Green Jade Hall is now in its prime.

The Crown Prince might not even step inside for a year, let alone several years, but he's sitting right here now.

Although Green Jade Palace was out of favor, it was not desolate, and the several consorts there also had the demeanor of the Crown Prince.

The palace eunuchs kept their mouths shut, not daring to argue: "Then let's do as Consort Pei says and grant her the title of Zhaoxun."

Huan Yue ignored him: "Gong, Ju, and Ren are all virtuous and gentle, and have all been promoted to the position of Zhaoxun."

Although the writing was hasty, the three women, Gong, Ju, and Ren, were overjoyed and quickly knelt down to express their gratitude.

Xie Zhou admonished, "Listen carefully to Qing'e Palace and assist the Empress."

The three kowtowed to His Highness. It was good to have His Highness's approval.

Just like how the Empress is willing to give them opportunities, she won't let them never even get to see His Highness.

Although His Highness was dressed in casual clothes, he looked really good. Just sitting there, his demeanor was captivating. Unfortunately, he only had eyes for His Highness.

Ju Fengyi felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, but what could she do?

Didn't you see the once flamboyant Miss Di now sitting quietly to the side?

Di Baose experienced firsthand what it's like to be a member of the Eastern Palace and have various backgrounds.

Zeng Huan's cousin is no longer someone to be trifled with, but there are still many others to be wary of.

If things get out of hand, it'll be a complete mess.

Should Di Baose manage the Crown Prince's affairs, or not? If she were to manage them, it would naturally be better for her to obey.

With four newly appointed Zhaoxun, Huan Yue dismissed the Empress.

Before they had gone far, Di Baose said, "I wonder what the Empress will reward you with?" She then asked, "Was the reward given to Consort Gong generous?"

Gong Zhaoxun didn't want to be mentioned, but there was no point in doing so now, so she calmly said, "Your Majesty is merciful."

That's an excellent answer.

Can the Empress be unkind? Can she reward Lady Zhang but not others?

It would be a good thing to be able to help the Zhaoxun (a high-ranking official) get some benefits.

Huan Yue was getting impatient with the chaos in the Empress's palace and ordered someone to bring Lady Zhang over.

Gong Zhaoxun and Ju Zhaoxun previously lived in the rear hall, Ren Zhaoxun lived in the east wing, and Zhang was assigned to the west wing.

Several people dragged her over and made her kneel down to pay her respects to the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, Consort Di, and the three elders.

Gong Zhaoxun and Ju Zhaoxun exchanged a glance, then remained seated firmly.

I roughly understand what the Empress means; even those from the Empress's palace must be pushed to the bottom.

Who doesn't like to elevate their status? Even among those who are both Zhaoxun (a high-ranking official), there should be a hierarchy.

Ren Zhaoxun blinked at Zhang Shu.

I didn't see clearly what it looked like when it was sent back, but it has now been cleaned up by the palace maids.

Zhao Xun's official robes were not fancy, and Ren Zhao Xun didn't bother to change them.

Zhang Shu has a small face, which is now somewhat pale.

Perhaps she had been seriously submerged in the water, because Ren Zhaoxun noticed that she seemed to be rolling her eyes, clearly dissatisfied with the treatment she received at the Eastern Palace.

No, Di Baose sipped her tea, thinking that Zhang Shu might have followed Zeng Huan's example, and it was normal for her to scold His Highness a few times.

Huan Yue also drank tea, waiting for Zhang Zhaoxun to kowtow.

It's not surprising that she kowtows to him; what's interesting is how many kowtows she gives to Ren Zhaoxun.

"Ah!" Zhang Shu burst out!

Several palace maids were used to suppress them.

Zhang Shumeng set her sights on the Crown Prince.

Di Baose wasn't surprised at all; aside from his good looks, he was also the only man in the Eastern Palace.

"Let me go! Let me go back!" Zhang Shu struggled, both weak and strong.

Di Baose was surprised. Wasn't he ambitious before? He was pushed into the Taiye Pool by Su Meiren and tasted death?

So why are all the women in the imperial harem like ghosts? Because to be human, you have to be a ghost first.

Huan Yue remained as calm as an old dog: "You didn't want to enter the Eastern Palace? Were you forced by the Empress? Or were you tricked into the palace by the Empress and then forcibly sent to the Eastern Palace?"

Ren Zhaoxun almost laughed out loud.

