Shu Chengfeng's rise to power is unstoppable.
But the poison she administered still crippled Shu Zhongjing, which was somewhat satisfying.
Therefore, she could properly maintain the airs of the Empress Dowager and enjoy the festival with these people in the palace who had different intentions.
Since the war had ended, envoys from various countries sent gifts as a gesture of congratulations.
Looking at the divorce of Baiye Kingdom, Shu Chengfeng sneered, "Baiye Kingdom now has a new king who has ascended the throne. He is truly a remarkable person."
How could the fact that Baiye Kingdom supported Nan'an Prefecture be kept secret?
It's normal to have ambition, but you also need to be able to achieve it.
The Kingdom of Baiye wanted independence and expansion, but its own military strength was insufficient, so it could only rely on others.
How can they possibly be independent like this?
These words were spoken in the front yard, where Yan Nangui was serving.
Yan Nangui instinctively retorted, "If the new king is no good, just replace him with a new one. A tiny country like this, isn't it easy to deal with?"
The main problem is that the Baiye Kingdom cannot travel independently, and they need to import a lot of food, medicine, and cotton from Dayan every year.
Unlike the kingdoms of the Western Regions, they could not travel to distant places.
"Oh, who's next? This Sang Qi, he's young, but ruthless. He's been in power for a little over a year, and he's killed almost all of his brothers. He only has a few children left."
Shu Chengfeng said.
“We could either destroy this small country, but I’ve heard that Baiye is also surrounded by mountains and is difficult to control. Besides, if we destroy them, I’m afraid the other countries in the Western Regions might have something to say about it. So why not just appoint a loyal one as king?” Yan Nangui said, yawning as he spoke.
"It sounds like you have some ideas," Shu Chengfeng said with a smile.
"That's right. I'm talking about Consort Wan in the palace. She already has a grudge against Sang Qi. And she's a woman. After His Majesty passes away, wouldn't it be better to send her back to be the Princess of Baiye? Wouldn't she be grateful to you for the rest of her life? Besides, even after she becomes the Princess of Baiye, she will still be a person of the Dayan Dynasty in name only. Wouldn't she be more loyal than others?"
"Of course, if you think she'll definitely have children and other men when she goes back, then disregard what I said."
Shu Chengfeng shook his head and pulled her over: "How come you always think of such...tricky things?"
"These words don't sound good," Yan Nangui snorted.
“It’s a pity that Consort Wanshu has no son,” Shu Chengfeng said.
“No, I think being childless is best. It will prevent another Prince of Nan’an from emerging decades or centuries later,” Yan Nangui said.
Shu Chengfeng burst into laughter, thinking that this woman really saw things from a very far-sighted perspective.
Consort Wanshu has children, so it will be easier for her to establish herself back there, especially with the strong support of the Dayan Kingdom.
However, there are indeed potential problems, but being childless also has its advantages.
Shu Chengfeng didn't really care much about this small place, but he couldn't just do whatever he wanted with it.
Now that he has this idea, he feels there's no problem with it.
But after a long while, he suddenly said, "Tsk, you woman, why do you keep saying 'His Majesty has passed away'? You've gotten into a habit of saying it. How can you live if people hear you like that?"
“Oh, I was wrong. He didn’t live for a hundred years, he lived for a thousand or ten thousand years,” Yan Nangui said.
"Stubborn." Shu Chengfeng pinched her arm. "Alright, be careful in the future, don't say things you shouldn't."
Yan Nangui smiled at him, wanting to ask, "How long after this? After entering the palace?"
Nan'an Prefecture needs to be reorganized, and General Huo cannot stay any longer. He must hurry back to Bailu Prefecture, which is also an important town.
Therefore, he could not go to the capital to attend the banquet. Shu Chengfeng sent several important officials to Bailu Prefecture to commend General Huo.
General Huo originally held the title of Earl, but now he has been promoted to Marquis.
Since this was the case, Yan Nangui naturally had to smuggle something in herself, so she sent someone along to deliver things to her second brother and sister-in-law.
Meanwhile, it was also the fifteenth day of the lunar month in the capital.
Inside the Yaoguang Palace, the royal family was celebrating the festival.
Compared to the bustling atmosphere of previous years, this year was much quieter. After all, His Majesty was still ill, and two princes and their families were missing.
Consort Lixian was released, but she had long since lost her vitality.
She's now considered a beauty, but just a few months later, she's got gray hair. She looks like she's in her fifties or sixties.
Conversely, Consort Xu, who had been living in fear, managed to weather the storm thanks to Wang Fu and the Third Prince's concessions.
Life isn't as easy as it used to be, but we've made it through, and we look a bit more energetic.
At a time like this, how could the Empress not summon Consort Zhen?
And so, Consort Zhen, still dressed exquisitely but unable to hide her haggard appearance, made her entrance.
She has lost a lot of weight in the past few months.
She saw the note by chance at first. Her son was still young, and she hadn't really had a chance to do anything yet, but her very existence was the original sin.
These past few months have been filled with anxiety, as he hasn't been able to see His Majesty or the Twelfth Prince. Now that he's entered, after paying his respects, he frantically looks at his two children.
The others, though not as glamorous as before, are still doing as usual.
While they were rather lackluster, the people in the Crown Prince's residence were certainly much more glamorous.
Although the emperor was ill and could not be treated with great ceremony, his appearance alone made a significant difference.
The Empress, who presided over the banquet, also appeared to be in good spirits.
Princess Rongning, who had not been to the palace for a long time, was unusually silent at first.
But the Empress's words were unpleasant, and she was used to never losing a verbal battle with the Empress, so how could she hold back at this moment?
"Now that His Majesty is ill, I, as his younger sister, cannot even visit him. Those who know say His Majesty is ill, but those who don't might think he's under house arrest. Today I must ask, Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince, is His Majesty unable to see anyone?"
Just as the Empress was about to erupt in anger, Shu Chengfeng stood up and said, "What's wrong, Aunt? There have been constant battles and many things happening in the palace. I almost got killed just walking down the street. How can we not be wary of the palace? His Majesty has been ill for some time now, and his health is indeed not good. That's why I have to be even more careful."
“Since Aunt has such doubts today, it is truly my fault. In that case, Aunt should go and see Father. I imagine Father misses you too,” Shu Chengfeng said.
Rong Ning hadn't expected it to be so easy, and instead became suspicious: "You really want me to see you?"
“Aunt, you are mistaken. I am the Crown Prince, and my father is His Majesty. How can I stop my father from seeing people? Why don’t you go now? You can go and see first, and then come back to continue the banquet. I will accompany you.”
Rong Ning was afraid that if she missed this opportunity, she would never have another chance, so she stood up and said, "Then I will trouble Your Highness."
After they left, the place became even quieter.
However, there are a few concubines who don't care about His Majesty; they are quite active.
Inside the Beichen Palace, Rong Ning looked at the guards inside and outside, her heart pounding.
Shu Chengfeng stood at the door: "I suppose my aunt and father have something to say, so I won't go in yet. I'll just wait for my aunt to come out."
Rong Ning nodded and went inside.
As expected, they drove straight in without anyone stopping them.
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