The next day, Sheng Changling led everyone to welcome the Empress Dowager into the palace through the Qianqing Gate. The grand procession demonstrated the Emperor's respect for his birth mother to all.
Standing behind her were two attractive young women, both of marriageable age, whose intentions were self-evident.
Some people recognized the two women: one was the eldest daughter of the once-powerful Jiang family, and the other was a rising star from the Rong family, who helped the emperor ascend the throne and was the niece of the Empress Dowager's family.
It seems... the Empress Dowager is very dissatisfied with this empress who has been married three times. Before the enthronement ceremony has even been held, she's already stuffing women into her son's harem.
Many officials witnessed this scene and began to have their own ideas. They exchanged glances, and many started to get restless.
However, all of this is a story for later; Liu Lingxi, who was still in her postpartum confinement and taking care of her baby, knew nothing about it.
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Liu Lingxi, who had just gotten up to eat, paused when she heard the commotion outside, her hand holding the spoon still.
She raised her hand to wipe the corner of her lips with a handkerchief, beckoned a palace servant who was guarding her, and asked.
"Has the Empress Dowager entered the palace?"
All the palace servants serving in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were carefully selected by Sheng Changling; they served as both protection and surveillance.
They were all skilled at gathering information, though they hadn't usually had to use it, since Sheng Changling's harem was empty and there wasn't much to inquire about. Today was the first time.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has just settled in, and His Majesty went to accompany her as soon as court was over. His Majesty specifically sent someone to say that there is no need to wait for him at noon."
"besides..."
The palace maid hesitated for a moment, afraid of upsetting the Empress Dowager for bringing two beauties into the palace.
"Don't beat around the bush, just say what's on your mind."
Liu Lingxi frowned, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly, her glassy eyes filled with confusion, making one's heart tremble slightly.
The palace maid steeled herself, seemingly already imagining the Empress's heartbroken expression, and unable to bear watching any longer, she revealed all the information she had gathered.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager brought two young ladies with her when she entered the palace this time. They have now been granted the title of Noble Lady and have entered Yongshou Palace and Yikun Palace."
this...
Upon hearing this news, Liu Lingxi's eyes widened in surprise, but she felt nothing in her heart.
She just felt that this was how it should be; which emperor didn't have seventy-two concubines in his harem, and she wasn't anything special.
"I understand. Please continue your meal."
Liu Lingxi nodded and intended to continue her meal, showing no intention of doing anything extra.
However, she still needed to observe proper etiquette, and thinking about the things she had prepared a few days ago, she decided to have them delivered.
"Ye Zhi, you should personally deliver the gift to the Empress Dowager."
"yes."
After assigning the tasks, Liu Lingxi quieted down and signaled the palace servants to continue serving the meal, showing no intention of currying favor with the Empress Dowager.
The palace maid who served her food exchanged a glance with the maid who reported the news, seeing the empress acting as if nothing had happened. Both of them looked puzzled.
Is Your Majesty really alright?
They were personally appointed by the Emperor to the Empress, and they all fought their way out of the secret guard camp. Don't be fooled by their current lowly tasks of serving food and running errands; each of them is a master of their craft, capable of taking on a hundred men.
Moreover, they had been by the Emperor's side ever since they came from the Prince's residence, so they naturally knew the Emperor's intentions.
The Emperor treated the Empress with the same care and attention he would give her as a precious pearl, even more so than he would treat himself.
But now, it seems that the Empress doesn't seem to care about the Emperor as much.
Did you not ask any questions when you heard that the Emperor was taking other concubines?
For example—
The Emperor was completely unaware of this matter; it was all the Empress Dowager's doing. She issued the imperial edict while the Emperor was attending court.
Even if the Emperor finds out now, he can't immediately rescind the decree; otherwise, wouldn't that be a blatant slap in the face to the Empress Dowager?
If the Empress asks, they will explain these things to her in detail.
pity--
They waited for a long time but did not receive any questions from the Empress.
They could only awkwardly continue with what they were doing, occasionally stealing a glance, hoping to pique the Empress's curiosity.
In the end, they still hadn't received the Empress's favor by the time they finished breakfast.
"Alright, bring Yu'er over here. Everyone else, get out."
After everyone left, Liu Lingxi took the child from the wet nurse, looked at his big, round eyes, and affectionately pressed his little face against hers.
"Your Majesty, the little prince has just finished his milk and we are trying to lull him to sleep. When we were trying to put him to sleep, he ignored us and stared longingly at the door with his big eyes. It seems he knows that he is waiting for you."
Sensing his mother's familiar presence, the little prince opened his big, round eyes and stared intently, as if he couldn't get enough of looking at her.
When Liu Lingxi pressed herself against him, she was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear.
The mother and son enjoyed a pleasant time together, while on the other side, the atmosphere between the mother and son in Cining Palace was far from pleasant.
Cining Palace.
Golden goblets and glass cups, white jade dishes with phoenix patterns—every brick and tile, every cup and dish in the Cining Palace is extremely luxurious, which is enough to show the dedication of the people who restored it.
It could even be said that the entire Cining Palace was built with all sorts of treasures, and it was even better built than the Yangxin Hall.
However, no matter how hard you try, it can't beat the ulterior motives of others.
"Mother, this is—"
Sheng Changling had just finished the morning court session when he came to visit Cining Palace. Originally, it was just the mother and son catching up, but there were unexpected people there.
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