Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

The other concubines in the palace could not hide their gloating in their eyes, but Concubine Wen was much more restrained because she was next to Gu Youning.

He Cairen was awakened by the golden beads, but her face showed no sign of panic. She gathered herself together, bowed properly to the Emperor, and said calmly, "I am just a little sleepy. Your Majesty, please don't worry about me."

"What do you mean by sleepy? It's just that you didn't take the Queen Mother's health seriously."

Gu Youning glanced back. It seemed like Concubine Lu and He Cairen were having quite a fight. Last time in the Imperial Garden, she had felt that Concubine Lu was targeting He Cairen.

However, with He Zhiyi's personality, it is too easy for him to offend people.

“Filial piety is not expressed in words but in the heart.”

He Zhiyi barely managed to stand up with the help of her personal maid.

Hearing this, Gu Youning laughed secretly and couldn't help but look at the emperor's face. She didn't think the emperor would like He Zhiyi's personality, but everyone in the palace said that the emperor had deep feelings for He Zhiyi.

The Guanju Palace was named by the emperor himself; even Concubine Zheng did not have this honor.

The emperor's face was indeed not very good. He Cairen's words not only offended all the concubines in the palace, but also implicated the emperor.

Everyone knows that the emperor and the empress dowager have a weak mother-son relationship, but Dazhao governs the country with filial piety, and the emperor's words and deeds must be filial. As for what he feels in his heart, only the emperor himself knows.

"He Cairen was disrespectful in front of the emperor, but considering her hard work in kneeling and praying for the empress dowager, let's let it go this time."

The queen looked at the emperor's expression and said.

"When it comes to filial piety, none of us can compare to the eldest prince. The eldest prince protects the empress dowager with all his nobleness, which is the greatest filial piety."

Li Cairen seemed to be speaking to He Zhiyi to help her out, but her words turned to Gu Youning and his mother.

"Indeed, the eldest prince had only been away for a few days when the empress dowager fell ill and passed out. This proves that what Young Supervisor Qin said that day was absolutely correct."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, in my opinion, it is better to let the eldest prince continue to live in Ci'an Palace. The Empress Dowager's illness may be cured soon."

Chen Yufei also raised her eyebrows. She really couldn't stand Gu Youning's favor.

With these two taking the lead, the concubines had fewer concerns, and many of them suggested that the emperor and empress send the eldest prince back to Ci'an Palace. Three or two of them even pointed out that Gu Youning was too selfish and did not care about the empress dowager's health.

Even He Zhiyi said calmly, "It's only natural for the eldest prince to show filial piety to the empress dowager."

"presumptuous!"

The emperor looked at the woman who lowered her brows and eyes, and seemed to be relying on the support of Lady Wen to barely stand, and a cold and stern shout came out of his mouth.

"It was my idea that Concubine Gu took the eldest prince back to Changchun Palace to recuperate. You are accusing me of being unfilial to the Empress Dowager."

As soon as the emperor said this, not only did the concubines below fall silent, but even the queen's expression changed slightly.

"I dare not wait even if I die."

In an instant, all the concubines in the hall knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, they were just worried about the Queen Mother's health and lost their composure in their words. They didn't mean to upset you."

The queen was as kind and generous as usual, but this time the emperor did not even give her face.

"You're speaking without restraint? Is my harem a market? Say whatever you want, spread whatever rumors you want."

"Empress, I told you a few days ago to curb the rumors in the palace. Is this how you manage the six palaces?"

The emperor had never been so disrespectful to the empress in public. The concubines in the palace were so horrified that they dared not look up.

"It is my fault for not disciplining my children properly. Please calm down, Your Majesty."

The queen helped Zhichun stand up and bowed her head to apologize.

"Since you are all so filial, starting tomorrow, all palaces will copy Buddhist scriptures and pray for the Queen Mother. If anyone dares to do this perfunctorily, I will punish them severely."

The emperor looked down and said coldly.

"I will obey the Emperor's orders."

Li Cairen, who had just brought up the topic, felt cold sweat on his back.

Fortunately, she had just praised the eldest prince and had not had time to respond.

"Everyone, get up."

