It's always better to benefit one's own people than to let others benefit, even though Consort Yu could only be considered half one of them.

Consort Yu laughed heartily, “It’s not difficult at all. All Consort Ying needs to do is turn a blind eye to things on a regular basis.”

The rest is entirely my own fault, and I assure you it has nothing to do with you. Even if something goes wrong, it's my own doing.

Consort Ying: ...Hmm?

Consort Ying frowned, wondering what kind of cryptic conversation Consort Yu and she were having.

But since she's said that her career has nothing to do with her, what else is she worried about?

“Yes, I will definitely do it,” Consort Ying agreed readily, while also implying to Consort Yu that she could keep her word, “Don’t let the Mongols down.”

...

"Your Majesty, the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom recently, it's the perfect time for you to come out for a stroll."

Xia He, holding Chen Yuwei's arm, and the two of them began to circle around the fragrant Imperial Garden.

"The flowers are in full bloom, and going out for a stroll can lift your spirits."

The harem has been unusually peaceful lately; to be honest, I'm finding it a little strange.

It's true, when things are lively, we miss the quiet, but when it's too quiet, we don't feel very comfortable.

Holding a pretty round fan in her hand, Chen Yuwei walked along while complaining to Xia He.

"The Emperor has brought up Yongwei's marriage again, but the boy still hasn't agreed."

"I am incompetent. It depends on His Majesty's intentions. If things don't work out, perhaps a two-year hiatus will resolve the situation."

Yongwei has a stubborn and inflexible personality; he's impossible to deal with. No one in the palace can change his mind.

Even Hongli couldn't do anything about Yongwei, mainly because Yongwei was fearless and the points that Hongli could threaten were also the points that Yongwei cared about the least.

Xia He tried to calm her master down, saying that even if Yongwei wasn't the only prince, there were three other princes.

The master not only has no shortage of sons, but also a considerable number of grandsons.

If you count the number of players and arrange them in order, you could form a proper football team.

"I don't really want him to find someone. Compared to his other brothers, don't you think Yongwei is too willful and unscrupulous?"

It's just that Yongwei is able to grasp Hongli's thoughts; otherwise, with his bad character, he would have been educated by Hongli long ago and reformed.

Xia He couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. Her mistress was always merciless when she criticized the princes.

If the princes caused trouble, the master would be extremely worried.

It's truly a mother-son bond, inexplicable and inexplicable.

"This servant greets Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort."

"This humble woman greets Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

No need for formalities.

Chen Yuwei, who instantly returned to normal, asked the leading nanny where they were going.

The old woman smiled ingratiatingly, "Consort Yu has summoned you. This servant will escort these young ladies over."

Consort Yu?

Chen Yuwei suddenly thought of Consort Yu's own son, Yongqi, who had lost two sons earlier this year.

She had just given birth, and then suddenly the baby was gone.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but the loss of the child must have been the mother's fault (after all, the royal family was not at fault).

Consort Yu was planning to take advantage of the imperial concubine selection to bring a few more physically fit women into Yongqi's household for a trial.

We can't just point the finger at our son; that would be ruining our own reputation.

"Yes, go ahead, but don't waste time. I have nothing to do here."

"This servant takes her leave."

"This humble woman takes her leave."

Turning to the side to watch everyone leave, Chen Yuwei turned her gaze to Xia He.

"Besides Consort Yu, it seems like Consort Chun hasn't made a move?"

Yongrong has only recently gotten married. Now that Consort Chun has been released from confinement and can move around freely, doesn't she plan to encourage her son to work harder and have a grandson to gain some recognition? That doesn't fit Consort Chun's character at all.

Xia He hesitated and shook her head, "The palace servants didn't send any definite news."

Perhaps Consort Chun has made a move, but her people haven't noticed yet.

“Tell people to keep an eye out; sons can’t be relied on, and many people are planning to rely on their grandsons.”

Even Chen Yuwei had this plan, and was secretly grooming Mian Si and Mian Jin.

Xia He nodded in agreement, keeping her master's instructions firmly in mind.

After turning a corner, they came to another artificial hill, and Shen Yao simply went to rest on the stone steps behind it.

Xia He first cleaned the area with a handkerchief, then carefully helped Chen Yuwei sit down.

Ouch!

Just as the two caught their breath, a scream and the sound of someone falling into the water came from next door.

Xia He subconsciously looked at her master, unsure whether she should go or not.

"Go and see. If someone dares to take a life in broad daylight, no one in the palace can protect them."

Xia He nodded, then turned and walked away, regretting not bringing in all the palace servants who had been left outside.

Otherwise, why would there be no one to serve the master after he left?

I pray that the fall into the water was an accident; if it really leads to some deep palace secret, then there's no escaping it.

"Help! Help me!"

When Xia He arrived at the riverbank, she was still struggling in the water, with no one around her.

Helpless, Xia He shouted and then moved over to use the sticks and branches she could reach to help rescue the person.

It took about fifteen minutes to finally pull the person out of the water.

Revealing her unconscious face, Xia He cried out in pain; it was Hong Guo, who served Consort Yu.

Consort Yu?

Chen Yuwei waited for Xia He to return. "Is she the personal maid of Consort Yu?"

What has Consort Yu been up to lately? Has she offended someone or is she trying to silence them? How come her personal maid managed to save her when she jumped into the lake in the Imperial Garden?

“Interesting. Have someone carry her back to a nearby palace and then invite Consort Yu here.”

Since we don't know the details of what happened, let's hear what the parties involved have to say first.

Standing up, Chen Yuwei handed her hand to Xia He, and the two of them, along with the palace servants outside, went to the palace next to the Imperial Garden in a grand procession.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!