nycdaug Chapter 112 Princess Gongding
Chapter 112 Princess Gongding
Next, the empress dowager talked about Jiang Ruyin from the time she entered the palace until now. First, she said that Jiang Ruyin's entry into the palace was against the rules; second, she said that Jiang Ruyin broke the rules by not living in the six east and west palaces after entering the palace; third, she said that she did not inform the emperor and empress before giving birth; fourth, she said that Jiang Ruyin had made mistakes when she first took charge of palace affairs; fifth, she said that she had sat in the main seat with the emperor, and so on. After listening to such harsh criticism, Shen Meizhuang was speechless.
Looking at Jiang Ruyin again, her eyelashes trembled, and her breathing became steady as the empress dowager finished speaking.
First, you have to thank the emperor and ask for his permission.
Secondly, he had to thank Concubine Hua for the accommodation she had allocated to him.
The third theory is that we have to thank the Queen for all the tricks she used when Jiang Ruyin was pregnant.
The fourth theory is that he had to thank Jiang Ruyin for assisting him according to the emperor's order, and then the queen put him in a difficult position.
The fifth theory is that Jiang Ruyin admitted that she did it on purpose.
After comforting herself, Jiang Ruyin posed with full poise, half-kneeling for a long time without moving, only lowering her head even more, and humbly said: "Your Majesty the Queen Mother is right. I have many shortcomings. I hope Your Majesty the Queen Mother will give me more guidance. I accept the punishment for my many mistakes. I hope Your Majesty the Queen Mother will issue an order."
Shen Meizhuang didn't know about Jiang Ruyin's past, but just looking at Jiang Ruyin's current appearance, she was impressed by Jiang Ruyin's extraordinary character.
Shen Meizhuang could see it, and the Queen Mother was even more so.
She seemed to be thirsty, so she picked up the teacup and took a sip. The next moment, she started coughing as if she was choked.
Shen Meizhuang hurriedly massaged the empress dowager's back and said anxiously, "Empress Dowager, please be careful. Concubine Fang didn't mean it. Come, have a drink of water to relax." As she spoke, she poured a new cup of tea for the empress dowager.
The Queen Mother took a sip from her hand before she recovered.
Jiang Ruyin, who had just stood up to check on the empress dowager, knelt at her feet again.
The Queen Mother patted Shen Meizhuang's hand with a loving look in her eyes.
"Alright, I couldn't help but mention these few words because you're Hongxuan's biological mother. Don't take it to heart. I also know that you've always been the most disciplined, and now you manage the harem in perfect order. Just think of these as a few casual grumbles from me. Get up."
Jiang Ruyin stood up with the help of Fu Qiu, but still stumbled and almost fell down.
"Oh, it's my fault. I forgot you were still kneeling. Sit down and rest your feet." The Queen Mother said hurriedly.
Jiang Ruyin smiled and put all her weight on Fu Qiu before moving to the small couch with difficulty.
"It's my fault that the Queen Mother is in such a bad mood. How can I blame her?"
......
After seeing Jiang Ruyin and Shen Meizhuang off, Chunmao's face showed a trace of worry, "I hope Concubine Fang won't complain to the Emperor."
"What do you think of Concubine Fang's character?" asked the Queen Mother.
Chunmao chose her words carefully, "Empress Fang is a strong-willed woman, but people like her are probably quite scheming."
The Queen Mother chuckled, "That's right. If she wanted to be a virtuous concubine, she wouldn't gossip in front of the Emperor. She can only swallow what happened today. In a few days, when she finds out the whole story, she will naturally find fault with Wanpin."
Yongshou Palace,
Lifting up his trouser legs and looking at the purple bruises on Jiang Ruyin's knees, even someone as temperamental as Fu Qiu couldn't help but ask, "Is the Queen Mother crazy? Concubine Hui doesn't know everything, doesn't she? I'll go get you some medicine."
Suo Chun then hurried back to Yongshou Palace, "Could it be that the Empress Dowager is old and her eyesight is dim, and Wanpin is interfering in government affairs and causing trouble for our Empress?"
She wrung a hot towel and applied it to Jiang Ruyin's legs. "It's winter, and our queen must be getting sick from kneeling." She complained, then said seriously, "I heard from Xiao Xiazi that Concubine Wan suggested that the emperor confer the title of Beizi on Prince Dun's son and the title of Princess Gongding on his daughter, raising them under the auspices of the Empress Dowager. He also conferred titles on Prince Dun's mother and the other concubines, and gave the Empress Dowager a higher honorific title."
Fu Qiu brought a plaster and applied it to Jiang Ruyin. Hearing Suo Chun's words, he frowned and said, "Does Wanpin think she's the Emperor's advisor? She's in the harem, yet she's making such remarks. No wonder the Empress Dowager is furious."
In her previous life, Jiang Ruyin didn't understand at this point, but only after Prince Dun was captured did she begin to grasp the underlying meaning. Looking back on this incident from her current position and situation, she finally realized Zhen Huan's cleverness: Not to mention meddling in state affairs, on Zhen Huan's birthday, she was ridiculed by the other wives, and wasn't it Prince Dun's wife who remained silent? It would have been fine if she'd just dealt with Prince Dun, but she had the idea of using the child as bait to lure him into a trap.
Even if the emperor is willing to interfere in government affairs, the empress dowager will not; even if the emperor is willing to use children as bait, the other concubines will not.
Jiang Ruyin closed her eyes and lay on her back, "Is Concubine Hua still in contact with people outside the palace?"
Shu Dong appeared quietly, "The Nian family has been acting much more covertly, but there are still clues. I will have someone tell them."
Just two days later, the haggard-looking wife of Prince Dun entered the palace with her daughter.
Princess Gongding was only in her golden years, and she hid timidly behind Prince Dun's wife, not daring to look at Jiang Ruyin with the only eye that was exposed.
"Greetings to Concubine Fang, my good boy, come and pay your respects to Concubine Fang." Prince Dun's wife gently stroked Gong Ding's back.
Gong Ding then stepped out from behind his mother and bowed properly, "Gong Ding greets the Concubine Fang. May your Majesty be well and safe."
Although his voice was low, his articulation was clear, and his pale face was truly endearing. In his previous life, not long after Prince Dun was born, Gong Ding also quietly disappeared from the palace.
"Princess, you don't look well. Are you tired from the journey? I have prepared milk tea, many pastries, and Mongolian milk tea. Princess, please have some. The Empress Dowager has been a vegetarian all year round. I'm afraid that Princess can't get used to the food in Shoukang Palace." Jiang Ruyin said with concern.
Unexpectedly, Prince Dun's wife's eyes became hot and she began to cry.
Princess Gongding hurriedly pulled off the silk handkerchief that was neatly hung on her chest and wiped her mother's tears, whispering softly, "Don't cry, mother. I'm not afraid. I'll always remember you in my heart."
Prince Dun's wife burst into tears and sobbed, pushing away her daughter's soft hand. "You must not break the rules around the Empress Dowager. Mother, just use your own handkerchief."
Jiang Ruyin got off the main seat and personally helped Prince Dun's wife to the couch, saying softly, "You're tired, please take a rest first."
But after a moment, Prince Dun's wife calmed down and said embarrassedly, "Your Majesty is so considerate. I was touched by your emotions and couldn't help myself. Please forgive me."
Princess Gongding bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Only after Jiang Ruyin smiled and said it was okay did Gong Ding return to his seat and sip his milk tea from the cup.
"Have you heard from the Empress Dowager when she will be meeting with Fu Jin? If not, you can have lunch here and rest before going to Shoukang Palace. The Empress Dowager has a habit of taking a nap."