Chapter 341 - Imperial Privileged Examination, Dowager Concubine Nuan Was Pregnant

“Brother, you also know that my Princess Consort was born by a concubine. Before she got married, she was raised in a manor. Therefore, she doesn’t know much about manners.” Prince of Liang said a little embarrassed, “But since we are married, and now we have an eldest legitimate son, naturally, we should just live a good life. Perhaps becoming a mother has changed her temperament, she has recently become more and more considerate. Every time I think back to the past, I feel regret!”

Hearing this, Emperor Duanhua thought his brother was here to make amends for his sister-in-law.

The Emperor did not like the things that Princess Consort of Liang did back then.

But things had passed. And the one who ascended the throne was still him after all. In addition, as the son of the former emperor, Prince of Liang only married a concubine daughter. He was also affected by the Eastern Palace.

So Emperor Duanhua had long forgotten such a small matter. At this moment, surely he laughed and let it go, “We are family. My sister-in-law doesn’t have to be like this.”

He thought for a moment and then said, “Empress has been unhappy lately. I think she is still thinking about my unlucky young son. If Sister-in-Law is willing, she can take Chenggui to visit Empress.”

Emperor Duanhua felt that by saying so and doing so, he should be able to get his sister-in-law to stop being frightened.

But after thanking Emperor, Prince of Liang did not have the intention of excusing himself, but looked at Emperor even more embarrassed.

“Is there anything else?” Seeing this, Emperor Duanhua simply stopped noting the folders with the vermilion pen, moved his wrist, and curiously said, “Say it. What is this hesitation for?”

“Princess Consort of Liang was assisted by Cousin Xishi’s wife, Xie Yiren. But at that time, she did not understand it. So she returned the favor with hatred.” Prince of Liang was urged twice by Emperor before he said awkwardly, “So this time I think of it and want to do something for Xie Yiren to make up for it. But Brother, you know that Xie Yiren was born in the family of Duke of Lai, and married to Cousin Xishi, who is the favorite son of Grand Princess Luguo. How can Princess Consort Liang get the chance to help? She thought about it, and found a matter. That is… The father of Xie Yiren now is still released out. He cannot reunite with his own daughter.”

Emperor Duanhua heard it, and his smile faded. He didn’t blame his sister-in-law for not admitting fault in front of him first when she regretted the previous incident. But he said, “Brother, you and Princess Consort Liang has a good relationship, and my heart is comforted! However, the matters on the court ultimately are not what women can be concerned about. I can understand that she was born and raised in the manor outside the city, so she is not familiar with the rules. But the wife should listen to the husband. You should teach her a little in the future! After all, that is your Princess Consort. And she also represents the face of Chenggui in the future.”

With the new Emperor’s temperament, these words were very heavy.

The original impression he had of Princess Consort Liang was not unbearable, but it was definitely not good, either.

After hearing the words of Prince of Liang, Emperor thought she was more annoying.

Empress Wei hadn’t asked for privilege using the close relationship with him hurriedly and sought benefits for her own family. She was just a Princess Consort, but she couldn’t wait any longer!

As for the father of Xie Yiren, mentioned by Princess Consort Liang this time, he seemed not to have a direct relationship with Princess Consort Liang.

In Emperor Duanhua’s opinion, the so-called repayment of gratitude was just a pretext. This move of Princess Consort Liang should be intended to test his attitude through this matter.

If he agreed, then Princess Consort Liang’s next step would be to seek benefits for the Sikong Family. A concubine daughter raised in the manor might not be able to think of this. Perhaps, he should knock the Sikong Family.

Emperor Duanhua thought a lot in his mind.

But Prince of Liang said, “Brother, you misunderstood! My Princess Consort does not know much about the rules, but I know what is improper. If it were only for her personal grudge, I wouldn’t have made this trip today. She hasn’t even come to make serious amends with you for offending you back then. How could she ask you to help her return the favor with such a serious matter of the state?”

