Unlike her usual indifference, Su Yushan was somewhat hopeful about the outcome this time, because Hongli had said that if someone else were to assist in managing the harem and later become a Noble Consort, then her child might be taken away.

It was agreed that the concubines could raise their own children, but she had many children while the others did not, so these children became the target of others' attention.

If she wanted to keep her child, she could no longer live a carefree and unambitious life as before. Hongli had shown her the way, and she should follow that path.

She couldn't yet be certain of the Empress Dowager's decision; it would either be her or Consort Xian. She would have to wait and see what the Empress Dowager would decide tomorrow.

The morning light spilled out, illuminating the world. These days, she didn't need to pay her respects and could sleep in as late as she wanted without anyone interfering. Today, however, she had to go to the Cining Palace. Not long after the emperor left, Changyue came to call her mistress, asking her to get up and change her clothes.

When she is at Jingren Palace, she can wear casual clothes without being too particular. However, she must change into regular clothes when she needs to pay her respects.

As the weather gradually turned cooler in August, the thin gauze had been put away. Changyue changed her mistress into a light green satin cloak with chrysanthemum patterns. In the dressing box were many ear clips and some pearl earrings.

However, pearls from the East are extremely rare, and the royal family had strict regulations regarding their use.

Imperial concubines could only wear pearls when wearing auspicious or court dress. On ordinary days, apart from the emperor, empress, empress dowager, and imperial concubine, no one else was allowed to wear pearl ornaments.

Therefore, Su Yushan's pearls could only be placed in a box for appreciation.

Today, Chang Yue styled her hair in two large buns, adorned with hairpins decorated with kingfisher feathers, velvet flowers, and butterfly-shaped tassels. Red stone pagoda beads hung between her earlobes, and she wore a pure white dragon pendant around her neck, with a few rosebud flowers embroidered at the end. Every gesture she made exuded elegance and grace.

After dressing up, Su Yushan set off for Cining Palace.

The Empress was confined to her quarters, Consort Rong was injured, and Lady Fucha was in the Cold Palace and had not been invited. Today, only Consort Xian, Consort Chun, Consort Hai, and Consort Chen came to Cining Palace.

Lan Rong was in a great mood. In her opinion, this position was rightfully hers. Even if the Empress Dowager favored Consort Rong, she would definitely choose Consort Chun over Lan Rong!

After everyone arrived, the Empress Dowager slowly emerged from the rear hall.

After everyone curtsied and paid their respects, the Empress Dowager looked at Consort Xian and Consort Chun. Neither of them was what she wanted, but she had to choose one of them.

She had thought a lot about it these past few days, weighing the pros and cons before finally making up her mind.

"The Empress is unwell and is temporarily unable to manage the affairs of the inner palace. Someone needs to assist her."

Consort Rong was a concubine during the Emperor's time as a prince, and she had been managing the household since then, possessing considerable experience. I had originally intended for Consort Rong to continue assisting the Empress in managing the affairs of the inner palace, but unexpectedly, she has been injured and is unable to attend to matters. Therefore, I must choose another person.

Lan Rong thought to herself, why is the Empress Dowager rambling on and on about these polite formalities? She already knew all this, and now she just wanted to hear the result.

Xi Lan prayed inwardly that the Empress Dowager would choose Yu Shan. If she chose Lan Rong, Lan Rong would definitely take the opportunity to steal Yu Shan's child!

Just as everyone was waiting in anticipation, the Empress Dowager finally revealed her decision.

"Consort Chun has given birth to three sons for the Emperor, which is a great contribution. Therefore, I have decided that Consort Chun will temporarily assist in managing the inner palace."

Upon hearing this, Xi Lan and Chen Lanxu both breathed a sigh of relief, but Lan Rong was shocked and greatly disappointed. She couldn't believe it. How could this be? Wasn't the Empress Dowager the one who hated Consort Chun the most? How could she suddenly choose Consort Chun?

What exactly happened?

Lan Rong was puzzled, but dared not question the Empress Dowager in public, so she could only twist her handkerchief and swallow her anger.

Su Yushan sighed inwardly, thinking how annoying the Empress Dowager was. Even though she had chosen her, she still had to publicly state that her original choice was Consort Rong, and that she was just a backup option. It was clearly an attempt to dampen her spirits.

It doesn't matter, as long as the Empress Dowager fulfills Hongli's wish. She can protect her child, and Hongli and the Empress Dowager will no longer quarrel. It's a win-win situation, and everyone is happy.

After announcing the end of the official business, the Empress Dowager was in a bad mood, so she waved for everyone to disperse, leaving only Su Yushan there.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Su Yushan, her eyes filled with resentment, "You and the Emperor have finally gotten what you wanted. You must be secretly delighted!"

Su Yushan lowered her eyes and replied, "To be honest, I am very uneasy."

"The affairs of the harem are not as simple as you think. It's not something you can control just because you want to."

Since Hongli insisted on letting her take over, the Empress Dowager would grant his wish and let Su Yushan give it a try. Once she encountered setbacks and difficulties, she would realize that this job was not easy.

Su Yushan knew this wouldn't be easy, which was why she felt melancholy. However, she wouldn't back down. With Hongli's encouragement, she would bravely move forward.

"From now on, I will humbly seek your guidance from the Empress Dowager."

Tired of these empty words, the Empress Dowager sighed and said she had a headache and needed to go back to her room to rest.

Su Yushan curtsied and respectfully saw the Empress Dowager off. Only after the Empress Dowager entered the inner palace did she turn and leave.

After the matter was settled, Hongli felt relieved and beamed with joy, finally free from the worries of the matter.

Su Yushan knew that this time it was Gao Xiuwen who was injured, and the Empress Dowager had no choice but to compromise. If it weren't for this "accident", the Empress Dowager probably wouldn't have given in so easily.

Regardless of whether Gao Xiuwen's injury was real or fake, she should still go and visit her.

Hongli knew that Yushan didn't like being around strangers, so he said there was no need for that and that sending some tonics would be enough to express his feelings.

She could do as she pleased back in the Prince's residence, but now that she was in the palace, right under the Empress Dowager's nose, she could no longer act as she pleased. Besides, now that she had begun to assist in managing the inner palace, she should set a good example; if she still avoided it, the Empress Dowager would have something to hold against her.

In the end, she decided to go anyway, just to make a show of it, nothing serious.

The next morning, Su Yushan ordered someone to select several gifts and went to Zhongcui Palace to visit Gao Xiuwen.

To her surprise, Lan Rong was also there!

Upon seeing this, Lan Rong feigned surprise and exclaimed softly, "Oh! Consort Chun has always disliked socializing. What brings you here?"