The actions taken in the Cold Palace naturally caught Mu Yangwei's attention.

"Master, should we go and stop them?"

Mu Yangwei put down the memorial and rubbed his temples: "No need, let them be. But the Empress is still in the Cold Palace, so some things shouldn't be too outrageous. Go and warn her."

The attendant looked at Mu Yangwei, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Mu Yangwei raised an eyebrow: "What? Just say what you have to say."

The servant whispered, "Master, now that the Third Prince is away, it's the perfect time for you to mend your relationship with the Empress. If the Empress is on your side, your position will be secure!"

"Hehe." Mu Yangwei laughed and shook his head. "Qinglan, you've known about Mother's thoughts all these years. If repairing the relationship were truly useful, it would have been useful long ago."

"Fine, she thinks I'm blocking her beloved son's future. She won't even look at me unless I'm dead."

Qinglan opened her mouth, but ultimately let out a sigh.

"As for that position, you should know that I don't have much interest in it. It doesn't matter who does it, as long as the people live in peace and prosperity, that's enough."

Mu Yangwei's words filled Qinglan with admiration, and she immediately cupped her hands and said, "Yes, subordinate understands."

Looking at Qinglan's retreating figure, a hint of loneliness appeared in my eyes, but I quickly regained my composure.

He never received maternal love growing up, and he no longer expects it.

Just as he was about to look at the memorials again, a young eunuch came in and reported, "Your Highness, Madam Bai, Princess Lexin, and Madam Chen have arrived."

Mu Yangwei's eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "Please come in quickly."

As soon as Yuan Chenchen entered the imperial study, he frowned: "What's wrong? State affairs are important, but health is even more important. Why isn't Wei'er eating?"

Mu Yangwei quickly glanced at the food on the table, feeling extremely annoyed: "No time, no time, I'll eat now."

"What are you going to eat?" Chen Zhixiu slapped Mu Yangwei's hand. "It's all cold, how can we eat?"

He then instructed the eunuch to remove the food and took the lunchbox he had brought with him: "Eat."

Mu Yangwei looked at the three dishes and one soup. Although they were not as exquisite as those in the Imperial Study, they were very cozy.

"If your health collapses, you'll regret it later."

Feng Yue nodded and said, "Come on, let me take your pulse."

Seeing the three elders' concern for him, Mu Yangwei felt warm inside and was happy to cooperate.

After they finished eating, the three of them chatted with Mu Yangwei for a while longer.

"Your mother is at odds with Xiao Ruyan?"

Chen Zhixiu raised an eyebrow and said, "Aren't you going to make a move?"

Mu Yangwei was slightly taken aback and looked at Chen Zhixiu with some confusion.

Chen Zhixiu chuckled: "I know you are kind-hearted, but some things need to be prepared in advance. Xiao Ruyan is so active outside the palace, attending all kinds of banquets, which is fine, but she has also won over many ladies. If these ladies whisper in your ear, your job of managing the court will not be easy."

"It's alright, I can handle it myself."

Chen Zhixiu pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Even if you can solve it, wouldn't it be uncomfortable to have added more obstacles for no reason? Listen to Aunt Xiu, have someone whisper a few words in your mother's ear, saying that Xiao Ruyan has the Third Prince under her thumb."

Mu Yangwei was somewhat puzzled.

Chen Zhixiu thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, I'll take care of the affairs of the inner quarters for you. But you'd better hurry up and choose a Crown Princess. I can't help you for long."

Mentioning the Crown Princess, Mu Yangwei's face flushed slightly, and he said helplessly, "Thank you, Aunt Xiu, but this Crown Princess..."

“Choosing a Crown Princess is no easy task.” Yuan Chenchen pulled out a notebook from somewhere, filled with portraits and introductions of eligible women.

"Those with high official positions are a threat, and those with low official positions can't help you. Tsk tsk, it's tough!"

Feng Yue leaned closer, looked at the list of daughters from prestigious families in the notebook, and thought for a moment before saying, "If there really aren't any good ones, why not just pick one you like?"

Chen Zhixiu's eyes lit up, and she gave a thumbs up: "Mother is right, Wei'er, do you have a girl you like?"

"No! I didn't! Aunt Xiu, I didn't!"

Mu Yangwei quickly shook his head, waving his hands: "I don't have anyone I like yet."

"Don't be nervous, I'm just asking." Chen Zhixiu smiled. "We can take another look; it's still small on both sides."

Mu Yangwei breathed a sigh of relief.

The atmosphere here is wonderful, but it's like being in a cold palace.

The Empress glared at Qinglan, gritting her teeth, and said, "What do you mean by that?"

Qinglan cupped her hands and said, "Your Majesty, what the Crown Prince means is that you have been confined to the Cold Palace by the Emperor to reflect on your actions. Because you are the Crown Prince's mother, the Crown Prince has already turned a blind eye to your behavior. He can say nothing about your summoning of the Third Prince's concubines into the palace, but if you extend your reach to the court, don't blame the Crown Prince."

"The Emperor has heard about your instigation of the Third Prince's concubines to cause trouble for the Crown Prince. You should be careful."

"Bang!"

The Empress slammed the teacup beside her at Qinglan's feet: "How dare he! I am the Empress! The Crown Prince's birth mother! How dare he speak to me like that? Does he even respect me?"

Qinglan took a step back, her expression unchanged: "Your Majesty, please reconsider."

After saying that, Qinglan turned and left.

The Empress slammed her hand on the table, glaring angrily at Qinglan's back, her chest heaving with rage.

At the same time, Leng Zhizhi, who had received the message, raised an eyebrow: "Is the Empress out of her mind?"

Zhan'er shrugged, indicating that she didn't know.

Leng Zhizhi thought for a moment and said, "After all, she is the Crown Prince's birth mother. The Crown Prince can't go too far. Let me go and meet her."

Leng Zhizhi stood up, changed her clothes, and took Zhan'er to the Cold Palace.

As soon as they arrived at the gate of the Cold Palace, they heard the Empress's roaring voice: "Xiao Ruyan! Who do you think you are? Let me tell you, if I want to punish you, no one can save you!"

Xiao Ruyan lowered her head slightly, listened to the Empress's voice, and slowly said, "Your Majesty is right. It would be very easy for Your Majesty to kill me. However, if I were not the one to pull strings for the Third Prince in the capital, the Crown Prince's power would only grow stronger and stronger. At that time, the Third Prince would probably only be able to be a leisurely prince."

"you!"

The Empress's face darkened: "You? You're nothing but a lowly woman who's been played with!"

"hehe."

Xiao Ruyan chuckled mockingly twice and slowly said, "Your Majesty can insult me, but please don't insult the Third Prince. I am now the Third Prince's concubine. If the Third Prince finds out that you are treating me like this, it may damage your mother-son relationship."

"Smack!"

The Empress slapped Xiao Ruyan across the face: "You shameless woman, you think you can sow discord between us, mother and son?"

"I'd like to see if Run'er will disown me as his mother if I beat you to death!"