Chapter 616: Finding a Breakthrough from Concubine Shu

When Concubine Shu heard this, a complex emotion flashed across her face. She bit her lower lip lightly, as if weighing how to speak. Finally, she spoke slowly.

"Empress Dowager, the Emperor has not been in good health for the past six months. Coupled with the constant toil of reviewing memorials day and night, he fainted yesterday. This incident was indeed sudden, and I was caught off guard. Fortunately, my sister stepped in to stabilize the situation and summoned His Royal Highness Prince Wu to the palace in time. The Emperor needs to rest, so he had no choice but to pass the throne to Prince Wu."

"Oh? Is that really the case?" The empress dowager glanced sharply at Concubine Shu, as if trying to catch any trace of unnatural expression on her face.

"Then I heard that the Emperor was drinking and having fun in your palace for a while. As his concubine, why didn't you intervene? Didn't he let the Emperor drink too much and get drained by those coquettish women?"

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu spoke.

"Empress Dowager, the Emperor is the ruler of a country. How could I dare to say anything about what he wants to do? Empress Dowager, you are now blaming me, isn't that making me feel miserable?"

Ning Shuang saw that there was no fear in Concubine Shu's eyes, and even her respectful look towards the Queen Mother had faded a lot, so she hurriedly spoke.

"My Lady Shu, I don't mean to blame you. I'm just worried about the Emperor, so my tone is a little anxious. After all, I'm the elder, so I hope you won't mind."

The empress dowager also recalled that now was not the time to argue with Concubine Shu, not to mention that she was not the mastermind behind the scenes, and her brain was not capable of such a big thing.

"I don't mean to blame you. I know your temper. I've had a good relationship with the Emperor over the years. But, Noble Concubine Shu, how is the Emperor's health now? I'm very worried."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's attitude change so much, Concubine Shu didn't want to be too embarrassed.

"Empress Dowager, the Emperor is still recuperating, with Prince Yao and Concubine De personally tending to him, so he should be fine. However, this sudden change has caught everyone off guard. Your Highness Prince Wu has been entrusted with this task, and I believe he will be a wise monarch capable of leading the Tianyuan Dynasty to a more prosperous future."

Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother nodded slightly, but the worry in her eyes had not completely disappeared.

"I also hope that Tianyuan can be stable, but the turmoil in the palace makes it difficult to feel at ease. Concubine Shu, for me, all I care about is the stability of the court, the people of the world can live and work in peace, and the harem can be harmonious. I am willing to fully support the new emperor, and I only hope that he can treat the royal family well, maintain the order of the court, and allow the people to live a stable life."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu looked at the Empress Dowager with a hint of surprise.

"Does the Queen Mother agree that Prince Wu will succeed to the throne?"

The Queen Mother sighed and spoke after hearing this.

"Ah, Concubine Shu, you know that I am not the emperor's biological mother. I was just trusted by the late emperor, so he fostered me. Since the emperor ascended the throne, I have seen that his queen is a good person. Since then, I have never interfered in matters of justice. I have never asked about or inquired about the affairs of the court.

But in my heart, I watched the emperor grow up, and I have no other sons but him. Naturally, his princes are all like my own grandsons in my heart. No matter if it is King Wu, King Yao, or King Jing and other princes, they are all the same in my heart. As long as they can share the emperor's worries, they are all good.

Now that the Emperor is ill, and Prince Wu has the ability to share his worries, I am naturally happy to see this. As his biological mother, you will probably be promoted to the title of Holy Mother Empress Dowager after Prince Wu ascends the throne. You should pay more attention to him then."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu bowed respectfully.

"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. With your support, the new emperor will naturally be able to consolidate his power more smoothly. Your concubine and I will also do our best to assist the new emperor and ensure peace in the harem so that you don't have to worry."

The empress dowager gently patted the back of Concubine Shu's hand and spoke earnestly.

"Noble Concubine Shu, you have always been sensible and considerate of the overall situation. I am very pleased. In this harem, besides the emperor, it is you concubines who I worry about the most. The new emperor has just ascended the throne, and his foundation is not yet stable. You must be more cautious and careful. You must not only maintain your own status, but also ensure harmony in the harem to avoid causing chaos to the previous dynasty."

Concubine Shu nodded in agreement.

"I understand. Sister and I will definitely live up to the Queen Mother's expectations."

Seeing that Concubine Shu had relaxed, the empress dowager continued to speak.

"Shu Guifei, although I do not interfere in the affairs of the previous dynasty, I am still concerned about the emperor's health. I don't care who becomes the new emperor. They are all the emperor's sons and my grandsons. I want to see the emperor with my own eyes today. As long as the emperor is still well, I will return to this Changshou Palace and live as I did before, without caring about the secular world."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu spoke with an embarrassed look on her face.

"Empress Dowager, the situation has just been resolved, this..."

Ning Shuang saw this and stepped forward and warmly took Concubine Shu's arm.

"Empress Dowager Shu, you have always been kind-hearted, and the Empress Dowager has seen it all. That's why, even though such a big change happened in the palace, after hearing the guards discussing that the new emperor was King Wu, the Empress Dowager has been waiting for news in the Changshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager told me that you, Imperial Concubine Shu, are the best in this palace, and His Royal Highness Prince Wu is also a man of both civil and military talents. The Empress Dowager trusts you, and that's why she's asked everyone in Changshou Palace to stay put and not cause you any trouble. Now that the overall situation has been decided, because of the Empress Dowager's optimism and trust in you, Imperial Concubine, you must let her see with her own eyes that the Emperor is fine."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Shu spoke thoughtfully.

"Could Her Majesty the Queen Mother allow me to discuss this with my sister?"