vrcanaries Chapter 512: Duke Dingguo's Way to Break the Situation
Chapter 512: Duke Dingguo's Way to Break the Situation
If it weren't for the protection of other soldiers, his head would have been lost long ago.
It is conceivable that a spoiled nobleman needs protection on the battlefield. How could the soldiers who have fought in the mountains of corpses and seas of blood like him?
In addition, everyone knew that Liu Shizhang was "exiled" to the frontier because he offended the emperor, so everyone was even more unscrupulous about him.
Less than two months after arriving at the border, Liu Shizhang had already experienced all the hardships he had never experienced in his life...
The only thing that kept him going was the faith in his heart.
"My father is Duke Dingguo, my aunt is the Empress Dowager, and my elder sister is the most favored imperial concubine in the palace! They will definitely find a way to rescue me!"
When someone heard this, they sneered: "So what? If they really wanted to save you, why didn't they take action yet?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, your birth is indeed a thousand times more noble than ours. But Master Liu, Master Liu, have you ever heard of a saying? A phoenix without feathers is no better than a chicken!"
"I'm afraid that in the eyes of the people in Duke Dingguo's Mansion, you have long been abandoned!"
"Yes, I heard that the Liu family has a second son who was born out of wedlock. It's not like the Duke Dingguo's family will be extinct without you. Some people should recognize the facts as soon as possible and stop taking themselves too seriously."
"..."
Liu Shizhang gritted his teeth and endured the ridicule and mockery from the crowd.
Will not!
Definitely not!
How could his father, aunt, and sister, who loved him so much, regard him as an abandoned child? !
Moreover, the Mansion of Duke Dingguo...actually, it also has private soldiers, but the matter is extremely secretive and only a handful of people know about it.
His father did not tell his second brother about this top secret, but he told him. This proves that in his father's mind, a concubine's son is not as important as a legitimate son.
He didn't believe that Duke Dingguo's Mansion would abandon him!
Liu Shizhang firmly believed that as long as he waited, he would definitely receive the order from His Majesty to summon him back to the capital!
……
Zhongcui Palace.
No matter how turbulent the harem was, Shen Zhinian had always created a pure land for the Fourth Prince.
Here, he can grow up in peace.
On this day, Shen Zhinian was holding the Fourth Prince and teasing him, when Fuqiu came over to report, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xue is here with the Second Princess."
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "Oh? This is a rare guest, please come in."
"Yes!"
After Xuepin came in, she bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Madam Xianfei. May you be blessed with good fortune and peace!"
Shen Zhinian waved his hand: "No need to be polite, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Madam Consort Xian."
When Concubine Xue's gaze fell on the Fourth Prince, a faint smile instantly appeared between her cold eyebrows.
Because the clothes the Fourth Prince was wearing were the ones she had given him before.
She came here today without informing me in advance, which means that this was not deliberate. Not only did the virtuous concubine not guard against her, she also liked her craftsmanship.
Both of them had children, so naturally they had many common topics.
Shen Zhinian held the Fourth Prince and looked at Concubine Xue, and said in a soft voice: "Ah Xu, look, this is Concubine Xue."
"The clothes you are wearing were all made for you by Lady Snow."
"Does Ah Xu like Lady Xue?"
How could a child of this age understand what adults said? The fourth prince just grinned unconsciously, and it looked like he was smiling.
Concubine Xue's heart softened, and she said in a gentle voice, "Fourth Prince, grow up quickly. When your clothes no longer fit, Concubine Xue will make new ones for you."
In fact...Xuepin also has her own selfish motives.
The second princess is in poor health. Even if she can be raised, she will have no one to rely on in the future.
She couldn't give birth again, so there was no way for the second princess to have more brothers and sisters.
If the Second Princess and the Fourth Prince have a good relationship since childhood, they will be able to rely on each other when they grow up.
She didn't want to take advantage of others, but after becoming a mother, she had to think more about her children.
Shen Zhinian saw through Concubine Xue's thoughts and did not refuse: "Then I will do it for the Fourth Prince first. Thank you, Concubine Xue."
A mother's heart is precious.
Moreover, Xuepin liked children, and she felt happy when she made clothes for them.
Everyone looked at the second princess who was held by her wet nurse.
She was born on the fifth day of July. It has been almost three and a half months now, but she still looks very thin.
Thinking of the second princess's life experience, everyone couldn't help but feel that she was a little pitiful.
Shen Zhinian handed the Fourth Prince to the nurse, took the Second Princess and hugged her, then asked in a gentle voice, "How is the Second Princess these days?"
When Concubine Xue's eyes fell on the Second Princess, she was extremely gentle: "It's still the same. Follow the instructions of the imperial physician and take good care of her."
"But the child is much better now than when he first went to Yanxi Palace."
Shen Zhinian nodded: "Your Majesty named the second princess 'Anyou', she will surely live up to her name and be blessed with good health."
After that, the two exchanged some experiences in raising children. Seeing that it was getting late, Xuepin stood up and said goodbye.
Amid the intrigues in the deep palace, it is rare to feel relaxed and comfortable when spending time with Concubine Xue.
Shen Zhinian also likes the other party to come over occasionally, hug the child and chat with him.
……
Time passed slowly and soon it was the end of October.
During this period, there were still ministers in the court who ignored the emperor's gloomy expression and occasionally asked to make Concubine Liu the Imperial Concubine.
Duke Dingguo would certainly not passively take a beating.
Since it takes time to investigate the person behind the scenes, he will use this gap to muddy the waters in the court.
Thus, under the instruction of Duke Dingguo, all kinds of opinions emerged.
Today, someone was arguing that Consort Xian was the head of the four concubines, and had given birth to the fourth prince, and her father was a first-rank official. Even if someone was to be made an imperial concubine, Consort Xian should be made an imperial concubine!
Tomorrow someone will make a fuss again, Concubine Liang is also one of the four concubines, and once gave birth to the eldest prince for Your Majesty. Moreover, his father is Imperial Tutor Zhuang, Your Majesty's mentor, who has many students in the court.
In terms of seniority, Concubine Liang should be more qualified!
In any case, with all this commotion, Concubine Liu is no longer as conspicuous as before when she was the only one standing out.
Shen Maoxue stood in the queue, watching everyone quarreling coldly. When his gaze fell on Duke Dingguo, a dark look flashed in his eyes.
Duke Dingguo was indeed no pushover. Even though he hadn't found out the truth yet, he quickly thought of a way to break the impasse.
But it doesn't matter, because since the beginning, His Majesty has already begun to doubt Concubine Liu and Duke Dingguo.
If Duke Dingguo continues to do these things, it will inevitably make his intentions even more obvious.
If what Shen Maoxue did was easily discovered by Duke Dingguo, the other party would definitely be suspicious.
But now the time has come, it's time to put an end to this matter!
Finally, in early November, Duke Dingguo finally found out who was behind the incident for the past half month!
Initially, he found out that it was Shen Maoxue who arranged those court officials to make suggestions to His Majesty in order to praise and kill the imperial concubine!