freenovelworld Chapter 508 [The Legend of Zhen Huan 43]
Chapter 508 [The Legend of Zhen Huan 43]
When Prince Guo arrived at Ganlu Temple and saw his mother, Concubine Shu, he could not wait to say, "Mother, my brother suddenly arranged a marriage for me! His wife is Meng Jingxian from Duke Meng's mansion, and his concubine is the emperor's concubine, Concubine Shen Meizhuang. Her father is a third-rank official in the court! Mother, please tell me, what is going on?"
Concubine Shu lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Since the emperor has issued an order to grant the marriage, you can only accept it. After all, the Mengguo Mansion and the Shen family are both powerful families in the court, and this marriage is not bad for us. At worst, we can raise them in the mansion, and our family can afford to support them. Moreover, even if you don't want to, there is no room for maneuver now."
Hearing this, Prince Guo sighed helplessly and said, "Okay, mother. I understand. I will do as you wish."
Seeing that Prince Guo was so obedient, Concubine Shu comforted him, "Don't be discouraged, my son. If you meet a woman you really like in the future, you can still marry her. If the emperor doesn't allow it at that time, mother still has the blank imperial edict left by the late emperor, which can make the decision for you."
After hearing this, Prince Guo felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and said gratefully, "Thank you, mother. I understand."
Finally, Concubine Shu gently touched Prince Guo's head and said softly: "As long as my child is safe and healthy, nothing else matters."
In the following days, Yinzhen would ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Works about the progress of the construction of the Prince's Palace and the Princess' Palace every day, and constantly urged them to speed up the progress. He knew that time was tight, and if he could not complete the task within the specified time, it would not only affect his reputation, but also cause some unnecessary trouble. Therefore, he hoped to solve this problem as soon as possible to satisfy everyone.
Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Works also felt the pressure from Yinzhen. They knew that if they failed to complete the task on time, they would face severe punishment. Therefore, they devoted themselves to the work, working overtime day and night to ensure the quality and progress of the project. After a period of intense construction, all the buildings were finally completed in midsummer.
On the second day after the completion of the prince's palace and the princess's palace, Yinzhen issued an edict: let those concubines who already had children take their children out of the palace.
Concubine Jing, Concubine Qi, Concubine Xin and Concubine Xiang all left the palace with their children. They thanked Yinzhen with tears of gratitude and said that they would educate their children well and live up to the emperor's expectations. Yinzhen looked at their backs as they left, and he couldn't help but feel relieved. He believed that these concubines would live a happy life outside the palace, and he could handle state affairs with peace of mind.
At the same time, Shen Meizhuang was sent out of the palace by the emperor and went home to wait for her marriage, while An Lingrong moved out of the palace and lived in her own county lady's mansion.
On the other hand, Xia Dongchun was taken back home by her brother Xia Yi. She originally thought that she would be named a concubine by the emperor, but she didn't expect that she would become a concubine in the end. However, this was enough for her, after all, being able to enter the palace was a blessing.
As for Concubine Hua, she had left the palace a long time ago, but only stayed in the Nian Mansion for a few days before returning to her own princess's residence.
Seeing the concubines leave the palace one by one, Zhen Huan became more and more panicked. What would happen next after they left? Was she really going to be kicked out? Zhen Huan began to have wild thoughts, but she comforted herself by saying that maybe the emperor was just talking casually and might not really do it. However, the more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became, and she didn't know what to do.
At this moment, Su Peisheng suddenly appeared and asked Zhen Huan where she wanted to go. Zhen Huan was startled and didn't know how to answer for a moment. Her mind was in a mess and she couldn't think of any ideas at all. She could only pretend to be stupid and said to Su Peisheng: "Eunuch Su, aren't there many people in the palace? For example, the Queen Mother, is she going to leave the palace too?"
Su Peisheng was upset after hearing this. He originally thought that Zhen Huan was a smart woman, but he didn't expect her to be so stupid. He said impatiently: "I won't waste my time talking to you. Since you don't want to choose, wait for the emperor's order!" After that, he turned around and left Suiyuxuan.
Zhen Huan looked at Su Peisheng's receding back, feeling confused and helpless. She didn't know what she had done wrong and why it had become like this. She felt like a lamb lost in the palace, unable to find a way out. At this time, other concubines had already left the palace one after another, and she was the only one left in this cold palace, lonely and terrified.
After hearing Zhen Huan's plan, Youyou sneered, "Haha, so that's how it is. She wants to use me to consolidate her position! But, how can she hide this little trick from me?"
So, she said directly to the emperor: "My husband, I have a good idea. I can help Zhen Huan find a good place~"
Yinzhen looked at Youyou curiously and asked, "Oh? Tell me quickly, what is your idea?"
Youyou smiled slightly, with a sly look in her eyes: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. You know, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang are as close as sisters. Since they have such a deep relationship, why not let Zhen Huan accompany Shen Meizhuang, which can be regarded as giving her a good home. I remember that there was a concubine system in the Qin Dynasty, which was to give women as dowry to their husbands. This can not only satisfy the friendship between Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang, but also allow her to continue living in the palace. What do you think?"
After hearing this, Yinzhen's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing an appreciative smile: "Haha, good idea! I was also worried about how to deal with Zhen Huan. This way, Zhen Huan can have a place to go, and it can also reflect my generosity and benevolence, which is really killing two birds with one stone. Just do as you say, and when the time is right, I will personally issue an order to arrange this matter."