allonlinenovel Chapter 459: Greetings
Chapter 459: Greetings
After Concubine Jiang, Concubine Wan, Concubine Liang and others arrived at Fengqi Palace, the Emperor and Empress had not yet appeared.
Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wan glanced at each other as soon as they saw the people in the palace. Concubine Liang, who was straightforward, said directly, "Oh, look at these diligent young people. They are outshining us. The Empress will definitely teach us a lesson later."
Concubine Jiang's expression straightened: "Well, this is also a show of filial piety from the children."
Concubine Wan snorted in her heart, it's so easy for you to say that, there is not a single crying baby waiting to be fed in the prince's mansion, and she is not anxious or out of breath. She glanced at the eldest prince's wife and knew that the eldest prince's wife was thinking about the children in the mansion and looked uneasy.
After the Crown Princess and several other imperial consorts bowed to the high-ranking concubines, Concubine Wan said, "You came too early. The tea is getting a little cold."
The palace maids in the hall immediately stepped forward and served new fragrant tea to everyone in an orderly manner.
Concubine Wan's words had a hidden meaning. You younger ones came earlier than the other, but you made us seem to pay less attention and respect to the Empress. This was clearly the Empress's decree, and it has been more than ten years. It is really not easy to get them to change.
Concubine Liang glanced at the Crown Princess who lowered her head and remained silent, and thought to herself that you set a good example and we have all become bad people. However, for Lan Qingwu's sake, the outspoken Concubine Liang held back and said nothing more.
Besides the First Prince's wife, who was genuinely concerned about the child, the Second, Third, and Fifth Princes' wives were also filled with resentment. Of the Crown Princesses and the other concubines, only they lived outside the palace. Although they lived in the inner city, not far from the palace, coming here every day was still a real hassle for them. It was also because Lan Qingwu hadn't established any rules for them to pay their respects daily, so it was natural that they felt a sense of loss when things suddenly became like this.
At the bedroom door, Li Xiang and Ruping exchanged a glance. Ruping tiptoed in and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress, and the ladies of the other palaces are already waiting in the main hall."
Lan Qingwu was woken up, she was a little embarrassed and annoyed, "Your Majesty, many people are waiting for us!"
Emperor Shenwu half sat up, smelling the fragrance on Lan Qingwu's body, and said nonchalantly: "Why are you in such a hurry? Let them wait."
Then he ordered: "Change clothes!"
After the Emperor and Empress finished dressing, they walked towards the main hall. Lan Qingwu's legs were still a little weak, so the Emperor Shenwu reached out to support her and chuckled, "Wei Ruowei needs to take good care of herself."
This caused Lan Qingwu to glare at Emperor Shenwu coquettishly. The look was charming and beautiful, and it made Emperor Shenwu feel relaxed both physically and mentally.
He casually said, "I'll serve some soup to the Empress later."
Emperor Shenwu made a scene in the morning and delayed his breakfast. After he sent away a group of concubines, it was even later. He didn't care, but he was afraid that Lan Qingwu couldn't bear it.
When the Emperor and Empress arrived, all the concubines, the Crown Princess, and the Prince's wife knelt down to greet them.
"Your humble concubine/daughter-in-law pays homage to His Majesty! You pay homage to the Empress! Long live His Majesty! Live the Empress a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"
Emperor Shenwu called for them to stand up, and he moved lightly like a lotus flower and served a small bowl of nourishing mushroom soup to each of them.
Emperor Shenwu glanced at Lan Qingwu and instantly realized that Lan Qingwu was also afraid that he would be hungry. Emperor Shenwu drank a few mouthfuls of soup and thought that it would be better to send all the people in the hall away as soon as possible so that the two of them could have a good breakfast.
Just as he put down the cup in his hand, he heard the Fifth Prince's wife exclaim, "Second Princess, what's wrong with you? Why are you so pale?"
The Second Prince's wife quickly stood up again and said, "Father, Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am just a little dizzy."
Wan Fei understood a little and said, "Were you in such a hurry to enter the palace that you didn't have time for breakfast?"
The Second Prince's wife lowered her head quickly: "It's nothing serious."
Lan Qingwu could clearly see that she was suffering from hypoglycemia. "You came to the palace early again today? Ruping, bring some more refreshments to the Second Prince's wife."
