Chapter 136 137: Encourage the second concubine to fight
Han Jinyi's heart was churning constantly, and his heart was heavy for a while. The Queen Mother had already reached in before she returned to the palace, and she didn't know what would happen after she returned to the palace.
Thinking of this, he looked at Yun Zhao again, and said slowly, "Yun Zhao, you came to Beijing late, do you know the relationship between the empress dowager and the emperor?"
She was afraid that Yunzhao might not know what was going on here, and she would suffer a big loss when the queen mother returned to the palace.
"I know some." Song Yunzhao nodded, "But there are still many things I don't know."
Han Jinyi sighed, "I just thought that you might not be clear about some things, so I will take this opportunity to clarify with you, lest you be calculated."
"If you don't come, I plan to invite you to come one day." Song Yunzhao said with a smile, "The two of us want to go together."
Han Jinyi was also happy. Knowing that Yun Zhao had plans in mind, she didn’t find it strange, so she whispered to her: “Speaking of which, our empress dowager is different from ordinary mothers…”
Song Yunzhao listened to Han Jinyi's narration, most of which were the same as what she read in the book, but there were also some differences. The angle in the book was from the perspective of the heroine, but now listening from the perspective of a bystander, Song Yunzhao had a more three-dimensional impression of the Queen Mother in his heart.
Generally speaking, this is a person comparable to Cai. Of course, relatively speaking, the queen mother only has one child like the emperor, but Cai has three. Cai's dislike for her is because she is not a son. The empress dowager is dissatisfied with her son because he can't help her win favor and help her get a better position in the palace.
One thing they have in common is that both of them are extremely selfish people.
Such people are the most difficult to get along with, extremely stubborn.
Moreover, it is impossible for the empress dowager to survive the time of the first emperor and raise the emperor. It is impossible to say that she is not capable. Maybe the empress dowager's skill points are not focused on fighting for favor, but you cannot say that this person is incapable.
This is difficult to do.
"In short, you have to be careful. The empress dowager has a lot of disputes with the emperor, and you are the most favored concubine in the palace." Han Jinyi said worriedly.
Song Yunzhao nodded, "I'll understand once you say that, don't worry, I know how to do it."
Although Song Yunzhao felt that the queen mother was difficult to deal with, as long as the emperor stood by her side, she would not be afraid at all.
Moreover, the emperor obviously has this tendency, intending to use the harem to suppress the queen mother. Judging from what happened in the Shouci Palace, it is impossible to take advantage of Concubine Zhuang and Concubine Wan, so only Concubine Shu remains.
It's just that Concubine Shu's IQ is high and low, and she is not a reliable ally. At this time, Qin Xiyue doesn't have much weight in the emperor's heart, so the emperor finally has to let herself go.
I want to go up, but in what posture, it's up to her to decide.
"Then I'm relieved." Han Jinyi let out a long sigh of relief, "This time, the Shouci Palace incident has caused a lot of noise. Presumably, it has spread to the outer dynasty, and I don't know what will happen."
Song Yunzhao heard Han Jinyi's implication. The emperor made many small moves year after year to weaken the power of the two prime ministers and courtiers to control him. In fact, the conflict has become very acute.
Now that they have the opportunity to add trouble to the emperor, they are naturally willing to do it.
Don't look at the right minister who was humiliated because of the fraud case, and the disaster relief made him regain his face, but he might not think of giving in when he wrestled with the emperor.
The struggle for power is like this, one step back, one step back.
Emperor’s temperament Song Yunzhao knew that he would not be willing to be suppressed by his courtiers. He was an emperor with a strong desire to control, but the late emperor had already neglected his business in his later years, and the power in the court was in the hands of the two prime ministers, so he wanted them to hand over their rights completely, not to mention whether the prime minister himself was willing or not, those who surrounded them would not agree.
Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi, and said with a little deep meaning: "The emperor is not the first time when he ascended the throne. Last year, when the fraud case came out, the emperor accepted a group of disciples of the emperor. After a few years, the future of these people will be hard to say."
Students of the Son of Heaven are naturally loyal to the emperor, and have nothing to do with the left and right factions. As long as he can break free from this person's network, he will have a place in the court in the future.
