Generally speaking, Zhu Qiyu rarely mentioned the battles in the outer dynasty in front of the Wang family, not because he was afraid of her getting involved in politics, but because talking about these things was often of no use and only made her more worried.
Therefore, when Zhu Qiyu was in Kunning Palace, he would talk more about the harem. When he mentioned the outer dynasty, he would also talk about interesting things. On a deeper level, he usually wouldn't say much.
But this time it was different. This matter involved the harem and the two children Hui Jieer and Ji Geer, so he had to be more cautious.
Fortunately, Mrs. Wang also knew the importance. Seeing Zhu Qiyu's expression, she knew that there might be something hidden in this matter. She frowned slightly and thought about it carefully, but in the end, she shook her head slightly and said.
"My concubine also felt a little strange about this matter. She first asked Mrs. Hang why the emperor's sister-in-law suddenly mentioned the matter of the two children going to school. At that time, Mrs. Hang said that it was because the emperor's sister-in-law was idle and bored recently and sewed by herself. I made some embroidery and sent it to the Hang family to express my gratitude for taking care of Nangong these days."
"Later we started chatting, and the emperor's sister-in-law said that she was teaching embroidery to Princess Chongqing recently. She also said that when Sister Hui is a little older, she can also teach her. Because of this, Mrs. Hang mentioned the matter of the elementary school, and the emperor's sister-in-law said After saying a few words that men and women are different, it’s better to separate them.”
"After hearing this, I felt that this was also true, so I didn't worry too much. Why, does your Majesty think there is anything wrong?"
Speaking of which, among the current generation of emperors, Zhu Jianshen is the oldest concubine, but not the oldest child. Before him, Zhu Qizhen had two daughters, the eldest daughter, Princess Chongqing, and Zhu Jianshen's same mother. Princess Jiashan, the daughter of the imperial concubine Zhou, is the oldest and is now seven years old. The second daughter, Princess Jiashan, is the daughter of the concubine Hui and the Wang family and is over six years old.
Zhu Qiyu has also seen Princess Chongqing. Although she is a daughter of the Zhou family, she has always been close to Queen Qian and has a gentle and gentle personality. She is completely opposite to the crazy little girl Hui Jieer. She has indeed liked girls since she was a child. Red embroidery, so this thing sounds very reasonable.
However, it sounds reasonable, but it may not really be reasonable.
Zhu Qiyu thought for a while and asked again.
"What about the imperial sister? Was there anything unusual about her behavior at that time? I remember you just said that the imperial sister arrived at Cining Palace first and then came to Kunning Palace?"
Wang frowned and thought for a moment, but finally shook his head and said.
"Indeed, it is true. However, the imperial sister always goes to Cining Palace first and then comes to see the concubine. There is nothing strange about this. Moreover, it was not the imperial sister who mentioned this matter, but the concubine herself who was not sure before asking. It’s the royal sister.”
"She didn't show any abnormal behavior at that time. She just said a few words casually, saying that in the homeschooling outside, men and women are separated and they learn different things. She also said that if Sister Hui doesn't like to go to school, she will actually have to play around for two years. It’s okay.”
After saying this, Wang hesitated for a moment and finally said.
"Your Majesty, I don't know why your Majesty finds it strange, but your Majesty knows the character of the emperor's sister. After the incident with Prince Consort Xue last time, the emperor's sister always thought of your majesty's kindness. Every time she returned to Kunning Palace, she brought With many gifts.”
"If there is really any hint from Cining Palace about the matter in the primary school, I'm afraid the imperial sister will be less likely to get involved..."
So, is it really just a coincidence?
Zhu Qiyu still vaguely felt that something was wrong, but after listening to Wang's words, he really couldn't tell what the problem was.
As Wang said, the eldest princess of Changde is a smart person. She knows where to measure and what to say and what not to say.
In particular, the lives of the Yangwu Hou family were still in Zhu Qiyu's thoughts, so naturally she would not have any other thoughts.
If Empress Dowager Sun really asked her something, she would not follow it. She might tell the story directly, which would really save them the time of guessing.
However, although there were still doubts in his heart, seeing Wang's worried look, Zhu Qiyu patted her hand gently and said.
"Don't think too much about it. I'm just asking casually. After all, this matter is related to Sister Hui. I still need to understand it clearly before I can rest assured."
"Since there is nothing else, everything will continue as usual. In this way, I will issue an order to the cabinet tomorrow and ask them to select a few masters to teach Sister Hui and Brother Ji. In addition, I will ask Cheng Jing to go over and keep an eye on them. , okay?"
