Houmen's step-wife

Chapter 58
Emperor Xian De looked directly at Jiao Rong with sharp eyes, and asked coldly, "You are telling the truth, and you didn't lie to me?"

He knew in his heart what kind of virtue the people below had. He would exaggerate and embellish his words the most, which was also what he hated the most. Therefore, his tone was extremely severe.

"Your servant dares to guarantee with his own life that everything this servant says is true, and he never dares to lie." Although Jiao Rong was terrified in his heart, he suppressed his fear and said firmly with his teeth gritted.

Emperor Xian De didn't speak, just looked at him silently for a while.

Jiao Rong was sweating profusely when His Majesty watched him, and his body couldn't help but began to tremble, but he still insisted on not changing his words.

Only then did Emperor Xiande look away, a smile appeared on his face, and he said in a gentle voice: "Okay! I know you are a good person, and I believe you will not lie to me. All right, you go down first! Remember this Don't spread the word."

"Yes, this servant will keep his mouth shut and will never reveal anything. Please rest assured, Your Majesty! Please leave!" Jiao Rong immediately relaxed when he heard this, as if all the strength in his body had been taken away, but his spirit was very excited. He forced himself to bow to the emperor, and then slowly backed out. Although he was physically and mentally exhausted, there was a trace of uncontrollable excitement on his face, because he knew that he had made the right bet this time.

After Jiao Rong left, Emperor Xian De said casually: "What happened during Madam Su's visit to the British government, after you find out, tell me in detail!"

"Yes, the maid obeys the order!" Yang Yong immediately replied with a smile, and after a pause he asked cautiously: "It's almost time for lunch, I wonder where you plan to have your meal, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Xiande thought for a while and said: "Let's go to Kunning Palace! The empress is not in good health recently, and I'm done with work now, so I just go to see her."

Emperor Xiande's current empress, surnamed Ning, was his first wife, who came from a scholarly family, and was also chosen for him by the late emperor himself.

At that time, Emperor Xiande had been trained as his successor, but the late emperor still subconsciously guarded against him. After all, he had been forced to rebel by the crown prince before, but it was unsuccessful. Therefore, the late emperor only chose him The daughter of a fifth-rank Hanlin became a princess, but unfortunately, this Ning Hanlin died of illness less than a year after his daughter became a queen. Although he was posthumously awarded the title, it was only a posthumous honor after all.

Empress Ning's elder brother is also incapable of standing up, he only knows how to eat, drink and have fun, but Emperor Xiande still saw that Empress Ning gave birth to him a pair of children, and sealed her elder brother Changning. Earl's title.

However, Empress Ning's younger brother has some real talents and learning. He was awarded a Jinshi a few years ago, and now he works in the Ministry of Rites and is a small head of the Ministry of Rites.

Although Empress Ning's status is not too low, compared with the other concubines who were born in the family of princes, she is not enough. If she hadn't been uplifting, had given birth to a pair of children, and she was shrewd and capable, and she could do things well. If you don't reveal it, the emperor respects his first wife more, otherwise, he might not be able to sit firmly in the back seat.

It's a pity that she hurt her body when she gave birth to the fifth princess, and her body began to collapse. She always got sick several times a year, but she was very strong, refused to let go of power, and loved to do everything by herself. Like a year, according to the imperial physician, I'm afraid it won't last for a few years, which is a relatively conservative statement.

This news was strongly suppressed by Empress Ning, and she refused to let Emperor Xiande and others know, because she knew that once Emperor Xiande knew about it, he would definitely let her distribute the power of managing the harem, she would not Dare to imagine, if she loses the power in her hands, what will happen to her two children.Therefore, even for the sake of a pair of children, she must persevere no matter what.

Kunning Palace.

Upon receiving the news that Her Majesty was coming to have dinner, Empress Ning immediately asked her to dress herself up, making sure to make her complexion look better, so as not to be seen by Her Majesty.

But looking at her thinning face in the bronze mirror, and her exhaustion and sickness that couldn't be concealed by heavy makeup, Empress Ning couldn't help but wryly smiled.

If His Majesty really cares about her, no matter how she pretends, His Majesty will always know what he should know, but if His Majesty doesn't care about her, even if someone puts the truth before his eyes, he won't bother to take a look.

But she kept it from His Majesty for so long.In other words, His Majesty doesn't care about her at all.

Forget it, she has been married to His Majesty for so many years, and she already knows what a ruthless man he is, and she has long given up hope for his favor. , she was satisfied.

Empress Ning had just finished tidying up, when she heard the eunuch shout loudly: "The emperor is here——"

Empress Ning immediately held the maid's hand and went to the door to greet her. After the yellow shadow of Daoming came in, she immediately bowed her knees and said: "My concubine sees Your Majesty!"

Before Emperor Xiande could fully worship her, he helped her up with his own hands, with a trace of concern showing on his gentle face, "The empress is not feeling well, so don't be too polite."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" A grateful smile appeared on Empress Ning's face, and she stood up, and the two walked in together hand in hand.

"Why is Lord Long Live here today?" After sitting down, Empress Ning asked softly while serving tea to Emperor Xian De herself.

"My empress is ill, so why can't I come and visit? Or is it that the empress doesn't welcome me?" Emperor Xian De said indifferently.

He couldn't say whether he liked or disliked the queen his father had chosen for him, but after all these years of being together, he still had some feelings for her, and she was also very capable. Jealousy and pettiness, and even taking the initiative to persuade him to share the rain and dew, are not too much trouble for his favorite concubines. For the queen, she is already quite qualified.

"How dare the concubine? Your majesty can remember the concubine, and it is too late for the concubine to be happy! The concubine is just afraid that her sickness will offend her majesty." Empress Ning immediately replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Emperor Xiande looked at Empress Ning carefully, and said with a frown: "The empress' complexion is really not very good, I'd better worry less in the future and rest at ease, after all, health is the most important thing .”

Empress Ning was startled by Emperor Xian De's words, she thought that Her Majesty knew what was beating her, but she felt that it was not like it when she looked at His Majesty's expression, she was a little relieved, and said with a smile: "Thank you Your Majesty for your concern, my concubine will remember it." .”

Emperor Xian De nodded, and didn't say anything, he had already reminded what should be reminded, if she didn't listen, then he wouldn't stop her, after all, her life was her own.

At this time, the meals were ready, and the two of them walked over to start eating.

(End of this chapter)