Kunyu Palace.

As darkness falls, the lights illuminate the scene, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury, like a fairyland.

Although Consort Cui was in her forties, she was a mature and divine consort from the celestial palace, enjoying wealth and honor in the mortal world.

It's only late afternoon, around dinnertime.

Consort Cui naturally ate the finest delicacies, having tasted the best of everything in the world, and thus had little appetite.

Princess Huayang, Prince Zheng, and Xie Zhu are all here.

The Prince of Zheng granted him the right to establish his own residence, but his mother was favored, so he was used to staying in the Kunyu Palace.

Princess Huayang was even more favored, bringing her daughter and son with her. The Emperor also enjoyed seeing his two grandchildren, even though they were his grandsons.

Inside the palace, it was just their family that was making the most of the lively atmosphere.

Princess Huayang was much calmer and looked like a fairy even in casual clothes. Although her style was different from her mother's, she was favored by her father, the emperor.

Prince Zheng seemed completely unconcerned. What did it matter to him what the Pei family or the Crown Prince were doing?

Xie Zhu no longer needed to worry, as his father, the Emperor, would take care of the affairs of the Eastern Palace.

But everyone in Sheng'an is paying attention; the common people are waiting to see the Pei family make a fool of themselves.

Therefore, Princess Huayang habitually went to the palace to get the latest gossip. Today, Di Baose's visit to the East Palace was quite a spectacle; where else outside the palace could gossip spread as quickly as here?

Consort Cui was favored by the emperor, so she quickly received news from the Zichen Palace of the previous dynasty.

The eunuch, hiding in the shadows, spoke in a low voice: "The Marquis of Jianchang is demoted to Earl, and Pei Bo is dismissed from office and given one hundred strokes of the cane."

Consort Cui's beautiful eyes widened. So ruthless?

Nobility titles are not granted or demoted arbitrarily, especially for the grandfather of the Crown Princess.

Consort Cui stared nervously at the eunuch.

The eunuch kept his head down. Even if the Imperial Concubine was beautiful, she was not someone an eunuch could look at casually. Even if the result did not satisfy the Imperial Concubine, he should not be fooled by her good expression. If she saw something sinister, he would be killed.

The eunuch's voice was still clear, and it had a unique flavor when mixed with the sound of wind and rain outside: "Qing'e Palace bestowed upon you a white jade ruyi scepter with five blessings and auspiciousness, a famille rose vase with a hundred children and two handles, a pair of blue and white lotus-patterned bowls, and a sandalwood screen with inlaid jade dragon patterns. When the eunuch saw Consort Pei off, he also added some gold and silver ingots."

Consort Cui did not appear ferocious, but she seemed to deflate for a moment.

Princess Huayang, stay calm.

King Zheng lowered his head.

Xie Zhu was most interested: "What did Second Sister-in-law do?"

Yes! Consort Cui perked up again!

What exactly did Qing'e do to warrant such protection from the current ruler? This is more than just appeasement.

Appeasement is standard practice. When interests align, if one side is attacked, the other must be appeased so that they can make amends.

A Ruyi (a type of scepter) is enough to appease them; the dragon-patterned screen is of extraordinary significance!

This practically declares to the world that the Crown Princess's position in the Eastern Palace is secure, and even indicates that the Crown Prince's position is secure as well!

Xie Zhu's focus was different: "Did Father Emperor also bestow a pair of bowls as a reward?"

Princess Huayang was also curious. If giving a vase of 100 children was meant to encourage the bride to have children quickly, which also represented satisfaction, then giving a bowl was still quite unusual.

Appreciating something formal, like a ruyi (a traditional Chinese ornament symbolizing good fortune), is likely just a perfunctory gesture, devoid of genuine feeling.

Only by appreciating some strange and unusual things, even if they are worthless, can one gain meaning.

Princess Huayang understood her father quite well; she knew he was probably interested in Qing'e.

Consort Cui, who was more knowledgeable about the current situation, felt that this matter was very troublesome.

A large group of people ran over, intending to punch the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly the Crown Princess benefited from the incident.

The eunuch whispered, "Consort Pei wants a divorce, saying she doesn't want to be a source of trouble for the country and its people. She also wants to go to Zichan Mountain to cultivate herself and pray for His Majesty and the Great Zhao Dynasty."

Consort Cui and Princess Huayang exchanged a glance.

Take a deep breath of cool air.

This strategic retreat is ruthless!

That was a truly ruthless move!

Those people who wanted to beat the Crown Prince certainly couldn't kill him, but the Crown Princess managed to survive by putting herself in a life-or-death situation.

How can anyone else make a move now? They must be in a very awkward position.

We should thank the current emperor for his good appeasement; otherwise, he would have been forced to separate from his wife and children, even though they didn't have any children yet.

But the Crown Princess requested to leave the palace less than ten days after entering it, which is simply unacceptable to hear.

The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation, and the Crown Princess's position is also not simple.

This made Consort Cui jealous.

After all, it's impossible to let the Pei family divorce.

Consort Cui was furious: "It's really become a spirit."

Princess Huayang was helpless. Lady Pei had said both kind and harsh words.

How could a simple prayer for one's father not touch his heart?

She didn't complain, nor did she make any fuss about the Pei family; after all, Pei Bo was her father.

Xie Zhu ignored this and only asked, "Why the bowl?"

The eunuch's voice grew even lower: "Your Majesty, I heard that when Consort Pei was eating, she told Your Highness to think about the common people's meals."

Consort Cui and Princess Huayang exchanged a solemn glance.

That's where the problem lies.

Although Consort Cui was a woman of wealth and status, she had served the emperor for many years and knew all too well the importance of the common people. The current ruler is truly wise.

If you encounter a foolish ruler, he naturally won't care about the common people. But when he does care, it's a different story.

Consort Cui remembered that Lady Pei had a good appetite, so she said it was natural and there was no trace of pretense.

These days, appreciating a pair of bowls is not a bad thing.

But this mix of humor and seriousness serves as a reminder.

Those who are eyeing the Pei family and the Crown Prince should pay more attention to the common people.

The Crown Princess holds a special position, and her advice to His Highness in this way is undoubtedly virtuous.

With such a virtuous and capable person, compared to the Empress, even if the current ruler is dissatisfied, he must consider the wishes of the people.

Consort Cui was different from others who used her beauty to please men.

If she's really too virtuous, then it becomes a problem.

Princess Huayang exclaimed, "The Crown Princess is virtuous; it is a blessing for the nation and a boon for the people."

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