EBE Chapter 171 Concubine Yi's Observation
Chapter 171 Concubine Yi's Observation
Chapter 171 Concubine Yi's Observation
The dinner was held in Ciren Palace. This time, the same group of people were present from the morning. The four concubines brought their daughters-in-law, and Burhe also came to the empress dowager early. As for the emperor and the princes, they followed the emperor and came in when the dinner was about to begin.
Buerhe saw Yinreng stride over to him and sit down before asking, "Have you spoken to the prince yet? Have you set a time?"
Yinreng raised an eyebrow after hearing this: "How could he not appreciate my help? Don't worry, I've already decided to come to Yuqing Palace tomorrow. I've also made an appointment with my fourth brother. Women can only see a man's status and appearance, but we men understand men better and can see more things that you don't understand."
I can't stand Yinreng's arrogant behavior, but this is Ciren Palace, not Yuqing Palace, so Buerhe can't say much: "It's enough for the master to know the importance. If there is a suitable one, our Xiaoliu and Xiaojiu can also prepare it."
Yinreng didn't say anything after hearing this, but only hummed to indicate that he understood. Then he picked up the teacup in front of him and took a sip. He had spent the entire afternoon entertaining Dunduobudorji in the Qianqing Palace. In order to understand the situation in Mobei, he had talked all afternoon without even a sip of water. He was already extremely thirsty and just wanted to drink tea.
Most of the female members of the family were paying attention to Prince Consort Kejing. They were too embarrassed to look at him for too long in the morning, but now it was a dinner party with flickering candlelight, so even if they stole a glance at him, it would not be easy for others to notice.
You know what, despite Dunduobudorji's rough appearance and tall frame, he was very gentle and considerate when facing Kejing. He not only took the initiative to serve tea and water to the princess, but also fanned her with a fan when she felt hot.
This thoughtful gesture not only pleased the Emperor and Concubine Yi, but even Concubine Tong was envious. When Ke Jing married into Khalkha, many people had said such things about her behind her back. Facts had proven that as long as you were willing to work hard and were strong enough, you could live well and find a good husband even if you married into the desolate northern desert.
At this dinner, Concubine Yi not only paid attention to her husband, but also made a special effort to observe the Crown Prince. She knew that Xiaojiu and Yuqing Palace were close over the years, and she also knew that the Emperor's attitude towards the Crown Prince was sometimes good and sometimes bad, but this was the first time she really took the time to observe him.
Without the filter of Buerhe and the children, Concubine Yi found that the Crown Prince seemed quite outstanding. Throughout the dinner, Prince Zhi was obsessed with being the boss, constantly speaking to his younger brothers in a scolding tone. Even to his son-in-law, he acted as the eldest brother, urging him to obey the Qing Dynasty, without mentioning any concern for Ke Jing.
Prince Cheng was even funnier. Perhaps because of his husband's status as Prince Khalkha, he also wanted to win him over, and there were always good opportunities to talk to him throughout the night. But perhaps because Prince Cheng read too many books, he actually started talking about poetry and songs with his husband.
Concubine Yi took only one look at the scene and turned away. She could see that the reason why Prince Cheng had not been targeted by the princes until now was probably because everyone thought he was not smart enough, knew he could not handle it, and did not take him seriously.
Next was Prince Yong. This eldest son of the mortal enemy at the beginning turned out to be the biological son of Empress Xiaoyi. She originally thought there would be some splash, but he turned out to be directly under the name of the crown prince, acting as if he only recognized the crown prince. Even the fourth concubine and their children became friends with the Yuqing Palace.
Then there is her own silly eldest son. Well, he is another person who lives in a daze all day long. To be honest, if she had not witnessed Yinqi's birth, she really did not want to admit that this son who was not diligent in external things and did not take care of the house was her own son.
A few years ago, the emperor executed the troublemaker in his backyard, and he had been furious about it, eventually drowning his sorrows in alcohol for a full six months. Just when she thought her son was truly a romantic, love-brained person, he unexpectedly brought back another true love from his outing.
Later, the woman asked the emperor to investigate, and after confirming that there was no problem with his identity, she let him do as he pleased. Let him make a fuss, anyway, his legitimate wife had already given birth to a legitimate son, so he had a successor. No matter how he made a fuss, as long as he didn't go out and cause trouble, she didn't care.
Next up was Prince Chun, the one Concubine Yi lamented the most. If his legs and feet were fine, given his current background and his in-laws, he would have certainly been able to get involved. However, his success and failure were also due to Xiao He. Perhaps because he was praised too highly in those two years, Prince Chun had become so arrogant that he actually wanted to emulate Longkodo of the Tong family, favoring his concubine over his wife. Not only did he embarrass the legitimate wife on the spot, he also supported the concubine in murdering the legitimate son behind the scenes.
Although the Emperor quickly suppressed the news, all the prominent families in the capital knew about it. Those who had originally planned to follow him and fight for his life left in the blink of an eye. Even the Emperor was disappointed in him. Now, the Seventh Concubine lived in a separate courtyard from him, keeping their relationship separate, a fact tacitly approved by the Emperor.
Moreover, the title of his family was directly given by the emperor to that legitimate son. In other words, no matter how many children Chun Beizi had in the future, the crown prince could only be that legitimate son.
None of the princes in the capital had appointed a crown prince. When this news came out, everyone knew that he had been withdrawn from the fight and there was no chance for him to succeed.
As for the Eighth Prince, Concubine Yi made no comment. She watched as this Prince Lian and the Eighth Lady struggled, and it was certain to be all for nothing. Besides, she had long held a negative impression of this Prince Lian. He'd said things like respecting the Lady, holding the wedding banquet at the Prince An's mansion, and wanting no legitimate son over a concubine's were all just nonsense in her opinion.
He and Liangpin's wolfish ambitions were the only ones Huifei and her son didn't see clearly, but who else didn't know what they were planning? Oh, no, there was another one, that bitch Depin's Fourteenth Prince was also blind. It was said that after leaving the Shangshufang, he followed Lian Beizi all day long, not even accepting the olive branch extended by his own brother.
The only ones left were Xiaojiu and Xiaoshi. Concubine Yi really didn't take them seriously at first, but who knew they gave her such a big surprise. They quietly gained a good reputation and praise from the emperor, and even surpassed their two older brothers to become Beile directly.
It was then that she began to think about the future of her two sons.
Look at tonight, only Lian Beizi and the Fourteenth Prince responded to Prince Zhi, Prince Cheng seemed to be sober while everyone else was drunk, Prince Yong and the Thirteenth Prince stood together, Xiao Wu and Chun Beizi stayed together, and as for the rest, all of them, led by Xiao Jiu and Xiao Shi, surrounded the Crown Prince. No one knew what they were saying, but everyone's face was filled with excited smiles.
To be honest, if Concubine Yi hadn't been afraid of the emperor, she would have been 100% supportive of Kejing and Xiaojiu's choice. Apart from anything else, just looking at the princes' attitudes towards their brothers tonight, it was clear that the crown prince would be a qualified leader.
But the problem lies here. She has vaguely sensed the emperor's different attitude towards the prince. It is a kind of impatience and an angry desire to destroy.