Chapter 683: Imperial Consort Rong [Thanks! Thanks again! 37k chapters owed]

The third day after Tingyi's wedding was also the day for returning to the maiden home.

Xingguo Lane,

Sheng family,

Noon break time,

The sun was scorching, and there was some dryness in the air.

After a burst of footsteps, Gu Tingye brought the maid Qiuniang to the school.

I don't know if it was because of the sun or because he had drunk alcohol, but Gu Tingye's face was a bit red.

Looking at the classmates in the school who were nodding and greeting, Gu Tingye smiled.

Looking at Gu Tingye's complexion, Xu Zaijing smiled: "Erlang, how is it today? Does the brother-in-law look good?"

Gu Tingye sat in his seat, let out a long breath toward Xu Zaijing, and the smell of alcohol rushed toward his face.

"I heard from the eldest sister-in-law and Yanran that the Madam of the Earl of Shoushan is enlightened and generous, and Sanniang hasn't had to stand on ceremony or suffer any harsh criticism at the Huang family these two days! It just depends on the future."

After Gu Tingye finished speaking, he beckoned to Qiuniang, who was sitting behind and had followed him to the school: "Water."

After Qiuniang answered 'Yes', she hurriedly stood up, poured a cup of warm water, held it, and walked to Gu Tingye.

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile and took the opportunity to look at Qiuniang, whose attire had changed.

After Qiuniang carried the teacup back to the wooden platform behind, Xu Zaijing gave Gu Tingye a somewhat confused look.

Gu Er Lang's face was a bit embarrassed. He pulled Xu Zaijing to stand up and walked toward the outside of the room.

On the way, Gu Tingye said in a low voice: "These two days my wife..."

After saying half a sentence, Gu Er Lang's eyes turned. He looked at Xu Zaijing and continued in a low voice: "Yanran made the decision to have Qiuniang's face opened and raised her to be a concubine."

After leaving the school, Xu Zaijing nodded and pressed his voice: "Erlang, with a concubine, you must also pay attention."

Gu Tingye was startled: "Jing Ge'er, what do I have to pay attention to?"

"The eldest son is the legitimate son, which can save a lot of trouble later. The Sixth Young Master's family is an example." Xu Zaijing said earnestly.

Gu Tingye waved his hand and said with a smile: "In the future, the title of Ningyuan Marquis will be the eldest brother's, and my lineage has no title to inherit..."

Xu Zaijing glared at Gu Tingye: "Right, you have no title! What about the dowry of the Bai clan aunt and the family property of your maternal grandfather?"

Hearing this, Gu Tingye nodded with a smile: "Fifth Young Master, what you said makes sense, I know."

After speaking, Gu Tingye patted Xu Zaijing's shoulder heavily again: "But, this step, brother I am going to walk in front of you."

"Ah?"

Looking at the blank Xu Zaijing, Gu Tingye's smile became brighter.

Xu Zaijing frowned: "No, Erlang, what do you mean by this?"

"Hehe, think for yourself." Gu Tingye said proudly.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Empress's bedroom,

The Emperor, with graying hair, walked to the door with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face, bringing Zhao Fang with him.

Stepping over the threshold into the hall,

Zhao Fang smiled, bowed, and cupped his hands in salute: "Son-in-law sees Mother Empress."

Standing beside the Empress, the six or seven-year-old little princess was also saluting, calling 'Father Emperor, Imperial Brother' with a crisp voice.

The Emperor looked at the Empress, who also bowed in salute, and exchanged a look with his son Zhao Fang with a tacit understanding.

Walking to the table and sitting down,

Zhao Fang said with a smile: "Mother Empress, what is wrong with you today? Son-in-law sees that you are a bit worried?"

The Empress nodded and said to the female official to the side: "It's time for a nap."

After Zhao Fang's own younger sister heard this, she stood up, smiled and bowed to the Emperor and Zhao Fang to say goodbye, then held the hand of the female official to the side and walked toward the back hall.

Looking at Zhao Fang, who was sitting at the table and waving goodbye to his younger sister with a smile, the Empress took a deep breath, turned to look at the Emperor and said: "Your Majesty, Imperial Consort Rong came to this concubine's hall this morning."

"Oh? With such a big month, why is she still walking around!" The Emperor said with some anger.

The Empress nodded and said in a deep voice: "Imperial Consort Rong came to this concubine's place for..."

