Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Yang Mengxi took the jade ruyi, bowed gracefully, and said in a gentle voice: "Thank you for your grace! May our emperor live long and long!"

The emperor personally helped her up, and the two looked at each other, as if they had thousands of words to say, but they didn't say anything. Time seemed to freeze at this moment, and only the sound of each other's breathing could be clearly heard.

"Ahem, ahem..." Seeing this, the Queen Mother coughed twice to remind the Emperor and Yang Mengxi. The Emperor came to his senses and realized that he had lost his composure. He coughed lightly and said to cover up his embarrassment: "Among the girls, if there are those who are willing to stay in the palace as maids, they can stay; the rest can return to their hometowns and marry freely."

As soon as he finished speaking, several young ladies expressed their willingness to stay. They were immediately led away by the eunuchs, changed into palace maids' attire, and were taken to various palaces to receive subsequent assignments.

Those who did not want to stay in the palace as maids left the palace in an orderly manner under the leadership of the eunuchs. Some of these women were full of joy, looking forward to a free life outside the palace; some were sad and quietly left the place where they had placed countless dreams.

Yang Mengxi lowered her head slightly, feeling a little disappointed. She thought the emperor would directly confer her a title, but she didn't expect that he would only grant her a jade ruyi.

After all the beauties left, the Queen Mother said to the Emperor, "Emperor, I want to borrow Yang Mengxi from you for a few days so that she can accompany me."

The emperor was caught off guard by the empress dowager's motive and didn't know how to respond.

At this time, the Queen Mother looked at Yang Mengxi again, smiled and said: "Mengxi, you will live in Yongshou Palace from now on. If you need anything, just tell me."

Yang Mengxi looked at the Queen Mother in surprise, then knelt down and thanked her: "Thank you, Queen Mother."

Afterwards, she followed the palace maid to Yongshou Palace. Along the way, she was full of thoughts. Although she did not become a concubine as expected, it was also an honor to live in Yongshou Palace. Moreover, this was also beneficial for her to walk in the palace. After all, she now had a new identity...

Arriving at Yongshou Palace, Yang Mengxi bathed and changed clothes with the help of the palace maids. After that, she went to bed early. Lying on the bed, she tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. In her heart, she had both visions for the future and a little confusion.

Early the next morning, Yang Mengxi got up early, washed and dressed, and went to pay his respects to the empress dowager.

When the Queen Mother saw her, her expression was somewhat complicated and she pulled her aside to start a conversation.

During the period, the Queen Mother asked her some questions about her hometown, and Yang Mengxi answered them one by one.

Suddenly, the Queen Mother inadvertently called out "Yang Yunxi" and she observed Yang Mengxi's reaction.

She replied calmly, "Queen Mother, Yang Yunxi is my elder sister, and I am her twin sister."

The Queen Mother still looked at Yang Mengxi in disbelief. Then she turned the topic to the Emperor, saying that the Emperor was diligent in government and loved the people, and was a rare good emperor.

Yang Mengxi listened carefully, and when she finished, she said, "I often hear people praising the emperor."

After paying his respects, Yang Mengxi returned to his room, took out the jade ruyi and examined it carefully.

She thought that this jade ruyi might be a hint or a promise from the emperor to her.

A few nights later, Yang Mengxi was embroidering in her room when a maid suddenly came to report that the emperor had arrived.

She was startled and quickly stood up to greet him. The emperor walked into the room and saw the embroidery in Yang Mengxi's hands. He couldn't help but admired, "She is really clever and skillful."

Yang Mengxi lowered her head shyly and smiled. The emperor signaled the maids to leave. After the maids left, the emperor sat down and said, "Yunxi! How do you feel about participating in the selection again? Is it like going back to the time when I selected you?"

Yang Mengxi replied: "Thanks to the emperor's kindness, I am able to return to the palace as your sister Yang Mengxi."

"This is also to stop the gossips. After all, you were demoted to a commoner before, and you married Han Xuan..." The emperor paused and continued, "Although I don't care about gossip, there is no guarantee that there will be no ministers who will make a fuss about this matter in the future. You happen to have a twin sister, and it is most appropriate for you to enter the palace as her."

"But...Ye Ling'er is the real Yang Mengxi!" Yunxi said worriedly.

"It doesn't matter. She is just a deposed concubine." The emperor showed a trace of anger on his face and replied coldly.

"Your Majesty, Ye Ling'er is about to give birth, won't you go see her?" Yunxi asked cautiously.

"No need. I have already said that if she can give birth to a dragon safely, it will be her blessing. However, the child will be raised by other concubines." The emperor said expressionlessly.

"Ah! Let other concubines raise her? This is too cruel for a mother. Your Majesty, please think about it again and again!" Yunxi shouted in panic, her eyes full of worry and sympathy.

The emperor frowned slightly, as if he was displeased with Yunxi's words, but he remained calm and said firmly: "This is the palace rule, and it is also for Long'er's future. Long'er needs an orthodox identity and a good growth environment, and Ye Ling'er, as an abandoned concubine, cannot provide these."

Yunxi was extremely anxious, and she knew that Ye Ling'er must be in great pain at the moment. She mustered up the courage to continue persuading him, "Your Majesty, although Ye Ling'er was deposed, she is Long'er's biological mother after all. Separating mother and child will probably cause great harm to Long'er. Besides, is this too cruel and ruthless?"

The emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Yunxi, I understand your concerns. But in the palace, the power struggles and interests are complicated. Long'er's position is extremely important and there can be no mistakes. Letting Long'er be raised by other concubines can ensure that he gets the best education and care. This is also for the benefit of the entire royal family."

Yunxi couldn't help feeling sad, she knew she couldn't change the emperor's decision.

However, she still felt pity and sympathy for Ye Ling'er in her heart, and she prayed secretly, hoping that Ye Ling'er could give birth smoothly.

The emperor saw that Yunxi was silent, so he said, "Yunxi, I know you have always been kind-hearted and always considerate of others. I really appreciate that. But sometimes you have to think about yourself too."

"I know. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your thoughtful consideration for me." Yunxi thanked the emperor again.

"It's getting late, and I have things to do. I have to go back to the palace first. After a while, I will formally enthrone you as the imperial consort." The emperor said as he stood up.

"Thank you!" Yunxi bowed again.

Yunxi didn't care about her position, but she had to plan for the future of the prince...