Chapter 296 Madam Wang Enters the Eastern Palace
"Your Highness, please calm down. I understand. I will return to Xia Kingdom in the near future and report what Your Highness said to the Emperor." Liang Yi bowed.
"Yes!" Zhao Xing nodded and said, "Honglu Temple Minister, please entertain the Xia Kingdom envoy well!"
"The minister obeys the order!"
…………
"Mother!"
Rulan and Minglan were standing at the door of Shuanglan Pavilion waiting. When they saw Madam Wang and Lady Kang being led over by eunuchs, Rulan excitedly went to greet them.
"Ru'er!"
Mrs. Wang happily pulled her daughter to look at her.
"Mother, let's go in and talk. This is the first time you come to the East Palace to visit your daughter. I will take you for a good look around." Rulan took Madam Wang's hand and were about to enter the yard.
Ever since the news of the emperor's abdication spread, the families of Zhao Xing's concubines came to visit one after another.
Only no one came from the Sheng family.
Madam Wang wanted to come, but Sheng Hong and Old Madam Sheng did not allow it.
However, Sheng Hong has been feeling anxious and worried during this period.
Logically speaking, since Zhao Xing was about to ascend the throne, he should have resigned from his position as the prefect of Kaifeng.
Although Sheng Hong served as the Shaoyin of Kaifeng Prefecture, his chances of succeeding as the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture were slim.
Because Sheng Hong, the Shao Yin, was a fourth-rank official, while the prefect of Kaifeng was a third-rank official.
It is extremely difficult to upgrade from the fourth rank to the third rank, and many people find it difficult to cross this threshold in their entire lives.
Officials below the third rank have certain opportunities as long as they have enough experience.
But one cannot be promoted to the third rank simply by accumulating experience.
Because the third rank can be considered an important official, and the prefect of Kaifeng is considered a third rank official. You should know that the vice ministers of the six ministries are only third rank officials.
But Sheng Hong was not completely without chance, as he had another identity - a relative by marriage.
Promotion of officials is based on seniority. It is possible for low-ranking officials to be promoted two or three levels in a row, but this is rare for middle and high-ranking officials.
However, exceptions can be made for relatives by marriage.
Throughout the dynasties, there are countless examples of relatives by marriage rising to power overnight.
The sons and relatives of officials in the Song Dynasty could all be appointed as officials through imperial patronage. Zhao Xing was about to ascend the throne, and if he promoted a relative, no one would give him any trouble in this regard.
Human nature is very complicated. It would be fine if there was no possibility at all, but as long as there is a little hope, I can't help but think about it.
As long as the candidate for the prefect of Kaifeng is not decided, Sheng Hong will be worried about it every day.
Sheng Hong thought that his daughter's rank was not high, and Zhao Xing would not allow him to take over as the prefect of Kaifeng as an exception.
At the same time, he was thinking, was Zhao Xing's hesitation in deciding on the candidate for the prefect of Kaifeng because he was planning to raise Rulan's rank after registration before letting him take the position?
With such a struggle in his mind every day, Sheng Hong became thinner and thinner, and fell ill a few days ago.
Sheng Hong didn't dare to ask for leave to rest even though he was sick, as he still had thoughts about the position of prefect of Kaifeng.
What if someone takes advantage of him while he is resting due to illness?
This scared Madam Wang. After all, Sheng Hong was the pillar of the family.
If anything happens, Sheng Changbai will definitely have to stay at home in mourning.
Sheng Changbai has just entered the officialdom. If he were to spend a few years in mourning, it would have a huge impact on his future.
Therefore, Madam Wang earnestly persuaded Sheng Hong to recuperate at home.
Sheng Hong was so annoyed by Madam Wang that he had no choice but to tell her the interests involved.
After hearing this, Madam Wang said that she could ask Rulan about this matter.
Maybe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Rulan had said so. If so, Sheng Hong wouldn't have to worry about it.
Sheng Hong was also moved when he heard it. After hesitating for a long time, he agreed to let Madam Wang come to see Rulan.
