0p0 Chapter 344 Only One Person
Chapter 344 Only One Person
This one person—Concubine Jiang Guifei didn't hear clearly what Jiang Yuxian said, and asked, "What did you say?"
Jiang Yuxian quickly replied: "Nothing, aunt, let's go!"
Imperial Concubine Jiang stopped talking, and her procession slowly moved towards the Lotus Pavilion.
In the Lotus Pavilion, Lan Qingwu and Emperor Shenwu were admiring the pure posture of the lotus under the pavilion, the green water, the clear lotus, and the bursts of lotus fragrance, just like the fairy Lingling.
Emperor Shenwu was holding Lan Qingwu in his arms at this time. Lan Qingwu leaned close to Emperor Shenwu's ear and said something, and Emperor Shenwu laughed out loud.
Li Xiang and Ruping were both guarding under the pavilion. Not far away, a group of palace servants all lowered their heads, not daring to lift their eyelids.
Before Concubine Jiang arrived, she had already heard Emperor Shenwu's loud laughter, and a smile with an ambiguous meaning appeared at the corner of her lips.
Jiang Yuxian was originally attracted by the scenery in the Lotus Pavilion, when the emperor's loud laughter reached her ears.
They walked forward a few more steps, and Jiang Yuxian saw that on the high Lotus Pavilion, the Empress was being held horizontally in the arms of Emperor Shenwu. The smile on the emperor's lips had not completely faded. His eyes were focused and bright, staring at the Empress in his arms. At this moment, it seemed that in the heart and eyes of this emperor, there was only the Empress!
Jiang Yuxian's eyes were heavy as she followed Concubine Jiang to the entrance of the Lotus Pavilion. The Black Feather Guards were guarding the place. Li Xiang kept an eye on all directions and listened carefully. He quickly walked up to Concubine Jiang and bowed. "Your servant greets Concubine Jiang. What are you doing..."
Imperial Concubine Jiang smiled softly: "I came to pay my respects to the Empress, but it seems I came at the wrong time."
Li Xiang hurriedly said, "Look at what you said. His Majesty and the Empress will not refuse to see you no matter when you come. Your Majesty, please come in!"
Concubine Jiang nodded and walked into the pavilion with Jiang Yuxian and the head palace maid.
Lan Qingwu had heard Ruping's report. She looked at Emperor Shenwu and signaled him to put her down. Emperor Shenwu had restrained his expression. He seemed not to notice Lan Qingwu's hint and only hugged her tighter.
Lan Qingwu blinked and was about to speak when she heard the voice of Concubine Jiang from the pavilion: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you! I pay my respects to the Empress!"
"Your Majesty! Your ...
Lan Qingwu couldn't move any further, so he gave up. However, Concubine Jiang was now closer, so she couldn't see the Emperor and Empress in the pavilion anymore.
"Noble Concubine Jiang, please stand up!"
Lan Qingwu asked, "Is there something wrong, Concubine Jiang?"
Imperial Concubine Jiang stood up and said, "I have come to inform the Empress Dowager that the Empress Dowager will be hosting a banquet for all the Grand Concubines and Grand Concubines the day after tomorrow. I wonder what the Empress Dowager's rules are?"
Lan Qingwu thought for a moment and said, "It's not right for us younger generations to ignore an elder's banquet, but there are so many people in the harem. So, the day after tomorrow, all the concubines and above, as well as the princes and princesses, can go and pay their respects. That day, Concubine Jiang and Concubine Liang will have to put in more effort in the banquet!"
This was exactly what Concubine Jiang had in mind, and it would also bring honor to Empress Dowager Li. Concubine Jiang agreed and prepared to leave.
Emperor Shenwu then said, "In a few days, I will take the princes to Qiling Mountain for hunting. Concubine Jiang, when you return, have the Second Prince practice archery more. He and Xiaoqi are only focused on studying and learning literature. This won't do!"
Concubine Jiang showed a trace of helplessness on her face: "Yes, Your Majesty, when I return, I will definitely supervise the Second Prince!"
