The Red Mansions

Chapter 1479 Queen Song: Nothing works, right?

Chapter 1479 Queen Song: Nothing works, right?

Rongguo Mansion, the courtyard where Ping'er lives——

Outside the window, you can hear the cold wind whistling past, and the rugged rocks and cold white colors complement each other, blazing into people's eyes.

Jia Heng, on his side, leaned on one side of the bed and looked down at Ping'er.

The beauty's long black hair fell like a waterfall, along one side of her rosy face.

Ping'er's temperament is undoubtedly gentler and more peaceful, and she is always obedient to his requests.

The mandarin duck on the other side had an expression on her oval face that showed she was a little shy. She turned her pretty face away, and a faint blush appeared on her plump and slightly round face.

How come Ping'er, this little brat, doesn't see these things usually?

At this moment, Jia Heng's brows were wrinkled and relaxed, his eyes were distant, and his mind was vague and unpredictable.

The lilacs are spreading, suddenly like a violent storm, suddenly like a breeze and drizzle, which is really fascinating.

At this moment, Jia Heng took Yuanyang's slender hand, his eyes were as warm as the sun in early winter under his sword-like eyebrows, and he said, "Yuanyang, have you reported the list of Eryu spies to the clan office?"

Yuanyang nodded, glanced at the beautiful head that was like a waterfall, and said with soft waves in her moist almond eyes, "Master Heng, I have already reported it."

How did the prince manage to talk to her about these serious matters while he was constantly busy?

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "After two years, if you don't want to serve the old lady anymore, go to the garden."

There seemed to be an inexplicable shyness between Yuanyang's eyebrows. She pursed her slightly pink lips and said, "Master Heng, I'm used to this."

Jia Heng gently took Yuanyang's slender hand, stared at the oval face with a few freckles, stroked the girl's shoulder, moved close to the slightly moist lips, and held them in his mouth, grabbing the sweet fragrance.

"No~"

Under the tall and straight nose of Yuanyang, a sweet hum was let out, and the duck egg face, as white as snow, became flushed as if covered with a layer of rosy clouds.

Immediately, the girl was immersed in the river torrent stirred up by the young man in python costume in an instant.

Jia Heng gently stroked Yuanyang's round and fragrant shoulder, then looked at Ping'er who was bowing her head for love, and said softly: "Okay, stop working."

At this moment, Ping'er raised her delicate head, and her bright eyes under her well-shaped eyebrows were as clear as water, and her charming eyes were like ripples on the river.

As he spoke, he pulled Ping'er's arm and came closer to her, whispering something in her ear, which immediately surprised Ping'er: "My Lord, this...isn't this a sign of disorder in the universe?"

Jia Heng said, "It's not like you didn't see your grandmother before."

Ping'er lowered her beautiful head with long black hair like a waterfall, her rosy cheeks white as she responded softly.

Yuanyang listened to the two people talking beside her and spat secretly.

Ping'er's fair and delicate face was flushed with bashfulness, and her slender, white and tender hands put the sword back into the sheath.

Jia Heng raised his sword-like eyebrows and looked intently at the beautiful woman with pink hair and cloud-like braids, looking down at her from a high position, swaying with every step.

Jia Heng looked at Yuanyang who was standing beside him and said, "Yuanyang, come here."

As he spoke, he gently pulled one of Yuanyang's arms, held Yuanyang, and asked, "What were you thinking about just now? Why were you so absent-minded?"

"I'm not thinking about anything." A faint blush could be seen on Yuanyang's oval face with a few freckles. She nestled her beautiful head in the arms of the young man in the python costume.

This was the first time that Jin Yuanyang and her good sisters who grew up together served a man together.

Even with the bright and generous nature of mandarin ducks, they couldn't help feeling inexplicably shy at this moment.

At this moment, in the courtyard, gusts of biting cold wind were blowing gently between the rugged rocks, making waves of winding whistling sounds from time to time.

The lanterns under the eaves swayed gently, making rustling sounds.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng, with his sword-like brows, looked warmly at Yuanyang and Ping'er, who had collapsed into a ball, and a look of joy also surged on his sweaty face.

