Hongshi returned to the manor, still pondering the Eighth Prince's last words to him. Those words echoed repeatedly in his mind.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Ulanara Shuzhen asked, noticing that Hongshi's face hadn't relaxed since he entered.
"Nothing much. How was the young prince's day?" Hongshi asked as the maidservants in the room helped him wash his hands.
"The little prince has grown teeth," Shuzhen said with a smile.
"Huh? So fast?" Hongshi asked.
“Yes, he’s almost six months old. The little prince is clearly precocious. He’s like his grandfather in that respect.” Shuzhen walked to Hongshi’s side and personally helped him change his clothes.
Hongshi smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. When will you go in and pay your respects?"
"Yes, I will take the young prince with me to the palace to pay my respects to my aunt. She will surely be pleased. My lord, have you been supervising this year's imperial examinations at the Imperial Academy these past few days?" Shuzhen asked.
“Yes, why are you asking this?” Hongshi said.
“Master, now that your aunt is the mother of the nation, you are practically a legitimate son. Master, it’s time for you to start cultivating your own people.” Shuzhen said, unbuttoning Hongshi’s shirt.
Hongshi looked down at the woman who resembled the Empress, knowing what she was thinking, and asked, "How many people from the Ulanara family are participating?"
Shuzhen lowered her head and smiled, "Several cousins and nephews have participated. Master, they are all your family. Aunt has placed all her hopes on you."
Hongshi grabbed the small hands on his chest and said, "Father summoned us to the palace today to say that we must not be corrupt or abuse our power. Even the way the papers are graded this year will be drastically changed. Under these circumstances, how can you expect me to advocate for the Ulanara family?"
Shuzhen's smile vanished quickly, and she hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I don't know. If that's the case, then Your Highness should not do anything, otherwise it would be a loss if we alarmed Father Emperor at this time."
Hongshi nodded and said, "Now that I have just established myself in the Ministry of Revenue, I cannot afford to make any mistakes. Father Emperor has repeatedly emphasized today that no favoritism is allowed."
Shuzhen nodded, feeling somewhat regretful for what she had just said on behalf of the Ulanara family.
Hongshi was not in a good mood. He also wanted to secretly cultivate some power for himself, but he had just been appointed by the Fourth Prince to work in the Ministry of Revenue, so he was very careful.
Seeing that Hongshi looked unhappy, Shuzhen quickly said, "Your Highness, why don't I submit a token to enter the palace tomorrow, bringing the little prince with me, so that Father Emperor can also see how adorable the little prince is?"
Hongshi thought for a moment and nodded. After all, this child was the Fourth Prince's first grandson and deserved some favor. He didn't have a name yet, and Hongshi planned to ask the Fourth Prince to bestow one upon him.
The two discussed the arrangements for entering the palace the next day and then instructed their servants to make preparations.
Hongshi recalled the Eighth Prince's words. He knew his father, the Emperor, didn't like the Eighth Prince, but he also knew the Eighth Prince had a group of officials under his command, deeply embedded throughout the Qing Dynasty. Hongshi valued those officials, which was why he had spoken those words to the Eighth Prince today.
Hongshi didn't want to tell Ulanara Shuzhen these thoughts, because he knew very well that the death of Lady Irgen was inextricably linked to the woman lying beside him. However, he could do nothing, just as he had been powerless when his own mother was murdered.
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