An Lingrong after rebirth

"Yi Xiu quickly adjusted her expression, nodded, and smiled again: "Thank you very much for your consideration, Your Majesty. I will tell the two concubines to take good care of it."

"There is no need to make a big fuss. As for the number of people, the Queen can decide for herself. Yes, I understand. Your Majesty, please rest assured."

"Yi Xiu achieved her goal and stopped talking. The couple was speechless for a while, and the palace fell completely silent. Yi Xiu smiled bitterly."

"I don't know when the emperor and I started to become like this. Maybe it's..."

It started from the time my sister entered the mansion!

"When Yixiu thought of this, she could no longer stay, so she stood up and bent her knees. Please wait for a moment, Your Majesty. I will go change my clothes first."

"The emperor waved his hand without saying a word. Yixiu pursed her lips, reached out to support Jianqiu, and turned to leave."

...............

"The ceremony of conferring the title of consort has its own rules. Since the auspicious attire cannot be produced, the other things cannot be touched either. An Lingrong finished dressing up and looked at herself in the mirror, restoring her appearance to the same as before."

"An unprecedented emotion rose in my heart. Not only did I look more intense than before, but my eyes were raised a little. I lost my innocent look and became more charming."

Shufei An, An Lingrong silently said to herself, "I have combed the hair of many ladies in the harem, but I have never seen a forehead as high as yours. Shufei is really a blessed person."

An Lingrong's thoughts were pulled back. She glanced at the other person in the mirror and said with a smile, "Thank you for the compliment, aunt."

"I don't deserve it. The middle-aged maid put down the comb in her hand and said, 'Madam, the auspicious time has come.' She even got up and went to Jingren Palace!"

"An Lingrong withdrew her gaze from the mirror, nodded, thanked her aunt for the reminder, raised her hand to help Qiufang stand up, and slowly walked out of the hall."

"Knowing that nothing can go wrong today, Shen Meizhuang took the children to Yonghe Palace last night. They should be at the imperial concubine banquet by now."

"We left the Yanxi Palace and had to take a sedan chair today. Hearing Yan Guiqijiao's chattering outside the sedan chair, An Lingrong nervously pinched the handkerchief in her hand."

"I don't know if there are other plans waiting for me in Jingren Palace, but with the emperor here today, I'm sure Yixiu won't dare to think of anything else!"

"After a slight sigh, An Lingrong collected everything on her face and regained her composure. The Yanxi Palace and Jingren Palace were adjacent to each other. After a moment, the sedan chair shook slightly and slowly fell to the ground."

"The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, Qiufang leaned forward and stretched out her hand, "Madam, we have arrived at Jingren Palace." An Lingrong did not speak, but stretched out her hand. Qiufang stepped out of the sedan chair and saw the emperor falling down."

"An Lingrong curled her lips and bent her knees. Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health. The emperor strode over with a smile and stretched out his hand to An Lingrong."

"Hurry up and get up!" An Lingrong reached out and held the other person's hand. Using the other person's strength, she stood up. She saw a flash of surprise in the emperor's eyes.

Pretending not to see the other person, An Lingrong easily pulled her hand back, Your Majesty......

"The emperor came back to his senses and nodded. The queen must be waiting. Let's go in together, yes!"

"After they finished talking, the two of them entered Jingren Palace one after the other. As soon as they entered Jingren Palace, An Lingrong looked up and saw Yi Zhengzhen standing in the middle, kneeling and speaking to pay respects to the emperor."

"The emperor walked forward and sat down, and An Lingrong knelt down and said: I am sorry to have kept the Empress waiting for a long time, please forgive me!"

"In front of the emperor, Yixiu naturally acted virtuous, but Concubine Shu didn't have to do the same. It's just that today is your canonization ceremony, so I have to perform such a grand ceremony. I'm sorry to have wronged Concubine Shu."

The Empress' words are too kind. I do not deserve them. Yixiu smiled and said no more unnecessary words. She straightened her body and said seriously, "Shufei An is blessed by heaven. I hope you can be self-disciplined, live in harmony with the harem, serve the emperor diligently, and have many children."

"Your Highness Empress Yu, I am delighted to receive your teachings. An Lingrong bows respectfully. Six bows, three kneels, and three kowtows complete the ceremony."

"The Emperor seems to be more considerate of An Lingrong today, and he immediately said: Your knees hurt after kneeling for so long, get up quickly."

Yes, I thank the Emperor and the Empress very much!

"Shu Fei has been managing the six palaces for a long time, so the golden seal and golden treasure of the concubine's position will not be a cold lump. In the future, I will have to trouble my sister to help me more."

"Yi Xiu waved her hand after she finished speaking, and Jian Qiu came forward holding the golden book and golden treasure. An Lingrong lowered her head again and replied, "Yes, I obey your order!"

