The Concubine's Survival Manual

Chapter 189

The days flowed by like water, and soon it was June.

In mid-June, the eldest son of the emperor celebrated his seventh birthday. The emperor ordered the Qin Tianjian to choose an auspicious day for the zodiac, and officially registered the eldest son as the prince. Hou Bing ordered that all of them be listed according to their ranks and participate in the grand ceremony for the establishment of the crown prince.

The sisters-in-law of the Xu family all carried imperial orders. Although Mrs. Tai was old and Mrs. Xu was not in good health-but she did not dare to neglect such a grand event. The eldest and younger wives volunteered to stay at home to do housework and take care children.The remaining five old and young women, all dressed up, went to the palace early in the morning on July [-]st to arrange shifts, and waited outside Kunning Palace with all the wives.

Although the gauze canopy has been set up outside the Kunning Palace, the weather is hot, so many people are crowded in a large courtyard, and everyone is a little sweaty, but starting from the married women, no one has a gossip. Naturally, they didn't dare to be presumptuous, although there were many people, the outside of the hall was still quiet, only the sound of drums and music in the hall could be heard intermittently, and the high-pitched voice of the eunuch came faintly from outside the hall, expressing worship and enlightenment.

Although the Fourth Young Madam and the Fifth Young Madam have a share in the palace, they are not of high rank, so it is inconvenient to stand together with Madam Tai and others. Seventh Lady looked at the two elders and saw that Madam Tai was in good spirits , Let go of half of your heart first.

In the past month or so, Mrs. Xu has taken care of her illness, and her body is much better. Although there is still a sick sallow on her face, she looks much healthier than in previous years.On the contrary, the eldest lady not far away had a pale complexion, and she took out her handkerchief to wipe off her sweat at every turn, showing a bit of timidity—after all, she has lived in Jiangnan for almost 20 years, so how can she work like this?That is to say, the noble ladies in the capital will send out to congratulate the queen mother, concubine, and empress on their birthdays, festivals, or when there is a big event in the court. They also have to enter the palace seven or eight times a year. Stay calm and don't reveal anything wrong.

Compared with the densely packed foreign wives, there are far fewer inner wives on the left side of Kunning Palace, because the crown prince has no brothers, and the emperor's few brothers, who are married, have already joined the vassal. The decree to return to Beijing is that the concubine Niu Shu is the head of the wives, and the next is the sixth lady, and there are three or four girls who are charming or beautiful, and there is no one else. ——Although these young women more or less have relatives who live outside the ranks, but starting from Concubine Niu Shu, they all keep their eyes down and look at their hearts, showing the appearance of royal concubines.But when the foreign wives saw it, they felt an indescribable longing in their hearts: it seemed that such a gesture divided the royal family and the ministers into a gap.

Not long after, the sound of rites and music in the palace was heard. More than a dozen eunuchs and palace people surrounded a boy in Chinese clothes and left the main hall of Kunning Palace. Looking at it, because Qin Niangzi was standing inside the crowd, she could secretly raise her eyelids and look at the prince's eyebrows.

This is a very handsome little boy, born not too similar to his mother. According to Qin Niangzi's thinking, he wants to be more like the current emperor, but his demeanor is more like a queen. Although his face is sullen, he always shows kindness. He turned first He turned his head and smiled at the married women, then turned his face and waved to the second lady among the group of married women, then under the soft persuasion of the inner eunuchs, he took a middle-aged woman by the hand and left Kunning Palace.

Mrs. Xu smiled slightly, and whispered in Seventh Lady's ear, "The Prince's temperament is very kind."

While speaking, while Si Bin guided, Si saluted the maid of honor to pay homage, and everyone immediately became quieter. After the maid of honor finished paying homage, they filed out, and the women of foreign court entered to pay respects. The middle palace..." After another long series of words, the crowd just followed the worship and got up, and then exited the hall again, led by Si Bin to exit from the west gate.

This kind of grand ceremony is a little more cautious than the Queen's birthday. Only the second lady was left by the queen to speak. The queen mother took Mrs. Niu and her daughter-in-law into the Cishou Palace, and Concubine Xu took Mrs. Tai and Mrs. Xu into Ningshou Palace In addition, the wives did not retain anyone to speak in the palace.Instead, Qin Niangzi walked half the distance before she was found by the eunuch sent by Concubine Xu and asked her to "enter Ningshou Palace to take care of the two elders".

This kind of work may have been the patent of the fifth young lady in the past. The fourth young lady took a special look at her, then gently pushed the seventh lady, and said with a smile, "Sixth brother and sister, go, we know how to get home."

The Fifth Young Madam's expression was as usual, and she even smiled at Seventh Lady, and told her in a low voice, "Grandmother and mother are getting old, and they have worked hard for a long time. Sixth siblings, please keep an eye on them. Don't let the elders get sick due to the heat. That's not good." Then he took the Fourth Young Madam together, and slowly followed the flow of people to the outside of the palace.

