An Lingrong after rebirth

"I had breakfast with Shen Meizhuang and was holding a bamboo basket, embroidering clothes for the children when Jianqiu came in hurriedly. My two ladies, Eunuch Su is here."

"The two looked at each other. An Lingrong thought that the two children were just naughty and something had happened in the Yangxin Palace, so she hurriedly asked Qiufang to bring the people in."

"I didn't expect Su Peisheng to come in with a smile on his face, holding an imperial edict. I pay my respects to the two ladies!"

The two were puzzled as to what this meant. An Lingrong smiled and said, "Eunuch Su is too polite. Please don't be polite. But did the children upset the emperor?"

"Su Peisheng quickly shook his head. Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. I came here today because of a happy event. He stood up straight and read out the decree to confer the title of Consort Xian on Shen Meizhuang."

"The two were stunned after hearing this. They didn't expect why the emperor suddenly issued this decree to make him a concubine?"

An Lingrong gently pushed Shen Meizhuang. No matter what the reason was, she should take the imperial edict first.

"Shen Meizhuang finally reacted and thanked the emperor for his grace. Su Peisheng seemed to have guessed what the two were thinking and smiled as he handed the imperial edict to Shen Meizhuang."

"He smiled and said, "I congratulate Her Majesty the Virtuous Concubine. The Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince are the most favored by Her Majesty and are the most filial!"

"An Lingrong was stunned after hearing this, and an incredible thought arose in her mind. Could it be that this imperial decree was issued because of the two children?"

"Thinking like this, I spoke up subconsciously. Eunuch Su's words made me confused. Why did Sister Mei's imperial decree to be made a concubine be because of the two children?"

"It was originally a joke, but Su Peisheng nodded after hearing it. Your Majesty is right. To be honest with you two, the Emperor originally wanted to promote Concubine Wan of Sui Yuxuan."

"Today is the day chosen by the Imperial Observatory. When I reported to the emperor, the two princes were here just now...! Su Peisheng repeated everything Hongzhao and Hongjun said to Anling Rongge Shen Meizhuang."

"They were stunned and couldn't react for a long time. Could their child really be this smart?"

"Then, Eunuch Su, now that the Emperor has issued an edict to promote me, will the one at Sui Yuxuan not be promoted as well?"

"Su Peisheng smiled again and bowed to Shen Meizhuang, saying, "Don't worry, Concubine Xian, I have come to announce this imperial decree to the two ladies and will go to Suiyuxuan immediately."

"You and Consort Wan were canonized together this time. If that's true, there will be more than five concubines in the palace. An Lingrong seemed puzzled, but she felt helpless in her heart."

"When she persuaded the emperor to restore Concubine Qi's position, she thought Zhen Huan's position would last for some time. But not long after this, Nian Shilan was promoted to the position of Imperial Concubine, and the position of Concubine became vacant."

Unexpectedly, now the emperor gave face to the two children and conferred a title on Shen Meizhuang, but he did not forget Zhen Huan.

"What the Empress Shufei said is true, but there is a rule of four concubines in the palace, but during the time of the previous emperor, there were often cases where there were more than four concubines."

Your Majesty's thoughts are important, the two ladies don't have to worry about it. I see. Thank you, Eunuch Su, for clearing up my confusion.

"Your Highness is too polite. If you have no other instructions, I am in a hurry to go to Suiyuxuan to pass on your orders, so I will not delay your conversation."

"For such a happy occasion, I should have invited you to have a cup of tea, but you are busy. In this case, I will not invite you to stay. Lian'er will see you off."

Your Majesty is so polite. I’ll take my leave. After Su Peisheng left, An Lingrong stepped forward and put her arm around Shen Meizhuang’s arm, saying, “Congratulations, Sister Mei!”

"Shen Meizhuang was also smiling. You and I agreed that we should praise the children when they come back. What my sister said is true. Hong Zhao, this little devil, finally got down to business this time."

"The two of them chatted for a while and put the matter aside for now. The clothes for the children have not been embroidered yet."

…………

When the news of the successive appointment of two concubines reached Jingren Palace, Yizheng was sitting at the desk holding a pen.

