Traitor Concubine Growth Manual

Chapter 14

Ever since Gu Qi sent Chu Yan and Zhao Ronghua back to Yuanxi Palace, the loquat tree in the backyard has already blossomed and bore fruit nine times.

In nine years, the changes in the palace were not a little bit big.

When Gu Qi was 19 years old, the second prince Gu Pan suddenly suffered from smallpox, causing panic in the whole palace.

Regardless of everyone's dissuasion, the emperor insisted on staying by his son's side to take care of him, but he refused to let the imperial concubine Rong step into the house, and the loving couple had a big fight because of this.The gentle and wise concubine Rong Huang raged at him for the first time, but the emperor had a heart of iron, and even if he was unmoved, he would not let her take risks even if he was beaten to death. looking at the son.

Half a month later, the second prince's smallpox finally went away. Seeing the nine-year-old little guy on the bed so thin that the last bit of baby fat disappeared, Rong Zhen felt so distressed to death.

But in a blink of an eye, the emperor standing next to Gu Pan was much thinner than Gu Pan, Rong Zhen's eyes became moist all of a sudden, and when he wanted to say something, he plunged into his arms and scolded "fool".

The second prince was weak, and the imperial physician advised him to rest for a while. After discussing with Rong Zhen, the emperor decided to take him to the palace in Suzhou and Hangzhou to recuperate his body.

The prince is also 19 years old, and has been participating in the discussion of government affairs with the emperor for several years. With his intelligence and thoughtfulness, it is no problem to supervise the country.

So without hesitation, the emperor arranged everything in only one month, and hurriedly took his wife and children to Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Before leaving, Concubine Rong hugged Gu Qi, rubbing his hair as she did when she was a child, and said with emotion, "When you were hugged to me back then, you were only this tall."

As she said that, she pointed to her waist and said with a smile, "Now you are taller than my mother and concubine, how time flies... In a few days, when you become the king of a country that the world looks up to, I'm afraid The concubine is also old."

"No, concubine mother will never grow old. Even if her hair is gray, she is still the most beautiful mother in my heart."

The closest mother and concubine are leaving, and the younger brother who has been pestering him is also leaving, and the father who he respects and fears is also needed. No matter what happened in the past, he always protected his father like a mountain. The emperor... will now leave the palace.

Gu Qi seems to have noticed something, maybe this time he took Pan'er to the palace to recuperate in name, but the real intention of the father and mother is not here, but——

Instead, he wanted to leave the imperial palace from now on, and hand over this huge country to him alone.

Since he was a child, he has been resolute and steady, and he has matured terribly precociously, but Rong Zhen has changed him, so that he finally has a frank and childish side.

This was his mother, although she was not related by blood, she was already the best mother in his heart.

Gu Qi opened his mouth, but in the end he didn't choke up his reluctance, just smiled, hugged his mother and concubine tightly, and then hugged his father, "I wish my father, mother and concubine a safe journey, and my son will take good care of the country." , will not disappoint you.”

Seeing Rong Zhen's eye circles suddenly turned red, he took his hand and couldn't say a word for a long time.

Gu Pan will always be the protected child in the arms of his father and mother, sobbing and hugging his brother's thigh, he said pitifully, "I don't want to be separated from my brother... woo woo woo..."

Gu Qi leaned down to touch his younger brother's head, "Pan'er, be good, and come back to be with my brother after taking care of yourself."

Gu Pan kept his mother's words in mind, don't shed tears to make his brother sad, his little face was flushed with suffocation, and his big eyes kept blinking, for fear of crying.In the end, Baozi's face was contorted terribly, and he forced out an ugly smile, "Okay, Pan'er will be obedient, brother will wait for Pan'er to come back."

A large group of chariots and horses were already waiting in front of the palace gate, Gu Qi stood in the wanton cold wind and waved goodbye to the three closest relatives.

The soreness in his eyes was frozen in his eyes very carefully, not letting a single tear come out.

The vermilion palace gates slowly closed, and the bright yellow chariots and horses disappeared from sight, and leaving with them, all of Gu Qi's childhood and the surviving innocence.

