lcionline Chapter 412: The Princess's Home
Chapter 412: The Princess's Home
"This is about Concubine Liang and Concubine Xue. It would be bad for me to offend either of them, so I shouldn't say too much. But since Your Majesty has asked, I will tell you what I think."
"Since we are looking for an adoptive mother for the second princess, we naturally have to consider it from the child's perspective."
Shen Zhinian peeled a lychee that had just been imported from Lingnan. His voice was crisp and his tone was unhurried, which made people feel comfortable listening to it.
"The second princess is pregnant and needs a lot of care. Concubine Liang is so busy managing the harem, how can she have so much time to take care of her? In comparison, Concubine Xue has a lot of free time and is more energetic to take good care of the second princess."
"Of course, if Lady Liang really likes children, it's not impossible for her to raise the Second Princess. If the power of assisting the Six Palaces is returned to Lady Guifei, she can focus on the Second Princess."1
Concubine Liang might do something to Shen Zhinian during her delivery, and Concubine Liu is worried about the baby in her belly.
Although they hold power in the six palaces, it is not a good thing for Shen Zhinian, but between two evils, choose the lesser evil.
Compared to the smiling tiger that is Concubine Liang, Concubine Liu is much easier to deal with.
Therefore, Shen Zhinian's words not only tipped the balance in the emperor's heart towards Concubine Xue, but also set a trap for Concubine Liang.
Do you want the power of the six palaces, or the second princess?
If she chooses the former... haha, then everyone in the palace will know what kind of person she is.
The emperor's impression of Concubine Liang will also plummet.
The latter option is also fine, and Concubine Liang will lose her real power in the harem.
At worst, Shen Zhinian and Xuepin can find a way to take the second princess away.
In short, everything depends on human efforts!
The emperor was silent for a long time: "...You have a point. I will ask Concubine Liang."
Shen Zhinian sighed in his heart.
Concubine Xue did so many things, but Nangong Xuanyu still couldn't make up his mind. Isn't it because she was only a concubine, and Concubine Liang was one of the four concubines.
When two people fight for a child, the emperor will give priority to Concubine Liang no matter what.
If Concubine Xue had been a concubine, the matter would have been settled long ago.
However, even if Concubine Xue raised the second princess, she was not born by her, so she would not be promoted because of this.
Leaving aside other circumstances, if Concubine Xue wants to be promoted because of the Second Princess, it will be impossible unless the Second Princess grows up safely and gets married.
The emperor talked with Shen Zhinian for a long time before leaving Zhongcui Palace and going to Changchun Palace.
Hearing this news, Ruoli was very happy: "My queen, it's getting dark. If His Majesty comes at this time, he will definitely stay in our Changchun Palace tonight!"
Concubine Liang was always calm, but now she had a shy look on her face: "Hurry up and prepare to receive the emperor."
"Yes!"
After the emperor came in, everyone finished their greetings, and Concubine Liang handed over the teacup in her hand: "...Your Majesty, please try this golden chrysanthemum tea. The weather is hot now, and this is the best tea to clear away heat and reduce internal heat."
"I brewed it myself when I heard you were coming."
Nangong Xuanyu took a sip and said in a gentle voice: "Your tea art has improved."
Concubine Liang lowered her head and smiled: "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
"Before my father retired, Your Majesty always loved to drink the tea I brewed whenever he came to my house. I have never forgotten Your Majesty's taste."
What this means is that it’s not that her tea making skills are good, but that she is attentive enough to him.
Nangong Xuanyu was silent for a moment, put down the teacup and said, "I have almost thought about where the second princess should go."
"I naturally believe that if you get the second princess, you will raise her with all your heart. But the second princess is born weak and needs more careful care than ordinary children."
"You are in charge of the six palaces and are very busy. I am worried that you are overworked."
"If it is the same as before, the Imperial Concubine will manage the harem. I will naturally feel relieved if the Second Princess stays by your side."
Ruoli's face changed.
Your Majesty, isn't this to say that you can only choose one between the Six Palaces and the Second Princess? !
Your Majesty has been married to His Majesty for so many years, and finally gained power. How can you give up the power you have obtained? !
If Ruoli could figure it out, how could Concubine Liang not understand?
If it was a prince, it would naturally be much more important than the power of assisting the six palaces. But no concubine in the harem would use the power of the six palaces to exchange for a princess who was better than nothing.
Concubine Liang didn't need to think about it at all, the answer was in her mind.
But... she couldn't say this out loud, otherwise how would His Majesty look at her?
Many thoughts popped up in Concubine Liang's mind. She suddenly took out her handkerchief, pressed the corners of her eyes, and said compassionately: "...In fact, I was just about to talk to Your Majesty about this matter these two days. But Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, and I dare not disturb you."
"A few days ago, I met Sister Xuepin on the palace road, and we had a casual chat about the Second Princess."
"Before, I only thought about the pain of losing the eldest prince and having an empty child. If I can raise the second princess, it will be a comfort to me."
"But Sister Xuepin said that I still have a chance to be a mother, but not only did she lose the baby in her belly, she can no longer have children. If I can't raise the second princess, then there is really no hope."
"When I heard this, I felt sad and ashamed... How could I forget that Sister Xuepin was more hurt than I was because of my own selfishness..."
When she said this, Concubine Liang burst into tears, wetting the handkerchief in her hand.
"I never thought that His Majesty would come before I found him."
"As for assisting in the management of the six palaces...I was originally here to relieve the Imperial Concubine's worries. Now that the Imperial Concubine has recovered from her illness, I should have returned the power of the six palaces to her long ago."
The emperor asked Concubine Liang to choose between the two.
No matter what choice she makes, she can be said to have a child or great power in the palace, so it is not unfair to her.
But if Concubine Liang chooses power, Nangong Xuanyu will definitely think that her previous virtuous appearance was all pretend.
Unexpectedly... Concubine Liang was willing to give the second princess to Concubine Xue, and was not greedy for the power in the six palaces.
Her image in the emperor's mind was already good, and this made the emperor feel that she was sensible and understanding.
"...You have managed all the affairs of the harem very well. The imperial concubine has not recovered yet, so you will continue to take care of these matters."
This is a disguised announcement of the second princess's identity.
Concubine Liang sighed, as if with regret and sadness: "Perhaps it is because I am unlucky that I am not destined to be mother and daughter with the Second Princess..."
"If the Second Princess can soothe the pain in Sister Xuepin's heart and help her cheer up again, then I will be happy for Sister Xuepin."
"As for the power to assist in the management of the six palaces... I still say the same thing. I am only here to share the worries of the Imperial Concubine. When the Imperial Concubine is well again, Your Majesty will give the order to send the account books to Yongshou Palace."
The emperor nodded and said, "It's getting late. You should take a good rest. I will come to see you another day."
Ruoli was very anxious.
Your Majesty actually doesn't favor the Queen tonight? !
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Note: 1 Quoted from the reader’s paragraph review “Shi Xu”.