Han Jinyi's smile relaxed a little after hearing this, "Yes, the emperor knows people and makes good use of them, which is also a blessing for the students."
She has to have a good talk with her father, and she can't easily get involved in the matter of the emperor and the two prime ministers.
Han Jinyi didn't stay for long either. After chatting with Song Yunzhao for a while, she got up and left. Song Yunzhao sent her to the gate of the hall before turning back.
Nurse Yu stepped forward and said: "Master, I have let the servants go to see it. The Six Shang Bureau at the Shouci Palace has already started repairing it."
Song Yunzhao smiled, "This time the action is really fast."
"It doesn't matter if you don't hurry up. Even if they feel uncomfortable with His Majesty's will, they don't dare to play tricks on such a matter." Nanny Yu also said with a smile.
"How many days will it take to repair?" Song Yunzhao asked again.
Nurse Yu shook her head, "This servant didn't ask, but according to the speed of Liu Shangju before, it would take five or six days anyway."
"Then this speed is not fast. The day when the Empress Dowager returns to the palace will not be too far away. They have been repairing for so long, when will the matters in the palace be delayed?"
The corner of the eaves collapsed a lot, not only the exterior, but also the inside of the hall had to be repaired, and after the restoration, the walls had to be painted and incense arranged, all of which took time.
"It depends on how comprehensive the Liushang Bureau is, but Yan Gongzheng has always had his own ideas in doing things, and he thinks he has a way." Nanny Yu said.
Song Yunzhao knows that in real history, the relationship between Liushang Bureau and Gong Zhengsi is different from that in the book.
Now, the author has written a hodgepodge, whether it is Gong Zhengsi or Liushangju, they are all integrated.
Thinking of Gong Zhengyanyu, when Song Yunzhao first met her, he felt that this person was not easy to get along with. She was not only able to bend and stretch, but also had her own system for doing things. Such a person would hardly be influenced by the outside world, and it would be difficult for others to easily shake her position.
However, right now she and Yan Yu have neither interests nor personal disputes, and they can barely live in peace. As for the future, we have to wait and see.
"Is there any movement from Concubine Shu?"
"It's also strange. Cuiwei Palace is as stable as a mountain after such a big incident happened this time." Nanny Yu said with a smile.
Song Yunzhao was delighted, "Last year, Concubine Shu suffered a lot. She learned to be smart. And it's about the Empress Dowager. Concubine Shu should have her own plans."
"What the master said is true." Nanny Yu nodded with a smile, "Do you still need to keep an eye on the affairs of the Shouci Palace?"
"Take people back and don't need to stare at them." Song Yunzhao shook his head, "Now Concubine Shu is doing nothing, Concubine Wan and Concubine Qin Wanyi are both sick, and there is only one Concubine Zhuang left. If you want to come to Shouci Palace, Concubine Zhuang will definitely not lie to her."
Wanting to use the Queen Mother's hand to suppress her, Concubine Zhuang will definitely not ignore the affairs of the Shouci Palace, and all the troubles she suffers now will be credited to the Queen Mother in the future.
Nurse Yu's expression was not very good when she heard the words, she said softly: "Ms. Zhuang Concubine, this is for the master."
Song Yunzhao smiled slightly, "There is nothing to be afraid of. Concubine Zhuang has a good plan, but whether she can get what she wants may not be what she thinks."
With the temperament of the Queen Mother, it is not something that anyone can easily persuade to buy. This kind of person always puts interests first, and if he smiles at people today, he will be able to kill him tomorrow.
Cooperating with this kind of person is tantamount to seeking skin from a tiger.
The matter of the Shouci Palace really caused a lot of disputes in the previous dynasty. Fortunately, the emperor made a quick decision and ordered to take the queen mother back to the palace in person. The emperor went to the palace in person. What can the two prime ministers say?
The night before the emperor's trip, the emperor came to Wangyou Palace to spend the night, and the two of them did nothing. She could feel that the emperor was not in a good mood, as if he was suppressing something.
She can understand, every time she sees Mrs. Cai, she feels the same way, unable to get rid of, struggling with her all the time, like this for many years, that kind of irritability is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Early that morning, Song Yunzhao got up to send Feng Yi away. Before leaving, she reached out and hugged him, "I'll wait for the emperor to come back."
