Ning Xuan laughed, "That's right, Shengping and I were just about to have our meal."
Consort Wang then said, "It's quite a coincidence, Your Majesty. I was just about to remind you that it's time to have your meal."
The voice-over was that she hadn't eaten either, and wanted to eat with Ning Xuan.
After Empress Duanzhang passed away, Ningxuan selected Consort Shenjing from the Shen and Wang families to become Empress, and at the same time promoted Consort Wangrou to Noble Consort.
The Shen family's rise to power relied entirely on Ning Xuan, who single-handedly promoted them to compete with the Wang family.
Ning Xuan took her hand and patted it lightly. "I will accept the Consort's kind intentions. Let us return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a meal together."
Consort Wang was overjoyed, and she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
Shengping looks much better now; Ningxuan had never taken anyone to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a meal before.
Sheng Ping maintained a faint smile, trailing the other two by half a step, displaying utmost respect and deference towards Consort Wang.
This pleased Consort Wang greatly, even though she had previously objected to Wang Yinian marrying Sheng Ping.
After all, Shengping is very powerful and I heard that he makes quite a name for himself in the court. The Wang family may not be able to control such a daughter-in-law.
Today, upon seeing her, she appears quite obedient and well-behaved, which pleases her.
During the meal, Shengping ate a few bites and then took an opportunity to leave.
Consort Wang was even more pleased. How perceptive she was! This would be of great help to her in the palace.
As expected, Ning Xuan went to Consort Wang's Changchun Palace tonight.
Changchun Palace and Yangxin Hall were originally separated only by Taiji Hall. Ning Xuan built Zichen Hall next to Taiji Hall for Shengping.
He had a strong preference for Shengping, but Shengping disliked large-scale construction projects that would burden the people and waste resources. Therefore, the name Zichen Palace was the most prestigious, but the palace itself was exceptionally simple.
Of the twelve palaces, Changchun Palace is the most magnificent, with all its artifacts being extraordinary, not only expensive but also rare.
It easily surpassed the grandeur of Empress Shen's Yikun Palace, which was the foundation of the aristocratic family.
When the news of Ning Xuan's departure to Changchun Palace reached Yikun Palace, the Third Prince Ning Shuo was also there.
Upon hearing this news, Ning Shuo picked up the enamel cup and smashed it down forcefully. "You slut! What a whore! You always use despicable tricks to seduce Father Emperor's favor!"
That old fox Wang Helu always said that Consort Wang was well-read from childhood, proficient in all the arts, and had no sense of propriety or shame!
All she ever does is think of ways to lure her father to Changchun Palace!
He cursed angrily for a while, then turned around and met Empress Shen's calm and composed expression.
"Mother, what time is it! Why aren't you worried yet!"
Empress Shen glanced at him, picked up her jade-covered bowl, took a sip of wine, and asked indifferently, "What time is it?"
Ning Shuo strode up to her and said, "If this continues, Consort Wang will no longer be Consort Wang! She'll have to be called Empress Wang! Mother, you don't need to do anything. Just don't compete with Consort Wang for the time being, and let Shengping marry into the Wang family!"
Empress Shen laughed as if she had heard a great joke, tears streaming down her face. "As long as His Majesty is alive, the Empress's position will never belong to the Wang family. How many times have I told you to think long-term and not focus on the immediate details? When will you ever listen to me?"
I'll say it again: don't get involved with Prince Duan, and even more so, don't conspire with the Wang family! The greatest use of the Shen family is to fight against the Wang family! Isn't your father's meaning clear enough?
Otherwise, her son will die quickly, and she won't be able to protect him then!
Empress Shen, living in the inner palace, always saw things very clearly.
There can only be one emperor, and imperial power cannot tolerate any other.
She understood the principle of "not allowing others to snore beside one's bed," but many others did not.
After becoming empress, she also disciplined the Shen family very strictly. In addition to targeting the Wang family in every way, she made sure they never competed for power and instead delegated power to them in every way.
This way, the Shen family can enjoy wealth and prosperity for a while longer. Historically, maternal relatives have never had a good ending. By being so low-key and not greedy for power, she was able to give birth to her son safely and securely.
I wonder whose temperament this son inherited, becoming so irritable and easily angered, and refusing to listen to anyone.
Based on these two points alone, he was basically out of the running for the throne. She didn't expect him to sit on the dragon throne; she only hoped that he could be a carefree prince for the rest of his life and protect the Shen family.
Ning Shuo snorted coldly, "It's the Empress Dowager who's right, I'm doing this for the long term!"
After saying that, he waved his sleeve and left.
His mother was always like that; she never affirmed him.
Second Uncle is the best; he's the one who can truly work with him to achieve great things!
Empress Shen watched his retreating figure and closed her eyes.
She couldn't control him. No matter how much she taught and corrected him since he was a child, he would become even worse as soon as he left the palace and came back.
On the surface, the Shen family treats her with utmost respect, but behind the scenes, they harbor countless ulterior motives.
Heaven has decreed that the Shen family will not prosper for a hundred years!
Ning Shuo disliked that his Qi Prince's Mansion only had a bunch of women, which was not conducive to his great cause, so he spent most of his time at Minister Shen's Mansion.
Shen Anguo, the Minister of Personnel, was his maternal uncle.
Ning Shuo walked into Shen Shangshu's study as if it were his own home, plopped down on the recliner by the door, and picked up some grapes from the table to eat.
"Uncle, Mother scolded me again. She told us to target the Wang family in everything we do and not to cooperate with them. Such womanly views! It's so annoying!"
He was really afraid that his mother would ruin things.
Minister Shen picked up the teapot and poured him tea with a smile, "So, what does Shuo'er think?"
Ning Shuo snorted coldly, "Sheng Ping's arrogance is growing more and more overbearing. Although I disdain to argue with a woman, the Emperor has always favored Sheng Ping, so we must be wary. The second and sixth princes share the same opinion."
Minister Shen scoffed. How could there be cooperation in a struggle for the throne?
"Shuo'er is right, but Wang Helu is an old fox. Your Highness must remember not to let the other two families provoke you into a fit of rage, lest they use us as pawns."
Ning Shuo felt comfortable with the first sentence. He was already a father of two this year, but his mother always felt that he was still a child.
Unlike my uncle, who speaks so kindly.
“I’ll listen to my uncle. He said yesterday that he found someone with incredible strength. Take me to see him quickly!” he said excitedly.
He was not lustful, but he had a great love for wielding swords and spears. He was quite skilled and also enjoyed sparring with martial arts practitioners.
Minister Shen waved his sleeve and said, "Let's go. This man was brought here by my men. He was just a bit of a bully on the street, and he accidentally killed his own wife while drunk, so he was arrested by the authorities. When his men heard that he was incredibly strong, they wisely brought him over to Your Highness."
Ning Shuo waved his hand, "It's alright. As long as he is exceptionally capable, I will pardon him from this case and let him stay by my side as a guard."
Minister Shen smiled and said, "I think the same as Your Highness. It's normal for capable people to have some flaws. We should just cover for them a little!"
When the two arrived at the martial arts training ground inside the manor, the guilty man spat on both hands and lifted the large cauldron on the field.
This cauldron weighs over 400 jin (approximately 200 kg)! It would take at least four ordinary men to lift it.
But it was slowly lifted up by this burly man alone.
Ning Shuo's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Great! A reward! A generous reward!"
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