Everything went smoothly for Le Shu.
Although there were some setbacks on Yinzhen's side, he managed to resolve them all.
As for this twist, it was mainly due to the different focuses of Yinzhen and the Ninth Prince. The Ninth Prince was used to thinking about profit with a businessman's mindset, while Yinzhen focused more on how to control Mongolia.
The Fifth Prince sided with Yinzhen, and the Tenth Prince sided with the Ninth Prince, but it was no use; the Ninth Prince was eventually persuaded by Yinzhen.
Yinzhen discovered the Ninth Prince's strengths; he was very good at dealing with businessmen. After much thought, Yinzhen sent him to develop sales channels, with Jiang Liangcai accompanying him.
Jiang Liang had previously followed the Thirteenth Prince, so he was already quite capable. After training for a period of time, he became even more methodical in his work.
——
Shaoguang Academy.
Xiao Lan: "Princess, Sister Cha Mei from the main courtyard has arrived."
Le Shu stood up: "I guess the Fujin (wife of the Fujin) has something to discuss with me."
Upon seeing Cha Mei, Le Shu smiled and asked, "Does the Princess Consort have any instructions?"
After performing a curtsy, Cha Mei stood up and said, "Just now, Consort De sent a nanny to say that she wanted to see Prince Hongxu. The Fujin sent me to tell you that we will go to the palace together tomorrow to pay our respects to the Consort."
"I have delivered the message. The Princess Consort wishes that you, Gege, should prepare for your visit to the palace tomorrow. I will not disturb you any longer; I will return to report to the Princess Consort."
Le Shu nodded: "I understand. Thank you for making the trip, Miss. Granny Su, please see Miss Cha Mei off."
After seeing Cha Mei off, the smile on Le Shu's face disappeared.
She hasn't even met Consort De yet! She's one of the few empress dowagers who's biased towards the characters in history books, if not the first.
After giving birth to Hongxu, she heard about the incident from Su Mama after she finished her postpartum confinement. Le Shu understood that Consort De was hostile towards her, but she didn't know why Consort De wanted to see her at this time.
The next day, Le Shu dressed conservatively and took Hong Xu to the main courtyard.
"Today we are going to pay our respects to the Empress. Once we enter the palace, you can come with me and speak less. The Empress is known throughout the palace for her kindness. Father Emperor has praised her for her compassionate heart and outstanding virtues time and time again."
I understand. Regardless of what Consort De is really thinking, at least she's good at putting on a show.
Furthermore, Le Shu discovered that in private, the Fujin (wife of the Fujin) addressed the Consort De as "Niangniang" (Your Highness) instead of "Eniang" (Mother), which reveals the nature of their mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.
"Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I understand now."
Although Ulanara could not say she liked Le Shu, she was quite satisfied with her obedience. Hongxu was much more pleasing than the children born to Consort Li. Her attitude towards Le Shu was that once she left home, their fates would be intertwined, so her advice was quite sincere.
Upon entering the palace, looking at the tall red walls and yellow tiles, she had been to the Forbidden City before, but this was her first time visiting it, and she felt only a sense of majesty and oppression.
The same building, but the difference between the two eras has given this great building a completely different "character".
Upon entering Yonghe Palace, one is struck by the orderly and efficient work of the palace staff, a testament to the effective governance of Consort De. The palace itself is also impeccably arranged, with no aspect deemed unsuitable.
"Greetings to Mother, may Mother be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."
"This humble servant greets Your Majesty, wishing you boundless blessings and peace."
"Get up, everyone."
Consort De was indeed "benevolent" and did not use rules to control people.
Immediately, Consort De kindly asked the Fourth Prince's wife to sit down. The two chatted and laughed for a while before finally remembering their grandson, Hongxu.
"Look at me, I've been so busy talking to you, quickly bring Hongxu here so I can have a look at him."
The wet nurse hurriedly brought Hongxu to Consort De. Consort De looked at him with delight and said, "This child is so handsome. He looks about 60-70% like the Fourth Prince. Honghui also looks like Yinzhen. It's a pity..."
Halfway through her sentence, Consort De seemed to realize she had made a mistake. Honghui's early death was the Fourth Prince's greatest sorrow, so she quickly said, "Look at me, I'm talking nonsense again. Let's not talk about that anymore."
Ulanara's smile couldn't be maintained any longer.
Consort De felt that wasn't enough and continued, "You're still young. I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you should have another child."
Ulanara lowered her head: "Mother is right."
But both of them knew perfectly well that she could no longer have children.
Consort De finally let the Fourth Prince's wife go. She turned her gaze to Le Shu, and the scrutinizing look made her uncomfortable.
Le Shu lowered her head, waiting for her to make her move.
"This must be the Chang family member who gave birth to Hongxu. Raise your head so I can see you."
Le Shu looked up: "Yes, Your Majesty."
She was selected as a concubine in the imperial concubine selection, so Consort De had naturally seen her before, but she was still stunned by her appearance.
She couldn't help but say, "With such a beautiful face, it's no wonder that the fourth prince dotes on her. However, one cannot have exclusive favor in the inner quarters. As a concubine, you should understand this principle. Fourth Prince's wife, you should also act like the principal wife and not cause any complaints or grievances in the inner quarters."
Le Shu replied blankly, "This humble servant dares not."
Now that "Fourth Prince" is not in the mansion, it would be more appropriate to wait until he returns before expressing such grievances.
Ulanara said, “Mother, you are too kind. Most of the concubines and princesses in the back courtyard were chosen by you. Chang Gege was even chosen by the Empress Dowager. She is the most disciplined. They are well-behaved and obedient to their daughters-in-law. They dare not disobey or rebel.”
Consort De smiled and said, "That's good! You're a very thoughtful person, so I'm naturally at ease."
Next, Consort De praised Hongxu again, expressing her affection for him, and occasionally, unintentionally, mentioned the past of Ulanara's son who died young.
Ulanara clenched her fists, her eyes filled with an undisguised coldness.
Le Shu was terrified. What grudge did Consort De have against the Fourth Prince's wife? She was so good at hitting her so hard, and what's worse, she dragged Hongxu into it. After all, Hongxu was her own grandson!
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