Yongcheng, in Qinian Palace.
Queen Mother Zhao Ji is reading Lu Buwei's letter.
Changxin Hou Lao'ai sat aside and watched her, holding a baby boy in her arms.
This baby was born privately to Zhao Ji and Lao Ai. He is now more than three months old and named "Fei'er".
Zhao Ji looked at the letter, her lips slightly raised, her eyes sparkling, and she actually giggled after reading the letter.
Lao Ai on the side said suspiciously: "What good can happen to Lu Buwei? You are smiling so happily."
"It's Nansu who has given birth to a prince." Zhao Ji pushed the letter in front of her to Lao Ai.
Lao Ai handed Fei'er to the personal maid next to her, then picked up the letter and read it.
"No wonder you are so happy, it turns out you have a grandson." Lao Ai said after reading the contents of the letter in general.
"Yes, Zheng'er has a prince, and the royal family has a queen." Zhao Ji still said with a smile.
"Humph, after all, the prince was born to someone else." Lao Ai resented, "How can it be better than being born to oneself?"
Hearing this, Zhao Ji put away her smile and said sternly: "Zheng'er and Fei'er are both flesh and blood relatives of this palace. Now that Zheng'er has a crown prince, I am happy. Is there anything I shouldn't do?"
Seeing that Zhao Ji seemed to be angry, Lao Ai calmly said, "I'm just kidding you, don't take it seriously."
Zhao Ji knew that Lao Ai didn't mean to offend, so she sighed softly and said instead: "Having said that, I am happy, but I am afraid that I cannot avoid this meeting."
"At the beginning, we moved here because you were pregnant." Lao Ai said, "But now that you have given birth, we meet whenever we meet. If we don't tell the past things, who can know about it. "
"Having said that, I'm afraid that after returning to Xianyang, I will make some mistakes in my words. If any words are missed, the consequences will be disastrous." Zhao Ji said worriedly.
"Then why not, let's stay here and don't go back." Lao Ai said.
"I'm afraid this is inappropriate." Zhao Ji said, "Before, we were hiding in various directions and finally got away with it. If we still have the same attitude as before this time, I am afraid it will cause dissatisfaction in the court and even the royal family. If they go into details If we get up, wouldn't it be even more detrimental to us?"
"That's true." Lao Ai also showed a hint of sadness, "Then what do you think we should do?"
Zhao Ji stood up, took two steps, and walked to the maid holding the child. She looked at Fei'er, as if she was thinking of a countermeasure.
"It's better..." Zhao Ji said slowly, "This time, I will go back to Xianyang by myself, and you stay here."
"How could this happen?" Lao Ai said anxiously, "If you accidentally leak the news, then..."
"Don't worry." Zhao Ji interrupted Lao Ai, and her expression became stern, "If you are not with me, I will wake up very cold, and I will be able to deal with it more freely, as if nothing happened. Pass."
"But……"
"No buts!" Zhao Ji's aura completely changed. Just a moment ago she was a loving mother, and in the blink of an eye she became a queen who ruled the world.
"Gene Era"
Lao Ai froze there, not knowing what to say.
"Didn't I say that if you weren't here, I would have treated it as nothing like this." Zhao Ji said coldly, "I will definitely be cautious in my words and deeds, and will not reveal any flaws."
Seeing that Zhao Ji was so unquestionable, Lao Ai could not forcefully advise her, so she could only say: "Okay, I will listen to you. I will wait for you to come back in Yongcheng."
"Well, don't cause any trouble." Zhao Ji's tone regained some calmness, "Also, take good care of our Fei'er."
"Yeah." Lao Ai nodded vigorously.
Zhao Jiping calmed down, let out a breath, and said, "It's lucky that I was born in front of her. Otherwise, this level would have been difficult."
Lao Ai: "..."
The next day, Queen Mother Zhao Ji got into her car, escorted by three thousand imperial guards, and set off for Xianyang in a hurry.
Ying Zheng received the news that Zhao Ji returned to Xianyang and had already started preparations.
On this day, near noon, Ying Zheng and his ministers were waiting outside the west city gate.
Winter has come, and snowflakes are falling in the sky, which reminds Ying Zheng of the agreement he made with Li Si.
Unknowingly, nearly a month has passed. Although he and Li Si have been exchanging letters, Ying Zheng still feels uneasy, but he can't leave.
open.
Fortunately, everything is going smoothly in Lishan. Li Si received a recent letter saying that the tempering of the alloy is over halfway.
