bookcurios Chapter 1340: Then her role as Imperial Noble Consort is in vain
Chapter 1340: Then her role as Imperial Noble Consort is in vain
The Third Prince's eyes were somewhat dazed, and he did not react much to Shen Zhinian's words. He just twisted his body unconsciously and uttered a few unclear syllables.
The fourth prince had been put down by the emperor and was looking at the third prince with wide eyes of curiosity.
Shen Zhinian asked with a smile: "A Xu, do you remember? This is your third brother."
The fourth prince was just learning to speak, and he followed suit in a baby voice, "Third... Third Emperor, brother..."
However, the Third Prince still did not respond, as if he was immersed in his own world.
The forced smile on Concubine Dun's face froze for a moment, and she quickly pulled the Third Prince closer to her and wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief again.
Her tone was somewhat hasty and concealed as she explained, "Your Majesty, Royal Noble Consort, please forgive me. Ah Jing... He is just a little introverted, shy, and doesn't like to talk..."
Concubine Dun's voice became lower and lower, and she felt less confident.
Nangong Xuanyu's deep gaze swept across the Third Prince's face. The emotions in his eyes were complicated and difficult to discern, but there was absolutely no intention of blaming him.
He naturally knew that the child was not introverted, but he did not say anything. He just reached out and gently pinched the third prince's soft cheek.
The action was not particularly affectionate, but there was no trace of disgust either.
"It doesn't matter."
The emperor's voice was emotionless, he simply said, "Now that you're out, take a walk."
This seemingly ordinary sentence made Concubine Dun's tense heartstrings relax a little: "Yes!"
At least His Majesty was not displeased by this.
Due to the sudden arrival of Concubine Dun and the Third Prince, the intimate playfulness between father and son could no longer continue.
Although Nangong Xuanyu's face was not cold, the gentle aura of an ordinary father had quietly subsided, and his whole body was filled with the majesty of an emperor.
Several people walked slowly in the imperial garden. The atmosphere was not as relaxed as before, but it maintained a superficial peace.
Nangong Xuanyu occasionally asked about the daily life of the third prince, and Concubine Dun answered carefully one by one, her words full of caution and flattery.
The Fourth Prince, however, was filled with childish curiosity about his slow-witted Third Brother.
He staggered over to the Third Prince, stretched out his chubby little hand to pull the Third Prince's hand hanging at his side, and mumbled, "Third...Brother, Brother..."
The fourth prince tried to lead the third prince to the insects flying under the lamp nearby.
Although the Third Prince was mostly immersed in his own world and slow to react to the outside world, he did not resist or cry when the Fourth Prince pulled and touched him without any malice.
He just ignorantly let the Fourth Prince hold his hand, and moved with staggering steps, his eyes still a little dazed.
Concubine Dun watched nervously from the side, her palms slightly sweaty. She was worried that the Third Prince would suddenly lose control and startle the emperor, and she was also worried that the Fourth Prince would lose his composure and hurt him.
Seeing that the two children were able to get along peacefully and even had a subtle interaction, Concubine Dun's heart, which had been hanging high in her heart, finally settled down a little and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
fine……
Although the Fourth Prince is young, he does not rely on His Majesty's favor to be arrogant and bully others.
At least that's how it looks on the surface.
But this thought only flashed through her mind, and Concubine Dun immediately glanced at Shen Zhinian, who was standing beside her in a graceful and elegant manner with a faint smile on her face, and sneered in her heart.
Knowing the face but not the heart.
The Fourth Prince was still young and naive. But he was the Imperial Consort's son after all, doted on since birth. Who could say for sure what kind of person he would become?
And although her A Jing is His Majesty's eldest son, he... looks like this...
The Fourth Prince is very gentle now, but in the cannibalistic palace, who can guarantee that this gentleness will last forever?
Does the Imperial Concubine really not mind at all privately that Ajing took the title of eldest son?
Concubine Dun's gaze returned to the two princes.
Looking at the Fourth Prince's rosy, healthy, and vibrant face, and then comparing it to the Third Prince's obviously unusual appearance and slow movements...
The bitterness and resentment that had just subsided surged up again, causing her internal organs to ache...
Concubine Dun twitched the corners of her mouth, trying hard to maintain a smile on her face. However, the smile did not reach her eyes, instead adding a hint of melancholy.
As the night deepened, the palace lanterns in the imperial garden swayed gently in the evening breeze, stretching the shadows of the people into long and slender ones.
Princess Dun's mood did not improve as she looked at the scene of brothers being friendly and respectful to each other.
She knew better than anyone that Ajing...would probably never be as smart and clever as a normal prince and would never be able to please His Majesty.
Expecting this child to achieve something in the future and compete with the beloved Fourth Prince is nothing but wishful thinking.
For now, there is only one way -
She must give birth to a smart, handsome prince who can be her daughter's daughter as soon as possible!
Only in this way can she regain the heart of His Majesty and consolidate the status of mother and son. Only in this way can she protect the eldest son, who is destined to be weak, from being looked down upon or bullied by anyone.
This idea didn't come up for the first time, it was growing wildly in Concubine Dun's heart like weeds!
She took a deep breath, forced herself into a gentle smile, took a half step forward, knelt slightly in front of Nangong Xuanyu, and said in a gentle voice: "Your Majesty, you see, Ah Jing is weak after all. He seems a little sleepy after being in the wind for a while, and his little head is nodding a little."
Concubine Dun said this, caressing the Third Prince's face lovingly. He did look a little listless, and continued, "It's getting late. I should take him back and settle him down."
She changed the subject slightly, her eyes secretly glancing at Nangong Xuanyu, with a hint of barely perceptible expectation and temptation, her voice becoming softer and softer: "Your Majesty has been toiled today, it's time for you to rest early."
"If...if Your Majesty is still not satisfied, why not go to Yikun Palace and have a cup of refreshing tea? I have recently acquired some excellent Junshan Silver Needle tea in my palace..."
As soon as these words were spoken, the palace servants around them almost held their breath at the same time, with surprise in their eyes.
Is Concubine Dun... openly trying to steal the favor from the Imperial Noble Concubine?!
Who gave her the courage? !
Isn't she afraid of offending the Imperial Noble Consort, who is currently favored by the Emperor and holds power over the six palaces?
Concubine Dun naturally felt those silent gazes and sneered in her heart.
afraid?
She and the Imperial Noble Consort have long had a deep grudge against each other. Even if she behaves humblely today, will the Imperial Noble Consort let her go?
Since peacemaking is useless, the only option is to fight!
Fight for favor and status!
Only by holding more chips can she and the third prince have a chance of survival in this cannibalistic harem!
Shen Zhinian still stood quietly beside Nangong Xuanyu. When she heard what Concubine Dun said, the expression on her beautiful face did not change, and even her eyebrows did not move.
Only in those charming fox eyes did a hint of imperceptible mockery flash across her face.
Intercept her favor?
If someone could take the emperor away from her, then her position as imperial concubine would be in vain.