"Why can't girls play this?" the Seventh Princess asked, puzzled.
"Anything is fine, whatever you like. It's time for dinner, are you hungry? Your father will take you to eat."
"What do you want to eat? Let's wash up," Yan Nangui said.
So His Majesty took his youngest daughter to wash up.
Yan Nangui was also washing up next door when she heard Xiao Sajiao's sweet and coquettish whining.
"Father, please wash me! Father, please wash me!"
"Father, be gentle!"
"Father, hug me!"
"Father, I want to eat meat, lots and lots of meat."
Yan Nangui shuddered: "This child is much better at being affectionate than I am. Is she taking after His Majesty?"
Jiang Xiang nodded with a smile.
Whether it's from His Majesty or not, I don't know, but my own wife is definitely not good at being coquettish. This soft and sweet talk is enough to melt anyone's heart.
His Majesty was in a great mood after being coaxed by his daughter, and even ate an extra bowl of rice at dinner.
After they finally finished eating, they asked someone to take the child to rest.
Only then did he have time to ask the child's mother, "Is everything alright at home?"
"Hmm." Yan Nangui was exhausted, and his reply was extremely perfunctory.
The emperor grabbed him, saying, "I'm asking you a question!"
"Okay, my dad is good, my brother is good, my sister-in-law is good. My sister is good, and my brother-in-law is good too." Yan Nangui sat on his lap and continued to be perfunctory.
"Brother-in-law is good? Which brother-in-law is good?" Shu Chengfeng suddenly grabbed her waist.
"...Shu Chengfeng, are you jealous of something that's been around for ages?" Yan Nangui squinted.
The name sounded completely unfamiliar coming from her mouth.
Although his full name is Shu Chengfeng, very few people call him that.
Even when he was a child, when he was a prince, no one called him by his full name like that.
For a moment, he was stunned.
"I'm asking about your fourth sister's husband."
"I didn't look." Yan Nangui squinted at him: "Why would I look at him?"
"If you didn't look, you didn't look. Why are you being so fierce?" Shu Chengfeng was displeased and stood up while holding her. "I've noticed that your temper is getting worse and worse."
"Then you must be blind. I'm clearly much more patient than before," Yan Nangui scoffed.
As he said this, he was forced onto the bed.
"I'm so tired today... Ugh... Ugh... You..."
"You're so annoying!"
She was furious, but unfortunately His Majesty remained silent, only his hands continued moving.
In the end, His Majesty was allowed to eat his flesh, and he ate his fill.
The geese, exhausted from their southward migration, exclaimed, "You're so annoying!"
Shu Chengfeng hugged her and patted her back, saying, "Mmm."
Yan Nangui rolled his eyes; he'd eaten well and was too tired to waste any more words.
After having someone come in and take care of her, she finally fell asleep peacefully.
There was an early morning court session, and neither the mother nor the son woke up when His Majesty left.
A few years ago, Yan Nangui could still wake up in the morning, but not anymore. Anyway, I've gotten used to it.
However, she didn't stay up too late today.
She got up and immediately sent word to summon everyone in the harem. It was time to give them proper instructions; there were countless things to do in the harem. She was too lazy to see those people every day, but when it came to official business, she couldn't be absent.
"Li Xiaoyi, there's no need for that. Just focus on your pregnancy. You all take care of the Seventh Princess, and once you're all ready, send her to Nanxun Palace."
Jiang Xiang agreed and then gave the order to go.
Before long, the meal was served, and the mother and daughter ate.
People from all over started to arrive.
The first to arrive were Lin Xiaoyi and Xiao Xiang, the imperial concubines from Linhua Palace.
Actually, the one who was closer was Consort Luo of Yichun Pavilion, but it's easy to imagine that she wouldn't have the face to arrive early.
Before long, Consort Jia also arrived.
One by one, everyone arrived.
Inside Zhaochun Palace, everyone sat down, with Yan Nangui seated at the head of the table.
"I've called you here today to discuss some matters. I don't usually require you to pay your respects."
“Sister, you’re too kind. This Consort Duanyi is no ordinary concubine. His Majesty has also said that as long as there is someone in the Empress’s palace, Consort Duanyi cannot be appointed. Now, the position of Empress has been vacant for many years. If Consort Duanyi is appointed, it is equivalent to her being the Empress,” Consort He said with a smile.
That's what she said, and that's what she thought.
Many people in the harem thought this way.
Everyone felt that, after all, Consort Chen was a second-time bride and had no sons, so it would be too difficult for her to become the empress.
That's why His Majesty granted him this title.
Since His Majesty has said that the position of Empress should remain vacant, it means that with Consort Duanyi already in the position, no Empress will be appointed.
Unless, this imperial concubine is deposed.
That means that Yan Nangui was actually the most powerful woman in the harem.
Of course, the Empress Dowager was an exception.
“What my sister said is quite right, so it is only natural to pay my respects. I am more than willing,” said Consort Mei.
“Yes, so it is for me,” said Consort Jia.
Everyone agreed.
Yan Nangui smiled and said, "We'll talk about that later."
"You all know a little about what happened a few days ago. Since it was His Majesty's intention to avoid making things ugly, you should all refrain from bringing it up again. Let's just consider it a thing of the past. As for that last person, since they haven't been found out yet, you should stay out of the way. Don't show your face, or if I catch you... hehe."
"Several people have already been implicated this time, and His Majesty has tolerated it. However, His Majesty's patience has its limits. So do mine. As for me, I don't have many demands on you all. Let's just smooth things over in the harem."
The crowd could only agree.
"Furthermore, His Majesty has decreed that the First Prince, Second Prince, and Third Prince will all move out this year. Although the wedding is next year, their residences will be completed this year, and they will all move out by autumn at the latest. Consort Ning, you have no objections, do you?" Yan Nangui naturally didn't ask Consort Ke, letting her die as she pleased.
"Although I am reluctant, the child is grown up and this day will come eventually. It's not like he can't come back in after he leaves. There's nothing I'm reluctant to part with," said Consort Ning.
Of course she was reluctant to leave. How could living in the palace for a few more years be the same as going out? How could seeing His Majesty every day be the same as seeing him every few days?
It's all because of that vile Consort Ke.
She'd brought this upon herself and dragged the eldest prince into it. She'd get her revenge eventually; this time, she was truly enraged. She hadn't been this angry in years.
"That's good. The three older princes have moved out. The fourth and fifth princes are still living in Qianqiu Tower, and the sixth prince will move in in a year or two. However, I would suggest that they move in earlier, since you still have the ninth prince with Consort Mei," Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, Your Highness, I will do as you say." Consort Mei indeed had no objections.
"Furthermore, I have already discussed with His Majesty the possibility of converting that row of pavilions behind the Longevity Palace into a residence. It will be exclusively for the princesses to live in. Although it is good for the princesses to live with their mothers, not every place is spacious enough. Besides, the princesses will all get married in the future. Even princesses from the imperial family will eventually have to take charge of their own affairs. Letting them live there for a few years and manage things will help them learn some lessons. This is voluntary; if you are unwilling, you don't have to move."
"I am willing," Consort Wan said with a smile.
The wild geese nodded as they returned south.
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