While I was thinking, I saw a group of people appearing in the distance, which was the flag of the Imperial Guard.
The Queen Mother's team finally appeared.
Ying Zheng's brows were filled with joy and he urged his horse to meet him.
"Queen Mother!" Ying Zheng shouted before she even got close.
The Imperial Guards guarding Zhao Ji moved out of the way, and Zhao Ji's car came into view.
Zhao Ji ordered people to stop the car and got out.
Ying Zheng also flew off his horse, knelt down and saluted, "My sons and ministers respectfully welcome my mother and queen."
"Zheng'er, get up quickly." Zhao Ji stepped forward to support Ying Zheng.
Ying Zheng frowned and seemed a little uncomfortable. Was it because happiness came suddenly? Why did he feel that the Queen Mother's attitude towards him had changed a lot.
After Zhao Ji helped Ying Zheng up, she said softly: "Look, my Zheng's son is now a father. Please take me back to see your grandson."
"Mother, please get in the car and drive." Ying Zheng said.
Zhao Ji waved her hand and said: "Since you came on horseback, let's take the queen back to the palace. It has been some time since we left Xianyang. Let the queen take a good look at the scenery in the city."
Ying Zheng hesitated for a moment, but still helped Zhao Ji onto his horse.
Sitting behind Ying Zheng, Zhao Ji put her hands around Ying Zheng's waist, gently and soothingly.
Ying Zheng probably hasn't enjoyed his mother's embrace since he was weaned, so he can't help but feel a little embarrassed and a little shy.
And Zhao Ji didn't want to see anything. She wanted to make up for her previous indifference to Ying Zheng, so her arms around Ying Zheng tightened a little more.
After entering Xianyang Palace, it was natural to first pay a visit to the Queen Mother and Mrs. Huayang.
"I, my concubine, pay homage to your mother." Zhao Ji knelt down and bowed to Mrs. Huayang.
Mrs. Huayang snorted softly and said coldly: "Thank you for knowing how to come back."
Zhao Ji knew that Mrs. Huayang blamed her for not coming back to preside over Ying Zheng's wedding, so she explained: "My concubine was ill and had difficulty moving, which indeed delayed some things. Now that she has recovered, she hurried back to Xianyang. "
Ying Zheng was also there to help and said: "Yes, Grandma Wang, you are suffering from an illness and you cannot force yourself to do anything. Please forgive the Queen Mother."
In fact, Mrs. Huayang just wanted to vent her anger. When she saw Ying Zheng asking for mercy, she didn't want to embarrass Zhao Ji any more, so she said, "That's it. In future actions, we must take the overall situation into consideration. Even if we are recovering from illness, can't Xianyang Palace do it?"
"What my mother is teaching me is that I know I was wrong." Zhao Ji's tone was very respectful.
"Just admit your mistake." Mrs. Huayang's tone also softened, "Go and see your grandson. You will host the full moon celebration in a few days."
"I obey, I will leave." Zhao Ji bowed, took a few steps back, turned and walked towards Gu Chenggong.
Except for Nan Su, Ying Zheng's four wives were all standing outside the palace gate.
Although Hu Yu was standing inside, he was very conspicuous with his hands on his belly.
Seeing Ying Zheng walking towards the Queen Mother supporting the Queen Mother, the four ladies stepped forward to greet her and saluted, "Welcome to the Queen Mother."
Zhao Ji, who no longer pretended to be indifferent, was extremely happy when she saw her daughters-in-law and said: "Quickly forgive me."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." All the ladies responded in unison.
Zhao Ji looked at Hu Yu's belly and said with a smile on her face: "With Hu Yu's belly, I must have another grandchild."
Ying Zheng saw that Hu Yu was a little shy, so he said: "If it is normal, Hu Yu will not give birth for more than two months."
With the example of Nansu, no one is sure whether Hu Yu will give birth normally. So I can only say if it is normal.
"Well, okay." Zhao Ji smiled and nodded, then looked at the other three ladies, "I heard that you are all happy too?"
During the time when Ying Zheng came back, Wenxuan and Minruo, who had been silent for a long time, were also pregnant.
All three ladies smiled and nodded.
Zhao Ji's smile became even brighter: "Okay, it seems that our winner is really prosperous."
It's unclear whether this meant something else.
"Mother, let's go in and see Nansu and the child first," Ying Zheng said.
"Yeah, okay." Zhao Ji responded, and then followed Ying Zheng to Nan Su's palace.
The four ladies followed behind, looking quite surprised.