Although some people are ambitious and some are forced into it, if this gets out, how different is there between the empress and someone who is forced into a position of power?

Even if someone enters the palace, it should be based on mutual consent. Even if they were sold by their parents, shouldn't the Empress show them mercy?

Huan Yue was even more merciful: "If you are being pressured by the Empress, don't be afraid, I will immediately send you back to your cousin."

Zhang Shu knelt on the ground, her mind in a daze.

But who would dare to offend the Empress Dowager?

Ren Zhaoxun understood immediately. He knew how much suffering was involved; he had to experience it himself.

Di Baose said slowly, "Don't be so happy in front of the Empress, but then think the Empress is kind when you get to the Eastern Palace. That would be very bad."

Ren Zhaoxun said, "What if Her Majesty kindly lets you go back, but the Empress feels that Her Majesty is intolerant? Where can Her Majesty go to seek justice?"

Ju Zhaoxun chimed in: "Everything should be based on reason. Wasn't Zeng Gong the one who most disliked (not) reasoning?"

Huan Yue said, "If you try to attract His Highness's attention with such means, His Highness is right here. You should pay your respects first, and then slowly try to win his favor. Don't worry, I won't stop you."

Ju Zhaoxun agreed, saying, "Your Majesty is the most magnanimous."

Ren Zhaoxun wanted to laugh again. Was Zhang Zhaoxun using this tactic to attract His Highness's attention?

She secretly glanced at His Highness.

Zhang Shu also watched it.

Di Baose looked at Zhang Shu, and sure enough, this woman had another idea.

Doesn't she find it disgusting? She thinks of the emperor in the harem, and now she's thinking about His Highness. She's so despicable!

Zhang Shu refused to kowtow.

Huan Yue was not in a hurry.

How long will Ren Zhaoxun make Zhang Zhaoxun kneel? Her punishment of kneeling for an hour hasn't even started yet.

Ren Zhaoxun glanced at Ju Zhaoxun; Zhang Zhaoxun probably didn't know that she needed to complete a bunch of punishments.

Zhang Shu was forced to kowtow.

Xie Zhou said, "She seems to be in good spirits. She can kneel outside the west wing all night. Keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't make any noise."

Yes! The palace maid guarantees it will be done perfectly.

Xie Zhou took his wife's hand. "It's time to go?"

Huan Yue asked him if he had something to say. He could leave first.

Xie Zhou pulled her away.

The way these women looked at him made him uncomfortable. A small favor was fine, but too much would make him have ulterior motives.

Huan Yue genuinely believed he had something to do, since she had no intention of staying at the Green Jade Courtyard any longer.

Ren Zhaoxun and Ju Zhaoxun respectfully saw His Highness and Empress off, and they had to admit they were a little disappointed.

Gong Zhaoxun has come to terms with it; she'll be much better off if she stops thinking about His Highness.

Ju Zhaoxun was about to wash up and go to bed.

Ren Zhaoxun was most interested in the punishment of Zhang Zhaoxun.

By the way, Ju Zhaoxun, move a chair over here to supervise the work.

Anyway, they don't have to pay their respects to the Empress in the morning. On rainy days like this, they can sleep as long as they want, and no one will care if they sleep until noon. They are not favored, so their lives are very leisurely.

Supervising construction can be a pleasure.

The imperial physician protested: "Zhang Zhaoxun's health is not good."

Ren Zhaoxun asked, "Will you teach Consort Huan, or will Consort Huan teach you a lesson?"

Zhang Shu refused to kneel, but was forcefully suppressed by the palace maids.

Ju Zhaoxun reprimanded her: "Consort Su is carrying the imperial heir. If anything goes wrong, I'll beat you to death without complaint."

As for what constitutes "bad"? If Su Meiren says it's bad, then it's bad.

Zhang Shu was furious: "I didn't!"

Ju Zhaoxun reprimanded, "Why didn't you shout when you were in the Empress's palace? You wanted to attract the Crown Prince's attention, but His Highness has left. The palace is a place where rules are observed. Using this method to attract the Crown Prince's attention might work, but if it doesn't, it could cost you your life. If you want to live, kneel here obediently and think it over. This is for your own good. Who hasn't gone through this?"

Even Di Liangdi was beaten.

Ren Zhaoxun laughed and said, "You didn't learn it from Zeng Gong, did you?"

The eunuch interjected, "That can't be said lightly. According to Her Majesty, she's given him too much freedom."