Chapter 54 Clouds in Full Bloom (Part 8) "The Crown Prince taking a concubine, a temporary measure..."

Yan Chao's breath hitched, her gaze fixed on him, a flash of cold killing intent passing through her. But Lan Huai'en was right in front of her, and whatever she did now would have unimaginable consequences.

The words were already on the tip of my tongue.

At this moment, Lan Huaien suddenly said, "Your Highness just said that you are pure of heart and have few desires, but that is not true and is deceiving the emperor! Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is actually interested in a palace maid. I have seen them being intimate several times. His Highness probably didn't dare to let you know because of his pride."

He guiltily avoided her murderous gaze, secretly sweating bullets.

Yan Chao was still in shock when he heard him say that, and remained stunned for a moment.

The emperor was slightly surprised, frowned as he glanced at the equally bewildered crown prince, and asked Lan Huaien, "Who do you think it is?"

"His Majesty has met her. She is a palace maid who serves Prince Chang Le in Zhaoyang Palace, named Shu Ying. The Prince often takes her with him when he goes out, which is why he has the opportunity to enter and leave Wenhua Hall and the East Palace. The palace maids are all saying in private that His Highness the Crown Prince and that palace maid are having a very pleasant conversation."

Lan Huaien remained expressionless, and when she felt Yan Chao's deep gaze again, she was already righteous and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Yan Chao's forehead twitched suddenly, and his expression darkened slightly.

Seeing her head bowed, the emperor assumed it was true and immediately said with displeasure, "Is this really true? The rules of your Eastern Palace have always been very strict, how come such a disgraceful thing has come out this time?"

Yan Chao couldn't help but defend himself: "Father, you are wise. I was just having a normal conversation with her and had no other intentions."

"Whether it was intentional or not is your own business. What angers me is your lack of judgment and decisiveness. If that palace maid is of bad character and intends to seduce, then deal with her as soon as possible; if you really like her, then you should openly bring her into the Eastern Palace. What is the point of dragging this out like this? If word gets out, people will gossip in private, saying that the dignified Crown Prince is heartless and dares to do something but not admit it. You have completely disgraced the royal family!"

Yan Chao could only bow and apologize. The emperor, however, seemed to have the mind to concern himself with such trivial matters, and asked Lan Huai'en, "Do you know anything about that palace maid?"

"Your Majesty, that palace maid's surname is Xu, and she is fifteen years old this year. As you know, she is from Zhaoyang Palace and has been in the palace since she was a child. She has been trained by Crown Prince Zhaohuai and Consort Sun, and she has been able to take good care of the young prince. Her character must be good. Although she is not very steady, she is very lively and clever."

The emperor's expression softened slightly: "Although she comes from a humble background, serving the crown prince as a concubine is enough."

Yan Chao said, "Father, the rumors are completely unfounded. If I were to take Xu as my concubine today because of this, who knows what the palace servants might think tomorrow? The palace must not tolerate such improper conduct. Moreover, she is someone my sister-in-law has carefully trained, and Fei'er is particularly fond of her. How can I compete with a child like Fei'er?"

The emperor was clearly getting impatient: "You're just a palace maid. If you don't want to, you don't want to. Why all the excuses?"

Seeing the atmosphere was getting tense, Lan Huaien tried to smooth things over, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Highness's considerations are indeed reasonable. This matter was originally my fault. I shouldn't have listened to the rumors and caused you to misunderstand Your Highness. But then again, isn't everyone hoping that the Crown Prince can get married and have many children? How could Your Majesty not understand your good intentions?"

The emperor nodded slightly and said to Yan Chao, "Your sister-in-law is not unreasonable. You don't need to worry about Zhaoyang Palace. I will personally act as matchmaker today and bestow Xu Shi upon you as a concubine."

Having said all that, Yan Chao saw there was no way to turn back and could only express his gratitude.

She muttered to herself, "A stopgap measure," and clenched her fists, her palms sweating so much that the lamppost felt warm and sticky. She also felt a cold sweat on her body; a chilly night breeze blew by.

The emperor, seeing her somewhat dazed, scoffed, "Look at your pathetic self." He then added, "Since you're unwilling to marry the Crown Princess for now, a couple of years will do. Keep some men in your household for now; you're almost twenty years old, after all."

Seeing that she hesitated and didn't know how to respond, the emperor joked with Lan Huaien, "If there are any more memorials urging the Crown Prince to get married in the future, you can send them directly to the Eastern Palace. If there are any officials who advise me to marry a concubine for the Crown Prince, I will not see them. I will tie them up and send them to the Eastern Palace. Don't bother me, just let them bother you." Lan Huaien smiled and said yes.

