A Thousand Hills

Chapter 385

Emperor An Tai knew that his mother-in-law was not persecuting him, what the mother-in-law said was the truth, and if the son of the first emperor's son could not succeed to the throne, most of the endings would be like this.Of course, there are exceptions, but An Taidi himself has never seen it.

After Su Buyu asked the Empress Dowager Xie to make a move, he ordered the Su family to silence and not to say anything.

Concubine Cao Shu also learned about Su Buyu's face-to-face thanking the Empress Dowager, her teeth itch with hatred, Madam Cao persuaded her daughter again and again, saying, "My Lady, don't be impatient, if your Lady is disrespectful to the Empress Dowager at this time, Concubine Qi Xian will be looking forward to it." on."

The second prince born to Concubine Qi Xian is only less than a month younger than the eldest prince in terms of age.However, every day is small, and there is a difference in the ranking of the two.

"The unlucky person born on that evil day dares to compete with my son!" The second prince was unfortunately born on the Dragon Boat Festival. At this time, people called the Dragon Boat Festival an evil day, and generally regarded children born on the Dragon Boat Festival as ominous.Concubine Cao Shu would say this when she hated the second prince. After all, the second prince is young and does not take advantage of the elders. Concubine Cao Shu just said a few words to vent her anger. For the most part, Concubine Cao Shu is really worried about the Empress Dowager Xie of the Charity Palace. Since she entered the palace, although she was too difficult to please and complained from time to time, Empress Dowager Xie always treated her equally with other concubines, but for some reason Every time Concubine Cao Shu sees the Queen Mother Xie, she can't help but raise her heart to deal with it. Moreover, she has served the emperor for these years, and she is well aware of His Majesty's trust in the Queen Mother Xie.In Concubine Cao Shu's words, don't look at her as her own mother, but when Emperor Antai talked about his aunt, Empress Dowager Xie, that kind of respect came from his bones.Moreover, Empress Dowager Xie is now able to speak to court affairs.It's not about the harem, it's about the state, and Empress Dowager Xie can speak up!Li Chu, high position, which is not a major event of the country!Concubine Cao Shu became more and more uneasy, and whispered to her mother, "I really don't know why, my son's position is also to respect her as the empress dowager."

Madam Cao sighed softly, "The Eldest Prince is already 13 years old, if the Empress Empress gives birth to a legitimate son who is still in his infancy, how can this be the same."

Concubine Cao Shu gritted her teeth, "Could it be that you are thinking about Xiao Fusheng's past?"

Mrs. Cao said to her daughter, "The more this is the case, the more my son has to be stable. Your Majesty is only ill now, and it is up to your Majesty to decide on major matters."

"I know." Concubine Cao Shu let out a long breath, and said, "Mother, go back if you have nothing to do, I'm fine here. Your majesty and the dragon's health are unwell. I just want to take more princes to pay your respects to your majesty."

Mrs. Cao was relieved.

What Concubine Cao Shu could know, Concubine Qi Xian also knew.

Concubine Qi Xian said to Mrs. Qi Guogong, "If the direct prince succeeds to the throne, I will be convinced. But if... Ah Yi, it will be delayed by my incompetent mother." Concubine Qi Xian's eyes turned red when she said that.She entered the palace young, although she was born in a wealthy family, Concubine Qi Xian really didn't have much means, once she became pregnant, she paid great attention to maintaining her body.Originally, they were all born in May, but Concubine Cao Shu unexpectedly gave birth, and she gave birth to a child in April, and her son became the second prince, and the name of the eldest son was taken by Concubine Cao Shu's eldest son.

Mrs. Qi Guogong hurriedly persuaded her, "What is your mother doing? Our family teaches our children and grandchildren first to teach them to be upright. My mother is pure in nature, how can she compare with those sneaky people. How is this useless? It's clearly the empress' love for her child. I am also a mother, if someone bullies my child, I will do my best for my child, but the child is in the womb, how can I do something that hurts the child. "

Concubine Qi Xian wiped her tears and said, "Uncle and grandma don't know, the empress dowager, among the princes, the empress dowager prefers A Yi."

