Forbidden Autumn, Summer, Winter and Spring Rebirth

Chapter 174 170. Strange News
Seeing that the argument between Hongzhou and the Fourth Prince in the corridor seemed to have come to an end, Concubine Jing sent someone to pass on the message.

The Sixth Prince came over with a happy look on his face, and the Fourth Prince followed closely behind him.

"My son greets mother, and greets Empress Hui, Empress Chang, and Empress Ji."

The Fourth Prince also greeted him.

"No need to be polite. Mother made you some refreshing snacks. Thinking of your hard work these days, you should eat more. After you finish eating, mother will make more for you." Concubine Jing said lovingly, and then turned to look at the Fourth Prince, "Fourth Prince is free today. I just saw you two reading together. I hope Hongzhou doesn't give you a headache. He just loves to study."

"In return, Your Majesty," the Fourth Prince said with a bow, "Sixth brother is very intelligent and can understand things at a glance. My son is only better than you in that he has studied a few more years than you. It won't be long before Sixth brother will surpass me."

"Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Brother. The Emperor said that you are the best student and asked me to ask you for advice more often." Hong Zhou said.

Hongli smiled, seemingly calm, but Xia Dongchun felt that her smile was a little bitter.

"Okay, you are tired too. Hongzhou, go and call your brothers and sisters to come over and have some snacks together. I don't know where the Seventh Prince has gone. I will send someone to look for him." Shen Meizhuang called.

Soon, a group of children of different heights gathered in the yard. Looking at these princes and princesses who were laughing and playing, Xia Dongchun thought of the death of concubines and descendants in the harem in her previous life. She actually felt as if she was in a dream, but then she shook her head and laughed secretly. Zhuangzi was lost in a dream in the morning, and now she understands it.

Turning around, she met Concubine Ji's inquiring gaze, and Xia Dongchun smiled back.

After seeing the children, they all went back to Concubine Jing.

Before the tea was poured, Concubine Ji could not help but speak.

"Why did I meet the Fourth Prince in the Shangshufang today? Although he is not arrogant, he rarely gets close to the Sixth Prince and his friends."

Concubine Jing and Shen Meizhuang were both lost in thought, their brows slightly furrowed, a hint of confusion on their faces.

Shen Meizhuang pondered and said, "Could it be that because of yesterday's summons, the Emperor said something to the Fourth Prince?"

"I have also thought of this, but no matter how hard I try, I can't find out anything about the conversation between the Emperor and the Fourth Prince yesterday. This is what really surprises me." Concubine Jing said.

"The emperor's body is now weak inside, but he still indulges in revelry with those concubines every night. The imperial concubine advises him every day, and even asks the empress dowager who has been confined to the palace, but there is still no improvement. The most favored one now is the one sent from the Yikun Palace. I knew that Nian Shilan was deeply in love with the emperor, but I don't know whether he loves her or hates her so much that he presents her with this charming newcomer at this time." Xia Dongchun spoke slowly, as if what they said had nothing to do with it.

When mentioning Yiku Palace, Xia Dongchun did not miss the flash of discomfort on Concubine Ji's face.

Shen Meizhuang's eyes were filled with resentment, and even her words were filled with hatred. "A brothel is a hero's grave. I heard that the new favorite of Yikun Palace is full of tricks, causing the emperor to often neglect state affairs. This has never happened before, and the emperor's health is also getting worse. No matter what the intention of Yikun Palace is, it has saved us a lot of effort."

Imperial Concubine Jing said distressedly, "Even if you hate him so much, why do you have to torture yourself like this? You should make yourself feel better."

Everyone knew it tacitly that Shen Meizhuang had developed a deep hatred for the Emperor because of Concubine Wan's unjust death, and this hatred would probably be difficult to get over in this lifetime.

"The emperor values ​​Hongzhou the most. When he was immersed in the harem, he had arranged for Hongzhou to start handling some political affairs with the assistance of several old ministers." Xia Dongchun consoled. Shen Meizhuang calmed down a little, but she was still indignant. "I still feel unhappy. He can regard Huan'er as his deceased wife, so I am afraid he also regards Hongzhou as his son with his deceased wife. I will watch how Hongzhou is blessed and how he personally takes over the country from him." Such rebellious words, even if there was no one around, Xia Dongchun heard it like thunder.

No matter what, in past and present lives, she is still a woman who dared to cuckold the emperor and give birth to a child.

"But we still need to be on guard against the Fourth Prince to prevent any disaster from happening." Concubine Ji brought the subject back.

Facing Xia Dongchun's inquiring gaze, Concubine Ji dodged a little.

"My sister is reminding me that although everything is peaceful now, we still need to take precautions against possible disasters." Concubine Jing nodded after thinking carefully.

"But sister, there is no need to worry too much. The Fourth Prince is cunning and does have some talents. The most important point is that he has no maternal family. Even if the Emperor had even a little hope for him, he should have found a suitable mother for him long ago, and then supported his maternal family, just like he did for Hongzhou. Now Sister Jing's maternal family is no longer to be underestimated in the court. Although a prince without a maternal family can avoid the harm of foreign relatives, he still lacks the most solid backing. One day, he may cause the foundation of the country to be shaken. The Emperor will not take this risk." Shen Meizhuang analyzed in an orderly manner.

It was almost noon when the few people dispersed. Xia Dongchun had something on her mind, so she invited Concubine Ji to have lunch with her, using the excuse that she wanted her to make slingshots for Hongmin and Qiongwei.

Lunch was prepared and the slingshot was made.

In the inner room, the servants had been sent out long ago, leaving only Xia Dongchun and Concubine Ji.

Xia Dongchun was lazily half-lying on the chaise longue with a soft pillow under her body. She supported her forehead with one hand and stared at Concubine Ji with a half-smile, her eyes revealing an ambiguous meaning.

Jipin held the cup of tea with an extremely calm expression and sipped it gently, intentionally or unintentionally avoiding Xia Dongchun's inquiring gaze.

Xia Dongchun covered her mouth and yawned, "Sister, you should drink less tea. Today's lunch is a bit bland. If you drink too much tea, I'm afraid you won't have a good nap later."

Jipin smiled bitterly, "Sister, please don't torture me anymore. Even I can figure out the secret. Sister is much wiser than me. How can you not see that both you and I are blessed by the way of heaven?"

Xia Dongchun's heart was pounding. She had originally thought that Concubine Ji was not like the rumors said, that she was the daughter of a mountain hunter and lost her parents at a young age. She also happened to notice that Concubine Ji had a close relationship with Lady Nian, and she thought that she was just a secret agent who had sent her into the palace.

But as they spent more time together, he actually felt that she seemed to know a lot about the old events in the palace, some twists and turns and hidden secrets that Xia Dongchun would not have known if she had not lived her life again.

Therefore, Xia Dongchun began to think carefully about Concubine Ji.

The more I thought about it, the more doubts I felt. Then I boldly guessed that if I could have this opportunity in my past life or this life, then others could have it as well.

It was not until today, when Shen Meizhuang heard Concubine Ji talk about the Fourth Prince, and made an in-depth analysis and evaluation of him, some of whose comments were so vicious and accurate that even Concubine Jing was shocked.

Xia Dongchun became more and more certain of his guess, so he invited Concubine Ji to come over, intending to find an answer to his doubts.

Unexpectedly, after hearing her say these ambiguous words in person, Xia Dongchun actually wanted to stop her from speaking, feeling somewhat resistant to the answer that was about to come out.