, she spoke first, "Eunuch Su, is the emperor free?"
Su Peisheng personally stepped forward and helped the person up, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is calling you in!"
After hearing this, Zhen Huan suddenly became excited and said, "Thank you, Eunuch Su, thank you very much."
"Your Highness, please don't be polite. Please go in quickly! Don't keep the emperor waiting for too long."
Zhen Huan responded, "Jinxi, wait for me outside. Hey, Your Majesty, please slow down!"
"Letting go of Cui Jinxi's hand, Zhen Huan held onto the door frame and entered the hall! Cui Jinxi behind her asked with a worried look on her face: 'Eunuch Su, does the Emperor seem to be in a good mood now?'"
"Su Peisheng sighed and shook his head. Empress Wanfei was too impulsive in this matter. The emperor did not like the former dynasty and the harem to be involved. However, the empress came to the Yangxin Palace twice recently because of Master Zhen's matter."
"Master Zhen is your biological father. How can you watch him being injured and sick in prison with no one to care for him?"
"I know what you mean, but this is really not a good time. Lord Zhen is seriously ill and in critical condition. Your Majesty is usually wise, but she can't care about anything else at this moment."
If that doesn't work, please ask Eunuch Su to say a few good words in front of the Emperor.
"Cui Jinxi knelt down to Eunuch Su and spoke earnestly. Oh, there is no need for us to say these things."
"Su Peisheng waved his hand when he saw this, and then spoke again; But this matter has been seized with real evidence, in my opinion, if Empress Wanfei intends to rely solely on her relationship with the emperor."
"It may be difficult to overturn the verdict for Lord Zhen. Cui Jinxi doesn't understand the affairs of the court, but she knows that Su Peisheng will not hide this from her."
"But the Zhen family is also down. My master doesn't have many close friends in the harem. At this time, who will sincerely help her and contribute to the former dynasty?"
"These things are not that complicated when you really think about it," Cui Jinxi sighed, shook her head, and said nothing more.
In the palace, Zhen Huan walked up to the emperor and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health."
"The Emperor turned his head and glanced at Zhen Huan. Although he was a little surprised at her appearance today, he still took into consideration the fact that she was pregnant. He raised his hand and said, "Get up!"
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You insisted on seeing me despite your pregnant body. Is it because you want to talk about your father?
"Zhen Huan lowered her head after hearing this. She did not speak immediately. She waited for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, I know that concubines in the harem are not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty."
"I came here today not because of the matter of the previous dynasty. The emperor's eyes fell on Zhen Huan again, but he did not speak."