Granny Zhong was taken aback, not expecting Zhao Shu to react so strongly. She smiled and said, "The summer heat is too intense, and we haven't gone to Nanshan to escape the heat. Consort Ning mentioned that her family's young ladies often get together to hold ice-appreciation parties, so the Empress Dowager thought of organizing one as well, to bring together all the noble ladies in the capital to relieve their boredom."
"Consort Ning?" Zhao Shu's reaction was even stronger, not for any other reason than that this Consort Ning was the future Imperial Concubine Ning, and Imperial Concubine Ning, of the Gu family, was a member of the Gu family!
Seeing that Zhao Shu's reaction was a bit strong, but she still didn't know why, Zhong Mama asked, "What's wrong?" Between Consort Ning and Zhao Shu, Zhong Mama did not hesitate to choose Zhao Shu's side. If Consort Ning did anything wrong, she would definitely tell the Empress Dowager.
Zhao Shu was asked what was wrong with Consort Ning. Of course, there was nothing wrong now, but it would be very wrong later. Her son suddenly rose to power and defeated all the princes in one fell swoop, and she became the most honored woman in the world.
Would someone like that be suitable?
But she can't just say it now, who would believe it? Even if someone did believe it, she couldn't do anything to Consort Ning. The best strategy is to strike the enemy decisively and ensure they can never rise again.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just a little curious. Consort Ning used to be so indifferent to worldly affairs. Why is she speaking in front of the Empress Dowager now?"
Granny Zhong chuckled. The princess had indeed become sensible. "Isn't it her duty to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager?" Of course, Granny Zhong wouldn't tell Zhao Shu the truth, after all, she was still a nine-year-old child.
Zhao Shu realized she shouldn't have asked that question. Consort Ning was quiet before, but not to the point of staying indoors all the time. "Look at me, it's very good that Consort Ning is filial to the Empress Dowager. Ah Jun is just afraid that the Empress Dowager will not love Ah Jun as much if Consort Ning is filial. Please don't laugh at Ah Jun, Granny."
"Princess, please don't think like that. Who is she? How can she compare to you?" Granny Zhong looked down on Consort Ning and sneered. "This servant must go back now. Princess, remember to prepare well. If you need anything, just send someone to the palace to find this servant."
"Please take care, Granny. Ah Jun will visit the Empress Dowager again tomorrow."
When Bi Qiao returned, Granny Zhong was already on her way back. She hadn't even had her tea. "Princess, this..."
"Bi Qiao, go and train those palace maids, observe their character and temperament before assigning them to others. If you can't handle it all by yourself, ask Granny Zhuang or Uncle Fu for help. Just don't bother Granny Guo. Also, bring two eunuchs to Qionghua Courtyard to see me."
As Zhao Shu spoke, she walked quickly toward Chensong Courtyard.
Bi Qiao was completely bewildered by Zhao Shu, her mind blank. What had the princess just said? Ask Granny Zhuang for help? And not even let Granny Guo interfere? Was it going to rain blood? Or had the sun risen in the west?
Before she could react, Zhao Shu had almost reached Chensong Courtyard.
She encountered Uncle Fu in front of the Shensong Courtyard. When Uncle Fu saw Zhao Shu coming, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Princess."
"How is my father?"
"His Highness is resting. This servant has already ordered someone to prepare a cooling soup." Uncle Fu did not appear very nervous. Zhao Shu knew that Uncle Fu was loyal and would never have any disloyal intentions, so this could only be explained as a common occurrence.
Father King doesn't live in the main courtyard, but in the Chensong Courtyard. He feels uncomfortable when he enters the main courtyard. Does that mean that Father King actually has feelings for Mother Consort?
Yes, how could she be so foolish as to believe that Prince Yong was truly a lecherous and absurd prince with over eighty concubines?
"I'm going to see my father." Zhao Shu gestured to Uncle Fu and Bi Qiao that they didn't need to come with her, and she went into Chensong Courtyard alone.
Shensong Courtyard was very large and empty, with many large trees planted in it. There were very few people. If it weren't for the cicadas chirping in the trees, she would have thought Shensong Courtyard was very eerie.
After searching for a while, I finally found Prince Yong at the Xinghu Water Pavilion.
At this moment, Prince Yong leaned against the waterside pavilion, his long python robe casually draped beside the pavilion railing, and the aroma of tea wafted in the breeze to his right.
There were no servants around; the waterside pavilions, terraces, streams, and the aroma of tea created a tranquil and beautiful scene, one that one would not want to disturb.
At this moment, Prince Yong was like a water lily, radiant with splendor, yet ethereal and elegant.
Zhao Shu stood at a distance, watching quietly. She had never seen her father like this before. He was born with nobility, leaning lazily against the waterside pavilion, elegant as mist. Every scene, every object, and every person was in harmony with nature, as if he might drift away at any moment.
She felt that this was the true father of all: born as the eldest son of the royal family and the younger brother of the crown prince, enjoying all the riches and honors, unaware of the hardships of the people, unaware of the difficulties of being a ruler, only knowing whether he was happy or not.
Therefore, he is more ethereal and otherworldly than others, but not real or down-to-earth.
Like celestial beings, unaware of human suffering, they live in carefree ease.
Such a person is truly a free spirit in the literal sense.
What caused such a dramatic change in him? Was it because of his mother?
As Zhao Shu approached, she found that Prince Yong was asleep; perhaps this was because he was asleep.
She found a blanket and draped it over Prince Yong, then summoned people to guard him.
Before they could even exchange a word, Granny Guo came to report that Lin Xiuxue had arrived.
Granny Guo was "honored" by Zhao Shu, but she had her own way of getting out, and this time she personally brought Lin Xiuxue to wait at Qionghua Courtyard.
When Green Ivy helped her back to Qionghua Courtyard, Lin Xiuxue was already as at home as she was, casually instructing the maids to serve snacks and tea, and elegantly waiting for Baoxia.
Baoxia in Qionghua Courtyard was where Zhao Shu rested when she had nothing to do, and it was also her usual place. All the facilities were built, and it was warm in winter and cool in summer, making it very suitable for meeting with friends.
“Miss Lin, this is our princess’s fault. I will have the princess apologize to you later. Please don’t take it to heart. Our princess doesn’t have many close sisters. It’s rare that you don’t mind. Our princess has a very special place in her heart for you.”
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com