Different eyes exchanged with each other.
Why does this mother-in-law seem like a different person?
Entering Nansu's bedroom, he saw Nansu waiting at the door holding the little prince Fusu.
"Meet the Queen Mother." Nansu bowed slightly and bowed.
"No gifts, no gifts." Zhao Ji smiled and supported Nan Su, "Hurry and show me the child."
Nansu carefully handed the child in her arms to Zhao Ji, and Zhao Ji took it even more carefully, holding her grandson in her arms with love in her eyes.
"I heard that your name is Xiao Fusu, right?" Zhao Ji said softly to Fusu, "Grandma is back to see you, please give her a smile."
Xiao Fusu seemed to understand. He looked at Zhao Ji and smiled sweetly.
"Look, he really smiled at me." Zhao Ji beamed with joy.
They are connected by blood, and some reactions seem to be instinctive.
The whole family also laughed and had a good time.
After teasing the children for a while, Zhao Ji and her five daughters-in-law sat together and began to greet each other. Ying Zheng did not interrupt, but just listened to their chat.
What’s interesting is that Zhao Ji has been holding little Fusu in her arms and has never been willing to give it back to Nansu.
Of course, Nan Su was embarrassed to ask for it. It wasn't until little Fusu started crying from hunger that she picked him up and turned around to feed him.
After little Fusu had eaten, he seemed to be sleepy and fell asleep.
Because she was afraid of disturbing her children, Zhao Ji took her daughters-in-law and left Nansu's palace.
Ying Zheng held a banquet in Xianyang Palace to welcome Princess Zhao. The palace was very lively that night, and everyone was immersed in the joy.
Early the next morning, Ying Zheng took Zhao Gao to Zhao Ji's palace and paid his respects to Zhao Ji.
He said he was saying hello, but actually Ying Zheng wanted to talk to Zhao Ji alone.
"Queen Mother, are you really fine?" Ying Zheng's tone was a bit suspicious.
Seeing Zhao Ji's brisk pace and change in attitude towards himself and the five ladies yesterday, Ying Zheng had to consider what went wrong with Zhao Ji before.
Zhao Ji looked at Ying Zheng with gentle eyes and said softly: "A while ago, my mother was in poor health. Maybe it was because of her impatience that her attitude towards you was a bit colder. You won't blame your mother, right? "
Hearing what Zhao Ji said, Ying Zheng lost his temper: "How could Zheng'er be angry with his mother? Now that her mother has recovered, it's too late for Zheng'er to be happy."
"Are you still adapting to the absence of your mother?" Zhao Ji asked with concern.
"Well, I have gained a lot." Ying Zheng said, "But at the moment, I have something to discuss with my mother."
When Ying Zheng changed his name, Zhao Ji knew that he had something political to say, so he sat up straight.
"Tell me and listen." Zhao Ji said.
Ying Zheng cleared his throat and said, "Nan Su gave birth to the first prince of this family. He is also a direct descendant. There are many people in the court admonishing Fu Su to be established as the crown prince as soon as possible."
"The establishment of a crown prince is a blessing to the country." Zhao Ji said calmly, "The Queen Mother has no objection."
"But..." Ying Zheng said with a look of embarrassment on his face, "I have not yet become a crown prince, so I have to trouble my mother to handle the matter of establishing a prince."
Zhao Ji frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "It's been more than a year since your initiation ceremony. I don't know what Prime Minister Lu said?"
"I have asked Prime Minister Lu about this matter." Ying Zheng said, "He said that it is okay for me to perform the crowning ceremony, but it must be postponed for three months. At that time, I will go to Qishan to worship my ancestors, and then in Yongcheng, I will give birth to my mother. Perform the crowning ceremony for the widow."
Zhao Ji thought about it for a moment, then nodded and said, "If you look at it according to the ancestral system, it is also polite to do this."
"So, the queen mother also agrees?" Ying Zheng's eyes showed a lot of expectations.
"Yes." Zhao Ji nodded, "If your father-in-law agrees, the queen mother will be even more happy for you, but..."
Seeing that Zhao Ji hesitated to speak, Ying Zheng asked, "What's the matter, Queen Mother?"
Zhao Ji sighed softly and said: "Since you are about to be crowned and take over the royal power, then it is up to you to handle the matter of establishing the crown prince. The queen will stay in Yongcheng for a few more days and then return to Yongcheng."
"Ah?" Ying Zheng opened his mouth wide, pretending to be surprised, "Are you still leaving?"
