Upon discovering that her granddaughter was not behaving properly, the Empress Dowager began to worry about something else entirely. How could she possibly understand such a stubborn girl?

Zhao Shu completely ignored the Empress Dowager's gaze, which was filled with heartache. She knew it was because no one had properly guided her that she was like this. She decided to choose a successor for Huai Le before considering A Jun's matter. She waved for Zhang Chu, deliberately avoiding Zhao Shu, and said in a low voice, "Go find a painter to paint portraits of the unmarried noble ladies from various families." This time, she would not allow those noble ladies to make excuses again. She would issue a surprise decree to bestow marriages directly, and she wanted to see who dared to disobey!

"Grandmother, after looking at them, I feel they are not good enough for your granddaughter," Zhao Shu said lazily, putting down the painting and lying back on the chaise lounge.

Hearing her words, Hongxia and the others who were serving nearby couldn't help but chuckle. The princess is really funny; no wonder the Empress Dowager dotes on her more and more.

The Empress Dowager poked her between the eyebrows, "You're so tactless. Even so, remember never to tell anyone else."

Zhao Shu rolled over. "I won't bother with ordinary people, and I'm not one to gossip about extraordinary people."

"Your Majesty, I have returned."

Just then, they heard Prince Yong's voice. Zhao Shu hurriedly got up and saw her father striding towards them.

"Father, Father, how are you? Has anyone given you a hard time? Tell A-Jun, and A-Jun will avenge you." If the Huo family dares to make things difficult for her father, she'll see how she gets her revenge when he's receiving treatment!

It was Prince Yong's first time traveling far from home on official business, and he was still feeling the novelty of it. However, he was very concerned about his daughter and mother in the capital, so he went to the palace as soon as he returned.

He patted Zhao Shu's head and smiled, "The journey was fine. The Huo family truly lives up to its reputation as a scholarly family. They treated their father with the utmost respect. You must not be so rude to Lord Huo in the future."

Zhao Shu: ...It must be Huo Baichuan who brainwashed my father. My father actually said that aristocratic families are good.

After saying this, Prince Yong respectfully kowtowed before the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Good, good, get up. It's good that you're back safe and sound." The Empress Dowager felt as sweet as if she had added sugar water to her heart. Everyone says that raising a child is bitter at first but sweet later. Now she has tasted it. In the blink of an eye, her youngest son can also do his job.

The Huo family were people even the late emperor couldn't invite, yet her son managed to bring them. This way, she can give an explanation when she meets the late emperor in the future.

Her virtue and talent have led her to great success.

"Have you seen your imperial brother?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"No, Your Majesty, I will go to see you now."

"Go ahead." The Empress Dowager waved her hand with a smile, seeing Prince Yong's smug expression.

Zhao Shu watched from the side, feeling that something was wrong with her father, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

About half an hour later, Emperor Mingde walked into Cining Palace with a series of laughs. "Nineteen, I will definitely reward you handsomely, hahahaha."

Zhao Shu peeked over and saw that her imperial uncle had come over. Didn't he need to summon the Huo family?

"Who from the Huo family has come?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"He hasn't entered the palace yet, but the Nineteenth said that Huo Baichuan, the eldest son of the Huo family, has arrived. As long as he's a member of the Huo family, it doesn't matter who comes." Emperor Mingde's requirements weren't high; the eldest son of the Huo family was already representative of the entire Huo family.

The Empress Dowager smiled, saying that having the Huo family enter the court to assist them was a great help. "Does the Huo family have a residence in the capital? If not, the Emperor will bestow a house upon them."

"Mother, Bai Chuan said that he will purchase a residence in a few days. Currently, he and Miss Huo are living in my residence."

Zhao Shu's eyes darted around. Huo Baichuan had indeed used a trick. Even her father was calling him Baichuan so affectionately.

"Miss Huo?" The Empress Dowager and Emperor Mingde asked in unison. "Nineteen, you didn't mention earlier that Miss Huo had also come to the capital," Emperor Mingde said scrutinizingly.

"The eldest daughter of the Huo family doesn't hold an official position, so why does Your Majesty need to summon her?" Summoning an unmarried daughter from a prominent family is only possible if one intends to take her as a concubine, and the eldest daughter of the Huo family would never become a concubine.

Think about it, taking a concubine is absolutely impossible.

The Empress Dowager glanced at her son and said, "Since we are in your residence, please treat us well. It is truly remarkable that the Huo family has been able to enter the court as officials."

"Yes, Nineteen, return to the manor immediately and do not neglect the young master and young lady of the Huo family." After saying this, Emperor Mingde summoned Liang Yunsi and said, "Have the imperial kitchen send some food to the manor. Nineteen has just returned to the manor, and there must be no one to prepare a welcome feast."

Emperor Mingde was actually a little uncomfortable. Since the Huo family was going to serve as officials in the court, they didn't even enter the palace after arriving in the capital. But since they were from the Huo family, he just had to put up with it.

At the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM), Zhao Shu and Prince Yong left Cining Palace together, preparing to return to the Prince's residence. Along the way, Prince Yong vividly recounted his experiences to Zhao Shu, who listened with great interest. In Dayong, she had never left the capital.

Just as the father and daughter were engrossed in their conversation, Lu Fushou approached and said, "Your Highness, Princess, please wait."

Zhao Shu looked over and saw that Lu Fushou had already arrived. He bowed and said, "Your Highness, Her Majesty requests a word with Your Highness." After he finished speaking, he stepped aside, revealing a pavilion not far away, where the Empress was standing.

It was improper for the Empress's sister-in-law and brother-in-law to meet in private, and it would damage the royal family's reputation if word got out. The Empress was taking such a great risk to meet her own father, and Zhao Shu's heart was filled with alarm. What was the Empress going to do?

Looking around, besides the Empress's people, there were only Xiao Guozi and others around Zhao Shu. The pavilion was also blocked by tree canopies, and only the place where they were standing could be seen.

Zhao Shu was still very worried and wanted to speak to stop him, but Prince Yong spoke first, "I wonder what business my sister-in-law has with me?"

“Your Highness, you will know when you get there.” Lu Fushou lowered his head. “Please come in, Your Highness. We have arranged for servants to guard the area. No one will see us. The Empress has something important to discuss with Your Highness.”