thebusnovel Chapter 314 This morning meeting was specifically for her.
Chapter 314 This morning meeting was specifically for her.
Shen Shixi smiled, "The reason why Consort De was bestowed the title 'De' by the Emperor is because of her kindness, virtue, and gentleness. Consort Jing suffered a tragic misfortune, and her temperament has become somewhat arrogant. Even I have been tolerant and patient with her. We are both sisters in the harem, so why should Consort De hold a grudge? It would only damage her own virtue, wouldn't it?"
Consort De, barely able to contain her anger, had no choice but to say, "Her Majesty the Empress's reprimand is absolutely correct!"
Pan Zhiheng laughed and said, "Your Highness, Consort De, have probably forgotten how you taught me when I first entered the palace to never forget your kindness and to serve you wholeheartedly. Consort Jing is, after all, your former mistress!"
Pan Zhiheng is Consort De's niece. She entered the palace with Shen Shixi and is currently a junior concubine.
Back then, she was pregnant, and Consort Qing sabotaged her, insisting on suspecting Consort De. The two fell out, and Pan Zhiheng sought refuge with Consort Pei, determined to take revenge. However, Consort Pei also fell from power.
She had no intention of siding with the Empress, because she knew the Empress looked down on her, and she even had a past grudge against the Empress. She simply disliked Consort De.
Consort De was furious. "Since you are reasonable, you should also know that you once lived in my palace. You tried to curry favor with the eldest prince and were even reprimanded by the Empress."
"Of course I remember, and I will never forget Your Majesty's teachings!" She rose and bowed to the Empress, then said to Consort De, "I did not use the eldest prince to curry favor. It was Your Majesty who taught me that the Emperor's favor is like flowing water, and one should seize every opportunity to be favored by the Emperor and conceive a child as soon as possible."
"In this palace, you now have the most imperial heirs, but it's a pity that in the ninth year of Yongxi's reign, your rank has not changed even once. It's clear that having so many imperial heirs hasn't made you any different from others. What do you say, Your Majesty?"
Before Consort De could speak, Consort Lin Guiyou, also known as Consort Shu, said, "Consort Pan's words sound like they're directed at me and Consort Xian. We are incapable of conceiving the Emperor's child, yet we occupy high positions, sitting on equal footing with Consort De. It's truly shameful!"
Shen Shixi laughed and said, "Where did you get the idea that the Emperor's favor is like flowing water? The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and although the women in the harem don't come often, which of you who are fortunate enough not have given birth to imperial offspring?"
"If that's the case, you're not allowed to let me hear it again!"
Whether pregnant, giving birth, or raising a child, if you count the number of people, those who haven't been pregnant, given birth, or raised a child are considered unlucky.
Those who are considered unlucky are those who have a bad relationship with the Empress, and they have no one to blame but themselves.
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your guidance!" The concubines bowed again.
Shen Shixi said, "Alright, I'm impatient with these formalities. As long as you all behave yourselves in the harem and get along well with each other, that's fine. From today onwards, all matters in the harem will be managed by Consort Xian and Consort Shu. I'm heavily pregnant and can't worry about too much, so you two should pay more attention. If there are any difficult decisions, report them to me."
This time, I won't trouble Consort De. You've given birth to three imperial heirs, a truly great achievement. The Emperor and I both remember your contributions!
Consort De understood perfectly well that this morning meeting was aimed at her.
She was like a dog, dragged out for a walk by the Empress, and even Pan Zhiheng dared to step on her.
"Your Majesty, I obey!"
Shen Shixi glanced at her and said, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is in two days. A banquet will be held at Daqing Palace. All the nobles and ministers will be invited. All the sisters should prepare. The imperial heirs can bring their children. After the banquet, Changyin Pavilion will stage a new play."
You may also go boating on the Qujiang River or admire the moon at Ziyun Tower, and enjoy yourselves as you please. But one thing: please be careful and strictly abide by the palace rules!