Without this city government, how much less worry could I have?Qin Niangzi couldn't help sighing, she smiled at Xiaohuangmen, deviated from the track under the envious eyes of everyone, and slowly went to Ningshou Palace.

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When Seventh Lady walked into the East Hall, the three elders had already taken their seats, and when they saw Seventh Lady come in, they all smiled at her.Concubine Xu waved her hands and said with a smile, "You child, you are very honest. Although I forgot to tell you, but there are two elders in front of you, so you have to take care of them anyway. If the little eunuchs didn't run fast, You just went back by yourself first?"

Her intimate tone was beyond Madam Tai's and Madam Xu's expectations. Madam Tai glanced at Qin Niangzi in surprise, then looked at Concubine Xu with a smile, and said lovingly, "I didn't expect Mrs. Yang to cater to the temperament of a nobleman! You have only met her a few times, and you like her so much."

Concubine Xu glanced at Qiniangzi, pursed her lips and said with a smile: "It's also Mrs. Yang who knows how to advance and retreat, so why don't I like it after seeing it."

Seven Lady couldn't help but exchanged glances with Mrs. Tai.

Inexplicable thoughts flashed through Mrs. Tai's eyes.

After all, I am old, and the errands of going to the palace in the future will definitely fall on Qin Niangzi.Seventh Lady is the only family member of Concubine Xu's family that she can see.If she doesn't even like Qin Niangzi, wouldn't it be more difficult to pass the long days in the deep palace?
She looked at Qinianzi's eyes more gently, and patted Qinianzi's shoulder affectionately, "Okay, you like Yang, it's her good fortune! ——This child is really fine."

It is rare to praise Qin Niangzi a few words.

Among the noble ladies in the East Hall, which one is not a human being? Why can't they feel the taste of Mrs. Tai's mind?Mrs. Xu glanced at Qiniangzi, and smiled lightly, but Qiniangzi lowered her eyes and tried her best to look shy.

Grand Concubine Xu looked at the harmony of the three generations of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and she smiled with satisfaction, "It's the most beautiful thing in the world for a family to be so peaceful, and I feel much more at ease in the palace!"

The three generations of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were all stunned for a moment, and then smiled, "Your Majesty is right!"

In the forbidden area of ​​the deep palace, they meet temporarily in the name of paying homage to the middle palace, so it is not good to sit for a long time.Several people said a few more words, and Madam Tai led them to get up and leave, but Concubine Xu said, "It's all right, I have already sent someone to guard outside Cishou Palace. When Madam Niu leaves Cishou Palace, you can go to the palace again." It’s not too late to move.”

Although the status of the concubine is also respected, after all, everything depends on the face of the queen mother. The wife can't help but sigh slightly, but she doesn't show it on the face, she just said happily, "It's good, I can look at the nobleman more, it's an old man. Blessing."

Qin Niangzi took a look at Mrs. Xu and tugged at her sleeve.

Mrs. Xu immediately understood, smiled and stood up. "I've been standing for a long time, and I want to ask you to borrow a couch for a nap."

No matter how good the relationship between aunt and sister-in-law is, it cannot be compared with that of mother and daughter.Especially Mrs. Tai usually lives in the Pingguo Duke's Mansion, so it's not easy to say a lot in front of Mrs. Xu.

Qin Niangzi can think of this level, it can be seen that not only is her mind delicate, but also she is more radiant, and she is not afraid of Mrs. Tai holding two people behind her back and gossiping with Mrs. Xu.

Concubine Xu looked at Qin Niangzi's eyes even more tenderly, and she was not polite, but smiled and told the palace people, "Hurry up and tidy up the bed, and help my sister-in-law to rest."

Qin Niangzi also left the East Hall in the name of serving Mrs. Xu, and entered the warm pavilion of the West Hall with Mrs. Xu. The two sat and drank a few cups of tea. Palace."

Everyone was flustered, and when Qin Niangzi and Mrs. Xu left the side hall, Concubine Xu also came out next to Mrs. Tai, both mother and daughter's eyes were red.Madam Tai still whispered, "You are also a concubine, don't restrict yourself too much, whenever you feel bored, just ask someone to come into the palace to talk... Since you want to do that, then do it! As long as your family is happy, everything is fine."

Concubine Xu wiped her eyes, forced a smile, "I know all about it—mother is also good at taking care of herself..."

Then she personally sent the three of them out of the palace gate. Seventh Lady had gone a long way, and when she looked back, she could still see Concubine Xu standing in front of the dark red palace wall, without moving for a long time.

Not long after, news came out from the palace: Concubine Xu had a dream, dreaming of nobleman Zhou who was born many years ago, asking her how the crown prince is doing.After hearing this dream, the emperor burst into tears, restless day and night, complaining that he failed to be filial to his biological mother, and he was brooding all day long, sighing.

The Xu family has been operating in the imperial court for many years, where is there not one or two good friends in private?With this reason, it didn't take long for Yushitai to impeach the Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites for his negligence of duty. He failed to write a letter to start the performance after the emperor succeeded to the throne.