“You say!” Emperor Duanhua heard this and then eased his expression, “What is the reasoning behind this?”

“Xie Yiren’s father has been serving in Qingzhou all these years.” Prince of Liang glanced at the servant. And only after the servant had withdrawn from the hall at Emperor Duanhua’s signal did he whisper, “He was under the hand of Zhao Wu, the former governor of Qingzhou, who was gone, and was working as a chief minister. Although Father last year decided on the spot to pass on Forth Brother to Gentle Prince of Su, but… it is still Su Family of Qingzhou!”

And Xie Yiren’s father served in Qingzhou for many years. Even if he was not the highest local governor, the understanding of the Su Family of Qingzhou, would be deeper than the imperial capital side!

Emperor Duanhua gazed for a moment and nodded gently.

The private conversation between the brothers was unknown to outsiders.

A few days later, Ministry of Personnel received a decree that Xie Yiren’s father, Xie Yan, was transferred from Qingzhou to the imperial capital to serve as the Vice President of the Imperial Academy.

Qingzhou was an upper state. And both the Chief Minister of an upper state and the Vice President of the Imperial Academy were under the fourth rank. But one was a local official, still a thousand miles away from the imperial capital; the other was a capital official, always accompanying Emperor.

It seemed to be a transfer in the same rank, but actually, he was promoted.

And this transfer order was from the palace. The speculation on Xie Yan’s importance in Emperor’s heart, naturally, was discussed by the crowd.

Even the mansion of Duke of Lai became lively.

“I really didn’t expect this!” This day Xie Yiren came to see Jian Qingyue, and she was still feeling confused when she mentioned it, “You know, I have always been staying far away from Princess Consort Liang. I shouldn’t have offended her. If it’s repayment, I really cannot think of any decent favors! I didn’t expect her to persuade Prince of Liang to personally beg Emperor for my father.”

The words Emperor Duanhua said with Prince of Liang before that servant left, had already spread out.

Therefore, Xie Yiren was confused, “I really can’t figure out the temper of Princess Consort Liang!”

“If you can’t figure it out, just let her be!” Song Yixiao advised, “It’s always good to have a family reunion. Speaking of which, you sisters haven’t met yet!”

“That’s true.” When it came to her sister, whom she had not met yet, Xie Yiren also looked forward to it, “Jiaqi is five years old this year. I wonder if she has learned to be quieter. Last time I received a letter from home. It said that my mother was getting a headache from her!”

“Children are healthier when they are more rambunctious.” Song Yixiao said with a smile, “I would rather my Qingyue make a little more noise in the future, as long as she is healthy!”

When it came to this issue, Xie Yiren’s expression became gloom, and her smile was a bit forced, “Who doesn’t think so? If I have a child, no matter the gender, he or she can come to bother me every day!”

Since Grand Empress Dowager stopped Xu Xishi from taking a concubine at the end of last year, half a year had passed. It was almost the end of the year, but there was still no news of pregnancy from Xie Yiren!

At this moment, Grand Empress Dowager was not in good health. Emperor Duanhua had repeatedly instructed that Grand Empress Dowager must not be upset. If Earl Yiping mentioned the issue of children, Xie Yiren couldn’t ask for Grand Empress Dowager’s favor again anyway.

Although a legitimate nephew, he had to mourn for Emperor Xianjia. But the nephew only needed to mourn for five months.

Emperor Xianjia passed away in June, and it was already the end of August at this moment. The end of the mourning by relatives was just two or three months away. Time would pass in a flash, very fast.

By that time…

Song Yixiao saw this, secretly regretted her own slip of the tongue. She was about to change the subject, when outside suddenly came a rustle of footsteps. Then Jinxun came in with her face a bit odd and said, “Madam, Your Highness, a message came out from the palace!”

“What message?” Song Yixiao was thinking about how to distract Xie Yiren’s mind. When she heard the words, she hurriedly asked.

