Hearing Lanqin say this, Cui Niang didn't know what else to say, so she agreed to let Lanqin go home to recuperate for a while.

Meanwhile, after instructing Hongli on how to balance the power in the court, the Fourth Prince said to him, "Before I leave, I will have my principal wife officially appoint you as the crown prince and formally oversee the country. Your position will no longer be illegitimate."

Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Hongli's pupils dilated instantly, and a surge of heat rushed to his head. Hongli immediately knelt down, "Thank you, Father Emperor. Your son will certainly live up to your high expectations."

"Get up," Fourth Master said, waving his hand.

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

The Fourth Prince nodded, saying that Hongli should not stay in the Yuanmingyuan for too long, lest he arouse suspicion. "You should go back first, and don't worry about the affairs of the court."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." After saying this, Hongli withdrew from the Nine Provinces Banquet.

A few days later, the Fourth Prince drafted an edict, and the edict establishing Prince Bao, Hongli, as the crown prince was announced in the court. The Fourth Prince did not return to announce it in person, but sent Su Peisheng to bring back the imperial edict.

At this moment, Su Peisheng slowly opened the imperial edict and read it aloud to the kneeling officials in the court: "By imperial decree, the fourth prince, Prince Bao, has demonstrated exceptional talent and virtue, and is destined to be a virtuous ruler. He is hereby granted the imperial seal and title of Crown Prince by Hongli, and is hereby established to rule the Eastern Palace, so as to ensure the continuation of the imperial line for ten thousand years and to unite the hearts of the people throughout the land."

Upon hearing this, none of the officials objected; they all agreed. This decree from the Fourth Prince was not unexpected for them. After the Fourth Prince ordered Hongli to oversee the country, they had been prepared and guessed that the Fourth Prince would soon announce the establishment of an heir apparent.

At this moment, the happiest people were the officials who had a good relationship with Hongli. Although they had long suspected that Hongli would be chosen as the crown prince, they were still quite excited when it came true.

Meanwhile, when the news that Hongli had been made crown prince and moved to Chonghua Palace reached the Prince Bao's mansion, the entire mansion was in an uproar. The whole mansion was filled with joy, and the princesses and concubines were overjoyed.

As the saying goes, "When one makes way, even chickens and dogs rise in rank." With Hongli being established as the heir apparent, it meant that the members of Prince Bao's mansion became the object of everyone's flattery in the capital. They would all enter the palace as concubines. Although they would not be the principal wives, their status and position would be vastly different. Everyone was speculating about the titles they would receive.

In the East Courtyard, A'Luo and Xueying were also discussing this matter.

Upon receiving the news, A'Luo was filled with excitement. Forgetting to bow, she immediately ran in to tell Xueying the news, "Master, the Prince has been named Crown Prince and will be moving to Chonghua Palace."

Before Xueying could speak, A'luo exclaimed excitedly, "If the prince becomes the emperor, with his favor towards you, you'll at least be a Noble Consort, right?"

Upon hearing A Luo's words, Xue Ying was also very happy, but when she heard what A Luo said next, she quickly interrupted her guess, "It's just that the crown prince has not ascended the throne. The emperor is still alive. To say that would be a great act of treason."

Xueying shook her head and continued, "Still so lacking in manners."

A'Luo stuck out her tongue. "This servant only dares to do this in front of my master. I wouldn't dare to do it outside."

Seeing A Luo's expression, Xue Ying couldn't help but chuckle, "You..."

"Be more careful when you get to the palace. The palace is not like the prince's mansion. In the prince's mansion, I can still protect you to some extent. But in the palace, there are many people and a lot of gossip. If you make even the slightest mistake, I won't be able to protect you as I please."

Upon hearing Xueying's words, A'luo knew she needed to be more careful in the future, so she nodded and agreed, "This servant knows her mistake."