After saying that, he turned and left.

He didn't even notice the woman's adoring gaze behind him.

Or perhaps... he's just used to it and doesn't care. Who knows?

Upon hearing that His Highness had gone to Wenyue Pavilion, the Crown Princess became unhappy.

However, not long after, His Highness the Crown Prince came to her place.

She was naturally happy again.

He came out to greet her: "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Why did you come out? It's because you're too polite, especially in this freezing weather." The Crown Prince smiled and helped her up before they went inside together.

"Propriety must not be disregarded." The Crown Princess smiled as she poured him tea.

"I just went to Wenyue Pavilion," Shu Chengfeng said as he served tea.

Since he brought it up, the Crown Princess had no choice but to answer.

“This is also my fault, Cuizhu… I’m afraid I won’t be able to serve you anymore. Although she comes from a different background, she encouraged Consort Ye to do these things. Consort Ye herself may have a bad temper, but she’s really a simple-minded person. How can things end well if she lets her subordinates instigate her like this?”

“You’re right. Since they came from the palace, send them back. Ye Shi should also be punished; confine her to her quarters and fine her a month’s wages,” Shu Chengfeng said.

"Alright, a few days of confinement will suffice; no need for a fine. And that girl of hers, have someone send her back later. It's just that Ding Zhaoxun is pitiful," the Crown Princess sighed.

"Just an unlucky person," Shu Chengfeng said indifferently.

"Your Highness is right. I've sent her quite a few tonics; let her take care of herself. After the New Year, it will be time for the princes to choose their consorts. I imagine there will be new ladies entering our household as well. At that time, I must ask Mother to select a few good ones."

"Thank you for your trouble, Guerlain." Shu Chengfeng said with a smile, but he didn't really care about it.

Since the Crown Prince went to the main courtyard, he naturally stayed overnight.

Inside Jiyue Pavilion, Yan Nangui hummed a little tune as she watched them arrange their jewelry.

I'm in a good mood.

"Liangyuan, the firefly has been sent back," Yuanhua said as she entered.

Where is Cuizhu?

"Cuizhu hasn't made a sound yet, so she's probably still in the prison. That old woman Zhang was also sent out, but I heard she's not doing well," Yuanhua said.

"As expected. An old woman, who knows how much money she's taken from others, framed her master, and now she deserves her fate," Yan Nangui sneered.

“Liangyuan is right,” Yuanhua agreed wholeheartedly.

Yan Nangui found it amusing; Shu Chengfeng was such a person…

Was his relationship with the Empress truly that deep, mother-son bond?

Although the Ning family's daughter became the Crown Princess and the Ye family's daughter became a Consort, this was His Majesty's will.

But as a member of the Ye family, the Empress naturally wished that the Ye family's daughter would be the next Empress.

Having been relocated to the manor, Consort Ye was eager to rise in every way. Her foolishness was one factor, but perhaps that was also her motivation.

Shu Chengfeng never showed any affection for Ye Liangdi; instead, he seemed to always stand with the Crown Princess.

However, they couldn't show too much favoritism to the Crown Princess and upset the Ye family.

That's how Su Liangdi came to be.

His Highness the Crown Prince dotes on a woman of humble origins...

That's a really good balance move.

This man is damn charming.

His attitude toward his wives and concubines was the same as his attitude toward his court officials.

He wanted to win over the Ye family, which was powerful. But he wouldn't rely on them alone.

So he also won over many local officials, who became his core supporters.

His Majesty has never been less wary and suspicious of the Crown Prince, while the Crown Prince only wants to secure his position.

What will become of this father and son in the end?

"Jiangxiang, was Consort Zhou Jing very favored before?" Yan Nangui asked.

“Well… according to what’s said outside, before Consort Zhen was favored, Consort Lixian was the most favored. She also gave birth to the Second Prince. Consort Xu and Consort Zhou were not as favored as her,” Jiangxiang said.

"Oh, and Consort Wang is also favored; she gave birth to the eldest princess. The eldest princess is the eldest of all His Majesty's children."

"So what about now? Besides Consort Zhen, who else is favored?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Nowadays, apart from Consort Zhen, Consort Lixian, and Consort Zhoujing, who still enjoy the Emperor's favor, it's not much anymore. Consort He and Consort Lin are both favored. It's just a pity that Consort He's thirteenth prince has passed away. Consort Lin gave birth to the eleventh prince. Although this prince is not as favored as the twelfth prince, he is still a child highly regarded by His Majesty."

"Furthermore, Consort Qi and Consort Guo have also been favored in the past two years. Especially Consort Guo, although she only gave birth to a princess, she is very favored. Consort Qi gave birth to a prince but died after the prince was born."

"Hmm, I remember there's a daughter from the Ye family in the palace?" Yan Nangui asked.

"Yes, the Empress's cousin, Consort Ye, gave birth to the Fourteenth Prince, but neither she nor her son are favored. She should have been promoted by now; before giving birth, she was only a Consort. But..."

But clearly, His Majesty seems to have forgotten.

The Empress clearly had her own ideas and did not request a title for her.

"These are all concubines who have given birth. There are also a few concubines who haven't, but their favor with the emperor is unstable. In the end, His Majesty's most beloved concubine is still Consort Zhen of Feiluan Palace," Jiangxiang said.

"That's interesting." Especially this Ye Lingyi.

How exactly did they manage to gain a foothold?

It's certain that His Majesty dislikes the Ye family; it's astonishing that she gave birth to a child and managed to keep it.

Why didn't the Empress request a promotion for her? Was it because she didn't want her to be harmed if she rose to a higher rank? Or did she simply dislike her?

The next day, Shu Chengfeng sent someone to take Cuizhu to the palace.

Since she was going to the palace, she had already prepared last night, but her face was still deathly pale.

After calming down, I realized that even if I returned to the palace, I would likely not survive.

After the court session ended, Shu Chengfeng went to Fengxiang Palace.

He walked through the many curtains and entered: "Greetings to the Empress Dowager."

"Get up quickly, it's very cold outside." The Empress stood up to help him.

Shu Chengfeng quickly went over and helped her sit up: "I am ashamed. About Cuizhu..."

"That's enough, that's enough. She's just a servant girl, but she's served me for many years. I've had her sent to the Ye family's estate. She was just being unreasonable; don't bring her up again."

"Ah, back when you established your own household, I was afraid you were too young. Now you're all grown up, with wives, concubines, and servants. There's no need to send anyone to accompany you anymore."

"Yes, thank you, Mother." Shu Chengfeng said, moved.

"Alas, it's just that Yue'er is foolish, and that child is spoiled by her family." The Empress sighed.

"It's alright, that's just my cousin's personality. She was just deceived, it's nothing serious, just a few days of confinement." Shu Chengfeng deliberately paused before continuing, "It's possible that she can be confined, but the Crown Princess is another matter. Why ruin other things for such a small matter? If anything happens in the future, at least this punishment will be enough."

"You're right, Mother trusts you to handle things. The Crown Princess is also right," the Empress hurriedly said.

Shu Chengfeng also seemed relieved. The mother and son talked for a while before parting ways.