Concubine's true colors

Chapter 163 Concubine Chen
The triumphant return of the royal king and the grand celebration banquet is a big event in the former court and the harem, so although the palace banquet is held in September, it has already been arranged early.

The Great Zhou Dynasty was established for more than [-] years. The founding emperor of the Zhou family chose Changping as the capital of the country. After hundreds of years of renovation and expansion, the Great Zhou Palace is magnificent and majestic, revealing the domineering aura of a century-old country.

And located in the imperial city, the harem where the concubines live is even more carved and beautifully laid out, with rare treasures from all over the world, exclusively for the emperor's wives and concubines.

There is an old saying that there are three thousand beauties in the harem. It can be seen that as an emperor, one person can have countless beauties. The wives and concubines are like clouds, so naturally they must be divided into ranks, and they must be respected and orderly. In the slightest, it will end up in the end.

The harem of the Great Zhou Dynasty has been regulated since the generation of the founding emperor and the ancestors.

Set one empress, the fourth concubine is in charge of the harem, and below that is the concubine and the concubine, and then it is the turn of the beauties and Yingren, and the last one is the seventh-rank maid, and except for the empress and the fourth concubine Except for one person, there is no limit to the number of other ranks.

Needless to say, the empress is the emperor's first wife, who lives in the East Palace and is the mother of the whole country. She is also the most honorable woman in the whole country.

The fourth concubine under the empress is in the second rank, and at the same time has the right to assist the harem. It can be said that she is the concubine with the highest status and the most right to speak in the harem and outside the empress.

The positions of the four concubines are titled with the four characters of virtuous and virtuous respectively. Among them, the virtuous concubine is the head of the four concubines, and they can move to live in the West Palace.

The subsequent three concubines of Liang Shude belonged to the same level, and there was no distinction between them.

Generally, those who can survive to the position of fourth concubine do not rely on the favor of the Emperor Ming. Their own virtues, their seniority in the palace, and the birth of the emperor's heirs are all comprehensive, and they are indispensable. Jin named the fourth concubine.

And the fifth prince Prince Rui's biological mother, Chen Shi, is the concubine who is ranked as the fourth concubine among thousands of concubines, and now lives in Yanqing Palace.

Because she had two princes and a princess, she entered the palace earlier, and was dignified and benevolent, so she was respected by Emperor Ming, her position in the harem was stable, and she had the right to assist the harem.

Now it is August, even in the morning, the weather is not cool at all, but the Yanqing Palace is already a busy scene, the maids and eunuchs are holding various silks and satins, snacks and dishes, and they can’t stop. Send it to the main hall in the palace.

And Mrs. Gu, who entered the palace early because she was summoned by Concubine Liang, saw this busy scene when she came to Yanqing Palace.

Avoiding the busy maids, Mrs. Gu was led into the main hall by the eunuchs with a smile on her face, and then she saw the good concubine Chen who was busy in the hall.

After taking a few steps forward affectionately, Mrs. Gu held Concubine Liang's hand, and then said in a blessing manner:

"The concubine pays her respects to the concubine Liang, best wishes to the empress."

Concubine Liang, who was lowering her head to choose fabrics, was taken aback by Mrs. Gu's sudden grip. When she saw who was coming, a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

"Little sister, please get up quickly. There are not so many rules when you come to my sister's place. What's more, I have to ask you to enter the palace today, and I have to trouble my sister to help me prepare the palace banquet. It seems that the palace is bothering you."

Concubine Liang is in the middle of her life, but because women in the palace are always good at taking care of herself, she is now in her thirties, but she looks like she is only in her early thirties.

As for her appearance, although her youth has passed away, her youth still remains. Xiangping is the most outstanding among all the princesses, and it is obvious that she has inherited the beauty of Concubine Liang.

The mother and daughter are [-]% similar, but because Concubine Liang is getting older, she has added a calmness and dignity, which is the precipitation of the years, and it is also something that Xiangping does not have.

Although Concubine Liang is one of the four concubines, she dresses in a very elegant and dignified manner, and does not wear cumbersome and extravagant pearl hairpins on her head. Every gesture of her whole person gives people an easy-going and humble feeling, which makes people feel happy instantly. Good impression, and willing to be close to her.

The two sisters chatted for a while, and the maid brought the tea. After Madam Gu took a sip of the tea, she couldn't help but praised:

"No matter how many times I've drunk this Tie Guan Yin, the one from my sister's place is the best. This is also Prince Rui's filial piety. I know you like this tea, so I prepare the best tea every year to honor my sister. You really are filial."

As a mother, it always makes her feel more happy when her child is praised than by herself.

So upon hearing this, Concubine Liang nodded with great satisfaction, and said with a satisfied smile:

"Yes, these children are very filial. Now this Yu'er also defeated Beirong and returned home triumphantly. My mother has gained a lot of glory. All of them are capable and filial good children."

When Mrs. Gu heard this, she also deeply agreed with the preaching:

"Sister is naturally blessed. Let's not talk about it, let's talk about this celebration banquet. Such a big event of national celebration, according to the list, is arranged by the empress herself, but Yuwang will do my best for you, my lord." I personally ordered you, the mother concubine, to organize the palace banquet, my sister is now compared to the empress, and you are the first to receive this honor."

But who would have thought that after hearing this, Concubine Liang's original smile immediately faded away, her brows furrowed, and she spoke in a warning tone:

"Sister, you must not talk nonsense. The empress's mother's respect for the world, how can I be used to discuss it, and I am a concubine, how can I compete with the empress? Although Yu'er is my child, the empress She is also his mother, this time the Holy Majesty allowed me to prepare a palace banquet, my Chen family must be grateful for such a kindness, but must not be complacent and arrogant, my sister must remember, lest misfortunes come out of my mouth and cause trouble."