“It says that Dowager Concubine Nuan who was sent to the temporary palace before is pregnant.” Jinxun said, “Counting the time, she should have been pregnant when Emperor was just gone. At that time no one knew about it, so Dowager Concubine Nuan and other concubines who served the previous emperor but did not have children were sent to the temporary palace together. A few days ago, a servant beside Dowager Concubine Nuan noticed that something was wrong and reported it to the Chief of the temporary palace. An imperial doctor was sent from the imperial capital to take the pulse, and then she was confirmed to be pregnant.”

Song Yixiao felt a headache, thinking that she had planned to come up with any topic, as long as it had nothing to do with the heir. But it turned out to be Beautiful Lady Nuan, oh no, it should be Dowager Concubine Nuan, was pregnant.

But Xie Yiren became interested and said, “Then how is this matter being handled?”

“Your Highness, the news from the palace says that Empress thinks that Dowager Concubine Nuan has served the previous emperor, so she doesn’t dare make the final decision. So she reported to Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to make the decision.” Jinxun said, “After discussing, they decided to send another doctor to the palace to diagnose Dowager Concubine Nuan. And if she can withstand the journey, she will be taken back to the palace immediately to recuperate; otherwise, she will stay in the temporary palace until she can return, or until the heir is born.”

But Empress Dowager said, “The former emperor did not have many children. Although it is not yet known whether it is a boy or a girl, after all, it is also the heir of the former emperor. So it’s unfair for her to rank Dowager Concubine. Grand Empress Dowager also feels the same way, so she has already issued an imperial decree to promote Dowager Concubine Nuan as Dowager Consort.”

“Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager are so kind and generous.” Xie Yiren sighed, “Dowager Consort Nuan is also blessed with deep fortune.”

She had been sent to the temporary palace for almost two months, but she was still able to turn over again. The word “fortunate” was definitely true for Dowager Consort Nuan!

And her child was the son of the former emperor after he had passed away. As the Empress Dowager Su had said, the former emperor did not have a lot of children, and also passed two sons out. In this case, even just to establish his own image of loving brothers, Emperor Duanhua would be extra favorable to the child of Dowager Consort Nuan.

Besides, at this time there were many royal heirs who died young. The first infant son of Emperor Duanhua was gone when he was just born. But as long as Dowager Consort Nuan was taken from the temporary palace to the imperial city, even if her child was not saved in the end, she might not be sent back to the temporary palace.

After all, this meant that Emperor Duanhua failed to take care of the heir of Emperor Xianjia. Dowager Consort Nuan should be compensated anyway.

It was most possible that she would be allowed to live with Empress Dowager. When it was festival and things were shared and rewarded every year, there would always be one for her. Although she should also waste the rest of her life just like in the temporary palace, this was in the imperial palace. Following Empress Dowager, occasionally she could also get out and breathe some fresh air.

Song Yixiao remembered that her husband had said that Dowager Consort Nuan once did not want to go to the temporary palace, and even begged her husband for this. She thought, “It’s true that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”

She did not know that Dowager Consort Nuan had already changed her love to hatred against Jian Xubai. So she heard about it and left it at that. She was about to wave her hand and asked Jinxun to leave so that she could continue to talk to Xie Yiren, when Jinxun said, “There is one more thing. The court will hold Imperial Privileged Examination next year!”

But Song Yixiao and Xie Yiren’s relatives would not take the examination in these two years. They didn’t care much about this news, and only said, “It is good to open Imperial Privileged Examination. Since the death of former emperor, Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager so far have been in bad health. Not long ago, Emperor’s youngest legitimate son was also gone. It’s good if the joy of ranking the scholars could balance the atmosphere.”

This day after Xie Yiren left, Song Yixiao was asking the servant to hold her daughter in front of her and having fun with her, when Jinxun quietly came over and said, “Madam, do you know the reason why the wife of Earl Yiping’s son came to you today to explain Lord Xie’s transfer back to the court?”

Song Yixiao was stunned and said, “Due to your words, there is something inside this matter, and it has something to do with me?”