Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 198: Legend of Zhen Huan 68

Concubine Xi and Cui Jinxi maintained superficial harmony, but the more this happened, the more Concubine Xi felt that Prince Guo and his mother had ulterior motives. Although she hated the emperor, she did not want to hurt him. But now she had no one with whom she could confide, and she had long discovered that the chief eunuch Su Peisheng had some affection for Cui Jinxi, which made her even more uneasy.

The emperor has recently obtained the evidence of E Min's guilt and is preparing to overturn the case against the Zhen family. Even though the matter has not been done yet, the plan has been made. Thinking of his recent harmonious relationship with Concubine Xi, he couldn't help but reveal a little bit to Concubine Xi first.

Now that's a problem. Concubine Xi had always been more inclined towards the emperor. Now she felt even more guilty towards the emperor for concealing the fact that Concubine Shu and Prince Guo were planning something.

However, even though she felt so guilty that she questioned her own character, she still felt that she could not reveal the matter to anyone, especially not to the emperor. After all, Prince Guo had helped her a lot. Even though she felt that Prince Guo had ulterior motives in helping her in the past, there was one thing to say: as long as Prince Guo did not ask her to repay him, she could only judge by his deeds and not his heart.

She was fine in the palace. Even if Concubine Shu and Prince Guo and his mother and son really had some plans, she could still deal with them. But outside the palace, her mother and sisters were under the control of Prince Guo, so she had to be cautious.

Fortunately, the emperor's execution ability has always been outstanding. Only ten days after E Min revealed the secret to Concubine Xi, he lost his official position and his house was searched. It was natural that Zhen Yuandao, who he had supervised before, was found to have sympathized with the rebel party.

In order to make up for the Zhen family, the emperor gave Zhen Yuandao a honorary title of the second rank for the sake of Concubine Xi, and naturally gave Yun a second rank imperial edict. He also bestowed on her one thousand taels of silver and a number of clothes and jewelry made in the palace, and said that he would find good marriages for the two girls, Zhen Yuyin and Zhen Yurao, in the future.

Yun was also straightforward. Out of gratitude for Zhen Yuyin's care for her and Zhen Yurao, she directly welcomed the tablet of Zhen Yuyin's mother He Mianmian into the Zhen family ancestral hall. The family tree also recorded that He Mianmian gave birth to a daughter for Zhen Yuandao under the title of concubine. From then on, Zhen Yuyin was completely devoted to Yun.

Since Yun had received the imperial edict, she could naturally pass a card to enter the palace to meet the empress, and she could also enter the palace to visit Concubine Xi. She, Zhen Yuyin and Zhen Yurao all dressed up and entered the palace. They first went to Kunning Palace to pay a visit to Yi Xin. Yi Xin felt that Yun and Zhen Yurao were probably more like Empress Chunyuan than Concubine Xi, so she reminded them to stay away when they went out.

Yun also thought of this. She was very grateful for Yi Xin's kind reminder, so she went out and took the initiative to find Sang'er who was sending her there to ask for the route. Then she took Zhen Yuyin and Zhen Yurao to Concubine Xi's Palace.

When the mother, daughters and sisters met, they all felt as if they were in a different world, especially Zhen Yuyin. Before she left the palace, she always saw Concubine Xi dressed in an elegant and unparalleled manner, not like the heavy makeup she wore now. Even though she was still beautiful, and even made Concubine Xi look more imposing, it made her very sad.

Zhen Yuyin murmured "elder sister", her nose felt sore and tears came down, she couldn't say anything.

When Concubine Xi saw that her mother and two sisters all looked distressed for her, she felt very touched and also felt sorry for the suffering her mother and sisters had endured in the northwest. Her two sisters had grown up, but her mother had a lot of white hair and did not look as youthful and charming as when she left home. Her face now had many more wrinkles.

Nothing can go back...

There was a time limit for ladies from other royal families to visit imperial concubines in the palace, but Yi Xin was in charge of this, so when it was almost noon, she not only sent word that Madam Yun and the two sisters of the Zhen family should have lunch before leaving, she also asked the imperial kitchen to add two fresh dishes that were not in Concubine Xi's portion.

Concubine Xi, Madam Yun and others were naturally more grateful to Yi Xin for not mentioning it. Madam Yun also took the opportunity to mention that Yi Xin had specifically reminded her of the route. After hearing this, Concubine Xi felt that Yi Xin was indeed worthy of being the queen. She was afraid that she could not be so thorough even before she was deposed.

Now Zhen Yuyin has been transformed. When Zhen Yurao asked her about her impression of Yi Xin, she only mentioned the time when Yi Xin had a confrontation with Concubine Hua. She also mentioned that Yi Xin was very generous to her people in the palace. Even Concubine Xi felt that she finally understood things and looked like she could establish herself in the palace.

Seeing this, Concubine Xi took the opportunity to talk about Zhen Yuyin's marriage, "Yuyin is old enough, mother, please look for Yuyin carefully, it would be best to wait until the mourning period for father is over before deciding."

Zhen Yuyin sincerely felt that there was no rush for her marriage. "Yurao is still young. Even after her father's mourning period is over, she still has to wait two years before she can get married. Anyway, I am in this state now, so it doesn't matter if I wait two more years."

"Besides, when Eunuch Su came to deliver the imperial decree, he hinted that the emperor would intervene in my and Yu Rao's marriage, so there is no need for you to worry too much."

Madam Yun agreed to Concubine Xi's instructions and decided to find an opportunity to ask Zhen Yuyin what kind of man she liked when she returned. She also comforted Concubine Xi and Zhen Yuyin, saying, "Although there is no man to support the family now, you are still in the palace. Yuyin and Yurao's marriage will definitely be good in the future."

Because Madam Yun came to the palace to pay a visit, the Fourth Prince, who was about to consider his marriage, came to pay a visit to Madam Yun after class. Madam Yun was very happy to see the Fourth Prince. Her eldest daughter could not give birth to a child for the Emperor, but as long as the Fourth Prince, her adopted grandson, was around, the two sisters Zhen Yuyin and Zhen Yurao would have a more long-term support in the future.

It was the first time that the Fourth Prince had met an elder like Madam Yun. Not only was she good-looking and had a good temperament, she was also very kind to him. He grew up in the Old Summer Palace and could certainly tell whether others were sincere to him. So when Madam Yun kept asking him to eat during the meal, he felt that he had finally experienced family affection and became even more affectionate to his grandmother, Madam Yun.

After the Fourth Prince had rested and said goodbye to go to school again, Madam Yun took Concubine Xi aside and talked to her for a long time, mostly asking her to treat the Fourth Prince well. Concubine Xi felt a little jealous when she heard it.

After hearing Concubine Xi's jealous words, Madam Yun was about to say that she was also considering Concubine Xi, but when she saw that although Concubine Xi was smiling, there were tears in her eyes, she could not say anything.

Before leaving, Madam Yun took Concubine Xi's hand and whispered in her ear, "Thunder and rain are all grace from the Emperor. Your Majesty, you can't resent the Emperor for giving your things to others just because the rain was given to you first and others benefited from it. This is not the same thing."

Concubine Xi almost couldn't hold it back, but she endured it again and again, and finally whispered to Madam Yun when she left the palace: "Jinxi is good friends with the eunuch Su in front of the emperor, and Jinxi can directly contact Prince Guo."

Madam Yun listened to Concubine Xi's words and looked at Concubine Xi's serious face. She didn't dare to think about it at all before leaving the palace. Only after she left the palace and got on her own carriage did she feel scared. But no matter how Zhen Yuyin and Zhen Yurao asked, she didn't dare to say a word.