Chapter Seventy-Five: The Harem's Strange Occurrence

  "Zhu Liangyu?" Zhang Shi became even more confused, "My family has never had any dealings with her, how could we have offended her? Why are you asking this, elder sister?"

  "Don't ask me why I'm asking, I'll tell you later." The old lady of the General's mansion stared at Zhang Shi, "You think carefully, did your family offend her back then? Or had any dealings with her family?"

  Zhang thought for half a day, but still couldn't remember: "In the past, during the New Year's grand court ceremony, when the imperial edict was read and we went to pay our respects in the palace, I saw her a few times, but we didn't talk or interact with each other. Older sister, you know clearly that she is just a pin, above her are the empress, Shu Fei, Jing Fei, and Ning Fei, and among the pins, there is also Chang De Pin who has more seniority than her and also gave birth to an imperial son. During the New Year's grand court ceremony, she was never the most eye-catching one. She is just young, looks good, and the emperor favors her a bit, but he has never lost his composure. For someone like her, when we meet in the palace, we just show respect according to etiquette, there's no need to fawn over her or go against her, so how could we have become enemies with her?"

  Zhang's words were originally reasonable, but the old lady of the General's mansion seemed to have acknowledged her death: "This is unreasonable. If your family didn't offend her, why did she specifically make things difficult for your family?"

  Zhang's expression turned serious: "What does this mean, elder sister? She is just a palace concubine, how can she have any grudge against my family?"

  The old lady of the General's mansion thought for a moment, and then told the truth: "This news came from the palace, don't ask who spread it. You know in your heart that people like us will secretly make connections with influential officials in the palace. It's not that we have any ill intentions, but rather that we want to have more ears and eyes on things, so we can anticipate whether the Emperor is pleased or angry. We just have a sense of these things."

  Mrs. Zhang nodded, this kind of thing did exist. In the past when her predecessor, Madame Qin, was alive, she had a very close relationship with several eunuchs who were close to the late Emperor. Even after Madame Qin's death, there were still interactions between the two sides. This friendship also benefited her as a newcomer to the palace. However, after the emperor ascended to the throne, the people in charge of the palace changed, and the old relationships gradually fell apart. She had also helped arrange for several retired eunuchs and palace maids who left the palace to live out their days, and she knew some of their apprentices as well. But five years ago, she left the capital, and these connections were abandoned. She didn't know if those people were still in the palace or not.

  The old lady of the General's mansion continued: "I knew that person, who was serving in front of the emperor. He said that after the truth about your family's affairs came to light, King Guangping had spoken to the emperor and wanted to grant the title of Duke of Southern Construction to your brother Wei, allowing him to inherit the Zhao family's estate as compensation for taking away a good son and daughter-in-law from the younger branch of the Zhao family. The emperor initially agreed, but changed his mind the next day after spending the night in Consort Zhuli's palace. It is unknown what Consort Zhuli said to the emperor that night, but he told King Guangping: 'Your brother Wei is too young and frail. I fear that if he inherits the title at such a young age, he will not be able to bear the good fortune and may even shorten his lifespan.' King Guangping could say nothing more, so the imperial decree for the succession was never issued."

  Zhang was shocked. Although she had long known that the Emperor was unpredictable, she thought he was only worried about his own grandson not growing up well, but did not expect that there was also something to do with Zhu Li Concubine.

  "The old lady of the General's mansion continued: 'This matter has been delayed for several years, and now your family's Wei brother is twelve years old, healthy and strong, and it's said that he's also well-versed in both literature and martial arts. By reason, he should be eligible to inherit the title. However, over the past few years, neither you nor your grandson have been in the capital, and the Emperor's health has not been good, his memory is poor, so he couldn't remember it for a while. But when the Crown Prince was seriously injured, you brought your grandson to the capital to pay respects, and had him visit relatives and friends all over the city. Almost every family in the capital knows that you've returned. Someone then reminded the Emperor about your family's Wei brother inheriting the title again. This time it was Empress Zhu who advised the Emperor, saying that she'd heard that your family's Wei brother intended to take the imperial examination and his studies were going very well. If he were to inherit the title now, wouldn't that interfere with his path to success? It would be better to wait until he achieves success in the future and then grant him a title, which would bring even greater joy. The Emperor listened to her words, which is why there has been no imperial decree regarding the inheritance of the title.'"