"Jianqiu stepped forward, but did not dare to speak for a moment. Yixiu waited for a moment, and when he saw Jianqiu still did not speak, he spoke first: "What happened again?"

"Jianqiu knelt down and said, 'Your Majesty, there is an eunuch from the Yangxin Palace outside. He is here to deliver a message for the emperor. He said that the emperor has just issued two imperial edicts, promoting Concubine Wan to Concubine Wan."

"Xianpin is Xianfei. The emperor's decree has been sent out by Su Peisheng. He is here to announce it to the six palaces. Yixiu's hands trembled slightly after hearing this."

"Is the emperor doing things now without telling me, the queen? This is a concubine, not a noble lady or a concubine!"

"After a slight sigh, Yixiu suppressed her dissatisfaction and said, "How can such a major event as conferring a concubine be so hasty? Once the decree is issued, there will be five concubines in the palace."

"Your Highness is right. I asked someone to find out. The Emperor asked the Imperial Observatory to look at the date and time for the canonization of Wanpin a few days ago. I think he had this idea a long time ago."

"Yi Xiu was not confused about this matter and said: Zhen Yuandao made great contributions in the matter of Nian Gengyao, so it is not incomprehensible that the emperor wants to promote her position."

I haven't heard of any happy news about Concubine Xian, so how come she was promoted?

"Of course, Zhen Huan's promotion to imperial concubine was also due to the merits of her family, but how can it be said that the emperor had no affection for her at all? Yixiu said these words only because she didn't want to admit this point."

"Jianqiu understood what Yixiu was thinking, and was not going to say more on the matter. She continued, "It is unclear why the queen was given the title of Consort Xian, but it seems that when the Imperial Observatory reported to the emperor about the promotion to Consort Wan, the Sixth and Seventh Princes heard it."

I don’t know what the two princes said, but the emperor suddenly added another decree.

Hearing this, the puzzled look on Yixiu's face melted away like snow. "Sixth Prince," Yes, I think Hongzhao is indeed a smart boy.

"The emperor likes him, so it's normal to have such an order. Seeing Yixiu happy, Jianqiu also smiled. Your Majesty is right. The other day, when we went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we met the Sixth Prince on the palace road."

The young prince even told me that he wanted to come to our palace to have some snacks. Yixiu's eyes lit up when she heard this. Is that true?

How dare I lie to the queen? "Next time you meet him, bring him here. I remember he told me that he liked to eat peony rolls."

Yes, I’ve made note of it.

"Speaking of this, Yixiu didn't seem to care whether Shen Meizhuang was canonized or not. She smiled and said, "The virtuous concubine has a son, so it is natural for her to be canonized as a concubine"!

"But Zhen has only one daughter, and she is equal to Consort Shu. This is too unreasonable. Now that the decree has been passed down, we cannot change it easily."

"Send a message out to the newly promoted Concubine Wan. Jianqiu knelt down and said, "Yes, I understand."

"Also, is there still no progress with the person from Yikun Palace?"

"When mentioning Nian Shilan, the gentleness on Yixiu's face instantly disappeared. Your Majesty, please forgive me. Since the two imperial doctors Jiang were injured, Yikun Palace has not invited any imperial doctors."

"The palace gates are still tightly closed. Even the daily meals are all prepared by Songzhi and Zhou Linhai, who personally go to the imperial kitchen to bring them back to Yikun Palace."

We servants really couldn't find an opportunity, and Jianqiu's words made Yixiu frown tightly.

"Even if An Lingrong has a son and a daughter, her family background is too bad and won't cause her any danger. But Nian Shilan is different."

"Although Nian Gengyao has fallen, he has been in the army for many years, and his power will not disappear just like that."

"What's more, the Nian family also has Nian Xialing and Nian Xiyao, who are deeply rooted. Yixiu really can't bear to watch Nian Shilan give birth to a child safely."

"But she knows what the emperor means, and her thoughts are all in private. If she speaks up at this time and reveals that Yikun Palace did not invite the imperial physician, it will inevitably cause the emperor to be cautious."

