Jingren Palace

Hongshi was summoned to the palace by the Empress. Although he was unwilling, he still came.

When the Empress saw Hongshi, she hastily dismissed the palace servants before he could even perform the proper rites. She pulled Hongshi to a seat and asked, "Do you know that your imperial father intends to elevate Consort Xi to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort?"

Hongshi let out a breath and said calmly, "That's right! Father Emperor's attitude is very firm, so Consort Xi has actually benefited from this misfortune..."

The Empress turned pale, completely bewildered, and said, "What do you mean by turning misfortune into blessing? Do you know what His Majesty means?"

Hongshi disagreed, calmly saying, "Empress Mother, Consort Xi risked her life to block a knife at the Yuanmingyuan Garden. That knife almost pierced Father Emperor. Any man would be moved by such a thing, let alone Father Emperor..."

Hongshi took a sip of tea, swallowed some tea leaves, spat them out, and put down the teacup, saying, "Therefore, it's understandable that Father Emperor insists on making Consort Xi a Noble Consort... Besides, Minister Sun of the Ministry of Rites has already stepped in to stop it, and other officials also oppose Father Emperor's decision, but Father Emperor seems unmoved. So, Mother, you don't need to be too anxious; let Father Emperor handle this matter..."

The Empress slammed her hand on the back of her chair and yelled at Hongshi, "You worthless, unfilial son, do you know what you're saying?"

The Empress's actions startled Hongshi so much that he almost fell off his chair. He looked at the Empress with a bewildered expression and asked in surprise, "Empress Mother, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly so angry..."

The Empress glared at Hongshi with exasperation, and said angrily, "Do you think your father is such an impulsive and irrational person? He has always been cautious and careful, taking things one step at a time. This time, he is unusually unafraid of the opposition of the masses and insists on making Consort Xi a Noble Consort. Don't you have any suspicions at all?"

Hongshi was stunned and asked, "Does Your Majesty mean that Father Emperor had ulterior motives in bestowing the title of Noble Consort upon Consort Xi?"

The Empress said with a sense of loss, "I'm afraid your father is using this as an excuse to elevate Consort Xi to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort in preparation for establishing a Crown Prince..."

Hongshi jumped up from his chair in shock, terrified: "What? Does Mother Empress mean that Father Emperor is planning to make Hongli the Crown Prince?"

The Empress nodded dejectedly, then cried out in panic, "What am I going to do? Empress Mother, what am I going to do? Didn't you say that Father would make me the Crown Prince? Why have you changed your mind now? Empress Mother, you have to think of something..."

The Empress, exasperated by Hongshi's nagging, snapped, "Now you're anxious? Just a moment ago you were so calm and collected, you have no sense of purpose at all... No wonder your father changed his mind..."

After being reprimanded by the Empress, Hongshi lowered his head in shame and said, "Empress Mother, I know I was wrong. Please think of a way to stop Father Emperor..."

Hongshi nervously grabbed the Empress and said, "What if... what if Consort Xi really becomes a Noble Consort? Then her status in the palace will be much higher, and Hongli will be my strongest rival. In addition, Father Emperor dotes on Consort Xi. If Consort Xi whispers in Father Emperor's ear, then... then I'll really be finished..."

The Empress flung her hand away angrily, "You better live up to my expectations! How could I possibly allow her son to become the Crown Prince? It's utterly delusional..."

Hongshi was terrified and completely lost. He hung his head dejectedly and asked in a tearful voice, "Empress Mother, what should we do?"