At the residence of the Fifth Prince.
"This servant greets Consort Geng!" Cui Niang, led by her maid, greeted Consort Geng at Rongyi Courtyard, where Consort Geng resided.
"Aunt Cui, please excuse the formalities. I no longer live in the palace, so all the palace etiquette is unnecessary." Madam Geng was dressed in a dark red floral patterned casual dress, with very few ornaments on her head, and she looked much healthier than before.
“How can that be? Your Highness is still the Emperor’s concubine. This servant cannot forget the rules.” Cui Niang insisted on curtsying.
"Alright, Aunt Cui, please get up and have a seat," said Madam Geng, offering a helping hand.
After Cui Niang had taken half of the guest seat, she straightened up and spoke to Geng Shi. Normally, an aunt as favored by the Imperial Concubine as her wouldn't be qualified to sit in front of the concubines, but this wasn't the palace, and besides, Geng Shi had indeed received too much kindness from Lan Qin, so she dared not be disrespectful to Cui Niang.
"Her Majesty looks much better. The Fifth Prince must be very filial, and the Fifth Princess must be very pleasing to Her Majesty," said Cui Niang.
"It's all thanks to Her Highness the Noble Consort that I've been living such a comfortable life. Hongzhou is such a filial son, and Wukuzha is such a kind person. I am truly grateful to Her Highness the Noble Consort for her support. If it weren't for Her Highness the Noble Consort, I might still be in the harem today," Geng sighed.
"Your Majesty sent me here because of the matter concerning the Fifth Prince," Cui Niang said with a smile. If Consort Geng could appreciate the Empress's kindness, then things would be much easier.
"Hongzhou? What's wrong?" Geng asked in surprise.
"Her Majesty thinks that now that the Fifth Prince is married, it's time for him to do something for the court. Therefore, she wants him to enter the palace to share some of Her Majesty's burdens," said Cui Niang. Since Lan Qin didn't have the authority to appoint Hong Zhou to any specific task, she could only summon him to the palace to await orders. Investigating the Fifth Prince's household wasn't exactly a formal task, but it still needed to be done. Although Lan Qin had asked Zhao Jia Shi to gather information among the noblewomen of the capital, that was ultimately just gossip. To truly understand the truth, they needed to send someone to investigate directly.
Geng's heart tightened. Over the years, her biggest worry was that Lanqin would one day take Hongzhou back from her. She only felt a little relieved when Lanqin agreed to let her leave the palace with Hongzhou. But she didn't expect that at this time, Lanqin would ask Hongzhou to come to the palace to do errands. Geng was really worried.
Seeing that Lady Geng remained silent, Cui Niang knew what she was worried about. She felt a little disdainful, but still said, "Consort Geng, the Imperial Concubine said that she would never go back on her promise to Your Highness. Now, the Imperial Concubine lacks capable people to handle her affairs, which is why she thought of asking the Fifth Prince for help. Consort Geng can rest assured; how could you not trust the Imperial Concubine's character?"
“Of course I trust him, Aunt Cui is too kind. Very well, Hongzhou is not in the manor now. When he returns, I will have him enter the palace to see the Imperial Concubine,” Geng said quickly.
"Very well, that would be perfect. This servant will return to the palace to report back. Please make sure Your Highness tells the Fifth Prince." Cui Niang repeatedly instructed.
After she left, Geng's smiling face immediately fell.
During dinner, Wu Kuzha invited Consort Geng to dine, but Consort Geng told Hongzhou to come to her place because she had something to say to him.
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