"Let's investigate slowly," Shu Chengfeng said, not in a hurry.

He didn't believe that any talisman could harm people.

What is Yan doing?

"At this time? He's probably still in the main courtyard. Is Your Highness going there?" Yunji asked.

Shu Chengfeng stood up: "Let's go take a look."

Although he had a lot of things to do, he didn't want to do any of them.

It's so cold.

Yan Nangui had just returned and was changing his clothes when the Crown Prince arrived.

She changed her clothes before coming out.

"Your Highness, so early? Have you had breakfast yet?" Yan Nangui asked.

"You've already eaten. You haven't eaten, have you?" Shu Chengfeng asked.

"I've already eaten. Your Highness, please have a seat." Yan Nangui yawned.

"So sleepy? Did I disturb your sleep?" Shu Chengfeng asked as he sat down.

"I'm not planning to sleep."

He then ordered tea to be served, which was black tea, a warming drink for winter.

"Is there something you need, Your Highness?" Yan Nangui took a few sips of tea and became much more alert.

"Can't I come if there's nothing wrong? You're my beloved concubine, not my subject." Shu Chengfeng chuckled.

Yan Nangui merely glanced at him before waving for someone to leave.

Shu Chengfeng laughed again. Honestly, he wasn't in a good mood to begin with. But this woman…

"Your Highness, who do you think did this?" Yan Nangui blinked.

Shu Chengfeng looked at her: "Then what do you think?"

"Hmph, don't even think about asking me to. Why would I offend anyone for no reason?" Yan Nangui's expression changed in an instant.

Shu Chengfeng didn't expect her to say that, and shook his head: "If you don't want to say, then don't say. I'll just say I didn't want to ask you."

Yan Nangui was pleased and sat up on him, saying, "Your Highness is wise and powerful, what can't you find out?"

"You're good at saying nice things," Shu Chengfeng said with a smile, pinching her waist.

"I'm not good at saying nice things. But..."

Yan Nangui hugged his neck and leaned closer: "In the main courtyard, there is no legitimate son. There must be quite a few people who have designs on him. After all, when Your Highness was the Crown Prince, it was very different from when you ascended the throne as His Majesty."

Once he ascends the throne, in his harem, neither Ye Liangdi nor Murong Liangyuan would be unqualified to be empress.

Yan Nangui could marry based on her family background, but the only thing she lacks is the ability to remarry, which might make things a bit more difficult.

"Oh? What does Tang'er want to say?" Shu Chengfeng asked, hugging her tightly.

"No, I won't comment on this matter at hand. I just feel that there will be more struggles in the future. Your Highness can't understand the battlefield we women face," Yan Nangui said.

Shu Chengfeng smiled and said, "Just take good care of yourself, and I will naturally know your good qualities."

"Your Highness doesn't seem to be thinking things through these days," Yan Nangui said, trying to get up but failing.

Shu Chengfeng held her close: "How am I not being attentive? Is it wrong of me to protect you?"

"Let's not even talk about whether His Highness will be able to protect me when he ascends to heaven. Just look at the women in this harem now—a single one of them isn't competitive?"

"Does Tang'er mean that Tang'er would also resort to any means to win favor?" Shu Chengfeng asked, looking at her.

"Isn't that obvious? I said I'm like the bright moon in the mountains, pure and unassuming. I'm happy if you come, and I'm not worried if you don't. Does Your Highness like to hear that?" Yan Nangui rolled her eyes.

Shu Chengfeng didn't know what to say either.

"Why are men so strange? You fight tooth and nail for your ambitions outside, yet you easily believe that women can live a peaceful and uneventful life without fighting or competing. Especially when everyone has the same man..." Yan Nangui laughed.

Shu Chengfeng tightened his grip: "You're sharp-tongued, but I'm asking you if you're capable of using any means necessary."

"That's hard to say. If His Highness only favors one person and doesn't come to me, I might have to make a move."

Shu Chengfeng chuckled: "I've never seen anyone like you before. Are you saying this because you're afraid I won't suspect you?"

“Actually, what I’m trying to say is that everyone gets jealous. Even someone as favored as Xia Zhaoxun was frequently punished by Ye Liangdi. But if you ask her if she regrets it, I’m sure she still would,” Yan Nangui said.

Shu Chengfeng shook his head: "Never mind, let's not talk about this anymore. I know you."

The woman in front of me was very arrogant; she preferred to humiliate people to their faces.

"I know this matter has nothing to do with you. Just calm down," Shu Chengfeng said.

Yan Nangui smiled and didn't continue.

This matter cannot be investigated in a short time, and the Lunar New Year is just around the corner.

The whole family is going to the palace.

After the Little New Year comes the Big New Year, and once you get busy, you won't have time to check.

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Murong sent someone to the main courtyard to tell them that she could enter the palace for the New Year.

The Crown Princess didn't object and gave her permission.

The others, seeing Murong's behavior, laughed at her for disregarding her health in order to gain attention.

She's not even out of confinement yet; she was born on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, which is only a month after the first day of the Lunar New Year.

But if someone is strong-willed, then there's nothing more to say.

On New Year's Eve, a banquet was held in the Yaoguang Hall.

Yan Nangui spotted Consort Cao in a pink palace dress from afar.

She has been in the palace for several days now.

Clearly favored now, her attire is quite impressive.

She could pull it off, after all, she was young and beautiful, and her mature charm was quite different from that of Consort Zhen.

Putting aside any political stance, she's truly a beauty.

Yan Nangui turned his head and said to Luo Liangyuan, "Sister Luo, look, she really is a beauty."

Luo Liangyuan naturally knew who she was referring to, and nodded with a smile: "She does resemble Consort Zhen in some ways, yet she is different. She is indeed very beautiful."

The two whispered a few words to each other and then fell silent.

The hall was bustling with activity, as everyone was offering toasts.

Shu Zhongjing had a headache this morning, but felt much better after taking the medicine.

He was in a good mood at the moment, so not long afterward, he promoted Consort Cao and Consort Hua.

Hua Cai's belly is already very big; she's about to give birth.

As she rose to express her gratitude, Shu Zhongjing quickly stopped her, saying, "My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities."

Both of them became imperial concubines.

Hua Cai Ren is one thing, after all, she is carrying the emperor's child. But Cao Mei Ren only entered the palace a few days ago and became Cao Jie Yu, which is really too fast.

But the Empress remained silent; what could the others say?

The Empress wished she could immediately make Consort Cao a concubine.

Only with a higher status can one fight against that vile Consort Zhen.

Shu Zhongjing was probably satisfied with himself, and then he thought of his son.

So, he immediately bestowed upon Shu Chengfeng a daughter of the Jiang family as a concubine. He also bestowed upon him a woman surnamed Qu. The woman's father was the Vice Minister of Works.

Not a very high official position.

The crown prince immediately expressed his gratitude.

Shu Zhongjing also bestowed wives upon the second, third, and seventh princes.

They also distinguished themselves in the war.

At today's banquet, Consort Zhen paled in comparison. For many years, she had been the undisputed center of attention among the women. But this year, it was her niece, Cao Wan, who truly shone.

Cao Wan, as expected of a daughter of the Cao family, is very eloquent.

She's best at acting like a little girl who idolizes her.

Shu Zhongjing was completely swayed by this.

Upon entering the palace, she seemed to have taken a step back compared to Consort Wan and Consort Fanghui.

But neither of them was in a hurry.

One of them was a princess who never wanted a marriage alliance. The other was Empress Dowager Jiang's spy.

There's no rush.