From now on, he is no longer a child who can occasionally play tricks in front of his mother and concubine, but the prince of the Xuan Dynasty, His Royal Highness who sits in the court hall and is all-powerful and meticulous.

The courtiers watched the young prince gradually participate in state affairs, and now the emperor let go of his hands and handed over all the stalls to him.Although I have witnessed the prince's resolute conduct and the same cold and seriousness as his father in the court, there are still some people among the officials who overestimate their influence in the court because of their high position and power. Ai "discussed a lot" with the prince.

Rong Zhen was worried about this question, even in Suzhou and Hangzhou, she would ask about it from time to time, but the emperor just stretched out his finger to cover her red lips, rubbing it lightly, and said softly, "Didn't it be agreed, after leaving the palace Don't mention the matter of court again."

This caress was gentle and ambiguous, and soon ignited some other emotions.

Just before he kissed the corner of his upper lip, Rong Zhen said unwillingly, "I'm just worried that those ministers who rely on the old and sell the old will get in the way. I'm afraid it will be difficult for Qi Er to do something..."

The emperor smiled wryly, this worrying temper really lasted for a hundred years, not to mention that he was not her own son at all.

But it was this "nosy" temper that made him compromise and compromise, and couldn't help but love her more.

The moment before he swallowed her, he compromised again, "This is the last hurdle I left for him. If he passes it, he will be the most qualified emperor, and I will give the world to him with peace of mind. Can't pass..."

He whispered in her ear, "If you can't make it through, I'm still here, and I can clean up those old guys myself."

Stretching out his hand, the swaying veil slid down, covering the scene inside the house, and there was a rustling sound of cloth rubbing, followed by a strong sense of love.

In the 27th year of the Xuan Dynasty, the emperor took his concubine Rong and his second prince, Anlehou, away from the palace and went to the Suhang palace. After that, the prince supervised the country until he ascended the throne.

And four years after Jian Guo, Gu Qi was already 23, just as Gu Qi had expected at first, the father and mother never came back.

He was truly alone at last.

In the Yuanxi Palace, Zhao Ronghua was sitting in the main hall and warming the fire. Nine years of time had left indelible marks on her face. At the beginning, the noble and charming woman lost her husband and son, and she finally showed a little aging .

Right now, she is covering her mouth with a handkerchief and coughing softly. After a while, a young girl of fifteen or sixteen years old came out of the back room, holding a small bottle in her hand, and walked quickly to her side, "Auntie , I can’t find the newly made loquat paste this year, and I don’t know where Shu Qiu put it, it was from the year before last, so you can make do with it.”

Well, it's only one year, so it shouldn't have expired.

These things are usually taken care of by Shu Qiu, but now that she has gone to the Shanggong Bureau to get a certificate, no one else can find these gadgets anymore.

The girl opened the lid, scooped out some brown viscous paste with a spoon, and sent it to Zhao Ronghua's lips.

Her voice was clear and sweet, her voice was not slender, but with the lightness and softness of big pearls and small pearls falling on a jade plate, it was very pleasant to hear.

She was wearing a light green wide-sleeved tunic skirt and a white jacket, which was fluffy and charming.

Her jet-black hair was tied into a double bun, her bright eyes were like water, and a natural smile was at the corners of her brows and eyes.When he was not speaking, it seemed like an eternal scene, but when he spoke, that small face suddenly became a little more lively, as if the most beautiful scene in the world came alive.

In nine years, the six-year-old girl has grown into a flower-like girl. The 15-year-old age is the most beautiful moment. A little more is too gorgeous, and a little less is too jerky.

Chu Yan looked at her aunt with a smile, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her forehead, "Is the fire too hot? I'll ask Hanzhi to move the charcoal basin away."

Zhao Ronghua looked at her, even though he was still coughing, he showed a little smile, while calming his breath, he said softly, "No, it's just an old problem, chills, coughing, taking loquat cream for many years Not good either."

As she spoke, she sighed and did not speak, but looked quietly at the window to the north.

Chu Yan suddenly understood that to the north...that was the Prince's Yong'an Palace.

"Auntie misses the prince?" She fed the spoonful of loquat paste into Zhao Ronghua's mouth without any abnormality, and said softly, "The prince is going to supervise the country. Question, he must be very busy... However, if my aunt misses him, I can ask Chongshan to go to Yong'an Palace and talk to him."

