Chapter 280: Being Used

"What's the big deal or the small deal? As long as he comes back safely on his first trip, that's all that matters. I don't ask for anything else right now."

Despite this, the Empress still maintained a hint of arrogance on her face.

Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes; not everyone's son can have such an honor. Isn't the struggle in the harem all about these few points of pride?

"Let's not talk about him. I heard that Yuan Rong hasn't been going to the South Study lately?"

Chu Wan's smile stiffened slightly, and her nails unconsciously tightened around the delicate flower stem: "I didn't expect this matter to have reached the ears of Her Majesty the Empress. I am sorry that I have failed to raise my son properly and have made Her Majesty laugh at me."

The Empress smoothed her temples, revealing a lifelike phoenix-shaped hair ornament on her head, making her look incredibly elegant and noble.

"He hasn't settled down yet; he's still childish. Perhaps marrying a princess in the future will tame him."

"You are Yuan Rong's mother, so there are some things you should discuss with him carefully. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"...Not yet."

The words "Princess" were like a sharp dagger, freshly forged in fire, stabbing fiercely into Chu Wan's heart. The pain was excruciating and unbearable, and the two simple words choked in her throat for a long time before she could finally utter them.

"In that case, I will help you find someone to keep an eye out for, so you don't need to worry too much."

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

"No need to be so polite."

The Empress waved her hand, just then Huixin returned with a silk fan. She took the small and exquisite palace fan, played with it in her hands for a while, and then handed it to Chu Wan: "Look, do you like this style?"

"Your Majesty's favor is certainly not something ordinary; I am naturally delighted."

Chu Wan took the fan, held it in her palm, and bowed her head to express her gratitude without even glancing at it.

This combination of kindness and severity was finally over. The Empress disliked Chu Wan from the bottom of her heart, but she still had to maintain appearances to avoid gossip behind her back, saying that she lacked tolerance and that even the Emperor was impatient with her.

As expected, after Li Yuande whispered something in the emperor's ear about the imperial garden bestowal, the emperor stayed at the Jiaofang Palace that very night.

Chu Wan was used to these tricks and knew she was being used, but there was nothing she could do but swallow her anger.

"Little...Bai Qiu!"

Realizing that Xiaoya had already been sent away, Chu Wan had no choice but to change her mind and ask for someone else.

Hearing the noise, the palace maid hurriedly came in and greeted her: "Sister Baiqiu has gone out and hasn't returned yet. Is Your Highness about to serve the meal?"

Chu Wan sat at the table, her brows slightly furrowed: "It's just a lost item, why does it take so much trouble?"

"This... I heard that Xiaoya is leaving the palace, but she insists on seeing Sister Baiqiu one last time."

"Is the Imperial Household Department really going to send you away like this?" Chu Wan raised her voice slightly.

The palace maid quickly lowered her head and replied, "Yes, but the situation is still at a stalemate."

"Help me up."

With Suqing gone and Xiaoya gone from Hehuan Palace, and even if Baiqiu is dismissed, as long as she shows her face more often in front of the master, she can be promoted to a personal maid in no time.

The palace servants, harboring ulterior motives, dared not slack off and immediately and earnestly helped her to her feet.

After Chu Wan stood up, she withdrew her hand and did not ask the palace servants to help her anymore. She walked to the treasure box on her own and pulled open the bottom wooden drawer with a creak: "Pour me a cup of tea."

...

Bai Qiu arrived as promised and found Xiao Ya standing by the palace gate with her head down, holding a bundle, her back against the wall, without saying a word.

"I heard you wanted to see me?" Bai Qiu smiled, pursing her lips.

Xiaoya immediately looked up when she heard the sound, her eyes bloodshot as she stared intently at her.