Lady Guarjia was the Crown Princess appointed by Emperor Kangxi. Although the Crown Prince had been on the throne for some time, he had not yet formally made her Empress. However, not long after the two women returned to the capital, Lady Guarjia was made Empress. And before Lady Guarjia had even received the wives of the civil and military officials and nobles, she summoned the two women first.

This matter is strange in every way.

Although Consort Song was simple-minded, she could still see that this matter was not simple.

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

Consort Li, being a quick-witted person, immediately knelt down in response.

Consort Song naturally followed suit and also knelt on the ground.

"My two concubines, let's go!"

Granny Miao's eyes were cold. She knew why Lady Guarjia had summoned Consort Li and Consort Song, and naturally she wasn't going to be very polite to them.

As the guardian nanny of the Guarjia clan, Granny Miao had a very good understanding with the Guarjia clan.

Guarjia summoned Consort Li and Consort Song with the intention of winning them over and making them unstable factors in the Fourth Prince's harem.

This is also what the Crown Prince wanted to see.

Although the relationship between Lady Guwalgiya and the Crown Prince was not particularly close, they were still husband and wife. As the saying goes, a wife's status rises with her husband's, and to maintain her current position, Lady Guwalgiya had to help the Crown Prince solidify his throne.

Therefore, even though she knew that the Crown Prince's decision to make her Empress was a reluctant one, Guwalgiya still had to do her best to help the Crown Prince plan. Of course, Guwalgiya's efforts were not without limits.

"Granny, could you please wait a moment while we change our clothes?"

Consort Li glanced at Granny Miao and spoke slowly.

They couldn't refuse the Empress's summons. But before the audience, they needed to discuss it. Otherwise, who knew what they might encounter after entering the palace?

"Go quickly!"

Granny Miao was a shrewd woman; how could she not understand that Consort Li and Consort Song wanted to discuss this matter? However, this time, it really did require the two of them to discuss it.

This time, when she came to deliver the imperial decree, Granny Miao was playing the bad cop. The one who could only play the good cop was Lady Guarjia.

Consort Li and Consort Song each returned to their own rooms to change their clothes. During this process, the two quickly reached a consensus to stick together and ensure their safety.

However, what Consort Song didn't know was that Consort Li had secretly sent a message to Rong Xi at this moment, giving a brief report about the Empress summoning them.

...

Zichuan Town, Prince Yong's Mansion.

Rong Xi received a message from Consort Li.

After Guarjia was made empress, she summoned Consort Li and Consort Song to court. This was clearly a prelude to something big.

"Master, has something gone wrong?"

Granny Rui and Granny Xiang were serving Rong Xi when they noticed that she had suddenly become calm and silent. Both of them trembled inexplicably, as if something bad was about to happen.

"Nothing unexpected, it was all expected."

Rong Xi smiled faintly.

It was to be expected that people would cause trouble for Consorts Li and Song after she sent them back to the capital. However, the fact that the Crown Prince hadn't yet appointed an Empress, a matter he had been trying to create trouble for her with, was also resolved, was something Rong Xi hadn't anticipated. But upon reflection, it all made perfect sense.

The Crown Prince's move was a calculated, overt strategy.

The Empress, a model of virtue for the nation.

Only when the Crown Princess becomes Empress can she legitimately care about the Fourth Prince's harem.

"Granny Rui, the Crown Princess has been made Empress! This is a momentous occasion! Go and make arrangements to prepare some congratulatory gifts and have them sent back to the capital!"

"Master, aren't you going back to the capital?"

Granny Rui looked at Rong Xi seriously, "According to the rules, you are required to attend the Empress's investiture ceremony."

"This princess is currently in seclusion for spiritual practice!"

Now that Rong Xi had guessed the Crown Prince's purpose in establishing an Empress, why would she go out of her way to cause trouble? She certainly wouldn't get involved in this so-called Empress investiture ceremony.

The reason for refusing doesn't require much thought; a simple "I'm in seclusion for spiritual cultivation" is enough to get rid of everything.

In this world, spiritual practice is always paramount.

Imperial power is subordinate to the principle of the supremacy of strength.

"This servant will arrange it immediately."

Granny Rui instantly understood Rong Xi's meaning. As Rong Xi's personal bodyguard, Granny Rui certainly had that much insight.

After Granny Rui left, Granny Xiang slowly spoke, saying, "Madam, although you can find excuses not to return to the capital, doing so will offend Her Majesty the Empress. In the future, I'm afraid Her Majesty the Empress won't have much goodwill towards you."

"It's alright."

Rong Xi remained calm.

If Lady Guarjia is a smart person, she won't cause her trouble. But if she's not thinking clearly and insists on causing her trouble, then she won't mind making things difficult for Lady Guarjia.

Although Rong Xi had little contact with Guarjia, judging from those few interactions, Guarjia was a very intelligent person; she was not the kind of foolish woman who couldn't see the road ahead.

The Crown Prince only had superficial affection for Lady Guarjia. Even if Lady Guarjia was made Empress by the Crown Prince, how could she not have resentment in her heart?

Rong Xi felt that Guarjia's summons to Consort Li and Consort Song was merely a formality.

Of course, the truth will only be known after Consort Li and Consort Song leave the palace.

Alternatively, she could go and observe without waiting for the two to leave the palace.

After Granny Xiang left, Rong Xi immediately returned to her blessed land through the spirit of the Imperial Palace. The next moment, Rong Xi appeared in the Empress's palace.

The baby used the space of the blessed land to infiltrate the palace.

Rong Xi could clearly see and hear everything happening in the palace, yet the people inside were completely unaware of her presence. To Rong Xi, this forbidden area of ​​the palace was simply her own backyard.

At this moment, Consort Li and Consort Song had arrived at the Guarjia clan's palace and paid their respects to her.

"No need for formalities, please take a seat!"

Guarjia was seated and naturally accepted the two men's deep bows before allowing them to sit down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Consort Li and Consort Song bowed in unison, both being extremely respectful and careful.

"My two concubines, there's no need to be so formal. I've summoned you here to have a private conversation about the continuation of our Great Qing's lineage. At this time, we can be considered sisters-in-law."

Guarjia smiled and spoke softly.

Consorts Li and Song were filled with anxiety. They were merely secondary consorts, essentially concubines. They were completely unqualified to be sisters-in-law of the Guarjia clan.