Phoenix Hairpin

Within a few minutes, the Eldest Prince arrived.

  The brothers stood up to greet each other.

  The First Prince took it for granted. He was the eldest son most loved by his father and the eldest brother of his younger brothers. The brothers should be respectful to him.

  "I thought that elder brother would stay in the Wenhua Palace, but I didn't expect you to come so soon." Li Jing said with a smiling face, devoid of the slightest sarcasm.

  The Eldest Prince raised his eyebrows and smiled: "I originally wanted to have a meal with my father, but you sent someone to invite me to have a meal with my brothers. It's rare that the five of us gathered together today, and it happened to be quite lively." 

After taking a seat, the Eldest Prince first asked the Fourth Prince with concern about his knees.

  The Fourth Prince was a little embarrassed: "It's nothing serious, I've been kneeling for a long time, and it's a little bruised. It will be fine after applying medicine for a few days." 

The Eldest Prince smiled and patted the Fourth Prince's shoulder: "It's fine that there is nothing serious."

  Then he said to Li Jing and Li Hao: "The matter of sending betrothal gifts has offended the Emperor and the Royal grandmother, and our Royal grandmother has been ill for a while. Even if you two feel a little wronged in your heart, don't mention it again. Brothers are like limbs; let's not damage our brotherly bond over trivial matters."

  The Eldest Prince was a bit arrogant and domineering, but he also had the demeanor of an elder brother.

  Li Hao immediately responded with a smile.

  Li Jing also smiled and nodded slightly: "Brother is right."

  In all fairness, the Eldest Prince was not a villain. It's just that he was a little arrogant and reckless relying on Emperor Yongjia's favor. Having said that, anyone who was favored like this will be a little bit arrogant.

  Of course, it may also be because the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince both died too early in their previous life. Before the Emperor could struggle and hesitate between the eldest son and the direct son, the two brothers died on the battlefield one after the other. In the end, it was Li Hao who picked the easy peach and became the crown prince.

  There was no need to think about the various incidents of past lives.

  Who can have the last laugh in this life depended on everyone's ability.

  Li Jing was so eloquent, it made the Eldest Prince a little surprised.

  The younger brothers were all dissatisfied with his elder brother. Especially the Second Prince, as the legitimate son, had the pride of a direct son. The two of them have been fighting each other since they were young, and they didn't like each other.

  From time to time he wanted to overwhelm the Second Prince, and the Second Prince would fight back with words from time to time. Why did the Second Prince seem to have changed his temper today?

  Li Jing pretended not to see the surprise in the Eldest Prince's eyes and greeted everyone to eat with a smile.

  During lunch, the five brothers chatted and laughed, and they were very harmonious.

  ...

  "... The Highnesses sat together, talking and laughing, without any estrangement." Eunuch Liu reported with a smile: "His Royal Highness suggested drinking, and His Second Highness, His Third Highness, and Fourth Highness all drank some. His Fifth Highness is still young, so he can't drink alcohol, but he ate one more bowl of rice than usual."

  Emperor Yongjia listened to it, and his mood which had been gloomy for many days finally cleared up. A hint of amusement flashed in his dragon-like eyes as he said, "These rascals, how dare they drink at noon."

  Eunuch Liu being a clever person, naturally could not fail to notice Emperor Yongjia's delighted and cheerful demeanor. He smiled and said, "This humble servant dares to speak out of turn. Brothers are like limbs; even if a bone is broken, the tendons remain connected. Despite any slight discomfort, a few sips of wine will ease it all. Seeing the harmony and affection among the esteemed princes, this humble servant feels pleased as well."

  These words were too pleasing to the ear.

  When Emperor Yongjia was happy, he waved his hand and rewarded Eunuch Liu heavily.

  Eunuch Liu made a small fortune by accident, and he felt happy in his heart. When he exited the hall, he called a small servant and whispered a few words. The little servant nodded and quietly went to the Jiaofang Hall.

  Only they knew what this little servant said to Empress Qiao.

  In the evening of that day, Empress Qiao came to the Wenhua Palace in person, asking to see Emperor Yongjia.

