Work overtime

Chapter 698

The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow on the glazed tiles of the imperial palace.

It should have been a quiet and peaceful afternoon, but suddenly, gorgeous fireworks bloomed in the sky. The sudden scene shocked everyone inside and outside the palace. Everyone thought that setting off fireworks in broad daylight was a madman.

Everyone stopped at the same time, put down their work, and looked up at the sky.

"What happened? In broad daylight."

"Perhaps it was released for Concubine Ning."

“It’s really beautiful.”

Before everyone finished talking, the second and third fireworks burst into life. The originally bright and brilliant fireworks looked like falling stars under the sunlight, emitting thin white light.

Several experienced and prudent ministers outside the palace were alarmed and stood in the corridor, looking at the gorgeous fireworks with solemn expressions.

Some people were happy, "It seems that the emperor is in a very good mood today."

Some people lamented, "It's unreasonable to still be in mourning!"

Some people also said with sarcasm, "Everyone says the new emperor is wise, but I don't think so. Setting off fireworks in broad daylight to make a beauty smile is just like setting off fireworks to amuse the princes."

Some people also worried that "such extravagance and unfilial behavior would not cause criticism from the people."

In fact, ordinary people just watch it for fun and to be amazed.

The children only thought it was spectacular and novel. They looked up at the sky, scrambled to find the best viewing position, and cheered, "Look at the fireworks! What beautiful fireworks!"

An old man shook his head and said, "Who would waste such a happy event by setting off fireworks in broad daylight?"

The young man next to him explained, "It looks like it's in the direction of the Imperial Palace. I heard that the Imperial Palace is holding a ceremony to crown a concubine today. I guess they are setting it off to celebrate."

The old man was silent, "I see."

It seems that they have become accustomed to the royal family's astonishing waste.

There were also many couples standing in the yard together watching the fireworks, with deep affection in their hearts.

In the Meng Mansion, Prime Minister Meng and Madam Meng stood in the open space in front of the door. Madam Meng's eyes were filled with tears. "Such a grand ceremony must have been ordered by the Emperor, right?"

Meng Xiang raised his eyes to look at the sky and just said "hmm", as if thinking about something.

He had never expected that the emperor would make such a big show. He felt it was very strange. Various signs showed that the new emperor wanted to be a wise ruler and make great achievements, so he should not do such a sensational act that was not in accordance with etiquette and wasted the people's money.

Unless you have been bewitched by a vixen.

Jiang Yuebai's image immediately appeared in his mind. She was pregnant with twins and was named a concubine by the emperor. Even if Concubine Yi had an eldest prince, she was most likely Zhao'er's biggest competitor.

I couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Jiang Yuebai suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart and woke up from his dream.

In the dim light, she was in a trance and didn't know where she was, whether it was morning or evening. She just felt dry mouth and tongue, Hu Lichun didn't respond. She simply got up and poured herself a glass of water, climbed back into bed and fell into a deep sleep.

When Concubine Yi was being buried, Li Beichen stayed in the courtyard outside, looking at the ginkgo tree at the door. Every time he came to Jingren Palace, his cousin would wait for him here.

At this time, it is still green, but it will turn yellow in a few days. Ginkgo leaves fall on the ground like small fans. My cousin will make them into bookmarks and put them in her books. Some of them even have poems written on them.

Soon after, Yuan Diqi, the director of the Imperial Observatory, and Xia Mingxian, the new secretary appointed by the emperor, arrived together.

Unlike Concubine Lie and Concubine Xi who were buried the next day, Li Beichen ordered the Imperial Observatory to select a good place on Jinshan Mountain for Concubine Yi and then choose an auspicious day for the funeral.

The emperor's mausoleum was already under construction, and Li Beichen planned to move the imperial concubine there for burial after the mausoleum was completed.

The funeral was scheduled for August 18, seven days later. After the people from the Imperial Observatory left, the head of the Shangyi Bureau, Zhao Shanggong, and the second-in-command, Lin Shanggong, who had been waiting, arrived. Li Beichen ordered them to arrange the ritual activities in the next few days and the funeral ceremony seven days later.

The emperor personally supervised the work, which was an unprecedented treatment. Naturally, the responsible departments did not dare to be careless in the slightest.

The news of Concubine Yi's death quickly spread throughout the harem and outside the palace.

Only then did everyone understand the significance of the fireworks during the day; it was a farewell to Concubine Yi.

Originally, Zhen Fei was jealous that Jiang Yuebai had been promoted to Imperial Concubine for no reason, which was much higher than her. She was also very popular, so many people went to her place for lunch at noon. Later, she was jealous that the emperor set off fireworks in broad daylight for Jiang Yuebai.

When she learned that Concubine Yi had passed away and that the fireworks were set off for Concubine Yi, she was happy for only a moment and then felt a little melancholy.

Concubine Lie, Concubine Xi, and now Concubine Yi, all unfortunately passed away due to miscarriage.

She stroked her belly, feeling somewhat worried, and silently prayed that she and her child would be safe, and that she would give birth to a little prince for the emperor.

After Prime Minister Meng heard the news of Concubine Yi's death, he immediately sent someone to inquire about the details of Concubine Yi's illness.

Although it was said that Concubine Yi died of weakness after a miscarriage, he also found out that the emperor took Concubine Yi out of the palace for a crazy trip on the day she had her period. But he still suspected that Concubine Yi died of cold poison. The news from the palace was slow, so he waited anxiously.

