amaotonovel Chapter 421: Being Expelled from the Palace
Chapter 421: Being Expelled from the Palace
The Third Prince's wife did not lie, but before Lan Qingwu and Emperor Shenwu could talk about this matter, the Third Prince secretly brought Qiao'er into the palace.
In the Qianzheng Palace, the Shenwu Emperor looked at the Third Prince with a face filled with anger. "What did you say? This worthless woman, you want me to decree her to be the Prince's concubine! What gives her the right? Has she done anything meritorious? Or is she just observing mourning for your mother?"
The Third Prince originally had a sincere and passionate heart, but he gradually calmed down after being poured cold water by the Emperor Shenwu. However, the disappointment and frustration could not be hidden in his eyes. The Emperor Shenwu's disdain for his beloved woman made the Third Prince feel choked in his throat. He didn't understand, if his father could like someone, why couldn't he like him?
The Third Prince still held back and said, "Father, I was not thoughtful enough. Qiao'er is truly devoted to me, and her heart belongs entirely to me. I, too, feel for her. It is out of this deep affection that I have the courage to ask you to make the decision. Your Majesty and the Queen Mother share a deep affection for each other, and I'm sure they will understand my feelings!"
The Shenwu Emperor reached out and grabbed the teacup beside him and threw it over. It hit the Third Prince on the shoulder and landed on the ground with a clang. The water gradually soaked the Third Prince's robe. The Third Prince was startled and bowed down. The woman was stopped at the entrance of the hall and could not enter the center of the hall at all.
"Father calm down!"
Emperor Shenwu stood up and said, "Calm down! Do you still care whether I'm angry or not? How dare you compare that lowly woman with your mother? Your mother's virtues are known throughout the world, and it was only after she gave birth to three princes and princesses for Dasheng that I made her empress! I think you are extremely confused now. Do you want to favor a concubine over your wife? Or do you think I only act according to my own preferences?"
Isn't it! The Third Prince wanted to roar, but he touched the ground with his forehead, not daring to move at all. The oppressive force and absolute suppression brought to him by the Divine Martial Emperor made him dare not utter a word. His father was like a mountain pressing down on his head, making it impossible for him to breathe!
Emperor Shenwu was indeed extremely disappointed with the Third Prince. He waved his hands impatiently: "Get out of the palace with your people! If you say that again, I will make her a shameful thing forever!"
The Third Prince hit a wall and left the palace with Na Qiao'er in disgrace. Na Qiao'er did not dare to complain and followed the Third Prince out of the palace in disgrace.
But after arriving at the Third Prince's residence, Qiao'er couldn't help but clutch the Third Prince's sleeve and cry. The Third Prince was naturally very distressed and immediately rewarded Qiao'er with many gold and silver jewelry, and promised that when Qiao'er gave birth to a boy or girl, he would ask for her to be the prince's concubine.
The Third Prince's wife watched coldly. Since His Majesty and the Queen had made their positions clear, she would no longer be weak. As for the Third Prince, she had already given up on him.
At this time, in Lan Qingwu's Fengqi Palace, Imperial Concubine Jiang and Imperial Concubine Liang came together. After paying her respects, Imperial Concubine Liang sat on a seat in the hall. "I feel so sorry for the Third Prince's wife. A prince's wife is not as good as a concubine! The Third Prince is blind!"
Concubine Liang had spent her years in the palace without seeking the emperor's favor. Her position was high enough, her treatment steadily increasing, and she lived a carefree and carefree life. Concubine Liang was also quite clever, constantly leaning on Lan Qingwu. Her mother's family was influential in the previous dynasty, making her life even better than some concubines with princes. She had figured things out long ago and had always treated the Seventh Prince and the Seventh Princess with kindness (the Sixth Prince was with Emperor Shenwu, out of Concubine Liang's reach). She had truly developed a genuine affection for the two children. Lan Qingwu gradually began to trust Concubine Liang more, as well as Concubine Han, who had recently been bestowed with new titles. Concubine Wan, after all, had the eldest prince, and Lan Qingwu had never relinquished power to her. Some things were better left unfinished, and she wouldn't resort to such drastic measures just to appear magnanimous. Concubine Jiang, on the other hand, had to be employed. Fortunately, aside from the Jiang Yuxian incident, Concubine Jiang had shown no selfish motives. As Emperor Shenwu had said, Concubine Jiang was impartial, and so was her Second Prince.
Imperial Concubine Jiang shook her head and sighed, "Princess Liang, you're still so blunt. Your Majesty, I'm here to ask about your plans for the Spring Banquet. I believe your Majesty and I should both take this seriously, so I've come to ask for your guidance."
Lan Qingwu nodded and explained everything.
Concubine Jiang was also a little hesitant. The Empress's illness was no longer serious, so why not just take full control of the palace power? In her impression, Lan Qingwu never attached importance to power. Although he did not give it up completely, it seemed that in Lan Qingwu's cognition, those were not the most important things.
Several people talked about the low-ranking concubines again. Lan Qingwu single-handedly improved the treatment of the low-ranking concubines. The Da Sheng Dynasty was a rich and powerful country, so it was not possible that the concubines in the palace were inferior to some palace maids. Emperor Shenwu was not short of some money, so Lan Qingwu took the initiative to improve their treatment.
Seeing that some concubines were able to leave the palace and be with their sons and daughters, Concubine Jiang also had a secret hope in her heart. If everything went smoothly, then one day in the future, she would have someone to rely on when she was old. Concubine Jiang was sincerely grateful to Lan Qingwu for this. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did the Queen think so at the time?"
Lan Qingwu was not surprised that Concubine Jiang would ask this. "Since I am the master of the six palaces, I cannot just hold the power of the six palaces. I must also be responsible for the people in the six palaces and ensure that they have a place to rely on in life and a place to take care of in their old age!"
Concubine Liang was naturally full of admiration. She had never seen anyone with such a temperament. No matter whether she was a noble lady from a noble family or a daughter of a general, if anyone was in Lan Qingwu's position, they would not think of acting in such a way. In Concubine Liang's heart, Lan Qingwu was the one and only queen!
On the second day of the second lunar month, the Dragon raises its head. After February, everything revives, and spring blossoms. Lan Qingwu held a Spring Festival Banquet in February. Young ladies from various aristocratic families were summoned to the palace to attend. For some of the aristocratic families and marquisates, this was a momentous event, crucial to the family's prosperity and decline for centuries. Emperor Shenwu valued his legitimate son, and the civil and military officials of the previous dynasty had witnessed this. How could they miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Sixth Prince was a guaranteed choice for Crown Prince. Even if a concubine was chosen, it would bring honor to the entire family.
Since it was a matter concerning the marriage of the Sixth Prince, Lan Qingwu took it very seriously. Concubine Liang and the others also discussed it with great interest. However, the Sixth Prince himself was obviously not that interested. He left the banquet after only a short while, accompanied by his study companions and several members of the royal family.
Lan Qingwu cooled down a bit after seeing this. She herself had thought of two or three good candidates, but unfortunately this matter concerned the country's foundation, so in the end it would depend on the opinions of her son and husband.