latelenovela Chapter 226 Reminder
Chapter 226 Reminder
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's face was somewhat displeased, her brows slightly furrowed, and her tone was filled with a bit of majesty and dissatisfaction: "Why? Does Wanpin often interfere in state affairs?"
Yongzheng smiled and said, "It's not often. My son is sometimes bored, so I just say a few words to her. Besides, although the affairs of Prince Dun are state affairs, they involve family members, so it can be considered a family matter. It doesn't matter if she says a few words!"
There was a hint of doting in his smile, but also a hint of defense.
The Queen Mother's expression was solemn, and her words were powerful: "But Prince Dun's rebellion is a matter of state. Family affairs and state affairs are one and the same, so how can they be discussed separately? The harem is forbidden from interfering in government affairs. This is a rule passed down by our ancestors for thousands of years."
Seeing that Yongzheng stopped talking, the Empress Dowager slowed down her voice and said, "Are you doting on Wanpin too much now?"
Yongzheng nodded, a gentle look on his face. "Everything she says and does is in line with my wishes. I haven't felt this way in many years! Besides, she's pregnant now, so it's okay for me to dote on her a little more. It's all for the sake of the heir."
"Then you have to be sensible, so as not to foster her ambition. You have to know that power is something that can become addictive once you get a hold of it!"
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager, I'll save you the trouble."
The Queen Mother thought for a moment and continued, "You've been handling state affairs with increasing ease over the past few years, so I'm naturally relieved. However, the former dynasty and the harem are one, and one move can affect the entire body. If you favor Concubine Wan in the harem, her father will also be respected in the former dynasty. The Zhen family is a Han army banner, and they are not on the same page with us. The Zhen family cannot become another Nian family!"
The Queen Mother's tone was slightly solemn, and her eyes were filled with deep worry.
These words shocked Yongzheng's heart. His brows were tightly furrowed and he fell into deep thought. His eyes became deep and complicated.
"There aren't many concubines in the harem now. The Empress is the master of the six palaces after all, so you should give them the proper respect. Wanpin is pregnant, and Duanfei is not feeling well and can't sleep with you. But Huifei and Jingfei are rare dignified and steady people. And there's also Wen Guiren, who has a gentle and quiet temperament. The Emperor should visit them more often when he's free. Especially Huifei, who is raising the Sixth Prince. You should spend more time with her so that you can cultivate the father-son relationship. Look at Hongshi, every time he sees you, he's like a mouse seeing a cat. I'm so tired for him."
"My son, remember this!"
The mother and son were talking, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Zhuxi opened the curtain and walked into the hall, kneeling and bowing to report: "Your Majesty, Concubine Hui has arrived with the Sixth Prince!"
The Queen Mother smiled when she heard this: "Please come in."
A moment later, Shen Meizhuang's tall figure appeared in the palace. She was graceful and dignified, and she saluted politely: "Your concubine pays respects to the Queen Mother and to the Emperor."
The wet nurse behind him, holding the Sixth Prince, also bowed carefully, not daring to make any mistakes.
"Quickly, spare the formalities!" the Queen Mother said hastily, her tone filled with eagerness and joy. "Bring the Sixth Prince to me!"
The wet nurse immediately stepped forward and handed the Sixth Prince to the Empress Dowager's arms.
The Queen Mother's face lit up with a brilliant smile: "Oh, Royal Mama, I haven't seen you for a few months. You have grown so big!"
Yongzheng waved his hand behind him, and a young eunuch brought an embroidered stool and placed it next to Yongzheng. Shen Meizhuang chuckled and sat down.
"You just returned to the palace today. Why didn't you have a good rest before coming back?" Yongzheng asked with concern, his eyes full of pity.
Shen Meizhuang's voice was soft and gentle. "I haven't seen the Empress Dowager for a long time. I miss her so much. I thought she'd be awake from her nap by now, so I brought the Sixth Prince here to pay her respects. I didn't realize the Emperor was here too. I'm sorry for delaying his conversation with the Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes fell on Shen Meizhuang, her gaze full of admiration: "Concubine Hui is the most filial. The Emperor just mentioned you to me, and I didn't expect you to come. It shows that you and the Emperor are in tune with each other."
Shen Meizhuang rolled her eyes silently in her heart, but smiled and said, "Really? I wonder what the Emperor and the Queen Mother said to me? If I did something wrong, I'd better correct it in time!"
Yongzheng laughed heartily. "The Empress Dowager said that you have been managing the affairs of the harem very well and have worked hard to raise the Sixth Prince. She asked me to visit you more often! I see that you have lost a lot of weight recently. Are you tired from managing the palace affairs?"
Shen Meizhuang smiled gently and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This is all within my responsibility. I dare not take credit for it."
"Good! The new concubine will soon enter the palace. There will be many things for you to worry about later. You must take good care of yourself!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely live up to your trust."
After teasing the Sixth Prince for a while, the Queen Mother handed the child to the wet nurse, picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. She slowly said, "There are many things going on in the palace now, and it all depends on you to manage it. The Queen is not in good health, but the Queen is still the Queen after all. You must fulfill your duties and share her worries."
The Queen Mother's tone was neither hurried nor slow, but it revealed an invisible pressure.
Shen Meizhuang understood the meaning behind the Queen Mother's words. It was clearly a warning to her, telling her to always remember her identity and not to have any inappropriate thoughts!
Sure enough, no matter how many evil things the queen did, the queen mother would keep her in the position of queen.
Thinking of this, Shen Meizhuang suppressed the anger in her eyes and tried to keep her expression calm. She stood up, bowed respectfully and said, "I will remember the Queen Mother's teachings."
Her voice was steady and her movements were standard, showing no trace of inner turmoil.
The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction, a look of relief on her face.
After talking for a while, seeing that the empress dowager was a little tired, the two of them left the Cining Palace together.
As the sky darkened, the inky sky resembled a gigantic monster, its fangs bared, claws bared, and gradually devouring the last glimmer of sunlight. The setting sun radiated its last rays with all its might, but ultimately, it could not withstand the encroaching darkness. The entire imperial palace was shrouded in a hazy twilight, and the towering palaces seemed even more solemn and majestic in the dim light.
The high palace walls stood like silent barriers, isolating the palace from the outside world. In the twilight, the soaring eaves, brackets, carved beams, and painted buildings lost their vibrant colors of the day, becoming shadowy and indistinct. The palace's pavilions, towers, and winding corridors were now immersed in this hazy atmosphere, like an ancient scroll painted with light ink.
Yongzheng said with a smile: "Mei'er, can I come to your place and sit for a while?"
There was a hint of anticipation and intimacy in his voice.
"Your Majesty, I have been feeling unwell these days and am afraid I cannot serve you!" Shen Meizhuang shyly raised her head and glanced at Yongzheng, her eyes filled with panic and shyness, then quickly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed like the sunset.
Yongzheng understood, and although there was a hint of disappointment in his expression, he still said gently: "Then you should have a good rest! I will summon you to sleep with me in a few days."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shen Meizhuang bowed, her voice as soft as silk.
Watching Yongzheng's sedan chair drift further and further down the straight palace path until it became a blurry dot, Shen Meizhuang finally revealed an expression of impatience, her previous shyness and docility instantly vanishing. With a soft snort, she hurried back to Yonghe Palace.