Song Tangxue lowered her eyes to hide the mockery in them, and pretended to bite her lip with difficulty before raising her eyes and saying, "Your Majesty, as you know, it is only the beginning of spring, the start of the year, and the shopkeepers are waiting for money to buy new goods to ensure this year's income."
"I'm really short of funds, and the Song family hasn't taken any money from the shop."
A well-reasoned argument silenced Empress Cheng. Upon hearing that even the Song family's closest relatives hadn't withdrawn the money, she felt it would be inappropriate for her to speak up.
But I just can't help but feel restless; how can I feel at ease if I don't have the money in my own hands?
After the treasures were sent away, Empress Cheng regretted it and kept thinking of finding a reason to take them back. She didn't believe that such a large family as the Shen family couldn't even raise some money.
Empress Cheng frowned, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Having figured out her thoughts, Song Tangxue smiled and said, "The Song family is grateful for Your Highness's help and has decided to allocate one thousand taels of silver from the central budget for your emergency use."
The promised repayment was never fulfilled, and the uncles avoided Song Tangxue, never seeing a trace of money.
Now she was going to use Empress Cheng to get her hands on the thousand taels of silver.
Empress Cheng was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Is what you said true?"
Song Tangxue nodded blankly, "Of course it's true. I'm also a member of the Song family. I wouldn't dare to lie to you."
"And the people of the Song family would be more than willing to help you," Song Tangxue said with a smile, making the Empress very happy.
Regardless of whether the money ultimately reaches her, it has cost the Song family a fortune, and Song Tangxue is genuinely happy about it.
The smile on his face became more genuine. This amount of money was a drop in the ocean compared to the silver that the Song family had spent over the years, but at least it wasn't just spending without any income.
Empress Cheng, who loved money, was overjoyed: "Every member of the Song family is a true friend."
Then he went on and on praising the Song family, his words implying that the Song family had given the silver very well and in a wonderful way.
Song Tangxue's smile grew wider, as if she felt the same way and was overjoyed to receive the Empress's praise.
She then hurriedly called the nanny in: "I have naturally seen and remembered the Song family's righteousness. Nanny, please convey my decree to praise the Song family well."
Song Tangxue sneered inwardly, realizing that this was nothing more than a pretense of praise to monitor her. On her face, she still smiled and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. On behalf of my father and brothers, I would like to express my gratitude to Your Majesty."
With the Empress's decree, those misers had no choice but to pluck the feathers; a dark glint flashed in Song Tangxue's eyes.
Empress Cheng looked at the dim light outside the window and felt a little anxious: "It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer. If the palace gates are locked later, it will seem like I'm the one who's holding you back."
Song Tangxue obediently accepted the order and left, following behind the nanny who delivered the decree. All along the way were red walls and glazed tiles, with the last golden rays of sunlight casting their final glow as the sky gradually darkened.
As they approached the palace gate, Song Tangxue suddenly stopped, her face hesitant. The old woman asked in a low voice, "Miss Song, what's wrong?"
"I have left something important in Your Majesty's palace. I'm already at the palace gate, so I won't trouble you to come with me. Could you please wait here for a moment? I'll be right back."
The old woman thought for a moment about the way she had come and agreed: "Alright, hurry up."
She had served the Empress since childhood. As she grew older, she became somewhat frail and had difficulty walking, but she was deeply trusted by the Empress.
Song Tangxue responded and hurriedly walked into the palace gate, while the nanny found a shady spot to stay.
Once she turned the doorway, Song Tangxue's steps immediately became leisurely, showing no trace of her previous haste. She had simply found an excuse to send the old woman away.
Looking around, I couldn't see a single person in the area.
He will surely offend the Empress in the future, whether it's about money or the Crown Prince.
She didn't do anything unprepared; she needed to have a way out before things were exposed. The best way was to undermine the Empress's power, making it impossible for her to harm her.
She has already chosen the candidate.
The favored Consort Lin, who was six months pregnant.
Song Tangxue passed through several palace gates. The palace was orderly, with only palace maids and eunuchs hurrying by.
Consort Lin's palace was far from the Empress's, in completely opposite directions, to prevent the two consorts from living too close together and causing trouble.
Upon arriving at Consort Lin's palace, her personal maidservant at the entrance stopped her. Seeing that she was not dressed like a palace servant, the maidservant asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Song Tangxue smiled slightly and said, "I am Crown Princess Song Tangxue. I have come to visit Consort Lin at the Empress's request."
Upon hearing that someone from the Empress's side had come, the palace maid was on high alert. She asked the maid to wait a moment while she went into the palace to report.
Song Tangxue stood alone at the palace gate. The sun was gradually setting, and through the door, she could see the beautiful flowers blooming in the courtyard. Tomorrow would be a fine day.
Consort Lin was already in a bad mood. She had a grape in her mouth but hadn't even swallowed it yet when she heard the report, so she spat it out: "Empress? Quickly, help me up."
The palace was in chaos. Consort Lin's expression was inscrutable as she pondered Song Tangxue's purpose, her heart heavy with unspoken matters.
Consort Lin roused herself, quickly tidied her clothes, and breathed a sigh of relief: "Go and invite the Crown Princess in."
"Your Highness, this way please." After waiting for a while, a palace maid came running out, her forehead damp with a thin layer of sweat after just a few steps. Song Tangxue seemed not to notice and did not point it out.
Song Tangxue was respectfully led into the palace by palace servants and bowed in greeting.
Consort Lin sat on the chaise longue, her pregnant body breathing slightly, while the palace servants gently fanned her.
Consort Lin was filled with doubt. Why would the Empress send her daughter-in-law here for no reason? "I wonder what message the Empress has to convey?"
"Consort Lin, I know that the child in your womb is gone."
One sentence was like a thunderbolt, and the hall fell silent. The maids and eunuchs remained silent, and for a moment, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Two sachets swayed in through the open window, and the cold sweat on my forehead was instantly cooled by the wind.
After a long pause, Consort Lin picked up a grape, her eyes dark and hidden in the night: "Your Highness, you must be careful with your words. This is the Imperial Palace, not the Song residence. Some things cannot be said casually."
Song Tangxue smiled faintly, unmoved: "Whether what I said is true or not, Consort Lin knows best."
Consort Lin could no longer maintain her composure: "Someone, close the palace gates."
A flurry of footsteps sounded, and the door creaked shut, making the hall even darker. A palace maid lit the lamps by adjusting the wicks.
The dim candlelight flickered inside the white jade lampshade.
Consort Lin breathed a sigh of relief, gazing at Song Tangxue with slightly pale and clenched fingertips—this was not a test.
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