On the day of the return of the holy car, the gates of the imperial city were opened early.

Pure water splashed on the ground, loess mat road, the people knelt to welcome the Son of Heaven into the city, and the mountains shouted long live.

The inside and outside of the palace have been completely renewed. The red lanterns hung high decorate the joy of the triumph of the Son of Heaven. The flowers in the eyes show the arrival of the prosperous era, and the whole imperial city exudes vitality.

Zhuang Xianchen reflected the eyes of everyone, and directly entered the sacrificial hall, revealing the good news of seizing Zhongnan and expanding the territory to his ancestors.

Cen Mu Ning led the harem concubines to wait here, until the emperor showed his ancestors and stepped out of the main hall, she could greet him and say: "The concubines welcome the emperor's triumphant return, and have prepared a feast, and please ask the emperor to move." ”

Looking at the queen's slightly emaciated face, Zhuang Yanchen knew that she must have had a hard time these days. "The queen has a heart."

Looking around at the concubines, Zhuang Chenchen could clearly feel the coldness in the palace. "It's hard for you these days."

"The emperor can return safely, smash Zhongnan in one fell swoop, and expand the territory, which is really a great achievement. The concubine is equivalent to the palace looking forward to the return of the emperor, and now that her wish has been fulfilled, how can she be embarrassed if she is overjoyed. It's the queen's mother, who has been in charge of all the things in the harem these days, and thinks about the emperor, and cares for the sisters, and works hard. The emperor wants to accompany his mother. Liao Rongyu was in tears, and every word was said with enthusiasm and eagerness, which was moving.

Zhuang Chenchen frowned slightly, glanced at her abdomen, and couldn't help but wonder.

"After the emperor left, good news came from Jinlai Palace. Concubine Liao is pregnant. It's been four months now. Cen Muning hurriedly explained.

"Very good." Zhuang Yanchen smiled gently, and took the opportunity to hold the queen's hand: "Accompany me to change clothes first, and then go to the family banquet It's not too late." Go and wait first, and do not have to wait. ”

"Congratulations to the emperor and the queen." Yang Yunbi only crossed Liao Concubine at this time and saluted the emperor and queen. The light at the end of her eyes crossed Liao Rongyu's face, and the corners of her lips rose slightly.

Liao Rongyu bowed, got up and met Concubine Shangmin's gaze, and couldn't help but feel tight. "Why does Concubine Min look at her concubine like this? Do you seem to have some kind of grievances? ”

"That's a mistake." Yang Yunbi hooked the corners of her lips unhurriedly, turned around with the handmaid's hand, and then said in a melodious tone: "The emperor cares about the most, naturally, is the queen's mother." Even if Concubine Liao is anxious to tell the emperor the good news that she is pregnant, you don't have to rush at this time. Sometimes, being too clever isn't necessarily a good thing. Even if it's for the sake of whiskers, you don't have to be so diligent. ”

"Whiskers and horses?" Liao Rongyu's face was innocent, and her eyes flashed with grievances: "Did Concubine Min misunderstand." The concubine was so anxious because she had been thinking about the emperor for a long time, so she couldn't help but want to say a word to the emperor. But after all, the identity is here, and the queen has always favored the concubines, and the concubines speak for the concubines, why did they become a slap on the horse? In the end, Concubine Min, do you mind if I speak before you, or am I not doing a good job. Anyone with a discerning eye can see it, so I don't need you to remind me here. ”

"Alright, alright." Xin Wei was a little impulsive when she heard these two people talking, and hurriedly came to play a round: "The emperor's triumphant return is such a thing to celebrate." The queen mother held a feast in the main hall of the Fengling Palace, and our sisters always had to dress up to attend. Concubine Min might as well go back and dress up carefully, and the concubine also has to accompany her sister back to Jinlai Hall to clean up. ”

"Yes." Yang Yunbi nodded slightly: "Xinmei is right, such a good day, fearlessly disappointing." ”

With that, she turned and left.