To his surprise, the emperor brought Meng Zhao to visit him at the Marquis of Changping’s mansion in a sedan chair the next day after the morning court session.

The ceremony was grand and sincere, fully demonstrating the emperor's attention and trust in his most powerful minister.

The whole family of Marquis Changping was delighted by Meng Zhao's return home. Mrs. Meng was so overjoyed that she almost fell down due to her excitement.

Meng Zhao saw Chanjuan standing among a group of women in the welcoming crowd. She was dressed like a bride and saluted her stiffly. Meng Zhao felt that she was a stranger, so strange that it made her feel uncomfortable.

In just a few days, Chanjuan had become Meng Xiang's concubine, living alone in a small courtyard.

Meng Xiang's interest seemed to have turned to Chan Juan again. He stayed in Chan Juan's room for three nights out of five days. He spent the other two nights with Yao Shi and fooled around with two other beauties.

Meng Zhao talked to Mrs. Meng for a while. After the mother and daughter hugged each other and cried bitterly, they could not wait to find Chan Juan and go to her place to talk alone.

The furnishings in the room were simple, without any fancy decorations, and it did not look very pampered.

When they were in the private space, Chanjuan served tea and water to Meng Zhao as she did before. Finally, she knelt in front of Meng Zhao and tears fell down her eyes.

Meng Zhao felt sad and couldn't bear to blame Chan Juan for seducing her father for her own selfish interests. She asked Chan Juan about the cause and process of the incident and found that it was completely different from what she knew, which shocked her.

"Are you telling the truth? It wasn't you who seduced my father. It was my father who caught you and asked me about the matter between me and the emperor? My mother forced you to marry my father?"

Chanjuan cried and said, "Miss, what I said is absolutely true. I dare not hide anything. If I hide anything, I will be struck by lightning and die a miserable death."

"I don't believe it! How is this possible?" Meng Zhao felt his mind was in a mess, like a ball of knots.

Her mother hated her father's concubine the most. She finally agreed to her father marrying a concubine just to gain a reputation as a virtuous woman. She had no choice. How could she take the initiative to let her father marry a concubine?
"No. I have to go and find out."

Meng Zhao stood up, but was stopped by Chanjuan who was kneeling on the ground. "Miss, please don't go ask Madam. Madam asked me to be the Prime Minister's concubine because Yao, who was given to the Prime Minister by the Emperor, was pregnant. Besides, I am already the Prime Minister's woman. Please don't go."

Meng Zhao lowered his head and looked at Chanjuan lying on the ground. He suddenly felt very ironic and all kinds of thoughts ran through his mind.

Suddenly he came to his senses and asked, "You mean my father heard that the emperor was on guard against me when he slept and didn't hold me in his arms, and his hair turned white overnight, so he resigned from his post?"

Chanjuan lowered her eyes, tears streaming down her face, but she had to answer, "Yes."

"Why did you tell my father this??? What's your intention?" Meng Zhao asked angrily, "This is a private matter between the emperor and me. What does it have to do with you? What's your intention?"

Chanjuan knelt on the ground and cried bitterly, "Miss, I was wrong. I was wrong. It's all my fault. I didn't know it would be like this. If I knew it would be like this, I would never say it."

"What's the use of you knowing you're wrong? Are you happy that my father's hair is all white now? Are you happy that you've become my concubine as you wished?" Meng Zhao was so angry that he bent over, pulled Chanjuan up from the ground, and slapped her hard in the face.

Chan Juan was frightened by Meng Zhao's behavior and begged, "Miss, please don't be impulsive. You are pregnant. Miss, please don't do it. I will beat him myself."

Meng Zhao came back to his senses and sat down on the chair in a daze.

She didn't know who to blame. She was just sad to see her father's hair turn gray and resign from his post.

Chanjuan began to slap herself. She was filled with remorse and slapped herself very hard without any mercy.

She hated herself for revealing the secret between the young lady and the emperor in bed just to show off her intelligence and cleverness.

Now the Prime Minister blames her, the Madam blames her, the Prime Minister's other concubines isolate her and ridicule her, and even the maids in the Prime Minister's residence are taunting her, mocking her for being a sparrow dreaming of climbing up the ladder.

After an unknown amount of time, Meng Zhao came to his senses, looking gloomy. "Stop fighting. Pour me a glass of water."

Chanjuan was very excited that the young lady was willing to talk to her, "I will go and pour some water for the young lady now."

Meng Zhao had a dry mouth and drank two large glasses of water.

"Miss, do you want to drink more? How does your stomach feel? Miss, please don't get angry because of other people's mistakes." Chanjuan asked with concern.

Meng Zhao felt it for a while and found it didn't hurt. "Not bad."

"That's good." Chan Juan breathed a sigh of relief. If the young lady got into trouble because of her, it would be a big sin.

Meng Zhao thought that the time for the emperor should be about the same, "Help me to dress up."

While Chanjuan was helping Meng Zhao with his makeup, the emperor appeared at the door. He had finished talking with Prime Minister Meng.

"Will Zhao'er stay to have dinner with the two elders tonight?"

Meng Zhao was delighted to hear the emperor's tender voice and replied shyly, "Okay."

"I will return to the palace first. I will leave Xiaobao to you."

"Okay. I'll be back after dinner." Meng Zhao said happily, his eyes full of happiness.