Jin Yuanyang and Qiao Ping'er are indeed an indescribable combination.

"Master, it's getting late." Ping'er's plump and delicate body was limp as mud at this moment, and her fair face was as rosy as the clouds. When she opened her mouth, her voice was soft and tender, showing the charming and graceful chirping of an oriole.

Jia Heng looked up at the vast sky outside and said, "It's getting late. It's time to have lunch later."

As he spoke, Jia Heng stood up, looked at Jin Yuanyang's rosy face, stood up, and changed into new clothes.

……

……

Let’s not talk about Jia Heng and Ping Yuan talking in the back house, but about the Lu Residence in the capital city.

This is the residence of Lu Li, the president of the Hanlin Academy. The front hall and the back yard are surrounded by green bamboos. Although it is early winter, the bamboos are so lush and green that they are misty.

The green bamboos are beautiful and straight, rising higher and higher. As a literati, I love plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum the most.

In the outer study room——

Lu Li was wearing a colorful Sichuan brocade robe and sitting on a pearwood chair with a backrest. His calm, fair face was full of solemnity.

Sitting on a pearwood chair at the bottom, Fu Shaoji, the Imperial Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, said with a worried look on his face, "Mr. Lu, the emperor abolished the legitimate heir and enthroned a concubine. This is really a way to bring disaster. Mr. Lu, we, the saint's disciples, should advise the emperor to maintain the social order."

Lu Li's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he said: "The King of Wei has no son, and the succession has no thread, which is really not good for the country. Your Majesty has a certain reason to appoint the King of Chu as the eldest son."

Gu Qiyuan, the censor of Jiangxi Province, frowned and said in a low voice: "Then there is the King of Liang. The emperor's action is puzzling."

Lu Li nodded and said, "Not only the Prince of Liang, but the Eighth Prince Chen Ze is the son of the Imperial Concubine. He is very intelligent, smart and studious. I think His Majesty can definitely make the Eighth Prince his heir. Why is it necessary to do this?"

Gu Qiyuan frowned and said loudly: "After all, the Eighth Prince is still young and may not be able to control the current court situation."

"As long as we choose the right ministers to advise us, these are not a big deal." Lu Li said with a bright look under his thick eyebrows.

He is the teacher of the eighth prince and will be an imperial tutor in the future. He may be able to enter the cabinet and govern the country.

This was the highest dream of the literati at that time, that is, to enter the cabinet and rule the world.

Gu Qiyuan nodded and said, "Master Lu, should we submit a petition to invite the Eighth Prince Chen Ze to take over the Eastern Palace?"

Lu Li said: "It's hard to handle this matter for now, but we can ask Ke Daoguang to submit a memorial to test the situation in the palace. Now that Kunning Palace is not close to either side, it may be happy to see this happen."

At this moment, the eighth prince Chen Ze is already twelve years old. Strictly speaking, he cannot be considered a child and is already qualified to shoulder the responsibility of ruling the country.

Several people agreed.

So, just like that, in the next few days, the censors in the capital wrote letters to the emperor one after another. This time, compared to the fatal point that the Prince of Wei had no children, the Eighth Prince Chen Ze was completely impeccable.

His mother was the daughter of a royal concubine, and her background was much more noble than that of the King of Chu.

Palace Garden, Funing Palace

Concubine Duanrong was wearing a gorgeous dress and had a beautiful bun on her head. She was sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress.

"Why is there a rumor in the capital that Ze'er should be enthroned?" asked Concubine Duanrong, frowning.

Princess Xianning, whose belly was bulging like a ball, nodded and said, "Mother, this must be the work of the upright officials in the imperial court, who are secretly fanning the flames to shake father's idea of ​​abolishing the legitimate heir and enthroning a concubine."

In the past few days, as Emperor Chongping moved to the study in Hanyuan Hall, the palaces in the harem also roughly learned that Emperor Chongping had planned to make Prince Chu the crown prince.

Concubine Duanrong's jade-white face was in a trance for a moment, and she said, "My mother did think of someone."

Princess Xianning looked surprised and asked curiously, "Who are you talking about, mother?"