She still remembers the way the emperor looked at her, making her feel that he was a little strange at that moment.
As soon as the emperor left, the atmosphere in the harem felt a little different. Qin Xiyue, who was recovering from illness, had already recovered from his illness. In the past two days, he was always visiting the harem. Yun Zhao admired his diligence.
Concubine Wan is different. She has not recovered from her illness, and the gate of Roufu Palace is closed, with an attitude of ignoring everything.
Concubine Zhuang was extraordinarily active, not only staring at the renovation of Shouci Palace, but also set up a tea banquet for everyone in the harem to drink tea. Yun Zhao refused because of physical discomfort.
Concubine Shu didn't go there either, Concubine Wan was recuperating from illness, Lu Zhixue didn't even find an excuse, she just said that she didn't like tea very much, so as not to disturb Concubine Zhuang's pleasure. Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin were not as sharp-tempered as Lu Zhixue, so they couldn't refuse, so they could only go to the banquet.
The next day, Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin came to Wangyou Palace. After hearing what they said, Song Yunzhao knew that Concubine Zhuang's banquet was to clean up the empress dowager.
"The emperor didn't have a decree, but the concubine Zhuang is very virtuous, and she is worthy of being the number one virtuous person in the harem."
Song Yunzhao looked at Han Jinyi, probably really annoyed. It was not easy for her to say that.
Feng Yunjin added a few words from the side, "Jieyu doesn't know something. Concubine Zhuang wants the palaces to collect some money for this reception banquet. Not only is she planning a banquet, but she also wants to prepare a meeting gift for the empress dowager."
Song Yunzhao:…
As expected of Concubine Zhuang!
"You all agreed?" Song Yunzhao looked at the two and asked.
Han Jinyi sneered, "It's really virtuous to open your mouth and pay a hundred taels per person."
Song Yunzhao was also surprised, "One hundred taels?"
The annual salary of a concubine is three hundred taels, that of a noble concubine is two hundred taels a year, and that of a nobleman is only one hundred taels a year.
Of course, in addition to the annual basic salary, the emperor will give extra rewards when major festivals, concubines celebrate their birthdays, or give birth to children. Sometimes they will send money directly, and sometimes they will reward precious treasures. As for how much to reward, it depends on the emperor’s mood.
But these hidden incomes are not fixed. After all, Song Yunzhao is probably the only one who has directly cried poor to the emperor since the founding of the country.
In addition to the royal income, there is also a concubine’s natal family subsidy, but the natal family’s subsidy also has a lot, and the concubine has to maintain her usual expenses. In addition to hard consumption such as clothes and jewelry, there is also a big expense of rewarding palace officials.
In addition to these, how much silver can be left?
The third concubine would not take one hundred taels seriously, but what about the other concubines?
Taking Yun Zhao as an example, it is very difficult to live only on monthly salary, not to mention going to the imperial dining room for extra meals, even if you want to make an extra beautiful dress or a piece of jewelry, you have to carefully weigh it.
Concubine Zhuang asked for a hundred taels to open her mouth. There are so many people in the palace, how much money do you have to scrape together, how much can you spend on a banquet, and the rest of the money is used to buy a gift for the Queen Mother to receive the Empress Dowager. What kind of money is it that costs so much?
This gift was delivered by Concubine Zhuang, and the Empress Dowager would only remember Concubine Zhuang’s gift, even if the concubines in the harem paid for it, they only carried the sedan chair for Concubine Zhuang.
It's no wonder Han Jinyi's face is so ugly. It's not that she can't afford the money, but she doesn't want to.
"Jieyu didn't think of it either, did she?" Feng Yunjin nodded and said.
"I didn't expect it." Song Yunzhao sneered, "Concubine Zhuang is really a big hand, you agreed?"
Feng Yunjin shook her head, "Someone did agree, but my concubine, Han Guifei and several others did not."
"I'm afraid I will offend Concubine Zhuang." Song Yunzhao laughed.
"If you offend, you will offend." Han Jinyi sneered, "It's not that I can't afford money, but if there is one time, there will be another time. This case cannot be opened."
