vrcanaries Chapter 158 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
Chapter 158 Knocking on the mountain and shaking the tiger
Su Rao held the jade flute, feeling its cool yet warm texture, and an inexplicable sense of security arose spontaneously.
She knew that this was not just an item, but also a bond connecting Prince Yi and those loyal people.
……
On the other side, inside the Shangshu Mansion, the atmosphere was completely different.
"Son, are you really going to let your wife do whatever she wants and do nothing about it?" Old Lady Wang had a sad face and her tone was filled with worry.
Minister Wang had a solemn expression on his face. Although he was unable to attend the Queen Mother's birthday banquet due to his busy official duties, he was well aware of the changes in the palace.
For a time, he became a laughing stock among the court officials, which made him feel mixed emotions.
"Mom, this is her own fault. Please don't worry about it anymore." Although Shangshu Wang was filial, he was a little impatient with his mother's constant complaints.
"Liu'er is your wife, how can you just leave her alone? If you don't save her, I will ask the imperial concubine for help!" Old Lady Wang said as she was about to walk out.
Shangshu Wang quickly stopped her and said, "Mom, stop making trouble. Do you want the Wang family to collapse completely?"
Madam Wang was stunned: "Collapse? Who can make the Wang family collapse?"
"Mother, Liu acted too rashly and used the Zhao family's affairs to frame others. Even if we can save her, His Majesty will not let the Wang family go!" Shangshu Wang explained anxiously.
Old Lady Wang suddenly realized, but then fell into deep worry.
"But are you going to just give up on your wife and grandson?"
"Mother, we can only be patient temporarily. When the King of Qi successfully ascends the throne, we will slowly settle old scores and new grudges." There was a flash of cruelty in Minister Wang's eyes. Obviously, he already had his own plans.
"Then... let the King of Qi ascend the throne as soon as possible." Old Lady Wang said anxiously.
"It will be done soon, mother, don't worry." Minister Wang comforted her, but he was secretly calculating in his heart.
He originally thought that as long as he put all the blame on Liu, the matter would be resolved.
That night, Liu "hanged herself" in prison, and everything seemed to be settled.
However, things did not go as he wished. The emperor was still brooding over the matter and seemed dissatisfied with the outcome.
The next day, news came from the palace that His Majesty suddenly favored Concubine Ning and conferred her the title of Concubine Ning. This move shocked the entire court and made Shangshu Wang realize that the changes in the palace were far more complicated than he had imagined.
Concubine Ning, the gentle woman who gave birth to the Seventh Prince, has always been known for her obedience. Her child, the Seventh Prince, has a mild temperament and does not like fighting. Although the Wang family is extremely powerful, they have never taken this seemingly harmless mother and son to heart.
However, the deeper meaning behind His Majesty's sudden promotion is not as simple as it seems.
Inside the imperial concubine's bedroom, a secret letter slowly unfolded, and between the lines, the emperor revealed deep concern about the consecration of Concubine Ning.
The imperial concubine's brows were furrowed, and her eyes looked particularly heavy at this moment.
She knew very well that the Qi prince's faction had always viewed the Yi prince as the biggest stumbling block on the road to becoming the crown prince. The life and death of the Yi prince was unknown, and the Qi prince, who had thought that the crown prince position was already in his pocket, had to re-evaluate the game.
What is even more worrying is that if His Majesty's attention to the Seventh Prince is merely a warning of dissatisfaction with something recent, it would be acceptable; but if His Majesty really wants to cultivate this thirteen-year-old Seventh Prince, then the situation would be very different.
Although the Seventh Prince was timid and never took the initiative to cause trouble, he was by no means stupid. The intelligence he occasionally displayed in front of the Grand Tutor even won him some rare praise.
Once he gains more favor from the emperor, the potential hidden beneath his gentle appearance may really become a force that cannot be ignored in shaking the position of the Crown Prince of Qi.
……
Changning Palace is decorated with carved beams and painted buildings, and is simple and elegant. After Concubine Ning was promoted to Consort Ning, she moved here from her original simple palace. This is a place of honor specially bestowed by His Majesty.
The palace maids were dressed in colorful clothes, walking around, smiling, and congratulating the newly promoted Concubine Ning: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Your Majesty, it is a great joy for our palace to be favored by the emperor!"
Concubine Ning was dressed in gorgeous clothes, had a gentle face, and her manners revealed an imperceptible humility. The hint of sadness between her brows was also difficult to conceal.
She responded softly to the palace maids' blessings, but there was no joy in her eyes, but rather a hint of worry.
In the past, she and the seventh prince depended on each other for survival. Although their life was plain, it was also peaceful and warm.
Now, she was suddenly pushed to the forefront, and she knew very well that she had become a thorn in the side of the Imperial Concubine and the Prince of Qi.
The family that Concubine Ning came from has long lost its former glory. For the imperial concubine who once held great power, dealing with her is as easy as a snap of a finger.
Thinking of this, Concubine Ning couldn't help but feel uneasy: "Please go and invite the Seventh Prince. I have something to say to him."
Upon hearing this, the palace maids hurriedly obeyed the order and left. Not long after, a thin young man dressed in prince's clothes slowly walked into the hall. He was the seventh prince.
"Mother, are you looking for me?" The young man's voice was a little respectful and childish.
Concubine Ning gently waved her hand, signaling him to come closer: "My son, come here, your mother has a few words to tell you. From now on, except for the school and the bedroom, try not to walk around casually, and be more careful about your diet, understand?"
Although the Seventh Prince was a little confused by his mother's instructions, he still nodded obediently: "I will remember your teachings, mother, don't worry."
Concubine Ning looked at the child in front of her, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart, but also an indescribable sadness.
She gently stroked the seventh prince's head, her eyes full of love and reluctance: "Mother only hopes that you can grow up safely, nothing else matters."...
At the same time, the changes in the palace also quietly reached Su Rao's ears.
She sat in front of the window, playing with a jade pendant in her hand, with a meaningful smile on her lips: "The emperor's move is undoubtedly a warning to the Wang family and the King of Qi. The King of Qi originally thought that the position of crown prince was within his grasp, but now it seems that things are far from that simple."
Su Rao secretly felt fortunate that the Wang family's arrogance and domineering behavior had finally touched the emperor's bottom line. This might be a rare turning point for the precarious Prince Yi's Mansion, at least it could bring a moment of peace.
However, this sudden change made Concubine Ning's situation even more difficult.
Su Rao recalled the several interactions with Concubine Ning in her previous life. That woman used her weakness as a shield and silently guarded the peace of the area. Her cautious character was very impressive.
Even after the Prince of Qi gained power and the Seventh Prince was granted a title, their family lived a relatively stable life in the capital.
But in this life, everything seems to have deviated from its original track. Concubine Ning's family, the once glorious Ning family, is no longer what it used to be.