Chong Shan is the little eunuch next to her, about the same age as her, and very smart.

Zhao Ronghua laughed twice, swallowed the spoonful of loquat paste, and waited until the fragrant paste melted in his mouth, then shook his head and said, "Forget it, he is busy supervising the country, so I, the old woman, will not bother others." , state affairs are the most important, state affairs are the most important...."

Chu Yan was busy talking about things, she praised her beauty as before, and coquettishly said that her aunt would never grow old, but her heart was full of sighs.

Both she and Zhao Ronghua knew that even if the crown prince was not busy, he seldom came to Yuanxi Palace.

When the emperor had just left, some courtiers suggested that the prince should be a concubine at the age, so a group of ministers began to discuss this matter enthusiastically. What is the matter of self-cultivation, family governance, country and world peace, the prince is still short of the family.So slowly, the limelight turned to who is qualified to be the crown princess in the current family of courtiers.

At this time, Zhao Ronghua also became vigilant, and invited Gu Qi to come to Yuanxi Hall again and again, complaining of illness for a while, and illness for a while.

She thought that it was her son after all, so she would not sit idly by her expectations anyway.

Chu Yan persuaded Zhao Ronghua, saying that it was too deliberate and would make the prince feel disgusted, but Zhao Ronghua's loyalty to the family had become pathological, and he refused to listen to anyone's persuasion, insisting on going his own way.

Later, I don’t know where Zhao Ronghua heard the gossip that Mu Nianqiu, the eldest daughter of Shang Shuling Mu Qingzhuo’s second son, was recommended by ministers many times at the court, and the prince didn’t seem to object. up.

Later, he happened to meet Mu Nianqiu in the palace, and Zhao Ronghua wanted to test her out, so he invited her to sit in Yuanxi Palace.At that time, Chu Yan felt that something was wrong. Everything seemed to be going too smoothly, so naturally, so natural that it made people suspicious.

Sure enough, on the way to Yuanxi Palace, Mu Nianqiu somehow fell into the water by the pond which was only a few steps away from the main hall. Fortunately, her maidservant called for help in time, and the servants of Yuanxi Palace rushed to take her away. Fished up.

Later the crown prince came, after all, Mu Nianqiu was the daughter of the Mu family, and Shang Shuling was an important minister in the current court, so naturally he should try to appease her.But how could a good-looking girl be so "accidental" and fall into the water on the road?
The prince was suspicious, and ordered someone to secretly investigate this matter, but it turned out that his suspicion was right. The bluestone slab beside the pool was tampered with. into the pool.

This matter is too strange, it's so good, why did Zhao Ronghua invite Mu Nianqiu to Yuanxi Palace?And it was such a coincidence that the path outside Yuanxi Hall was tampered with, causing Mu Nianqiu to almost drown.

And this time happened to be the moment when the selection of the crown princess was the most widely discussed, the crown prince had always understood his mother's thoughts, and he couldn't do without doubting her.

"Suppress this matter, if anyone says a word, be careful I will tear his mouth." Gu Qi spoke to several eunuchs with a gloomy expression, and then went to Yuanxi Palace.

Zhao Ronghua naturally understood that he had become the biggest suspect in the case of Mu Nianqiu's falling into the water. Before the prince could speak, he hurriedly said that this matter was definitely not his fault.

Naturally, Gu Qi also knew that even if his mother was eager for quick success, she was not a fool, so how could she do harm outside her palace?
But if she didn't have her own thoughts, how could she be caught?
Gu Qi looked at his mother, nodded slightly and said, "Mother, don't worry, my son has never doubted you. This matter was deliberately framed by someone with a heart, and my son will not be easily fooled."

As soon as this remark came out, Zhao Ronghua breathed a sigh of relief, but the words in his mouth continued, and he went to the topic about the princess.

She carefully tested her son, which girl was more satisfied with, but Gu Qi never answered this question directly, and she told Chu Yan out when she was anxious.

