"Say it again?" Consort Zhuang's eyes were red, and her fists were clenched white.
The young eunuch said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has said that from now on, all matters, large and small, in the inner palace will be handled by the Empress."
After hearing this, Consort Zhuang slumped onto the soft couch as if all her strength had been drained, her face showing not only disappointment and fear but also endless resentment.
Why...why is Heaven treating her this way? Who exactly is that Qingfeng Daoist, and why is he speaking up for the Empress?
I just embarrassed the Empress, and now she has completely gained control of the harem. What will become of me in the future...?
Consort Zhuang took a deep breath, realizing that she would no longer have a good life in Xingqing Palace.
At the same time, the news spread throughout the palace. Consort Shu looked at the eunuch in astonishment: "Have you found out? Was that rain just now really prayed for by Daoist Qingfeng?"
"It is absolutely true. Right after His Majesty and the Empress offered incense and when Master Qingfeng was performing his ritual, clouds began to gather above the imperial city. The people from the Imperial Observatory were all amazed. Before that, the sun was blazing and there wasn't even a breath of wind."
"Could there really be immortal magic in this world?" Consort Shu sat there blankly. Was His Majesty a ruler approved by Heaven? If he could truly live forever, then wouldn't the world... be under his control for all eternity?
"It is said that His Majesty has checked Master Qingfeng's household registration and confirmed that he is a person from the previous dynasty. Moreover, although Master Qingfeng has white hair and white eyebrows, his skin is still fair and rosy, showing no signs of aging."
Consort Shu suddenly shook her head and chuckled. If His Majesty could truly attain immortality, I'm afraid all the plans of these people in the harem would fall through. Could the princes outlive him?
Inside Ganquan Palace, Consort Xian suddenly overturned the chessboard without warning, her eyes shifting unpredictably.
Why did she go to such lengths to enter the palace? Although she hoped that His Majesty could live a long life so that she could eliminate the eldest, second, and third princes in front of her son, she absolutely did not want His Majesty to still be sitting on the throne after her son had grown old.
She didn't believe in any magic of immortality, but Master Qingfeng's rain-seeking act today made her faith waver.
"Is that Daoist Qingfeng really not from the Prime Minister's residence? Has the matter been investigated?"
“Your Majesty, no one should be able to escape His Majesty’s eyes and ears. According to His Majesty’s people’s investigation, Master Qingfeng has never had any communication with anyone from the Prime Minister’s residence.”
"Then why did he speak in favor of the Empress?"
The palace maid had an answer in her heart, but dared not answer.
Consort Xian herself was also extremely frustrated. Why did a mere young girl like her deserve Heaven's favor? What was she lacking? Was the position of the principal wife really that important? If so, why did the late Empress die such a tragic death?
"Your Majesty, what should we do now?"
Consort Xian took several deep breaths and said, "Hide in peace for now. No one is allowed to make any moves without my permission."
In Chang Le Palace, Consort Li smashed many things in a fit of rage. The palace servants tried to persuade her again and again: "Your Highness, please don't be impulsive. If word gets out that you are dissatisfied with the Empress, His Majesty might blame you."
“What is she? Just a lowly girl with no favor. Why would His Majesty reprimand me for her?” Consort Li bowed her head and wept. “Why? Why does His Majesty value her? I’m going to find His Majesty.”
"Your Majesty, please try to think more positively. His Majesty is currently busy seeking immortality with Daoist Qingfeng and has no time to manage the affairs of the inner palace. If he falls into the Empress's hands, he may be in serious trouble."
"She's someone who's never even received the Emperor's favor, and has no princes to bear her. What right does she have to discipline me?"
"Your Majesty...please don't get caught in this storm, for the sake of the Third Prince."
Consort Li said plaintively, "I'm just angry, I'm just not convinced."
In Yong'an Palace, Consort Zhen and Consort Shu were both relatively calm. She even thought it was good this way. The harem should be headed by the Empress. Otherwise, whoever ascended to the throne would inevitably have a conflict. The Empress had absolute power, which was the only way to suppress the petty thoughts of those people.
Regardless of whether Master Qingfeng's abilities are real or not, and regardless of whether His Majesty can truly live forever, for the time being, this fire will not reach her and her son.
"Your Highness, shall we send some congratulatory gifts to Fengyi Palace?"
"Why give gifts when it's neither a holiday nor a festival?"
"But now that His Majesty has made his stance clear, the Empress will be in complete control of the harem from now on."
"It is only natural that the Empress should be in charge of the inner palace, and there is no need to send gifts. If we step forward now, it will seem like we are currying favor with the Empress."
"What if the Empress causes trouble for our Yong'an Palace later..."
"That all started with Consort Zhuang's Xingqing Palace. Besides, although His Majesty has affirmed the Empress, he may not necessarily want the current balance to be broken. If we try to curry favor with the Empress, what do you think His Majesty will think?"
The palace servant felt a chill run down her spine. Would His Majesty suspect that the Sixth Prince and the First Prince had formed an alliance?
"Your Majesty, it was my oversight."
"Go down. From now on, tell the people in the palace to keep their mouths shut. Don't say things that shouldn't be said outside, and don't gossip with people from other palaces."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Inside the Phoenix Palace, however, there was a joyous atmosphere. The female official never expected that the Empress's trip to the Taiji Palace would result in her gaining such great power from His Majesty!
No wonder the Empress was so calm and composed yesterday; she had already planned it all out. She underestimated their Empress, and I bet everyone else in the harem felt the same way!
"Your Majesty, do you have any instructions from Consort Zhuang?"
"You want me to punish you again?"
The female official was puzzled. Shouldn't it be done this way? Consort Zhuang had given the head palace maid an unauthorized order, which embarrassed the Empress. The Empress should not let this go so easily. It would be a good opportunity to establish authority for everyone in the harem while the Emperor was protecting her.
"There's no need to be in such a hurry." Song Xia's eyes were deep. She had no intention of targeting the people in the harem for the time being. What was most important now was to take control of the discipline of the six princes.
She knew that everyone coveted the position of Crown Prince, and she also knew that if she were to discipline the six princes, it would drive everyone in the harem crazy, but she had no choice but to do so.
"The heat is unbearable. Go and tell the Grand Tutor that we will both have a day off tomorrow. Have him come to Fengyi Palace. I have important matters to discuss with him."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The female official was puzzled. Did the Empress intend to target the princes first? If so, not only would everyone in the harem go crazy, but His Majesty would also investigate!
Regardless of what others might speculate about her, Song Xia went to her study to write a plan on how to teach the six princes and the curriculum.
Actually, it was relatively easy to reason with the Grand Tutors, because the courses she arranged were still based on the Four Books and Five Classics. She just asked the Grand Tutors to be more flexible in their teaching methods and increase the interaction and cooperation among the six princes. Just like in modern society, she assigned some homework that needed to be completed in groups and let them divide the tasks themselves.
In addition, the teaching time should be optimized, and more rest time should be freed up. Perhaps she can have the palace servants teach her some small games. They are still children, and I don't believe they can really restrain themselves.
The difficulty lies in the fact that each prince has several palace servants who serve him. These servants have strong opinions and will gossip about the princes. We need to find a way to keep these servants away from the Imperial Study and the princes' quarters.
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