vstars Chapter 249 Queen's Duties
Chapter 249 Queen's Duties
When Lan Qingwu arrived at the main hall of Fengqi Palace, two quarters of an hour had passed. Except for Concubine Wen who had just arrived, all the concubines in the six palaces were patiently waiting for the Queen's carriage.
Lan Qingwu was supported by Ruping and sat at the top seat in a dignified and graceful manner.
Concubine Jiang and Concubine Wen led the others in the harem in a shadow ceremony, kneeling and bowing. "Long live the Empress! Your humble servants greet the Empress!"
Lan Qingwu looked at the concubines in the first hall and said, "Stand up!"
After the six concubines sat down according to their respective rankings, Liang Guipin could not wait to speak: "Your Majesty, is your body in good condition? I see that your reaction to this pregnancy is not as strong as the previous two times."
Lan Qingwu smiled slightly: "Thank you for your concern, this child is very well-behaved."
Liang Guipin also laughed and said, "I think this time it might be a little princess!"
Han Guiren also said in a humorous tone: "If it is a little princess, she must be as noble and dignified as the queen."
Zhou Cairen and Fang Meiren were sitting in the back, and they just listened to these flattering words with a smile.
Looking at Lan Qingwu's still-unrevealing belly and her enviable radiant face, Yang Guipin couldn't help but think that all the emperor's favors were given to the empress. Now that the empress has been favored for many years, it seems that the situation in the palace will remain unchanged for many years.
Concubine Jiang looked at Lan Qingwu seriously and said, "The Empress is in a very bad condition right now. If you feel unwell, please consult the imperial physician as soon as possible. I, your concubine, and I will not disturb you all the time."
As soon as Concubine Jiang finished speaking, Concubine Wen couldn't help but frown. Concubine Jiang was still as kind as ever. She glanced gently towards the back of the seat.
Noblewoman Shuixia stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say that I feel compelled to speak out. If there is anything inappropriate in my words, please forgive me."
Lan Qingwu looked at her calmly with her watery eyes: "You say, I am listening to your inappropriate words."
Noble Lady Shuixia froze for a moment, and she couldn't help biting her lips. A hint of unwillingness appeared in her lowered eyes. When she first entered the palace, she was favored by His Majesty for a few days. At that time, she and the Queen were both of the rank of noble ladies. Unexpectedly, after so many years, she was still a noble lady, while Noble Lady Yi had become the Queen who monopolized the power of the harem and enjoyed the emperor's favor!
Noblewoman Shuixia gathered herself and spoke again under the mixed gazes of the concubines, "Empress, the harem has been without a master for many years. Now that you have finally ascended to the throne, shouldn't you also fulfill your responsibilities to His Majesty and the heir to the throne of Dasheng?"
As soon as Lan Qingwu heard what Concubine Shuixia said, he knew what she meant.
Concubine Jiang frowned deeply, while Concubine Liang said bluntly, "What are you talking about? Isn't the Empress currently working to conceive an heir for His Majesty?"
Noblewoman Shuixia refused to yield. Her gentle voice carried a desperate tone, "It is precisely because the Empress is pregnant that she is unable to serve Your Majesty. And since you are already the Empress, you should advise Your Majesty to show your grace to all the concubines! Only in this way can more heirs be born, and this will be the blessing of our Great Sheng!"
Concubine Han snorted coldly, "Concubine Shuixia makes it sound as if you'll be pregnant if His Majesty goes to your place! The Empress is already pregnant, and you're here to cause trouble! Who can control who His Majesty favors? I don't have the ability to keep His Majesty, so do I expect the Empress to give her up to you?"
Concubine Shuixia's pretty face turned pale from the squeeze. She has been keeping a low profile since the incident with the eldest prince. This time she was just testing the intentions of His Majesty and the Queen. However, Concubine Shuixia entered the palace relatively late and did not know why Concubine Han was so reckless in speaking for the Queen. Didn't Concubine Han know that this was beneficial to all the concubines in the six palaces?
Concubine Shuixia naturally couldn't understand why. It was because during the house arrest incident that year, Lan Qingwu stepped forward in Heyao Palace to rescue Concubine Han and others and stand up for the military generals. Lan Qingwu, who was just a small noble at the time, soothed the humiliation and hurt suffered by Concubine Han. From then on, Concubine Han made up her mind to stand firmly behind Lan Qingwu.
The two Su nobles who sat above Han Guiren also bowed and stood up. "Your Majesty, I think what Shuixia Guiren said is absolutely right. There are so many sisters in the harem who can help you share your worries!"
The mood of the other concubines in the palace was very complicated and subtle. If the Queen Mother did not accept the advice of the concubines in the harem, then the hat of jealousy would be put on her head. If the Queen Mother accepted it, then there would probably be no woman in the harem who would be unhappy. If they could get the favor of the emperor, who knew that they would not be the next lucky one to be pregnant with a dragon fetus?
At this time, Noble Lady Su timidly said, "In fact, the Empress can give His Majesty some advice. Whether His Majesty accepts it or not depends entirely on His Majesty's will."
Lan Qingwu looked at the two Su Guiren. She still felt uncomfortable when she saw them. Their intention was very clear: they wanted to force her to "offend" the Shenwu Emperor. After the emperor was unhappy, the concubines in the harem would naturally have the opportunity to sleep with him.
Lan Qingwu curled the corners of her lips calmly. It was really hard for them to come up with this method to deal with her, the newly appointed queen.
Concubine Liang frowned. Shortly after entering the palace, she had noticed the emperor's indifference to the other concubines. Concubine Liang, a carefree person, saw that the emperor, despite adding new concubines year after year, never truly rejoiced, nor did he show any special favors to anyone. Most of the concubines in the harem were favored by the emperor according to routine, so she gave up her thoughts. Having let go of her worries, Concubine Liang found her own pleasures, and her life of luxury was no longer difficult. It wasn't until long after Lan Qingwu entered the palace that she noticed something was wrong. Perhaps the emperor had been protecting that person for a long time! However, Concubine Liang didn't feel anything special. On the contrary, she often found Concubine Yi quite interesting.
Concubine Jiang also had mixed feelings. She looked at Lan Qingwu with a little worry. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Lan Qingwu glance at her lightly, so Concubine Jiang swallowed the words.
Lan Qingwu glanced at Noble Lady Shuixia and the two Noble Ladies Su, then looked at Concubine Wen who was leisurely sipping tea. She said calmly, "What else can I do? I was discussing with Your Majesty some time ago that the concubines with royal heirs and seniority should be promoted to a higher level while the joy between Your Majesty and me is still lingering. This way, the sisters in the harem can also enjoy Your Majesty's grace. Moreover, I will report to Your Majesty the words of Noble Lady Shuixia and the two Noble Ladies Su. Your Majesty is the master of the former dynasty, the harem, and even the world. Everything is decided by Your Majesty!"
Not only were Noble Lady Shuixia and the two Noble Ladies Su stunned, even Concubine Wen was slightly stunned. She had thought that the Queen would be filled with resentment and would be forced to advise the Emperor under pressure, and would definitely argue with Noble Lady Shuixia and the others for a long time. She did not expect that the Queen would agree so nonchalantly and without taking it to heart.
Concubine Wen looked at Lan Qingwu carefully, and saw that there was no loss of composure or change on Lan Qingwu's face. Her skin was white and shiny, and she looked like a person made of ice and snow.