bookrandom Chapter 231 The Arrogant Cui Family
Chapter 231 The Arrogant Cui Family
Consort Liang smiled slightly, and said with considerable pride:
"Your Majesty need not trouble yourself with this matter. I will speak to Lord Zhu. Once Your Majesty issues this imperial edict, I can handle everything else."
Although the Emperor was still somewhat skeptical, he nodded in agreement.
"Alright, you go and persuade Zhu Kui first, and then I can issue the decree."
Consort Liang immediately bowed with delight.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness. I will go back and wait for you. Please come early tonight."
The Emperor nodded slightly and raised his hand, saying:
"I've noted it down. You may return now!"
Consort Liang walked out of the Imperial Study with a joyful expression.
She really got two things done today; it was a worthwhile trip.
She not only said that the Emperor had decreed a marriage, but that the Emperor would also stay overnight at Fangcao Zhai, so she had to go back and dress up properly.
……
Zhenlan Garden
The first thing Cui did upon arriving at Zhenlan Garden was to establish rules for the maids and eunuchs there.
At this moment, they were all kneeling in the main hall, listening to Cui's nagging, daring not to speak out in anger.
Lady Cui was dressed in elegant and luxurious clothes, holding a ceremonial staff in her hand, and had an arrogant demeanor.
Did you all hear what I just said clearly?
The crowd lowered their heads and replied in unison:
"Listen clearly."
"Speak louder, didn't you eat lunch?"
Everyone raised their voices and shouted together:
"Listen clearly."
Only then did Madam Cui nod in satisfaction.
"Good that you understand. From now on, I will be in charge of all matters, big and small, in Zhenlan Garden. As long as you do your jobs well, you will not be shortchanged."
"Yes, ma'am."
Cui raised her hand again and said:
"Go back all!"
The group then stood up and quietly withdrew.
Ling Lanhua watched silently.
Only after everyone had left did Madam Cui turn back to look at her with a beaming smile.
"Hua, what do you think of what Mother just said?"
Ling Lanhua immediately nodded in approval:
"Mom, I never knew you had these skills."
"That is……"
Cui raised her chin triumphantly and waved her hand, saying:
"In my forty-plus years of life, this is the first time I've dared to order people around like this. It feels so damn good!"
"Mother, this is the palace, please watch your words."
Cui replied with a smile:
"I understand. Don't worry, your mother hasn't been idle these past few days. I've been going to the teahouse every day to listen to the storyteller talk about things in the palace. I know what to do."
At this point, she squinted and asked:
"How many days has it been since His Majesty last visited your Zhenlan Garden?"
Ling Lanhua counted on her fingers.
"They came the day before yesterday."
“That won’t do. Even if you’re not feeling well, you still have to take care of him. You absolutely cannot let him sleep with other women while you’re pregnant.”
"But...but I dare not, I'm afraid of hurting the baby in my womb."
"Are you stupid? You're physically disabled, you don't have hands, you don't have a mouth!"
As she spoke, she leaned close to Ling Lanhua's ear and whispered a few words, causing Ling Lanhua's face to immediately turn red to the roots of her ears.
"Mother, this is so embarrassing!"
"You want to keep the Emperor's heart and soul? Are you afraid of losing face? Once you give birth, your body will loosen up. Do you still expect the Emperor to stay in your bed? You need to understand that the harem is never short of women, and they are all young and beautiful. Without some tricks, how can you keep the Emperor's heart?"
Ling Lanhua's eyes flashed, the corners of her lips slightly lifted, and she nodded in response:
"Yes, I understand. I will do so when the Emperor arrives."
Cui hurriedly clapped her hands together, reminding him:
“Silly girl, you can’t just wait here. You have to send someone to invite him. If that doesn’t work… just say you have an upset stomach.”
"Is this okay?"
"Why not? The storyteller in the teahouse said that throughout history, if you want to gain a foothold in the harem, you have to win the emperor's favor and find ways to suppress others. Do you know why the emperor has three palaces and six courtyards, but in the end only a few of them have children?"
Ling Lanhua shook her head in confusion.
Cui continued:
"That's because some people don't want their children to be born, and some people are afraid that they will become powerful because of their children. Ever since I found out you were pregnant, I have been kneeling down and praying to the Bodhisattva every day. It seems that the Bodhisattva has answered my prayers and allowed the child in your belly to stay safe until now."
Hearing her words, Ling Lanhua seemed to realize something, and looked at her with eyes full of horror.
"Mother, I suddenly fainted a few days ago, and the baby in my womb is unstable. Could it be that someone is trying to harm me?"
Cui pursed her lips, then nodded as if she understood.
"That's very possible, but thankfully the baby survived."
"Yes, I have to thank Lan Zhi for this. The imperial physicians in the palace were all helpless. She came, gave me a pill, and prescribed a prescription. After taking it, I felt much better."
"Hmph! That little bitch Lan Zhi, she must know why you suddenly fainted. She didn't tell you the truth, she must be hiding it from someone. You'd better watch out for her in the future."
As she spoke, she called out to the people outside:
"Xiao Fang, go and invite the Emperor. Tell him that Consort Lan has a stomachache."
"Yes, ma'am."
After Xiao Fang responded, she turned and left. Cui Shi quickly gestured to Ling Lanhua:
"You should lie down quickly. When the Emperor arrives, you need to appear weak."
After Ling Lanhua said "oh," she quickly lay down on the bed. Cui Shi came over to cover her with the quilt and told her the story she had heard from the storyteller again.
Fangcaozhai
Consort Liang sat in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her still charming self reflected in the mirror, and revealed a charming smile.
If the Emperor comes tonight, she must find a way to win back his heart and get him to come to her more often.
She tidied her hair again, her gaze occasionally drifting towards the doorway.
"Xiao Hui, go to the Imperial Study and see if the Emperor is finished yet."
"Yes."
After Xiao Hui responded, she quickly walked out, and Liang Fei began another long wait.
About half an incense stick's time later, Xiao Hui returned dejectedly.
Consort Liang pressed for an answer.
"What? Is His Majesty still busy?"
Xiao Hui shook her head, replying trembling with fear:
"His Majesty... has gone to Zhenlan Garden."
"what?"
Consort Liang jumped up from the round stool, gritting her teeth as she questioned,
"His Majesty promised to come to Fangcaozhai, so why did he go to Zhenlan Garden instead?"
"It is said that Consort Lan is feeling unwell and requests Your Majesty's presence."
Upon hearing this, Consort Liang's eyes instantly turned icy cold, her blood rushed to her head, and an uncontrollable rage erupted from her.
"Snapped!"
She bent down and swept everything off the dressing table, causing the servants standing in the outer room to kneel down.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Perhaps... perhaps Consort Lan's child is in danger?"
Xiao Hui knew that this was what Consort Liang had been thinking and dreaming of.
But Consort Liang understood that since Consort Lan's child had been saved by Lan Zhi, it was impossible for it to be lost without some means.
After taking a few heavy breaths, she suddenly had a terrible thought.
"Xiao Hui, send someone to invite Lord Zhu. Tell him I have urgent business to discuss with him."
Xiao Hui looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Your Majesty, now?"
"Yes, right now."
Since the emperor is unjust, then don't blame her for being unjust.
Although Xiao Hui didn't understand why Consort Liang wanted to summon Lord Zhu so late, Consort Liang was in a bad mood, so she didn't dare to ask any more questions and hurriedly went out to give instructions.