"Then I think there's no need to say anything. Consort He probably already knows," Yun Ji said with a smile.
Yes, among the women in the palace, those who can survive well and even hold high positions, are there any fools among them?
As the year drew to a close, the Cao family was bustling with activity.
When Cao Jiankang returned to the capital, he was about to be transferred to another post, so naturally a grand banquet was held.
In the capital, families with high-ranking officials or noble titles naturally received invitations.
The Yan family was naturally the first to be affected. Everyone knew that the Eldest Princess was on Consort Zhen's side.
However, the old lady of the Yan family did not attend this banquet because she was ill with an upset stomach.
Inside the carriage, the eldest princess sneered, "That old hag saw that Yan Nangui has become successful now, and she even went to invite her to celebrate her birthday. Now she knows to avoid suspicion."
"Mother, don't be angry. What does it matter whether she goes or not? It's your going or not that matters," Yan Jinfei said with a smile.
"Hmph, I just can't stand her hypocrisy," the princess said disdainfully.
"Mother, don't worry about her. She's just an old lady with no power. But she's still Father's birth mother." However, despite saying this, Yan Jinfei had no feelings for her father whatsoever.
She was disliked by her father from birth, and he has rarely seen her in recent years.
Since her birth, for ten years, Yan Lingyun has never shared a room with the Princess.
She was naturally angry seeing her father treat her mother coldly.
The old lady was indeed cold-hearted. Among all her grandchildren, perhaps the only one she truly loved was her eldest grandson who followed Yan Lingyun.
And the grandson of the second wife.
"The Cao family is about to soar to great heights." The eldest princess smiled. "Although you are four years older than the sixth prince, your mother will fight for you."
“Yes.” Yan Jinfei smiled. “But there’s no rush. Let’s wait two or three years and see which one is more promising. My daughter is still young, so we can wait.”
These words were meant to comfort the eldest princess, since although her eldest daughter was somewhat less intelligent than her younger daughter, she was still the eldest princess's own daughter.
Naturally, she was loved and cherished. The eldest princess was naturally unhappy that she couldn't marry into the royal family.
However, the youngest daughter is right now. Indeed, Yan Jinfei is still young, so we can wait and have time to see how things develop.
In any case, the eldest princess didn't think the crown prince could last.
Inside the palace, in Fengxiang Palace, the Empress is drinking white fungus soup.
After she wiped her mouth, the palace maid said, "Since you didn't send anything, the Empress Dowager didn't touch it either. No one in the inner palace has touched it." Cao Guo smiled.
"Hmph." The Empress scoffed, "Those who are usually on good terms with her, none of them dare to overstep me now."
The Empress Dowager was capable, but she always said that she didn't care about the harem and that everything was up to the Empress.
That's why she doesn't step forward.
"His family looks bad. Usually, you would send gifts to the women at times like this. This time, let the Cao family lose face." The Emperor did give a reward, but the Empress refused to give one, which is also a slap in the face.
"It's only been a few years, and the people of the capital have already forgotten everything, but I can't forget. As long as Cao Mi is alive, she will be a thorn in my heart." The Empress's eyes were red, filled with endless hatred.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger. His Highness the Crown Prince will ascend the throne sooner or later. At that time, it will be the day of death for her and her son,” Cao Guo said.
Those who had served the Empress for many years all remembered the eldest prince.
What a person he was.
He is as handsome as the current crown prince, and is gentle and polite. He is intelligent and kind.
Back then, Cao Guo, who was just a young palace maid, received a lot of care. The eldest prince was always very kind to them.
Back then, the Crown Prince was still a child, and he always clung to his elder brother. The eldest prince loved this younger brother the most.
I take it with me everywhere I go. I carry it on my back.
This eldest prince is everyone's vision of the next emperor.
But before he could be officially named crown prince, he was merely getting married...
At that time, everyone thought that Cao Mi, who was known as the second most beautiful woman in Luoyang, was the most suitable wife for the eldest prince and the most suitable future crown princess.
But unexpectedly, the wedding was only a little over a year old...
The eldest prince died a humiliating death. Only those close to him knew that after not seeing him for half a year, he was in such a state at the end, neither human nor ghost. He was emaciated.
How could the Empress not hate? How could His Highness the Crown Prince not hate?
They all hated the palace maids who had served them.
The Empress calmed herself down and took a deep breath: "I can only rely on Cheng'er. I hope he won't disappoint me or his elder brother."
"Your Highness, rest assured, His Highness will surely succeed." Yes, His Highness will succeed. He was traumatized by the First Prince's affair since childhood.
Her personality differs from that of the eldest prince, who is genuinely kind and benevolent.
But His Highness the Crown Prince can be ruthless at times.
A person like him will succeed.
In the Longevity Palace, Empress Dowager Jiang coughed for a while and then drank her medicine.
"Your Majesty, please have the imperial physician examine you," Pei Lan said, her eyes red-rimmed.
"It's alright, I'll just take my medicine. I don't like looking at them," the Empress Dowager said calmly.
"Your Majesty...it's all their fault..." Pei Lan was on the verge of tears.
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Tell Consort Fang that if she wants to keep her child, she needs to find the right person to rely on. I can protect her, but if I protect her, she's not far from falling out of favor."
“Yes, but… she can’t go and seek refuge with the Empress. Over the years, the Empress has become increasingly disfavored by His Majesty, and getting close to her would be the same,” Pei Lan sighed.
"If you can't get close to the Empress, then go to Consort Zhen. What's the point of bowing your head now for the sake of the future? Do you think Consort Zhen is secure? There are few in the harem who don't despise her. Unless she can immediately put her son on the throne as Crown Prince, favor is just a castle in the air. Now is the time for the Cao family to be at their peak. If you don't go and pledge allegiance now, when will you?"
"Yes, I understand. I have nurtured her for ten years, and she has been in the palace for three years. She is finally pregnant. If she cannot rise to prominence soon, I should replace her with someone else," said Empress Dowager Jiang.
“Your Majesty, don’t worry. This beauty is a smart woman. Compared to the previous ones, she is the most composed. She is also quite beautiful. Besides, it would be good if she really went to rely on Consort Zhen. In fact, in the past year or two, Consort Zhen’s favor has been diluted by the younger concubines. She is anxious. She tried to win over Consort Li before, but Consort Li is not particularly good-looking,” Pei Lan said.
"Hmm. No rush. If Consort Fang doesn't work, there will be others next year. I will get what I want eventually." Empress Dowager Jiang smiled mysteriously.
Perrin smiled and agreed.
Don't underestimate the hatred of a woman whose son was murdered.
The Empress was like this, and so was Empress Dowager Jiang.
Do you think they're hiding because they know nothing?
They are only temporarily outmatched; it's just not time yet.
Given the chance, they will always bite back fiercely.
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