Her complaining tone clearly showed her dissatisfaction! Hongli couldn't help but chuckle and ask, "What? You want more?"

If she denied it, he would definitely laugh at her again, so Su Yushan's bright eyes darted around, and she readily agreed:

"Yes! I want to, but you can't!"

These words were most hurtful to a man's pride. Hongli lightly pinched her waist and warned, "Who's not good enough? Wait another month, and then you can say those words again!"

She's not stupid; she only dares to say it now. When he's finally released from his confinement, she won't dare to say it again!

The two whispered to each other for a while, and Hongli's mood eased slightly. After sitting for a while longer, he reluctantly left and returned to the east corridor of the Qianqing Palace.

Hongli forbade her to interfere, so Su Yushan didn't intervene and let him deal with the Empress Dowager. Unexpectedly, a few days later, Yuying suddenly came to Xianfu Palace!

Upon hearing the eunuch's report, Su Yushan immediately rose and went to the front hall, where she curtsied to the newcomer, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"

Yu Ying offered a helping hand and said with a gentle smile, "The imperial edict hasn't been issued yet, so everything remains the same. You can still call me 'elder sister'."

Even before, Su Yushan never called her "sister," but always addressed her as "Fujin." Now that Hongli has ascended the throne, although the edict to appoint the empress has not yet been issued, it is a foregone conclusion that Yuying will become empress.

If Su Yushan were to address her as Fujin now, it would seem somewhat inappropriate, and she would also disagree with calling her Empress. Helpless, Su Yushan could only call her Sister and invite her to take the seat of honor.

Although Su Yushan was the mistress of Xianfu Palace, Yu Ying was, after all, the Empress. Since the Empress was present, the seat of honor naturally belonged to the Empress.

After the palace maids served the tea, they withdrew. Su Yushan only kept Yunfang by her side, but then heard Yuying exchange pleasantries:

"We did have some conflicts in the past, but those were all because of the children. I didn't have any ill intentions towards you personally. Others may have hurt you out of jealousy, but I have never had such despicable thoughts."

Now that the Prince has ascended the throne, and we sisters have all been granted imperial favor and entered the palace, let bygones be bygones! Life is long; we should look forward.

Su Yushan thought to herself: She is already the Empress, there is no need for her to curry favor with others anymore. These words must have another purpose, right?

"Sister is absolutely right, harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things." She casually agreed, but then heard Yu Ying add:

"The Emperor and the Empress Dowager have a disagreement because of your rank. You should know that most of those edicts are issued in the name of the Empress Dowager's imperial decree and must be stamped with the Empress Dowager's seal. Of course, the Emperor's seal must also be stamped. Neither can be missing. Right now, the Emperor is stubbornly refusing to stamp the seals, so the edicts cannot be issued. The Empress Dowager is having a headache over this."

So that's what it was about. Su Yushan truthfully replied, "I never asked the Emperor to give me any rank. This was not my idea."

Yu Ying didn't delve into it further, her attitude remaining gentle. "I know you don't care, but the Emperor is stubborn and willful. He listens to no one but you, so I hope you can persuade him."