radicalducati Chapter 154 The Third Prince
Chapter 154 The Third Prince
Shen Shixi laughed, "The Third Prince is not qualified to use her, but she, a mere beauty, is qualified? Bai Kui, take more people and move all the charcoal from Consort Ping's place over. Also, punish Consort Ping by making her kneel for two hours, and have someone keep an eye on her."
Also, summon the personnel from the Imperial Household Department's Hook and Shield Bureau to see me!
"yes!"
Shen Shixi glanced at the child, whose face was blue from the cold.
In the coldest season in the north, newborn babies don't have much "heat" in their bodies. No matter how well they are wrapped up, they are still cold when held in someone's arms because the air is cold. Moreover, they are premature babies with insufficient lung energy, and the cold air probably makes them feel very uncomfortable.
The charcoal maker arrived quickly, bringing several large baskets of charcoal. After lighting them, the room finally warmed up.
After the baby calmed down and had his milk, the wet nurse took him to sleep.
Shen Shixi inquired about the situation, and the charcoal maker was also in a dilemma, "Consort Ping came personally to snatch it, and this servant dared not disobey, but charcoal is also rationed, and this servant intends to replenish Lian Yue Pavilion, where would I find any extra?"
Shen Shixi said, "Your mistake was that you gave the charcoal to Consort Ping without anyone informing me. You need to understand that Lianyue Pavilion is not only occupied by Consort Li, but also by the Third Prince."
"The number of princes in the palace will gradually increase in the future. You servants, keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully. If anything happens to a prince, will you have enough heads to be chopped off?"
The charcoal seller kowtowed desperately, saying, "This servant knows her mistake, this servant is willing to accept punishment."
"Drag him out and give him ten strokes of the cane!"
Ten strokes of the cane were just a show, not a real punishment.
After expressing his gratitude, the charcoal maker went out to be flogged.
"The Third Prince is a royal heir, of noble status. Even if you freeze to death, no one will care. But if the Third Prince frosts, such a young child, your own flesh and blood, wouldn't you feel heartache?"
Li Sihe was filled with regret. How could she not feel heartbroken? "I am but a mere concubine, my father is just an insignificant clerk, and Consort Ping is the Empress Dowager's niece, born into a Duke's family. Even if she wanted my life, what could I do?"
When she first entered the palace, the emperor made her the first to serve him in bed, and she was overjoyed.
She thought that the emperor had fallen in love with her at first sight and that with the emperor's favor, she could become a person of high status.
Only now do I realize how ridiculous my wild ideas were back then.
Even after giving birth to the third prince, she was still just a concubine, no different from anyone else. In fact, she wouldn't even raise her child.
She was burned and was no longer qualified to serve the emperor. She also lost her competitive spirit. Being able to watch her child grow up healthy was enough for her.
"The Empress Dowager is not an unreasonable person. Besides, you are the birth mother of the Third Prince and are in your postpartum period. If you have any grievances, just speak up. There is no need to hide them. It is a small matter if you are wronged, but it is a big matter if the Third Prince is wronged."
As for Consort Ping, as long as you're in the right, even if you take it to the Emperor's presence, he won't refuse to stand up for you. What are you afraid of?
It wasn't that Shen Shixi looked down on Li Caicai for saying that, but rather that this kind of person was used to being wronged, so she had to tell her that it was her business if she wanted to be wronged, but the Third Prince couldn't be wronged.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness in saving me."
Shen Shixi was afraid to hear such words, because once such a flag was set, it meant that this person would betray her later.
She didn't stay long, and left after being well taken care of.
Feng Yuan came in to serve and whispered, "Why didn't you ask Consort Chen for help just now? I think Consort Chen is a very kind person with a compassionate heart. I heard that everyone serving in Zhaoyang Palace likes her very much."
"The Empress treats you well; if you were to ask, she might very well grant your request."
