Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 817: Chapter 817 Palace Crisis
 

“Does His Majesty still have such a concubine as Princess Consort Hui? Ruyu has never heard anyone mention her. And what was the deal with the ambush back then?”

“This prince also heard about it through the grapevine.”

Prince Qing was very pleased with today’s conversation; he wasn’t afraid of Liu Sisi asking questions, only that she would remain silent.

“When my Concubine Princess Mother entered the palace, she was but a noble lady. One day, when she went to pay respects to the Empress, she overheard Their Majesties arguing over a woman whom Father Emperor had raised outside of the palace. Father Emperor stormed out of the sleeping palace in a rage, and ran into my Concubine Princess Mother, startling her into a state of fear and unease!”

“At that time, my Concubine Princess Mother was not favored, but unexpectedly, that evening His Majesty summoned her, and later this prince was born. Not long after, Princess Consort Hui was brought into the palace, and not much later, it was announced that Princess Consort Hui was pregnant.”

“The Emperor was overjoyed! He generously rewarded everyone in the Imperial Harem and celebrated with the people for three days. Meanwhile, he elevated the then-rankless Princess Consort Hui to the position of Talent, promoted her to Attendant after three months, and then to the title of Beauty another three months later, and also promised that if she gave birth to a prince, he would elevate her to the title of Princess Consort Hui…”

Hearing this, Liu Sisi understood the situation at the time.

His Majesty wanted Lin Xiner to enter the palace, which the Empress opposed; after several twists and turns, Lin Xiner eventually entered the palace, but only with the title of Talent. Soon after, she conceived me, and in just half a year she ‘rose with her son’ from the rankless Talent to the ranks of the nine concubines, with the promise that if she gave birth to a prince, she would be at the forefront among the valued consorts.

Fearing that really giving birth to the auspicious child, within a few years the foundation of the Imperial Harem might be shaken, and considering Lin Xiner’s background that had no support from within the court, it is no wonder that these people went to great lengths to deal with her!

Her experience when she entered the palace provided a very good explanation for the Empress’s attitude towards her.

“…Not long after, there was a widespread drought throughout the country, and the court ministers suggested that the incense at Imperial Enlightenment Temple was most effective. Father Emperor then took Princess Consort Hui to Imperial Enlightenment Temple to offer incense, but unexpectedly, they were ambushed on the way…”

The subsequent events were, of course, known to Liu Sisi.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Ɲονɢο.сο

She couldn’t help but frown, “Prince Qing, what you’ve said is too contradictory. If Father Emperor cherished my mother so much, how could he disregard her pregnancy and forcibly take her out of the palace to offer sacrifices? This is too inconsistent!”

Prince Qing smiled and lowered his voice, “Little Princess Sister, you are unaware, the anointment of ordinary consorts is naturally simple, but to confer one of the three ladies, Princess Consort Hui, requires a sacrifice to heaven and a prayer, with the tablet being placed on the sacrificial altar for three days. If all remains calm for those three days, only then is the anointment ceremony complete. Father Emperor originally intended to confer the title after Princess Consort Hui gave birth, but at that time the Empress pressed hard…”

Liu Sisi’s eyes flashed as she picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and set it down.

“It’s rare for Elder Imperial Brother to be willing to tell me these things, but there is still something I don’t understand and would like Elder Imperial Brother to clarify for me.”

“You want to ask why I am telling you all this, right?”

Prince Qing’s smile carried no hint of concealment, “I’ve heard that Marquis Yongping has been investigating the incident from those days, but how could such details be recorded by the historian? Fortunately, Mother knew a thing or two and asked this prince to inform you. From now on, we siblings should support each other more.”

Prince Qing’s explanation was clear; such a scandalous event would naturally not be recorded by the historian.

Princess Consort Virtue was well-informed about the events of that year. She instructed Prince Qing to inform me, probably doing me a favor and indirectly showing me that she and Prince Qing had no direct interest between them but, on the contrary, shared a common enemy.

“Thank you then, Elder Imperial Brother. Please convey my regards to Princess Consort Virtue on my behalf, and when Ruyu has the opportunity to enter the palace, I shall visit her in person.”

“No problem! If there is anything that this brother can help with, Little Princess Sister can simply send someone to find Elder Imperial Brother at Prince Qing’s Mansion.”

After exchanging courtesies, Prince Qing took his leave and departed.

Waiting until Prince Qing had left, Xiao Feng entered briskly, “Third Auntie…”

Liu Sisi glanced at her, “Has Old Master Marquis returned yet?”

“He’s already back, but as soon as he arrived, he and Grand Master locked themselves in the study with Di Cheng and Di Xuan. They haven’t come out yet.”

“Do you know what it’s all about?”

“It seems last night His Majesty’s health took a turn for the worse. An Imperial Physician was urgently summoned to the palace at midnight, and even the early morning session today was not held. People outside are saying that His Majesty might be… in a bad way this time.”

His Majesty was already unwell last night, yet Prince Qing did not mention a word of it when he came to the mansion earlier. Did he really not know, or did he have other plans?

And as for herself, though she was a princess by title, it was likely only His Majesty himself acknowledged her status amongst the whole court. Without any support within the court, if her only source of reliance, His Majesty, were to fall…

The mere thought of such an outcome caused Liu Sisi to shiver.

“It’s getting late. I will send over some pastries, so no one goes hungry,” she said, then ordered some food to be prepared and knocked on the study door.

In the study, each of the several men sat in a different direction, none speaking.

Seeing Liu Sisi enter, Di Hongyuan quickly got up with a laugh, teasing purposely, “Hongyuan was just feeling hungry, how considerate of Third Sister-in-law to bring food over. It seems I am also benefiting from Third Brother’s good fortune.”

“What are you saying, Eldest Uncle? Ye Lei and I have been staying at your manor, causing you so much trouble. I am the one who should feel sorry,” Liu Sisi said while placing the pastries on the desk, gesturing everyone to eat, “Fill your stomachs; it’s not good to have empty bellies.”

In the capital city, Liu Sisi usually referred to herself as Ruyu before outsiders, but only as Sisi among familiar people.

The smile on Di Yelei’s face softened and, following Di Hongyuan’s action, he also picked up a piece of pastry and put it into his mouth. Di Cheng and Di Xuan quickly took one as well.

Noticing everyone’s mood had eased, Liu Sisi casually took a seat, “How are things in the palace?”

Di Hongyuan and Di Yelei’s chewing paused, and they looked at each other before Di Hongyuan spoke.

“There was no early morning session today. Imperial Physicians are coming and going in the palace, and the Imperial Guard has heavily surrounded Wende Hall. No one can enter, and no information comes out. Even the several concubines from the Imperial Harem who wanted to go were stopped by the Empress’s people—they didn’t see anyone.”

A thought struck Liu Sisi, “Imperial Guard? Is it Yang Yikun’s men?”

“Indeed.”

This time, it was Di Yelei who spoke, “He was originally decreed by His Majesty to reflect at home for one month and not to move freely. But today he claimed that it was a direct oral command from His Majesty himself that sent him there. His Majesty has been unconscious and unable to speak for some time now, so how could he have issued any oral command to him? These are clearly evasive excuses!”