  Emperor Yongjia was also regretting the quarrel with Empress Qiao that day. Empress Qiao took the initiative to ask for peace, and Emperor Yongjia saw a chance to ease the tension between them, so he was ready to accept her gesture of reconciliation.

  "Chénqiè (1) came to apologize to the Emperor today." Empress Qiao saluted, her face full of shame: "That day, chénqiè was upset and argued with the Emperor. The Emperor was so angry that he walked away. These days, whenever I think about it, I feel ashamed."

  "The Emperor is busy with political affairs, and he has to recruit soldiers, train troops, prepare rations for the war, and is very busy with all kinds of affairs. Chénqiè can't even manage the affairs of the harem, which makes the Emperor worry. Everything was chénqiè's fault."

  "I implore the emperor, to forgive chénqiè this time."

  Emperor Yongjia relaxed his furrowed brow and personally helped Empress Qiao up, saying, "Empress, please rise. The incident that day was not entirely your fault. I was too impatient and immediately blamed you without restraint. You had grievances in your heart and retaliated with a few sharp words. I, too, couldn't let go of my own dignity, which led to my outburst."

  Pausing for a moment, he continued, "The situation has already come to this point, and there is no benefit in talking about it further. As the Queen Mother grows older, she may occasionally become confused. As her son, I should be understanding and accommodating. Empress, please also show some understanding and tolerance."

Queen Qiao replied softly: "The Emperor is being too harsh. As a daughter-in-law, it is only natural for chénqiè to be filial to my mother-in-law. Where do these words of understanding and tolerance come from."

  But she was disgusted in my heart.

  Empress Dowager Zhao became more and more self-willed and eccentric, which was all connived by Emperor Yongjia. It was a pity that she still had to respectfully yield, and couldn't even show any dissatisfaction.

  Otherwise, it would be unfilial and offend the filial Emperor Yongjia.

  As an Empress, she felt aggrieved looking at the scenery, and only she knew it.

  ...

  This night, Emperor Yongjia stayed in Jiaofang Palace.

  The Emperor and Empress were reconciled as before, the princes were harmonious and loving, and the atmosphere in the palace became unprecedentedly harmonious.

  However, Concubine Qin's life was not easy.

  The Fourth Prince went to court, and Concubine Qin still went to Shouning Palace to accompany Queen Mother Zhao every day. Emperor Yongjia often came to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Zhao, but he was very indifferent to Concubine Qin.

  No matter how Concubine Qin showed her tenderness with a smile, Emperor Yongjia's heart was as cold as iron, not at all soft-hearted.

  In addition to her previous grounding, Emperor Yongjia hadn't stepped into Concubine Qin's palace for almost a month.

  Concubine Qin's heart was as bitter as a yellow lotus. In front of Empress Dowager Zhao, she dared not reveal anything and acted cheerful every day to make Empress Dowager Zhao happy.

  Empress Dowager Zhao occasionally chanted in front of Emperor Yongjia: "Your Majesty, if you are free, go to Concubine Qin's palace.

  Emperor Yongjia casually chuckled and replied, "I often come to pay respects to the Queen Mother, and Consort Qin is always present. There is no need for me to go to Consort Qin's chambers when I can see her just fine during those visits."

  What's the use of meeting, you have to go to sleep.

  The Empress Dowager Zhao favored Concubine Qin, but she couldn't say such words!

  Empress Dowager Zhao reprimanded Concubine Qin in private: "You too, take good care of the emperor, just coax him. That's not all men do."

  Concubine Qin blushed from embarrassment.

  After staying for two days, Emperor Yongjia came to Shouning Palace again.

  The Empress Dowager Zhao winked at Concubine Qin, and Concubine Qin raised her smile and walked gracefully in front of Emperor Yongjia to salute, "I have seen the emperor."

"Concubine Qin is free from courtesy."

  After that, Emperor Yongjia talked to Empress Dowager Zhao and ignored Concubine Qin the whole time.

  Concubine Qin felt ashamed seeing this rebuff.

1. This concubine. A very formal way of seeing me.