0p0 Chapter 617 Refusing to Meet the Princess
Chapter 617 Refusing to Meet the Princess
Emperor Shenwu looked at the soldiers standing like swords and said solemnly, "Every day from now on, I will lead you to defeat every attack of the grassland people and end this most magnificent war since I ascended the throne. Within two years at most, we will penetrate the grassland royal court, eliminate all foreign races, and restore order on the border. The people of Dasheng's border will no longer have to live in fear of grassland people's sudden attacks and end up with no one left alive."
The names of each of you will be engraved on the monument of history. From now on, for thousands of generations to come, our descendants will sing our praises and celebrate our war. After this battle, your names will be remembered for eternity, and your fame will live on forever!
All the soldiers cheered excitedly: "Long live His Majesty! Long live His Majesty!"
The morale of the soldiers on the border of Dasheng was high. With the Emperor Shenwu's insight into everything, they started to win one battle after another!
In the Dasheng Palace, Lan Qingwu issued an imperial decree that since Emperor Shenwu left the palace, the concubines in the harem must pay their respects to Fengqi Palace every day, and the princes, accompanied by their princesses, must also pay their respects to their stepmothers at Fengqi Palace every day.
The second prince, the seventh prince, and the seventh princess stayed in Fengqi Palace for most of the day. Lan Qingwu asked about the war situation of the previous dynasty, the defense of the imperial city, and the affairs of the six palaces every day.
In the days when Emperor Shenwu was not in the imperial city, Lan Qingwu supported the entire dynasty and harem with her weak shoulders and strong heart!
Several married princesses would pay their respects to Fengqi Palace from time to time. Except for the eldest princess, Lan Qingwu would find time to summon them.
On this day, Imperial Concubine Jiang, Imperial Concubine Wan, Imperial Concubine Liang, Imperial Concubine Han, several princes, princes' wives, and princesses were all gathered in Fengqi Palace to talk.
The first and second prince's wives were both with their children, and Concubine Jiang and the others were playing and joking with the children.
The Fifth Prince's wife looked around and found that the Crown Princess was not there, so she asked the Second Prince's wife in a low voice.
The Second Prince's wife replied softly, "The Crown Princess's son is weak, so the Queen Mother sent her back to take care of him!"
The Fifth Prince's wife nodded, thinking to herself, even if the Crown Princess gave birth to a son, what would happen? A sickly eldest son would never amount to anything, and wouldn't even be as good as her own daughter!
At this time, Furong walked in with light lotus steps. She bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the eldest princess has come to pay her respects!"
Lan Qingwu was sitting in the upper seat, watching the children playing. Imperial Concubine Jiang and Imperial Concubine Wan exchanged a glance, but remained silent. Lan Qingwu tilted her head slightly and said, "Go and tell Princess Mingzhu! I'm tired too, so I won't see her today!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!" Furong was not surprised by the result at all. She replied and fulfilled her duty.
Concubine Liang rolled her eyes and said with a sweet smile, "Your Majesty, I see that you haven't summoned Princess Mingzhu for several times in a row. Is there something wrong with her?"
Lan Qingwu smiled and said, "How could that be true? I just don't want to see Princess Mingzhu's forced face. Concubine Liang, why are you asking me that? Did someone say anything?"
Concubine Liang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are a kind-hearted woman. The eldest princess has been rejected by you several times and is very anxious. She went to the Cining Palace to cry and complain. I happened to be able to speak to the Empress Dowager, so she asked me to intercede for her! Of course, I am just asking, but I don't have the face to change the Empress Dowager's mind. I have received the letter and can report to the Empress Dowager. I always obey the orders of the Empress Dowager!"
Lan Qingwu was truly laughing now. She certainly understood Concubine Liang's predicament and knew that she was firmly on her side. "You have such a mouth! I've always loved your words. Actually, His Majesty is away on a campaign, and Princess Mingzhu and I have some disagreements. For the sake of peace, it's best if we don't meet! Otherwise, if she annoys me, I can't help but punish her. When His Majesty returns, it will be His Majesty who will be in trouble! Let Princess Mingzhu be quiet for a while! I appreciate her sincerity and her greetings!"
Concubine Liang knew that she was being asked to deliver a message to the Empress Dowager, so she said no more, "Your Majesty is concerned! Thank you for clearing up my confusion! Your Majesty, these are grapes sent as tribute from the Xisha Kingdom. Please try some!"
Lan Qingwu smiled back and called the second prince, the seventh prince and the fifth prince aside to ask about the previous dynasty's transportation of food and medicinal materials to the border. The second prince and the seventh prince answered every detail.
