The Empress leaned languidly against the soft couch, her eyes revealing a hint of shrewdness and ruthlessness. She gently stroked the book in her hand and said casually, "Life in the palace seems glamorous, but it's actually quite boring."
“Indeed, Prince Ning always listens to Your Majesty the most.” A palace maid flattered, her face full of ingratiating smiles. She carefully observed the Empress’s expression and continued, “Your Majesty is of the highest rank. Who in the palace does not respect you? Prince Ning is especially filial to you.”
The Empress sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes: "Filial piety? Hmph, that depends on whether it's genuine or feigned."
Just then, a eunuch's shrill voice announced from outside the bedchamber: "His Highness Prince Ning has arrived—"
The Empress did not continue speaking. Her icy gaze swept over the palace maid, who immediately felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. She quickly lowered her head and dared not say another word.
"Come in." The Empress casually tossed the scroll in her hand aside, sat up straight, and put on a seemingly kind smile, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Prince Ning hurried into the bedchamber, his heart filled with trepidation, wondering why the Empress had summoned him. He bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
A faint scent of sandalwood filled the bedchamber. Prince Ning frowned slightly, his unease growing stronger. He lowered his head, not daring to look the Empress in the eye, awaiting her words.
The Empress looked at Prince Ning with a scrutinizing gaze and slowly asked, "Prince Ning, how have you been lately?"
Prince Ning secretly pondered the Empress's intentions, but respectfully replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well."
The Empress nodded slightly and then said, "I've heard you've been quite busy lately, so please take care of yourself."
Prince Ning sneered inwardly. The Empress had summoned him with such a perfunctory excuse; it couldn't be anything good. He replied, "Your subject understands. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
The Empress waved her hand and said, "Alright, you may leave."
Prince Ning's doubts deepened. Was he really being told to leave? What was going on today? He raised his head and looked at the Empress, only to see her casually fiddling with her teacup, seemingly oblivious to his presence.
"Mother," Prince Ning suppressed his doubts and asked tentatively, "I wonder if there are any other instructions you have for me in summoning me here today?"
The Empress then seemed to remember something, raised her head, glanced at him indifferently, and said, "Oh, it's nothing serious, but I've heard that you've been getting quite close to that person from the Lin family lately?"
Prince Ning felt a chill run down his spine, but his face remained calm as he said indifferently, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. I was only taking extra care of her because of Grand Tutor Lin."
"Oh? Is that so?" A playful smile appeared on the Queen's lips.
The Empress waved her hand and said, "Alright, you may leave."
Prince Ning bowed and took his leave. As he turned to leave, he was secretly furious. The Empress was clearly acting under someone else's orders to deliberately sabotage his plans.
Prince Ning walked heavily out of the Empress's palace, his anger rising like a volcano about to erupt.
The sky outside the palace was overcast, as if reflecting Prince Ning's mood. He walked along, his clenched fists almost piercing his palms. That damned Empress, she was clearly warning him, telling him not to indulge in wishful thinking!
After Prince Ning left, the Empress leaned back on the soft couch, pondering to herself: This Prince Ning is ambitious, and now he's entangled with Lin Qian from the Prime Minister's residence; he'll likely be a problem in the future. Although she temporarily stopped him from going on an outing with Lin Qian today, this is only a temporary measure. She needs to plan carefully and find a way to completely eliminate this hidden danger. Thinking of this, the Empress couldn't help but sigh: "This Prince Ning is truly a headache."
The Empress rubbed her temples. The affairs of the inner palace, one after another, truly kept her from having a moment's peace. This Prince Ning, usually appearing so gentle and refined, who knew he was so ambitious? Thinking of this, a ruthless glint flashed in the Empress's eyes. If he dared to covet what he shouldn't, then he wouldn't blame her, as his mother, for being merciless!
"Go, investigate this matter between Prince Ning and that girl from the Lin family!" The Empress's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them. "I want to know every single detail!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." The palace maid acknowledged the order and withdrew.
The Empress sat alone in the palace, lost in thought. She knew Lin Qian; the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family, she had been pampered since childhood and was simple-minded. The Empress did not believe that there was any genuine affection between her and Prince Ning.
The palace maid then reported the information she had gathered to the Empress.
"Your Highness, His Highness Prince Ning and Miss Lin met at a flower-viewing banquet. At that time, Miss Lin accidentally fell into the water, and it was His Highness Prince Ning who saved her..."
The Empress interrupted her impatiently: "I know all that. Say something useful!"
The palace maid trembled with fright and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness. This servant also discovered that His Highness Prince Ning seems to have fallen for Miss Lin at first sight. Since then, he has frequently made excuses to visit the Prime Minister's residence and has even given Miss Lin many precious gifts..."
"Hmph, love at first sight? I'm afraid he has ulterior motives!" The Empress sneered, her eyes full of mockery. "What is Prince Ning up to? Do you think I don't know?"
"Your Majesty is wise." The palace maid lowered her head, not daring to reply.
"Alright, you may leave." The Empress waved her hand, but felt even more agitated.
If Prince Ning were merely lustful, that would be one thing, but he also harbors ambition and aspirations. If he were to gain power, the first person he would target would be his stepmother, who stands in his way!
The Empress grew increasingly alarmed. She could not sit idly by and wait for her doom, allowing Prince Ning to grow too powerful!
She abruptly stood up, a ruthless glint in her eyes. Since that's how it is, then don't blame her for being ruthless!
"Someone come here!"
The Empress sat up straight and called out to the outside of the palace, "Go and send a message to Consort Shu."
Before long, a woman with a graceful figure and affectionate eyes walked into the hall. She was none other than the Emperor's most beloved Consort Shu.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects," Consort Shu bowed gracefully, her sweet voice enough to melt one's bones. "May I ask what brings Your Majesty here?"
The Empress smiled faintly, pointed to the seat beside her, and said, "Rise, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Consort Shu gracefully sat down, but her alluring eyes kept glancing at the Empress, secretly trying to figure out her intentions.
The Empress didn't mince words and said directly, "I summoned you here today because of the matter concerning Prince Ning."
"Prince Ning?" Consort Shu blinked, feigning confusion. "What's wrong with him?"
The Empress sneered, "Don't play dumb in front of me. You must know that he's been spending a lot of time with the young lady from Prime Minister Lin's family these past few days."
Consort Shu covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, saying nonchalantly, "I have heard some of that, but young people like each other, it's common for them to admire one another and have frequent interactions."
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