Chapter 406: The Concubine Who Was Buried with the Emperor VS The Ruthless and Romantic Emperor 54
In the Cining Palace, the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed as if water could drip out.

The Dowager was sitting on the phoenix couch, twisting a string of Buddhist beads in her hand. When she heard that Concubine Zhang was demoted to a concubine, she was instantly furious.

"This rebellious son, do you still have me in your eyes?"

The Queen Mother's voice trembled, "The Zhang Mansion is his mother's family, and Concubine Zhang is his cousin. How can he be so heartless?"

Although he had long known that his son was cold-hearted, he still became furious when the incident happened.

The palace maids and eunuchs were so frightened that they fell to the ground and dared not move.

The Queen Mother's face was still furious, and she angrily said to the nanny beside her: "Go, tell the Emperor to come to the Cining Palace immediately, I want to question him!"

In the imperial study, the scent of ambergris and ink interweaves with each other, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Emperor Jing was dealing with a mountain of wrinkles when he suddenly heard his mother summoning him. He knew what was going on and impatience and irritation flashed in his eyes.

He hesitated for a while and finally went over.

Emperor Jing walked into the Cining Palace. He stood tall and straight, with the hem of his dragon robe swaying rhythmically with his steps. There was a seemingly nonchalant look on his face, but there was indifference deep in his eyes.

When the Queen Mother saw Emperor Jing, she angrily questioned, "Yuan'er, Concubine Zhang is your cousin, and the Zhang family is your mother's family. How could you demote Concubine Zhang to a concubine so easily? How disappointed is your uncle?"

The corners of Emperor Jing's mouth rose slightly, as if he was smiling, but not smiling, and that smile carried a kind of cynical and romantic attitude.

He said calmly, "Mother, I am the Son of Heaven. The whole world is under my control, not to mention the affairs of the harem. That Concubine Zhang dared to instigate her father and the ministers to interfere in the affairs of my harem. This is a crime of great disrespect. I have already given her a lighter sentence based on our past relationship. Why is your mother so angry?"

The Queen Mother was so angry that she was shaking all over. She stood up suddenly, walked quickly to Emperor Jing, and stared at him intently: "You rebellious son! For that Qin Zhaorong, you completely disregarded the rules of our ancestors and made the harem a mess. Now you still treat Concubine Zhang in this way. Aren't you afraid that the ministers will be disappointed with you, and that the harem will be in chaos from now on?"

Emperor Jing raised his chin slightly, his eyes were even colder, and he said nonchalantly: "Mother, can't you see my great achievements in the court? I can keep the world peaceful and let the people live and work in peace. I just favor a woman in the harem, so what?"

"I am a romantic and free-spirited person. Qin Zhaorong has caught my eye, so I will naturally pamper her a little more. Those ministers who want to interfere with my thoughts are simply wishful thinking. Mother, you should also enjoy your old age in the Cining Palace. Why worry so much? Don't forget that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics."

When the Queen Mother heard the last sentence, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs," her face turned pale.

She seemed to have suddenly lost all her strength. She staggered back a few steps and almost fell.

The nanny beside her hurriedly reached out to help, but the empress dowager waved her hand away.

Her lips trembled slightly, and after a long while she managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Good, good that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. Yuan'er, you are now too independent and don't even take my words seriously."

The Queen Mother's voice was angry and sad, and her eyes were disappointed.

Emperor Jing bowed slightly, his expression still cold and ruthless, "Mother, I am following the ancestral system. I will handle the affairs of my harem properly, please don't worry about this matter anymore."

He is very romantic, but also very ruthless. Not to mention his mother's family, if his mother dares to continue to boss him around and interfere too much, he might do something even more outrageous.

The Queen Mother looked at Emperor Jing. How could she not know what her son was like?

She slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as if she was suppressing the surging emotions in her heart.

After a long time, she opened her eyes again, her eyes had become calm and indifferent: "Since the emperor is so determined, I will not say anything more. From now on, I will eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures in this Cining Palace, and will no longer care about worldly affairs. I just hope that the emperor will not regret his decision today."

