This palace comes back in this life, only to be Nian Shilan

Chapter 396: Filial Piety Leads to Strength and Thickness

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Yikun Palace.

"Your Majesty, news has come from Qixiang Palace that Concubine Li seemed to be troubled by a nightmare this morning, and the imperial physician has been summoned to see her."

"The imperial physician prescribed a calming prescription, saying that Concubine Li's illness stemmed from a restless mind. He suggested she go to Baohua Hall to chant sutras and pray for blessings in order to calm her mind. So, early in the morning, Concubine Li went to Baohua Hall without even paying her respects to the empress."

Songzhi said as she massaged Concubine Hua's shoulders.

Concubine Hua closed her eyes and rested, enjoying herself very much. Songzhi's cooking skills became more and more refined.

"The sound of Sanskrit can calm the mind, so let Lipin go more often."

"Yes, the servant understands."

"Princess Li has no good intentions. She even dared to tamper with the imperial concubine's clothing. Yet, Your Majesty is willing to spare her life. You truly are kind."

Songzhi was furious.

It was previously revealed from Xiao Bazi's mouth that it was Lipin who arranged for Xiao Bazi to instigate Hua Fei to change into the clothes of the Imperial Noble Concubine in order to gain a better future. Only Lipin could come up with such a stupid idea.

"Hmph, he was just being ordered around by someone else. It was a waste of time." The imperial concubine's uniform was changed. If Concubine Hua hadn't kept a trick up her sleeve, the events of that day would have been really difficult to handle.

This is an unsolved case. Even if the Shangyi Bureau is turned upside down, it is difficult to find the person behind it.

But unfortunately, Concubine Li had to take the unnecessary step of bringing this up.

Hua Fei immediately caught hold of Xiao Bazi's clue and discovered the little tricks behind Li Bin.

"That little boy died miserably, but I don't understand why you, Madam, didn't even spare Madam Zhou."

"Although she was careful and dutiful on duty, she might have known what Xiao Bazi was trying to do. It's just that love blinded Ji Nian's eyes, and she probably wanted to take all the blame for Xiao Bazi."

"If a confused woman is tortured a little, her mind may become clearer and she won't be deceived again."

"Your Highness is pointing fingers at Madam Zhou. That Lipin is really stupid. She asked Lingxiang to take the blame. Now she has no money, no influence, and no power. Who can she boss around in this palace?"

"Why did Concubine Li choose her when there are so many people to choose from?"

"They think I hate Ling Xiang so much, and Ling Xiang hates me so much too, so naturally they think she's the best shield."

"Then, Madam, the Fourth Prince has given you a tip-off using an acrostic poem, telling you the conversation he overheard between Jianqiu and the Empress in the Imperial Garden. He is actually very kind to you..."

Jianqiu wanted to try to comfort Concubine Hua, or she might as well adopt the Fourth Prince.

"What do you want to say?"

"The Fourth Prince is all alone and motherless. Your Majesty, you love him dearly. Why don't you..."

Concubine Hua was silent for a long time, then looked at Songzhi intently: "Songzhi, if you are willing to leave, I can ask my brother to find a good family for you."

Songzhi fell to her knees on the ground.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have interfered with your decision. I won't dare to do that again. Please don't drive me away."

Concubine Hua looked at Songzhi lying on the ground and said nothing for a long time: "Songzhi, you know what will happen next. This time, I don't know if I can survive that disaster. Now there is still a chance. The Nian family can find a good place for you."

"If it's next year..."

Next year will be the year when the entire Nian family was executed in the previous life.

Hua Fei was reborn in this life, and everything that happened in her previous life happened again in this life. She couldn't make any guarantees, so she could only make the most thorough arrangements just in case.

"But Your Majesty, these things are subject to change. Songzhi doesn't want to leave. If Your Majesty says this again, Songzhi will bang her head against the gate of Yikun Palace and die."