Liao Rongyu was angry, and his face turned red. "What do you mean by Concubine Min? In Su Ri, I was finally polite when I met her. Now that the emperor is returning to the palace, I was anxious for a while, and I said one more word in front of her, and she made a face to me like this. It also made me feel like I was pregnant, and there was no one in my eyes. Where do I mean that. ”

The more she talked, the more she felt aggrieved, and her eyes were red.

"Sister." Xin Wei held her hand and strained slightly: "On such a good day, you must not cry." Let people see it, and you should think that you can't see the emperor return in glory. That's a great sin......"

"yes." Liao Rongyu held back her tears and said aggrievedly: "On such a good day, I can't sweep the emperor's interest." Besides, the emperor's triumphant return, I have always dreamed of it. How can you not be happy for the emperor. This is also the first time since the emperor ascended the throne that he has expanded his territory to realize his wish to exterminate Zhongnan, and I am too late to be happy. ”

"Let's go, let's go back to the palace first." Xin Wei summoned someone to bring the chariot and helped Liao Rongyu to get into the car: "Sister, sit wide, wait until you get to the palace." ”

"You ride with me." Liao Rongyu asked Mo Se to pull Xin Wei: "Come up." ”

Over there, Soft Er watched these three people make such a fuss and didn't say anything. Just walked slowly with Huanpei's hand.

Huan Pei couldn't help but whisper in her ear: "Look at it like this, Concubine Min can't tolerate Concubine Liao." Both of them are people from the queen's side. The concubine and concubine Gong just returned to the palace, the situation in the harem is still unclear, but the people around the queen themselves are fighting first, how do the slaves and maids think, the days of the harem are becoming more and more interesting. ”

Soft didn't make a sound, just walked slowly with her.

"Niangniang is too, why don't you bring His Royal Highness here. When the emperor has been out of the palace for a long time, he must be worried about our Royal Highness. His Royal Highness will also call his father now, if he shouts his father and throws himself into the emperor's arms, he will be able to compare the queen's scenery to the emperor. With our Royal Highness in the eyes of the emperor, where can he take care of the rest of the concubines. I can also care more about you. ”

"Alas!" Rouer sighed and shook her head again.

"The slave is wrong?" Huan Pei was a little puzzled and couldn't help frowning.

"Of course it's wrong, and it's outrageously wrong." Ruan Er glanced back, and the minions who followed him were far behind him, and then he continued: "Concubine Mercy and Concubine Gong now have military exploits, and they are people who have experienced life and death with the emperor, so they should be looked down upon." The queen has always been gracious, needless to say with the prominence of her mother's family. The Chu family can be regarded as a peak and a turn this time, and it has added glory again. Concubine Na Min is a famous family, and her mother's family should not be underestimated. Concubine Liao is now pregnant and the daughter of an official eunuch. Look at what I have. I don't have anything at all except Zizhou. But you want me to push Zizhou out at such a time to attract attention, isn't this self-inflicted! ”

As soon as she said this, Huan Pei's face changed drastically, and her whole body trembled. "What Miss taught me is that it is the slave who is not thoughtful."

"Alas!" Soft Er sighed again: "I don't blame you. I'm blaming myself for being useless. As Zizhou's mother, she can't take care of everything for her, and she always has to bear these dangers. He is the eldest son of the emperor, but he is not the prince of the prince, and in the future, if the queen has an heir, or if Concubine Liao has a prince, it will bring him a threat. The emperor doesn't care about this kid at all......"

Speaking of this, Ruan Er was also angry: "You said that for such a long time, the emperor has not seen Zizhou, even if he came back and saw me, he didn't ask half a word." How else can I be cheeky and send the child into his arms? If he refuses to accept it with a cold face, I won't even be able to save Zizhou's face. This child is also ill-fated, when she was pregnant, she was not careless several times, and it was easy for the emperor to send her to the queen to be raised, and she was pushed to the concubine, the concubine couldn't raise it, and the queen refused to raise it, so he tossed back and forth, as if he had something to see. Although it is staying with me now, it is not a long-term solution after all. Alas......"

"It's all slaves and maids who are not good, and the good ones make the young lady unhappy." Huan Pei bit his lip, and his tone was slightly cold: "The slave just wanted to help the young lady so that His Royal Highness could get the favor of his father, but he didn't expect that there were so many swords, guns, swords, and halberds behind this, miss, don't take it to heart." ”

"Huanpei." Joor suddenly stopped, grabbing her wrist.