Mrs. Qi Guogong said, "I have something to persuade my mother, but I don't know if I should say it or not?"

"Aunt and grandma just say, I am in a mess now."

Mrs. Qi Guogong said, "Right now, besides asking the second prince to take care of the sick every day, the most important thing for the empress is to befriend the empress and serve the empress dowager well."

Concubine Qi Xian immediately stopped crying, and wiped her tears, "Yes, I think the same way, I can't stop crying."

"My mother's kind mother's heart." Mrs. Qi Guogong said with emotion. Even after the late emperor passed away, Empress Dowager Xie's sad temples had silver threads on her temples, but she did not shed a single tear. Empress Dowager Xie's strength is really rare in the world.

Concubine Qi Xian discussed with Mrs. Qi Guogong to find out. Concubine Qi Xian said, "If the empress gives birth to the first prince, everyone has nothing to say, but in case the empress gives birth to a princess, the third prince will be raised at the empress' knees."

Mrs. Qi Guogong said softly, "If it is the first prince, there is still a fight. If it is the third prince..." Mrs. Qi Guogong shook her head, that is absolutely impossible.Don't think that the concubine princes who are raised under the empress' knees have the chance to succeed to the throne, they have to be raised under the empress Xie's knees. Today's Empress Su, although she is also famous, is not a bit worse than Empress Xie back then .The concubine prince under her knees is not as good as the eldest prince Mu Xuan in terms of length, and the third prince is still young, so he can't tell.In terms of love, I didn't see Emperor An Tai doting on the third prince especially, even the Empress Dowager Xie, she also liked the second prince Mu Yi more.Therefore, the third prince is neither a descendant nor an elder nor a virtuous person, why should he compete for the big position?

Concubine Qi Xian hesitated, "But, the Empress Dowager has already spoken for the Su family."

"The Su family is the Su family, and the third prince is the third prince. This is not the same thing." Mrs. Qi Guogong sighed, "The Su family has been in power for many years. Back then, Prime Minister Su was Taizong's important minister, and the chief assistant was half his life. There are quite a few disciples of the Su family who have friendship with the emperor, including the Xie family. Right now, this Su Shangshu and the empress dowager have known each other since they were young. It's just that the Empress Dowager is pregnant, and the Su family has reason to fight for the Empress Empress. The Empress Dowager is the most respectful of etiquette, and it is reasonable to speak for the Empress. Don't talk about the palace, it is the Qingliu in the court. I also respect the prince. The empress dowager's move is aboveboard. The empress must understand that no matter what, she must stand within the rules of etiquette. I have known the empress dowager since she was young. The empress dowager's ability is very comparable. But You also need to know that the empress dowager has never missed a step in her errands in the past few decades. I don't understand much about the affairs of the court outside, and I don't understand the affairs of the palace. But at my age, I don't understand. I have an experience, and I will tell my empress today."

Concubine Qi Xian hurriedly said, "Grandmother, tell me quickly."

Mrs. Qi Guogong smiled, "When the empress is confused, it is right to follow the right person."

"correct person?"

"A person who has never failed is the right person." Mrs. Qi Guo said, "The Empress Dowager has never failed in these years."

Concubine Qi Xian seemed to have realized something.

Inside Fengyi Palace.

Empress Su also felt relieved, stroking her belly, which had never been pregnant, and said, "I will personally go and thank the empress mother."

Mrs. Su said, "Your Majesty, taking good care of your body is the greatest thanks to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is also looking forward to the prince. This is orthodox."

Empress Su sighed, "It's really my enemy. He didn't come two years ago, but it happened at this time, which makes people worry."

"I've told my empress a long time ago that a child's family also pays attention to fate, so it should be at any time. Our prince, this is just right." Mrs. Su said with a smile on her face, and said, "This time, thanks Your third uncle."

Empress Su was also very grateful to Su Buyu, and said, "Now is not the time to say thank you, mother will go and say thank you to third uncle and grandmother on my behalf, I will remember it in my heart."