Yan Chao tugged at the corner of his lips: "It is my fault that Father Emperor has gone to so much trouble."

The emperor stopped in his tracks. Lan Huaien understood and waved to those behind him. A group of palace servants filed forward. When one of the servants took the lamp from the crown prince's hand, he noticed that she was still clutching it tightly, as if she hadn't come to her senses yet.

After she bowed and respectfully saw the emperor off, she found that only Lan Huaien remained by her side. He had come at the emperor's behest to earnestly advise the crown prince that "food and sex are human nature."

Lan Huaien waved away the palace servants following behind him, and seeing that Yan Chao also nodded, he casually asked, "Did Your Highness have any female officials to instruct you in the past?"

Someone must have taught her how to handle that. He was curious how she dealt with it.

Yan Chao was unwilling to speak, but when he turned his head, he was met with a pair of icy eyes.

Lan Huaien was indeed feeling guilty. He hugged his arms tightly and retreated while explaining, "It was an expedient measure, an expedient measure... If I hadn't just dragged Xu Shuying into this, you would have been forced to marry the Du family of Jiangning. Compared to that, what is a palace maid from Zhaoyang Palace? It's easier for you to control her, and it's easier for her to get away!"

Yan Chao's face remained cold.

Lan Huaien sighed helplessly, "I told Your Highness I wouldn't leak anything, but you wouldn't believe me. I have no other choice. Besides, there's something Your Highness still hasn't figured out. If we're really comparing the two of us, I'm in a worse situation than you. I have no reason to go against you!"

"I admit that I startled Your Highness tonight; it was indeed intentional."

"..."

She remembered her murderous intent, and her hand trembled involuntarily in her sleeve.

"Thank you. I appreciate your kindness."

Lan Huaien was taken aback, then chuckled softly: "After all this time, Your Highness is still deliberately keeping your distance from me. Do you think you can still get away unscathed?"

Yan Chao frowned, took a step back, and looked at him quietly: "If you want to be frank, then I just want to know what your real purpose is?"

To be precise, it's about what purpose one has in getting close to her.

"I am but a rootless weed, but since I am bound to Your Highness, I am naturally willing to help you rise to the top. My status is special, and I have extensive connections in the court and the harem, so there is much I can do to help you."

A warm breeze swept into his arms, and the duster tickled his face. He carefully straightened it and tucked it back into his pocket, unable to see her expression as he looked up.

"You were behind the Cao family's troubles."

"yes."

"Your Highness may well consider that Cao Ying brought this upon himself. I am known as a treacherous eunuch, and I have always acted as I pleased."

"His Highness said you know my good intentions."

Yan Chao glanced at him: "But that doesn't mean you can use this as an excuse to act recklessly behind my back." She was referring to more than just today's incident.

Lan Huaien obediently answered yes.

Yan Chao then asked, "Was it also you who secretly helped to make Consort Ning the Empress?"

"This is none of my business. Your Majesty's thoughts are rather unfathomable."

Yan Chao walked back to the palace, a journey that took nearly half an hour, with Lan Huaien by his side and Liang Lu following behind.

Later, as night deepened, a half-moon, not quite full, hung in the sky. The thick, dark clouds gradually dissipated, and a few scattered stars fell across the vast sky. A gentle breeze rustled through the flowers and leaves, and there were also lamplight.

.

The selection of imperial consorts in the twentieth year of the Xuan Ning era finally came to an end. Thirteen women were ultimately chosen to enter the harem, while the remaining women from respectable families were sent back to the palace. As for the rumored candidate for the Crown Prince's consort, the Eastern Palace never intervened, and the Emperor never inquired about it again.

However, the Crown Prince taking a concubine caused a little ripple in the palace.

Xu Shuying, a palace maid serving Prince Chang Le of Zhaoyang Palace, has been appointed as a concubine of the Crown Prince by imperial decree and will begin serving him immediately. For a mere concubine to receive such an honorary appointment by imperial decree is a blessing that many people would rather die for.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Shu Ying was stunned and stood there in place. She had never imagined that her peaceful life would take such a sudden turn, let alone that the Crown Prince would take a liking to her. She had always thought that if things continued like this for a few more years, she might be released from the palace, and with the money she had saved over the years, she could live a peaceful and comfortable life outside the palace.

Shu Ying, her face pale and filled with fear, knelt before Madam Sun.

In the side room, palace maids were tidying up her things, and the sound was extremely grating.

Yan Fei was stunned and reluctant to part with Shu Ying: "Mother, I was just joking at the time. I didn't expect Sixth Uncle to actually want Sister Shu Ying..."