She did not call him Yuan'er, but the emperor. This was enough to show that a gap had arisen between mother and son.

Emperor Jing naturally heard it, and also heard the warning in his mother's words.

But he didn't care. He just bowed again and turned away.

Looking at Emperor Jing's departing back, the Queen Mother sighed softly, wondering if she was really getting old.

She turned and walked towards the Buddhist temple, and said to the maid behind her: "From today on, no one will be allowed to see anyone in this Cining Palace. I want to concentrate on worshipping Buddha."

Mammy responded respectfully, looking worried.

Fengyi Palace.

The queen sat on the couch, looking melancholy and confused.

She stared blankly ahead, her thoughts a tangled mess.

Jinxuan walked in quietly, and seeing the queen's appearance, she was filled with worry.

She said softly, "Madam, you have been sitting for a long time. Would you like to drink some tea to moisten your throat?"

The queen seemed not to hear anything and was still immersed in her own thoughts.

After a long while, she slowly spoke: "Jinxuan, what do you think I should do? The harem is now turned upside down by Qin Zhaorong, and the emperor dotes on her so much, but I have no way to deal with it."

Jin Xuan pursed her lips and consoled her, "My queen, you are the master of the harem. As long as you keep calm, the harem will still have to rely on you sooner or later. Although Qin Zhaorong is favored now, she has not given birth to a child after all. Everything is still uncertain."

The Queen smiled bitterly and shook her head: "Variables? I think the situation in the harem is no longer under my control. For her, the Emperor even ruthlessly demoted Concubine Zhang to a concubine, and even had such a big dispute with the Queen Mother. If I act rashly, I'm afraid my fate will not be much better than Concubine Zhang's."

Jinxuan fell silent upon hearing this and didn't dare to speak anymore.

At this point, the court and the harem calmed down, but this calm was more like the calm before the storm.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Yu Yao is already over eight months pregnant and is almost nine months pregnant.

My body became heavier and heavier, and the discomforts of late pregnancy followed.

She frowned slightly and leaned back on the couch.

Emperor Jing sat beside her, looking at her with fondness, gently lifted her feet, placed them on his legs, and massaged her tenderly, trying to relieve her discomfort.

At this time, Lu Xi hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, it's bad. Concubine Yun fell on the road and now has unbearable abdominal pain. I'm afraid she will give birth prematurely."

When Emperor Jing heard Lu Xi's report, he frowned slightly and stopped what he was doing.

Yu Yao also sat up straight with worry and looked at Emperor Jing: "Giving birth is a big deal for a woman, Your Majesty, please go and take a look."

Concubine Yun Guipin became pregnant almost at the same time as her. Although she was approaching the ninth month, there was still some time left.

As the saying goes, seven out of ten are good and eight out of ten are bad, Yun Guipin is probably in danger.

Emperor Jing nodded slightly. Although he didn't like Concubine Yun, she was pregnant with his child.

He pondered for a moment, then instructed Lu Xi, "Quickly send the imperial physician to the Chenxiang Palace. Is the midwife ready? If not, transfer the one from the Taihe Palace first. Make sure the safety of Concubine Yun and the child is guaranteed."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Lu Xi accepted the order and then hurriedly retreated.

After Lu Xi retreated.

Emperor Jing turned his gaze to Yu Yao and patted her hand soothingly, "Don't worry, Yao'er. I'll go and see you right away. You are in a heavy body and have difficulty moving. Just stay in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and recuperate until I come back."

Although Yu Yao wanted to go over and take a look, she knew that she was unable to move around easily at the moment and would only cause more trouble if she went over.

She nodded, with worry in her eyes: "Your Majesty, please go quickly. I hope that Sister Yun Guipin and the child are safe and sound."

Emperor Jing touched her face with a smile, stood up, straightened his robe, and strode out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and headed for the Chenxiang Hall.

Fengyi Palace.

The queen was leisurely playing with the bird in the cage.

A palace maid hurried in to report: "Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Yun fell on the road and is now suffering from severe abdominal pain. I'm afraid she will give birth prematurely."