The concubines were about to rise and bow again when Shen Shixi raised her hand to stop them. "Alright, that's all I have to say. If you have any matters to report, go back to Consort Xian and Consort Shu first. If they can't be resolved, then report to me."
Consort Shu then asked, "Your Majesty, what new plays are being staged at Changyin Pavilion this year?"
"In Journey to the West, there is Jiang Liuer, who was later taken in by the chief monk of Huasheng Temple and ordained as a monk. Later, he went to Daxingguo Temple to study Buddhism."
He made a grand vow here to travel west to obtain the true scriptures and return to the Great Zhou Dynasty to save all living beings. However, he was only a mortal, and there were many demons and monsters along the way. So, the Bodhisattva assigned him several disciples, the first of whom was Sun Wukong.
Not only was Consort Shu's eyes glazed over, but everyone else, like the drama fans of later generations, was also eager to watch it.
A few little kids were playing nearby when they heard people talking about "Journey to the West," so they quickly came over.
After listening, the third prince, who was a little older and usually a very timid and insecure child, overcame his fear and asked with great boldness, "Mother, is Sun Wukong the Monkey King who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace?"
Shen Shixi beckoned to him, but he dared not go over. His birth mother, Consort Li, was terrified and whispered, "Third Prince, the Empress Dowager wants you to come over. Go quickly!"
The third prince was even more frightened.
Li Chongyuan tried to push him over, but Shen Shixi stopped her with a look and then beckoned to the child, "Come here, your mother has something to ask you."
The third prince was so frightened he almost cried, and dared not refuse to go over.
He went over, and Shen Shixi took his hand, asking, "Are you cold?"
He shook his head.
Shen Shixi said, "Tell me, are you cold or not?"
He was about to shake his head again, but realizing something was wrong, he said, "I'm not cold. I'm not cold!"
Then, tears streamed down my face.
Shen Shixi said, "Just now, your brothers and sisters all wanted to ask me, but they didn't dare to. Only you bravely stood up and asked me if Sun Wukong was the monkey who made a ruckus in the Heavenly Palace. I think you are very brave!"
I'll also tell you, Sun Wukong is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the monkey who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. Do you like him?
The third prince, no longer afraid, nodded vigorously, "I like it, I like it!"
"Yes, he is very brave, resourceful, and lively. Later, following the Buddha's decree of Guanyin, he became Tang Sanzang's disciple, slaying demons and monsters along the way, fulfilling his duties diligently and being extremely loyal. Since you all like him, your father and I both hope that you can become as remarkable as the Monkey King!"
The group of little girls didn't know how to respond.
The old nanny was extremely anxious, but dared not act rashly in front of the Empress.
Shen Shixi then said to the Third Prince, "You are their elder brother. Tell me, how should they greet each other and what should they say?"
The Third Prince thought for a moment, then bowed to Shen Shixi, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Shen Shixi nodded approvingly, which pleased him greatly. The other children also bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
Some can explain it clearly, some cannot.
Shen Shixi then said, "Well done, reward me!"
She helped the third prince to his feet. "The third prince has shown exceptional elder brotherly virtues; he deserves a generous reward!"
She gently pinched the Third Prince's cheek. "Look at you, aren't you eating properly? You're so skinny, you look like a monkey. From now on, we'll all call you the Monkey King, okay?"
"Hahaha, Third Brother is the Monkey King! Third Brother is the Monkey King!" Princess Sanmei was very articulate; although she was young, she talked a lot.
The third prince smiled shyly, looking at his mother with great admiration, overjoyed, "Your subject obeys the decree!"
"Heh, you're quite good at taking advantage of people's kindness!" Shen Shixi found it quite amusing.
As a result, the sixth prince came over and said, "Mother, I want to be the Monkey King!"
[Truly living up to its name, little gorilla!]
Shen Shixi said, "Alright, then Mother will bestow upon you the title of Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Third Prince the title of Monkey King, and is there anyone else who wants to be Sun Wukong or the Victorious Fighting Buddha?"