The Emperor looked at the hesitant Empress and said: "Mm? What is her business? Empress, just say it."

"Yes, Your Majesty! Imperial Consort Rong wants to ask the medical officer of the Imperial Hospital to prescribe medicine to give birth to the child in her belly this month!"

Hearing this, both the Emperor and Zhao Fang frowned.

"Give birth this month..." Before the Emperor finished speaking, there was a look of realization in his eyes.

According to the medical officer, Imperial Consort Rong would give birth in early May.

But in the customs of the Great Zhou, May is called the 'Evil Month', and the fifth day of the month is even more of an 'Evil Day'.

There is a saying that children born on that day 'harm fathers and brothers, and girls harm mothers and sisters'.

Imperial Consort Rong was also afraid of any accidents. If the child in her belly happened to be born on that day, it would become a thorn in others' eyes.

"Your Majesty, it concerns the imperial heir, and Imperial Consort Rong is also painstaking, which is why this concubine invited Your Majesty to discuss it."

After the Empress finished speaking, she looked at the Emperor.

The Emperor pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "Good, I allow it. Empress, please take care of this matter."

The Empress stood up: "This concubine obeys the decree."

"Empress, sit down quickly! Send up all the meals quickly, both I and Fang'er are hungry."

"Yes."

The Empress nodded and signaled to the female official beside her.

When the imperial meal was placed on the table, the Great Eunuch beside the Emperor glanced at the door and walked toward the door.

A moment later, the Great Eunuch walked back to the Emperor's side and stood bowing.

The Emperor looked at the imperial meal on the table without turning his head and said: "If there is anything, just say it."

The Great Eunuch glanced at the Empress and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Madam, Your Highness, the Astronomical Bureau just sent a judgment from observing the celestial phenomena at night! Saying..."

After hesitating for a moment, the Great Eunuch did not continue.

"Don't be hesitant!"

"Yes, Your Majesty! The Astronomical Bureau judged that the wedding date of Your Highness is best to be postponed."

As soon as these words came out, both the Emperor and Empress at the table were a bit stunned.

"Postponed?"

The Great Eunuch bowed and said: "Yes, Madam! Master Su Song also helped the Astronomical Bureau to look at it, and it is the same judgment."

Zhao Fang, who was eating, was not affected at all and continued to move his chopsticks.

The Emperor nodded: "Fine! In the afternoon, let the Astronomical Bureau and Su Song go to me, I will ask carefully."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor nodded, looked at the Empress who was still in a daze, and said: "Look, Fang'er doesn't care, so don't take it to heart. Fang'er is not too old, postponing it is fine."

When the Emperor was speaking, Zhao Fang was looking at the Empress with a smile while chewing.

Actually, the Empress intended for Zhao Fang to get married this year, and she would hold a grandson next year.

Judging from this incident, the plan seems to be falling through.

Looking at Zhao Fang, who had grown up and had a sturdy figure, the Empress nodded with regret and said: "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Fang put down his chopsticks after chewing slowly, looked at the Empress, and said: "Mother Empress, son-in-law hasn't seen Jing Ge'er for quite some time."

"If Imperial Consort Rong has anything to do one day, son-in-law wants to order Jing Ge'er to enter the palace."

The Emperor, hearing this, looked at Zhao Fang with satisfaction and joy.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, nodded with a smile: "Then follow Fang'er's words."

There are many clans in the Great Zhou, but the direct bloodline of the Emperor is mostly princesses now, and there is only one male, Zhao Fang.

If the child born by Imperial Consort Rong this time is a male, then compared to others in the clan, this child is the brother closest to Zhao Fang.

A few days later,

Evening,

The sky was dark,

Jingming Street in Bianjing City,

Dongchang Marquis's Mansion, Qin family, the backyard had already hung lanterns for lighting.

Under the corridor of the backyard,

The Madam of Qin Chi Han, the heir of the Dongchang Marquis, who looked a bit haggard, was walking toward the study with the maid carrying the tray behind her.

Turning right in the corridor,

Madam Tian saw the two Qin family little servants standing under the corridor.

"This little one sees the Madam."

"Is the heir still busy in the study?"

"Returning to the Madam, yes! The heir specially gave a strict order before entering the study that unless he walks out of the study, no one can approach."

