Chen Yuwei shook her head slightly, "It's good to calm down and take a walk occasionally."

Ignoring Xia He's unfinished words, Chen Yuwei, unusually willful, looked left and right as she walked back. The road she had walked countless times was still so eye-catching.

...

The Empress accompanied the Emperor on his eastern tour outside the palace, and the palace affairs were temporarily handed over to Yikun Palace for management.

Other concubines in the harem, including Consort Xian, would accompany her.

To be honest, Chen Yuwei couldn't quite describe how she felt about being left alone in the palace once again.

After all, this was Chen Yuwei's own wish. The eastern tour was fraught with troubles, and the Empress's death was also a major event. If she really went along, she might be dragged out by the Emperor to take the blame later.

Chen Yuwei was used to this situation and even felt that if Hongli went any further, he could sell off their Yikun Palace lineage completely.

Why do I say that? The reason is that the other concubines in the harem are not competitive enough overall.

If the position of Empress becomes vacant, the Emperor, given his current age, will surely fill the vacancy with a successor. So, who will be able to take the position of successor?

Historically, the position of Empress was obtained by Consort Xian, of the Hui-fa-na-la clan, who even gave birth to three legitimate imperial heirs after ascending to the throne.

Although only one of the last three survived, and that one still died young.

But at least it proves that Hongli truly valued his direct descendants.

Even though the Empress was already quite old when she gave birth to her three children, making her a typical elderly mother.

This reveals the emperor's inclinations and standards in choosing his empress.

Now that she's caught in the middle of this situation, Chen Yuwei can't guarantee that Consort Xian will be able to successfully ascend to the throne again.

The Empress Dowager had always wanted to seek benefits for the Niohuru clan, and she accompanied them on this eastern tour.

Consort Hui, Yonghuang and his wife, Noble Consort Xian, Consort Chun, Consort Dun, and some other less important concubines.

This eastern tour will be as lively as ever, and may even be more lively than any previous one.

"It's hard to say," I thought, "but I still need to remind Yonghu and Yongkun a few things."

The Emperor brought them along this time because he wanted them to broaden their horizons.

"Serve the Emperor carefully, and those who shouldn't interfere, especially their stepmothers, should keep their distance."

With their combined intelligence, Yonghu and his two companions were no match for these women.

Moreover, Yonghu just got engaged last year and will be getting married and leaving the palace next year, so it's best to avoid causing trouble.

Xia He arrived at the Prince's residence with Chen Yuwei's instructions. After telling Yong Hu about it, Yong Hu immediately felt wronged.

"Does this prince think I'm afraid of them?"

Yonghu's words didn't have any other meaning; they were simply a question.

He is the son of a concubine, and among the existing princes, he has the highest status.

He found it tiresome to watch those stepmothers constantly fighting amongst themselves, so he wouldn't be foolish enough to try and get close to them.

But what if? If the other party is too annoying, he's not afraid to directly break ties with them.

Xia He smiled and comforted Yong Hu, while reminding him that sometimes, even if you can afford to offend someone, you have to learn to avoid them.

“My brother is a man of high status and wealth, how could he possibly stoop to their level?”

Not only will they lose their status, but they will also be used against them and slandered.

The Empress and I believe in the prince's innocence, but people's hearts are unpredictable.

Especially since the Empress was not present when the Prince left the palace, he brought along the Fourth and Fifth Princes as well.

For the sake of the prince, the Empress believed that caution and prudence were the best course of action.

Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who wear shoes. Nowadays, the Yikun Palace wears not only shoes, but also a set of gorgeous and expensive clothes.

Everyone knows that Yikun Palace is not a threat, but the fact that Yikun Palace is living too well still makes others very unhappy.

Especially those jealous people who have neither love nor offspring, they are so sour every day.

However, living such a repressive life in the harem every day would probably make it hard not to become psychologically abnormal.

Xia He's words reassured Yong Hu, who nodded and patted his chest, promising that he would never disappoint his mother.

During this eastern tour, he didn't go anywhere else except to see his father, the Emperor.

Xia He: ...It doesn't have to be so absolute. After all, as the legitimate mother of all the princes, the Empress should still pay her respects.

After exchanging a few more words with Yonghu, Xiahe left the Prince's residence and returned to Yikun Palace to report back.

On the way, Xia He encountered Wei Hanyu and her servant, who had just come out of Changchun Palace. They deliberately hid in a corner to avoid direct contact.

The reason for doing this is that Wei Hanyu has been too favored recently, and she is also under the guise of Changchun Palace. If she gets too close to Yikun Palace, it will not be good for Yikun Palace.

However, the fact that Consort Wei was able to leave Changchun Palace at this time shows that she has some tricks up her sleeve.

Since the passing of Prince Yongcong, the Empress has become much more low-key.

Consort Jia, who used to frequently come to pay her respects, also lost contact with Changchun Palace because of Yongcheng.

Even at this time, Consort Wei still insisted on going to Changchun Palace to see the Empress... Could it be that Consort Wei also wanted to follow the old path of Consort Jia and become the biological mother of the next Empress's adopted son?

"That's impossible. The Empress doesn't really have any special hobbies, like raising other people's sons."

It was only by chance that Yongcheng was raised in the first place, and it was not unreasonable for the Empress to take over.

However, if the Empress were to raise another child later, it would be a challenge to the sensitive nerves of the entire harem.

In any case, if the Empress agrees, no one else will, and the Empress Dowager is even less likely to give this opportunity.

“Your Majesty, Consort Wei visits Changchun Palace quite frequently. I believe she must have something on her mind.”

There are no good things in the imperial harem without a reason; they are all obtained through various benefits.

Chen Yuwei touched her belly and said casually, "Perhaps Consort Wei just wants to see the Empress."

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