The Rebirth of Li Fei: The Strongest Palace Fighting System

The Queen, standing aside, echoed at the right moment:

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. This move will allow the princesses to see their mothers more often and enjoy the joy of family life. It also adheres to palace rules and maintains order within the palace. It truly achieves the best of both worlds. Your Majesty is wise, and the Empress Dowager is wise."

After hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded slightly, with a hint of relief in her eyes:

"That's wonderful! The Emperor has such a kind heart. It's a blessing for the country and the people. This incident reminds me of many past events. Besides you, the Emperor, there are also Princess Zhiqiu, Princess Baji, and the Emperor's younger brother, the Fourteenth Brother. They are all dear to my heart. I haven't seen the Fourteenth Brother in many years. How can this mother-son love not make me feel moved?"

The Queen Mother spoke slowly, her tone filled with emotion and nostalgia, "When I mention this, my heart is filled with waves. Besides you, the Emperor, Princess Zhiqiu, Princess Baji, and your unique brother, the Fourteenth Brother, are all deeply cherished by me. Time flies, and I haven't seen the Fourteenth Brother in many years. Thinking of this deep affection between mother and son now, how can I not feel a wave of sorrow?"

After saying this, the empress dowager secretly glanced at the emperor's expression and saw a hint of displeasure between his brows.

The Queen Mother knew what was going on and immediately gave the Queen a subtle look. However, the Queen seemed reluctant to say anything more at this moment and simply tilted her head slightly, pretending not to notice.

Suddenly, the emperor's tone changed subtly. He did not continue the empress dowager's topic about the fourteenth old man. Instead, he changed the subject and said with a hint of deep thought:

"Although the matter between Princess Zhiqiu and Princess Baji mentioned by the Empress Dowager has come to a happy conclusion, I still have two other children in my heart, and I still can't let go of them."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother's eyes flashed with curiosity and concern. She leaned forward slightly, as if wanting to hear the Emperor's words more clearly:

"Oh? The emperor is worried about the Fourth and Fifth Princes who have been fostered outside the palace for many years?"

The queen also turned around, her eyes full of seriousness and concentration, as if she also realized that the emperor's next words would be crucial.

"Exactly."

After hearing this, the Queen Mother's expression became solemn, and she said slowly:

"The Emperor wants to bring these two princes back to the palace?"

The emperor nodded slightly, frowning slightly, as if weighing the pros and cons:

"I do have this intention. However, this matter involves many aspects, and I still need to think carefully and ensure that everything is arranged properly."

After hearing this, the queen's face flashed with anxiety and worry. She knew very well that the return of these two princes to the palace was of great significance:

"It would be a great thing if the two princes could return to the palace. However, the issue of their accommodation and upbringing is a considerable challenge. The two princesses still have their biological mother by their side, who can provide them with meticulous care. But the Fourth and Fifth Princes' biological mother has unfortunately passed away, so we need to provide them with even greater love and care..."

However, the Queen paused, as if she was thinking about something. After a moment, she said firmly:

"But please rest assured, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager. I will do my utmost to properly manage everything in Xiefang Palace and ensure that the two princes receive the treatment and care they deserve upon their return to the palace. I will live up to your trust and ensure that the two princes can feel the warmth of home even in the palace."

"Not urgent."

The emperor pondered for a moment, then glanced deeply at everyone in the hall and slowly said:

"There are many orphans and widows in the palace, and there are also many concubines without children. I am thinking, why not choose some suitable concubines and raise the children by my side? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

The Queen Mother nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes:

"Your Majesty, this is a brilliant plan. However, among those currently in the palace who hold the rank of concubine or above, Concubine Qi and Concubine Cao already have the Third Prince and Princess Wenyi by their side, while Concubine Li is raising Princess Luyin. If we follow the previous agreement, Concubine An will raise Zhiqiu, and Concubine Fucha will care for Baji. This leaves only Concubine Hua, Concubine Duan, and Concubine Jing."

The Queen's expression changed slightly when she heard this. It was obvious that she had been worried about this issue for a long time. She looked around in a panic, and finally mustered up the courage to say:

"Noble Consort Duan is frail and ill, and I'm afraid she can't handle the responsibility of raising him. Although Consort Jing is kind, she's a bit mediocre. Furthermore, she lives next to Consort Shen, who has been confined for a crime, and I'm afraid she'll have a negative influence on the princes. As for Noble Consort Hua... that's beyond me. In my opinion, none of these three are top choices."

......

Xiao Tao whispered softly, her eyes full of doubts:

"Your Majesty, you said that the Fifth Prince is frail and sickly, and the Fourth Prince is not very favored by the Emperor. Naturally, the Empress is unwilling to take over the care of these two children. But what I don't understand is why the Empress is against Noble Consorts Hua, Duan, and Jing raising them?"

"Regarding Concubine Hua, the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and even the Empress are all wary of Nian Gengyao's clan. That's why the Huanyi Incense incident came about, to prevent the Nian clan from becoming too powerful. Given this, how could they safely entrust the prince to Concubine Hua's care?"

"Then, only Consort Duan and Consort Jing are left."

I shook my head slightly, with a deep tone in my voice:

"Both Consort Duan and Consort Jing come from prominent families with respectable backgrounds. If they had a prince, the Empress would inevitably have concerns, fearing that their positions in the palace would become more secure and pose a greater threat to her. Therefore, the Empress would interfere and not want them to raise a prince."

"So, doesn't that mean no one is willing or able to raise these two princes?"

I gently patted the back of Xiaotao's hand:

"Xiao Tao, don't be anxious. Let's continue reading."

......

The emperor pondered for a moment, glanced at everyone, and slowly spoke:

"Noble Consort Hua is naturally not considered. But I think Consort Duan can take care of the Fifth Prince. They are both weak, and perhaps they can comfort each other, making it easier to take care of them."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly, as if she thought the Emperor's proposal made sense:

"What about the Fourth Prince? Can you consider placing him with Concubine Jing?"

The Queen's expression became complicated when she heard this. She objected vehemently:

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, if the Fourth Prince is placed with Concubine Jing, then among the concubines in the palace who are childless, Concubine Hua will be the only one left. Furthermore, when they were in the mansion, Concubine Jing was once a princess in Concubine Hua's chamber. Given Concubine Hua's domineering personality, who knows what kind of trouble this will cause."

Although the Queen's words were somewhat pretextual, they also held some truth. The Queen Mother's expression changed slightly after hearing this, as if she acknowledged the Queen's concerns.

"The Queen is right. In the harem, while it is important to secure the heir, it is also crucial to maintain harmony among the six palaces and the checks and balances between them."

After hearing this, the emperor nodded, his eyes flashing with deep thought:

"It seems that this matter needs to be carefully considered again and should not be acted rashly."