"Lu Li, the president of the Hanlin Academy, was so knowledgeable before that my mother asked him to teach. Maybe it was he who started the Qingliu movement that caused this wave of public opinion?" asked Concubine Duanrong charmingly.

Princess Xianning frowned, her beautiful eyes full of memories, and said, "Before, didn't he teach Eighth Brother some knowledge about how to control martial arts with literature? After being reprimanded by the Emperor, he was no longer allowed to teach Eighth Brother moral knowledge. Why is he still teaching Eighth Brother?"

Concubine Duanrong said, "This happened several years ago. No one is perfect, but there is no one in the Hanlin Academy who is more knowledgeable than him."

Princess Xianning nodded and said, "Now there really is something fishy going on again. He clearly wants to be the emperor's teacher, which is why there is such public opinion. How should the queen mother view her?"

Concubine Duanrong said: "Your mother is in this state now, maybe..."

At the end of her words, as if realizing something, the beautiful lady pursed her slightly pink lips, with an unnatural look in her eyes.

Obviously, the recent sudden rise of public opinion in the capital also made the imperial concubine quite moved.

In fact, there is no mother who does not want her son to become successful, but Concubine Duanrong gave up this inappropriate idea early on because of her own elder sister's face.

At this moment, a palace maid in bright clothes came in from outside the palace and said in a charming voice, "Your Highness, the Queen is here."

After a short while, a beautiful lady with a voluptuous figure, a gorgeous hairdo and a graceful demeanor, surrounded by palace maids, walked gracefully into the hall. Her plump face, illuminated by the lights, was as bright as the clouds.

"Sister." Concubine Duanrong stood up, bowed to Queen Song, and said softly.

Queen Song frowned and looked at Concubine Duanrong with complicated eyes. She said, "Sister, please stand up."

As she spoke, the beauty sat down gently and said, "Sister, have you heard about the rumors going around outside?"

Under her beautiful eyebrows, Concubine Duanrong looked at Queen Song with her eyes as clear as water and said, "Sister, I was just talking to Xianning about this. Why did the officials of the previous dynasty take the blame on Ze'er for no reason?"

The beauty said, "This is not a bad idea."

Concubine Duanrong: “???”

Princess Xianning had beautiful eyes beneath her curved and slender eyebrows, sparkling with curiosity.

Queen Song was silent for a moment, her beautiful eyes sparkling with softness as she said, "Your Majesty, for the sake of the Han Dynasty, did not pass the throne to Ran'er, which is understandable. Wei'er has a reckless personality, so your Majesty has no reason to consider this. But your sister's son, Ze'er, is talented, kind and honest, and is a suitable candidate."

At this moment, Queen Song suppressed her grievance and forced a smile.

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, her snow-white, crystal-clear face suddenly changed, and she whispered, "Sister, why do you say that?"

Empress Song gently took Concubine Duanrong's slender hand and said, "Sister, in this situation, we cannot make the decision. We have been in the palace for more than ten years and raised children for Your Majesty, but we have ended up in such a situation. Are you willing?"

Well, actually, Concubine Duanrong had nothing to be unwilling about, because even if the second prince of Wei and Liang ascended the throne, her own son would not get it.

Of course, compared with the King of Chu, the Kings of Wei and Liang were closer to Concubine Duanrong when they ascended the throne.

Concubine Duanrong paused for a moment, her sparkling eyes showing a hint of worry. She asked, "Sister, what are you going to do?"

Queen Song whispered, "Sister, let's go see His Majesty together."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong: “…”

Sister, are you crazy? Establishing the Crown Prince is a major event in the world, and the harem is forcing you?

In fact, there have been such incidents in history where concubines cried and made a fuss in front of the emperor, causing some easily influenced emperors to waver in their resolve.

"What's your Majesty's temper? I don't know, so why make yourself uncomfortable like this?" Concubine Duanrong hesitated and said softly.

Queen Song's beautiful eyes sparkled under her beautiful eyebrows. She said, "Sister, how can you be uncomfortable? Now, if you don't move forward, you will fall behind. I want to wait until that vassal ascends the throne, and then I and you can live out our days in the harem."

