Xu Lejin lowered her head slightly, her thoughts turning terrifying.

A few days later, Xu Lejin encountered the eldest princess on the long street. The eldest princess went to Chuxiu Palace to pay her respects to Consort Niu and led the palace servants slowly toward the direction of the princes' quarters.

"Irmu greets Lady Yu, may Lady Yu be blessed."

The eldest princess, dressed in a light pink palace gown and with her hair styled in double buns, folded her hands in front of her and curtsied respectfully to Xu Lejin. Her eyes, slightly lowered, held a complex expression.

Xu Lejin looked the eldest princess up and down, then smiled and said, "Please rise, eldest princess, there's no need for such formalities."

"Your Highness, did you just go to Consort Niu's palace to pay your respects? Is Consort Niu well? The weather is hot these days, Your Highness should take care to protect yourself from the sun."

The eldest princess nodded slightly.

After a quick moment of thought, the eldest princess spoke softly, "Your Highness, Consort Niu is doing well. Irmu thanks Your Highness for your concern. When I return, I will have the palace servants prepare some mung bean soup to cool you down."

"Um."

Xu Lejin smiled and nodded. Seeing that the eldest princess did not want to say more, she told the eldest princess to go back to the princes' quarters as soon as possible.

Watching the eldest princess's small figure disappear, Xu Lejin said slowly, "Poor eldest princess, she entered the palace at such a young age and only enjoyed the Empress's favor for a few months before the Empress passed away."

"In the years before Consort Niu entered the palace, the eldest princess, at such a young age, walked on thin ice in the palace, which caused her to develop a cautious and timid nature, losing the innocence and liveliness that should be present at her age."

Qin Huai and Ru Hua exchanged a quick glance, then lowered their heads in thought.

After a moment, Qin Huai said softly, "Your Majesty, being able to enter the palace and enjoy the status of a princess is something that many princesses, county princesses, and imperial concubines would rather die than have. The eldest princess is our emperor's eldest daughter, and it is good that she is more composed, so that she can set a good example for the second and third princesses."

"Your Highness, I've heard that Consort Hui seems to be trying to matchmake the Third Princess with the young master of Lord Mingzhu's family... The Third Princess..."