Ming Dynasty: A mere unruly commoner is rebelling against the heaven?

Chapter 267 Everyone in the harem was shocked!
Just like what others thought, Zhu Youtang was never stingy with his subordinates.

Zhu Youtang looked at them and nodded slightly: "Promote Imperial Physician Xue to the position of Right Court Judge of the Imperial Hospital, reward him with fifty strings of cash, and grant him a set of official uniforms."

"Gu Hengbo was appointed as the head maid of Jingren Palace, and was awarded 50 strings of cash, two pieces of brocade, and a box of jewels."

The rewards Zhu Youtang gave to Gu Hengbo and Imperial Physician Xue were the same as the rewards he had given to Imperial Physician Tian and Weihong before.

In a sense, it can be said that both Jingren Palace and Xianfu Palace benefited equally.

Doctor Xue breathed a sigh of relief, and finally put his mind at ease. He quickly took a few steps forward, kowtowed and expressed his gratitude.

"I thank your majesty for his grace!"

Although the Right Judge of the Imperial Medical Bureau was half a level lower than the Left Judge, at least from now on, no one in the Imperial Medical Bureau would dare to ridicule or laugh at him in person.

Gu Hengbo's eyes were red, and he silently wiped away his tears of excitement, then knelt in front of Zhu Youtang to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Gu Hengbo didn't care too much about the title of head palace maid.

Before this, she had actually been exercising the power of the head maid.

It was just that in this way, her monthly salary would increase by a few taels, and it would be more legitimate.

What really made Gu Hengbo happy was Zhu Youtang's attitude towards Chen Yuanyuan.

As long as Zhu Youtang is willing to come to Jingren Palace to see Chen Yuanyuan and is willing to spend time to coax her, it is a good thing.

Since Chen Yuanyuan is favored, the status of the palace maids in Jingren Palace will also be higher.

Li Xiangjun stood aside, grinning foolishly, watching this scene, and she felt a sense of honor and satisfaction in her heart.

Soon, the eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen brought in delicious dishes and filled the tables in the Anhe Hall.

The number of dishes was exactly thirty-two, no more, no less.

Zhu Youtang held Chen Yuanyuan's hand and stood up: "Come, have dinner with me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Chen Yuanyuan sat down next to Zhu Youtang at the table. Zhu Youtang personally served a bowl of chicken soup and fed it to Chen Yuanyuan.

Chen Yuanyuan's face was flushed, and she felt sweet in her heart as she drank the soup fed by Zhu Youtang.

At this time, Chen Yuanyuan felt hungry, her appetite increased, and she ate a lot of food.

In Jingren Palace, as Zhu Youtang's attitude changed, the originally tense and depressing atmosphere was swept away and became harmonious and beautiful.

Just as Zhu Youtang and Chen Yuanyuan were having dinner together, the news of Chen Yuanyuan's pregnancy spread throughout the harem.

In the west wing hall of the Palace of Mental Cultivation, when Zhang Wan'er heard the news, her heart suddenly shrank, her expression froze, and the teacup in her hand fell to the ground and shattered immediately.

"My Lady! Are you okay?!"

Fenyu, who was accompanying her, immediately stepped forward and asked nervously, looking over Zhang Wan'er's green hands, fearing that she might have been hurt somewhere.

Zhang Wan'er came back to her senses at this time, withdrew her hands, and calmed down: "I'm fine, clean up the floor first."

"Yes, ma'am."

Zhang Wan'er stood up and walked to the bed. There was no expression on her face, but her heart was surging.

No wonder His Majesty rejected her invitation to dine together. It turned out that it was because Concubine Ning was also pregnant with the prince, and he was in a hurry to go to Jingren Palace.

Concubine Shu touched her bulging belly and was definitely not in a good mood.

Although he had long understood that Zhu Youtang could not have only this one dragon heir in her belly.

But suddenly, when she heard that another concubine was pregnant with the emperor's heir, she still couldn't control her nervousness and panic.

Because in this way, she would no longer be the most special one in the harem.

Zhu Youtang will also spend less time and effort on her.

There is only so much imperial favor. If you have more, I will have less. No one is willing to give in.

Zhang Wan'er stroked her belly, as if she was stroking her own child, and murmured to herself: "Child, if you work hard, you will be a prince."

"Then mother will do her best to help you fight for him. After all, you are His Majesty's eldest son, aren't you?"

On the other side, inside the Yonghe Palace.

Liu Rushi, who had just sent away Wang Zhi and a group of Western Factory guards, also received the news.

Liu Rushi, who was originally nervous and extremely tired, was overjoyed after hearing the news.

"That's great! That's great! My sister is finally pregnant with a dragon heir!"

Liu Rushi was genuinely happy for Chen Yuanyuan. The eight sisters had a very good relationship and shared weal and woe.

Chen Yuanyuan was pregnant with the prince, which meant she had the emperor's favor, and it was a good thing for them.

Especially at this sensitive juncture, when the Xianfu Palace caught fire, His Majesty also sent Wang Zhi from the Western Factory to investigate them.

If there was any mistake, the eight sisters would fall into hell and there would be no recovery.

The news of Chen Yuanyuan's pregnancy was the variable that reversed the situation!

Liu Rushi's two personal maids, Bian Yujing and Ma Xianglan, also spoke excitedly.

"Yes, Concubine Ning is really trying her best. Now, Concubine Shu won't be so arrogant anymore!"