Mrs. Su smiled, "We are not outsiders either. Your father and your third uncle grew up together. I heard from my ancestor that they fought over sugar when they were young."

Empress Su also laughed, her soft face exuded the brilliance of becoming a mother soon.Mrs. Su said, "Your Majesty has a body now, you need to take care of it, and don't forget to show your filial piety to the Empress Dowager."

"I know that." Empress Su said softly, "These years, my mother has treated me like a mother. In my heart, I also respect my mother as much as I respect my mother. This time, my mother can speak for my child. It is because of the face of the third uncle, and secondly, I know that the empress is a person who values ​​etiquette."

Mrs. Su nodded, "The empress dowager is respected all over the world, that's why she came here."

Right now, Fengyi Palace and Linzhi Palace are all quiet, but Concubine Cao Shu’s Zhaoyang Palace really wishes to go to Xuanwen Palace eight times a day. If possible, Concubine Cao Shu would like to live in Xuanwen Palace to serve illnesses, but thank you The Empress Dowager has rules, and concubines pay their respects, but only once in the morning.

Emperor Antai has been an emperor these years, and he is not without decision. When he bestowed his life and death mother, Emperor Antai did not refuse to do so.In the current situation, he soon had an idea. The opinion of his aunt could not be ignored. Unlike Mrs. Cao who said thank you for the empress dowager, Emperor An Tai's view of his aunt was more inclined towards Mrs. Qi Guogong. In the past year, the aunt has never missed her opinions, whether in government affairs or other affairs.For the advice of a man who is always right, Antaidi will not ignore it.As for the princes, Emperor An Tai knew it all in his heart.The children are still young, and it is too early to say that they are wise and foolish.

Emperor Antai summoned Xia Qingcheng, Empress Su was two months pregnant, Emperor Antai asked Xia Qingcheng, "Can I live long enough for the queen to give birth?"

Xia Qingcheng thought for a moment and said, "If Your Majesty follows the doctor's advice, I have [-]% certainty."

Emperor An Tai sank his heart, and said, "Just prescribe the medicine, and I will rest in peace to recuperate."

Emperor Antai wanted to recuperate, so the court affairs were handed over to the cabinet, but if it was difficult to make a decision, he asked Wei Xiang to ask the Empress Dowager Xie.

Ask Empress Dowager Xie about it, Xiang Wei is not very happy, and Empress Dowager Xie is not very happy either.Empress Dowager Xie said, "Let the cabinet make the decision."

Wei Xiang thought that the Empress Dowager Xie was a woman in the palace after all... Emperor Antai ignored Wei Xiang. As a gentleman, he was more stable, or because he had studied for many years, his temper was a bit rigid.However, since Emperor An Tai had orders, Wei Xiang executed them meticulously.Emperor Antai said to Empress Dowager Xie, "Mother, who can our royal family rely on now? Empress Mother sees me growing up, and my son's words like this are not polite words. Right now, my son is going to rest and wait for the queen to give birth. In the palace, That is to say, the queen mother can help the son and minister. Back then, when the father was dying, he asked the son and minister to discuss with the mother when he could not make a decision. These years, I know the mother and the mother knows me." Emperor Antai sighed, "The mother Not only is the son-in-law entrusting the government to his mother right now, but in the future, whether it is the direct prince or other princes, they will all be young... The queen is a virtuous person, but the son-in-law knows that she is in charge of the harem. , She really doesn't understand the matters of courtship. As for concubines...the knowledge is not as good as that of the queen..."

Emperor Antai begged earnestly, and Empress Dowager Xie had no choice but to agree, and told Emperor Antai, "You calm down and recuperate. I still say that, no matter what happens, your body is the most serious. After taking care of it, you can do anything in the future." .”

An Taidi also agreed.

Empress Dowager Xie often participated in state affairs when she was the first emperor, and Emperor An Tai ascended the throne, but when there were major events, she would often ask her opinion, so Empress Dowager Xie was no stranger to this aspect.Her experience and skills are so strong that they are meticulous. Although Wei Xiang has some criticisms about the Queen Mother, after getting along with her, he can't help being in awe of the Queen Mother's talents.