"Qiufang, please come forward and accept it. The canonization ceremony is now complete. Yixiu stood up and said, "The canonization banquet for the emperor's concubine is ready. Please move."

"I will go change my clothes first and come back later. All right! The emperor nodded, stood up and led An Lingrong away."

"Yixiu looked at the backs of the two people leaving, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared. Jianqiu stepped forward to support the other person, "My Queen!"

"Why did the emperor come so quickly today? Yixiu's words seemed like a question, but her tone was cold enough to make people feel cold. Jianqiu moved her mouth, but she didn't know how to answer."

After all, who can predict what the emperor will do?

"Fortunately, Yixiu didn't mean to get to the bottom of it. She just shook her head slightly. Now that things have come to this, there's no need to think about it. Let's get someone to prepare the sedan chair!"

"Of course, the imperial banquet for the concubine cannot be held in the Qianqing Palace. It is now April and the weather is gradually getting warmer. Today's banquet will be held in the Wanchun Pavilion in the Imperial Garden."

"Fortunately, there weren't too many concubines in the harem, so there was just enough space for them to sit down. An Lingrong followed the emperor into the pavilion, and before anyone else had time to greet them, the two sons rushed up to them."

"Hong Zhao and Hong Jun greeted the Emperor and raised their heads and said, 'Mother, you look really good today.' An Lingrong couldn't help laughing after hearing this. The Emperor stepped forward and touched the heads of the two children. 'Mother, didn't look good that day?'"

"Hongzhao tilted his head and looked at the emperor. Mother is beautiful every day, and she is even more beautiful today. Hongjun nodded his little head and said, Yeah! Brother is right."

"The two children surrounded An Lingrong, and everyone present was envious. Who else in the harem was so blessed? Only Concubine Shu and Concubine Xian."

"And the Concubine Shu's children are twins, a boy and a girl, who are favored by the Emperor. Perhaps because of this thought, everyone looked at An Lingrong with a different look."

"An Lingrong looked at the two children in front of her and was about to speak when she heard the Queen's voice coming from outside. She signed one with each hand, turned around and knelt, and said, 'I pay my respects to the Queen and the Empress Dowager.'"

"The voices of the concubines and the two children overlapped, and it felt a bit noisy for a moment. The emperor had already walked to the center and sat down. Yixiu walked in slowly, walked to the emperor and sat down, raising her hand to avoid the formality."

"Another stream of thanks rang out, and Yixiu continued, saying: Today is a good day for Sister Shufei, and all the sisters don't have to be restrained, just enjoy yourselves."

"As soon as Yixiu finished speaking, singing and dancing started outside the palace. The dancers who had been arranged long ago came forward. Today was a happy occasion. The emperor and the empress seemed to be in a good mood, so the atmosphere at the banquet was naturally even better."

"The Queen Mother is not present today. An Lingrong is the main guest, so she is naturally arranged to sit next to the Emperor. I looked up at Shen Meizhuang, and she happened to look up as well."

"The two looked at each other and smiled, but didn't say much. The twins stayed in Yanxi Palace today, and only Hongzhao and his children were at the table."

"With the Emperor present, even if we are happy in front of him, we will not be impolite. The two children sat quietly beside An Lingrong and ate."

"After sitting for a short while, the children couldn't sit still any longer, so they were sent back to Yanxi Palace. Seeing that the palace banquet was about to end, An Lingrong thought that nothing special would happen today."

"Yixiu on the other side suddenly spoke up, "Shufei," and An Lingrong stood up after hearing this, "The Queen."

Yixiu put on her usual kind face and said, "I have discussed this with the emperor. There are not many people in the harem now. After the ceremony of conferring the title of consort on you, we will hold a small selection in the capital."

"Add a few sisters to the harem. I'll leave this matter to you. An Lingrong was stunned by Yixiu's words. Selection?"

"This has never happened before. Why has the Queen suddenly thought of this?"

"If we talk about the proper addition of people to the harem, it was after the fall of Nian Gengyao. Thoughts in her mind quickly turned, and An Lingrong knelt calmly. Yes, I understand."

"It's just that this is the first time I've done something like this. If there's anything I don't understand, please give me some advice, Your Majesty! Don't worry about this matter. Although this is just a small selection in the capital, there will be a lot of things to do. Concubine Xian will help you with it."

"After Yixiu finished speaking, Shen Meizhuang stood up and knelt down, saying, "Yes, I obey your order!"

"After saying that, Yixiu turned to look at the emperor. Your Majesty, it is getting late today. How about we stop here?"

"The emperor nodded. All right. I have something else to do in the Yangxin Palace, so I'll go back first. Concubine Shu, I'll accompany you to the Yanxi Palace for dinner!"

"An Lingrong looked at the emperor with a smile on her face. Yes, the emperor stood up and left."

Everyone stood up and knelt, saying; Farewell to the Emperor!

