0p0 Chapter 238 Ready to make a move
Chapter 238 Ready to make a move
"The concubines in the harem usually call each other sisters, but in fact they are very cold and indifferent at heart. They wish something bad would happen to the Empress soon..." Concubine Zhuang was in a period of volatile emotions and she burst into tears at any time.
There is something wrong with what she said. The high-ranking concubines really hope that the queen will fall so that they can have the possibility of ascending to the throne.
Although I may not be able to really get to the top, I should always have dreams. What if they come true?
"Sister Wei, you've been in a bad mood recently, so don't work too hard. I'll take on more of the chores in the palace. If you keep going like this, the Queen might be fine, but you'll be the first to collapse..."
While Shen Zhiyao was trying to persuade Concubine Zhuang, she winked at the Queen.
Looking at Concubine Zhuang's condition, she found that she was really suffering from postpartum depression.
"Well, Zhiyao is right. I have had less morning sickness recently, so you should rest more. Zhiyao will take care of the small matters, and I will take care of the big matters. You should adjust yourself and relax more." The queen said softly.
Concubine Zhuang nodded and wiped her tears. She knew that she was in a bad mood. Under the current circumstances, she needed to adjust herself quickly and avoid causing trouble for the Queen and Jin Shuyi.
After leaving Fengyi Palace, Shen Zhiyao ordered Qiuyue: "Spread the message to everyone in the harem that the queen is the emperor's legitimate wife. Unless someone has sufficient evidence, anyone who spreads rumors will be punished for slander!"
Qiuyue was frightened by her master's momentum, and hurriedly lowered her head and replied, "Yes. Master, rest assured, I will convey your meaning well."
Some concubines in the harem were somewhat dissatisfied after hearing this, but since it was the emperor's order for Shen Zhiyao to assist in managing the harem, no one dared to disobey openly.
Concubine Zhao couldn't sit still anymore, so she went to Renshou Palace to find the Queen Mother.
"Aunt, this is a good opportunity! Our Zhao family already has a Queen Mother, wouldn't it be nice to have a Queen?" Concubine Zhao sighed.
Although it was just a rumor, as the queen's mother-in-law, Queen Dowager Zhao was naturally the most qualified to hold the queen accountable.
Queen Mother Zhao twisted her Buddhist beads, glanced at Concubine Zhao, and said slowly, "It is an opportunity, but it also has great risks. After all, it's just a rumor, and the Queen is still pregnant. I'm just blaming others for nothing, which makes me look heartless."
Queen Mother Zhao actually had her own thoughts. She was old now and not as energetic as before. After all, the Queen was pregnant with her son's child, so she had to consider her eldest grandson.
Besides, the Concubine Zhao in front of her was still a little short-sighted. Could she really be the Queen of Zhao? Queen Mother Zhao had recently begun to think about these issues frequently.
"Ah, aunt, I really don't understand Shen Zhiyao. Is she really loyal to the queen? Wouldn't it be beneficial to everyone if the queen's position is vacant? I don't believe that she really has no ambitions!" Concubine Zhao said gritting her teeth.
"That woman comes from a military family and has great insight. She is not as simple as you think. Some of her current practices are much more sophisticated than yours. You should learn from her." Queen Mother Zhao sighed.
If Concubine Zhao had half of Shen Zhiyao's ability, she would really have the confidence that she could make this man her legitimate wife.
"Humph, it's just some shitty luck..." Concubine Zhao looked unconvinced.
"Alas, I'm old, and you have to walk the future path by yourself. But there is one thing, you have to be sensible in doing anything. You have to consider the Zhao family, and even more so the eldest prince." After the Queen Mother Zhao said this, she closed her eyes and no longer paid attention to Concubine Zhao.
After a while, Queen Mother Zhao suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Concubine Zhao, staring at her until she felt scared.
"I'll ask you again, do these recent rumors in the palace have anything to do with you?" Queen Mother Zhao stared at her with burning eyes.
"Aunt... This time it's really not me. I'm not stupid. How dare I spread these words when the Queen is pregnant?" Concubine Zhao knelt at the Queen Mother's feet and assured with lowered eyebrows.
"Well, I'm glad it's not you. If you dare to act recklessly again and really make a big mess, I will really no longer help you, and I will definitely make you suffer a great loss." Queen Mother Zhao said in a firm tone.
"Yes, aunt, I remember it, please don't worry." Concubine Zhao promised.
For the first time, Concubine Zhao felt that her aunt, who was all-powerful and strong-willed, seemed to be quietly changing.
I am not as nosy as before, and even a little afraid of things. Maybe it’s because I’m getting old…
In the next few days, the wind direction in the palace changed again and again. With Shen Zhiyao's warning, no one dared to gossip anymore.
However, the lower-ranking concubines began to become active and began to pay their respects to the higher-ranking concubines frequently.
No matter what others said, Shen Zhiyao would turn away anyone who came to Cuiweixuan to pay their respects and had nothing serious to say.
She still insisted on reporting to the Queen every day, and would stay to chat with the Queen afterwards, as usual.
The Queen also got along with Shen Zhiyao as usual, without any panic or worry at all.
On this day, after Shen Zhiyao fed the Queen some ginseng soup, the Queen rarely spoke heartfelt words to her.
"Zhiyao, I have seen everything you have done. It is really hard for you to keep things stable for me. In the harem, everyone has many ideas and each has their own way of doing things... I think that since I became the queen, I have not made any big mistakes, and I have been kind to them. Sigh..."
"Your Highness, you are pregnant, so you must not worry. It is not good for the child and it is not worth it. I always believe that the Emperor will definitely clear your name. Let's take this opportunity to carefully examine this harem and see which ones are taking advantage of the situation, which ones are truly neutral, and which ones are truly loyal. We will settle the accounts later."
Shen Zhiyao held the queen's slightly cold hand and helped to warm it. She felt pity for the queen from the bottom of her heart, for she had to suffer such a pain even when she was pregnant.
"Well, now that I have you by my side, I feel a little comforted. You are a magnanimous and steady person. I will need you by my side in the future, let's support each other." The queen said with a smile.
"Yes, we stand together and no one can touch us." Shen Zhiyao looked at the queen and smiled.
What he said was true. Regardless of their individual identities, just the families behind them, when combined, they were nobody to be trifled with.
The queen looked at Shen Zhiyao and thought: After all, she is a queen who has already established herself, and she has Shen Zhiyao's support. For the sake of her family, the child in her belly, and a stable life in the future, she must consolidate her position as queen and not let anyone shake her.
What no one expected was that the matter was brought to the court early the next morning, sparking endless disputes among officials from several parties.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." Zhou Qian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, bowed and stepped out of the line. "Recently, rumors about the Empress have been getting more and more intense. The harem is indeed short of offspring, and there are concubines who have died of illness. It is impossible that the Empress has nothing to do with it. The affairs of the harem affect the fate of the country. Your Majesty must investigate!"
"Master Zhou, what do you mean!"
Shen Zhiyao's brother, the cavalry commander Shen Xun, could not stand it any longer and stepped out to rebuke her: "You dare to speak so wildly based on just a few rumors, misleading the people and disrespecting the queen. Are you trying to put the emperor in an unjust situation?"