"That's true. Besides, there are regulations in the palace to pick up the empress dowager. Why bother to go to such lengths? In the end, the empress Zhuang wants to please the empress dowager, but she wants us to bleed." Feng Yunjin's tone became a little unfriendly.
Is this a silver thing?
Yes and no.
Song Yunzhao suddenly thought of Qin Xiyue, looked at the two and asked, "How does Qin Wanyi express her position?"
"I don't lack that one hundred taels." Han Jinyi said.
Song Yunzhao raised his eyebrows slightly, "Qin Wanyi has been very close to Concubine Zhuang recently, and this incident came out very suddenly. Concubine Zhuang used to focus on stability, but this time she asked everyone to contribute money. When it comes to money, no matter who it is, everyone should be extra cautious. This incident is indeed a bit surprising."
"Jieyu means Qin Wanyi offered advice?"
"It's hard to be sure, but judging from Qin Wanyi's way of doing things, it is indeed somewhat possible."
"Jieyu's words make sense, no wonder I also feel that something is wrong, it makes sense if you say it like this. Before when something happened in the palace, I didn't see Concubine Zhuang accept money with anyone."
"Just one thing I still don't understand. Doesn't Concubine Zhuang know the impact of this move on her?" Han Jinyi was still puzzled after saying this sentence. With Concubine Zhuang's previous disposition, why would she do such a thing?
Can't figure it out, can't figure it out.
Feng Yunjin thought about it and said, "Maybe it has something to do with Jieyu."
Song Yunzhao:…
Facing Song Yunzhao's strange eyes, Han Jinyi's depressed mood also dissipated a little, looked at Feng Yunjin and said, "Why are you talking about Jieyu?"
Song Yunzhao also listened attentively, she was also curious.
Feng Yunjin met the eyes of the two of them and said directly: "When our group of beautiful girls did not enter the palace, the three concubines in the palace checked and balanced each other. There was no such thing as who was stronger and who was weaker. But since Jieyu became favored, Concubine Zhuang tried to suppress Jieyu several times but ended in failure. Under such circumstances, if you want to suppress Jieyu, you have to rely on strength. In this palace, there is only the queen mother."
Because only the queen mother can contain the emperor.
As long as the queen mother restrains the emperor, it will be twice the result with half the effort to deal with Jieyu.
"So, in order to please the Empress Dowager, Concubine Zhuang will not take any damages to her reputation. Besides, what if this matter is spread? Others will only praise Concubine Zhuang for her understanding and respect for the Empress Dowager."
As for whose credit is in the Empress Dowager's heart, will others care?
Won't.
Only the concubine who lost the silver would mind, but the concubine who lost the silver is not as high as Concubine Zhuang, and has no favor and support, so she has to swallow this loss forcefully.
Song Yunzhao thought it made sense, she looked at Feng Yunjin and asked, "Is there a way to break the situation?"
Feng Yunjin hesitated, and then said: "Perhaps, only the empress Concubine Shu can come forward to justify the name."
Although Jieyu is favored, her status is not as high as Concubine Zhuang's, so she is naturally a dwarf.
"It's not easy to persuade Empress Concubine Shu to come forward." Han Jinyi said with a frown.
Song Yunzhao thought for a while and said, "It's not difficult."
Feng Yunjin was not surprised that Jieyu said this, but Han Jinyi was a little surprised. She asked, "Is Jieyu going to show up?"
"It's not impossible." Of course, Song Yunzhao couldn't watch Concubine Zhuang forge weapons to deal with her, so let's dismantle her stove first, nothing else is important. "However, you also have to help me deliver a message."
"That's no problem, but if Jieyu confronts Concubine Zhuang like this, Concubine Zhuang may target you even more in the future." Han Jinyi said worriedly.
Feng Yunjin said casually: "Even if Jieyu keeps her own place, will Concubine Zhuang let her go?"
Of course not, as long as Song Yunzhao gets pampered in her way, they are enemies.
"It shouldn't be too late. Let's split up into two groups and act immediately." Feng Yunjin said.
Han Jinyi nodded immediately, "Yes."
Song Yunzhao stopped the two of them, "In whose name are you releasing the news?"
The two of them were taken aback.
