Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 322 The Battle between the Two Palaces (asking for monthly tickets)

The prince and his wife came and left in a hurry, but they had already expressed their gratitude.

Especially when the court ladies waiting in the distance saw something that looked like a mirror, sparkling in the sunlight, they all discussed what treasure it was.

When Zhang Yu left Kunning Palace, he couldn't help but look towards the densely packed group of ladies waiting nearby, hoping to find his mother. Even just a glimpse from afar could comfort his homesickness.

Unfortunately, there were a little more ladies today, and they were all wearing gold and silver, which made people dizzy. Zhang Yu could only follow her husband closely, and she couldn't find her mother among the crowd.

"Yu'er, have you seen your mother?"

After leaving the Kunning Palace gate, Zhu Youtang leaned over and asked in a low voice.

Zhang Yu looked a little disappointed and shook his head.

Zhu Youtang seemed like a warm-hearted man who had come to his senses at this moment, and quickly pulled his wife to his side.

Zhang Yu's face was a little sad at first, then she blushed, and she gently pushed her husband away, scolding him, "What are you doing in front of people?"

"I……"

Zhu Youtang suddenly stopped doing that.

Zhang Yu whispered, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

"Ah."

Zhu Youtang suddenly came to his senses, like a little follower, and said with a smile, "Yes, yes, yes, let's talk about it when we get back."

Jiang Cong, Qin Ji and others who were following behind couldn't help but look at each other. Their complicated eyes seemed to say, this question is too difficult, we really can't understand it.

……

……

The birthday celebrations at Kunning Palace are still going on.

The ladies of the court came to pay their respects to Queen Wang and said some auspicious words. Queen Wang then gave them some words of encouragement. It was considered a large-scale social event.

Queen Wang had never been so glorious before. Now she really wanted to have more contact with these noble ladies in the capital, and by the way... show off to them the two gifts she had just received.

In this way, every noble lady who came forward could see the half-length mirror standing next to the phoenix chair.

Under the sunlight, everything in the mirror is so vivid. It does not have a yellowish color or severe distortion like a bronze mirror. It is not blurry when viewed from a distance, not to mention that you can see that the world in the mirror is exactly the same as the world outside.

Just as the ladies came forward to pay their respects, the concubines from the six palaces in the east and west also came to celebrate the birthday after hearing the news… The reason they came after hearing the news was that after they learned that the emperor had sent gifts to the empress, they had to come in person to celebrate the birthday.

In the past, you could just give a random gift to show your appreciation. Queen Wang wouldn’t mind, and she had no right to mind.

But things are different now.

The emperor had already sent gifts to celebrate his birthday, so how could the concubines not follow the emperor's footsteps? Even Concubine Shao, who had always followed Concubine Wan and was very indifferent to Queen Wang, had to personally bring her three lively sons to pay tribute to her first wife on her birthday.

Concubine Shao now enjoys a high and favored position in the palace.

When she arrived, the entire Kunning Palace fell silent.

Even the ladies of the court knew that after Concubine Wan's death, Concubine Shao had become the actual person in charge of the inner palace affairs. There were also rumors that the emperor planned to make Concubine Shao a noble concubine and completely take over the political legacy left by Concubine Wan.

The arrival of Concubine Shao at this time meant that the struggle between the East and West Palaces in the Imperial Palace had been exposed. All the ladies held their breath, wanting to see how the little-known Concubine Shao would deal with the situation before them.

However, Concubine Shao, who was the most powerful person in the palace, showed her weak, gentle, respectful and frugal side in front of others. She was quite low-key, just like a virtuous concubine who brought her son to pay respects to the eldest wife.

Outsiders take a look.

Yo ho!

How could this be the successor to the once-mighty Concubine Wan?
He's just a punching bag!
No wonder Queen Wang seemed so domineering today. It turns out that since the death of Concubine Wan, no one in the palace can compete with the Queen.

……

……

Concubine Shao brought her three sons to congratulate Queen Wang on her birthday. None of them knelt down, but their attitudes were extremely respectful.

Queen Wang also had the broad mind that a lady of the family should have, and treated Concubine Shao and her three children with great courtesy, even inviting them to stay for lunch.

But Princess Shao had no intention of staying any longer. She used the excuse that her eldest son had to study and had to leave, apologizing repeatedly.

What I was thinking was:

It’s your birthday, and you are the protagonist. Why do you want me to stay here and serve as your foil?
None of the doors!
Queen Wang smiled and said, "Sister, I heard that my son will have his coming-of-age ceremony soon?"

This is referring to the fifth prince Zhu Youqi's coming-of-age ceremony.