Respect, of course I would like to thank the Queen Mother for her talent.

Fear is also fear of thanking the Queen Mother for her talents.

Speaking of which, Wei Xiang has a daughter named Zhao Rong in the palace, who has six princes.Even when the old wife enters the palace and listens to her daughter on weekdays, Queen Mother Xie is also very good to her daughter.Thinking of this, Wei Xiang couldn't help feeling complicated.

It's not that Wei Xiang wants the sixth prince to fight for the big position, Wei Xiang has no such intention at all, even if the old wife enters the palace, Wei Xiang can only tell the old wife and daughter that they should act in peace.

Wei Xiang couldn't help but think of the old story of Fusheng from Empress Dowager Xie. When Princess Fusheng was in charge, she was very powerful.There is also the mother of Princess Fusheng, the mother of Emperor Taizu, Empress Cheng Shi, this Empress Cheng, a wise and powerful founding monarch like Emperor Taizu, was unable to stop Empress Cheng's desire for power.After Emperor Taizu passed away, Empress Cheng didn't hand over the power to Princess Fusheng until she died in power.

Except for Queen Mother Xie's mother, Mrs. Wei Guo, who is not in power, the Queen Mother Xie is also in power today.Thinking of Empress Dowager Xie's mother clan, Wei Xiang would involuntarily take precautions, worrying that Empress Dowager Xie would follow the old path of her mother clan.

Wei Xiang was troubled, but since Empress Dowager Xie came to power in place of Emperor Antai, Concubine Cao Shu has been submissive to the Palace of Mercy to the point of flattery.Empress Dowager Xie treated her the same as before. In addition, the concubines who came to greet her every day, Empress Dowager Xie was also the same. Only Empress Su was pregnant, and Empress Dowager Xie often told her to take good care of her body.

Concubine Cao Shu said to Empress Dowager Xie, "Since Your Majesty's dragon body has been slightly ill, I have never felt at ease in my heart. I wish I could use myself as a substitute for Your Majesty. I am thinking, I can't do anything else. Come on. Think about whether you can invite a Bodhisattva from Tianqi Temple to the palace, and my concubines are willing to eat fast and chant Buddha for His Majesty every day, and pray for His Majesty's safety."

How could the Empress Dowager Xie not allow such a thing.

Empress Dowager Xie said, "I don't believe in gods and Buddhas. It's good for you to believe in them." Then she agreed to concubine Cao Shu's invitation to the Bodhisattva.

Let's see, Concubine Cao Shu can't be the only one to take care of this matter.Which one of us is not worried about His Majesty, they are not like Concubine Cao Shu who had an eldest son and wanted to seek a high position. They said that their thoughts are more pure, they just hope that Emperor Antai will be safe, otherwise, they will all go to widowhood.

Therefore, everyone asked the Queen Mother to invite the Bodhisattva to his palace to chant scriptures for Emperor Antai.

Empress Su was just as worried about her husband. Before Empress Su could speak, Empress Dowager Xie said, "I know the empress's heart, but I haven't seen you when I recite the Buddha's name. They are not pregnant. It doesn't matter if you recite a thought. The empress is pregnant with a dragon heir. You It is more useful than chanting scriptures to give birth to a child in a safe and sound way." Empress Su was embarrassed.As for the others, forget about it.

In the harem, there will always be such turmoil.

How long is eight months? For many people, they feel that the time is too fast.

Empress Yu Su is a day-to-day expectation for her children.

For Concubine Cao Shu, it seemed to be the torment of half a lifetime.

For Concubine Qi Xian, it was a quiet time. She figured it out, her prince was the second prince after all, and it was difficult for her family to give her support in the face.Concubine Qi Xian calmed down. Apart from serving in the Palace of Mercy, she went to Fengyi Palace to visit the queen. In addition to copying some scriptures to pray for Emperor Antai, she even personally embroidered a Zen scripture with scriptures from the Peace Sutra. Clothes, ordered people to send it to Tianqi Temple to pray for Emperor Antai's disaster relief.