Fearing that Old Lady Sheng would not agree, Sheng Hong hinted to her not to make it public. Madam Wang also learned her lesson and secretly sent someone to the East Palace to apply.
After getting permission, he found an excuse to go out and came to the East Palace.
"Ruru!" Madam Wang pulled Rulan and said unhappily, "Your aunt is here too, can't you see her?"
After being reminded by Minglan last time, Madam Wang was very dissatisfied with Lady Kang and had not had any contact with her for some time.
Seeing that Rulan was unwilling to help, Mrs. Kang was too lazy to coax Madam Wang.
When the news came that the emperor was going to abdicate, Princess Kang went to the Sheng family again.
Madam Wang was a person who only remembered food and not punishment. After being coaxed by Lady Kang several times, she forgot everything that happened in the past.
When she came to the Eastern Palace this time, she specially notified Queen Kang to accompany her.
Rulan reluctantly bowed after hearing this and said, "Hello, auntie. I was too excited to see my mother just now and ignored you. I hope you won't blame me for my impoliteness."
"No wonder."
Queen Kang smiled and shook her head, but glanced at Minglan, then looked up at the plaque on the courtyard and said with a smile, "The courtyard where Rulan lives is called Shuanglan Pavilion. I didn't notice why it was named like this last time I came."
"This was given by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Rulan answered casually, pulling her mother inside: "Mom, let me show you the yard where I live."
The courtyard where Rulan lives covers an area of seven or eight acres and is decorated in an elegant and grand manner.
All the furniture and utensils are extraordinary.
After walking around, Mrs. Wang was amazed and very happy.
But she knew that the size and decoration of the courtyard where the concubines lived depended on their degree of favor.
The better Rulan lives, the more favored she is in the Eastern Palace.
Although every time she went back, Rulan said how good she was in the East Palace, and Mother Hua also described it to her.
But hearing it from others and seeing it with your own eyes give you different feelings.
After a stroll, Rulan brought her mother to the main hall, and they sat on the soft couch at the top.
Minglan did not sit down, but stood beside Rulan.
Kang Wang sat at the lower left and said with a smile, "Sister, you should be relieved now, right? I told you that Rulan is living well in the East Palace, but you are still worried."
"Haha, don't worry, don't worry." Mrs. Wang nodded repeatedly.
Madam Wang was a materialistic person. When she saw that the courtyard where Rulan lived was so luxurious, with dozens of palace maids and eunuchs serving her, plus Hua Mama and several others who came with her as a dowry, she was naturally uneasy.
In her opinion, being favored or not is another matter, but given the current situation, she definitely cannot endure the hardship.
At this time, several palace maids came in with tea and snacks, set them up, bowed, and left.
"You are worthy of being a palace maid. The way you walk and do things is so pleasing to the eye. Those maids and servants in our house are far inferior to you." Madam Wang said with a smile.
"Of course, the people in this palace are not comparable to those outside, but you are kind-hearted, sister. For those concubines and servants in your family, it is a blessing to meet someone as kind-hearted as you in eight lifetimes."
Kang Wang looked at Minglan and said, "But sometimes you have to be strict. If you are always kind, they will lose their identity."
"Mom, try these snacks." Rulan pulled her mother and said, "These are made by the imperial chef. They are delicious."
"Hmm." Madam Wang picked up a piece and took a bite, then said with a smile, "It tastes really good. Sister, please try it."
"Then let me try it."
Princess Kang picked up a piece, tasted it, praised it a few times, then put it down, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "By the way, Rulan just said that the name Shuanglan Pavilion was given by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Could the Shuanglan refer to Rulan and Minglan? It seems that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince really likes Minglan."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Madam Wang's face froze.
She hadn't thought about this just now, but now that Mrs. Kang Wang said this, she finally reacted.
Madam Wang could accept that Minglan was favored, but she could not accept that she was favored as much as Ruolan.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince named the pavilion Shuanglan. Isn't this comparing Rulan and Minglan?
(End of this chapter)