Rebirth of the High Gate Mistress

Chapter 343 Threaten Jingshu

The day after Li Ling went on the expedition, Jingshu received Queen Cao's decree announcing that she would enter the palace.

Last time the Crown Princess privately invited Jingshu to the East Palace, she could find reasons to refuse, but of course Jingshu couldn't refuse Empress Cao's order.

Jingshu was dressed neatly and was taken into the inner palace by the palace carriage. She was directly led into the Jiaofang Hall of Queen Cao by the female officer.

Empress Cao was not wearing a phoenix robe today. She was only wearing a plain and elegant dress, which made her appear somewhat approachable.

When she saw the female officer leading Jing Shu in, she smiled and waved to Jing Shu: "Mrs. Li, please give me a seat quickly."

Although Empress Cao's attitude was warm, Jing Shu kept to her duty and bowed to Empress Cao respectfully before bowing and taking her seat.

Empress Cao put on the amiable posture of an elder and asked Jingshu a few questions about her family affairs. Jingshu answered them respectfully and politely. The two chatted for a while before Empress Cao pretended to be confused and said: "I heard Madam and General Li have been married for so many years, but there is not even a single concubine in the house, right?"

When Queen Cao mentioned this, Jingshu suddenly had an ominous premonition in her heart even though she didn't know what kind of medicine she was selling in her gourd. However, her face remained as usual and she respectfully replied: "Thanks to the wrong love of the Holy One a few years ago, The one who once rewarded the general with his beautiful concubine."

That Qingyin was not given by the emperor. Although Li Ling had never touched it once, it was now being used by Jingshu people as a female teacher in the mansion to teach the piano skills to the sisters. But saying it in such a vague way did not count. The bullying also blocked Queen Cao's excuse to reward the palace concubine if she wanted to.

After hearing Jingshu's words, Empress Cao seemed suddenly enlightened and replied with a smile: "It is indeed rare for a family with such a prominent family name as the Duke, and General Li to be such a heroic figure, to have only one concubine in the house."

After Jingshu heard this, she only smiled slightly but did not say anything.

Empress Cao looked at Jingshu, changed her breath, and joked lightly: "But the beauty of the madam cannot be compared to other women's rouge and gouache. Although I live in a deep palace, I have heard that General Li and his wife are deeply in love, so General Li must have The reason why I don’t accept concubines is because I love my wife.”

Jingshu replied perfunctorily: "It's not like what the empress said. It's just that the general has a cold temper and doesn't like to deal with too many women."

After hearing this, Empress Cao still praised Li Ling and said: "I am afraid that there will be no other dedicated man like General Li in the whole world."

Jing Shu saw that Empress Cao had been obsessed with this matter, and she had a vague premonition in her heart.

As expected, Queen Cao looked at Jingshu and changed the subject: "The ninth princess Qingluan has already reached the age of marriage. Alas! If it weren't for the eighth princess, this child should have been born long ago."

Seeing that Jingshu didn't answer, Empress Cao looked at her and said, "This child is strange. Not long ago, the eldest princess and the emperor proposed to give her to the eldest son of King Murong of Jiangdong. It was originally a good marriage. She But he didn’t want to say anything.”

 Speaking, Queen Cao looked at Jingshu and asked: "The Duke is the mother clan of the nine princesses. As the head wife of the Duke, does Madam know the thoughts of the nine princesses?"

After hearing Queen Cao’s mysterious words, Jingshu understood something in her heart. Facing such a good marriage with the Murong family in Jiangdong, Qingluan refused desperately. Anyone with a discerning eye can guess that there must be a mystery. Empress Cao is so thoughtful and has been immersed in the harem for many years. It is naturally easy to know Qingluan's thoughts. .

 It can be seen that Queen Cao must have known about Qingluan's mad love for Li Ling.

 Using this to manipulate her? Or threaten the government?

 In short, no matter what, it will make her or the government passive.

Faced with Empress Cao's question, Jing Shu smiled faintly and replied slowly: "Although the Duke's residence belongs to the maternal clan of the Nine Princesses, the princess lost her mother when she was young and has been able to grow up thanks to the empress's careful care. The empress is the princess's legitimate mother." I don’t know what she is thinking, so I can’t guess what the princess is thinking.”

What Jingshu fears most is that Empress Cao will use Qingluan and Li Ling's affairs as a threat to force the government to compromise. After all, the princess cares about her foreign husband. If this matter is investigated in detail, even though Li Ling is innocent, he will not be able to escape the blame. The Ninth Princess lost her mother when she was young, and Emperor Ming did not allow any other concubines to raise her. In order to show her virtuousness, Empress Cao took the initiative to ask Ying to take care of the Ninth Princess.

It is said to be a care, but in fact it is a matter of face. There are many people serving the princess, so there is no need for the queen to do it herself. It is just Empress Cao's reputation, but since she has this reputation, if she wants to use Qingluan If she is threatened by impurity, then she herself cannot escape responsibility.

Empress Cao really had this in mind. Naturally, she would not really publicize what she knew. She was just bullying young Jingshu and wanted to use this matter to hold her back, but she didn't expect that little lady Jingshu , but his reaction was so astute, and he got the seven-inch vital point in one fell swoop.

Empress Cao picked up the teacup and took a sip, and then she concealed her irritability. She looked at Jingshu, with a warm and warm smile on her face, and said: "Since the ninth princess is raised under my knees, Then I naturally want her to marry the man she wants, but I also know a little bit about this child's thoughts."

When Empress Cao clicked on this point, she first glanced at Jing Shu meaningfully, then changed the subject and said, "Since the Royal Princess has descended, the consorts she marries are not allowed to take concubines. Which woman is willing to serve the same husband with someone else?" Daughters of ordinary families have no choice even if they don't want to, but princesses are different. With the protection of the royal family, even if they are married, they can enjoy rights that ordinary women cannot enjoy."

 “For example, enjoying your husband’s favor exclusively.”

Jing Shu just listened to Empress Cao's words quietly. Seeing that she didn't answer her, Empress Cao continued with a smile: "A most noble princess, even if the man she really likes already has a wife, she can't do it with just a decree. The wife always pays homage to the Lord."

Empress Cao looked deeply at Jing Shu: "Mrs. Li is ice-snow smart. I think you can understand the powerful relationship between this."

Although Jingshu came out of Jiaofangdian with the same expression, her heart was heavy and aggrieved.

Empress Cao was clearly threatening her, trying to get her to persuade Li Ling to surrender to the crown prince. If she didn't agree, I'm afraid if Empress Cao issued an edict, she would have to become a second cousin to that crying man. Qingluan gave way.

 Li Ling would certainly be reluctant to part with her, and perhaps her princess mother-in-law would certainly not let her go down like this. But if Empress Cao insisted on doing so, no matter how much the prince's government was, she would not be able to defeat the imperial power. Then the best outcome for her would be to share the same husband with Qingluan. It is impossible for her to be equal to the princess and become an equal wife. Then the only option is to demote her to a concubine, and her children will also become concubines inexplicably. .

This move is really damaging and very unfair to Jingshu, but who makes her the superior queen?

 (End of this chapter)