novelaction Chapter 379: Concubine Hui doesn’t want it, and Concubine Qing doesn’t want it either
Chapter 379: Concubine Hui doesn’t want it, and Concubine Qing doesn’t want it either
Ever since the Empress Dowager rebelled and the Tartars entered the capital, the palace has not been truly peaceful for several days.
The concubines were summoned by the emperor to serve the meal today, and they thought it was a post-war comfort banquet. Who would have thought that before they even started eating, the emperor would ask such a question!
Who dares to answer this?
If things go wrong, there will be suspicion of coveting the throne or forming cliques.
Everyone hesitated and kept silent, not wanting to be the first to speak out.
The emperor said, "It's just idle chat. It's unbecoming to have no empress in the palace. It doesn't matter who is nominated as empress in the court. I want to hear your opinions. After all, behind closed doors, you are the ones who have been with the new empress day and night. Whether it is good or bad, I am sure you all have your own thoughts."
Glancing around at everyone again, he pressed on, "Who's going to say this? Why, no one wants to talk to me anymore?"
Concubine Qing stood closest to the emperor.
At this time, she spoke softly, "Your Majesty, I believe that the sisters feel that this matter is of great importance and dare not make any comments lightly."
"Then tell me. Who do you think should be the new queen, suitable for both the harem and the former dynasty?"
The emperor took the opportunity to name Concubine Qing, and everyone else breathed a sigh of relief.
See, it turns out that you can’t be the first to speak, otherwise you will be the first to be conscripted!
Concubine Qing's pale complexion was a similar color to the pearl buttons on her lapels. Pearls were beautiful in their whiteness, but her pale complexion only made people worry about her increasingly frail body.
She weakly held the hand of the maid and smiled gently, "Your Majesty, I don't know what the previous dynasty was like, but speaking only of the harem, I feel that it doesn't matter who is made queen. You sisters all serve the king with sincerity, and your mutual support is closer and more passionate than ever. We all share hardships. Whoever you choose as queen, the others will only continue to support her, and she will surely show mercy to you sisters. Therefore, Your Majesty, please appoint whoever you prefer. I and others will faithfully follow your will and will be pleased."
After she said these words, she was short of breath, with a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and half of her body was leaning on the maid.
Seeing her like this, the emperor couldn't ask any more questions.
The emperor nodded and said soothingly, "Noble Concubine Qing has always been kind and prudent, so her words do make some sense. And among you, are there any who would volunteer to be empress and devote all their energy to managing my harem?"
He actually asked everyone to recommend themselves.
But who dares to recommend himself?
I'm afraid the king is just testing me.
If I volunteer without knowing my place in society, and the emperor appoints someone else as his successor, how will I get along with the new empress?
Then there was silence again.
"Are you Concubine Hui's maid?" The emperor suddenly looked at a maid wearing a purple and blue palace skirt behind the concubines.
Xifeng quickly stepped out and saluted, "Your Majesty, this is your servant. Concubine Hui is recovering from her injuries and cannot be summoned, so she ordered me to serve her meal."
The emperor then asked, "Then tell me, if I make Concubine Hui the empress, would that be a good idea?"
Xifeng bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid Concubine Hui is unable to comply. Ever since she received the imperial decree and was appointed General of Loyalty, she has been obsessed with rebuilding the Li Clan Army for Your Majesty. She's been unable to leave her bed while recuperating from her injuries, and has spent most of her time in a coma. But these past two days, whenever she's awake, she's had me write down on paper what needs to be prepared. It's a multitude of things, truly tedious. She's so absorbed in this matter that she's had no energy left to care for the harem. This morning, she even said she'd come to Your Majesty to relieve her of her duties as assistant harem manager once she could walk again."
The emperor pondered after hearing this and said, "So, Concubine Hui is unwilling to be the empress."
Xifeng said firmly, "That's right."
The emperor ordered Xifeng to stand up and told Cao Bin to pick out some exquisite meals for Concubine Hui and put them in a food box, and asked Xifeng to take them back for Concubine Hui to eat.
"You are not needed here. Go serve your wife well. She was injured while fighting the enemy, and I miss her very much. However, I haven't had time to visit her yet. Please let her focus on recuperating. You can plan the establishment of an army and lead the troops after she recovers."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This servant of yours expresses her gratitude on behalf of Concubine Hui."
Xifeng knelt down and kowtowed again before taking the lunch box and leaving.
She was Concubine Hui's maidservant, personal attendant, and confidant. She politely declined the offer of empress in public, thus voluntarily withdrawing from the competition on behalf of Concubine Hui.
So one of the four most popular candidates for the empress was missing.
After Xifeng left, Concubine Qing forced herself to kneel before the emperor with the help of her maid without waiting for the emperor to speak.
"Your Majesty, I boldly request that you do not choose me as empress. I have been bedridden for many years, and if I ascend the throne, it would not be a blessing for Daliang. I have been worshipping Buddha for many years, repaying the honor of holding the position of Imperial Concubine. Moreover, I hold the stone of the goddess messenger of the Qu Kingdom. If I were to be made empress, I am afraid the people of Qu would harbor wild thoughts, which would be detrimental to Daliang. Therefore, although I should not interfere with the empress appointment, I must ask Your Majesty to reconsider and absolutely not make me the empress."
She prostrated herself on the ground and kowtowed.
Humble and sincere.
All the concubines in the palace were a little surprised. They didn't expect that she would end her chances of becoming queen in this way.
When it comes to the well-being of the country and its relations with its neighbours, she speaks with such seriousness that it is hard to refuse.
Even if the emperor wanted to make her the heir, he would have to think carefully at this time.
What's more...
"Noble Concubine Qing, please stand up. I will not make you my successor."
The emperor personally stood up and walked forward, giving Concubine Qing a light support so that she could stand up.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Concubine Qing stood up and smiled softly at the emperor.
Her face is as white as snow, and her gentleness and dignity are natural. Her soft and drooping eyebrows make people feel good.
The emperor's eyes narrowed slightly.
His tone softened considerably: "You are weak. You have sweated a lot standing here for a while. Go back and recuperate early. There is no need to stay here. I have ordered someone to pack some food for you to take back."
Cao Bin then ordered the palace servants to quickly pack a food box, pick out extremely delicate and easy-to-eat dishes, and hand it to Concubine Qing's maid.
Concubine Qing said goodbye.
Neither Concubine Hui nor Concubine Qing wants the position of queen.
The only popular candidates for the empress were Concubine Yue and Concubine Zhao.
But Fei Wan herself was not at the scene.
Like Concubine Hui, she was kept in her own palace and only a maid was sent.
It’s not the clever Xiangyi, but the somewhat dull-looking Xiaohui.
"Cao Bin, give Concubine Zhao a portion of the meal as well." The emperor's eyes fell on Xiao Hui. "Your name is Xiao Hui. I remember that you are a very good carver."
"My name is Xiaohui. Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
Xiaohui stepped forward, knelt on the ground and kowtowed, then presented the sandalwood square box with gold decoration that she had been holding in her hand.
"This is a gift from the Empress. On her way back to the city, Concubine Zhao saw a rare four-petal purple orchid and wanted to share this good fortune with Your Majesty."
She opened the square box, and found a beautiful little purple flower, its petals delicately spread out, lying quietly on the light golden brocade, looking fresh and juicy.
Cao Bin brought the box to the emperor.
The emperor reached out and picked up the flower, raised his brows slightly, and looked at Xiaohui with a smile.
"Is this flower really the good luck that Concubine Zhao wants to give me?"