When Mrs. Gu heard that Concubine Liang had prepared the palace banquet on behalf of the Queen, she was really happy and out of control. Now that Concubine Liang reminded her, her expression changed, knowing that her words were wrong.

Seeing that Mrs. Gu had realized her slip of the tongue, Concubine Liang shook her head kindly, and she couldn't help exhorting a few more words.

"Sister, our Chen family is all from a poor family. When my grandfather was reborn, he was only a fourth-rank official. When he came to my father, he was just a third-rank grand official with no real power. We can't compare with those noble families. My sister has been in the harem for decades. , I have always been cautious in my words and deeds, and now I have finally reached the position of the fourth concubine, and I can protect the first and second of the family, but I, the members of the Chen clan, must not act recklessly and be arrogant, otherwise let alone my palace will not be able to protect you at that time .”

Hearing this, Mrs. Gu nodded her head again and again, seeing that Concubine Liang had no intention of blaming her, she suddenly changed the topic and turned the topic to Zhou Xianyu.

"My sister has memorized what my sister said just now, but speaking of palace banquets, His Royal Highness is already 20 years old now. Didn't my sister consider setting up his marriage? Back then, His Highness Prince Rui married Compared with him, Yu Wang's marriage has been delayed for two years."

This child's marriage, no matter ancient or modern, is a major concern of the parents, so seeing Concubine Liang sighed, she said helplessly:

"Yu'er, you are also clear about this child. He is not my own son. He was raised by Bengong when he was eight years old. Naturally, I can make decisions about Xianrui's marriage, but I don't want to push Yu'er too hard. I want to respect his opinion, this child is a miserable person, he has lost his biological mother since he was a child, marriage is a lifelong event, I also hope that he can find someone he likes, so that he can get along with each other, I will feel relieved .”

Although Zhou Xianyu was not born to Concubine Liang, Concubine Liang was particularly fond of him, even compared to Zhou Xianrui, she cared more for him.

It was also because of her benevolent nature that Emperor Ming was relieved to hand over his beloved son to Concubine Liang, and Zhou Xianyu was also extremely filial to this stepmother. Although the two were not biological mother and child, their relationship was not worse than their own.

Regarding this point, Mrs. Gu is naturally very clear, but when she thought of her daughter Gu Qingge, if she couldn't marry Yu Wang, she would have to cut her hair and become a nun, she felt anxious and hurriedly said:

"This marriage is indeed a major event in a lifetime, but the person Yu Wang prefers may not really be suitable for His Highness. What's more, this kind of love and love can really last for a long time. You have to live in a down-to-earth way. The most important thing is to care for your husband and raise your children." , although Yu Wang has made great achievements in battle, he is still young after all, and my sister should take care of His Highness to make plans, lest she marry a woman with a bad temper and become a princess, which is not beautiful."

Hearing this, Concubine Liang also felt that Madam Gu's words were reasonable, thinking that when she first entered the harem, why didn't she have the idea of ​​loving each other and being a couple for a lifetime.

But after experiencing the favor, falling out of favor, regaining favor, and then step by step to today, there has never been a romantic relationship between her and Emperor Ming, and each other, but in the end, all she can get is the emperor's respect, and The honor of the position of four concubines is nothing more than that.

Therefore, if you want to marry a virtuous wife, it is best to have a good family background, and it is better to have a good family. However, Concubine Liang saw Mrs. Gu, and for no reason, she actually talked about Zhou Xianyu's marriage. She has been in the harem for so many years. Some guessed what the other party meant.

So she smiled and asked: "Your sister is right. Although I don't want to interfere with Yu'er's decision too much, I am his mother and concubine. In matters of marriage, I should check for him. My sister is like this today." I am concerned about Yu'er's marriage, but I have a girl I like, so I want to introduce it to me."

Hearing this, Mrs. Gu quickly covered her mouth and smiled.

"I know that I can't hide anything from my sister, but if the king wants to choose the princess, he doesn't need other daughters. My Ge'er was raised by the empress, and she has a deep love for His Royal Highness. If she marries into the palace of the king, she will naturally do her best. Take care of Yu Wang, Ge'er is still my sister's niece, when she becomes your daughter-in-law, we will get closer."

Madam Gu smiled happily, but Concubine Liang was speechless for a long time after listening.After she took a sip of tea, she said slowly:
"Sister, Bengong told you a long time ago that although Qingge is a good girl, Yu'er has no intention of being interested in her, and forcing the two of them together is not a good match."

When Mrs. Gu heard this, her heart felt bitter, but Gu Qingge's heart was on Zhou Xianyu, so even though she knew what Concubine Liang said was right, she still took out a piece of tissue paper from her bosom, and handed it to Zhou Xianyu with a smile. Gave it to Concubine Liang.

"Sister, I understand what you said, but our Highness is not young now, it's rare that my Ge'er is infatuated with him, why don't you make this marriage perfect, and when they get married and have children, even if they didn't Feelings will last forever."

Taking the tissue paper into her hand, Concubine Liang slowly opened it, looking at the supple face of Gu Qingge on the scroll, Concubine Liang smiled at the corner of her mouth, then sighed and said:

"Okay, since my sister has talked about this, I will not persuade you, but whether this marriage can be made or not is up to the Holy Majesty to decide. At that time, I will present Qing Ge's portrait. If the Emperor agrees If you are satisfied with this beautiful daughter-in-law, then this palace will also persuade Yu'er to accept this marriage."

(End of this chapter)