"It would be best if Concubine Shu gave birth to a princess and Concubine Ning gave birth to a prince. That would definitely make her angry to death. From now on, Concubine Shu won't be able to hold her head up when she sees Concubine Ning!"

"Yes, our Concubine Ning will definitely give birth to a prince!"

"..."

Ma Xianglan and Bian Yujing were whispering to each other and giggling sweetly.

Liu Rushi was so excited that she was restless. After pacing around the room twice, she said, "I don't know what's going on in my sister's palace now."

"How about we go visit him?" "Okay! Okay! Let's go now!"

Bian Yujing raised her hands excitedly and wanted to run outside.

But immediately, he was caught back by Ma Xianglan.

"My lady, it may not be appropriate to disturb you at Jingren Palace now."

"Ah?" Liu Rushi tilted her head slightly, a little confused.

Ma Xianglan explained: "Right now, His Majesty should be in Jingren Palace, accompanying Concubine Ning."

"Now is the time for Concubine Ning and His Majesty to improve their relationship. It would be unkind for you to interrupt them rashly."

After hearing what Ma Xianglan said, Liu Rushi reacted.

"That's true. If that's the case, let's go to Jingren Palace to congratulate them tomorrow."

In Zhongcui Palace, Dong Xiaowan and Kou Baimen also received the news.

They were also sincerely happy for Chen Yuanyuan.

"That's great! Concubine Ning is also pregnant with the heir to the throne. This is truly a great thing!"

"Should we go to Jingren Palace to celebrate? Maybe Sister Liu and the others have already gone there."

"Okay, I also want to ask Sister Chen what it feels like to be pregnant with a baby!"

Neither of them thought too much about it and were about to go out to Jingren Palace.

There were a few uninvited guests outside the door of Zhongcui Palace.

And the person standing in the front was none other than Wang Zhi, the director of the Western Factory!
"Mr. Dong, please stay. I have something to ask for your cooperation."

"what?!"

Dong Xiaowan and Kou Baimen stopped and looked at each other in surprise and confusion.

Changchun Palace.

Gu was not too surprised when he heard the news.

Chen Yuanyuan has been favored by the emperor for some time. As long as her health is normal, she will definitely conceive a royal heir.

However, as a result, the two concubines in the harem became pregnant with the emperor's heir within less than half a year.

If they were all princes, in the current situation where there is no clear queen.

The harem will never be as peaceful as it is now.

Before this, Gu had made up her mind not to get involved in the disputes in the harem.

But now it seems that the war for power has begun since she entered the gate of the Forbidden City, whether she likes it or not.

The fact that Zhang Wan'er recommended Gu to sleep with her was no secret to Chen Yuanyuan, Liu Rushi, Dong Xiaowan and others.

Now, whether in terms of geography or favor, she is already on the side of Concubine Shu.

At this moment, the vortex of power has begun to turn, and she can no longer stand idly by.

Gu sighed, sat down in front of the dressing table, drew her eyebrows and lipstick, and tidied her hair.

"Chun Ya, pack up the donkey-hide gelatin that His Majesty gave me earlier, and follow me to the Yangxin Palace to see Concubine Shu."

"Yes, my lord."

Chunya nodded, and quickly went to follow Gu's request and carefully wrapped the donkey-hide gelatin that was tributed by Dong'e Town.

Yanxi Palace.

Mona has now gotten used to wearing Ming-style Hanfu. Although it is not as convenient to move around in as wearing Hu clothing, it is still really beautiful.

Such good fabrics and such good embroidery have never been seen on the grassland before.

Over the past few days since she stumbled into the Forbidden City, she has also figured out the situation in the harem.

Before this, both Concubine Shu Chen Wan'er and Concubine Ning Chen Yuanyuan had taken the initiative to come to the Xianfu Palace to visit her.

Everyone in the harem understands Mona’s peculiarity.

One reason is that she was a concubine taken in as a special case by Zhu Youtang when he led the army in person and inspected the nine frontiers.

The second reason is that Mona is a marriage candidate for a foreign country.

As long as Zhu Youtang still needs the Oirat tribe to disturb the cattle and sheep on the grassland for the Ming Dynasty, he will definitely not be too cold to Mona.

Therefore, both Zhang Wan'er and Chen Yuanyuan tried to get close to her.

But Mona was straightforward by nature and didn't like the twists and turns in the harem. She was indifferent towards both Zhang Wan'er and Chen Yuanyuan and was unwilling to participate in the open and secret struggles between them.

At this moment, after hearing the news that Chen Yuanyuan was also pregnant, Mona patted her belly depressedly.

Mona's competitive spirit flared up again: "Damn it, two concubines are already pregnant with your majesty's children."

"You have to show some courage too. You can't let other concubines surpass you!"

Mona was angry with herself and didn't want to get involved in the situation in the harem.

As time passed, it was already night in the palace.

After staying in Jingren Palace for two hours, Zhu Youtang did not choose to stay overnight in Jingren Palace, but returned to the Yangxin Palace.

Before leaving, Zhu Youtang agreed to Chen Yuanyuan's request to visit her more often in Jingren Palace. Only then did Chen Yuanyuan reluctantly let go of Zhu Youtang's hand.

After returning to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Youtang did not go back to the main hall, but first came to the west side hall.

When he walked into the west side hall, Zhu Youtang discovered that Gu was also there.

(End of this chapter)