Chapter 67: As a Noble Imperial Concubine

  Du Mu Dao said: "I really didn't talk nonsense, I indeed have three wives and four concubines. Because I am -" Du Mu Dao wanted to tell Hu Li Jing the truth, that he was the current emperor.

  Du Mu Zhu, is indeed the current emperor. In terms of generation, he and the king of Hanhai are brothers, and Du Mu Jing's uncle, is the rightful heir to the throne of Tianchao, which means that his ancestors were the crown prince, while the king of Hanhai's ancestors were the younger prince, that ambitious younger prince. This crown prince and this younger prince were born of the same mother as close brothers, but because of the throne, the two people harbored resentment towards each other, extending all the way to Du Mu Zhu Emperor and Jing Taizi's generation.

  This time, Duanmu Ke went undercover to investigate and heard that someone was planning a rebellion. He didn't expect that by disguising himself as a beggar, he would also be hit by a ball, what a wonderful coincidence. In the current situation, anything can happen, and it's rare for him to like a woman so much, so he confessed. Confession is rewarded with leniency, resistance is met with severity, this policy has always been effective.

  Just as they were speaking, a team of horses galloped past the two people, and soon rushed back towards them. Seeing Duanmu Zhuo, they hastily dismounted their horses. "We have arrived late to escort Your Majesty, please forgive us." Hu Li Jing was taken aback, what's going on? Her eyes looked at Duanmu Zhuo with suspicion.

  Duanmu Zhuo remained calm and composed, as if he had long been accustomed to this situation. "Forget it," he said. "Ignorance is bliss, let's just drop it!" Several people stood up, one of whom said, "Your Majesty has suffered, please mount the horse and rest at my humble abode." Hu Lijiang took a closer look and saw that this person was none other than Xia Qiucheng, the Lingbo official who had attended the banquet at her home.

  Du Mu Duan said: "What? Xia Qinqing recognized me? When did he recognize me?"

  Xia Qiucheng said: "I am terrified, I did not recognize Your Majesty, please forgive me. At the time, I was at the banquet and recognized the Emperor, but seeing the Emperor's hint, I did not dare to speak out loud. After returning home, I made preparations immediately, and also ask Your Majesty not to go to the post station, please come to my house to rest."

  Duanmu Zhui said, "Alright, we won't go to the post station today. Tonight is my and Empress Hu's wedding night, it's more suitable to spend it in a better place. My empress, what do you think?"

  Huli Jing had already sensed something was amiss in their conversation, and it turned out that she really did marry the current emperor. No wonder she didn't kneel down to her sister-in-law at the wedding. It seemed he was traveling incognito and didn't want his identity exposed. So she said: "Since Your Majesty doesn't want others to know, then I'll just follow your orders."

  A few people protected the Emperor and Hulijin in the middle, and came to the home of Xia Qiucheng, the provincial governor. Governor Xia's wife heard that the Emperor had really arrived, dressed up to welcome him, and also listened to her husband say that the Emperor was newly married and wanted to consummate their marriage, so she hurriedly invited the Emperor to her bedroom.

  Du Mu Zhu and Hu Li Jing exchanged a glance, and Du Mu Zhu said: "No need, as long as we can find a place to rest, I'm traveling incognito, not making any noise. Originally, I wanted to sleep on the streets and experience what it's like to be a beggar couple. Now this is already a very good situation, so let's not be too formal, everyone can disperse."

  The provincial governor, Xia Qiucheng, nodded in agreement and he and his wife personally arranged the rooms for the emperor and empress. They prepared the bedding and other things that people use when they get married, including a quilt with embroidered peanuts and chestnuts, and red candles that symbolize joy and celebration. Then they quietly withdrew.

  The courtyard was quiet, Hu Lijiang bowed down: "Your Majesty's concubine pays respects to the Emperor, I didn't know it was Your Imperial Majesty, please forgive me."

