Song Xibai fell into deep thought.
I thought that once I got rid of the fake emperor, my biggest enemy would be gone, and the crisis would be over. Looking back now, I realize I was too naive.
Inside and outside the palace, there are potential enemies eyeing Yuan Shen's position at all times.
Just like Consort De and Prince Lu, they would not give up no matter how small the chance was.
Human greed truly knows no bounds!
Song Xibai couldn't help but sigh softly.
Consort Shu patted her on the back.
"You silly girl, how long have you been in the palace? You have no idea how desolate the harem can be, it can drive a person crazy."
Song Xibai looked up at her.
"Is the Dowager Consort the same?"
Consort Shu was taken aback, and after a moment, she gave a faint smile.
“I am different from them. I entered the palace not for family glory or wealth. I had no choice but to take this path. I was lucky to meet the kind-hearted Empress, and soon after I had a child. I have lived a carefree life and no longer have to fight for those things.”
Her gaze was calm and carefree, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes seemed to carry a touch of gentleness.
"Of course, my stupid son, even if he wanted to compete, he wouldn't have the ability."
Looking at Consort Shu, Song Xibai suddenly realized that the Consort before him was very different from the one he had first met.
Was the Consort Shu we met back then just a protective facade, or is the current Consort Shu her true self after she has washed away all pretense?
Song Xibai didn't ask any questions, nor did she say anything more.
She got up to say goodbye.
When Song Xibai returned to Changqing Palace in a sedan chair, she was still somewhat dazed until she heard the child crying, which startled her from her reverie.
What do other people's lives have to do with me?
She rushed into the hall and saw Wenniang and Jin Nainang comforting the child. She couldn't help but ask.
"What's wrong?"
The two wet nurses curtsied to her, and Wen Niang explained with a smile, "The two young masters were fighting over a toy! His Highness the Crown Prince lost and couldn't help but cry."
Song Xibai breathed a sigh of relief, stepped forward, and saw Zhao Jing tightly clutching a cloth tiger with both hands. She couldn't help but smile and tap her nose.
She didn't force the cloth tiger to Zhao Yan, but teased Zhao Jing and brought out other toys to distract him.
When Zhaojing got a new toy, he immediately threw away the cloth tiger and happily played with the new, jingling toy.
Wen Niang handed the cloth tiger to Zhao Yan, who stopped crying and put the cloth tiger in his mouth, prompting Wen Niang to coax and persuade him.
Looking at the two children, Song Xibai felt a sense of satisfaction.
I ask for nothing more in this life than for my two children to grow up safely and have a smooth life. That would be enough.
After returning to the palace, she went straight to Cining Palace, and only now can she finally rest for a while.
After giving Wenniang a few instructions, Song Xibai went to the bedroom and lay down.
I only intended to take a nap, but unexpectedly, I fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes again, it was already dark outside, and the room was even darker.
Song Xibai propped herself up on her arms and sat there for a while, looking slightly dazed, before calling out to the outside.
"Wei Hong?"
Upon hearing the commotion, Wei Hong immediately brought people in. Some lit lamps, others fetched water, and the quiet room suddenly became lively.
Song Xibai applied a damp cloth to her face, changed her clothes, and inquired about the follow-up at Cining Palace.
"Consort Shen slept for a while longer. When the Imperial Hospital received the news, they punished the physician and sent another imperial physician to Cining Palace to treat Consort Shen. It was Physician Fu, who is still in Cining Palace right now!"
"The Fourth Princess wanted to stay longer, but was persuaded to go back by Consort Shu. Although Cining Palace was in chaos for a while, after this incident, the concubines were quite grateful to the Empress and His Majesty."
Song Xibai listened and nodded.
"I just hope nothing else goes wrong."
As the two were talking, Lichun and Fengchun brought up the food with the palace maids.
Looking at the table full of dishes, Song Xibai turned her head and asked again.
Where is His Majesty?
"His Majesty is still in the Qianqing Palace! I don't know what happened in the previous dynasty. The Qianqing Palace is very busy. Several senior officials have not yet left the palace."
The Qianqing Palace was an important place of the previous dynasty, and in principle, people in the inner palace should not be allowed to inquire about information at will. However, Wei Hong was familiar with several senior eunuchs around Yuan Shen, so she knew some things.
That's all I know; I have no idea about the specifics.
Song Xibai glanced at the water clock and figured that Yuan Shen must have eaten dinner by now. So he ordered someone to notify the small kitchen to prepare some easy-to-eat late-night snacks.
She herself only chose a few light vegetarian dishes to eat.
Meanwhile, inside the Qianqing Palace, Yuan Shen was discussing with several trusted ministers how to deal with the Prince of Lu.
The Prince of Lu is ambitious, but he hasn't had time to do anything yet. Yuan Shen is also somewhat troubled about how to deal with this.
The ministers each held their own opinions, and none of them would concede to the others. They argued for a long time without reaching a conclusion.
Yuan Shen sat in the main seat, rubbing his temples.
"Gentlemen, isn't this enough of an argument? If we keep arguing like this, it'll be dawn soon."
The adults fell silent, seemingly only then noticing the time.
Yuan Shen put down his hand and was about to tell them to go back when he looked up and saw a head peeking out from outside the door.
That chubby head made him instantly recognizable as Eunuch Lai from Changqing Palace.
He raised his chin and beckoned the person in.
"What is it?"
The old man knelt down and bowed before speaking.
"Your Majesty has ordered me to bring you a midnight snack."
Yuan Shen perked up and sat up straight: "Bring it here quickly!"
The eunuchs standing nearby were somewhat puzzled.
We just finished dinner, why are we having a late-night snack already?
The masters forgot to have dinner earlier, so it was late. All in all, only a little over an hour has passed!
The young eunuch dared not speak, and could only glance at Eunuch Feng.
Grandpa Feng stood calmly to the side, pretending not to see anything.
It's one thing for others, but this was sent by the Imperial Concubine herself, how could His Majesty possibly refuse?
Even if you're stuffed, you have to finish it!
Just then, Eunuch Lai led his young eunuchs in carrying a food box.
There were more than a dozen bowls of various sizes, each containing different side dishes.
Yuan Shen could tell at a glance that they were eating noodles.
This amount was clearly not prepared just for him.
He called out loudly to the other ministers.
Thus, a harmonious relationship finally emerged between the emperor and his ministers within the palace.
After finishing his late-night snack, Yuan Shenyi tapped the table.
"Consort De plotted against the princess, intending to seize control of the Imperial Guards. This matter cannot be made public, nor can it be used to reprimand Prince Lu. After much deliberation, I have no choice but to do this: Consort De is stripped of her title and confined to a separate palace, with no one allowed to visit her privately. The Second Princess and Prince Lu shall spend three months in solitary contemplation to atone for their mother's sins."
Grand Secretary Zhou's eyes flashed.
"Does Your Majesty intend to wait and see?"
Yuan Shen leaned back and sighed.
"If he can sit still and stay obediently in the Prince's Palace, I will let him go and allow him to continue being the Prince of Lu. If he is resentful and does something wrong, then don't blame me for not showing brotherly affection."
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