Speaking of the Second Prince, Zhou Chengjin, Concubine Jiang couldn't help but feel a headache. This son was only partially gifted; he was talented in literature, which was indeed good, but he was completely clueless about martial arts. As a mother, she was helpless. However, the Dasheng Dynasty was known for its military prowess, especially since the Emperor Shenwu himself was a man of both wisdom and martial prowess. Naturally, he held his sons to exceptional standards. Thinking of this, Concubine Jiang felt a complex mix of emotions. This was because the Sixth Prince, the legitimate son of the Empress, was just as gifted in both wisdom and martial prowess as the Emperor Shenwu, his brilliance so dazzling that it was truly heartbreaking. No wonder His Majesty kept the Sixth Prince by his side every day, focusing on his instruction.
Jiang Yuxian listened to the conversation between Emperor Shenwu and her aunt, and couldn't help but look up slightly. However, she could only see the pavilions and towers, and could not see the figures of the emperor and the empress at all.
Jiang Yuxian felt heavy and cold in her heart. This was just like her own status and position with the people in the pavilion. They were condescending, looking down on the world, all living beings, everything, and even her, while she could only crawl on the ground in humility under the pavilion! Not even a trace of people could be seen.
After Emperor Shenwu had given his instructions to Concubine Jiang, he said, "Concubine Jiang, if you have nothing else to do, please leave!"
Concubine Jiang then took Jiang Yuxian and bowed and left.
Jiang Yuxian walked back to Baifu Pavilion in silence. It was cool and refreshing in the Lotus Pavilion, with ice basins scattered around. Jiang Yuxian only felt cool inside. But when she left the Lotus Pavilion, she broke out in a sweat on the way. Concubine Jiang was also feeling uncomfortable. When she returned to her palace, she asked the palace servants to help her wash off the sweat.
Jiang Yuxian also returned to her room, tidied up, and then went to Concubine Jiang's bedroom.
The palace maid was carefully wiping Concubine Jiang's hair. Concubine Jiang sat upright on a wooden chair. "Why don't you take a good rest? Is there something wrong?"
Jiang Yuxian hesitated for a moment, looked at the palace maid in the bedroom and said, "Aunt, my niece has something to ask."
Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Jiang looked at her niece. Jiang Yuxian had just bathed, making her look even more delicate and charming. She possessed a uniquely girlish innocence, her eyes as lively as a deer's. Imperial Concubine Jiang's heart stirred, and with a gentle wave of her hand, the palace servants filed out of the bedroom, leaving only a senior maid behind.
"What do you want to tell me?"
Jiang Yuxian noticed that her aunt's way of addressing her had changed, but she still gritted her teeth and said, "Aunt, I want to stay with you forever. I want to go back to the palace with you!"
Concubine Jiang looked at Jiang Yuxian quietly, and Jiang Yuxian did not avoid looking and looked straight at Concubine Jiang.
Concubine Jiang suddenly smiled: "Xian'er, what do you want your aunt to do? I'm afraid your aunt will disappoint you."
Jiang Yuxian's face turned pale: "Aunt, don't you want to help Xian'er?"
Imperial Concubine Jiang shook her head. "Aunt, what you're saying is that even if I recommended you to His Majesty, His Majesty wouldn't want you. His Majesty has stopped selecting candidates for many years. Why do you think that is?"
Jiang Yuxian lowered her eyes slightly: "Is it for the Queen?"
"Perhaps! His Majesty has his own considerations, and the emperor's will is unpredictable! But if a woman now breaks the palace structure of these years, do you think it's a good thing? Is it a good thing for this woman?"
Jiang Yuxian raised her head slightly: "Aunt, Xian'er will be the one to break the pattern in the palace! The Queen is high above, and she has the emperor's favor all to herself, but this is unfair to the other women in the palace! Aunt, are you willing? Do you want to continue like this?"
Imperial Concubine Jiang shook her head again. "Don't use me as a scapegoat. Whether it's fair or not is none of your business! Now I want to ask you one question: are you determined to remain in the palace with your wholehearted admiration for His Majesty?"
Jiang Yuxian said firmly: "Yes! Xian'er must stay with His Majesty!"