Song Yunzhao glanced at the direction of Cuiwei Palace, "Go back and wait for news from me, you can tell the people you have made friends with first, and only say that Concubine Shu is dissatisfied with Concubine Zhuang's actions, and don't say anything else."
Feng Yunjin immediately understood, "The concubine is waiting for good news from Jieyu."
Han Jinyi realized after a while, that if they want to drag Concubine Shu into the water, they can't throw people into the water first, they have to let her go down willingly.
Thinking about it this way, Han Jinyi felt a little guilty.
After leaving Wangyou Palace, she whispered to Feng Yunjin: "Let's do this, what if Concubine Shu gets angry with Jieyu?"
"If you are not sure, how could Jieyu mention Concubine Shu?" Feng Yunjin smiled, "Concubine Shu will definitely not watch Concubine Zhuang look good in front of the Queen Mother."
This is a check and balance between the three concubines.
It's not that she couldn't think of this idea before, but she couldn't persuade Concubine Shu to make a move.
But Jieyu is different, she always feels that Concubine Shu treats Jieyu differently from others, but she can't tell what the difference is.
Song Yunzhao made up his mind, specially changed into a bright and gorgeous dress, and led the people straight to Cuiwei Palace.
In Cuiwei Palace, Concubine Shu was talking to Nanny Wen. She obviously knew about Concubine Zhuang's actions, and she was full of displeasure. When she heard Song Yunzhao came, she twitched the corners of her mouth and said to Nanny Wen, "It must be no good to come here at this time."
Nurse Wen smiled and said: "Your Majesty said yes, but if Song Jieyu came here for Concubine Zhuang's affairs, it would not be a bad thing."
"Call someone in." Concubine Shu said sullenly.
"Yes." Mother Wen went out with a smile, and quickly invited people in.
"The concubine has met Concubine Shu, and the empress is well." Song Yunzhao entered the hall and went forward to salute.
Concubine Shu felt a headache when she saw Song Yunzhao, but she still said to her: "Song Jieyu is really a rare visitor, why did you come to this palace today? Sit down and talk."
Song Yunzhao took the seat to express his thanks, and then said directly: "The reason why the concubine came, I think the empress has already guessed."
Concubine Shu didn't make any detours, looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "If you came here for Concubine Zhuang's affairs, I don't have any good ideas."
Song Yunzhao:…
You were happy to refuse with your mouth, but your eyes didn't say that.
Song Yunzhao sighed pretentiously, and then said: "Since the empress said so, the concubines have nothing to say, but wait for the empress dowager to return to the palace, and with the actions of the empress dowager Zhuang, she will definitely become a concubine admired by the empress dowager. If the empress dowager appreciates it, the prestige of the empress Zhuang will definitely increase. By then, empress Shu and concubine Wan will be wronged."
Shu Fei knew that Song Yunzhao's words were provocative, but she was unhappy when she heard it. She looked at her and said, "So what?"
"Since Concubine Shu doesn't care about being under Concubine Zhuang, you didn't say anything about being a concubine." Song Yunzhao got up after speaking, "The three empresses have been equal in the palace for many years. Since the empress can think about it, Yun Zhao is acting like a villain. If you don't disturb the empress, the concubine will leave."
"Stop!" Concubine Shu looked at Song Yunzhao who was leaving as soon as he said he wanted to.
Song Yunzhao looked back, "Does your empress have any orders?"
"sit down."
Song Yunzhao hesitated for a moment, but sat back again.
Concubine Shu became angrier seeing her like this, but it was hard to let her anger go. Although she knew that she was pretending, what if it was true?
Wait until the popularity is gone, and then invite people back, isn't her face a face?
"Since you are here, you must have an idea, let's talk about it."
Song Yunzhao looked at Concubine Shu holding her breath, and really couldn't figure it out. It was clearly a matter for both parties to benefit. What did Concubine Shu imagine to make herself so angry.
"The concubine's idea is very simple. Concubine Zhuang raising money is against the palace rules. Concubine Shu, as one of the three concubines, should seek justice for the suffering concubine."
Song Yunzhao's intention to encourage her to fight with Concubine Zhuang is simply undisguised. If she is so shameless, how can she speak with a righteous tone?
Here are six thousand words, my little cuties.
(end of this chapter)