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

"Your Highness, absolutely not! How can you gamble with your life? This prince will only be conceived by the Fourth Lady. He will be your legitimate child, and you will be his only mother."

The nanny hurriedly interrupted her master's thoughts, saying that her master had a heart disease and could not withstand the danger of childbirth.

"Your Majesty, there is another important matter. This incident has implicated many of our people. Those who have long been controlled by the Zheng family are still okay. They dare not betray and will not cause any waves. But those who have recently defected are not on the same page. If something is implicated, it will be bad."

At first, the nanny disagreed with directly using those newly defected palace maids. After all, the Zheng family's foundation in the harem was not as strong as the Cui family's, and they still needed to slowly build it up. However, this matter was handled unexpectedly smoothly.

"They are just some low-class people. Tell father that those who were expelled from the palace do not need to be kept. As for those stewards, when have there been fewer lives in the palace?"

Concubine Zheng looked indifferent.

"I think the one in Changchun Palace is too lucky. Not only did she win the favor of the one in Ci'an Palace, but she also won the emperor's favor yesterday thanks to her son."

Concubine Zheng was filled with jealousy when she thought of the emperor's sleeve being pulled last night. Moreover, Gu Youning gave birth to the eldest prince, so she had no intention of letting her go.

"Your Majesty is worried that he might become more and more arrogant in the future because he has a prince. It is indeed necessary to take the trouble to give him some advice."

The nanny now hopes that her master will stop thinking of those foolish ideas. As for making things difficult for a few concubines, it is not a big deal.

So what if the eldest prince's biological mother was from a poor family and was a concubine's daughter.

"Tell the people from Changchun Palace to find an opportunity to come before me."

"Yes, I'll have someone do it right away."

Not to mention Cheng'an Palace, Changchun Palace was in chaos because of Xiao Shengzi's words.

"You said that He Chongyuan must be punished for stopping the people from the Gu Mansion?"

"Yes, when I saw Madam Gu and the other two being held at the Guanju Palace, they were forced to kneel there. I quietly asked a passing palace servant and learned that it was Miss Gu who had bumped into He Chongyuan's carriage and was rude, bringing up the Wen family."

"Damn you, slave, for not stepping forward immediately..."

"It's not your fault, get up quickly."

Given He Chongyuan's personality, which appears calm on the surface but is actually very calculating, even if she were there, she wouldn't be able to stop her, let alone Xiao Shengzi.

Xiao Shengzi hurried back to report that he had done nothing wrong.

"Xiao Shengzi, you know a lot of people in the palace. First, find an unfamiliar eunuch to go to Zhaoqing Palace and inform Concubine Wen about this matter."

"Yes."

Xiao Shengzi went out immediately.

"Tan Yin, go to Qianming Palace in person and ask to see the emperor. Tell him what happened at Jingde Gate. There's no need to cover up for the people in the Gu Mansion. Just tell the truth."

"Master, should we go to Fengyi Palace to invite the Empress first? Fengyi Palace is close to Jingde Gate, and the Empress is planning to win over the master, so she should make the decision for you."

Tan Yin mentioned this.

"If the Queen wants to intervene, she will go even if no one asks her."

Fengyi Palace is right next to Jingde Gate. How could the Queen not know about He Chongyuan’s big fuss?

What's more, the Queen was willing to show kindness to her only when it would not harm her own interests. But this time it was Gu Youning's younger sister who bumped into the palace concubine first. There was nothing wrong with He Chongyuan giving her a lesson according to the palace rules.

"Yes, I will definitely invite the emperor here."

Tan Yin ran out.

"You all should go out with me."

Gu Youning selected two eunuchs with stronger builds and two young palace maids who looked weak, and rushed to Jingde Gate.

She didn't even dare to breathe along the way, and fled quickly with the palace maids, finally arriving before He Chongyuan ordered a slap in the face.

"I have met He Chongyuan."

Gu Youning exchanged a quiet glance with his aunt who was kneeling behind him. Seeing that she was fine, he walked to the front of the ceremonial procession and knelt down to salute.

"Is Concubine Gu here to ask for someone from me?"

After not seeing her for a day, He Chongyuan seemed to be more haggard, and the dark circles under her eyes could not be covered even by the finest makeup. However, when she faced Gu Youning, she acted with the majesty of a palace mistress.

"I have been waiting in the palace for a long time for mother and sister, but they have not arrived yet. I wanted to come out and see. If mother and sister have offended you in any way, I will apologize on their behalf."

Gu Youning lowered his eyebrows and eyes, keeping a very humble attitude.

"The state has its laws, and the palace has its rules. When the eldest prince behaved badly yesterday, the emperor ordered a search of all six palaces. Those palace servants who made the mistake are veterans of the palace, and many of them have performed meritorious deeds in front of the master."

"Gu Jieyu must have also begged the Emperor to handle the matter impartially and clean up the harem."

He Chongyuan's words seemed to have a hint of bitterness.

Gu Youning didn't know what He Chongyuan was thinking, but he was certain that she had no good intentions.

"Although what happened last night happened in my palace, matters in this palace are decided by the Emperor and Empress. Even though I hold the position of Concubine, I have no say in their affairs."

The meaning of this statement is very clear. Although you, He Chongyuan, are the head of a palace, you are not allowed to make decisions at will in the palace.

He Chongyuan leaned back leisurely, then gave the palace maid beside her a faint look.

"The women of the Gu Mansion offended the Second Rank Consort and even spoke rudely. My master, in order to uphold the palace rules, ordered them to be punished. Even if the Empress were here, there would be no room for criticism."

The palace maid raised her hand, ready to be slapped in the face.

"Gu Youning, how could you be so useless and just watch my mother and I being bullied?"

Gu Youxin, who was kneeling in front of Wen's family, could no longer bear it, shook off his mother's hand, and yelled at Gu Youning.

"Xin'er, don't be rude to Concubine Jieyu."

Wen pulled her daughter, and took advantage of this gesture to glare back at Gu Youning's biological mother, Aunt Lan, as if warning, obviously wanting Lan to speak.

But Lan almost lowered her head to her chest, as if she was frightened.

Wen cursed inwardly, wondering how her daughter would face people in the future if the news of her and her daughter being slapped in the face in the palace got out.

She originally thought that Gu Youning would be able to meet his mother's family as soon as he entered the palace, which would be a great honor, but she didn't expect him to be so incompetent that he didn't even have the ability to protect his mother's family.

"Wait a minute!"

The palace maid who slapped the man just raised her hand when a cold and delicate shout came from behind.

"Meet Miss Wen."