"Why are you daydreaming?" Yan Nangui asked, standing up.

"I was daydreaming," Jiangxiang said apologetically.

After serving him for a long time, she realized that he didn't like the servants always kneeling and apologizing.

It's not a big deal to get distracted for a moment; it depends on the time.

"Hmm, it's hot. Let's get some watermelon and eat it," Yan Nangui said.

Jiang Xiang then went to give the instructions.

Yan Nanxu decided not to go to the capital; he only took ten personal guards with him. He left Dingyuan City, headed straight for Xingzhou Prefecture, then took the route through Quzhou and traveled south along the Yuan River.

On the contrary, they will be faster than His Majesty and the others.

After receiving Yan Nanxu's letter, Shu Chengfeng couldn't help but think of Yan Nangui after reading it.

Fragrance truly knows how to understand people's hearts.

The way Yan Nangui insisted on seeing him off was indeed... hard to forget.

Several days have passed, and when Shu Chengfeng recalled it, he could still see every single hair of that person.

He chuckled softly, thinking to himself that this Yan was just being stubborn.

But this is not the time to think about that. The war must be the priority.

Let him go back, and then we can comfort her properly.

After Shu Chengfeng left, the Crown Prince's residence was indeed quieter than usual.

However, life went on as usual as the geese returned south. They ate and drank, sat in the garden, and there was nothing wrong with that.

The servant named Wu Daocong, whom she had sent to investigate, was also found out.

"The villager replied that this person was sold as a child and then bought back by the Meng family. However, he had an older sister when he entered the Meng family. Later, that woman married a steward from a relative of the Meng family. She died in childbirth."

"However, upon closer investigation, it turns out that the steward married a new wife and took a concubine only three months after the woman's death. There must be something fishy about this. As for this Wu Daocong, he is said to be quite aloof. He rarely speaks, but he is a very stubborn person. Who knows how much hatred he harbors? It is said that his sister did not want to be sent away at first, but was sent away by the old lady of the Meng family."

The path of citronella flowers.

Yan Nangui nodded: "Is that all? But since Xiangsi has mentioned it, then Wu Daocong must be of some use. Let's find a way to make contact with him. But don't let Xiangsi make contact with him. Tell her to take good care of herself."

Xiangsi's competence greatly pleased Yan Nangui, and it wasn't worth exposing herself for Wu Daocong.

Yuanhua responded, thinking to herself that Liangyuan had indeed noticed her longing.

"Liangyuan, someone from the main courtyard has come to deliver a message," Shuanzi called out from the doorway.

When the wild geese returned south, they were called in.

Before long, Wenxi, a maid from the main courtyard, came in: "Greetings, Consort Yan."

"No need for that, what's wrong?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Thank you, Consort Yan. We are from the palace. Her Majesty the Empress invites the Crown Princess, the two Consorts, and the other Consorts to the palace for a chat tomorrow," Wenxi said.

“Alright, then I’ll make some preparations,” Yan Nangui said.

"Yes, Her Majesty said that there is no need to pay respects tomorrow morning. We will depart for the palace at dawn," Wenxi said.

Yan Nangui agreed and had someone give her a reward to send out.

"The Empress wants to see us?" Yan Nangui clicked his tongue. "His Majesty and His Highness are not here. What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Perhaps this is just a meeting? Or maybe I'll give some instructions or something?" Jiangxiang said.

"Even pregnant women are called that?" Yan Nangui gently shook his head: "By the way, who did His Majesty take with him this time?"

"Your Majesty, His Majesty did not bring any concubines," Jiangxiang replied.

Yan Nangui nodded, "That's right. After all, it's wartime, and it wouldn't look good to bring concubines along."

"Alright, let's talk about tomorrow's matters tomorrow. His Highness won't be back for at least three months. We'll have to get used to it," Yan Nangui said.

Jiangxiang agreed, poured her some tea, and then went to the kitchen to order lunch.

The next day, Yan Nangui wore a light purple dress, and her hair was neither styled in a particularly elaborate way nor casually; she simply looked normal and dignified.

In the main courtyard, all those who were to enter the palace gathered together.

Murong Liangyuan is showing a little bit of pregnancy now, but it's not obvious.

After exchanging greetings, everyone went out, boarded a carriage, and went to the palace.

It wasn't a grand banquet, so everyone brought a maid with them.

The wild geese returning south carry cicada wings.

Outside the gates of the Empress's Fengxiang Palace, there were people waiting.

Once inside the palace, even the Crown Princess's servants were not allowed to enter the main hall.

They were all waiting outside.

In the main hall, the Crown Princess was the first to greet the Empress.

The Empress was sitting upright and did not rush to tell him to get up. She waited until everyone had finished their formal greetings before saying, "Get up."

“Mrs. Murong is pregnant, so please give her a cushion. Everyone, please sit down.”

The Crown Princess led everyone to their seats.

The Empress glanced around, then focused her gaze on Consort Murong a few more times: "Mrs. Murong, you've had a hard time carrying this child."

"This concubine dares not accept Your Majesty's words of hard work; it is all as it should be," Consort Murong hurriedly rose and said.

"Hmm, not bad, very sensible. Sit down." The Empress waved her hand.

"How has Your Majesty been feeling lately? Have you been able to eat well?" the Crown Princess inquired.

"It's alright, Jiao Lan doesn't need to worry." Although the Empress didn't like the Crown Princess, she didn't embarrass her in front of so many people.

"You've had a hard time while Cheng'er was away, so please take good care of yourself," the Empress said.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Mother." The Crown Princess looked touched.

"I summoned you all to the palace today for no particular reason, but I rarely have the time or opportunity to see you all alone. Now that there's nothing else to do and you no longer need to serve the Crown Prince, I've called you in so we can all meet and have a chat."

The Crown Princess echoed her sentiments, and Yan Nangui also chimed in with a few words.

But in his heart he scoffed. The Empress was of noble birth, yet she treated these people like servants.

But then I thought, well, these days women don't really have any self-awareness.

After exchanging pleasantries, the Empress began to speak more bluntly.

"The Crown Princess is in poor health, and she has always worked hard managing the inner palace. You all are really causing trouble. I often hear from the palace that there are always things going on. What happened to the Murong family a while ago? It was earth-shattering."

Consort Murong stood up: "It's my fault. It was originally a cook in the kitchen who was bold... but in the end, nothing came of it."

The Empress hummed in agreement: "Please sit down."

Yan Nangui thought to herself, "Murong is really unlucky today, having to keep getting up and sitting up while pregnant."

"Yan Shi, I've heard that you have a terrible temper and often beat people up. Is that true?" The Empress looked over and saw Yan Nan Gui's calm face, and immediately asked the question.

Yan Nangui rose and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Last time I had a quarrel with Consort Ye, I really..."

“From a young age, my grandmother said that I have a bad temper. Although it was His Highness and the Crown Princess who punished me last time, I felt really sorry for Consort Ye afterward.”

Then, she turned to look at Ye Liangdi and said, "Sister Ye, it's my fault. I haven't apologized to you yet. I'll apologize to you now."