Consort Li shook her head. "She won't agree. She's clever; she's just worried about what would happen to the Third Prince and how she would explain it. Otherwise, do you think she would have come all this way?"
But both mistress and servant knew that Consort Chen's visit was enough.
No one dared to treat Lianyue Pavilion lightly anymore.
Li Cairen wanted to entrust her son to Lin Guiyou for upbringing.
Li Yuanke's harem was also in dire need of men; there were only a few women in each palace, and even fewer who were willing to raise children.
Consort Xue was definitely not suitable to raise a child. Li Yuanke didn't have much affection for her; she was just his wife, and he couldn't bring himself to kill her. Consort Qiong was suitable, but Consort Li thought about how Consort Qiong had raised her like a starving ghost, so she didn't dare to entrust the child to Consort Qiong.
What if they starve to death!
Or perhaps it was food poisoning?
Consort Chen is of noble status and enjoys great favor, but that's something we can't even dream of. If someone wants a child, why can't we have one ourselves?
Only Consort Jin remained, a choice that Consort Li had no other option but to make, but the initiative was not in her hands.
Li Sihe didn't even consider the Empress. Once he was raised under the Empress's care, he would be the legitimate son, which would be of extraordinary significance.
Moreover, although the Empress suffered a miscarriage, it means that she can still have children in the future.
But now the Empress was already eyeing the child. The Pei family appointed another imperial physician, surnamed Zhang, a newly appointed one who was said to be very reliable. After taking the Empress's pulse, he told her the truth.
"Her Majesty's health is severely depleted. She must take good care of herself for the next few years and must not suffer any further mishaps," said Physician Zhang.
The Empress felt a chill run down her spine upon hearing this.
Granny Qu asked, "Tell Her Majesty the truth, is Her Majesty's health affecting her ability to have children?"
"This..." Physician Zhang said cautiously, "If the treatment is done well, there will naturally be a chance in the future."
However, the chances are slim.
The Empress naturally understood the implication. After the imperial physician left, Granny Qu held the Empress's hand and said, "Your Majesty, let's have another imperial physician examine you later. You are still young, and you may have other opportunities in the future. You have a long life ahead of you."
Besides, whoever in the harem gives birth to a prince must call you "Empress Dowager." At the very least, if they raise a child under their wing, the child will be close to you in the future.
The Empress then thought of the newborn Third Prince. "Do you think the Emperor would agree if I wanted to raise the Third Prince?"
"Why can't I agree to that? But, Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, why not raise a prince without a mother?"
Everyone understands this principle.
The Empress hesitated and said, "Xue is about to give birth, but I don't know if it will be a princess or a prince. Besides, what right does a child born to a criminal have to be raised by me?"
"Your Majesty is quite right. Then what about Consort Li…?"
"We can only wait for another opportunity." The Empress hardened her heart. She had no other choice. In the harem, the Empress's position alone could not protect her.
Moreover, the Emperor is very wary of the Pei family.
Knowing that Shen Shixi's cousin had entered the palace that afternoon, Li Yuanke did not return to the inner palace, but waited until the banquet ended before coming back.
The lanterns in Zhaoyang Palace were still brightly lit, and the melodious sound of a flute drifted out, desolate, distant, majestic, and ancient; as soon as it entered the ear, it could fiercely capture one's heart.
Li Yuanke gestured for the carriage to stop, and he listened at the door.
The light from the palace lanterns shone on his face, its brightness blending with the sound of the flute, seemingly carrying a warmth that pulled him into a magnificent and vast world: glaciers, deserts, oases, Gobi, ancient roads, the sound of camel bells, stretching forward like a dream.
The ambitions of emperors and the lofty aspirations of generals are all entrusted to this long river, the vast desert, and the distant green mountains.
The sound of the flute is magnificent and beautiful, vast and far-reaching, making one's soul tremble.
As the last note faded, Li Yuanke was still in a daze when Shen Shixi ran out and reached out her hand to him, "Your Majesty, you're back!"