pdf-ebookys Chapter 495 The Price Duke Dingguo Paid
Chapter 495 The Price Duke Dingguo Paid
As for what Duke Dingguo said to Your Majesty that made Your Majesty make this decision, no one knows.
For a moment, I felt a little embarrassed that I had tried to curry favor with Concubine Liang because I thought she would become the mother of the eldest prince...
The concubines who were attached to the Duke Dingguo's Mansion were even more sarcastic about these people who were slaving for the sake of power, asking them if it hurt when they were slapped in the face.
They were so embarrassed that they couldn't say a word and returned to their own bedrooms in shame.
Among the palace concubines who were on good terms with Concubine Liang, the only one who survived was Concubine Hao.
Because when Concubine Liang was down, she lent a helping hand; when Concubine Liang was in glory, she did not try to please her.
Neither humble nor arrogant, neither arrogant nor impetuous.
As for Concubine Liang herself...she didn't receive much ridicule.
It was only because of her cautious nature that she had never announced to the public that His Majesty wanted to give the third prince to her for raising.
Even when others said so, she kept trying to stop them, saying that the emperor's mind was unpredictable and that his majesty's intentions were not something they could guess.
After the news that Concubine Liu had become the mother of the Third Prince spread, Concubine Liang also sent her sincere blessings, lamenting that the Third Prince would finally have a mother to love him in the future.
Who wouldn't admire such character and bearing?
But... only Concubine Liang knows what she feels in her heart.
Changchun Palace.
There was no one else in the inner room. Ruoli was indignant and gritted his teeth and said, "My Lady, how could this happen?!"
"Your Majesty's previous words and deeds all indicated that he wanted to hand the Third Prince over to you for upbringing. Did Duke Dingguo's few words make Your Majesty change his mind?"
"No wonder everyone in the palace envies the Imperial Concubine. She can just stand there and do nothing, and someone will pave the way for her!"
There was a flash of gloom in Concubine Liang's eyes, but she soon returned to her usual gentle appearance: "Being in the harem, family background is part of your strength."
"I have guessed your majesty's thoughts, but I have not predicted the actions of Duke Dingguo's Mansion."
"I lost this round, so I have nothing to complain about."
Sometimes, Concubine Liang also thought that if her family backgrounds were swapped with Concubine Liu's... With the Duke Dingguo's Mansion paving the way in the previous dynasty and Empress Dowager Liu's support in the harem, the position of Empress would have been in her pocket long ago.
Unfortunately, no if.
Some people's ability to reincarnate is indeed something that others cannot envy.
Ruoli felt a little sympathetic towards Concubine Liang: "The Second Princess is like this, and so is the Third Prince."
"Your Majesty always says that he values the Grand Tutor and you, but every time, you are the one who is abandoned..."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for saying something presumptuous. Sometimes you are just too sensible. It is precisely because of this that His Majesty feels that your grievances are nothing..."
"People often say that only crying children get milk."
Concubine Liang raised her eyes and looked at her: "If I am not sensible, how can I sit in my current position?"
Powerful men are always surrounded by beauties, let alone His Majesty?
There are many beauties in the harem, but each one can be replaced. Only the most sensible one who makes His Majesty worry the least, even if she is not the most favored, will stay with His Majesty the longest!
Ruoli lowered her head and said worriedly, "We already had a grudge with the Imperial Concubine, and we lost again in the competition for the custody of the Second Prince. The Imperial Concubine is in high spirits right now, with her temper, how could she let us go..."
Concubine Liang smiled slightly and said nothing more.
She was not afraid that Concubine Liu would not let her go, but she was afraid that the other party would not cause trouble for her.
First it was the second princess, then the third prince, but His Majesty didn't choose her every time. He felt that he owed her something, more or less.
At this time, Concubine Liu, the victor, ran up to her and showed off her power and even bullied her. What would happen if His Majesty knew about this?
……
Cining Palace.
Concubine Liu has already learned from Empress Dowager Liu the reason why His Majesty changed his mind.
She sat on the chair with a complicated expression. She was silent for a long time before asking, "...Aunt, is it really worth it for father to give up his military power in exchange for me to raise the third prince?"
Empress Dowager Liu did not answer directly, but asked in return: "Have you forgotten why the Zhenguo Mansion was destroyed?"
Given Concubine Liu's family background, it was impossible for her not to understand all these things: "There are many reasons, but the most fundamental reason is that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion has its own troops and is rebellious. Your Majesty, there is no room for them!"
"But our Dingguo Mansion is different. Although my father has military power, he is still loyal to Your Majesty!"
Empress Dowager Liu sneered: "From the perspective of the emperor, every general with a large army said that he was loyal to the emperor before he rebelled. If the Duke Dingguo's Mansion said this, would the emperor believe it?"
Concubine Liu was silent...
Empress Dowager Liu continued, "The Dingguo Mansion has never thought of rebellion. Especially after the fall of the Zhenguo Mansion, Your Majesty is no longer the Sixth Prince who had nothing and could only rely on the Liu family."
"Then the military power in your father's hands is a hot potato. The emperor will be unable to sleep or eat peacefully until he hands it over. If this continues, the Dingguo Mansion will surely follow in the footsteps of the Jiang family!"
"Although without the military power, the strength of the Duke Dingguo Mansion will certainly be greatly reduced. But if it can bring peace of mind to the emperor and help you pave the way for the future, it is worth it!"
After all, Duke Dingguo was not like Duke Zhenguo, who wanted to replace the emperor. The Liu family only wanted to send Concubine Liu to the throne, let her offspring inherit the throne, and continue the glory of Duke Dingguo's mansion for hundreds of years!
At this point, Concubine Liu understood and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief: "So... that is to say, my father now has a large number of troops under his command, which does more harm than good to the Duke Dingguo Mansion. He originally planned to find a suitable opportunity to hand over the military power. Letting me raise the third prince is just a matter of convenience?"
Empress Dowager Liu was speechless for a moment.
She sighed in her heart and said patiently, "If it weren't for you, your father could have used his military power to get more benefits from the emperor. How could you think like that?"
Concubine Liu felt a little ashamed and tried to make excuses for herself: "Aunt, Qingqing didn't mean that. Qingqing will always remember what you and father have done for her."
"The Third Prince is now my father's grandson. The good days of our Duke Ding's Mansion are still to come!"
Empress Dowager Liu nodded and said, "The most important thing for you now is to raise the Third Prince well and let the Emperor see your ability and virtue."
"Only then can you be promoted to Imperial Noble Consort!"
Thinking of the position that was only one step away from the queen, Concubine Liu's breathing quickened a little, and she said excitedly: "Yes! Qingqing will listen to Auntie!"
Empress Dowager Liu waved her hand tiredly: "Okay, you go back and take care of the Third Prince. I am also tired."
Concubine Liu stood up and bowed: "Then Qingqing will not disturb your aunt's rest. I will take my leave first."