readsfreenovel Chapter 169 The First Prince
Chapter 169 The First Prince
Concubine Chen's expression revealed a malicious implication: "Sister Jiang Fei, Sister Wan Fei, you both have princes. I wonder how much attention His Majesty will be able to devote to the other princes when the time comes!"
Concubine Chen looked at the two people with unhappy expressions and said in a gentle voice, "Especially - Sister Wan Fei, you have the eldest prince! He is the eldest son of His Majesty! When the time comes..."
Wan Fei's pretty face darkened. "Even if Yipin gave birth to a golden nugget, could she surpass my Xuan'er?"
Having said that, Concubine Wan felt very uncomfortable. His Majesty had always been cold to her, and the eldest prince Zhou Chengxuan was already six years old, but his aptitude was very average. He would get a headache whenever he talked about studying, and he would forget the article he memorized today tomorrow. How could this not give Concubine Wan a headache!
In comparison, the eldest princess Mingzhu, who is the same age as the eldest prince, and the second prince Zhou Chengjin, who is one year younger than them, are both more talented in studying than the eldest prince.
After returning to Bailu Pavilion, Concubine Wan became more depressed the more she thought about it.
The head maid carefully served fragrant tea and consoled her, "Your Majesty, the eldest prince is still young, and he's your Majesty's eldest son. You should teach him well in the future. Why worry so much now?"
Concubine Wan glanced at the head palace maid and said, "You don't understand. It's precisely because Xuan'er is His Majesty's eldest son that he's expected to be better than his brothers and sisters in every way. But the Junior Tutors His Majesty has hired are specifically teaching the First and Second Princes, the First and Second Princesses, as well as several other children of the royal family. Who can Xuan'er compare to? And right now, His Majesty is completely focused on Concubine Yi's belly. If Concubine Yi gives birth to another prince, won't Xuan'er be even less valued by his father?"
Concubine Wan was lying on the imperial concubine couch with a sad face, but she didn't notice that the eldest prince Zhou Chengxuan was quietly listening to the conversation between Concubine Wan and the palace maid beside the curtain in the back hall.
The eldest prince listened to his mother's sighing and did not go in. Instead, he turned and left the main hall of Bailu Pavilion.
The eldest prince walked quietly towards his palace. After a while, he turned his head to look at the wet nurse behind him and said, "Luluo, tell me, is the reason why father dislikes me less and less because of the little brother in Concubine Yi's belly?"
Luoluo's heart skipped a beat: "Your Highness, in fact, as long as Your Highness works hard, His Majesty will praise You."
"But, Father hasn't paid attention to my studies for a long time. Last time, he got angry when he saw my handwriting and frowned at me for a long time."
After that, Emperor Shenwu rarely asked about his studies.
Hongqiao, the little palace maid behind Luluo, rolled her eyes slightly and advised, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. I heard that Concubine Yi has always been weak and I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to give birth. Concubine Yi must take special care of herself. If she accidentally falls or something, then the little prince in her belly will be..."
"Hongqiao!" Luoluo glared at Hongqiao: "How can you say these things to His Highness!"
Hong Qiao quickly begged for mercy: "Aunt, I just said it casually. They all say that, I just heard it too many times!"
Luoluo frowned, "How outspoken! Your Highness, please don't listen to Hongqiao's nonsense."
The eldest prince nodded on the surface, but he was thoughtful in his heart.
That day, Concubine Chen felt bored, so she left her palace and took a walk in the Wanhua Garden of the temporary palace.
When they arrived at a pavilion with flower vines, Chen Fei saw from afar that Shenwumen was sitting in the pavilion with Lan Qingwu.
Emperor Shenwu put his ear to Lan Qingwu's lower abdomen, his expression indescribably gentle and affectionate.
Concubine Chen's hands clenched unconsciously, and the beautiful flower in her hand was crushed by her, and the flower juice covered her hands.
Concubine Chen's expression turned sinister. Her senior maid whispered, "Your Majesty?"
Concubine Chen came back to her senses. She watched as Emperor Shenwu held Lan Qingwu on his lap, wiped the juice off his hands with a handkerchief, and said calmly, "Let's go! Go pay our respects to His Majesty!"
