The Legend of Zhen Huan Reborn: Overthrowing Zhen Huan to Become the Queen Mother

(The previous chapter has been updated)

Jiang Ruyin prefers the tender and delicious tofu in fish soup and chicken soup, but she doesn’t eat it often. Unexpectedly, Hongxuan remembered it.

Mid-afternoon, the emperor spoke leisurely, "Today, what do you think of the noble ladies?"

Hongshi quickly put down his chopsticks and said, "Father, the Emperor, Dong E is reserved and talented, Tian is lively and lovely, Hesheli is beautiful, Zhao Jia is gentle, and Wu is quiet. They are all very good girls."

"Is that so?" the emperor said, then paused and asked, "So you think all of these are good."

Hongshi hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.

"What do you think?"

Nian Shilan glanced at Concubine Qi who was eager to try, and said, "I have no objection."

Concubine Qi spoke quickly, "These ladies all have a great connection with Hongshi. They were having a great time chatting with him just now. If the emperor hadn't sent someone to invite them, they would probably still be chatting now."

Jiang Ruyin speculated: Tian Wenjing was a stubborn person, unwilling to associate with the powerful. He feared that his eldest daughter would not be willing to marry his younger daughter into the imperial family as a concubine, given that he married a well-known and talented county magistrate. The emperor then spoke again, summoning Tian Wenjing's daughter to the palace for a banquet. The emperor intended to honor his eldest son, but it was unclear whether he truly intended to grant Tian Wenjing's daughter a marriage.

Jiang Ruyin spoke carefully, "The princess of the Dong'e family is gentle and generous, reserved but not arrogant, and a worthy choice for a principal wife."

Hongshi swallowed and looked at the emperor expectantly.

The emperor nodded and agreed with it.

Hongshi looked back at his mother with a look of joy on his face.

Nian Shilan seemed like an outsider, feeding Hongxuan with a chopstick of crucian carp and a spoonful of tofu.

At night, the lights are bright.

As soon as the imperial edict was issued, granting Xilda's daughter Dong'e as the third prince's legitimate wife.

Hongshi was excited at first, but then he showed disappointment that was hard to hide when he found out there was no other imperial edict.

Jiang Ruyin took in the expressions of Concubine Qi and her son and understood everything.

Upon learning that Hongshi had married, the Empress Dowager regained some consciousness and summoned Hongshi, with Shen Meizhuang accompanying him. That night, the Emperor visited and the lights in Cunju Hall were on until midnight.

......

......

At the first light of morning, the red walls and yellow tiles are coated with a layer of golden light, solemn and magnificent.

In front of the Yikun Palace, Lingzhi looked back at the main hall and, while adjusting the handkerchief in her hand, whispered, "Eunuch Zhou, Concubine Qi hasn't arrived yet."

Zhou Ninghai nodded without looking away and replied softly, "The Third Prince got married yesterday, and this morning the Third Lady wanted to pay her respects to Concubine Qi. It was probably because of this matter."

Inside the palace, Concubine Jing frowned slightly and whispered to Concubine Wen, "The weather has been getting increasingly hot and humid these past few days. It's hard to endure in this palace."

Concubine Wen gently waved her round fan and smiled softly, "Sister, please bear with it. When we return to the palace, I will ask someone to bring the ice bowl and ice jar, and then you can enjoy it."

"Wen Yi is seven years old and Xinhe is only two years old. They can't use ice. I'd better bear with it." Concubine Jing shook her head.

Lou Yong'er, who was serving under Concubine Wen, heard this and looked at Concubine Jing with gratitude.

Nian Shilan lazily opened her eyes, frowning slightly as she glanced at everyone. "It's been hot in the summer, so I didn't go to the garden this year. I ordered the Imperial Household Department to give each of you half your share of ice. I hope you will be careful with your words and actions, otherwise I will be furious and won't let you off easily if anything happens."

All the concubines responded in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will follow your instructions."

At this moment, a ray of sunlight happened to pass through the window lattice, sprinkled into the hall, and reflected on the gorgeous carpet.

Concubine Qi arrived a little later, beaming with joy. "I just heard the good news! I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine."

"The third prince got married yesterday, and the new bride should have offered tea to her mother-in-law this morning. No wonder Concubine Qi came late." Before Nian Shilan could say anything, Concubine Jing spoke happily.

Successfully attracted Jiang Ruyin's attention.

That's how it is. Once you get comfortable, you lose your sense of proportion. This was the case with Su Peisheng and Cui Jinxi in the previous life, and it was the same with raising Xinhe in this life.

Jiang Ruyin looked at Lou Yonger, who was staring at the ground calmly, as if she wanted to punch a hole through the floor.

The four concubines have all the necessary skills. If Concubine Jing still doesn't know how to restrain herself, she will probably be bitten by the people below.

Among the four concubines, Concubine Wen, Concubine Qian, Concubine Xin and Concubine Gong, two are getting older and two have fertility problems. Unless they can wait for their age, it will be difficult for them to compete.

Looking further down the list, the two titled nobles, Qi and Cheng, were undoubtedly well-placed. Coming from high-ranking families, even if they didn't bear children, they could still rise to the rank of imperial concubine. Concubine Chun, Concubine Lou, and Concubine Shen, though untitled, had also worked hard to gain the emperor's close proximity. With only two vacancies remaining, it was up to the five to determine how they would vie for the rank.

As for Ling Changzai, Jiang Ruyin looked to the end and saw that Ling Changzai looked tired, with his eyes slightly closed, leaning on the back of the rosewood chair.

If there are only a few concubines in the harem, it is acceptable for the emperor to appoint concubines or consorts according to his preferences. However, if there are too many concubines, they will compete for family connections, favors, and offspring.

Thinking of this, Jiang Ruyin's thoughts drifted to the distant water town in the south of the Yangtze River.

Concubine Qi was just telling the good news that Zhong became pregnant as soon as Dong E came into the family. She kept praising Dong E as a blessed girl, which attracted waves of congratulations.

"The emperor values ​​Hongshi, and he will have a grandson soon. This means that the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty are also blessing Hongshi." Concubine Qi said happily.

Jiang Ruyin listened quietly, and instantly thought of the boy who was "blessed" by the ancestors of the Qing Dynasty, the eighth prince Hongxi.

Interrupting Concubine Qi, Jiang Ruyin said, "Ling Chang has been here for three months. I wonder how she is doing."

An Lingrong paused fiddling with the handkerchief and looked over.

Ling Changzai seemed to be awakened, her eyelashes trembling, and she stood up and bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Concubine Fang. I am fine, but it is inevitable that I am a little sleepy in the summer. I am sorry to have embarrassed you, my lady."

"I heard from sister Concubine Qi that pregnant women are more sleepy. Unfortunately, I have never been pregnant, so I don't know what it feels like." Concubine Jing sighed.

Xinpin teased her, "You just keep talking about trivial things. I know Xin and Meiri are very affectionate when they call each other 'mother'."

Lou Yong'er looked back at Ling Changzai and suddenly moved closer. "Ling Changzai smells so good. I wonder what kind of powder she uses."

Ling Chang shyly stepped back and said, "It's the peach blossom dew made by Concubine Qian. Imperial Physician Zhang said it has the effect of beautifying and nourishing the skin, and it also has a calming effect on the mind, so I use it every day."

"This peach blossom dew is indeed fragrant and smooth. Sister Qianpin is very skillful, but her heart is a little clumsy. Everyone should have a portion. Not everyone dares to use it for fear of duplication." said Concubine Jing.