Historically, Zhu Youqi performed the coming-of-age ceremony in June of the 23rd year of Chenghua when he was only nine years old. In July, he was conferred the title of king along with his elder and younger brothers, and was named King of Qi.

In July, Concubine Shao was also promoted from Concubine Chen to Imperial Noble Concubine.

Zhu Youluo and Zhu Youqi, both born to Concubine Shao, were also made kings in July, one was King Xing and the other was King Yong.

Zhu You was only six years old when he was named Prince of Yong.

It can be said that before Zhu Jianshen died, he made arrangements for the future of his older sons, for fear that the crown prince would mistreat Concubine Shao and her son after he inherited the throne in the future.

Zhu Jianshen died of illness in the eighth month of the lunar calendar that year. It is not common sense to say that he died suddenly, because between June and July, he really arranged all his funeral affairs, which gave him several months to prepare. This is enough to show that there were signs before his death. From the concubines in the harem to the civil and military officials in the court, everyone had more or less expected it.

Concubine Shao said, "In reply to the Queen, my son is still young, and everything must be arranged by Your Majesty."

What I mean is, no matter what you say to me, it's useless. I only listen to my husband's instructions. If he says to hold the coming-of-age ceremony for my son, then that's enough. If you ask me, I'm too lazy to pay any more attention.

Queen Wang seemed not to hear the hostility in Concubine Shao's words, and said with a smile: "Today is a really good day. His Majesty and the Crown Prince have come to give gifts, and even Concubine Chen has come in person. When it's your birthday, I will give you a generous gift as well."

Then Concubine Shao noticed the half-length mirror standing next to her, and her beautiful face almost turned green with anger.

The person reflected in the mirror had a tinge of darkness on his face, which was a kind of regret that came from not wanting to be fooled by fate.

It was obvious that when Concubine Wan was around, her eldest son Zhu Youtang would become the crown prince in a few months, and she could directly become the empress dowager in the future... Even if people in the court opposed the change of crown prince, with Concubine Wan's vicious means, she could kill Zhu Youtang quietly.

But rather...

What a joke of fate!

After Concubine Wan's death, although Liang Fang, Wei Xing and others wanted to help her, they were ultimately lacking in strength.

The death of Concubine Wan completely blocked her path to becoming the empress dowager.

Of course there is another way, that is, Zhu Youtang has no children and dies early, and passes the throne to his brothers. Anyway, the fourth prince and the fifth prince are her biological sons, and as long as one of the two sons survives, he can inherit the throne... but the hope is too slim.

Queen Wang asked, "Sister, do you insist on going back? It's so lively today, how about giving the three brothers Youlu a day off to have some fun?"

Queen Wang asked this deliberately because she knew that Concubine Shao didn't want to stay.

Concubine Shao glared at her three excited sons and said with a fake smile, "No, thank you, Queen, for your kindness, but everything should be based on the children's studies. They can't study for three days and rest for two days. In addition, there are many things that need to be taken care of by me personally, and the affairs of the six palaces in the east and west must not be neglected."

What I mean is that I am actually in charge of all the affairs in the harem now, and you, as the queen, have no right to interfere.

This conversation seemed peaceful, but it was actually full of tension.

Queen Wang nodded and no longer forced it.

For her, it was a huge progress that Concubine Shao could come to greet her and celebrate her birthday in person. She smiled and said, "Then I will send my sister Concubine Chen off respectfully."

After paying her respects, Princess Shao took her leave. As she left, she did not forget to look back at the half-length mirror.

The envy and jealousy in his eyes were hard to conceal.

As the most favored woman around the emperor, she knew very well that her husband used to look at himself in a small mirror every day, but this unfavored queen actually had such a large mirror...

If her husband heard about this, he would probably run to the queen to check if the white of his eyes were yellow for the mirror. Then...

Wouldn't this allow Queen Wang to regain her husband's love?

Concubine Shao hit her head.

The other concubines naturally followed suit and came to congratulate Queen Wang on her birthday.

For a while, Kunning Palace was very lively.

……

……

Empress Dowager Zhou, who was in Qingning Palace, had not forgotten her daughter-in-law's birthday at all. It was not until she went to the palace to enjoy the flowers and take a walk in the back garden that she heard Chen Gui's story and learned that the ladies had entered the palace to celebrate the empress's birthday that day.

"You fools, why didn't you tell me about this important matter?"

Queen Mother Zhou looked unhappy. "It's just a gift. I'll give her a gift so that I won't appear too mean in front of others."

She didn't want to give her daughter-in-law any encouragement or blessings, she just wanted to avoid being rude in front of others as a mother-in-law.

After all, it was her daughter-in-law's birthday and a bunch of court ladies were watching. If she, as the empress dowager, did not show any expression at all, it would make her seem domineering and heartless.

