sbdcsierra Chapter 492: Concubine Hao Visits Zhongcui Palace
Chapter 492: Concubine Hao Visits Zhongcui Palace
Zhongcui Palace, the main hall.
Seeing Shen Zhinian, everyone saluted with a smile: "The Queen is back!"
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly.
She had been running around outside all day and was afraid that something dirty might have stained her body and affected the child. After bathing, she asked, "Where's Ah Xu?"
It's really strange. It's only been one day since I last saw my child, but Shen Zhinian misses him so much.
Are all mothers like this?
The wet nurse quickly brought the fourth prince over.
The Fourth Prince was very considerate and was awake at this time, which was rare.
Shen Zhinian took it with a smile and asked softly, "Our Ah Xu, do you miss your mother?"
The Fourth Prince didn't understand what she said and just smiled unconsciously.
After teasing him for a while, Shen Zhinian handed the fourth prince to the wet nurse and took him away to rest.
Then, she looked at Handan and said, "Bring over all the things I bought today and share them with everyone."
"Yes."
Except for the eunuchs who were doing the shopping, other palace servants rarely had the opportunity to leave the palace. Seeing all kinds of new things outside the palace, everyone's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Madam!"
"It's so blissful to be by the side of the Empress and serve her!"
"Your Highness, you actually bought so many things this time?"
"..."
There was a happy scene in Zhongcui Palace.
Handan Yu said proudly, "You don't know, in the street in the daytime, if the queen looked at something for a second, His Majesty would order someone to buy it. In the end, the guards following behind her could hardly carry anything."
"Your Majesty really dotes on the Queen!"
Shen Zhinian glared at her and said, "Don't talk nonsense."
After this episode, she sat on the couch by the window and asked calmly, "I'm not here today. Is there anything happening in the palace?"
Xiao Mingzi said respectfully: "Your Majesty, there is nothing new. I just heard that Concubine Wu and Concubine Hao had a quarrel in the Imperial Garden."
"Oh?"
Shen Zhinian asked curiously, "Wu Changzai is not in good health and has never been interested in competing for favor. Hao Guiren is the new favorite of His Majesty. How could the two of them have an argument?"
Xiao Mingzi had already found out everything: "Many people in the palace said that Wu Changzai and Hao Guiren have similar temperaments, but Wu Changzai's eyebrows and eyes are more beautiful than Hao Guiren's."
"It is said that today, Concubine Wu deliberately imitated the dress of Concubine Hao, hoping to meet His Majesty. Unexpectedly, she did not meet His Majesty, but met Concubine Hao instead."
"No wonder Concubine Hao was unhappy, so she ridiculed Concubine Wu and said she was imitating others."
Handan was surprised and said, "Hasn't Consort Wu always been indifferent to the emperor's favor? Last time, she even exchanged the opportunity given to her by His Majesty for her brother's future. Why would she..."
Shen Zhinian didn't find it strange: "People change."
Moreover, the Wu family had suffered a great change, and Wu Yaozu was now only an eighth-rank Guanglu Temple supervisor, so his life must have been difficult. Given how much Wu Changzai valued him, it was reasonable for him to want to compete for his brother's favor.
Shen Zhinian no longer paid attention to these little things.
Early the next morning.
Concubine Sun came to the main hall to talk to Shen Zhinian: "I pay my respects to Sister Xianfei!"
"No need to be polite, just sit down."
The two chatted for a while and teased the Fourth Prince together. Shen Zhinian asked someone to bring the gift for her.
They were several palm-sized, exquisite wooden puppet carvings bought outside the palace.
Although it is not worth much, it is exquisite and novel.
Concubine Sun's eyes lit up slightly: "Beautiful! Cute! Thank you, sister!"
"Sister Xianfei, this doesn't look like something from the palace."
The emperor's secret trip out of the palace was top secret, so Shen Zhinian was not in a position to reveal it to Concubine Sun. She just nodded and said, "Little Mingzi got it from the eunuch who went out of the palace to buy things."
Concubine Sun smiled and fiddled with them: "This one is my concubine, this one is my sister Xianfei, and this little one is the fourth prince."
"I will place them in the most conspicuous place in the bedroom later!"
At this time, Fuqiu came in and reported: "Your Majesty, Concubine Hao wants to see you."
Concubine Sun asked in confusion, "We in Zhongcui Palace have never had any contact with her. What is she doing here?"
Shen Zhinian didn't know what Lady Hao's purpose was, but she didn't turn her away: "Please come in."
"Yes."
After entering the inner room, Concubine Hao bowed respectfully to Shen Zhinian: "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
Shen Zhinian said: "No need to be polite, please stand up."
"Thank you, empress."
Then, Concubine Hao and Concubine Sun bowed to each other and said, "I didn't expect Sister Sun to be here with Concubine Xian as well."
Don't hit someone who smiles at you. Concubine Sun said politely, "I came to talk to my sister."
Shen Zhinian looked at Concubine Hao without leaving any trace: "I wonder why Concubine Hao came here today?"
Concubine Hao motioned Chu'er to hand over the gift in her hand, and stood up and bowed: "On the day of the Fourth Prince's full moon, I was framed by Concubine Xiao. Fortunately, Concubine Xian spoke for me, and I was finally spared."
"These past few days, I have been wanting to come and thank the virtuous lady, but I just couldn't find the right time."
"It's just a small gift. I hope Your Majesty will not despise it."
Concubine Hao has always been grateful and repaying kindness. Shen Zhinian only said a few words for her, but she remembered them all. Naturally, she was even more grateful to Concubine Liang, who had been protecting her that day.
During these days, Concubine Hao spent the most time in Changchun Palace.
Shen Zhinian nodded: "I am the mother of the Fourth Prince, so I must find out who is really trying to harm us. I just expressed my thoughts that day, so you don't have to be polite, Concubine Hao."
Noble Lady Hao said, "For the Concubine Xian, it was just expressing her thoughts; but for me, it was a way of escaping a disaster."
"No matter what, I should thank you, Madam!"
After that, the two exchanged a few polite words, and then Concubine Hao took her leave.
As usual, Shen Zhinian gave her thank-you gift to Fuqiu and asked Tang Luochuan to check it before putting it in the warehouse.
Concubine Sun couldn't help but sigh: "There are many people in the palace who get carried away as soon as they gain power. Concubine Hao has never been arrogant, and her character is quite good."
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "If she didn't have some outstanding qualities, His Majesty wouldn't favor her."
After chatting, seeing that it was getting late, Concubine Sun also stood up and took her leave, happily leaving the main hall with the wooden puppet.
For the next two days, the harem was peaceful and calm.
At noon, Chen Yaming came to Zhongcui Palace in person to ask for an audience.
"Your servant pays respect to Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
After the ceremony, he said respectfully: "The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Rites have already set a date for the ceremony to confer the title of the Four Consorts on Her Majesty. It will be on the tenth day of the tenth month."
"Does your Majesty have any other instructions?"
Today is the fourth day of October, which means there are still six days.
Shen Zhinian said: "I believe in the ability of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Rites. You just need to follow the rules."
"Yes."
Chen Yaming bent down and said, "If there is nothing else, I will not disturb the virtuous concubine."
"Slave, please resign!"