amaotonovel Chapter 181: Visiting the Queen Mother (Part 2)
Chapter 181: Visiting the Queen Mother (Part 2)
Jiang Ruyin lowered her eyes, not meeting the Queen Mother's gaze.
"It's just that the child is dependent," Jiang Ruyin said gently, but was interrupted by the Queen Mother:
"Hongxuan is at the age when he is very naughty. You have contributed a lot to his good temper. Don't be so modest."
Jiang Ruyin could only say, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, your compliments are too kind."
Stretching her body, the Queen Mother sighed, "All the beauties in the harem look smart, but the truly smart ones are usually quiet, just like you."
A hint of a smile played on the Queen Mother's lips. Jiang Ruyin's heart was pounding as she continued, "You've changed a lot since giving birth to Hongxuan. You've become quieter and calmer, and your eyes are brighter and brighter, with a gleam in them. That's the look a smart person would have, but having eyes alone is useless. If you can't make the right choices, then even a little cleverness will only hasten your own demise."
Jiang Ruyin lowered her head, her clean neck looking even whiter against the crimson-purple palace dress. On the side of her neck were red gold earrings with gold chains inlaid with South China pearls.
The Queen Mother's gaze was far-reaching, and her tone was filled with longing. "I still remember the first time you appeared before me, you only wore jade beads in your hair, no earrings, and silver bracelets on your hands. This was rare for someone of your background. I knew then that you had some thoughts about me."
"It's just a small trick. I dare not be arrogant." Jiang Ruyin stood up and bowed obediently. Unable to guess the Queen Mother's intention, she knelt slowly and said gently, "I am willing to listen to your teachings."
The Queen Mother laughed, her eyes seemed to be filled with reminiscence.
"Seeing you reminds me of the former Consort Liang. Born into the Xinzheku, she was the late emperor's favorite. The Eighth Prince she gave birth to was so beloved by the late emperor that he almost became a strong contender for the crown prince position. But times have changed, and her ambition has become too great. The Eighth Prince was demoted, and she was publicly denounced by the late emperor as a 'lowly servant from the Xinzheku.' It's clear that both her beauty and her scheming were merely a function of the emperor's preferences."
The Queen Mother suddenly reached out and lifted Jiang Ruyin's chin. Jiang Ruyin obediently raised her eyes, and her gaze met the Queen Mother's pupils, which were as dark as ink.
The Empress Dowager was old, and even after years of good care, her fingertips were inevitably dry and hard. Jiang Ruyin said sincerely, "Please give me some advice, Empress Dowager."
"You are young and beautiful, and you have given birth to the Sixth Prince. You are so much like Concubine Liang in the past. But beauty fades in the blink of an eye. When the emperor reaches his twilight years, you will also be old. You will not be able to hold the emperor's heart by then. If Hongxuan makes any mistake, what will happen to you and your son?" The empress dowager looked down at Jiang Ruyin with regret.
Jiang Ruyin looked up with a sincere expression, her eyes bright and radiant, as if she completely agreed with the Queen Mother's words.
Jiang Ruyin knew in her heart that the late emperor had many concubines and heirs in his harem, unlike the emperor. This was one reason; the emperor's ability to live to old age was another. Concubine Liang's family background was already fixed, while her own was not, leaving her with unlimited possibilities. Therefore, Jiang Ruyin disagreed with a single word the empress dowager said, yet she had to pretend to be educated.
"During the late emperor's struggle for the throne, the Eighth Prince had the support of his brothers Yin'er and Yin'e, and the support of important officials in the previous dynasty, such as Aling'a, Tong Guowei, Orondai, and Kuixu. The emperor, on the other hand, had the impartial assistance of Sichuan Governor-General Zhang Tingyu and the staunch support of Sichuan-Shaanxi Governor-General Nian Gengyao. He also had the Thirteenth Prince Yinxiang and the Sixteenth Prince Yunlu by his side. This gave him a slight advantage in the battle for the throne among the nine princes. But what about you? What do you have? What does Hongxuan have?"
The Queen Mother looked at her with pity.
Jiang Ruyin's eyes flickered but she remained silent. The favoritism in the Queen Mother's words was too obvious and it also concealed the Fourteenth Master's presence in the fight for the throne. Jiang Ruyin didn't dare to say much.
"Is it Concubine Qian who was born as a county magistrate, or Hongning who has disabilities? How can they help you and Hongxuan? Or Concubine Gong who was from the Mongolian Army's Bordered Red Banner? Haha, I can assure you that unless something unexpected happens, they will never have the possibility of promotion in their lifetime. Instead of counting on them, why don't you ask me to show you a clear way?" The empress dowager gently pulled Jiang Ruyin's hand.
Jiang Ruyin pinched her palms tightly, her eyes reddening, "Please, Queen Mother, please show me the way out."
The Queen Mother's eyes were blazing. If she had nothing to ask for, then no matter how much she said, it would be useless. Obviously, Jiang Ruyin had something to ask for, and since she had something to ask for, she would be the easiest to handle. Thinking of this, the Queen Mother changed the subject:
"I know that the Queen did many foolish things in the past and has wronged you greatly. Now she has learned the lesson she deserves, and you, too, have been blessed with great favor."
Jiang Ruyin frowned and said aggrievedly, "The Empress has long been known for her virtue, but she was simply bewildered for a moment. With the Empress Dowager's kindness and compassion guiding her, the Empress will surely come to her senses and resolve her differences with the Emperor."
The Queen Mother's face turned serious. "You are not being honest. If you are not honest, it means you still have resentment in your heart. Silly child, I am not reconciling with the Emperor, but with you."
Jiang Ruyin looked puzzled, and the Queen Mother continued earnestly, "There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. The Queen has no children, the Third Prince has no ambition, the Emperor favors Hongxuan, and I and the Queen are no exception. When it comes to vying for the throne, the Emperor and my favor are the right time; you and the Queen working together to protect Hongxuan in the harem are the right place; and the Ulanara and Uya clans supporting the front court are the right people. Do you understand my painstaking efforts?"
Jiang Ruyin opened her eyes wide, her lips moving in disbelief, "But, how could I possibly have such favorable timing, location, and people?"
The Queen Mother took Jiang Ruyin's hand with satisfaction, "I know I won't live to see that day. When the Queen returns to the palace, you will put aside all your past grudges with her and adopt Hongxuan as your son. I will leave a secret decree for Zhuxi, raising your clan name to Uya. You and the Queen will raise Hongxuan together. In that time, one will be known as the Empress Dowager Ulanara, and the other as the Holy Mother Empress Dowager Uya. Hehe, if you don't believe me, I can write this secret decree right here and now. I just hope you won't disappoint me."
Jiang Ruyin was speechless, staring into the empress dowager's eyes. She saw that her eye sockets were sunken and her protruding eyeballs were covered with bloodshot red blood. She didn't know when, the turbid dark yellow color had climbed up the empress dowager's eyeballs.
Resisting the urge to pull her hand away and run away, Jiang Ruyin swallowed her saliva and said cautiously, "Of course I believe the Queen Mother, but..."
"No buts. I know your concerns, and I promise you that if the Queen does not sincerely repent and still persists in her evil deeds, you can hand this secret decree to the Emperor and depose the Queen! You will become the Empress Dowager Uya!"