Concubine Duanrong paused for a moment, and said softly, "If His Majesty gets angry like this, I'm afraid it will be like the wrath of thunder."

After all, they have been married for many years, and Empress Song and Concubine Duanrong both know the strong and decisive character of Emperor Chongping.

Queen Song's face was as pale as paper, her nose felt sore, her beautiful eyes were about to cry, and she said, "You and I have served you wholeheartedly for many years, but Your Majesty is still angry. It's just that you and I have misjudged him."

Why is her life so miserable?

Concubine Duanrong's snow-white face was startled for a moment, and she said with concern, "Sister."

Queen Song's beautiful eyes sparkled like water under her willow eyebrows, and she said, "Wait a minute, we'll go over and see His Majesty and propose that Ze'er be made the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace before the imperial edict is issued."

Princess Xianning looked worried and said, "Mother, my father is... maybe he is furious."

This will cause big trouble.

Queen Song asked, "You must have an awl pierced into your flesh, and you don't even cry out in pain?"

She must at least let His Majesty know that she, Song Tian, ​​is not someone who can be easily manipulated.

As a second best option, she would have to establish Chen Ze as the heir. Besides, that man was suspicious by nature, and if she didn't react at all, it would only make him more suspicious.

Hearing this, Princess Xianning's clear eyes sparkled like water under her willow-like eyebrows, and she said, "Mother, let's discuss this matter with Master."

Queen Song nodded and said, "He has met your father before, and he will probably listen to your father."

That little fox only knows how to take advantage. When has he ever done anything? I'm afraid he only did it on her.

Just like that, Queen Song took Concubine Duanrong's arm and walked towards the study in Hanyuan Hall.

Hanyuan Hall, inner study

Inside the inner room, Emperor Chongping was lying on a soft couch covered with bedding, his cheeks sunken, and his whole body was gradually enveloped by an aura of sadness and the dejection of a dying man.

In the warm and cozy atmosphere, steam can be seen rising from a copper basin with a blazing fire, accompanied by the aroma of herbs that spreads freely, refreshing the heart.

At this moment, a young eunuch entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress and the Imperial Concubine are outside the palace asking to see Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping looked surprised for a moment, then said in a weak voice: "Dai Quan, tell them that I have gone to bed and let the queen go back to Kunning Palace."

I think Zi Tong came here at this time to discuss the matter of appointing a crown prince for the Eastern Palace.

Upon hearing this, Dai Quan turned around and left without saying much. After leaving the palace, he stared at the gorgeous Queen Song with her beautiful bun and the noble Concubine Duanrong who was standing beside her with an extraordinary temperament and a cold and bright appearance.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has gone to bed." Dai Quan said softly with a look of embarrassment on his fair face.

Queen Song's face was as pale as paper at this moment. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'll go in and see His Majesty."

Dai Quan was about to stop them when he saw the female official pushing them away. However, Queen Song took Concubine Duanrong's slender hand and walked into the hall.

I was startled and thought to myself, "Oh no, something big is going to happen today."

On this side, Empress Song and Noble Concubine Duanrong entered the palace, walking around a bamboo and wood screen made of glass and mica. As soon as they entered the inner room, they smelled a strong herbal aroma coming towards them.

"Cough cough..."

Accompanied by a hoarse cough and a weak voice.

"Zi Tong is here?" Emperor Chongping called out, his voice was extremely calm, without any anger of being disturbed.

In other words, this middle-aged emperor, in the last moments of his life, felt a bit guilty towards Queen Song.

Queen Song looked at the middle-aged emperor lying on the bed, dying. Her snow-white face was also somewhat moved, and she choked up and said, "Your Majesty."

As she spoke, she walked closer, sat down on an embroidered cushion covered with a mattress, and held the skinny hand of Emperor Chongping.

As soon as I touched it, I felt icy cold and was shocked.

Or it could be said that he was infected by the deathly aura of Emperor Chongping.

As the saying goes, when a rabbit dies, the fox mourns, and people are compassionate.

Queen Song's beautiful eyes were shining brightly under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She asked with concern, "Your Majesty, has the dragon's health improved in the past two days?"