If you want to say that these concubines who recite scriptures are more pious than Concubine Qi Xian.

Empress Dowager Xie said, "The virtuous concubine is worthy of this virtuous word." She ordered someone to reward Qi Xianfei with a set of red jewellery.

Concubine Cao Shu was the first advocate of chanting scriptures, but in the end she made Concubine Qi Xian a top performer, and I hated it in my heart.Empress Su is about to give birth. These days, Empress Dowager Xie ordered her to recuperate in Fengyi Palace and not to go to Mercy Palace to pay her respects.

Empress Su heard about Concubine Qi Xian while she was about to give birth, thinking that Concubine Qi Xian often comes to talk these days, she is also docile, not as sharp as Concubine Cao Shu.Moreover, Concubine Qi Xian's prince is the second prince, and he is one head lower than the eldest prince from Concubine Cao Shu in the ranking of brothers.Empress Su herself also liked Concubine Qi Xian better. Upon learning of this, Empress Su ordered the female officer close to her to say, "Take the pair of mutton fat jade bracelets you got last time, and go to admire Concubine Xian, and tell her that her heart is mine." I know."

Concubine Qi Xian was rewarded by two giants in the palace all of a sudden, which made everyone in the palace jealous. Concubine Cao Shu was so angry that she burned a few more sticks of incense to the Bodhisattva that day, and begged the Bodhisattva to keep it. The queen must not give birth to a son.

The day when Empress Su gave birth finally arrived.

Empress Dowager Xie called Mrs. Su into the palace in advance to accompany Queen Su's delivery.

There is no such thing as imaginary Wen Po being bribed, poisoned during childbirth, or the imperial doctor is not safe.On the day Empress Su gave birth, Xia Qingcheng was sent by Emperor An Tai to sit in charge.

Xia Qingcheng's temperament is naturally unreasonable and worldly. If you bribe him, he might say it as nothing.It's not that Xia Qingcheng can't buy, but no one dares to buy.

Empress Dowager Xie waited in person at Fengyi Palace. Although Empress Su was the first child, giving birth was not difficult. Two hours later, Empress Su gave birth to a daughter.

At that moment, Empress Dowager Xie's eyes darkened.

The smile on Concubine Cao Shu's face could hardly be concealed, and she even said out of joy, "This is the first little princess born by His Majesty." Her voice trembled with excitement.

Empress Dowager Xie glanced at Concubine Cao Shu faintly, Concubine Cao Shu was like a duck whose neck had been strangled, making no sound.Empress Dowager Xie went in to look at Empress Su. Empress Su's complexion was pale, and a few strands of sweaty hair stuck to the side of her face, making her look quite tired.There is no woman who has just given birth who is not tired, but in addition to tears in Empress Su's eyes, there is also a sadness and gloom that almost drowns her whole body.Mrs. Su's complexion was not much better than that of Empress Su who had just given birth.Empress Dowager Xie looked at Empress Su and said, "Remember, you are the emperor's concubine, the concubine's mother of the princes and daughters, and the empress of the Eastern Mu Kingdom. The place where you live is Fengyi Palace."

Mrs. Su came back to her senses and comforted her daughter repeatedly, "What the empress dowager said is true, ma'am, you have to take care of yourself so as to live up to the empress dowager's concern for you."

Queen Su's tears rolled down a long time ago, and she choked up and said, "It's all because I didn't live up to expectations."

Empress Dowager Xie waved her hand, "You shouldn't say this in front of me."

Only then did Empress Su recall that Empress Dowager Xie had never given birth in her life, and had no biological flesh and blood, let alone a prince or princess.

Empress Su was extremely apologetic, Empress Dowager Xie got up, said, "Take care of yourself," and went out.

Empress Dowager Xie went directly to Xuanwen Hall.

Emperor Antai obviously got the news, he was a little disappointed, but not too disappointed.

When a woman gives birth, no one can give birth to a son with 100% certainty.