  If it were five years ago when Zhu Liyu spoke up about Zhao Wei's succession to the title, there might still be a possibility that it was a coincidence. Now she speaks up again, and it is clear that she is doing it on purpose, blocking Zhao Wei from succeeding to the title of Duke of Jianan. Since the King of Guangping promised to let Zhao Wei succeed to the title, Zhang Shi no longer had any obsession with whether his grandson would obtain honors through imperial examination. Otherwise, with his current level of learning, he should have gone to take the exam for children long ago. After she arrived in the capital, she never mentioned that her grandson was interested in taking the imperial examinations, but instead everyone knew that Zhao Wei was a talented young man who excelled in both literature and martial arts. Zhu Liyu's claim that not allowing him to succeed to the title now is for the sake of his future career path is simply nonsense.

  Zhang's heart was filled with indignation: "The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, this is the emperor's golden words when he ascended the throne, how dare Zhu Li concubine do such a thing?!" She was furious and also annoyed: "How could the emperor listen to her words? Even if he favors her, there is no reason for this!"

  The old lady of the General's mansion coldly smiled and said: "Since the Empress passed away a few years ago, the harem has not been the same. Now, Zhu Li Concubine can be said to be the most favored among the three palaces and six courtyards, and everyone else is overshadowed by her. Even Jiang Shu Fei has suffered at her hands several times. If it weren't for the Emperor's wisdom in knowing that Jiang Shu Fei was the Crown Prince's mother, she would have been casually dealt with, which could have shaken the Crown Prince's position. Who knows what would have happened to Jiang Shu Fei? She has already suffered losses, let alone others. You mentioned Jing Fei and Ning Fei earlier, one is half dead from illness, and the other has been demoted to a lower rank. As for the rest, Chang De Concubine is old and not favored, she's like a turtle that can't be talked about, but at least she's safe. The others... " She shook her head, "Now among those in the concubine position, except for Chang De Concubine, it's only Zhu Li Concubine. Chang De Concubine is actually ranked above Zhu Li Concubine, but when she sees her, she's like a mouse seeing a cat."

  Zhang's eyes widened in shock. Five years ago, when she was still in the capital, the emperor had just ascended to the throne, and the empress was not yet dead. The harem was still relatively harmonious. Jiang Shufei, as the highest-ranking concubine who had given birth to a son, directly became the candidate for the crown prince, and no other concubines or princes dared to oppose it. The empress was also very kind to the crown prince. But now, the empress is dead. Jiang Shufei lost in the harem struggle and only managed to maintain her position by relying on her son. Other concubines either fell out of favor or were dismissed. And yet, Zhu Li Concubine has gained the upper hand, even daring to directly interfere with the succession of noble titles. This change is too drastic! How could the emperor be so foolish? Don't the court officials say anything?

  She asked the old lady of General Zhongguo's mansion: "Does the emperor allow her to be like this? Even if she is forgiven and favored again, she is almost thirty years old now, and has given birth to a son. Can't there be someone new to suppress her?"

  The old lady of the General's mansion sighed: "When the Empress was still alive, she had selected a batch of new people, and they were all younger than Zhu Li. There were also many who were more beautiful than her, but none of them could compare to her in terms of favor. After the Empress passed away, I don't know how Zhu Li managed to coax the Emperor, but the Emperor said in front of the officials that he was heartbroken over the loss of his first wife and had no intention of taking new consorts again, so he exempted the three-year selection of concubines. The most favored person in the palace is still Zhu Li. Jiang Shu Fei has also learned to be low-key now, quietly eating vegetarian food and reciting Buddhist scriptures in her own palace, only managing the palace affairs with Zhu Li, just hoping not to make mistakes, letting others take the credit. At this age, even grandchildren can get married soon, what's the point of competing for favor with those young concubines? As for the other consorts in the harem, the older ones have lost their spirit, and the younger ones are just petty squabbles that can't be taken seriously, not even Zhu Li takes them to heart. In a month of thirty days, she can occupy twenty-five days with the Emperor, leaving only five days for others to share."

