Lin Hanyan, in particular, was the first among the concubines to be granted the title of concubine, but she couldn't be careless. Many things, including seals, attire, and treasures, need to be prepared in advance. There are also other women in the palace who have to do their jobs well. Nowadays, the number of female relatives in the harem is increasing day by day. Moreover, there are not a few girls who gave birth to princes and princesses, and many of them had their own thoughts after giving birth to princes. Now that all the concubines are vacant, naturally there are many people who are worried about them.
Although Lin Hanyan has made great contributions to the palace over the years. But after all, there is no child yet, and it has been hidden behind the scenes. Many people may not be convinced. Originally, the customization of concubines in this dynasty was roughly the same as that in the previous Tang Dynasty, but there were some differences. Just like the imperial concubine, she was one of the four concubines in the former Tang Dynasty. They are all on the same level as the other three concubines, and there is no difference between them. But it was ranked first because of the word "expensive". Just like Concubine Yang, no matter how much Emperor Tang Ming cherished her, she was only the first of the four concubines.
But in this dynasty, Gaozong's Concubine Xian could not be granted the title of queen because of her birth. In order to show favor, the imperial concubine was appointed separately. Although her position was below the queen, she was above the other concubines. Although except for Gaozong who appointed a special concubine for Concubine Xian. Until Huang Qiong, the other emperors did not establish concubines. Although the number of concubines can be granted, it is not strictly limited to four. But the noble concubine, who is higher than the other concubines, has not set it up. Even the concubine's title with the character "gui" was not established.
When the old man was on the throne, the concubine who did not sit in the back seat always wanted to be a noble concubine, but the old man never nodded. Mr. Zhong has been in office for more than 20 years, and the rank of imperial concubine has always been vacant. When Huang Qiong arrived, he directly registered himself and Duan Jin as noble concubines, creating the first case of two noble concubines. However, although this dynasty established a separate imperial concubine, its rank was improved. However, the number of concubines was still set at four according to the Tang Dynasty. Although no explicit edict has been issued, it has become a common practice.
Of course, the four concubines may not all be established, but there are only a few but not many. Emperors in the past dynasties never had more than four concubines at most. When we arrived at the old man's place, there were only three. Among them, the last concubine Shen was consecrated before Huang Qiong left the palace. Although Huang Qiong's thoughts are unclear now, the concubine's position is still vacant. Nowadays, the concubines in the palace who have given birth to princes, except those who are too old, such as Li family, Hu family, Cai family, etc., or whose background is too low, such as Zhao Jinse, Chun Xia Qiu Dong, etc.
But they all stared at the four concubines. Even their disciples, Lin Wanqing and Zhu Xing'er were thinking about them. Especially Lin Wanqing, since she gave birth to the prince, she has been thinking about becoming a concubine. Overtly and secretly, he told himself more than once that he wanted him to go to Situ Huanshuang's place to help him hit the wooden clock and help her talk. But this kind of thing, let alone He Yao and Duan Jin, even Situ Huanshuang would never touch it. Even if Huang Qiong gave them a few, they would have the power to control all matters in the Sixth Palace.
But all the girls know that this is a taboo of emperors of all ages and cannot be touched. Who has ever heard that it is the queen and the noble concubine who have the final say on which dynasty and which generation of harem concubines will be promoted. Not to mention that several people knew that Huang Qiong planned to leave the vacant concubine position to a concubine who had done meritorious service in educating the prince, or a wise person like Lin Hanyan. When Lin Hanyan never cleared his name, He Yao guessed Huang Qiong's feelings for Lin Hanyan and Lin Hanyan's forbearance over the years. Once her name is corrected, she will definitely be above all other women.
Except for Lin Hanyan, no one in the palace could have this possibility. If not, then at most it is Cai. As for others, maybe Nangong Zhen still has some possibilities. He Yao knew that Huang Qiong would only like Lin Hanyan, Cai and Nangong Zhen, women with relatively great wisdom in this kind of matter. As for Lin Wanqing, there is no such possibility in the short term. My sister-in-law is beautiful, but her style and vision are a bit too narrow.
But these things may not be clear to the women in the harem. Duan Jin doesn't want to take care of things, and now she's even pregnant. Situ Huanshuang also had a cold temperament. Except for Huang Qiong's affairs, he was unwilling to take care of other things. When Dong Qianhong was ordered to commit suicide, He Yao saw more than once the unbearable look in the eyes of Situ Huanshuang who came forward in person. But in the end, Situ Huanshuang, who always regarded Huang Qiong's will as his own, showed no mercy in the face of Dong Qianhong's pleading. Performed with eyes closed.
After being sisters with Situ Huanshuang for so many years, this was the first time He Yao saw her so hesitant and the first time she saw her so weak. Even after the incident, all the sisters in the palace shuddered when they saw Situ Huanshuang for a long time. But Situ Huanshuang was still unwilling to explain. Even Huang Qiong's secret order was not announced to the outside world. Situ Huanshuang would remain silent once Huang Qiong was involved in that kind of thing. I'm afraid Situ Huanshuang won't be able to explain such a trivial matter.
Then the job of explanation and persuasion may only fall on you. Therefore, despite being sore all over, He Yao still managed to hold herself up and went to Situ Huanshuang and Duan Jin to discuss the matter with them. In fact, Lin Hanyan has really been canonized as a concubine. Which of the girls in the palace will dissatisfy and cause trouble? Based on He Yao's experience in managing the Sixth Palace over the years, he can guess it with his eyes closed. Many of the women in the palace are slightly older and don't have much thought about competing for favor.