Half a cup of tea had passed before the emperor asked everyone to stand up.

"Queen, please sit down."

The emperor's anger gradually subsided.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say."

The queen did not sit down, but knelt solemnly before the emperor.

"What does the queen mean?"

The emperor looked quite displeased.

"I dare to suggest that Your Majesty temporarily send the eldest prince back to Ci'an Palace. If Your Majesty is worried, you can ask Concubine Gu to stay and look after the eldest prince, under the pretext that the Queen Mother is attending to her illness."

"I know you care about Concubine Gu and her son, but with what Imperial Astronomical Supervisor Qin Shaojian said, and my mother being seriously ill, I'm afraid someone will use this to slander the Emperor."

Facing the emperor's anger, the queen's voice remained unhurried, gentle and calm, without losing any of the demeanor of a queen mother.

"The second prince..."

The emperor frowned and spoke.

"My mother can't stand seeing the Second Prince right now, and what happened just now has caused quite a stir. If I let the Second Prince stay in Ci'an Palace any longer, I'm afraid... But if I don't keep any of the princes, I'm afraid my mother's health might get even worse."

The queen looked very embarrassed.

This time the emperor did not get angry, it was obvious that the queen's words touched his heart.

Gu Youning clearly felt that there were several vaguely gloating glances falling on her, probably from the concubines who had just accused her of being arrogant due to her favor.

As for most of the concubines, they just stood by and watched. It was obvious that they were afraid of the emperor's protection of Gu Youning just now.

"My mother is not feeling well, and I am..."

Xiao Heng thought about what he had promised the woman before. No matter whether he was an emperor or a man, he could not allow himself to go back on his word. And there was naturally no one in the palace with more masculine energy than the emperor.

"The Queen is right!"

But before the emperor could utter the second half of his sentence, Gu Youning broke free from Lady Wen's hand and stepped forward to bow.

"I am willing to accompany the eldest prince to live in Ci'an Palace temporarily and fulfill my filial duty to the Empress Dowager."

Gu Youning didn't even look at the emperor, and said with a firm expression.

"Master, you can't."

Lady Wen really wanted to pull Gu Youning back, but was stopped by the quick-eyed and quick-handed Jinqin.

"I am deeply moved by Concubine Gu's filial piety."

The queen's eyes flickered slightly, with a mixture of surprise and coldness in them. She really didn't expect that Gu Youning would agree to it on his own initiative.

The reactions of the concubines and even the emperor's rage were all within her expectations, but Gu Youning always surprised her.

"As your majesty has just said, the Queen Mother is ill, and there is nothing else I can do. I can only do what I can."

Gu Youning's face was full of sincerity, without any trace of reluctance.

"But the emperor still has the final say on this matter."

The queen looked at the emperor.

Based on her understanding of the emperor, he would not agree. Just now, he almost said that he wanted to stay in Ci'an Palace.

"Your Majesty, I know you are worried about Zheng'er's health, but I will definitely take good care of Zheng'er."

"Your Majesty, please fulfill my and Zheng'er's filial piety to the Queen Mother."

Gu Youning knelt in the center of the hall, looking at the emperor with eyes full of determination.

She did not speak of herself, but only mentioned the emperor's fatherly love.

"I agree."

The emperor looked into those clear and determined eyes for a moment, and finally responded in a deep voice.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Gu Youning thanked him happily, but when he stood up, his body couldn't help shaking.

"Are you okay?"

Before anyone else could react, Lady Wen took the initiative and supported Gu Youning.

"fine."

"How can you be fine? You've been guarding the eldest prince day and night these past few days and haven't had a good rest."

After saying this, Lady Wen glanced at the emperor with dissatisfaction.

She originally thought that the emperor was somewhat sincere towards Gu Youning, but she didn't expect that in the end Gu Youning and her son would still have to stay in Ci'an Palace.

It can be seen that the emperor is really unfaithful.

"Help Concubine Gu sit down quickly."

The queen also spoke with concern.

The emperor lowered his head, clenched his fists, and said nothing.

"Mother Gu, are you okay?"

At this moment, Xiao Yun'an ran to Gu Youning with a pale face.