Qing'e Palace and its rear hall.

Golden autumn!

Although it's still early and the ginkgo leaves haven't turned yellow yet, the area under the trees is still breathtakingly beautiful.

The autumn breeze carries the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms; though sweet, it is not overly cloying.

Huan Yue sat in the Jixian Pavilion, feeling extremely content!

There are all kinds of food on the table; we can't finish eating them all in the fall, and we'll gain weight.

The little maid was eating on the side; she was already quite round, but she kept eating.

Lady Ji was speechless. What could she do if the Empress doted on her?

She cautiously reported, "It seems that Li Shi is really in bad shape, but she wants to drag Cao Shi down with her."

The maidservant, unable to speak out loud yet needing to articulate her thoughts, mumbled, "How wicked!"

Huan Yue casually asked Ji Shi, "What grudge do the Li and Cao families have?"

Lady Ji shook her head: "This servant does not know."

The maid knew: "Cao is no pushover either. She killed Pei Su. Li didn't really want to die, but she was afraid that Cao would kill her one day, or that Cao wouldn't handle things properly after she was gone. This old hag doesn't want to die, but she wants to be honored after death and continue to enjoy wealth and glory in her next life."

Huan Yue said, "You know too much."

The maid lowered her head, said nothing more, and continued eating.

Lady Ji was speechless, but worried: "The Empress has not acknowledged her ancestors and has a bond of upbringing with the Pei family. If Lady Li really makes a scene, it might not look good."

Huan Yue nodded: "We should be prepared."

The little maid looked at her mistress excitedly, wondering what she was going to do. "She'll go!"

Huan Yue asked, "What can you do?" He patted her head and said, "Eat your food."

Lady Ji reminded her, "Your Highness, please stop spoiling her."

Huan Yue bluntly stated, "I was just teasing her."

The little maid wasn't sad at all. So many people wanted to be amused by their master. To be favored by the master was a blessing in itself.

The Ji family didn't care anymore. Anyway, one shouldn't be lazy when it comes to food, and being able to work quickly is acceptable.

Di Baose, come here.

Judging from her demeanor, Lady Ji knew she had been spoiled by the Empress. She was capable of maintaining the dignity of the Crown Prince's palace.

Although she was a concubine, she was not bad-looking. With the Di family behind her, people couldn't help but give her face in most situations.

Huan Yue felt that Di Baose was just like that, and that she should make the best use of her talents and let her express them appropriately.

Di Baose was having a good time in the palace, and gossiped with the Empress: "The beauty that Prince Qi brought back has caused such a big fuss. Is he dissatisfied with the Chen family?"

Huan Yue was astonished!

Di Baose retorted angrily, "It's not like I know nothing!"

Princess Yongmu came over and heard Di Baose get furious.

After seeing the princess, Di Baose snorted again.

Huan Yue casually invited the princess to sit down and said to Di Baose, "Then tell me, what is the cause and effect of this matter?"

The little maidservant went to do her work.

Princess Yongmu watched with amusement. She had stayed in Qing'e Palace for over two months and had become quite plump.

Madam Sun thought to herself, "The Empress knows how to raise people. Isn't this also teaching Di Baose to use her brain more?"

Only one's own brain is truly useful. Whatever the Prince of Qi does is irrelevant to the Qing'e Palace. As for the relationship with the Crown Prince, His Highness will handle that.

Even the Empress doesn't interfere in His Highness's affairs casually, but Di Baose should at least be aware of this.

Princess Yongmu ignored it all and enjoyed the autumn breeze!

Di Baose insisted on prompting her: "What does the princess think?"

Princess Yongmu said gently, "I don't know."

Di Baose glared: "I don't know!"

Huan Yue said, "If you don't know, then don't worry about it."

Di Baose sighed, "Let's worry about the Eastern Palace. This concubine is almost done; I wonder how much they'll give us? By the way, does the Prince of Qi count as intercepting a concubine?"

Huan Yue, having nothing else to do, started rambling: "Not all concubines are willing. For example, Empress Dong likes to force people. Some women are sold by their parents. And there are also beauties who want to take shortcuts."