Songzhi was determined to accompany Hua Fei for the rest of her life. Seeing Songzhi's stubbornness, Hua Fei no longer forced her.

Concubine Hua helped Songzhi up from the ground and said, "Don't ever ask me to adopt the Fourth Prince again. The Fourth Prince is a bastard with a tainted heart. At such a young age, he's already raising fish in the harem, just like his father."

Songzhi: "Raising fish?"

Concubine Hua raised her eyebrows at the ignorant Songzhi and said, "Yes, raising fish."

"Since moving back to the Forbidden City from the Old Summer Palace, the Fourth Prince has written piles and piles of poems for every concubine who has ever cared for him."

Concubine Hua used both hands to indicate the distance to Songzhi.

A few days ago, Concubine Jing felt sorry for the Fourth Prince who was studying in the Imperial Garden, so she asked the eunuch to make him a bowl of sour plum drink. The Fourth Prince was so moved that he wrote eight poems.

Concubine Jing happened to be gathered with Concubine Hui, Concubine Qi, and Concubine Xin. They talked about this matter with tears in their eyes. Concubine Qi took out a large stack of the Fourth Prince's "handed-down works" on the spot.

It was several times thicker than the eight poems written for Concubine Jing, and Concubine Jing held back her tears on the spot.

The Fourth Prince is so filial. His filial piety makes him strong and kind.

"The Fourth Prince is clever and smart, but I don't need a child like him. Perhaps I'm not destined to have children in this lifetime. His willingness to tell me that the Empress instructed Lipin to secretly replace my Imperial Concubine's clothing is merely a sign of surrender."

"Between me and the Queen, he chose me, but it might not be me he's after."

It was rare for Concubine Hua to speak so clearly, and Songzhi understood it immediately. It seemed that Concubine Qi's plan to bring the Fourth Prince back to the palace also fostered the Fourth Prince's ambition.

Behind the Empress is naturally the Nian family, who have made great military achievements.

The Fourth Prince is so young, but I didn’t expect him to be so scheming.

"I will take care of the Fourth Prince, but I always feel that the fate has not arrived yet. I hope that the Fourth Prince can have a better opportunity."

Perhaps not adopting the child is a kind of protection for this child. This child has been dormant in the Old Summer Palace for so many years, and no one knows whether his good intentions at the beginning will trigger other causes and effects.

Adversity, for a person, is the shortcut to success.

Yu Songzhi explained it thoroughly. Concubine Hua turned around and asked about Concubine Qi: "Concubine Qi, how is your dance training going at your age?"

Songzhi thought about the past two days when she went to deliver crab cakes and dumplings to the Changchun Palace next door. Concubine An was taking Concubine Qi's measurements with a tape measure. The conversation between them was as follows:

"Sister Qi Fei, have you gained weight again?" An Lingrong measured Qi Fei's waist. Why did it feel like the tape measure was two inches longer than before?

An Lingrong screamed in surprise. Concubine Qi wanted to pat An Lingrong's hand, signaling her to be quiet and that there was no need to make a big fuss about such a small matter.

In everything, do your best, leave the rest to fate, let nature take its course, and do your best.

"How could I possibly be fat? Your tape measure must have shrunk due to getting wet."

Songzhi always remembered Concubine Qi's confident look as she inhaled and held her abdomen in.

"It's probably okay." Songzhi thought for a moment and replied.

There shouldn't be any problem getting clothes tailored to your measurements.

"Concubine Qi, please show some courage and don't waste my efforts."

Concubine Hua did not notice the hint of guilt that flashed across Songzhi's eyes.

When she went to deliver something, she happened to catch Concubine Qi getting measured. Concubine Qi even stuffed two golden dice into her pocket and asked her to keep her weight gain a secret.

There's no need to report this little matter to the Imperial Concubine.

***

When the summer heat was at its hottest, the emperor dragged his family out of the Forbidden City and went to the Old Summer Palace to escape the heat.