When the queen heard this, her heart moved and a barely perceptible smile flashed across her eyes.

She raised her eyes slightly, a trace of calculation flashed in her eyes, and she whispered to Nanny Qin beside her: "Mammy, have you dealt with everything?"

Nanny Qin came closer and bowed, saying, "Don't worry, Madam. Everything has been properly handled and no one will find out. The maidservant next to Concubine Yun Gui has been bribed by us, and we have drugged her daily diet as instructed."

"This medicine is extremely secret. There won't be any obvious symptoms on weekdays, but over time, it will make the fetus extremely weak in the womb. Now that she has fallen, it's even worse. The child will definitely not be born. Even if she is born, it will be a sickly child and will not pose a threat to the queen."

The queen nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on her face.

She straightened her clothes and hurried to the Chenxiang Palace with the palace maids.

As the queen, she had to be present when the concubine gave birth. When the concubines in the harem heard that Concubine Yun Gui had given birth prematurely, they all rushed to the Chenxiang Palace one after another.

Some hoped that Concubine Yun would be killed and two lives would be lost, while others were just waiting to see the good show.

When Emperor Jing rushed to the Chenxiang Palace, several concubines had gathered outside the palace, waiting anxiously. They were either standing or sitting, with varying degrees of worry on their faces.

Seeing Emperor Jing coming, everyone stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, long live the emperor."

Emperor Jing waved his hand irritably: "Everyone, get up."

After he finished speaking, he quickly walked towards the door of the delivery room. The door was closed, but Yun Guipin's screams of pain could be heard one after another.

The listeners' hearts trembled and the atmosphere became extremely solemn.

Emperor Jing frowned, and his eyes swept across everyone, finally landing on the queen, and asked: "Queen, how is Concubine Yun Gui?"

The Queen took a step forward, bowed gently, and said with a hint of sadness in her tone: "Your Majesty, I have just arrived as well, and I don't know the specific situation yet. I only know that Concubine Yun Gui gave birth prematurely and her condition is critical."

Emperor Jing frowned even more. He turned to Lu Xi and said, "Go and ask the imperial physician immediately what is the situation of Concubine Yun and her son?"

Soon, Doctor Zhang came running over, sweating profusely, and knelt before Emperor Jing, saying in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, Concubine Yun Gui is having a difficult delivery, the fetus is in an abnormal position, and the Concubine is weak, so the situation is very critical. We are doing our best to save her, but..."

"But what?" Emperor Jing's voice suddenly rose, interrupting the imperial physician.

The imperial physician shuddered and continued, "But I'm afraid that both mother and child will be in danger. Your Majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing's face turned pale, and he could not hide his anger: "Nonsense, of course I want to protect the prince!"

The duty of a concubine is to give birth to an heir for him. Is it necessary to ask such a question?

As soon as Emperor Jingdi said this, the imperial physician kowtowed and said, "Yes, we will do our best to protect the prince."

After saying that, he hurried back to the delivery room.

The concubines present were not surprised by the emperor's decision, but they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.

The queen looked calm and said nothing.

In the delivery room, Yun Guipin's screams were heard continuously, and as basins of blood were brought out, the smell of blood filled the air.

Her strength gradually faded and her voice became weaker.

Finally, the screaming stopped and a faint baby cry was heard.

Everyone present knew that the baby was born and did not wait for the midwife to take the baby out.

A burst of sad crying was heard in the delivery room.

The concubines present at the scene felt a pang of fear in their hearts and looked at each other, knowing that Concubine Yun might not survive.

At this time, the midwife came out holding the prince. The prince was wrapped in bright yellow brocade. His small body looked particularly thin, his face was blue with purple, and his breath was very weak.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Yun gave birth to a prince."

The midwife looked frightened and spoke with her head trembling.

Emperor Jing hurried forward and looked at the skinny and weak prince in the cradle, who looked like he would die at any time. He felt extremely sad.

This is his first son. Even though he is not born to his beloved woman, he is still his child.