  The emperor hastily supported, "Today we only discuss husband and wife, not monarch and subject." Duanmu Zhu hurriedly helped Hu Lijiang up, himself in disguise, secretly visiting, hiding his identity, no wonder his wife was one of them, he enjoyed the feeling of being equal to others. Duanmu Zhu knew that he had found a treasure. Apart from her stunning beauty, Hu Lijiang was also intelligent and kind-hearted, she would definitely add endless joy to his dull palace life.

  Hulijiang also understood the emperor's intention and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Then I will only regard Your Majesty as my husband. I hope that Your Majesty will not be angry with me for being slow to respond."

  "That's natural." Listening to the drum beating three watches outside, it was midnight now. So, he re-picked up the red veil for Hu Lijiang, drank the cross-cup wine, and Hu Lijiang cut off the red candle flower. The two were very compatible, loving each other as husband and wife, and Duanmu Zhuo had a good understanding of the folk custom of "Dongfang Huadeng".

  Every moment is precious.

  The next morning, General Ling Bo Xia Qiu Cheng did not dare to disturb the Emperor's new marriage, until the sun was high in the sky, he came to invite the Emperor to have a meal. He knocked on the door outside, but no one answered. After waiting for a while, the general's wife said: "It is not known whether they have left or not. Why don't we go in and take a look?"

  Xia Qiucheng thought for a moment, the emperor was traveling incognito, probably afraid that others would know his whereabouts, and might quietly leave. However, startling the imperial carriage was also a crime. Just as he was hesitating, the doorman came to report that the guest had left a letter and had already left with his wife.

  It seems the emperor doesn't want people to know. It's best for oneself to pretend not to know anything, so he warns a few followers who went out with him to keep their mouths shut, or else they'll lose their heads if the news leaks out.

  Hu's family finally got the news. Yang Zhong personally went to Xia Qiucheng's mansion to understand the situation, yesterday the groom's performance was suspicious. Refused to kneel down, not in line with reason. Could it be? Is it the Emperor? Thinking so, his heart was racing, and after asking, he understood. He had been granted an imperial audience by the Emperor himself, which was a great honor for him.

  At the same time, I'm truly happy for Miss Lijing, how did this happen? Even a beggar became an emperor, it must be that my brother-in-law Hu Libing and our ancestors are protecting Miss, also helping my sister, otherwise, with my sister's evil words and deeds, when she gets old, how will she face her husband in the afterlife?

  Seeing Hu Yang's panicked face, Yang Zhong deliberately sank his face: "Now you know to be afraid? I advised you to treat Lijiang well before, saying that Lijiang's death had nothing to do with Lijiang. How could there be a sister who wants her brother to die? You just wouldn't listen; Chen Shi and Lijiang becoming husband and wife was also your doing, fortunately Lijiang was lucky and didn't really marry a beggar to become a beggar's wife, otherwise, how would you and I face your husband in the next hundred years? Now that you've heard she's become an imperial concubine, you know to be terrified. How did I end up with such a brainless sister like you?"

  "Hu Yang said: 'Things have come to this point, and you still only care about scolding me. Are you or are you not my own brother?'"

  Yang Zhongdao said: "I am for reason, not for relatives. You are wrong, I won't speak for you, and I will even be biased towards you, watching you go further and further down the wrong path? Now what to do, still have to wait and see what the emperor wants to do? However, since the emperor quietly left, it is estimated that he will not punish you, and in a crowded situation, he gave us great courtesy. If he doesn't want to, we can't do anything about it." The implication is don't be afraid, and also don't make a fuss.

  Huyang thought about the little girl's devotion and care, which led to the emperor's one bow, feeling even more ashamed. Thinking that in the future, she would be kinder to Lijing Miss and stop resenting her. At this moment, thinking of Chen Shi, she couldn't help but ask her brother: "That Chen Shi, should we tell him the truth?"

  Yang Zhong hesitated for a moment, "Let's not tell him yet! I hope he can gradually forget about Lijing. After all, the status of imperial concubine is not something he can get close to. Unless he behaves abnormally, don't inform him of the news. Unless the Emperor and Lijing herself reveal the secret, we should keep it confidential."

