HCB Chapter 154 The Truth
Chapter 154 The Truth
The more Concubine Guo spoke, the more frightened she became. Big drops of sweat fell from her face and her stomach ached slightly.
The nanny swallowed her saliva and said, "You are right. But you are having twins after all. The emperor will definitely reward you."
"Noble Concubine Hua still has no children!" Concubine Guo was even more terrified. "Xinhe was given to Concubine Jing. Now only Concubine Duan and Concubine Hua are childless. If she had been given to Concubine Duan or Concubine Hua, no, no, if one had been given to Concubine Duan and the other to Concubine Hua, then it would be even more ruined..."
Concubine Guo's belly was as big as a basin, and she curled up in pain.
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito. "Quick, go find Doctor Guo! Find Doctor Guo!"
......
"Even such a bold person would be afraid." When Jiang Ruyin heard that Concubine Guo had invited an imperial physician as soon as she returned, she smiled and narrowed her eyes.
Shu Dong's face was filled with worry. "Your Majesty, please stop gloating. The Emperor is overjoyed that Concubine Guo is pregnant with twins. If he suddenly learned that Concubine Guo was pregnant through an extramarital affair, I'm afraid the Empresses in charge of the six palaces would be furious."
"The Guo family has been deeply rooted in the country for many years, so naturally they are supporting it with all their might. However, this is a foolish move." Jiang Ruyin suppressed her smile. "If I pretend not to know, he will be the target of everyone's anger when the truth comes out. If I tell him, it will be even harder to say anything now that things have come to this."
Shu Dong was thinking seriously about countermeasures.
Suo Chun was behind Shu Dong, and her aggressive behavior successfully attracted Jiang Ruyin's attention. She silently made a gesture of wiping her neck.
Jiang Ruyin laughed out loud, then said seriously, "I'm afraid someone will try to evade responsibility by dragging others down. I've secretly ordered someone to investigate this matter and the Guo family's background. If someone wants to stand out, knowing more is better than just sitting there and waiting for death."
Suo Chun took the order and left.
The floor-standing Western clock chimed, and Shu Dong said respectfully, "It's time. I'll go prepare the cakes for Sixth Prince's dinner."
"Aunt has been in the palace for many years, and now she is buried in the kitchen all day long. What a pity."
"Your Majesty, you're joking. The Seventh Prince is well-behaved and adorable. This servant really likes him, and that's why I couldn't help but put in a little more thought."
Jiang Ruyin held her head and yawned, "It really took too much thought. Ever since Ling Changzai entered the palace, Aunt Shudong has become less and less interested in walking around Yongshou Palace."
Yongshou Palace is warm like spring all year round.
Almost in an instant, beads of sweat fell from Shu Dong's forehead, and she knelt down without hesitation.
"I know I was wrong, please rest assured, Your Majesty. Lord Jing'e did not want Ling Changzai to enter the palace. After all, she is Guo Luoluo's person, so I have to take care of her." Shu Dong said this, but in fact he was not sure about it.
Sure enough, Jiang Ruyin nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Ling Chang is surnamed Guo Luoluo, so we should be closer."
"This servant absolutely did not mean that!"
Jiang Ruyin closed her eyes lazily, "I know that Ling Changzai is charming and beautiful, like a fairy or a spirit. It's a pity to keep such a beauty at home. Not to mention the emperor, I like her too."
Shu Dong swallowed his saliva.
Jiang Ruyin continued, "Why not let Concubine Guo die after giving birth to the child and then give the two children to Ling Changzai to raise. Then you can train a Ling Fei for your Guo Luoluo family."
"Ling Changzai's experience is too shallow, what qualifications does he have? Only with the Empress's foothold in the harem can the family truly stand firm." Shu Dong smiled dryly.
"Is that so..." Jiang Ruyin uttered these two words and fell into a deep sleep the next moment.
Shu Dong brought a velvet blanket to cover Jiang Ruyin, but when the cool breeze outside the hall blew, he realized that his back was wet.
......
......
At dawn, the Imperial Palace was already a scene of golden splendor and solemnity. In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a red carpet stretched out beyond the Meridian Gate, like a winding crimson dragon resting in silence. On either side of the Imperial Road, imperial guards in distinctive armor stood with their spears drawn, their postures erect as pine trees, their gazes fixed squarely before them.
At the first quarter of the morning hour, bells and drums rang out in unison, their melodious sound resounding through the heavens, as if music from heaven had descended upon the earth. Envoys from various countries, dressed in a variety of gorgeous attire, filed in according to their rank.
Leading the way was an envoy from the Western Regions. He had a high nose and deep eyes, and wore a gleaming golden crown studded with gemstones. He wore a long white robe embroidered with strange patterns in gold thread, resembling some mysterious symbol of the desert. In his hands, he held an exquisite sandalwood gift box, delicately carved with designs. It must have contained priceless treasures, a birthday gift.
Following closely behind were the envoys from the South Sea islands. They had dark skin, bright, passionate eyes. The leader wore a string of colorful beads around his neck, each one radiating a warm glow. Their attire was vibrant, dominated by expanses of emerald green and bright yellow, reminiscent of exotic flowers in a tropical jungle. The gift they carried was a massive pearl, round and shimmering. It rested on a plate, emitting a soft glow in the sunlight, like a bright moon.
To show respect, envoys from various countries and envoys from vassal states sat in two rows so that they did not have to compete for rank.
For a moment, before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, people of all nationalities gathered in attire, their voices mingling in a cacophony of languages. Yet, there was no noise at all, but rather a harmonious spectacle. Each performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows before the lofty Dragon Throne, their movements in unison, chanting, "May the Emperor of the Great Qing live a long and healthy life, may his holy body be blessed with great blessings and virtues, and may his virtues extend to the vast expanse of the world!" The sound, like a surging wave, echoed endlessly throughout the palace.
The emperor, meanwhile, wore a bright yellow dragon robe, embroidered with nine giant dragons in gold thread, their fangs bared and claws dancing, seemingly tumbling through a sea of clouds. He wore a crown crowned with twelve tassels, its crown adorned with shimmering gold beads and shimmering tassels. Every movement created a play of light and shadow. A belt inlaid with precious stones, its warm hue complementing the robe, was tied around his waist. He wore court boots, their uppers intricately embroidered with patterns and the leather gleaming with light.
He sat upright on the dragon throne, his face slightly solemn, his eyes deep and bright, revealing supreme majesty. He looked around with a bit of satisfaction unconsciously, and nodded slightly, accepting the grand spectacle and respect of all nations coming to pay tribute.
Compared to the comings and goings, flattery and fawning in the world of fame and fortune, the concubines, separated only by a sixteen-panel rosewood screen with a poem about mountains and rivers and longevity, were much happier. Only a few concubines who had prepared in advance felt uneasy at the banquet, eager to show off their skills.
Only the emperor's seat could see Nian Shilan and Jiang Ruyin in the front row.
Incense curled up from the hall, like swirling clouds of mist. Below, dancing and music began. The dancers, their long sleeves flowing, seemed to descend from the heavens. The musicians played stringed instruments, the melodies harmonious and beautiful, like celestial music. Within the Forbidden City, splendor was limitless, its glory and prosperity reaching their peak.