The Princess's Residence.
In the princess's bedroom, she was still explaining her plans to Xiao Heng, telling him about her schemes bit by bit.
"Don't you, as a mother, know who that Song woman is?"
"Then what do you mean?"
Xiao Heng hesitated. He felt that something didn't make sense, but he didn't know why.
Seeing his foolish appearance, the princess, exasperated, struck Xiao Heng twice with a ruler, producing two loud cracking sounds, before she felt much better.
"You're such an idiot! You caused such a huge mess last time, and I didn't even hit you. You're such a blockhead! I should have given you a good beating long ago!"
The eldest princess almost never hit Xiao Heng, after all, he was raised in the palace since he was a child, and she had no opportunity to teach him manners.
When Xiao Heng returned, the mother and son became increasingly estranged, so she dared not use physical punishment to discipline him, and her words became a bit extreme.
“That Song woman is a first-rate beauty, even more beautiful and alluring than the Jiang woman who brought disaster to the country in the previous dynasty. Mother’s method is simple and crude, but it is indeed very effective.”
"Didn't the Emperor order you to go to the frontier to guard the city? He won't give you any official position, just let you be a lowly soldier to gain experience. What kind of future can you have like that?"
"I will send him a beauty, and while he is in a good mood, I will have our people plead with him. Considering your past merits, the Emperor will surely pardon you. It would be good enough if you could stay in the capital."
"This is the first strategy, the honey trap."
The eldest princess looked at Xiao Heng and saw him nodding in thought, knowing that he had taken it to heart, so she continued.
"You know that the Prime Minister's faction is a staunch royalist. Now that the Song family, the Prime Minister's daughter-in-law, has been forcibly taken by the Emperor, there will naturally be discord between the emperor and his ministers. This is a good opportunity for you to recruit talented people."
"This is the second tactic: sowing discord."
The eldest princess patiently guided him, never holding anything back from Xiao Heng, teaching him everything she could and couldn't teach him.
Regardless of whether the methods are aboveboard or underhanded, she would be pleased as long as Xiao Heng could use them effectively, and so she continued.
"There is an even more vicious trick. That Song woman is promiscuous and seduced the emperor. She is a wicked concubine who brings disaster to the country."
“If the Emperor protects her, then he is a foolish ruler who cannot distinguish right from wrong. We can use this to make a big fuss about our reputation. In this way, Heng’er, your status in the hearts of the people will greatly increase.”
Xiao Heng's eyes lit up when he heard this, clearly showing that he was eager to try, showing no regard for royal kinship, which made the prince consort beside him feel terrified.
Even Emperor Xiao Jin, who had taught him since childhood and was closest to him, was someone his son dared to scheme against. So, wouldn't his father, who had accomplished nothing, be crushed to death?
The prince consort secretly harbored a suspicion; he needed to quietly prepare something to protect himself, as he didn't trust his son.
The eldest princess naturally noticed the restless look in Xiao Heng's eyes and quickly stopped him.
"The emperor is now young and vigorous, the country is strong, and he holds great power. We cannot use the last one now, otherwise we will be courting death."
"Your son thanks you for your teachings, and also thanks you for your hard work in planning for your son—"
Just as Xiao Heng was about to kowtow to the Princess to express his gratitude, Yue'er's flustered voice came in.
"Oh no! Oh no! The young master of the Prime Minister's residence wants to go out, and I can't stop him any longer!"
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess immediately stood up. No, she couldn't let the prime minister's son ruin her plans!
...
Side hall.
The Prime Minister's wife and Xie Changling were arranged to stay here, drinking cup after cup of tea, but they still couldn't see Song Lingxi.
The Prime Minister's wife could still bear it, but Xie Changling couldn't. In just a short while, his beloved wife had disappeared.
Moreover, Song Lingxi still hadn't appeared even after the banquet ended, and the Eldest Princess had actually made excuses and arranged for them to stay in this secluded place. Anyone could tell there was something fishy going on!
Thinking of this, Xie Changling could no longer sit still. He stood up and strode towards the door, ignoring even the maid's attempts to stop him.
Maids and servants from the Princess's residence rushed forward to stop him: "Young Master Xie, Young Master Xie, the Princess has ordered that you cannot go out! You really cannot go out!"
Xie Changling had no desire to listen to her nonsense. Compared to Song Lingxi, what were these little maids?
If Song Lingxi really gets into trouble at the Princess's residence, and I'm just foolishly waiting here, he will never forgive me in the future!
Xie Changling roared, veins bulging on his forehead, and he even started pushing and shoving himself.
"Get out of my way! If anything happens to Xi'er from here, I will not let you off!"
"Young Master Xie, what a magnificent display of power you have!"
A melodious voice rang out from not far away. The newcomer was dressed in a bright red palace gown, and her hair ornaments were even more elaborate and luxurious, exuding elegance and extraordinary bearing.
That's right, this is the eldest princess who rushed over to personally go to the side hall to comfort the two people from the Prime Minister's residence.
Before she even entered the room, she heard the maid's voice trying to stop her, and Xie Changling's furious shouts without any restraint.
That's why what just happened occurred.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Eldest Princess."
Everyone bowed in unison, and seeing that the Prime Minister's wife was also among them, the Princess regained her usual amiable demeanor.
"No need for formalities, Madam, you are too kind."
The Prime Minister's wife nodded in response, saying, "That's how it should be."
However, she immediately changed the subject: "I wonder if Your Highness would do me a favor? My daughter-in-law accidentally drank too much wine during the banquet and was helped to a guest room by the princess's maids to rest."
"Now that the banquet is over, I know that Lingxi has caused the Princess a lot of trouble. On her behalf, I thank Your Highness. But I wonder where she is now?"
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