Madam Tian glanced at the study with candlelight more than ten steps away, and then looked at the food on the tray behind her, saying: "It's dark, it's time for dinner, you guys help me send this food in."

The little servant lowered his head and cupped his hands: "This little one speaks directly, Madam, please forgive me! The heir does not come out of the study, so we cannot approach either. Madam, you should take the food back."

Hearing this, Madam Tian felt a sense of loss on her face: "This..."

Looking at the little servant who bowed his head deeper, Madam Tian sighed and turned to leave.

Just after taking two steps after turning,

"Clatter!"

"Ding-dang!"

A loud noise came from the study more than ten steps away.

Madam Tian, who was walking forward, turned her head and looked at the study abruptly.

"Go, go and see quickly, did something happen to the heir!" The Madam shouted anxiously.

The two little servants under the corridor looked at each other and looked at the study hesitantly.

"Clang!"

Another burst of furniture-smashing noise came from the study.

"Go!" Madam Tian shouted again.

The two little servants hurriedly turned and walked toward the study.

Arriving at the door,

"Heir, Heir, are you okay?" One of the little servants shouted into the study.

At this time, Madam Tian also walked to the door quickly.

"Official! Official! You..."

Madam Tian hadn't finished speaking.

"Get out!"

Listening to the roar in the study, Madam Tian shivered directly, seemingly thinking of some scary thing.

"All get out!"

The angry voice came from the study again.

"Slap!"

I don't know what porcelain was smashed on the room door.

The two little servants at the door were also startled.

The two little servants turned to look at Madam Tian and said in a low voice: "Madam, let's leave quickly! You know the heir's temper."

Madam Tian nodded repeatedly.

After the group at the door walked more than ten steps quickly, Madam Tian looked back at the figure reflected on the window paper by the candlelight and said: "What happened to the official today? Did he meet someone outside who mocked his legs and feet?"

The two little servants who were asked the question lowered their heads and shook them: "Returning to the Madam, the heir did not meet any opponents today, nor did anyone speak ill."

"Mm. What happened again?" Looking back, Madam Tian sighed at the figure moving randomly on the study window and took people away from the corridor.

The next day,

The sky was bright,

Qin Chi Han had already gone to the yamen to serve.

Madam Tian, however, took people to the corridor from last night.

Far from the study, looking at the little servant carrying a bamboo basket full of broken things, the personal maid behind Madam Tian waved her hand: "Two little brothers, carry the things over."

The two little servants looked at each other and carried the bamboo basket over.

"This little one sees the Madam."

"Trouble the two little brothers, take this silver to drink wine." The personal maid beside Madam Tian held up a pouch and said.

"Thank you, Madam, but these things, this little one cannot let you take them away." The little servant bowed.

"No need to take them away, I'll just look here." Madam Tian said.

"Yes!" The two little servants bowed, took the maid's pouch with both hands, and retreated to the corridor not far away.

Wrapping her hands with a handkerchief, Madam Tian squatted down and rummaged through the bamboo basket.

The basket was mostly broken porcelain, rotten inkstones, broken brushes, torn books, and chopped bamboo curtains.

At the very bottom of the bamboo basket were a few stool legs made of good materials that were broken in half.

Looking at the things in the basket, Madam Tian sighed. Just as she was about to stand up, she saw a few pieces of paper that were different from the book paper.

Rolling these pieces of paper into a paper ball in the basket and hiding them in the handkerchief in her palm, Madam Tian then stood up.

After the little servant carried the things away, Madam Tian also walked toward her own courtyard.

Returning to her courtyard and dismissing everyone, leaving only the personal maid, Madam Tian spread the paper ball on the table.

After spreading it out, looking at the holes on it and the words written with a brush, the personal maid was confused: "Madam, is this 'Tian Si'?"

Madam Tian shook her head: "No, it's 'Si Tian'... maybe it's someone from the Astronomical Bureau who offended the official. These holes are likely traces of being shot by arrows."

"Then you ask tonight what happened?"

"No. He hates what he hates most, and likes to shoot angrily with arrows. This can be considered figured out."

Shaking her head, Madam Tian took the paper to the side, lifted the water pot on the charcoal stove, and threw the paper in.

"When I first married into this family, I might have gone to ask him! After these days... asking is looking for a beating."

As she spoke, Madam Tian touched her lower back.

Just a touch, and the Madam's face frowned in pain.

