Dugong

Chapter 47 Adopting a Prince
Zhaoyang Palace.

The atmosphere has been solemn and grim these days.

The eunuchs and palace maids on duty were very cautious, lowering their heads and bending over to hide in the corner inconspicuously, for fear that they would be caught by the imperial concubine and dragged away and beaten to death on any pretext.

For example, if you have no expression on your face, who would you be showing your sad face to when someone scolds you?

Or you could smile and say, "My child is gone, and you're actually happy!"

Emperor Wude allowed Concubine Yuan to beat and kill palace maids. If the death of a few eunuchs and palace maids could appease his beloved concubine, it would not matter if hundreds of them died.

This day.

The palace maid Linglong walked with her head down. She was so nervous that she accidentally tripped and spilled the nourishing medicine she was holding. She quickly knelt down and kowtowed to beg the empress for mercy.

Princess Yuan raised her eyebrows and said, "Bitch, you are not worth this bowl of Nine Yang Soup, even if you are ten or a hundred, come and slap this bitch to death."

Two eunuchs held Linglong down, and another eunuch swung his arm and slapped her face. After three or five hits, Linglong's teeth fell out and the corners of her mouth were torn.

Linglong couldn't help crying and wailing, which made Princess Yuan frown slightly. The eunuch who was carrying out the execution directly removed her jaw and then used his innate energy to seal the mute point.

After more than a dozen slaps, Linglong's cheeks were covered in blood and she fainted from the pain.

At this time.

A beautiful woman in palace dress walked into the palace. Seeing this scene, she turned pale with fright, covered her mouth and took a few steps back.

"My sister is here."

Princess Yuan greeted him with a smile on her face, but there was a flash of contempt in her eyes. A woman from a scholarly family couldn't stand even this little bit of bloodshed, and was far inferior to the daughter of a military family.

At the age of fifteen, during her coming-of-age ceremony, Princess Yuan accompanied her father on a hunting trip and shot a moose with her own hands.

"I met my sister."

Concubine Shu patted her chest and spoke softly, "What did this maid do wrong? If it's not a serious mistake, please spare her life, sister."

Princess Yuan waved her hand, and two eunuchs dragged Linglong away: "Sister, you are still so kind."

Concubine Shu breathed a sigh of relief and said helplessly, "Life in the palace is not easy. My younger sister is not as favored as my elder sister. I must be cautious and kind to others."

Princess Yuan took the newly brought Nine Yang Soup and sipped it with a warm jade spoon. "Your indulgence and forbearance will not earn the servants any gratitude. Instead, it will encourage these low-brows to break the rules and dare to gossip about Zhe Ge'er behind his back!"

The ninth prince was named Zhao Zhe. Because of his mother's relationship with Concubine Yuan, he often came to Zhaoyang Palace to pay his respects.

Concubine Shu said indifferently, "When Zhe'er comes of age and moves out of the palace, there will be no more gossip."

Princess Yuan was furious at her lack of resistance and said, "Sister, you should kill a few of them to frighten them. If you can't do it, I can do it for you."

Concubine Shu shook her head and said solemnly, "Sister, calm down. We can talk about disciplining the palace maids later. I came here today to discuss something important with you."

Princess Yuan waved her hand to dismiss the attendants: "What do you want to say, sister?"

"My sister lost her dragon heir, and I don't know when she'll get pregnant again."

Concubine Shu paused and said, "Your Majesty is already over seventy years old. Even if he is in good health, there is no telling when he will pass away. Sister, you must make plans early."

Princess Yuan said coldly, "My eldest brother is the King of Zhenbei, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops. How dare the new emperor touch me?"

"It would be fine if other princes ascended the throne, they would definitely respect my sister, but it's hard to say if it were the third or fifth prince."

Concubine Shu changed the subject and said, "My younger sister is reminding you today out of selfish motives. Zhe'er is naturally timid and afraid of things. He doesn't dare to fight or argue. If the third or fifth son ascends the throne, I'm afraid it will not end well."

Concubine Yuan frowned, realizing that Concubine Shu was right.

The old hag in Kunning Palace was cruel and ruthless. She was responsible for the death of his child. If he allowed the third or fifth son to seize the throne, not only would he be in danger, but his brothers and family would also be affected.

Princess Yuan asked, "Sister, you have read a lot of books. What do you think?"

Concubine Shu pondered for a moment and said, "My sister has thought of two ways. The first is to support a certain prince, such as the second or fourth prince. They have good reputations. In any case, we cannot let Kunning Palace gain power."

Princess Yuan nodded slightly. With the emperor's favor and the power of the Zhang family, no matter who they supported, it would be a great help.

"What's the second method?"

"Adoption."

Concubine Shu said, "Sister, please find a young prince, such as Little Thirteen, who was born last year and is not even a year old yet. He is still too young to remember things and understand things, so he is perfect to be adopted as a son."