Inside the main hall of Fengqi Palace, there was a lively and harmonious atmosphere. However, outside the palace, the eldest princess, having been rejected once again, turned slightly pale. With red eyes, she turned around and got on the sedan chair, "Let's go to Cining Palace!"
Arriving at the Cining Palace, the eldest princess threw herself into the arms of Empress Dowager Li with tears streaming down her face. She sobbed softly, "Grandmother, my mother must still be holding a grudge against me. I go to Fengqi Palace every day to pay my respects, but I never get to see her even once! Grandmother, I know everything I did before was wrong, and it's been so long. I never expected... I never expected that my mother..."
As Empress Dowager Li grew older, she was no longer as rigid and serious as she was in her middle age. Instead, she was willing to let younger people get close to her. Princess Mingzhu was raised by Empress Dowager Li herself, so she was naturally aware of the changes in Empress Dowager Li and changed the way she got along with her accordingly. She still respected and cared about her grandmother, Empress Dowager Li.
Empress Dowager Li frowned slightly. She gently soothed Princess Mingzhu with her hand and asked in confusion, "The Queen is never so decisive! Is your mother resting?"
Princess Mingzhu raised her head from Empress Dowager Li's arms, her small face, the size of a palm, covered in tear marks. Empress Dowager Li felt distressed by her sight. "Grandmother, I heard it all. Everyone is here in Fengqi Palace: my royal brother and sister, as well as several other ladies. I just don't like me and still hold a grudge against you for something I did a few years ago! Grandmother, please take me to apologize to you! Whether it means kneeling or some other punishment, I will make you forgive me!"
"What do you mean by kneeling and saluting?"
Empress Dowager Li said displeasedly, "Let's go! Take me with you and see if the Empress is really that arrogant!"
By the time Empress Dowager Li and Princess Mingzhu arrived at Fengqi Palace, Imperial Concubine Jiang and the others had already left the palace. Imperial Concubine Jiang bowed with everyone before letting the princes, princesses, and children leave the palace. She looked at Empress Dowager Li in confusion, "Empress Dowager, what are you doing..."
Empress Dowager Li said sullenly, "Have you all come out to pay your respects?"
Imperial Concubine Jiang hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has been working very hard, managing all the affairs of the harem and caring about His Majesty's affairs on the frontier. Just now, after asking about all these matters, the Empress felt a little exhausted and returned to her bedroom to rest! Your Majesty and I have brought the younger generation out with us!"
Empress Dowager Li's expression softened slightly upon hearing this. She waved her hand and said, "Everyone, please leave!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang and several princes and princesses bowed and took their leave. Empress Dowager Li walked further in and ran into the Seventh Prince who had hurried over after hearing the news.
The Seventh Prince was still accompanying Lan Qingwu in Fengqi Palace. When he saw Empress Dowager Li, he smiled before he even spoke: "Grandmother, why did you come to Fengqi Palace instead of waiting for your grandson to come and see you?"
The Seventh Prince glanced at Princess Mingzhu and Nanny Li, and Nanny Li shook her head imperceptibly in helplessness.
Empress Dowager Li doted on the Seventh Prince the most, and her expression suddenly brightened. "Seventh Prince, are you here too? I heard your mother is very busy. I'll see if there's anything I can do to help."
The Seventh Prince had already entered the main hall with Empress Dowager Li. He helped her sit down and said, "Grandmother, now that you mention it, I do have something to ask."
Empress Dowager Li was surprised: "Oh?"
The Seventh Prince smiled and said, "Grandmother, this matter is related to my eldest sister. My mother, despite her busy schedule, has taken some time off to remember my eldest sister. When my father was still in the Imperial City, he asked about my eldest sister's health more than once. My mother took it to heart and searched for several months before finally finding a prescription to regulate her health. As long as my eldest sister takes the medicine on time and is sincere, I believe we will receive good news soon! In this way, my eldest brother-in-law will at least have a successor!"
The eldest princess's face had already darkened. Over the years, she had tried countless folk remedies, but there was no movement in her stomach. Facing the eldest prince and her in-laws, she felt a little anxious. The seventh prince touched her heart so directly. Had he forgotten why and who killed her poor child?
Empress Dowager Li was clearly pleased. She took the prescription from the Seventh Prince and examined it carefully. The Seventh Prince said, "Grandmother, can you summon the imperial physician to take another look at this prescription? This is the prescription left by the reclusive pediatrician, Dr. Zhou! Grandmother, you've been worried about the eldest princess over the years. This prescription will definitely give you peace of mind!"