In order to last until the empress gave birth, Emperor An Tai had lost weight and lost his shape in the past eight months. Empress Dowager Xie felt a little uncomfortable seeing Emperor An Tai in such a state.Emperor Antai had nothing to do with himself, he said, "Mother and queen are not like this, sons and ministers were born blessed, and were cared for by their mother's knees since childhood, and raised them carefully. After that, sons and ministers were established as heirs, and fathers inherited the country. These years, also The country is smooth and the people are healthy. My son, think about it, in this life, apart from a shorter life expectancy, there is nothing to regret."

Empress Dowager Xie touched Emperor An Tai's face and said, "You have been like the late Emperor since childhood, both in appearance and temperament."

Emperor An Tai tried his best to smile, he was about to die, and his heart was clearer than before, Emperor An Tai asked, "How is the queen?"

"The queen is fine."

Emperor An Tai nodded, relieved, and said, "I summoned the cabinet and the princes."

Empress Xie didn't say anything.

Life is parting again and again, loved ones, gaining and losing again and again.

But, she is.

She is still there.

The cabinet and princes arrived very quickly, Emperor Antai said, "The empress gave birth to a little princess for me."

In fact, no matter the prince or princess, the birth of a royal family is a happy event.Normally, everyone would have congratulated Emperor Antai, but today, the congratulations are really hard to say.

Emperor Antai said, "Queen Mother, look, the matter of setting up the crown prince..."

Empress Dowager Xie said in a deep voice, "If there is a son, there will be a son, and if there is no son, there will be an elder."

When Empress Dowager Xie said this, everyone in the cabinet was shocked.

Emperor Antai asked the cabinet again. The cabinet was headed by Wei Xiang. Wei Xiang was Emperor Antai's husband. At the time of storage.Thinking of myself as a student, he is as diligent and generous as the late emperor, and he has made a lot of achievements in state affairs, but he is so generous.Wei Xiang's tears came down first, and he choked up and said, "I will listen to your Majesty's instructions." This means that there is no objection to the Queen Mother Xie's words.

Emperor Antai summoned the eldest prince Mu Xuan to the front, and ordered Wei Xiang to draw up two edicts, the first one was the edict to make the eldest prince Xuan the crown prince, and the second one was the edict to be succeeded by the crown prince after his success. The imperial edict was very long, because Mu Xuan was young, and Emperor Antai said, "The new monarch is young, and before the wedding, the cabinet and my aunt, the Empress Dowager Wenlie, will assist in the government."

Then, there was a third imperial edict, granting a marriage to his son, Liu Shi, the eldest granddaughter of Duke Liu Fufeng of Jingnan.

There was sobs and tears in the room.

Wei Xiang also drafted the imperial edict with tears in his eyes. After showing it to Emperor Antai, he used the seal. From then on, the edict took effect.

Emperor Antai couldn't wait for a long time, and there was no need for Qintian to watch the auspicious day. On the second day, the canonization ceremony of the crown prince was held for Mu Xuan, and on the third day, Emperor Antai couldn't do it.

Emperor Antai ordered Chengxuan, "Haosheng learned politics from Wei Xiang and your imperial grandmother, and served the queen mother and your mother for Haosheng."

Mu Xuan was still young, his father was about to pass away, how could he not be sad, he was already crying.

Afterwards, Emperor An Tai said to Wei Xiang, "When I was young, my master taught me my homework. Now, I entrust Axuan to my master."

Wei Xiang was crying, unable to speak, only nodded repeatedly.

Sending them off, Emperor Antai said, "Let's all go, I will talk to the queen mother."

"Axuan was young, so I didn't have time to discuss her qualifications in detail. Even though I like his mother Concubine Cao Shu, I know that she is more than delicate and pretty, but not calm enough, but she is also competitive." Emperor An Tai sighed, "Mother, please mention her more. .”

"it is good."

"The mausoleum of the empress mother and son's ministers must be next to the mausoleum of the emperor father. We will still be together in the future."

"it is good."

"Queen, if there is an afterlife, let this son be your flesh and blood."

"it is good."

In the spring of the 11th year of Antai, Emperor Antai collapsed in Xuanwen Hall.

(End of this chapter)