Seeing the child like this, I naturally felt bad.

He reached out and gently touched the prince's little face. The cold and fragile touch made his brows even more furrowed.

The queen stepped forward and glanced at the prince, a barely perceptible smile flashing across her eyes.

This child looks difficult to raise. Even if he is the eldest son, what can he do? He is just a name in vain.

Emperor Jing looked at the midwife and asked, "How is Concubine Yun Gui?"

The midwife knelt down, bowed her head and replied, "Your Majesty, Concubine Yun Gui has passed away."

Emperor Jing frowned, and after a moment's silence, he said, "Pass on my decree that Concubine Yun be promoted to Concubine Yun, and buried properly according to the etiquette. In addition, thoroughly investigate Concubine Yun's premature birth."

Concubine Yun had always been in good health and had no problems during her pregnancy. She was safe and sound for more than eight months. How could she suddenly have a premature birth or a difficult labor?

He doesn't believe that there is no secret in it.

Lu Xi accepted the order respectfully.

Upon hearing this, all the concubines present looked nervous, fearing that they would be framed.

The queen's face tightened, fearing that her conspiracy would be discovered. Although she was panicking in her heart, her expression remained calm.

Afterwards, Emperor Jing glanced at the concubines, thinking about who would be suitable to raise the prince.

The concubines present had different expressions. If it was a healthy prince, they would definitely compete to raise him.

But the prince looked so sickly that it was unknown whether he could be raised, so he became a hot potato.

Emperor Jing's gaze finally fell on Concubine Zhen, thinking that she had a gentle personality and was a good candidate for the position of concubine.

"Empress Zhen, the prince is weak. I am entrusting him to you for raising. You must take good care of him."

When Zhenfei heard this, she looked a little embarrassed.

This prince is so sickly and weak that it would be extremely difficult to raise him.

But she thought that he was a prince after all. If she could raise him carefully, she would be spared the pain of being buried alive with the emperor when he passed away in the future.

Thinking of this, Concubine Zhen knelt down and saluted, saying, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best to take good care of the prince."

When the other concubines heard this, some of them secretly felt lucky that they did not have to deal with this trouble.

Some were jealous of Zhenfei for getting this opportunity, even though it seemed like a hot potato.

Although the Queen was dissatisfied with the Emperor's decision to give the Prince to Concubine Zhen to raise, she didn't have time to care about it at the moment.

She was only worried about Concubine Yun's death during childbirth, and whether the Emperor would find out that it was her fault.

Emperor Jing took one look at the sick prince in the cradle with an irritated look on his face.

He glanced at the concubines present and became even more unhappy, so he waved his hand irritably and said, "Go away."

The concubines dared not say anything more and bowed and left.

Emperor Jing left the Chenxiang Palace and returned to the Taihe Palace.

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Yu Yao was sitting on the couch, holding her belly, reading a storybook out of boredom.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps outside. She looked up and saw the Dog Emperor walking in with a gloomy face.

Yu Yao instantly guessed that Concubine Yun was in a bad condition, so she quickly put down the script and stood up to greet him: "What's wrong with the emperor? Why does he look so bad? But what happened to Concubine Yun?"

Emperor Jing quickly stepped forward to support her. Although he looked tired and irritated, he looked helpless and doting when he looked at her. "It's nothing. Concubine Yun gave birth to a prince, but the prince's birth was not healthy."

He did not mention the fact that Concubine Yun died of complications during childbirth, and he also asked everyone around him to keep their mouths shut and not let the news of Concubine Yun's death during childbirth reach Yao'er's ears.

I’m afraid she’ll be scared when she hears this news.

Yao'er is about to give birth, so there can't be any mistakes.

Yu Yao frowned slightly. Although she was confused, she stopped asking when she saw that the Dog Emperor didn't want to say more.

She touched her round belly and said softly, "Your Majesty, the imperial physicians are very skilled. With their careful care, the prince will surely grow up healthily. Your Majesty does not need to worry too much."

Emperor Jing smiled faintly and said nothing. He just helped her sit down and started talking about other things.