Although Lady Wu was eager to win the Emperor's favor, her only hope was to conceive a royal heir. However, the Fourth Prince was about to hold a selection of concubines, and a new batch of women would soon enter the palace. Her wish was about to be dashed, and she harbored deep resentment, so she paid little attention to the selection process.

Seeing that no one had anything to say, Lanqin spoke up herself: "His Majesty's idea for this selection of consorts is that since new women are to be brought into the palace, and the princes have all grown up, how about taking advantage of the selection to assign a few princesses to the princes and their relatives? What do you all think?"

Madam Song and Madam Wu forced a smile and nodded in agreement. Madam Geng, beaming with joy and excitement, said to Lanqin, "His Majesty is so thoughtful, and Your Highness is so considerate. On behalf of Hongzhou, I thank His Majesty and Your Highness..."

Actually, this was also Lanqin's personal motive. Besides planning for Hongli, she also wanted to make arrangements for Hongzhou. When Lanqin saw that Madam Geng really wanted to choose two good women for Hongzhou, Lanqin was naturally willing.

“Hongli is about to get married, and Hongzhou has someone he loves. It’s time to assign a princess to serve him,” Lanqin said with a smile.

When Geng heard Lanqin say this, she was overjoyed. Lanqin was deeply moved to see that Geng was truly concerned for Hongzhou's well-being.

Suddenly remembering Hongshi who had been demoted, Lady Wu couldn't help but laugh and say, "We were both princes, but things are really different now..." Lady Song didn't understand and asked with great interest, "Oh? How are they different?"

Wu sneered and said smugly, "In the past, the Empress was arrogant and domineering, and Consort Nian was favored. If they were still here, I'm afraid we would never have had a chance in this selection of concubines. But now, Consort Nian's son has died young, and Hongshi has committed a serious crime and been demoted. Tell me, shouldn't we be blessed by Heaven?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Song sighed softly, followed by an awkward laugh from Master Geng, while Lanqin remained silent, lost in thought.

"Your Majesty? What are you thinking about?" Madam Song noticed Lanqin's unusual expression and asked with concern. Lanqin paused, then sighed and said, "Hongshi is the Emperor's eldest son. This time he was wrong, which is why he displeased the Emperor. But his blood relationship with the Emperor cannot be severed... I imagine the Emperor is also very distressed..."

Madam Wu looked incredulous and said urgently, "Your Majesty? Do you intend to assign a princess to Hongshi? He is a commoner who has been demoted. Even if Your Majesty is merciful, is there any princess willing to do so?"

Lanqin nodded, looking disappointed, and said, "Yes, I was overthinking it..."

Madam Song stroked Lanqin's hand and comforted her, "Your Majesty, you're just too soft-hearted..."

Lanqin composed herself and said with a spirited smile, "Since that's how it is, let's arrange it this way for now. The Emperor is planning to select a few new concubines to enter the palace. Everyone says that the older members of the palace need to help each other with certain matters. Only with harmony in the harem can the court be stable. The Emperor has always disliked infighting in the harem, so I don't need to say anything more..."

Lanqin's words were actually meant to reassure the three of them, and they all exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Lanqin continued, "Besides choosing two princesses each for Hongli and Hongzhou, the remaining good ones will be assigned to members of the imperial clan..."

After a moment's thought, Madam Song suggested, "Your Majesty's consideration is very thoughtful. I've heard that the Thirteenth Prince has an older son. The Thirteenth Prince is sometimes the Emperor's right-hand man. If we could plan for the Thirteenth Prince's son, the Emperor would surely be pleased..."

Lanqin hadn't even thought of this, and hurriedly said, "You're right! Then the Third Master, Fifth Master, Seventh Master, Tenth Master, and Thirteenth Master will each appoint some princesses, and also sons of the imperial clan, all of whom will be appointed once they reach marriageable age..."