  Zhang was astonished: "Don't the high-ranking officials in the court have anything to say?"

  "Although Zhu Li was the most favored in the harem, she was still restrained in her daily actions. When she spoke ill of others to the Emperor, it was always in private, so how could outsiders know? Even if they did find out, they wouldn't dare speak out, fearing the Emperor would accuse them of spying on the palace. Therefore, those who didn't know thought Zhu Li was a virtuous woman." The old lady from the General's estate lowered her voice, "I heard that the Zhu family had planned to find someone to petition the Emperor to make Zhu Li the Empress, so she acted restrained in order to let people praise her virtue. But the Emperor never intended to establish a new Empress, so this matter was dropped."

  Zhang's eyes widened, and she suddenly remembered something: "Elder sister, your words reminded me that my family has never had any dealings with Zhu Li. If there's anything that could have offended her, it would be only one thing." She looked up at the other person: "When the Emperor took in Zhu Li as a concubine back then, Duke Gong had privately spoken out against it, saying that although Zhu's family was noble and the Emperor could favor them and they could bear children, under no circumstances should she be made Empress, nor should any of her sons be made Crown Prince! Otherwise, in the future, would this empire belong to the Gao or the Zhu family?"

  The old lady of the General's Mansion was stunned and after a while, she exclaimed: "Did Prince Zhao really say that?!"

  "She really said that." Zhang Shi nodded heavily, and now she had already vaguely guessed the truth of the matter. "Zhu Li was a daughter of the imperial clan of the previous dynasty. Since she gave birth to the emperor's son and received the emperor's favor, it's not surprising that she would have wild ambitions. The descendants of the imperial clan of the previous dynasty must also be supporting her. If the emperor really establishes her as the empress, then the sixth prince born to her would become the legitimate heir, and even though he is the youngest, he could still smoothly surpass his older brothers and be appointed as the crown prince. But if she can't become the empress, all of this would just be an illusion."

  The old lady of the General's mansion let out a sigh: "I also understand now, she must have known about Prince Zhao's words and felt that she couldn't be the empress, and the sixth prince couldn't be the crown prince, all because of Prince Zhao. That's why she harbors resentment in her heart..." She looked at Zhang with a complex expression: "Since she intends to contend for the throne, now that the crown prince has stepped down, the other princes are competing, and the sixth prince is too young, with no chance of winning. I'm afraid she will still use her tactics in the palace, pulling down the other princes, just to put the sixth prince on the throne."

  Zhang said solemnly: "I must remind Guangping King that Le'an King cannot be schemed against."

  The General of the Pillar State was only a military general and never interfered in court politics, let alone this matter of seizing the throne. The old lady stood up and sighed, "These things are not for us to get involved in. Since you have received the kindness of saving your life from King Guangping, reminding him once is enough. Since the Emperor does not plan to let Brother Wei inherit the title now, you should hurry back home with your grandson. Wait until the chaos in the capital subsides before returning. You don't need to worry, the Emperor favors Zhu Li so much, but he doesn't plan to promote her to concubine, let alone make her Empress! The Sixth Prince will absolutely not become the Crown Prince! Although King Guangping has abdicated, he is still around, and with him keeping watch, chaos will not erupt in the capital.

  Zhang stood up and grasped her hand gratefully: "Thank you, elder sister, for reminding me. I will remember your words in my heart and return home in a few days."

  The old lady of the General's mansion patted her hand and bid farewell without saying much. Zhang Shi escorted the person out of the door and returned to her own courtyard, still thinking in her heart.

  Although Zhu Li was a member of the imperial family from the previous dynasty, her father and brother held low-ranking positions, and she relied solely on the emperor's favor. Her son was still young and far from being old enough to participate in politics at court. Therefore, even if she received more favors, few officials would have thought that she had become a force to be reckoned with. Although she seemed to be in a favorable position in the palace, who could support her in the previous dynasty? Without the support of senior ministers and the emperor's intention, no matter how hard she tried, her son would not become the crown prince. Where did she get the confidence from, thinking that she had a way to put her son on the throne?

  Or who gave her this confidence? (......