Consort Ning also said, "Your Highness is more thoughtful than I was. What you said is true and most important. Yuan'er, you must also be more sensible. Now there is only the principal wife and two concubines in your household. Do not break the rules."

That's almost as good as just saying the master's legitimate son.

The eldest prince naturally understood: "Your son will remember your teachings, Mother Consort. Thank you for your guidance, Mother Consort Chen. Your son and daughter-in-law are young and will have to listen to your teachings. Please continue to guide Xu Shi in the future, Mother Consort Chen."

Before, Xu Shi didn't really like to pay attention to Yan Nangui, thinking that after all, he was a person without a prince.

But at last year's state banquet, His Majesty's meaning was too clear: this person would be made empress sooner or later, so we can't wait any longer.

In addition, before her formal marriage, she had learned quite a bit about palace affairs. Consort Ning had also sent someone to give her a warning, fearing that she might be too naive and anger the Noble Consort.

After all, he was still young. Having learned so much, he lost much of his former aloofness and no longer dared to put on airs in front of Yan Nangui.

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, she became even more respectful: "My daughter-in-law is young, and needs much guidance and instruction from Consort Chen."

This was somewhat obsequious, leaving Consort Ning, the proper mother-in-law, out of the picture.

Besides, the Empress Dowager is still alive.

When the young couple arrived at the Jade Hibiscus Palace, the crowd finally dispersed.

In Wanchun Palace, after changing her clothes, Consort Xiangxian said, "Xu is still young after all. Now that His Majesty has expressed his desire to establish an Empress, Consort Ning and her son are making it all too obvious."

"Yes, she is from the Ning family after all. Does she know she has no chance, so she's trying to curry favor with them like this? Could it be that she's hoping the Imperial Concubine will support the First Prince?" Ouhua said.

"Who knows? Anyway, they were very polite." Lingjiao also pouted.

“The third son’s chances are slim now, so the eldest son is naturally more enthusiastic,” Consort Xiangxian sneered.

"No matter how enthusiastic they are, it probably won't work. Our Eighth Prince is still young, and His Majesty has praised him as a good child. Let's wait a few years and see how it goes," said Ouhua.

“Actually… if an empress is to be established, Your Majesty… after all, you are already highly favored in the household, so it’s not like you don’t have a chance now, is it?” Lingjiao said.

"Don't say such things again." Consort Xiang lowered her eyes.

These words are wishful thinking. The past is no longer relevant.

She knew very well that the Emperor's favor was gone forever. Or rather, His Majesty no longer needed her.

Your Majesty's desire to establish an empress is both a necessity and... the will of the heart.

At this point, it would be unwise to vie for the empress's position, and there's no chance of winning.

These things are sad to think about, but that's the truth.

Sometimes, you have to admit you've lost.

But even after losing, they refused to accept it. Why? On what grounds?

They're all the same kind of people, so why are they so different?

She took a deep breath: "No matter what, His Majesty cannot appoint the eldest prince."

If he is made crown prince, what chance will the Eighth Prince have?

"Yes," Lingjiao and the other replied, wondering if the Empress could make the decision.

When Yan returned south, he naturally started talking about this person.

“Your Highness, this servant observes that the Crown Prince’s Consort is quite sensible now. She is much more sensible than when I first met you. After all, being a girl is different from being a prince’s consort,” Jiangxiang said.

"Whether she's sensible or not, I don't care. She's not my daughter-in-law. It's Consort Ning who probably has high hopes for them." Yan Nangui changed her clothes and reclined on the chaise longue.

“Yes, now that Consort Kehui is in trouble, she is naturally pleased. However, if His Majesty is unwilling to establish a crown prince for the time being, there is no use in being anxious,” Yuanhua said.

"Hehe, I'm afraid she doesn't think that way herself," Yan Nangui said.

"Now, she's actually supporting me, and His Majesty has already started accepting memorials impeaching me." After all, seating arrangements at state banquets are very important, and it has to be said that His Majesty is a bit willful.

Therefore, it was inevitable that officials would submit memorials to the emperor.

At this time, Consort Ning's support for Yan Nan's return was, of course, support for His Majesty.

That's a good idea.

It's a pity that His Majesty won't appoint a crown prince at this time. The other princes are still too young, and we need to assess their aptitude first.

When Shu Chengfeng arrived, Yan Nangui was asleep.

Shu Chengfeng walked over, frowned as he looked at her face, and asked, "You've lost weight, haven't you?"

"Your Majesty, we've been busy since before the New Year, and Her Majesty hasn't been getting enough sleep," Bai Wei said.

"Okay, let's not call her that."

After saying this, Shu Chengfeng went into the study.

Bai Wei also served them.

"Did you see the Crown Princess today? What did you talk about?"

Bai Wei then recounted everything that had happened that day.

Shu Chengfeng nodded after hearing this and went to look at Yan Nangui's calligraphy and paintings.

The study was clean and tidy, with books all on the shelves. Yan Nangui reads a wide variety of books on a regular basis.

The most recent painting I did was in early winter last year. It was a little tiger I painted for my seventh princess. It had a big head and a small body, which made it look a bit comical.

But it's very cute.

At the very bottom, there's a footprint that looks like a kitten's or a tiger's paw.

"Your Majesty has a very childlike heart."

“Yes, Her Majesty said that children like this kind of painting,” Bai Wei said.

Shu Chengfeng went to look for books again, found one, and sat down in the study to read it.

When Yan Nangui woke up, it was almost lunchtime.

Lily said, "His Majesty is in the study."

Yan Nangui responded and got up, then walked over: "What are you looking at?"

"Are you awake? You've been tired these past few days. If you want to sleep more, then mind your own business."

"You think I won't care now? You're worried?" Yan Nangui yawned, walked over and sat on his lap: "It's nothing, just not getting enough sleep. Isn't that normal during the New Year?"

Shu Chengfeng put his arm around her and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

"Did you sleep well during the New Year?" Yan Nangui asked in return.

"That's true." Shu Chengfeng smiled helplessly.

"By the way, the Crown Prince's household isn't fully staffed. To avoid him feeling that I'm interfering, I've had the Imperial Household Department arrange it directly. However, if I want to interfere, I can do so no matter how it's arranged," Yan Nangui said.

“You are his elder, so you should intervene when necessary.”

"Ha, you've got a way with words. If I really intervened, wouldn't you be angry? They're not my children, why should I care so much? I already gave them a warning today, just listen to me, it's fine if you don't. Young people always make mistakes. Weren't you the same when you were young?"

"What do you mean by 'young'? You're old now!" Shu Chengfeng pinched her waist.

The two people were talking.

Meanwhile, the eldest prince and his wife, who had finished their lunch and returned to their residence, were also sitting together talking.

"Today is my first formal visit, I hope there have been no mistakes," Madam Xu said with a smile.

"That's good." The eldest prince smiled and said, "From now on, I'll leave the affairs of the inner quarters to you. Our residence is new, and we need to work things out properly. Please take care of it."

This statement implies far less entrustment than guidance.