Ru Ping left in response. The Third Prince's wife's eyes flashed as she said, "Second Sister-in-law should have had some breakfast. Fengqi Palace's pastries are unique."
This one sentence showed that Lan Qingwu didn't treat the daughters-in-law harshly. Tea, pastries, and snacks were all available. However, once they entered the palace, who could afford to eat and drink freely in front of the Emperor and Empress? Moreover, they all had to control their mouths. Otherwise, doing something indecent like changing clothes in front of the Emperor and Empress would be an offense and a loss of manners. How easy is it to be a royal daughter-in-law? It's the hardest!
The Fifth Prince's wife smiled softly, "Yes! Second Princess, we don't live in the palace like the Crown Princess. We have time to have breakfast. When you come to Queen Mother's place, you should have it! Otherwise, if something happens again, it will not be good!"
Concubine Jiang's face darkened. "What's wrong? You guys came to pay your respects to the Empress, and you're feeling wronged? It's only been a few days, and you're already feeling dizzy, and some are complaining about the distance! I think the Empress is too lenient with you, and you have no sincerity or filial piety at all! Ordinary people still pay their respects to their mother-in-law every day to show their filial piety!"
The Second and Fifth Princes' wives changed their expressions instantly and knelt on the ground: "Daughter-in-law, I dare not. That's not what I meant!"
As the two knelt, the Crown Princess could no longer sit still. She also knelt with the First and Third Princes' wives. The Crown Princess said righteously, "Paying respects to the Queen Mother is only natural. It is a filial act of the daughter-in-law and others. Don't say there is nothing else. Even if there is, nothing is more important than being filial to our father and mother!"
Lan Qingwu's eyes swept across their faces one by one. There was a moment of silence in the hall. The Crown Princess felt the gaze and tensed her body. Soon beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose.
After a few breaths, Lan Qingwu finally spoke: "Everyone, stand up!"
Several people breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts at the same time, not daring to move their eyes. They slowly stood up and sat in their seats one by one.
Lan Qingwu sighed inwardly: "Didn't any of you have breakfast? When did you enter the palace?"
The Crown Princess said, "My Queen Mother, it will be around 12:00 AM, but my daughter-in-law..."
Lan Qingwu gently waved her hand to interrupt the Crown Princess. "What Concubine Liang said just now is right. Paying respects doesn't depend on how early or how often you pay your respects, but on your sincerity. Do you think that if you come to pay your respects to me on an empty stomach and then get into trouble from starvation, I'll be happy? That's true filial piety? Your body and hair are given by your parents, and they should not be damaged. I am half your mother, and I really can't bear to see you feel the slightest discomfort. Starting tomorrow, come to Fengqi Palace on the first and fifteenth day of the month! Don't be afraid, your stepmother does the same. Of course, if you have free time, you can come to Fengqi Palace to accompany me. You are all good children. If I feel bored, I will summon you to the palace again."
Several people quickly agreed. The Third Prince's wife couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips. After this day, the Crown Princess would probably be more obedient.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess was slightly shocked. Given her temperament, if she were in Lan Qingwu's position, she would certainly make these women of lower status kowtow to her every day. As for her daughters-in-law, she would naturally give them enough power to make them all bow down to her. She didn't understand why Lan Qingwu was so lenient and indulgent towards these women of lower status.
The Crown Princess stood up when she thought of this and said, "If you, Queen Mother, don't mind me, I will come to accompany you every day."
The remaining consorts couldn't help but shudder, especially the Fifth Prince's, who was stunned. The Third Prince's consort sighed softly. The Emperor and Empress had always been inseparable. The Emperor Shenwu favored the Empress, and they spent a lot of time together. Do you think it's appropriate for you, the Crown Princess, to come every day? Besides, the Empress got up early every day for you and treated the Emperor Shenwu coldly. I'm afraid given the Emperor's temper, he would be furious in a few days.
As expected, the silent Emperor Shenwu slowly wiped his fingers with a silk handkerchief, then casually tossed it to Li Xiang beside him, "Crown Princess, your filial piety is commendable. Here's a reward! The Crown Prince and you are newlyweds, you should respect each other and advance and retreat together!"
Without waiting for the Crown Princess to reply, Emperor Shenwu said again: "Everyone, please leave! I am exhausted!"