"After the Emperor left, Concubine Hua also stood up and bowed to Yixiu. Without saying anything, she turned and left."

"Yi Xiu didn't care about Concubine Hua's rudeness. She started talking to An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang. She only talked for nearly half an hour before letting them go."

"The children had already returned to the Yanxi Palace. An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang left Wanchun Pavilion and sent Yixiu off. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief."

"Why are we entrusted with such a matter? In the past, the Queen did not take action during the selection, but there was Concubine Hua around, right? An Lingrong shook her head. Who knows?"

"What the Queen said is not clear. It is still unknown who is behind this matter! Shen Meizhuang paused and turned to look at An Lingrong. Do you mean that the Queen wants to put someone into the harem?"

"Shen Meizhuang's question reminded An Lingrong of the Guarjia Wenjiu, and she felt a little strange. Now that she has experienced it again, everything seems to be different."

"I became a concubine, and Nian Gengyao was not demoted immediately after Prince Dun was deposed! Zhen Huan's miscarriage was not caused by Concubine Hua, so naturally Concubine Hua was not demoted."

"And Concubine Hua also knows the truth about the Huan Yi Xiang incident. Every detail makes An Lingrong feel uneasy."

The unknown is what makes people afraid.

"I shook my head slightly. Sister, I don't know whether this is the Queen's intention, but since she has asked for a beauty contest, if it were me, I would definitely not let go of this opportunity to enter the palace."

"Shen Meizhuang was silent for a moment after hearing this. You have a point. It sounds good that you and I are responsible for the selection, but in the end, it is still the emperor who decides who will be the winner. We just need to be responsible for what we should do."

"Sister, what you said makes sense. I think so too," An Lingrong responded.

"Then he said, 'Sister, I have been in confinement for two months and I haven't paid my respects to the Queen Mother for a long time. Please accompany me today. Let's take Hong Sheng and Jin Yu to Shou Kang Palace.'"

"That's fine. I heard from the people below that the Queen Mother has been unwell recently. But I have been very busy these days and haven't had the time to visit her."

...............

Shoukang Palace

Winter has just passed, and it is April now, but Zijing City is not hot yet. It is still cooler in the morning and evening. The Queen Mother is alone in the Buddhist temple, and the smell of sandalwood is everywhere. "

"The room was filled with smoke and people could no longer be seen clearly. The door of the Buddhist hall was pushed open, the Queen Mother moved, and the sound of bamboo breathing could be heard."

"Empress Dowager, Consort Shu and Consort Xian are here with their children to pay their respects to you." The Empress Dowager hummed softly and stretched out her hand to signal Zhuxi to help her up.

Today is the consecration ceremony for Concubine Shu, why is she here?

"The palace banquet is over. From what Madam Shufei said, she hasn't come to pay her respects to you for a long time, so she hurried here today."

"She is a filial person. Let's go," the Queen Mother said, with no emotion in her voice, as she supported Zhu Xi and walked out of the small Buddhist hall.

"In the main hall of Shoukang Palace, An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang were holding a child each. Hong Zhao and Hong Jun were lying on the ground, and no one cared."

"The Queen Mother saw this scene as soon as she entered the room. Look at what has happened to Zhao'er and Jun'er's clothes. You two are only caring about the two little ones."

The Queen Mother's voice made several people turn their heads. An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang put down the children, stood up and knelt, "Your servant pays respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be blessed with good health."

The two children got up from the ground, ran to the Queen Mother, raised their hands and heads and shouted, "Grandma!"

All right, good kids, get up quickly!

"Thank you, Queen Mother," they both thanked in unison. An Lingrong stood up and said with a smile, "Queen Mother, please don't blame me. These two children are really busy now, and I really can't take care of them."

"You're the only one who would say that. It's just that today is your enthronement ceremony. Why are you in such a hurry to come to my place? I'm not feeling well. I haven't come to pay my respects to the Queen Mother for two months. I miss you so much."

"Today I heard Sister Mei say that the Queen Mother is not feeling well. Since I entered the palace, I have received many favors from the Queen Mother. It is reasonable for me to come and pay my respects to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother should not despise me for bothering her."

"An Lingrong looked sincere and her eyes were firm, which made the Queen Mother's expression slightly relaxed."

You, my child, have always been the most sensible. How can I blame you if you are not feeling well?

"An Lingrong smiled faintly after hearing this and said, 'The Queen Mother will naturally not blame me. But if I hadn't come today, I should have blamed myself for coming.'"

"Well, I know you mean well. Hurry up and bring Hongsheng and Jinyu to me. It's been two months, and I still haven't seen them."

Yes!

"An Lingrong and the other person came forward with the children in their arms. The Queen Mother looked at them one by one, and her smile became even wider. Good, good, good, they are all good children. I am really happy to see them."

Royal Madam, Zhao'er is happy too!