dognovel Chapter 494 Confirming the Adoptive Mother (76 votes plus additional update)
Chapter 494 Confirming the Adoptive Mother (76 votes plus additional update)
"Your outfit today is quite unique."
Concubine Liang took the emperor's hand and stood up. She smiled and said softly, "Your Majesty, do you remember? When you first came to visit the Zhuang family, the wintersweet flowers were in full bloom."
"I mistook you for one of my father's students. It was only when my father came that I realized you were the Sixth Prince."
"Fortunately, you are so generous that you didn't take my disrespect seriously."
"That day, my father used wintersweets and tea leaves to make a pot of tea."
People's memories fade with time, but their senses of smell and taste can remember flavors from long ago.
After hearing what Concubine Liang said, Nangong Xuanyu also recalled the afternoon many years ago when he and his mentor had tea and discussed philosophy.
His eyebrows softened a lot, and he looked at Concubine Liang and said softly, "Of course I will not forget it."
"At that time, you were just a little girl of a few years old. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye."
"Although I send people to visit my teacher every year, the journey is long and the mountains are high. I miss my teacher very much because I can't see him in person."
Concubine Liang stood up and bowed: "It is my father's blessing to have your majesty's concern."
"Father often said in his letters that he was too old to continue assisting Your Majesty, and he asked me to be a virtuous concubine in the palace and share Your Majesty's worries."
Concubine Liang had been married to him for many years and had indeed always been virtuous and kind. Whether in the palace in the past or in the harem now, she had a good reputation.
Even the lowest-ranking palace maids were very respectful when talking about Concubine Liang.
Nangong Xuanyu looked at Concubine Liang with a gentler look in his eyes: "You are very good, worthy of being the legitimate daughter taught by the Grand Tutor."
Concubine Liang lowered her head, a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face: "Your Majesty, you are too kind..."
"Today is my father's birthday, but I know that the person my father cares about most is definitely Your Majesty. On behalf of my father, I offer a toast to Your Majesty!"
Nangong Xuanyu raised his glass, clinked it with Concubine Liang’s, and drank it all in one gulp.
As time passed, the meal was almost finished, and Ruoli was anxiously watching from the side...
Didn't the Queen say that she would use the Grand Tutor's birthday today to ask His Majesty to hand over the Third Prince to her for upbringing? Why hasn't she spoken yet?
In a little while, His Majesty will have to leave...
However, Ruoli knew that she had no say in the matter and could only keep her head down and worry.
How could Concubine Liang not see Ru Li's anxiety?
But some things are not useful just by saying them. Showing your ambition too obviously will backfire.
The groundwork she had laid these days was not in vain.
If Your Majesty has this idea, she doesn't need to say anything; if Your Majesty doesn't, no matter how much she says, it will be in vain and will only make Your Majesty unhappy.
It must be said that Concubine Liang knows Nangong Xuanyu very well...
The third prince lived in a side hall of the Yangxin Palace. Concubine Liang visited him every now and then, and sometimes stayed for a long time. How could the emperor not know about this?
He originally thought that Concubine Liang would use the Grand Tutor's birthday to make a fuss today. Unexpectedly... he misunderstood her.
In itself, Concubine Liang was within Nangong Xuanyu's consideration. Her ability to know when to advance and when to retreat made the emperor even more satisfied.
After a few drinks, Nangong Xuanyu put down his glass and looked at Concubine Liang gently: "I heard that you often visit the Third Prince recently?"
Concubine Liang nodded gently: "Although there are many people serving the Third Prince, there will always be things that the palace servants cannot take care of for a child without a mother."
"I just feel that it is pitiful that the Third Prince has to go through these things at such a young age..."
Having said this, her eyes were full of pity and she took out a handkerchief and pressed the wet corners of her eyes.
Nangong Xuanyu's eyes were somewhat deep, and he asked straight to the point: "Do you want to raise the third prince?"
Concubine Liang stood up and slowly knelt on the ground: "I dare not deceive your majesty, I do have this thought. First, I like children, and second, I really can't bear to see the third prince at such a young age without a mother to take care of him."
"But I also understand that the Third Prince is your Majesty's eldest son, and this is of great importance. I am afraid that your Majesty will misunderstand that I have ambitions, so I never dare to overstep my authority..."
During this period, Nangong Xuanyu raised the third prince in the Yangxin Palace, and was also secretly investigating who would be suitable to be his adoptive mother.
If the imperial concubine had a prince, the Duke Dingguo's Mansion would definitely have many inappropriate thoughts.
Besides... for so long, the imperial concubine only said that she wanted to raise the third prince, but she never went to the Yangxin Palace to see him once. It can be seen that she only likes the identity of the third prince, not the child.
On the other hand, Concubine Liang has a gentle temperament, is virtuous and polite, and has a motherly heart towards the third prince.
Moreover, last time, he gave the second princess to Concubine Xue, and he felt that he owed her.
At this moment, the balance in the emperor's heart tilted greatly...
He helped Concubine Liang up and said gently, "I know your personality, how could I misunderstand you?"
"The Third Prince is only half a year old, but he has lost his mother. I feel very sad. If you have nothing to do in the future, please go visit him more often."
Concubine Liang looked up at Nangong Xuanyu, her eyes filled with emotion: "Your Majesty's orders are obeyed!"
There were still many memorials to be dealt with in the Yangxin Palace, so after lunch, Nangong Xuanyu left the Changchun Palace.
"Empress?!"
Ruoli was so excited that her heart started beating. She couldn't wait to ask, "What did His Majesty mean by asking you to visit the Third Prince more often?!"
"Is this a hint that His Majesty is ready to hand the Third Prince over to you for upbringing?!"
The joy in Concubine Liang's eyes and brows could not be concealed.
But she has always been calm and composed. Even if it is a sure thing, she will not make it public until the dust has settled: "How can you and I guess the will of the emperor? Don't talk nonsense."
Ruoli said excitedly: "I heard it just now, this must be the case!"
"I would like to congratulate your Majesty first!"
It's not just them?
After the emperor's words today spread, almost everyone in the harem acquiesced that Concubine Liang was the third prince's adoptive mother!
She was originally one of the four concubines, and after raising His Majesty's eldest son, her status has become even more extraordinary!
At one time, there were countless concubines who came to Changchun Palace to curry favor with the emperor.
Only Concubine Hao remained consistent in her attitude towards Concubine Liang.
When the news reached Yongshou Palace, Concubine Liu just sneered: "What a bunch of idiots! They don't even understand the principle of smiling so lightly that the one who laughs last is the winner!"
"Zhuang Yumian, are you worthy enough to compete with me?!"
as predicted……
Just when everyone thought that the third prince would be raised by Concubine Liang, the emperor suddenly announced that he would be handed over to Concubine Liu to raise!
Once this matter spread, it was like a stone that caused a thousand waves!
Everyone wants to know, what made His Majesty suddenly change his mind? !
In the end, they only found out that before His Majesty issued the decree, Duke Dingguo went to the Imperial Study to ask for an audience and stayed there for an hour before coming out.