Under the flower vine pavilion, there was a gentle breeze and a faint fragrance. Emperor Shenwu held Lan Qingwu in his arms and listened leisurely to Lan Qingwu describing the beautiful scenery he saw.
Li Xiang and others were guarding under the pavilion. Soon, Concubine Chen walked under the Flower Vine Pavilion.
Li Xiang hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "Good luck to Her Majesty the Concubine Chen!"
When Emperor Shenwu heard the voice, his phoenix eyes looked towards the pavilion. He waved his hand casually, letting Concubine Chen enter the Flower Vine Pavilion, while carefully helping Lan Qingwu sit beside him.
Concubine Chen walked lightly into the Flower Vine Pavilion and saluted gracefully: "Your Majesty, I greet you! May your Majesty be well!"
"Be flat!"
Concubine Chen stood up as she was told. But just as Lan Qingwu was about to stand up and salute, the Emperor Shenwu stopped him by holding his hand and saying, "You are too heavy. There is no need for these empty formalities."
Lan Qingwu had a feeling that something was wrong and looked back at Emperor Shenwu with his watery eyes.
Concubine Chen quickly spoke up: "Your Majesty is right! Everything is based on the prince in Concubine Yi's belly. Please don't be so polite, Concubine Yi."
Lan Qingwu had no choice but to say, "Thank you, Empress Chen!"
The Flower Vine Pavilion didn't seem to be bustling with activity despite the presence of one more person. Concubine Chen exchanged a few pleasantries with Lan Qingwu, but the Emperor Shenwu's expression was as if to say, "Why haven't you left yet?" Concubine Chen observed Lan Qingwu's expression and soon withdrew from the Flower Vine Pavilion.
Only the Emperor and Lan Qingwu were left in the Flower Vine Pavilion. Soon the atmosphere became warm and affectionate again.
Concubine Chen turned around, and the smile on her lips disappeared instantly. Behind her, the emperor and his concubine were looking at each other.
Concubine Chen walked gracefully towards her own Baishou Pavilion. Her voice was as gentle as water: "Go tell that little palace maid and add more fuel to the fire!"
In the side hall of Bailu Pavilion, the eldest prince Zhou Chengxuan had just woken up from a nap. He rubbed his eyes and sat up. The palace maid Hongqiao walked in quietly: "Your Highness is awake. I will help you get dressed."
The eldest prince nodded, yawned and waited for Hongqiao to change his clothes.
In the quiet afternoon, the sound of soft conversation could be heard at the entrance of the palace.
"Are you telling the truth? Was Mr. Qian really murdered?"
Another person quickly said, "Hush, keep your voice down. How could this be true? Think about it carefully. If he wasn't murdered by someone, how could he be gone in such a short time? What kind of illness could he die so quickly? It must be because he offended someone!"
"What's going on? Concubine Qian is the eldest prince's biological mother after all. How could she..."
Another person snorted, "It's because His Majesty favors Concubine Yi. Concubine Qian said a few more words for the Crown Prince, and the result is... Alas! Poor Crown Prince, he probably doesn't even know that his biological mother was murdered!"
The voices of the two palace maids became lower and lower, and soon they could no longer be heard.
The eldest prince sat frozen in bed, motionless. He stared straight ahead, and after a moment, he was about to jump out of bed. "No! I need to ask Father! How did my... Concubine Qian die?"
Hong Qiao hurriedly stopped the eldest prince and said, "Your Highness, what's the point of asking His Majesty? Putting aside whether His Majesty knows the truth about this matter, let's just say that Concubine Yi is pregnant with the dragon fetus. For the sake of the little prince in her belly, His Majesty will not do anything to her! Once Concubine Yi gives birth to the little prince safely, His Majesty will not do anything to her either! The little prince is Concubine Yi's amulet!"
The eldest prince's eyes turned red. "Then what about my mother, Concubine Qian? Are you going to ignore my mother, Concubine Qian, just because Concubine Yi is pregnant with the dragon fetus?"
Hong Qiao sighed and said sadly, "What can we do, Your Highness? It's because Concubine Yi is in favor now! Unless... unless Concubine Yi is not pregnant with the dragon fetus..."
Hong Qiao shook her head helplessly, "Your Highness, please don't act impulsively! Otherwise, not only will Concubine Yi be safe, but you will also be implicated! How can Concubine Qian, who is in heaven, rest in peace?"