"Um……"
Mrs. Wang also knew that Zhu Qiyu was trying to comfort her, but Cheng Jing knew that the people who had been with him as early as when he was in the palace were loyal, reliable, and knowledgeable. It must not be difficult to take care of the two children.
Moreover, now that Cheng Jing is the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, he is the head of the eunuchs. With him watching, the Wang family will naturally feel more at ease.
As a result, her expression relaxed and she said with a smile.
"Being made such a fuss by Sister Hui, I almost forgot about the business."
"Your Majesty, the imperial doctor just came to report today, saying that Concubine Li has diagnosed the Ximai pulse. It has been almost two months. I have sent a medical girl to serve, and a lot of people have been added. I just hope that I can help you." After Brother and Brother Shu, Your Majesty can get another prince, this is the blessing of the harem."
"This is the reward list prepared by my concubine. Your Majesty has reviewed it..."
While speaking, Mrs. Wang took a document from the hand of the palace maid Liu Huan and handed it to Zhu Qiyu.
After turning it over and looking at it, Zhu Qiyu didn't take it to heart at all. He had already done what he could do, especially after Brother Shu was born. He knew in his heart that there would definitely be more and more princes and princesses in the future. Naturally, You will be able to deal with it more calmly.
Rewards are matters of the harem. Normally, Zhu Qiyu would not interfere. However, after casually scanning, he still frowned and said.
"Who drew up this list? It's too thick!"
The number of concubines in the palace today is much greater than that in Zhu Qiyu's previous life, but the actual use of flowers is much less.
The reason is still a system issue. Before Zhu Qiyu redesigned the draft system, there were only two ranks under the queen's position in the harem: concubine and concubine.
The imperial concubine has a high position. In addition to having a prince, she also needs to be favored by the saints, so there are not many. However, all the concubines under the imperial concubine are concubines, and their rank and treatment are the same as those of the county princess.
In addition, because the number of positions is variable and depends on the emperor's mood, the expenditure in the harem has always been a large amount of money.
However, since the restructuring, there were only one imperial concubine, two concubines, four concubines and nine concubines under the queen. This financial expenditure was suddenly under control.
Although there are many more people in the harem today than before, except for the two people who are hiding in the residence, Queen Wang and Concubine Hang.
The newly selected concubines are only the virtuous concubine Li, and Guo, who was promoted to the concubine Shu because she gave birth to the prince. The remaining talented and noble people, seven or eight in total, are not as well-paid and generous as they are. Take the original two concubine seats.
So in essence, there are more people, but the financial pressure on the harem is actually smaller.
Of course, this only applies to Zhu Qiyu's harem. The Supreme Emperor of Nangong, after he rejected the draft suggestion, he still followed his old system.
Originally, before the expedition, the Supreme Emperor was quite restrained and did not indulge in women. Apart from Queen Qian, he only had concubines Zhou, Hui, Wang, and Chen, Wan.
However, since Wala returned, in less than two years, he has taken in seven or eight concubines, and it seems that this number is still expanding.
Although it is said that Nangong's spending expenses are all allocated from the internal treasury, this matter still caused dissatisfaction from the Ministry of Revenue many times, and it was suggested to limit Nangong's spending expenses.
(Shen Shangshu: No wonder the emperor’s autumn wind has become more and more difficult to fight recently.jpg)
However, every time the memorial was submitted, the emperor always put it aside and did not reduce Nangong's expenditure. On the contrary, he tightened control over the expenditure of the harem.
Take the list in front of you as an example. It is an ordinary gift list used to reward the concubines of Nangong. However, if placed in Zhu Qiyu's harem, it is enough to be a common gift to the noble concubine Hang. That's why Zhu Qiyu has such a list. Just ask.
"My concubine drafted it..."
Mr. Wang blinked, but did not shy away. He took the order and said.
"Originally, the imperial concubine handed over this order, and it was settled according to ordinary etiquette, but I thought that your majesty only has two sons and two daughters now, and the number of heirs is still a bit thin."
"The Concubine Xian is pregnant now, which is a happy event. Moreover, if she is a prince, the Concubine Xian's status will have to be mentioned again. The reward should be generous, so I have added more."
"Why, does your Majesty think it's inappropriate?"
Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment, shook his head and said.
"According to the ordinary rules, it is a good thing to continue to have children, but there is no need to be too extravagant. Li is already one of the four concubines and has a high position. Even if she gives birth to a prince, it is not appropriate to mention it again."
"If you want to reward me, it won't be too late until the prince is born."
Zhu Qiyu naturally had his own considerations for this set of regulations in the harem.
The inheritance of the throne of the Ming Dynasty was not smooth. The main reason was that the queen often had nothing to do, which led to the delicate status in the harem.