"That sounds like a good idea."

Concubine Yuan had been childless for years and longed for a son, but she had been struck by a cold poison, making conception nearly impossible. Adopting a prince would be a good idea. Concubine Shu said, "Little Thirteen's mother was just a palace maid. Your Majesty had a drunken affair with her, and she only gave her the title of Talented Lady, not even a palace of her own. Sister, please talk to her carefully and offer her some benefits. She'll definitely agree to the adoption."

Princess Yuan remained silent. Her sister came from a scholarly family. Although she was smart and clever, she was too petty in her actions.

There is no need to discuss this with a mere talent. Just go and tell His Majesty to take the Thirteenth Prince away from you.

Then use some tricks to make the palace maid fall into the well and die, and there will be no future trouble.

Concubine Yuan's expression lit up, and her heart, which had been withered and lonely in recent days, was rekindled with fighting spirit. "Don't worry, sister. I will not let Kunning Palace succeed, and I will take good care of Zhe'er."

Concubine Shu said gratefully, "Thank you, sister. My family is small and cannot compare with the Zhenbei Palace, but we still have some power. If you can use it, please feel free to ask."

"The Cui family has been passed down for thousands of years and has a deep foundation. They are not a small family."

Princess Yuan asked, "Sister, I've always had a question. My younger sister has always been studying behind closed doors, ignoring palace affairs. Why did she become so hostile to Kunning Palace?"

Concubine Shu's face turned pale and she mumbled a few words without explaining.

Princess Yuan said, "It doesn't matter if you don't tell me. If you and I join forces, we will definitely be able to defeat that old hag with both civil and military skills!"

"My younger sister said, please don't spread it."

Concubine Shu gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "The Fifth Prince is a lecherous man. Once, I ran into him in the palace and he even stopped me from riding in the carriage... I scolded him harshly and scared him off. Afterwards, I went to Kunning Palace to complain, but the Empress actually accused me of misbehavior."

Children of noble families value their reputation the most. The Queen's action is tantamount to murder and heartbreak.

If this were to get out, the Cui family would certainly ask His Majesty to depose Concubine Shu in order to rectify the family tradition.

As she spoke, Concubine Shu wiped away her tears in grievance.

"As the saying goes, spoiling a child is like killing him. That old woman has spoiled her two sons beyond measure. One is tyrannical and murderous, while the other is lustful and voluptuous. They don't look like rulers at all."

Princess Yuan consoled her, saying, "If the prince ascends the throne, he will definitely execute that pervert and avenge his sister."

"My younger sister is waiting for her elder sister to do justice."

Concubine Shu stopped sobbing, wiped her tears, chatted with Concubine Yuan for a while, and then stood up to say goodbye.

Only Concubine Yuan was left in the Zhaoyang Palace, which was empty, deserted and silent. After pondering for a long time, she suddenly asked.

"What do you think, Mammy?"

"Shu Fei is indeed from an aristocratic family. She may be a little timid, but she has learned a lot of scheming and political tactics from her surroundings."

An old woman with white hair emerged from the darkness, hunched over, leaning on a two-meter-long black iron cane, and walking silently.

"Your Majesty, although adopting a prince is a good move, I am concerned about Your Majesty's lifespan and whether you can see the Thirteenth Prince grow up."

The country is in doubt as the ruler is young, and Emperor Wude would not pass the throne to a young prince unless necessary.

"Mammy has a point."

Princess Yuan carefully considered all the princes. Excluding the third, fifth, and the young twelfth and thirteenth, Zhao Zhe was the most suitable among the remaining eight.

He is of the right age and timid by nature. If Xiao Shisan cannot wait, he is the most suitable person to support him to ascend the throne.

"Madam, please go check on Zhe'er to see if his character is as the rumors say."

The old nanny nodded and said, "I will secretly keep an eye on the Ninth Prince and not miss a single move. If he pretends to be timid, he will definitely be exposed."

seeing is believing.

Since it concerns the succession to the throne, Princess Yuan must be cautious and would rather support other princes than the scheming Zhao Zhe.

It is so profound and mysterious that it is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Princess Yuan said, "Thank you for your hard work, Madam. Years ago, Xun'er went to guard the northern border. My elder brother has arranged for him to receive meritorious service. With a few years of accumulation, he will be promoted and should be able to obtain a title in the future."

The old nanny was delighted to hear this. As the saying goes, if you learn literary and martial arts and sell them to the royal family, and use your martial arts skills to exchange for wealth and prosperity for your children and grandchildren, there would be countless masters rushing to work for you.

"Your Majesty, have you discussed the adoption of the prince with the prince?"

Princess Yuan pondered for a moment and shook her head.

"Just let them know. The palace is currently in turmoil. It's not appropriate for my brother to enter the palace to make plans, lest His Majesty be offended!"

(End of this chapter)