"Chu Yan is the first daughter of the Zhao family and the granddaughter of Ding Guogong. She is the perfect candidate for the crown princess. What's more, her mother brought her up since she was a child. Her appearance and character are first-class. Strong..." After talking for a long time, she knew that her son understood very well, so she simply said, "You also know that now your grandfather is getting old, and your uncles are not up to date. Seeing that the Zhao family has no successors. People, if there is no crown princess, I am afraid that you will gradually decline in the future, and you will never regain the glory you have today. Although you are the son of the royal family, you are still half of the Zhao family. Mother only hopes that you can marry Chu Yan. Palace, it won't let the Zhao family fall into a slump."

Her face was covered with the words "quick success and instant benefit", and her anxious tone also showed what she was thinking.

But Gu Qi didn't continue this topic, but slightly raised his head to look at the lantern outside the window, "Mother, do you still remember the time your son spent in Yuanxi Palace before he was six years old?"

Zhao Ronghua was dumbfounded, not understanding what he was going to say.

Gu Qi continued calmly, "I always remember that my mother had very high demands on me at that time. At that age, other emperor's uncle's children were still having fun, but I was called to the study by my mother. There is no delay in learning calligraphy and reading."

"When I was four years old, during the New Year's Eve, I saw other maids and eunuchs tie up lanterns, so I sneaked out to watch for a while. Unexpectedly, my mother found out and told me to stand at the door for half an hour after she came back. At that time, my feet were frostbitten and I couldn't get off the ground for three days."

"Father came and said that you were too harsh on me. You promised in front of him that you would treat me like a child in the future, but as soon as Father left, you actually asked someone to carry me to the study to sit and ask I continued to practice calligraphy and memorization. At that time, I was crying and fussing, but I saw you standing outside the door and looking at me, without saying a word or showing any expression on your face."

Gu Qi turned around and stared at Zhao Ronghua, "It's just a small thing, but similar things happen one after another, every time my son thinks about it, he feels heartache. In order not to practice calligraphy, I deliberately kicked the quilt to catch cold, and deliberately shot arrows." I hurt my hand from time to time, but you never cared about me, you always forced me to work hard day after day."

Zhao Ronghua turned pale, and argued, "But I am for you, for your future, for you to stand on the Golden Temple overlooking the country like today, and hold the world in your hands!"

Gu Qi smiled, with quiet and deep sadness in his eyes, "Is mother really for me? Have you ever asked me if this is the life I want? Every time I cry and blame you, you say This is for the good of my son and for the prosperity of the Zhao family in the future, in the eyes of my son, mother is not doing this for the son, but for yourself."

For her own ambitions, and her strong desire for family prosperity.

Others may laugh at him, being so close to Concubine Rong, yet so alienated and indifferent to his mother, but only he knows, that's because he has never really realized that in the six years he spent with his mother in Yuanxi Palace. What is maternal love.

The court ladies and eunuchs around him are always changed every six months. Either they fell into the water or died accidentally, or they stole things from the palace, were executed with a stick or kicked out of the palace.

At first he thought it was an accident, but when he grew up and saw the despair in the eyes of the palace servants who were sent to serve him, he understood the reason.

These so-called accidents are just the stepping stones that his mother wanted him to develop into a hard-hearted man. He is the future emperor in his mother's eyes. He must never have extra dependence and affection on anyone around him. He must be lonely and indifferent Growing up without any extra sympathy.

So, he went all the way to today.

Fortunately, with the presence of Concubine Rong, he would not become such a cold-blooded and ruthless person, but for a mother like Zhao Ronghua, he naturally put up his defenses, just as she hoped at the beginning, but this kind of indifference was only limited to her .

Zhao Ronghua finally reaped the bitter fruit.

The conversation that day was the only time in many years that the mother and son opened their hearts, but the ending was extremely tragic.

The moment Gu Qi stepped out, Zhao Ronghua yelled desolately, "Gu Qi, do you still remember whose son you are?"

Gu Qi paused and didn't look back, but asked her calmly, "My son remembers, but dare to ask mother, do you remember whose mother you are?"

She is a powerful mother, a mother of fame and wealth, he has been thinking this way since he was very young, maybe what the mother wants is not his son, but everything that can enable her to realize her ambition and self-worth.

(End of this chapter)