"Miss, what are you ......" Huanpei's body trembled, as if he was a little scared.

"All these days, I've been wondering what else I can do to gain grace. can soar, can win a piece of the world for his son. But I thought about it, and there was nothing I could do, until just now, no, until now, when you said this in front of me, I suddenly thought of it. Her eyes looked at Huanpei cautiously, as if they were about to peel off a layer of her skin.

Huanpei became more and more frightened, and he didn't even dare to look her eyes. "Miss, you've hurt me."

Instead of letting go, Joor took her wrist with both hands. "You look at me."

Huanpei bit her lip and looked at her, but didn't dare to make a sound for a long time.

"The only person I can trust is you. If you can be favored and favored by the emperor, maybe there will be a chance for our mother and son to rise to the top. Ruan Er frowned slightly: "Huanpei, for me and Zizhou, are you willing to serve the emperor?" ”

"Miss, what are you talking about?" Huanpei's face flushed, and even his breathing became short. "The slave just wants to serve you and Your Highness well, and I don't dare to think about anything else."

"Actually, if you don't say it, I know it." Rouer gasped: "You already have someone you like." At the beginning, the queen said that you have more potential to serve the emperor than me, and said that your mother's family was originally an official eunuch, and unfortunately suffered to make you who you are today. If you tell me everything you say, I will understand that you have a heart and do not want to do so. ”

"Miss, don't talk about it......" Huanpei's eyes reddened slightly: "That's all in the past." The slave just wants to serve the young lady and His Royal Highness well......"

"Don't worry, I will find an opportunity to dedicate you to the emperor, and I will also fulfill your wish to like that person. It's just that don't expect too much at the moment, it could be a long process. Ruan Er pursed her lips slightly: "Don't worry, as long as I am good, I will not treat you badly." ”

"......" Huanpei moved her lips, not knowing what her idea was, but the whole person was very uneasy. At first, when the queen mentioned her, she also fantasized about becoming the master of the harem who wore gold and silver. But after a long time, after seeing the situation and difficulties of Concubine Ying, she was deterred. Not only did he not dare to move such thoughts, but he didn't even have the courage to look at the emperor more. She felt that she would be safe and secure all her life, and when she could live to be able to leave the palace, it would be best to have some money for the elderly.

"Don't be afraid. This is not the right time for this to happen, we have to think long-term. Ruan finally let go of her hand and said quietly: "Let's go, let's go back to the palace first." The emperor always has to stay with the queen for a while. ”

In the Fengling Palace, Cen Muning prepared the fragrant soup for bathing early in the morning. Liang Bao also took the dragon robe and sent it over.

Zhuang Chenchen walked into the dense bath, and the warm and comfortable water temperature made him feel extremely relaxed.

"Your Majesty, wait a minute, let Helian come over and take a look." Cen Mu Ning saw that he had many new injuries on his body, and couldn't help but worry: "If some injuries are not properly treated, I am afraid that they will leave a lesion and become an old problem." ”

"It's fine." Zhuang Chenchen turned around and took her hand and dragged it into the water: "Bathe with me." ”

Cen Mu leaned towards the bath, and his eyes widened in shock. But at the moment of falling into the water, he was supported by his sturdy mantis arm. Slowly drop into the water. "The Emperor's ......"

Zhuang Chenchen hugged her and rubbed her in his arms. "I haven't seen you in four months, don't you want to die?"

"The concubines are very envious of the concubines and concubines." Cen Muning frowned slightly: "They can accompany the emperor to go into danger, they can work hard with the emperor, no matter what the situation is, they can experience it together, the concubines are really jealous and can't sleep at night." ”

"Fool." Zhuang Chenchen pinched the tip of her nose: "If it weren't for you to stabilize the situation in the palace, fortify inside and outside the imperial city, and prevent unscrupulous people from fighting in peace, how could I fight in peace." This incident was also negligent, and I didn't know that there were already people in the imperial city who had colluded with the rebels in Central and Southern China. It was Chu Rongzhi's eyes like a torch, but he fortified it more than me, so he was spared. In the end, he is also indispensable. After I am Rong, I will take back the military power of the Chu family, give him an idle position and continue to serve the court. You can rest assured. ”

"Thank you for your grace." Being able to treat the Chu family well is already a good ending.

