I suspected several times that she was not my mother, but I couldn't find any evidence. My most trusted cousin was not by my side either, so I had to suppress my inner doubts and play along with her.
In the fourth year of the Grand Beginning, my cousin won a great victory. I was extremely happy inside, as this meant the war was over and my cousin would soon return to the capital.
My mother was also very happy, so happy that she issued an imperial decree to confer on my cousin the title of General Who Subdues the Distant and also arranged a marriage for him. The woman was Song Nanxin, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an.
I once opposed my mother on this matter, because my cousin had written me a letter asking if he could make a request if he won the battle. I knew he still wanted to find that young friend who had corresponded with him in the dilapidated temple on the back hill of the Imperial College. If there was a fateful encounter, wouldn't this be a good marriage?
Moreover, if it weren't for his young friend, I wouldn't have ascended to the throne so smoothly. So what was the difficulty in granting his request?
My mother's imperial decree, however, destroyed my agreement with my cousin.
And I, however, was unable to resist.
I knew that if I didn't bring down my mother and take back the political power, I would be controlled by her for the rest of my life. So I began to secretly plan. And this plan required my cousin's support.
After waiting for a long time, I finally waited for my cousin to return to court. I knew that my chance had finally come.
My cousin indeed understood me. I didn't need to say much to him. With just a look and a gesture, he understood what was on my mind and was willing to help me.
Surprisingly, I thought my cousin wouldn't like his betrothed wife, but unexpectedly, on the first day he returned to the capital, he consummated his marriage with his wife, and his face always showed a dazed and indulgent look.
Interesting, really interesting.
My upright and serious cousin unexpectedly fell under the charm of some woman one day. I was really looking forward to meeting my sister-in-law.
I thought his strangeness came from the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an's residence, until - in the Lanfang Garden, a beautiful and charming woman barged into our sight. With a voice soft enough to kill, she mercilessly told the newly minted number two scholar that she had taken a fancy to her brother-in-law. I saw a more vivid look on my cousin's face.
Life in the palace was boring and dull. Teasing my cousin and seeing him being duplicitous, having feelings for his wife's younger sister, was also a kind of pleasure.
One day, my cousin told me that the concubine daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an's residence was the young friend who had written him letters and given him advice on the back hill of the Imperial College. Only then did I discover that Heaven was indeed good at playing tricks on people.
But I was also very envious of my cousin. I was envious that after all his twists and turns, he still met the woman he truly loved.
Unlike me, in this huge palace, there wasn't even a single person I could tell the truth to.
After that turmoil, the true face of "Mother" was revealed. As expected, she was not my mother, but a person impersonating a Beidi person. And my mother was locked up in the dungeon of an unassuming mansion by this group of Beidi thieves.
After massacring all the Beidi thieves and rescuing my mother from the dungeon, my mother was already at the end of her tether. She passed away within half a year after returning to the palace.
I no longer had any threats or restraints in this palace. I could finally stop choosing the women to serve me in bed according to "Mother's" wishes.
But I felt increasingly lonely.
The Way of the Emperor Is Not the Ordinary Way.
This path was destined to be walked alone by me.
Coming back to my senses, I said to the eunuch waiting on the side, "After the Great General Who Protects the Country and Princess Changhuan return, you must immediately inform this Emperor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In any case, the night was already deep and I was tired of reading these memorials. I got up, stretched and walked out.
"This Emperor is going to walk around in the palace to get some fresh air. Leave two secret guards to follow. The rest of you stay here."
The eunuch was very helpless, but didn't dare to disobey. He could only reply meekly.
I had no destination. I just wanted to walk around alone to relax. I didn't ask anyone to present their nameplate tonight. At this hour, most of the concubines were probably already asleep. I didn't want to disturb them either.
When I came back to my senses, I realized that I had walked further and further away. I unexpectedly came to a somewhat remote palace courtyard.
The night wind blew and my irritated mood was soothed a little. I was about to turn around and leave when I heard a burst of happy laughter coming from the courtyard wall not far away, accompanied by a mouthwatering aroma of meat.
The secret guard whispered in my ear that this was the Palace of Spring Tranquility. The Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor and several unfavored beauties from last year's draft lived there.
Yes, I almost forgot. Last year, the palace held a draft and selected some official ladies from all over the place to enter the palace. This Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor was left with her nameplate by this Emperor because of her family background. It was just unfortunate that she got sick before she could serve me in bed. Her nameplate has not been hung back up until now. So I've never favored her.
Raising my eyebrows, I suddenly became interested. I took a step and walked towards that place.
Logically speaking, unfavored concubines didn't live very well in the palace. There were even concubines who died of depression because they couldn't see the Emperor's face. But from what I heard, this Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor who had never received favor seemed very happy?
When I reached the Palace of Spring Tranquility, I suddenly stopped. I looked up at the signboard on the palace gate. After thinking for a moment, I walked around to the big tree next to the courtyard wall and jumped up.
It was late at night. If I entered through the main entrance, I was afraid I would scare them. Then I wouldn't be able to watch the show.
Standing on the tree and looking down, I saw several women gathered in the courtyard, lighting a fire. They were roasting something on a wire net. The aroma of meat I smelled earlier came from there.
One of the women said, "How is it? Does the meat not have a fishy smell now?"
She was very beautiful. When she spoke, she was animated. The firelight shone on her face, making her eyes shine like stars. There were also two small dimples on her lips. She was very endearing.
The women next to her all said, "It's still Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor who has a way. Not only is there no fishy smell now, it's also better to eat!"
The Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor proudly raised her chin and laughed, "Of course! Wait until I make the hot pot and bring the sisters to enjoy delicious food and drink!"
Hot pot? What was this?
One of the beauties asked the question on my mind, "Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor, what is this hot pot? Why have I never heard of it before?"
The Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor's smile paused. She explained to everyone, "This is a way of cooking food my father learned when he went out to sea. Find a clean pot and boil spices such as chili, big bones, star anise and Chinese prickly ash into a thick soup. After boiling on high heat, put the raw food into the soup and boil for a moment. Then you can eat it!"
"If you can't eat chili, you can also make mushroom soup, tomato soup, beef bone soup. In short, there is nothing that can't be solved with a hot pot!"
The other few people were very tempted when they heard this, "Okay, okay, Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor. We're waiting for you to make this hot pot and bring the sisters to enjoy the delicacies!"
The Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor patted her chest, "Sure, sure. I definitely won't treat the sisters badly!"
I had indeed never heard of this hot pot the Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor spoke of. Wasn't this more interesting than the old duck soup the Consort Shu asked the imperial kitchen to make?
Raising my lips, I jumped down from the tree and left this place.
The next day, after court, I discussed government affairs with the ministers. I was busy for another day. After the ministers left, I felt a little hungry in my stomach. The eunuch was very good at reading my expression. He immediately asked me if I wanted to serve the meal.
Remembering last night's experience, I laughed. I got up and said, "Serve what meal? Prepare the carriage. This Emperor is going to the Palace of Spring Tranquility."
I arrived at the Palace of Spring Tranquility in a grand manner. The concubines who received the news were already kneeling outside the door waiting.
Walking up to the Shen Consort of Imperial Splendor, I leaned down slightly and laughed softly:
"My love, this Emperor is very curious about the hot pot you spoke of. Today, this Emperor will give you this opportunity to show your skills. Don't disappoint this Emperor."
She seemed to be scared. She forgot the rule that she couldn't look the Emperor in the eye. She raised her head and looked at me in surprise.
Her round eyes were black and white. There was only my reflection in them.
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