"Have the Emperor and the Crown Prince expressed their opinions?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked with a frown.

Chen Gui replied respectfully: "They all gave gifts. Your Majesty gave a jade ruyi, and the prince gave..."

"Why, you can't tell me yet...?"

Queen Mother Zhou frowned even deeper.

Chen Gui said helplessly: "It is a glass mirror, bigger than the one I gave you, about... half a person's height."

Queen Mother Zhou was just asking casually, looking for a reference for what to send next.

But when she saw the size Chen Gui gestured, her expression suddenly changed, and she said with emotion: "He is indeed a filial child, but isn't he using his kindness in the wrong place? The biological grandmother is not as good as the stepmother!"

Chen Gui immediately realized that he had said something wrong, and quickly said, "I didn't see it with my own eyes, I just heard about it from others, maybe it was a rumor."

"Then how dare you talk nonsense?"

Queen Mother Zhou glanced at Chen Gui, a little displeased, "I am not angry, I am just envious. Why didn't your dear grandson send me a portion of such a good thing?"

Chen Gui explained, "Grandfather, the prince gave it to you before, but not to anyone else. This is the first time the queen has received such a valuable gift."

Queen Mother Zhou was always petty, so she pouted and asked sarcastically, "So... you're giving me a big gift right at the start?"

"This……"

Chen Gui really didn't know how to respond.

At this moment, a servant came running along the path in the Imperial Garden and delivered a message: "Empress Dowager, the Eastern Palace has sent someone to Qingning Palace to deliver a gift. They said they have carefully prepared a gift for you, and the gift has been carried into the palace."

"Uh?"

When Queen Mother Zhou heard this, she became more energetic and took a few steps, saying, "Quick, quick, come with me to take a look."

"Ancestor, please be careful." Chen Gui chased after him and said.

Queen Mother Zhou smiled and said, "My grandson came to give me a gift. I'm in a good mood. What's wrong with walking a little faster? I don't look old and frail."

……

……

The Queen Mother and her entourage quickly returned to Qingning Palace.

A large full-length mirror, supported by a wooden cabinet, was carefully carried by four people and brought to the main hall of Qingning Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhou came out from the back hall and stood in front of the mirror with a smile on her face, and all the wrinkles on her face were revealed by her smile.

But she looked at herself in the mirror for a long time, as if she liked herself more and more the more she looked at herself.

"The mirror is really nice, but the cabinet is a little rough."

This is what Queen Mother Zhou commented.

Chen Gui smiled and said, "Grandfather, I will have someone use the best wood to make a new cabinet for you and replace the old one."

"Did I say I wanted to change?"

Queen Mother Zhou came forward and stroked the cabinet, her eyes sparkling. "My grandson didn't give me a mirror, but a cabinet. You changed the cabinet body. What's wrong? Is a grandmother so picky about her grandson? He is not the head of the family now, where does he get so much money? It shows his filial piety that he can make such a beautiful cabinet."

"Yes Yes Yes."

Chen Gui agreed but was thinking in his heart, I forgot who just said that a grandmother is not as good as a stepmother, and they sent you away with just a cabinet?
Chen Gui asked, "Grandfather, where is this thing? Should I move it to the inner hall for you?"

"Go, go, go...would you give me some advice?"

Queen Mother Zhou frowned and scolded, "Who will see it if we put it in the inner hall? We need to find a good place, and make it as conspicuous as possible, so that when the children come to pay their respects, they can see it at a glance. Just put it... in the center of the hall."

"This……"

Chen Gui was speechless for a moment.

The main hall of Qingning Palace is where guests are received and the emperor also pays his respects here.

How could you put such a cabinet in such a conspicuous place in the middle of the main hall?

Queen Mother Zhou said, "Things you like should be displayed in plain sight, and things you don't like should be put away. Isn't that the truth? Good things cannot be enjoyed by me alone. Sometimes when the emperor comes, let him take a good look at them so that he can know how filial his children are. It's great to have such a big mirror."

Chen Gui said: "I heard that you have to handle it with care, otherwise things made of glass will break very easily."

"Ah."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded and said, "Yes, you have to keep it well... Hey, it makes me feel good to come and take a look at it when you have nothing to do. There are ways to be filial to your children. Unlike some people who say they are filial but never show it in practice, my grandson is not the kind of person who says one thing and means another."

Chen Gui smiled along but was wondering, who is he referring to?
I’m afraid they are talking about Concubine Shao and her son?
Who cares who you are talking about? Anyway, this is not a matter of right or wrong that has anything to do with me, so why should I care about it?
(The last ten hours of this month, please support me with monthly tickets! Thank you!)
(End of this chapter)