Di Baose suddenly realized: "That beauty seemed to have been forced into prostitution and begged the King of Qi, or perhaps it was a coincidence?"

Huan Yue said, "There are plenty of people who have this idea. It could also be that someone sent it."

Being a concubine was like being a corvée laborer; it was considered legal, and generally not so bad. For example, one could go back and return the money.

As for the dangerous situation inside the palace, that's another matter.

Being sold by one's parents or forced into it by someone like Dong Hou is truly wrong.

Di Baose then spoke of the consequences: "The King of Qi has gone out for a while, and things have changed quite a bit. He wants to get rid of the Chen family. Will Empress Dong agree to that? Or has she found a better target?"

Princess Yongmu chatted casually: "After so much time, it's not impossible to find someone more suitable. The Earl of Jianping should also be aware of the situation of the Chen family."

I heard that Chen Zhun's lineage is not convinced and wants to prove themselves.

Mrs. You is currently recuperating from illness. Chen Ke's wife is managing the Chen family affairs very well.

Chen Yin is studying hard and is determined to become the top scholar in the imperial examination the year after next!

Chen Shi was working hard to do his part to clear his mother's name.

In particular, the fact that General Lü's two concubines were granted the title of Lady inspired many other concubines, and some of his favored concubines became virtuous.

Huan Yue felt that once the Chen family put in some effort, Chen Fengnu became arrogant. She had really had a smooth life.

A palace attendant came and reported: "It is said that Chen Fengnu was framed."

Huan Yue blinked: "Even the daughter of the You family can be tricked one day?"

Di Baose laughed loudly: "She's not even married yet, and she's already running around trying to control the mistress and the beauty. Her mother was never a principal wife, is she in such a hurry to have her fill?"

Princess Yongmu nodded, "That makes sense."

Di Baose's ability to manage the Eastern Palace drew attention from many. But at least her authority was legitimate, and she had the Crown Princess overseeing her.

Chen Fengnu hadn't even been formally appointed as a concubine, so she wasn't yet considered the Princess Consort of Qi.

A palace maid came to report: "Princess Huayang has come to pay her respects with the County Princess of Guixiang and Yan Boxuan."

Huan Yue nodded.

Princess Huayang hasn't come for a while, I wonder what she's been busy with. Now she's finally brought Yan Boxuan with her.

But she seemed to have forgotten one thing: Princess Yongmu was scolded by Lady Yang because she had no children.

Are you sure this won't upset her?

Princess Yongmu seems to be a gentle person and wouldn't be jealous of her sister's good life.

But should the older sister take it for granted?

Fortunately, Huan Yue was not afraid.

Princess Yongmu is doing well now; there are no rumors or gossip circulating in the Eastern Palace.

Some people in Sheng'an said that the He family and the Yang family were very bold, and they had never heard of Princess Huayang teaching anyone a lesson.

Huan Yue only cared about his own little world, and in the end, Princess Yongmu had to face the consequences herself.

Princess Huayang arrived, bringing many things with her.

Huan Yue took it as a gift for his younger sister.

This immediately put Princess Huayang in an awkward position.

Di Baose was delighted.

"Your Majesty!" Little Yan Boxuan was also happy and came over to hug the Empress's leg.

Huan Yue pulled him along, the child was indeed well-raised: "Where did you come from? Have you seen your maternal grandfather?"

Yan Boxuan called out, "No, Grandpa is busy."

Huan Yue asked, "Aren't you busy?"

The child looked up at her, completely bewildered, then burst into laughter and ran into his aunt's arms, overjoyed.

Princess Huayang was no longer embarrassed; he was just a silly son.

Yan Fufu sat next to her aunt as before and said softly, "I'm sorry."

Princess Yongmu gently patted her head.

Yan Fufu sat next to her, feeling guilty: "They said bad things about you. Mother said we shouldn't argue with them, or things will get even worse."

Princess Yongmu's eyes were calm, and her voice was gentle: "Don't worry about the child."