In the past, the minister of the Ministry of Rites turned a blind eye because he was hindering the empress dowager, but now the emperor is so pretentious, and anyone who is a little smarter knows how to do things.After going back and forth like this, and playing a few more flower guns, in the middle of July, Zhou Guiren finally won the title of queen.

Although the queen is no longer there, the etiquette that should be done is indispensable. All the wives must follow the steps in the scorching sun and pay respects to the east side hall of Xianfu Palace where the nobleman of Zhou used to live.Although the Empress Dowager was not feeling well and did not show up, the Concubine was beaming and took a step ahead of the wives, leading the wives in person to perform the ceremony in the hall.After the banquet was over, he took Seventh Lady and others to Ningshou Palace to talk.

Because the weather is so hot, Mrs. Tai and Mrs. Xu both suffered from heatstroke to varying degrees. This time, only Seventh Lady and her four sister-in-laws were present. Concubine Xu did not favor one another, and held hands one by one, and asked everyone in the family carefully. Well, I gave a few more words of advice, and then smiled and dismissed Qin Niangzi's sisters-in-law. "After all, we came here for a meeting on a happy occasion, so it's not good to keep you guys for dinner. Concubine Ning said hello just now, and she will come over to have a few words with Mrs. Yang later. You guys should go back first."

It's true that there are people in the court who are easy to handle. Concubine Xu said something casually, so she stayed with Seventh Lady to talk privately with her, and the excuse was still so high-sounding.Although the sisters-in-law were not in a good mood, they didn't have much to say, so they all had to smile and get up to leave, leaving room for Concubine Xu and Seventh Lady.

When the three of them left the house, Concubine Xu's smile became more sincere. She couldn't wait to pull Qinianzi into the East Side Hall, and then turned away the servants.

"My niece and daughter-in-law are still awake." Concubine Xu's attitude towards Seventh Lady seemed to be a lot more affectionate. "Your idea is a good idea, and the timing is just right... It's just one step away. I think the emperor wants to do it himself."

Of course, the effects of the two plays are also different, arranged by the emperor and coordinated by the concubine.It can be said that this favor of the concubine was snatched from her, but everyone was happy to snatch it.

Qin Niangzi pursed her lips and smiled, and said a few words to the concubine humbly, "Xiaoqi just thinks about it casually, after all, it's my aunt who is skilled in arranging things so naturally!"

Concubine Xu also smiled complacently, "Although your aunt has been on and off over the years, she is a mature person after all, if it is true as you said, if she boldly proposes to chase after nobleman Zhou, then everyone will be too embarrassing stage."

She took advantage of the situation and taught Qin Niangzi a few more words before bringing up a new topic. "Actually, I stayed with you because I wanted to discuss something with you. The emperor intends to put King An in our Ningshou Palace to raise him. Nephew and daughter-in-law, you have a good brain. Help your aunt to weigh it. Should I agree?"

King An is only five years old this year. He was the little prince born two years before the death of the first emperor. Although he was crowned king at birth, he is still young. He has been raised in the Forbidden City for these years. Although the emperor can't say that he loves him, he has never relaxed. supply to him.

Seventh Lady laughed immediately, and she sincerely congratulated Concubine Xu, "This is the emperor's filial piety to you...you should be confident and bold to accept it!"

Concubine Xu also smiled reassuringly, and she patted Qin Niangzi's shoulder beamingly, "Okay, although I think so too, but with a word from my nephew and daughter-in-law, my aunt will be more confident!"

He also sighed with Qin Niangzi, "I used to think that being a concubine is really hard for us, and the queen is in the forefront of everything. But if King An can enter Ningshou Palace, I think it will be even more bitter for being a queen."

They all have no biological sons, but the concubine can raise King An in Ningshou Palace. When King An grows up and becomes a vassal, and takes his adoptive mother to live in a fief, the life of the concubine will be much easier.It's not like in the Forbidden City, the palace is strictly forbidden, and life is really boring.

But the queen mother can only live in Cishou Palace alone. No matter how much honor, how much loneliness in the palace is worth it?

It can be said that the favor returned by the emperor has to be paid to the fullest, and it is no wonder that the concubine is so enthusiastic about herself: if it weren't for Seventh Lady, this favor would not have fallen on her.

Qin Niangzi thought casually, and looked at the concubine again, confirming that the love in the concubine's eyes was indeed genuine.

That is to say, for a while now, when the concubine is still immersed in ecstasy, her favor is the most valuable...

She opened her mouth slowly. "Speaking of which, there is something that I have always wanted to ask my aunt, but the time was not right at that time... Now that the crown prince has been registered, Xiao Qi took the liberty to ask..."

Concubine Xu immediately looked at Seventh Lady intently.

"Speak." She urged, "Is there anything I need my aunt to help with—silly boy, you should have said it earlier!"

Seventh Lady looked at the concubine and smiled slightly.

After leaving Ningshou Palace, she went around to Jingren Palace and had a short conversation with Liu Niangzi, and then she was sent out of the Forbidden City by the reluctant Liu Niangzi.

(End of this chapter)