Great Zhou Imperial Palace,

Golden sunlight sprinkled on the glazed roof of the palace.

Imperial Consort Rong's bedroom,

The light was very bright.

In the hall, Imperial Consort Rong's Qiu'er Princess was not here.

Seeing Rong Feiyan sat on the embroidery stool in front of Imperial Consort Rong, holding her sister's hand tightly, shaking her head in disbelief: "Sister, you are doing this too dangerously! Although it is May, it is not necessarily the fifth day."

"You don't..."

Before she finished speaking, Imperial Consort Rong held Seeing Rong Feiyan's hand, stopping what her younger sister was about to say next.

"Yan'er, I have already reported this matter to His Majesty and the Empress, and it cannot be changed. If I wait until next month, I'm afraid of any accidents!"

"If it's another girl, and she is born on the fifth day, we won't have a place to cry!"

After Imperial Consort Rong finished speaking, she touched her big belly.

"But, Sister, that way you might... phew phew phew!" After Seeing Rong Feiyan spat, she continued to look at her sister.

"Sister, how can you still laugh!" Seeing Rong Feiyan said anxiously.

Imperial Consort Rong looked at her bright and beautiful younger sister sitting in front of her and smiled: "Yan'er, I have a premonition in my heart that this pregnancy will definitely be a boy."

Seeing Rong Feiyan took a deep breath, exchanged a look with Imperial Consort Rong, and said: "Sister, you..."

Imperial Consort Rong smiled and continued: "Although our family has married into the Dou family, looking at the Duke of Fugu's family, there are no outstanding children. Our family's foundation is always a bit thin."

As she spoke, Imperial Consort Rong touched Seeing Rong Feiyan's tender hand again and said: "Actually, at the beginning of the pregnancy, I secretly prayed and promised in my heart that if it were a boy, Yan'er, you..."

Seeing Rong Feiyan looked at Imperial Consort Rong's moving lips in surprise, but couldn't hear what Imperial Consort Rong said.

After reacting, Seeing Rong Feiyan first smiled in surprise, and a moment later the smile stopped abruptly.

"Sister, if it is an imperial prince, how can he marry into our family!?" Seeing Rong Feiyan said in a low tone, shaking her head repeatedly.

Imperial Consort Rong smiled and said: "His Majesty told me that when I am about to give birth, His Highness will invite the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family to enter the palace."

Seeing Rong Feiyan listened to her sister's words, the image of Xu Zaijing flashed in her mind, and after a slight smile, the smile dissipated, saying: "Sister, what you said, what does it have to do with what I said?"

Imperial Consort Rong looked at her younger sister and said: "How can it have nothing to do with it? Yan'er, do you know what it means for the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family to be invited into the palace by His Highness?"

Seeing Rong Feiyan shook her head.

Imperial Consort Rong smiled: "Before, when the Empress sister was about to give birth, His Highness was distressed and anxious. It was this child, the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family, who entered the palace to comfort His Highness. Speaking of which, it can be considered an auspicious omen."

After Imperial Consort Rong finished speaking, she quietly looked at Seeing Rong Feiyan, who was thinking.

"Sister, you mean to say that His Highness is hoping that you can give birth smoothly, and doesn't care whether it is a boy or a girl?"

Seeing Rong Feiyan said hesitantly, looking at Imperial Consort Rong, who was nodding in front of her, the confusion in her eyes deepened.

"Yan'er, His Highness is more than ten years older than the one in the belly! For more than ten years, His Highness has liked the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family, learned martial arts and fitness, and hasn't even sneezed a few times in so many years."

"His Highness actually doesn't mind the one in my belly at all."

Imperial Consort Rong touched her belly: "By the time this one is sensible, the Imperial Grandson might already be born."

"If other concubines in the palace no longer give birth to males, the one in your sister's belly will be the brother closest to His Highness."

"At that time, our family's foundation will be thicker, and no matter who it is in the capital, they can no longer say that our family is from a mason's background."

Seeing Rong Feiyan nodded, looked at Imperial Consort Rong before her, smiled and said: "That would be great! In the future, you can also be picked up by this boy to enjoy your old age."

Hearing this, Imperial Consort Rong touched Seeing Rong Feiyan's cheek with full love.

Late April,

According to the auspicious day calculated by the Astronomical Bureau,

Imperial Consort Rong poured the labor-inducing decoction into her mouth with a decisive look.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 684 =====