Consort Shu originally only wanted to act as a peacemaker, but now that it seems to involve the power struggles within the Qin Prince's household, she hesitated.
Just then, the Imperial Concubine heard about the commotion from her subordinates and rushed over.
"What are you doing here, Consort Shu? His Majesty has said that I am now in charge of everything in this palace. What, are you trying to overstep your authority?"
The imperial concubine was aggressive from the moment she entered the room.
Several months later, when Song Xibai saw the Imperial Concubine again, he found that she had lost a lot of weight, her face was covered with thick powder, and her makeup was heavy, making her look arrogant.
It seems that being confined to her quarters before had some impact on the Imperial Concubine.
Song Xibai thought to himself.
With these two giant Buddha statues present, the main arena for the struggle immediately changed.
Not only Song Xibai, but even the King and Queen of Qin kept their mouths shut, watching the two of them with trepidation.
Consort Shu was initially hesitant, but upon seeing Consort Gui, she instantly became energetic, raising her chin high and giving Consort Gui a cold glance.
"I would like to ask the Noble Consort, how could the dignified Princess Consort of Qin, who came to attend to the Empress Dowager's illness, faint after standing in the courtyard for so long? Aren't you afraid of being called a femme fatale who brings ruin to the country by acting like this?"
Wow!
Song Xibai stared at Consort Shu with bright, sparkling eyes.
How dare she call the Imperial Concubine a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country in front of everyone? Consort Shu is indeed bold and confident!
As expected, the imperial concubine's face turned red, her fists clenched so tightly that her long fingernails almost broke off.
"How dare you! My rank is higher than yours, how dare you speak to me like that?!"
"So what if I said it? What can you do to me?" Consort Shu scoffed. "Go ahead and complain to the Emperor! Go ahead!"
The Imperial Concubine was furious and wanted to order the Consort Shu to be arrested on the spot, but considering the Emperor's recent attitude and the Eighth Prince, she swallowed her anger.
At this moment, the Queen Consort of Wu spoke up.
“Your Highness, my mother didn’t mean that. You know she’s always been outspoken and a bit blunt; she meant no harm. If Your Highness is still upset, I will apologize to you on behalf of my mother!”
Song Xibai thought to himself: Princess Wu has offered this way of offering a perfect opportunity!
The Imperial Concubine took a breath, glanced at her, and, having calmed down, softened her tone considerably before accepting the Princess Wu's greeting.
Consort Shu was displeased and wanted to bring her daughter-in-law back, but Princess Wu had already quickly finished her greetings and returned to her side.
The imperial concubine snorted.
"Since you enjoy meddling in other people's business, then Princess Qin, take her back to your Yanxi Palace! I have many things to attend to!"
After saying that, she tossed her head and turned to leave with her palace servants.
Consort Shu was secretly annoyed.
She didn't want to get involved in the affairs of the Prince of Qin's residence!
But now that things have come to this, she can no longer refuse, though her expression isn't very pleasant.
Song Xibai did want Princess Qin to move to his place so he could take care of her more easily. However, given Princess Qin's status, it was absolutely impossible for her to go to the Eastern Palace.
How awkward it is that my sister-in-law moved in!
It would be inappropriate to keep Princess Qin in Renshou Palace.
It would be best if Consort Shu were willing to take over, but judging from her expression, she was clearly not very happy about it.
Princess Qin looked anxiously at Song Xibai for help.
Song Xibai thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke.
"Your Highness also has to serve the Emperor, so it might be inconvenient for Princess Qin to live in Yanxi Palace. I think it would be better to find a quiet place for Princess Qin to live in the West Third Palace. There should be plenty of space there, right?"
Consort Shu raised an eyebrow, thinking it was a good idea.
"What does Princess Qin think?"
How could the Princess Consort of Qin dare to object? She nodded hastily.
As long as we don't go back to the Prince of Qin's residence, everything is fine.
Consort Shu was a woman of action; once she made a decision, she immediately began to direct her people.
The palace servants of Renshou Palace were not easy to move, so she sent someone back to her own Yanxi Palace to have a sedan chair carried so that Princess Qin could get into her own sedan chair.
Eight eunuchs carried the sedan chair, along with the others, and they proceeded westward in a grand procession.
The "Three Western Residences" mentioned by Song Xibai is just a general term; it refers to the residences used to house the imperial concubines, located behind the Cining Palace.
The late emperor was fond of beautiful women and had many concubines. After his death, apart from Lady Zhu, who was made Empress Dowager and could live alone in a palace, everyone else had to squeeze into one place.
According to custom, the imperial concubines were supposed to live in the Shou Kang Palace next to the Cining Palace. However, there were too many people, and there was simply not enough room for them all. Even the West Three Palaces behind the Cining Palace were full.
The newly enthroned emperor was in a terrible predicament and didn't know what to do. At this time, the Empress Dowager stepped forward, gave up the Cining Palace, and moved to the Shou Kang Palace herself.
The entire Cining Palace, plus the Shou Kang Palace, and the area behind it, were needed to accommodate the late emperor's concubines.
In the following years, the imperial concubines passed away one after another, but the empress dowager was used to living in Renshou Palace and did not want to move to Cining Palace, so the palace became empty.
Now, only three old concubines remain.
Consort Shu's nanny arrived ahead of time with the palace maids and eunuchs. They tidied up a courtyard and brought over some daily necessities.
An hour had passed by the time Princess Qin was settled in.
The King of Qin kept a long face and didn't utter a word.
Princess Qin didn't even look at him, holding Song Xibai's hand tightly as if she had grasped a lifeline.
After seeing that the place had been tidied up, Consort Shu led her people back to Yanxi Palace and also summoned Princess Wu away.
Princess Wu originally wanted to say a few words to Song Xibai!
But since her mother-in-law had given the order, she couldn't linger. She could only give Song Xibai a wink and follow her out.
Seeing that the King of Qin was standing motionless in the room, Song Xibai coughed heavily.
"If Your Highness is worried, you can send someone you trust to serve Princess Qin. After all, you used to live in the palace, so you must have one or two old servants, right?"
Song Xibai's words made the King of Qin's eyes flicker.
"I don't understand what Consort Xi is saying. When I established my own residence, all the eunuchs and maids who served me went to the Prince of Qin's residence. Where are there any old servants left in this palace?"
His tone was somewhat hurried, clearly indicating that he had something to hide.
Song Xibai was too lazy to guess his thoughts: "If the palace doesn't have them, surely the manor does? It would be best to call two reliable matrons. What do you say, Your Highness?"
To everyone's surprise, the Princess of Qin shook her head: "No need, I have Cuixiang."
"That won't do."
Song Xibai frowned slightly.
"You are a princess, how can you not have a few servants around you? People who know you will say you are thrifty and good at managing the household, but people who don't will think that the King of Qin is mistreating you!"
These words put the King of Qin in a very awkward position.
"I will immediately send someone back to the palace to fetch someone."
"It's getting late, and you must be quite tired from this round trip. Your Highness, you should go back and rest early! Come see the Princess again tomorrow morning! Oh, by the way, it would be best if you could bring the little princess with you."
Song Xibai said with a smile.
The King of Qin nodded subconsciously and left in a daze.
As he exited the palace gates and boarded the carriage, he suddenly stopped.
Why should I listen to a concubine?
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