  Yang Zhong's consideration is reasonable, the fewer people who know about this matter, the better. Although being a member of the royal family is something to be proud of, the emperor would definitely not want anyone to know that he had knelt down in front of his subjects. If for some reason he were to lose his own life, how could he then help Li Bing raise their young child and manage their business?

  No news is good news, and Miss Lijiang has been unheard of since then.

  Chen Shi continued to study at the Hu manor, on the surface nothing was amiss, he did what he had to do, but under the instigation of Hu Yangshi, he married Ren Yuehua. He lived a normal life, no one knew that his heart was as dry as dead wood. The only hope for his survival was Hu Lijiang. He hoped that one day Hu Lijiang would return to the Hu family and he could see her again. As for his wife Ren Yuehua's meticulous care, Chen Shi was oblivious. Unrequited love always brings pain, poor Ren Yuehua silently treated him with kindness, quietly liking him.

  It's been three years in the blink of an eye.

  Chen Shi and Ren Yuehua's daughter was already able to speak, and her name was Chen Xiulian. Every day, she played with three boys: Hu Yangshi's son Hu Zhongren, Ren Jia's cousin Ren Zhonghu, and Yang Zhong's son Yang Liuqing. The three children were a bit older, and every day they either studied books and characters, rode horses and shot arrows, or did arithmetic and business. The most interesting thing was to coax little sister Chen Xiulian.

  On this day, a team of imperial envoys arrived at the Hu family to offer congratulations. The Empress Dowager was overjoyed by the birth of her precious grandson and bestowed one hundred thousand taels of silver upon them. She also granted permission for them to return home in a month's time to pay their respects to their ancestors.

  The whole Hu family was busy. Yang Zhong and Hu Yang's hearts finally fell to the ground. It seems that the Emperor is extremely happy. The mother relies on her son, and Empress Hu has made a great contribution. The whole nation knows that the Emperor previously gave birth to all princesses, now he has a dragon son, Hu Lijiang's merit is great, and she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort.

  It's been a month, and Hu Guifei returned home to visit her relatives. Her sister-in-law, Hu Yangshi, personally came out to greet her, changing her usual attitude towards her, which made Hu Lijiang very moved. It turned out that her sister-in-law didn't used to look at her with a straight eye, but now she could change her attitude, and she felt relieved too, and the guilt towards her brother also disappeared completely.

  A smile can resolve all grudges when meeting again. Blood is thicker than water.

  However, Chen Shi was different. He was eager to see Hu Lijiang, and even hoped that she would fall into a desperate situation, so that he could have the opportunity, although this idea was somewhat despicable, but it was his true thought. Unexpectedly, what he got was Hu Lijiang's magnificent turn, becoming the Imperial Noble Consort, and giving birth to the Emperor's dragon son, honored as the Empress Dowager.

  He had lost all hope. Chen Shi couldn't think of a way out and jumped into Lingbo Lake in desperation.

  Luckily, Yang Zhong was always careful about him. Master understood Chen Shi very well, he had a bit of a small mind, the more he showed that he didn't care, the more it proved that his heart knot hadn't been opened. As soon as he jumped in, someone caught up with him and rescued him.

  Yuehua was wailing, at this time, her daughter Xiu Lian was not yet three years old, and her husband actually wanted to seek death. It was a waste of her own hard work. In a fit of anger, she left home.

  Chen Shi woke up to find that his wife had left home, so he also went out of the house to look for her. Hu Li Jing felt quite helpless and embarrassed, but then an urgent imperial decree was announced, and she had no choice but to return to the palace.

  Chen Shi and Ren Yuehua did not return for several months. Their youngest daughter, who was only a week and a half old, was sent to the Ren family and given to Ren Yuehua's sister-in-law to raise. This little girl later became Hu Zhongren's first wife, Ren Xiulian.