Concubine's true colors

Chapter 170: Prince Rui Enters the Palace
On the morning of the second day of the celebration banquet, although all the courtiers gathered in the Jinhua Hall last night, drinking wine and dancing, celebrating the victory of the three armies and repelling Beirong.

But one night passed, and today's morning court had to be attended as usual, and now all the civil and military personnel of the Manchu Dynasty had arrived, but Zhou Xianrui reported his illness, and there was an uproar in the court for a while, and everyone speculated whether His Highness Prince Rui had some serious illness.

Actually, it's not that everyone doesn't expect Zhou Xianrui to be well, it's just that His Highness has never been absent since he started to participate in the government affairs.

Once Zhou Xianrui felt a bad cold and had a high fever, and insisted on going to court, but the memorial was handed over, but he couldn't hold on, and passed out on the spot.

This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened to Zhou Xianrui, so Emperor Ming couldn't help admiring, saying that the other party is the most diligent and concerned about the country among his many princes, so he bestowed the Golden Dragon Sword as a compliment.

And it was His Royal Highness Prince Rui who would come to court regardless of the weather, sick and fainting, and now he is on leave. It is no wonder that the ministers are all guessing.

There were even a few ministers who were whispering at the meeting, saying that Zhou Xianrui might have been assassinated, or he was suffering from a serious illness, and it was estimated that Zhou Xianrui might be dying.

But now, Zhou Xianrui, who is being talked about all over the court by civil and military officials, will enter the harem full of vigor and vigor, and rush to Yanqing Palace where Concubine Liang lives.

When he arrived at Yanqing Palace, after the palace servants went in to report, not long after, Concubine Liang came out to greet him in person, and asked with doubts:
"Xianrui, why are you here at this hour, don't you need to attend the morning court?"

After bowing to concubine Liang, Zhou Xianrui supported her, walked into the main hall, and replied in a deep voice:

"Today, the minister complained of illness and did not go to the court, just because he had something to ask the mother and concubine."

Concubine Liang knew Zhou Xianrui, the eldest son, very well, and he had a good temper.

Concubine Liang knew that it would not be easy for her son to leave his early court and come to see her early in the morning.

When the mother and son returned to the palace and one was stable, Concubine Liang asked:

"What is it, Xianrui, but it's okay to say, as long as the concubine mother knows, she will definitely tell you everything."

Concubine Liang had two sons and a daughter, plus Zhou Xianyu, an adopted child, she actually raised four children in total.

Among the four children, Zhou Xianrui was the one who reassured her the most. This eldest son was not only calm and prudent, but also cared for his siblings. He was also extremely filial to her mother.

So for Zhou Xianrui, Concubine Liang always tried her best to help, after all, it was the flesh that fell from her body, how could a mother not love her child.

Zhou Xianrui didn't beat around the bush when he heard the words, and asked directly:

"Mother and concubine, in fact, I came here today for the marriage gift from my seventh brother at the celebration banquet last night. I want to know why my father would suddenly choose Qingge's cousin, without warning. Then Xianyu's marriage was suddenly decided."

When she heard that Zhou Xianrui came here for this matter, Concubine Liang couldn't help frowning.

"Xianrui, in fact, your father and concubine gave you the marriage last night, and your mother and concubine did not expect it. As for your cousin Qingge being chosen, it was because your aunt begged hard, and I couldn't shirk it. The portrait was presented to the Holy Majesty, but who knew that your father thought that I fell in love with Qing Ge, and he also thought that Ge'er was a good child, so this marriage was decided by such a coincidence."

Before Zhou Xianrui came, he had already thought that the matter of this marriage had something to do with his mother and concubine.

But he originally thought that Concubine Liang had fallen in love with Gu Qingge, and that's why she proposed to recommend her in front of Emperor Ming, but he never thought that there was something about Mrs. Gu involved.

Immediately, he sighed with a headache, and said helplessly:

"Mother and concubine, you clearly know that the seventh brother has no intention of being interested in Qing Ge's cousin, even if your aunt begs hard, you shouldn't have given the portrait of your cousin to the father. If you do this, you will not be delaying Xianyu's life."

Having said that, Zhou Xianrui's voice paused, and after a long silence, he continued with a bit of bitterness:
"My mother and concubine came from a poor family, and the Chen family is too weak to take care of you and your younger brothers and sisters at all, so I had to marry Wenqing as my concubine back then. Although Wenqing is indeed virtuous and dignified, mother and concubine, you should know, The minister and her have always respected each other as guests, even though they are husband and wife, in the end, family affection is even more than affection."

After taking a sip of the tea served by the court lady just now, and seeing Concubine Liang looking at him with distressed eyes, Zhou Xianrui responded with a smile, indicating that he was fine, calmed down and said:

"I have experienced the feeling of marrying a woman who I don't love, but I didn't have a choice back then, but Xianyu is different. He holds the military power and has my help. He doesn't need to sacrifice his marriage at all." If you want to marry a woman you don't love as your concubine, even if your aunt is also from the Chen family, your concubine mother should refuse decisively, you can't evade it for a while, but now you are going to waste Xianyu's life."

In fact, as a child, talking to the biological mother like this is actually very transcendent.

However, Zhou Xianrui's character has always been like this. No matter in the previous court or in private, he has always been outspoken, directly pointing out his faults and deficiencies.

Therefore, people in the government and the opposition all said that Zhou Xianrui was the most upright and upright person. This statement was not groundless. Now that he even confessed his biological mother's faults to his face, it is conceivable that he would be even more merciless when facing others.

Concubine Liang was blamed for her negligence by her son, instead of being annoyed, a look of regret flashed across her face.

