vrcanaries Chapter 1650 If His Majesty knew (Bonus chapter for 266 million reward points)
Chapter 1650 If His Majesty knew (Bonus chapter for 266 million reward points)
Although the events at Fatu Temple were new, what Fuqu cared about most was the child in Shen Zhinian's belly.
She stepped forward and picked up the warm bowl of medicine: "Your Majesty, drink it while it's hot."
Shen Zhinian took the bowl and slowly drank the medicine.
After taking the medicine, she put a candied fruit in her mouth; the sweetness melted on her tongue, diluting the bitterness.
Han Dan asked curiously, "Your Highness, how do you think this matter concerning Master Xingchen will end?"
"He's a holy monk, would he really collude with the rebel king's henchmen?"
Shen Zhinian chuckled and said sarcastically, "What kind of real holy monk is he? He's just someone who became a Buddha because people need a Buddha to rely on for spiritual support."
Fuqu and Handan exchanged a glance, neither daring to respond.
The Empress's words were too profound; they couldn't understand them...
Nangong Xuanyu has always been a smart man, and Shen Zhinian knew long ago that he would definitely be able to follow the clues and find out about Xingchen.
She was relieved that the lecherous monk had been arrested.
In his previous life, Xingchen was torn apart by five horses first, and Nangong Xuanche rebelled later. Therefore, the world is unaware of the reason why Xingchen was executed.
Some say that His Majesty cannot tolerate outsiders interfering in politics.
Some say that he used the guise of preaching to practice witchcraft.
A whole host of charges were leveled against them, some true and some false, and no one could tell the difference.
The timeline has changed in this lifetime.
Nangong Xuanche was executed for rebelling first, and Master Xingchen later ran into trouble. The emperor used the rebellious king's followers as an excuse to cover it up, which is a pretty good reason.
Treason is an unforgivable crime, punishable by death.
Using this pretext, we can both deal with Xingchen openly and honestly, and silence any criticism from the public.
fair enough.
The muddier the water, the more stable Shen Zhinian's pregnancy will be.
After all, everyone's attention is on Xingchen now, so not many people will pay attention to Yongshou Palace.
……
With everyone focused on the rebel king's henchmen and the Fatu Temple, it was the perfect opportunity for Nangong Xuanyu.
The emperor ordered Li Changde to announce that Consort Feng had suffered a miscarriage at Shou Kang Palace and died from postpartum hemorrhage.
Just as Nangong Xuanyu had predicted, this matter did not cause much of a stir in the previous dynasty.
Consort Feng's maternal family was not prominent; in the capital city, where powerful and influential people were everywhere, they were nothing special.
She had only entered the palace through the imperial concubine selection last year, and her talents were ordinary, except that she was exceptionally good at playing the zither.
But that's about it.
The ministers merely submitted their memorials as a matter of routine, requesting Your Majesty to take care of your health and express their condolences.
Your Majesty already has several princes, and they are all so young. There will be many more princes in the future.
More than the death of a concubine in the harem due to miscarriage, they were concerned about the connection between Master Xingchen and the rebel king, and how many people would be implicated in the case of Fatu Temple.
However, quite a few people in the harem were discussing this matter.
"Have you heard? Consort Feng is gone..."
"They said it was a miscarriage with hemorrhage, but by the time the imperial physician arrived, she was already beyond saving."
"Alas, Consort Feng was truly unfortunate. His Majesty took pity on her and moved her to Shou Kang Palace to recuperate, but who could have imagined..."
"She just wasn't destined for it."
"..."
When the news reached Changchun Palace, Consort Zhuang knelt on a prayer mat in the small Buddhist hall, holding a string of prayer beads in her hand, and chanted the Rebirth Mantra with her eyes closed.
But even knowing this, the Empress was not at peace.
After a long while, Consort Zhuang finally stopped, opened her eyes, and called out, "Ruoji."
"The servant is here."
She sighed and instructed, "Sister Feng was unfortunate to have passed away like this. Go and prepare some vegetarian snacks to offer before the Buddha, for Sister Feng and her unborn child to eat on their journey."
"Yes."
Consort Zhuang thought for a moment and then said, "Go to the Imperial Household Department again and ask Chief Eunuch Hu what standards should be followed for Consort Feng's funeral."
"If there is a shortage, take some from my allowance to supplement Sister Feng's allowance. Just say that Sister Feng was close to me when she was alive, and I can't bear to see her leave in such a tragic way."
Ruoji nodded immediately: "This servant understands."
Xiao Caizi flattered from the side, "If His Majesty knew how much the Empress cares about Consort Feng and that unborn imperial heir, he would be very pleased!"
Consort Zhuang sighed: "As a consort, it is my duty to care for my sisters who died young."
Xiao Cai flattered, "Your Majesty is merciful!"
Consort Zhuang closed her eyes again, concealing the deep emotions within them.
Consort Feng is gone just like that.
The eldest princess is wonderful, but she is still just a princess. In the harem, only those with princes can secure their position!
His Majesty rarely favors her; if she could raise Consort Feng's child under her wing...
Who would have thought...
Consort Zhuang's fingernails dug hard into her palm beneath her sleeves.
Miscarriage, postpartum hemorrhage.
Those four simple words shattered all her hopes.
Why has she never succeeded in fighting for custody of the children, except for raising the eldest princess?
"Mother concubine."
The eldest princess's childish voice came from the entrance of the small Buddhist shrine.
Consort Zhuang turned her head and saw the eldest princess standing outside, holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
A loving smile immediately appeared on her face: "Yun'er, what brings you here?"
"Yun'er heard that Consort Feng has passed away..."
The eldest princess walked in, and said sullenly, "Yun'er remembers that Consort Feng gave Yun'er candy last time. So Yun'er picked some flowers to give to Consort Feng..."
"Yun'er, you're good."
Consort Zhuang stroked the eldest princess's soft hair: "If Sister Feng knew, she would be very happy."
The eldest princess looked up, her dark, grape-like eyes filled with sorrow: "Mother, Consort Feng and the child in her womb are so pitiful..."
Consort Zhuang comforted her, saying, "Consort Feng and her son have gone to the Buddha's side. There is no illness or trouble there. They will live a good life."
"If Yun'er misses her in the future, she can come to the small Buddhist hall to offer incense to the Bodhisattva, and the Bodhisattva will tell her."
The eldest princess nodded earnestly, tiptoed, and carefully placed the flowers in front of the Buddhist shrine. Then, imitating Consort Zhuang's usual manner, she put her hands together, closed her eyes, and bowed.
His appearance was both childlike and devout.
After the eldest princess finished her prayers, she turned around and tugged at Consort Zhuang's sleeve: "Mother, shall I chant sutras with you? The nanny said that chanting sutras can help Consort Feng get to Buddha's side sooner."
"it is good."
The eldest princess knelt down next to Consort Zhuang, her small body standing straight, and closed her eyes, imitating Consort Zhuang's posture.
Seeing the eldest princess's serious expression, Consort Zhuang suddenly had a thought.
His Majesty has not entered the inner palace for a long time, and we cannot find out anything from the Imperial Noble Consort. Waiting like this is not a solution.
After the eldest princess finished reciting the sutra, Consort Zhuang sighed softly: "Yun'er, your father has the world on his mind, and he is very tired. Moreover... Sister Feng just left, and your father has lost another child. He must be very sad."
The eldest princess asked worriedly, "Is there anything Yun'er can do? Yun'er doesn't want to make Father Emperor sad..."
Consort Zhuang said gently, "Yun'er is so sensible."
"How about this? If you have some free time, go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see His Majesty. You don't need to stay too long, just spend some time talking with him."