"There is one more thing that the queen may not know." Zhuang Chenchen leaned close to her ear and said softly: "Under General Chu, there is a capable person. This man is not only good at kung fu, but also good at warfare. It was he who took the lead in climbing the steep cliff and tearing a gap in the Central and Southern Military Camp, so that I could hope to capture. Do you know who this person is? ”

Such an obvious thing, how could Cen Muning not know. The emperor is testing her to tell the truth.

On that day, the concubine secretly went out of the palace, but was found and almost killed. In a panic, he forgot the details. Cen Mu frowned and stared at Zhuang Chenchen's eyes, and said slowly: "Later, things changed, and the concubine thought about it carefully, and actually felt that he was an old man whom the concubine knew. I don't know if the person mentioned by the emperor is this person. ”

"Oh?" Zhuang Chenchen didn't accept it when she saw it, and still hoped that she could say the name.

"Chu Peiyuan." Cen Mu condensed his mind and said these three words.

Zhuang Chenchen frowned slightly and said, "I think so too. ”

"So the emperor's decision to treat the Chu family well also has something to do with him?" Cen Mooning asked directly.

"yes." Zhuang Chenchen replied unabashedly. Chu Peiyuan is still alive, which is also the reason why Chu Rongzhi is willing to contribute to the imperial court again. However, a person who has died can only be a dead person. I can turn a blind eye and let him continue to serve the court in the army, but I can't restore his former identity and give him the glory of the past. I don't think the queen will object to this. ”

"Nature." Cen Mu nodded generously: "The emperor does not need to ask the opinions of his concubines when dealing with state affairs. And no matter what decision the emperor makes, the concubines will obey it, or turn a blind eye. ”

"Yes." Zhuang Chenchen's hand gently lifted her soaked robe, and frowned: "What about the harem?" ”

Cen Muning knew that he would not treat Cang Pian badly, but this time, she did not say anything.

I have to say that in the four months of separation, Zhuang Yanchen has been thinking about her very much. He was familiar with her as if he had ended up with himself. Even if it's a look, a subtle movement.

"If you don't want to, then I ......"

"The concubine has a meritorious service, and it is really appropriate to restore the concubine. But if the emperor feels that the position of the concubine has wronged her, it is better to choose a title for her as a way to make up for it. As for the position of imperial concubine...... Concubinage is not allowed. If the emperor insists on it. The decree is that neither can the concubines. Cen Muning flicked his wrist, and the whole person sank into the pool, and he broke free from his arms. It's not too early, the concubines have to go to dress up and change clothes, and after the emperor bathes, someone will serve you to change your clothes. ”

She really didn't keep her hands, Zhuang Yanchen didn't react, how could she break free, the bathroom door was already closed.

It seems that it is unlikely that he will insist on sealing Cang Lian as the imperial concubine. With his knowledge of her, if she was unwilling, there must be a hundred ways to push Cang Pian down from that position. Wouldn't it be even more shameless when the time comes. It's better to choose a good title according to her wishes, that is.

"I'm really getting more and more proud. Now even I can't hold you. Zhuang Chenchen said this, but he wanted to conquer her even more in his heart. That kind of hard-won obedience is interesting. Just like this time, he went through hardships and dangers to exterminate Zhongnan.

In Weiyang Palace, luxury decorates the night.

Standing in front of the mirror, looking at her hair accessories, she couldn't help but sigh: "Now I can only make up like this." ”

"Mother, don't worry. Even if you dress up like this, you are the best in this harem. A treasure in the eyes of the emperor. No one can compare to you. Jing Qiao smiled from ear to ear.

