The Virtuous Concubine

Malu did not stop Wen Xian from doing evil, but ordered the palace servants to help Yinzuo and Wen Xian wash their hands.

After properly allocating the palace affairs and sending away all the concubines, she sat down at the table with Wen Xian in her arms, while Yinzuo sat opposite them.

The people in Yonghe Palace had already presented a table full of delicious food. Yinzuo was not in a hurry to eat, but asked Malu with concern: "How is your mother feeling now? What did the imperial physician say?"

Malu looked at the two children in front of him and said with a smile: "Don't worry, mother is fine. The imperial physician also said that everything is normal. As long as she takes good care of herself, she will be able to give birth to the child safely."

Wen Xian also hurriedly said, "Mother, you must take good care of yourself. When the baby is born, I will help you take care of it and won't let you worry."

Malu smiled and touched Wen Xian's head, saying, "Okay, when the baby is born, let Wen Xian take care of it. I'm just worried that you'll find the child annoying by then."

Yinzuo was finally relieved and teased Wen Xian: "She is still curled up in her mother's arms. She doesn't look like she can take good care of a child." Then he said: "If it is a prince, I will definitely have to teach him. If it is a princess, you must not give it to Wen Xian."

As he said this, Yinzuo himself was so happy that he started laughing beside him.

Wen Xian glared at Yin Zuo angrily and said, "That child has become a dumpling!"

After that, he looked at Malu and complained, "Mother, why do you have to hand over your palace affairs to others? It's easier to invite a god than to send him away."

Malu touched the bun on Wen Xian's head and felt that Wen Xian's bun was very delicate today, which made Wen Xian look cute and lovely, and it was worthy of appreciation.

Hearing Wen Xian asking him this, Malu also laughed: "Why, do you want to take over all the palace affairs that my mother is doing?"

Wen Xian raised her chin slightly and said, "Of course. I am your mother's daughter, and it is my duty to help you manage the palace affairs properly. Moreover, the emperor also let me manage part of it before, so why should you let those people take advantage of you?"

Malu smiled and shook her head, saying, "You are still young, and it is not easy to manage palace affairs. However, I am very pleased that you have this intention."

Yinzuo also interrupted and said, "Wen Xian, don't worry about it. Mother has her reasons for doing this. We just need to accompany her and make her feel happy."

Wen Xian glared at Yin Zuo unconvincedly and said, "What do you know? If mother hands over the palace affairs, who knows how proud those people will be."

Malu couldn't help laughing: "Since you like housekeepers so much, why don't we arrange a marriage for you? Then you can be a clan wife and manage your husband's family as well as your own princess residence."

When Wen Xian heard this, her face turned red with shame and she stamped her feet and said, "Mother, what are you talking about? What I want is power. I don't want to be a housekeeper." Yinzuo laughed secretly on the side.

Ma Lu held down Wen Xian, who was jumping up and down, and said seriously, "Wen Xian, it's not without purpose that my mother handed over the palace affairs. Now that my mother is pregnant, it's really not appropriate for her to work too hard. Although those concubines have taken over the palace affairs, they are not united and will definitely fight for power."

"And you know what your father is thinking... If Yonghe Palace is really the only one in power, he will personally suppress us. At that time, it will not be as simple as dividing these palace powers. You are still young now, don't rush for success. When you grow up, you will naturally have your own opportunities."

After listening to Malu's words, Wen Xian gradually calmed down and lowered her head thoughtfully.

Yin Zuo also said, "Wen Xian, mother is right. What we need to do now is to accompany mother well. If Yonghe Palace is too ostentatious, it will also affect Fourth Brother. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is more likely to be alienated from us. At that time, Yonghe Palace will be unable to support itself. Why should we bring disaster upon ourselves for the sake of momentary pleasure?"

Wen Xian had no choice but to nod: "I understand, mother, brother. The situation is stronger than people."

Malu smiled with relief and added another bowl of soup for the two children. She was not afraid that the children would not understand, but that they would not listen to her advice.

It's a good thing that Wen Xian has such a spirit, but he's a little reckless. As for Yin Zuo, he's thoughtful and considerate, but he likes to escape.

If two people support and remind each other, things will definitely get better and better.

The three of them finished the meal in a lively atmosphere. Wen Xian and Yin Zuo accompanied Malu for a walk in the small garden to digest the food before returning to the princess' and prince's residences.

Malu was sweating today and fell asleep quickly after taking a shower.

Now Malu began to train the palace maids under Bai Fu and Bai Xia. In addition, all her men had gone to the battlefield, so there would not be any sudden uninvited guests. So she decided to let the second-class palace maids such as Bai Zhi, Bai Wei, and Bai Xuan take turns to keep watch at night.

Bai Xia and Bai Fu can also have a good rest. If they don’t have to take turns, they can do other things during the day.

This night was the first time in all these years that Bai Xia and Bai Fu did not have to keep watch. Bai Xia and Bai Fu lived in separate rooms, but both of them could not sleep, so they went out to chat with each other.

They met in the moonlit courtyard and couldn't help laughing when they saw each other, but they didn't make any sound as they didn't want to disturb their master.

Bai Fu stood in the night wind, and felt that it was not appropriate to talk more here, so she pulled Bai Xia into her room. The two squeezed on the bed and whispered.

Bai Xia said softly: "I'm not used to being so idle today."

Bai Fu nodded slightly and responded, "Indeed, I am so busy on weekdays that I feel empty inside when I suddenly have some free time."

This immediately opened up the two of them, and they recalled their days in the palace over the years. Both of them were very sensible, and they knew they were carrying their master's secrets, so they spoke very restrainedly, only talking about trivial matters.

But after going around in circles, the topic finally returned to Malu.

Bai Xia quietly nudged Bai Fu, who was lying on her side, with her elbow: "You... did you see the prince coming to see the queen that day?"

Bai Fu was slightly stunned, then nodded slightly, with a complicated look on her face. She said softly, "I saw it. I was right next to you at the time. If you can see it, how can I not see it?"

Bai Xia's eyes revealed a trace of doubt and uneasiness, and he lowered his voice and said, "Do you feel that there seems to be some ambiguity between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Queen?"

Bai Fu's expression changed instantly. She quickly covered Bai Xia's mouth and said nervously, "Don't say anything nonsense. If this gets out, it will be a capital crime."

Bai Xia broke free from Bai Fu's hand and lowered her voice: "I won't tell anyone else. Think about it carefully. Isn't it strange that the Crown Prince looks at the Queen and his attitude towards her?"

With such dependence and closeness, how can they get along like ordinary mother and son?