In the end, Queen Song did not turn against Emperor Chongping. She still planned to use gentleness to overcome strength and try to influence Emperor Chongping.

Feeling the care of the beautiful lady, Emperor Chongping also felt a little guilty, and said in a trembling voice: "Zitong, I don't have much time left, and I feel most sorry for you."

Queen Song's heart trembled, and she asked, "Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"

Emperor Chongping said: "I originally wanted to make the Prince of Wei the heir, but the Han Dynasty would not allow it, and my ancestors would not allow it. However, my son is not blessed enough after all."

At this moment, Emperor Chongping finally explained to Queen Song, or rather, the frail old dragon was explaining the love between them as husband and wife for more than twenty years.

At this moment, Queen Song could no longer hold back her thoughts and asked, "Your Majesty, why can't Wei'er be made Crown Prince?"

"Prince Liang has a narrow mind and a restless character, so he is not qualified to rule the world." Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment and then spoke.

Queen Song's cheeks were as white as snow and rosy as clouds. Her voice was choked with sobs as she said, "Then I have no one to rely on. I can only follow Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping said: "Zi Tong, I have already arranged the funeral affairs, so that Zi Tong can spend her later years peacefully and live up to the friendship between husband and wife."

Queen Song's graceful face turned pale as she said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Rong has a son, Ze'er, who is not young anymore. I think he is very intelligent and talented, and he can also be the ruler of the East Palace."

Emperor Chongping shook his head and said softly: "Zer is still young after all, and his character is not yet determined. It will be difficult for him to handle the complicated situation in the future."

In fact, Emperor Chongping originally did not want the young ruler to rule the country anymore, and the Song family and Jia Heng were in charge of state affairs.

Queen Song's eyes flickered darkly, and she remained silent for a moment.

Nothing works, right?

The years of love between husband and wife are just lip service? Why can't you think about her?

Emperor Chongping said in a hoarse voice, "Concubine Rong is here too."

At this moment, Concubine Duanrong's face was flushed, and her bright eyes seemed to be gleaming with tears. She said in a choked voice, "Your Majesty, I am here."

Emperor Chongping said: "Zer is a good person, but he has a weak temperament. If I can hold on for a few more years, I can train him more, but now..."

Queen Song's face was as pale as paper. She said, "Your Majesty, is there no way out?"

Emperor Chongping said in a cold voice, "I am both my father and the emperor of the Han Dynasty. Zi Tong, please stop forcing me."

He is already old and doesn't want to be alone again before he leaves.

Upon hearing this, Queen Song's body trembled violently. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand and looked at the middle-aged emperor with sunken cheeks. Complex expressions welled up in her beautiful eyes.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "Zitong, I am tired. You and Concubine Rong can go down and rest."

Then he called Dai Quan and said, "Dai Quan, send the Queen and the Imperial Concubine away."

Dai Quan responded softly, came close to Queen Song and said, "Your Majesty."

Empress Song's expression changed. She looked deeply at Emperor Chongping and said, "I will take my leave."

At this point, the couple broke off all ties!

She, Song Tian, ​​will never admit defeat!

Concubine Duanrong, who was standing by, glanced at Queen Song, then helped Queen Song, who suddenly stood up and staggered, out of Kunning Palace.

Just as the footsteps of the empress and concubines were leaving gradually faded away.

Emperor Chongping sighed and said, "Dai Quan, send the inner guards to seal off Kunning Palace and Funing Palace. No outsiders are allowed to enter or leave."

Dai Quan was shocked when he heard this, and said, "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit..."

This is tantamount to controlling the queen and the imperial concubine so as to prevent them from affecting the succession to the throne.

"Go." Emperor Chongping's hoarse and rough voice seemed to carry a tone that did not allow for rejection, and was almost full of finality.

Before the King of Chu was established as the Crown Prince, he needed to escort the new monarch.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Let the cabinet draft an edict as soon as possible to enthrone the King of Chu as the crown prince, and announce it to the world so that everyone can hear it."

Dai Quan heard this and his face became serious. He said, "I obey your order."

Emperor Chongping sighed softly.

The emperor is originally a lonely man.

……

……

(End of this chapter)