"It's getting sweeter." Cang Lian glanced at her: "Do you say that the emperor will give the position of the imperial concubine of this palace?" ”

"Of course." Jingqiao nodded without hesitation: "If it weren't for you this time, how could the emperor achieve such a victory, you, but you have made the first contribution." It is said that it is the position of the imperial concubine, and the person who can live and die with the emperor and work hand in hand should sit in the position of the queen. ”

"I do." Cang Lian couldn't help but be sad: "Just because her family background is not as good as her, she is inferior." I just hope that when I will give birth to the prince, and then try to compete with her. By the way, I heard that Concubine Liao is pregnant? ”

"Yes." Jingqiao nodded: "But don't be afraid." Concubine Liao once had a miscarriage, and the emperor has always treated her lukewarmly. ”

"It's a blessing. I only served for a year or two, and I became pregnant twice. He said with pity, "If only you had given me such good luck." It's a pity that I haven't heard from this belly, and I don't know what those imperial doctors do. ”

"Mother." Jingqiao motioned for her to say no more.

"That's right." It was only then that Cang Lian came back to his senses. "To put it bluntly, I shouldn't blame the imperial doctor, the emperor doesn't allow me to have it, what can the imperial doctor do."

"That's once upon a time, too." Jingqiao smiled and made hairpins for her, and his tone was full of pride: "Now the emperor will definitely be willing." ”

"The decree has arrived—"

Liang Bao's voice suddenly sounded, making Cang Lian extremely excited.

She hurriedly got up and stepped forward with Jingqiao to receive the order.

"Concubine Rong, the slave was ordered to read the emperor's canonized decree." Liang Bao said this first, and then unfolded the holy decree: "I only govern the Qi family, and the six palaces of Maoyan celebrate together." The concubine is gentle and pure, and she is cautious and persistent. Loyal and patriotic, courteous. This time, I conquered Central and South China, and I was meritorious, and I admired the Empress Dowager's mercy, and was honored with the seal and Feng'er. Greatly. ”

"Concubine Rongxiang?" Cang Lian's head was buzzing, and some didn't quite understand these words. "You mean that the emperor canonized me as a concubine?"

"yes." Liang Bao handed the holy decree to her with both hands, and said respectfully: "The concubine Niangniang doesn't know, the canonization of concubines in this dynasty is mostly based on one word as the title, and now the emperor has given you a two-word title, which shows that the emperor's grace is vast." Hurry up and thank you. ”

Cang Lian held the holy decree and saw these four words clearly, it was really a concubine. She smiled slightly and nodded again and again: "Thank you for the emperor's grace." ”

"Then let's get ready for it. This is a congratulatory piece of jewelry from the Home Affairs Bureau. The minions also have to go to the Peiyu Hall to announce the decree. Liang Bao's smile was full of joy: "The emperor canonized Concubine Gong as Concubine Gong." ”

"Jingqiao, reward your father-in-law." Cang Lian didn't know if the smile on his face looked comfortable at this time.

But the bitterness in her heart almost swallowed her. The emperor promised not to bear her, even if the queen was there, he would not let her be wronged. But when I went to Fengling Hall to see the queen, the holy decree of the emperor and concubine became a concubine. Is this really his own mind, or is it the queen's? When everyone else is a fool, can't you see it?

The more I thought about it, the more I felt wronged, and Cang Lian held back her tears.

"Mother, get up quickly, it's cold on the ground, watch out for your knees." Jingqiao hurriedly helped her up, and his tone was full of concern. "Don't think about it, the emperor has already given you glory that others have never had, which is enough to show that in the emperor's mind, you are still the most important."

"So what?" Cang was aggrieved: "What Rongxiang concubine?" It's not just a woman who saved the emperor. What he gave was important, it was glory, but it was just a little face for him. Others don't know, don't you know that you serve this palace? This time, I risked my life to fight, but after all, it was not as important as the queen in his mind. There are scars all over your body, big and small, and there is almost no good place, but what about him? That's what he did to me. It's just that when I saw the queen, I was embarrassed like this. Jingqiao, I am unwilling, I am not convinced. I'm not going to leave it at that. ”

Cang Lian gritted her teeth and said angrily: "Dress up for the palace, those sluts want to see how good the palace is, and the palace won't let them get their wish!" ”