Madam Sun took the box brought by the palace maid and began selecting jewelry from it. She glanced at her son sideways and said in a flat tone, "Do you really think the Crown Prince is taking Shuying as a concubine because of what you said? It's just a temporary measure to avoid marrying the Crown Princess. The Crown Prince has only met Shuying a few times; he can't stand women."

“Then…” Yan Fei was still worried.

Madam Sun inserted a jade hairpin into Shuying's hair, examined her for a few more moments, brushed a strand of hair from her temple, and then sighed, "Shuying, once you enter the Eastern Palace, stay quietly in the backyard and don't run around and arouse the Crown Prince's suspicion."

Shuying agreed, biting her red lips lightly. Her usually bright and clear eyes filled with tears, and she could no longer be playful and smiling.

"I was bullied at home and had no choice but to enter the palace to make a living. Since entering the palace, I have relied entirely on Your Highness's care. Now that I am suddenly being married off from Zhaoyang Palace, I can no longer be loyal to my mistress and share her worries..." She wept. Madam Sun treated her kindly, and Yan Fei was someone she had watched grow up. This parting was extremely difficult for her.

“You have taken very good care of Fei’er.”

As soon as Madam Sun bent down to help her up, Yan Fei snuggled into Shu Ying's arms, just like usual.

Before leaving, Shuying gave a long, detailed explanation to the wet nurse and palace maid who took care of Yan Fei, including what Yan Fei liked to eat and what he didn't like to eat, what he liked to do, and some of his little habits and quirks. She was very attentive to him, which showed how careful and attentive she was.

Hearing this, Yan Fei's eyes reddened, and she insisted on going to the East Palace with her. Madam Sun did not stop her, but only instructed her: "In the future, when Fei'er goes to the East Palace, do not see Shu Ying, so as not to cause any misunderstandings."

Yan Fei frowned and muttered, "Sixth Uncle doesn't seem to be that unreasonable..." But in front of his mother, he still obediently agreed.

After Lan Huaien escorted the person into the East Palace, it was Xiao Jiu who came to meet and settle Shu Ying. Shu Ying immediately felt a little more at ease and secretly looked up to see him. He still had that warm-hearted look on his face.

Yan Fei went to see Yan Chao. At first, she was very serious, but by the end, she blushed and said, "Sixth Uncle, you must treat Sister Shuying well. She is clever, obedient, gentle and lovely. It would be great if Fei'er could have another cousin-in-law next year."

Yan Chao's face darkened: "Shut up!"

Lan Huaien, who was still standing nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Your Highness, you must not disappoint His Majesty and the Prince of Chang Le's expectations..."

As expected, he was met with a glare from Yan Chao.

He quickly composed himself, coughed, bowed respectfully, and said, "...Your Highness, His Majesty will be visiting the Wenhua Hall tomorrow. Please make preparations in advance."

Yan Chao nodded. It was customary for the Crown Prince to observe state affairs in the Wenhua Hall; the Emperor did not visit often. On the previous occasions when the Emperor was present, court officials were also there to discuss important matters.

.

After a sudden rain, the air was filled with the fresh, moist scent that had lingered for most of the day, making the lush summer trees appear even greener and more vibrant. As the sun blazed and the daytime heat intensified, the cicadas began to chirp loudly beneath the leaves.

With a new love in one's arms, how can one remember the old one?

Prince Xin could only see Consort Li once every ten days or half a month, and when he learned that her eye disease was getting worse, the imperial physician could only say that he would do his best to treat her, he was filled with grief.

Consort Li, her beauty fading with age, was now a thing of the past. She had once meticulously cared for her appearance and, due to her long-standing relationship with the emperor, enjoyed his constant favor.

However, after being confined for several months, she inevitably felt desolate, and many of her old ailments flared up again. They were not difficult to treat, but they were difficult to cure completely. Her face looked much more haggard, as if she had aged decades in just a few months.

"Your mother's hopes are all on you, Li'er. I still have a foothold in the harem, so it's not difficult for me to do anything. But you must not rely on the Li family alone in the capital..." Her vision was blurred as she earnestly gave her these words of advice.

Prince Xin understood Consort Li's deeper meaning and simply nodded in agreement: "Mother, rest assured, I have already made plans. However, since I will not be by your side, please take care of your health."

The best opportunities in the harem now lie with the newly promoted concubines. Consort Ming's rise to favor is clearly the result of deliberate manipulation; she has already lost the initiative.

The gates of Wan'an Palace remained tightly closed as usual. Prince Xin stood on the long street, glanced at it silently for a few moments, and finally turned and left.