Therefore, Concubine Liang is aware of Zhou Xianrui's temper, and knows that the other party is not targeting her now, but just accusing her of doing something wrong.

In addition, Zhou Xianrui used her own marriage as an example, which also made Concubine Liang deeply feel that she seemed to have really done a huge mistake, and immediately felt in her heart that she owed Zhou Xianyu a lot.

"Xianrui, what would you say now? Your father has given you a marriage, and everything is a foregone conclusion. Although mother really shouldn't meddle in this business, but Yu'er is already twenty, and you know that he has always been estranged from women. But he is the prince, the Holy One will not let him not get married after all, since sooner or later you will marry the princess, Qing Ge is your cousin, not only knows everything, but most importantly, she is also wholeheartedly in love with Yu'er, if the two of them get married, It may not be impossible to make love for a long time."

Hearing this, Zhou Xianrui smiled helplessly.

"What the concubine mother said is true. Xianyu was abused by the concubines in the harem when he was young, so he is against women. This is clear to all officials, but the current situation is that he already has a woman he loves in his heart. Concubine mother, what do you think? Thinking, in the case of the seventh brother, he rejects all women thousands of miles away, and now it is rare to meet a woman he likes, so he must have been moved by his true feelings, and now his cousin Qingge has become his quasi-princess, so the result , do you think Xianyu can accept it?"

Originally Concubine Liang felt regretful in her heart, but she thought that Qing Ge was a good child after all, so she also felt that the other party and Zhou Xianyu were quite a good match.

But after she heard Zhou Xianrui's words, she couldn't even sit still immediately, she stood up and hurriedly asked:
"Xianrui, you said that Yu'er already has a woman he likes. Why didn't any of you children come to tell me about this? If the mother and concubine knew, it was your aunt who was begging me. Qingge's portrait, I It will not be delivered to your royal father either."

As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Liang frowned tightly, and then she didn't say much, and she was about to walk out of the hall.

Zhou Xianrui hurriedly stood up to stop her, and comforted her in a calm voice:
"I also blame Erchen for this matter. I shouldn't just be busy with government affairs and not tell you about it in time. It's just that you are in a hurry now, and what are you going to do? Now that the matter is a foregone conclusion, Erchen will come I just wanted to ask why."

But Concubine Liang pushed Zhou Xianrui's hand holding her away when she heard the words, and then said firmly:
"It's true that you didn't tell the concubine mother about the matter, but the current situation is caused by the concubine mother. Although Yu'er is not my child, he is no different from you in my eyes, so I do this Mother, even if you try your best, you must go and beg His Majesty, and hope that he can take back the marriage gift, so as not to delay Yu'er's lifelong happiness."

Seeing Concubine Liang was about to go out again as soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Xianrui stopped her again with a serious expression.

"Mother, I understand how you feel, but even if you are blaming yourself for this matter, it will not solve the problem. The emperor gave the marriage last night. If you go to ask him to let go of the marriage today, the emperor will definitely be furious." , not only the mother and concubine will be punished, I am afraid that Xianyu and even the Chen family will be affected."

Hearing that she would be punished, Concubine Liang didn't really care. After all, she had a high seniority in the harem and was already ranked as the fourth concubine. Emperor Ming was just annoyed with her. It was just a salary and confinement, and he would not treat her really well. .

But if it would affect her mother's family and Zhou Xianyu, Concubine Liang would have to be cautious, so she stopped walking, she lost her mind and hurriedly asked:
"Xianrui, then tell me what to do now. You have always had your own ideas. Regarding your seventh brother, the mother and concubine have already missed him. You must come up with a remedy."

Zhou Xianrui couldn't help nodding his head when he heard the words. In fact, before he entered the palace today, he had thought of several solutions in his mind.

Originally, he was worried that since Gu Qingge was the daughter of the Chen family, Concubine Liang would refuse to help her because she favored her mother's family.

Only now did Zhou Xianrui realize that he was the one who judged the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain. His mother and concubine were indeed a sensible person and understood righteousness.

"Mother and concubine, if you are willing to help, then it is actually not difficult to solve this matter. Since the emperor thought that you fell in love with Qing Ge, he presented the portrait to him. After a few days, you can say Cousin and Xianyu actually have different birth dates, our royal family has always attached great importance to these things, and although father and imperial concubine will blame mother and concubine for your inappropriate handling, this marriage gift will definitely be cancelled."

As soon as the words fell, Zhou Xianrui said apologetically: "However, although this method is feasible, it will only wrong you, mother concubine."

But Concubine Liang smiled indifferently at this moment, seeing that she had a good solution, she breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"This matter, speaking of it, it is indeed that I did not do things properly. If your father scolds me a few words, the marriage can be rejected. For the sake of Yu'er, the mother and concubine are willing to do it, but it is just wronged Qingge. I'm afraid Let her be happy for nothing."

Zhou Xianrui heard the words, although his expression didn't change, but boredom flashed in his eyes and he said:

"Marriage shouldn't be forced. My cousin and aunt, knowing clearly that Yu had no intention of doing so, still insisted on forcing each other. Even if the marriage was rejected, Qing Ge couldn't blame others. After all, the position of Princess Yu should not belong to Now she is just returned to the original owner."

Concubine Liang sighed approvingly, but then she couldn't help asking curiously:
"Xianrui, after talking for so long, you still haven't told my concubine, who's girl is Yu'er, that child?

Zhou Xianrui smiled, and naturally he would not hide it any longer. A soft halo flashed in his eyes, and he said softly:

"Xianyu has a good eye, and the woman he's looking for is very outstanding. It's Xiao Jinxuan, the daughter of the handsome mansion."

(End of this chapter)