The young ones, such as the four daughters of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, and the Liao family, were not very favored by Huang Qiong, and did not have the courage to marry and compete for this position. Either they haven't given birth to an heir yet, or their background is too low. For example, Qingzi Erluo, Liu Min, and Zhao Jinse. Either they entered the palace late, such as Duan Yu, Duan Yun, and several other women from the Duan and Gao families that Huang Qiong brought back this time. They are not familiar with the situation in the palace, and given their status, it is impossible to compete for position in a short time.
What worries He Yao the most is Lin Wanqing, who is from the same family as him. Lin Wanqing, Myolie Zhu, and the two daughters of He family were the first to follow Huang Qiong. Now, except for the two daughters of the He family, Lin Wanqing and Zhu Xing'er have given birth to children, both in terms of qualifications and heirs. Lin Wanqing, in particular, was the most beautiful among the four women. Among the women in the palace, her beauty was also top-notch. Every time she went to bed, Huang Qiong was the one who served her the hardest, and she gave birth to another prince.
Before, I wanted to miss this concubine more than once. Now that Lin Hanyan has been granted the title of Jin, I am afraid he will also feel dissatisfied. That girl has always worried He Yao the most. I'm afraid that afterward, I have to do her job well, otherwise something will happen and she will end up like Dong Qianhong. When the time comes, he may not even be able to save her. Thinking of Dong Qianhong, He Yao couldn't help but sigh. Although she was dissatisfied with Dong Qianhong, Dong Qianhong's ending still made the kind-hearted He Yao a little intolerable.
In fact, He Yao didn't know that it was not only Lin Hanyan who was conferred the title of concubine by Huang Qiong this time, but also Cai. This time, Cai made a great contribution to protecting the emperor's second son. If she hadn't fought so hard to protect him, the second son of the emperor would have been in danger given Dong Qianhong's crazy behavior. But Huang Qiong's idea was directly rejected by Duan Jin. Duan Jin's original words at the time were that I opposed Sister Cai's promotion to the concubine, not because I had any objections to her, nor because I had any grudges with Shuang'er or Sister Cai.
If Your Majesty wants to do something else, I will only be happy and will never stop you because of Sister Jin Cai's taste. But we can't be promoted to the title because of Feng'er's matter. Maybe after becoming a mother, I became a little selfish, and I was somewhat confused when it came to Feng'er. His Majesty used this matter to grant the title of Sister Cai, which was to roast Feng'er on the fire. Feng'er is now an ordinary prince like other princes. Inside and outside the palace, there is no difference. But Your Majesty, if Sister Cai is promoted to a higher rank after rescuing Feng'er, how will it be viewed both inside and outside the palace?
Your Majesty took me back to Dali this time. I know it was to comfort my homesickness. But inside and outside the palace, it must have caused criticism. I feel that His Majesty favors me exclusively. If Sister Jin Cai waits for this matter again, what will outsiders think of Feng'er? Do you think that Feng'er is already the crown prince's candidate in His Majesty's heart? Otherwise, Sister Cai would not have protected Feng'er for just a few days and then surpass the other sisters and be directly promoted to the top. In this case, what does Your Majesty want Xiaoyao to think? She gave birth to the emperor's eldest son.
What do the other sisters in the palace think? Even if Xiaoyao is not dissatisfied because of this matter, there are still so many sisters in the palace. The most important thing is, what does Your Majesty want the courtiers to think? There are villains everywhere. If he is chosen as the crown prince by default, those villains who tend to follow the trend may take the opportunity to take action. Feng'er is still young and her ability to distinguish right from wrong is not strong yet. It's not like I can be by his side all the time. Especially when he leaves the palace and lives in the palace, it will be impossible to discipline him all the time.
As far as the virtue of some people is concerned, once they find the slightest crack, they will try their best to drill into it. If things go on for a long time, maybe Feng'er will be destroyed in their hands. Your Majesty, don’t forget the lessons learned from the deposed prince. What I mean is that if His Majesty wants Sister Jin and Cai to wait, it's better to do something else. Don't use this matter, so as not to give some interested people an opportunity, let alone cause misunderstanding to other sisters. I support His Majesty and Sister Jin Cai’s waiting. But if you use this excuse, I don't agree with it.
Your Majesty, this matter involves Feng'er, so let me be selfish for once. Your Majesty just took me back to my hometown, which caused some people to misunderstand. They mistakenly thought that Your Majesty wanted to appoint Feng'er as the crown prince, which caused chaos in the palace. If Sister Cai is given a promotion because of this matter again, I'm afraid more people will misunderstand her. After what happened to Dong Qianhong, there are now countless eyes staring at her inside and outside the palace. After I return to the palace, I will apologize to Shuang'er and Sister Cai. But for Feng'er's future growth and safety, I will not give in.
If Your Majesty still chooses Feng'er as his successor when all the princes grow up in the future, compared with other princes, then I have nothing to say. But if His Majesty reveals this intention now, it will harm Feng'er. It is even more unfair to Xiaoyao and her son, and also unfair to other princes. At least give them a chance to compare. As long as the chance of comparison is within control, I think His Majesty may not repeat the old man's mistakes. Your Majesty and I both want our children to grow up safely, don’t we?
Although she was dissatisfied with Duan Jin's caution, she thought she was too cautious. But after Huang Qiong thought deeply, he had to admit that Duan Jin's words were correct. People are unpredictable, and if they really do that, Feng'er will probably become the target of public criticism. In some matters, there is always a shortage of clever people inside and outside the palace. If it was because of Jin Cai's wait, it would be extremely easy for some people to make random guesses. If someone really takes advantage of this loophole, it will really harm the child.
After weighing it for a long time, Huang Qiong finally gave up the original idea. As for Cai, I will find ways to find opportunities to make amends in the future. As for what Duan Jin said, especially when Cai was promoted due to other matters, she would only be happy without any jealousy. Huang Qiong still knew whether she was telling the truth.