"She doesn't dare. After thinking about it, Yixiu couldn't help but feel a little depressed. After a moment, an idea quickly flashed through his mind."

"The Jiang brothers cannot enter the palace, but for the sake of the royal heir, the Imperial Hospital should also take the initiative to go to the Yikun Palace to check Ping An's pulse."

"Privately inform Zhang Mi. He doesn't have to do anything. Just find an opportunity to find out whether Nian Shilan's belly is a boy or a girl."

Jianqiu nodded and said, "Yes, I understand. I will ask Doctor Zhang to do it as soon as possible."

"The two children stayed in the Yangxin Palace for half a day, accompanied the emperor for lunch, and took a nap in the Yangxin Palace before returning home hand in hand."

"When we entered the room, An Lingrong was unfolding the embroidered clothes for Shen Meizhuang to see. When Hong Zhao saw this, he immediately became excited and pulled Hong Jun forward, asking, "Mother, is this the new clothes embroidered for your brother?"

"An Lingrong couldn't help laughing after hearing this, and reached out to touch Hongzhao's forehead. You are such a smart kid, don't worry, you and your brother will each get one."

"When these words came out, the two children clapped their hands in joy. Hongjun even smiled to show his respect: Jun'er knows Shu'e Niang the best."

"Until An Lingrong and the other person were laughing non-stop. After joking with the child, An Lingrong folded the clothes in her hands and pulled Hongzhao to her side."

"He asked; I heard from Eunuch Su that Xian's mother's promotion was because of you two? Hong Zhao nodded without hesitation."

Yes, mother! That's what my son and the emperor said!

Tell your mother quickly, who taught you to say that?

Hong Zhao scratched his head and said, "Mother, these words are all my own thoughts. No one taught me!"

"You thought of it yourself! Could it be that you could think of this just by listening to a few words from your royal father and the Imperial Observatory?"

"No, mother had heard about these things from the emperor a few days ago. But she knew that today was the day for the Imperial Observatory to report back, so she deliberately brought her brother with her."

"After hearing Hong Zhao's words, An Lingrong felt like she didn't know what to say. What on earth is wrong with this kid's brain?"

"How old are you to know how to read people's expressions? And you've figured it out so early? Do you want to take over the position of concubine for Shen Meizhuang?"

The emperor probably doesn't know that Hongzhao had already calculated the time.

"An Lingrong's thoughts were not yet finished, and Hongjun beside her also spoke up; "Yes, yes! Mother Shu, Jun'er's words were all taught by my brother."

Hong Zhao looked at An Lingrong's suspicious expression and scratched his head, "Mother, did your son do well?"

"An Lingrong shook her head. Zhao'er did nothing wrong. But if something like this happens again in the future, you must tell your mother in advance, okay?"

Hong Zhao naturally would not refuse, he nodded and said, "Mother, I just don't want to see you kneeling down to Queen Wan."

"Hong Zhao's words that day made An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang look at each other. Shen Meizhuang was so happy that she hugged Hong Zhao in her arms. My dear Zhao'er, it's no wonder that your virtuous mother loves you so much."

"Hong Zhao nodded with a smile, and poked his head out of Shenyang's arms. Where are my mother, brothers and sisters? Are they still sleeping?"

"Lin'er has been taken to Xianfu Palace by your mother Jing to accompany Wen Yi. Sheng'er and sister Jinyu are still sleeping. When they wake up, you have to help mother and look after your brothers and sisters."

"Hong Zhao nodded repeatedly like a little adult. Yes, yes, mother, don't worry, son knows."

.........

"Two concubines were promoted to the rank of imperial concubines in a row, which caused a great stir in the harem. Even the Yonghe Palace, which was usually deserted, began to have people coming to congratulate them."

"Shen Meizhuang was too lazy to care and simply stayed in Chengqian Palace with her child."

"Perhaps it's because An Lingrong had punished Concubine Qi at the gate of Jingren Palace, which made the concubines think that Concubine Shu is not easy to mess with."

"For a while, no one dared to come to my house, and Shen Meizhuang was able to live a relatively quiet life. But it was inevitable that people would criticize her privately."