In order to be just and legitimate, there are often moves to abolish the queen.
However, after all, the queen is the emperor's wife, and her mother is responsible for the world. It would be particularly turbulent to be easily abolished. Therefore, Zhu Qiyu referred to the previous emperor's treatment of the Sun family and specially set up the rank of imperial concubine.
The so-called imperial concubine is actually the same as the deputy concubine, and it is easy not to give it to her. With this rank, she can maintain the supreme position of the prince's biological mother without deposing the concubine.
If Brother Ji can become a prince one day, then Hang will have the opportunity to get the title of imperial concubine.
However, if not, the imperial concubine will remain in vain for a long time.
As for the imperial concubine, generally speaking, the emperor would choose one directly when he got married, and the other one would depend on his honor and favor.
The establishment of this rank was based on the consideration that future generations would have many romantic interests, and if their favorite concubines were treated like other ordinary concubines, there would probably be trouble.
But as far as Zhu Qiyu's generation is concerned, having the Hang family is enough. He has no intention of giving away the remaining position of another noble concubine, at least for now.
After the Guo family gave birth to the prince, she was promoted to concubine. Firstly, because she was the first to give birth to a prince after the Hang family. Secondly, it was also because the draft was just started and was not perfect. She was the only ninth concubine in the palace. There is only one Li family in the position of fourth concubine, so being promoted to the concubine position is nothing.
But if you are promoted from a concubine to a noble concubine, then there is only one place, so you must be cautious.
As he spoke, Zhu Qiyu looked a little unhappy and looked at Wang.
"You don't have to test me about this kind of thing. You and Mrs. Hang accompanied me when we were in hiding. We have different feelings. Not to mention the design of the imperial concubine. The design of the concubine was also for this purpose. The concubine next to her, The position of the fourth concubine is already high enough, no matter the salary or status, it is enough to raise the prince, there is no need to raise it any higher."
With Zhu Qiyu's eyes, how could he not see that this list was deliberately brought out by Mr. Wang. The purpose was actually to see how he arranged the harem.
Otherwise, Wang's intelligence would not make this kind of mistake...
Seeing Zhu Qiyu's unhappy look, Mrs. Wang smiled, showing a rare childlike attitude, glanced around, then sat next to Zhu Qiyu, shrank into his arms, and said.
"A few days ago, my mother came to the palace to see me. She said that I married a good husband. His Majesty is the most heroic man in the world. She said that I should cherish my blessings."
"You can manage so many important court affairs in the outer dynasty in an orderly manner, and you can naturally see through the little thoughts of my concubines."
"But, because of this, I feel that my mother is right. Without your love, I know that you will definitely tolerate me. How can I dare to play such little tricks?"
Snuggled in her husband's arms, Ms. Wang rarely looked as dignified as usual, but rather looked like a girl.
Looking at this look, Zhu Qiyu was angry and funny.
After thinking about it, he also realized that even with Wang's status and the relationship between them, there were some things that he couldn't ask directly.
In desperation, he could only poke Wang's smooth and white forehead.
"You……"
As a result, the originally tense atmosphere suddenly became relaxed. Sister Hui was not here, and Sister Yun had long been coaxed to sleep by the nanny. With the beauty in her arms and such a posture, Zhu Qiyu naturally became a little dishonest.
However, at this moment, Wang stood up and said.
"Your Majesty, let's get down to business. The virtuous concubine should be rewarded after all. After all, she is pregnant with the emperor's heir. It would still be inappropriate to treat her like an ordinary courtesy. It just so happens that the heat has been rising these days, which is the hottest time of the year. When it's hot, it's almost July, and Concubine Xian has always been afraid of the heat, so why don't you order someone to build a cool house next to her palace, so that when it gets too hot, you can get rid of the heat and live more comfortably, how about that?"
The so-called cool house is usually built near the water. A water wheel is used to transport water on the eaves, creating an artificial water curtain to draw cool air into the house. It is a good way to enjoy the cool and avoid the heat.
There happened to be a bay of running water next to the palace where Li lived. It can be said that this was indeed a good proposal.
However, Zhu Qiyu's thoughts are no longer on this.
"July Fire...July..."
Mrs. Wang noticed that her husband's body seemed to become a little stiff. She didn't know what happened for a moment. When she looked up, she saw that Zhu Qiyu's expression became extremely serious.
"This matter is arranged by the queen. I suddenly remembered an urgent matter that needs to be dealt with..."
As he spoke, Zhu Qiyu raised his hand and shouted.
"Huaien, pass on the decree and show up at the Wenhua Palace!"
