Granny Cheng looked at the Empress with a hint of hesitation, but after a long pause, she still didn't say anything.
The Empress could tell that she had something to say, and smiled, "Say what you want to say."
“Since Princess Consort Chen is injured, shouldn’t Her Majesty the Empress be concerned? If Princess Consort Chen is feeling better, she should be allowed to come to the palace to pay her respects,” suggested Granny Cheng.
The Empress sighed and remained silent.
Granny Cheng added, "These days, the prince acts recklessly in court, yet the emperor does not stop him, and the ministers dare not object. This shows the prince's prestige in court!"
"Before, because of Princess Consort Chen, Your Highness and the Prince had some misunderstandings, but these misunderstandings are not insurmountable. For the sake of the Eighth Prince, you should get closer to the Prince."
To put it more bluntly, if the Eighth Prince wants to replace the Crown Prince, they still need to appease Sheng Jingyu.
It's not worth it since Su Wenyuan and Sheng Jingyu have fallen out.
How could the Empress not know this principle? But whenever she thought of the Seventh Prince, she couldn't help but feel disgusted with Sheng Jingyu.
"Ziyan is suffering in that remote place. Sheng Jingyu could have helped him back then! But he didn't." The Empress was furious when she brought it up.
Granny Cheng advised, "That matter cannot be blamed on the Prince. If he had helped, he would have gotten himself into trouble. The Prince has already done so much for the Empress. It is only right that he considers her needs occasionally."
The Empress understood this principle as well. Sheng Jingyu wasn't stupid; he couldn't just jump into every trap.
Her hesitation stemmed from other concerns.
"I think he already knows something, and I really don't want to provoke him. His actions regarding Ziyan aren't simply for his own benefit; he's probably also making it clear to me that we're going our separate ways!"
The Empress could tell from his attitude that Sheng Jingyu no longer respected her.
I haven't sensed any obvious hostility yet, but I have a feeling that if things continue like this, it will happen soon.
Granny Cheng said anxiously, "Your Highness is confused! He has no one to rely on! If we don't support the Eighth Prince, does he expect to turn to the Crown Prince? Will the Crown Prince even tolerate him? He has no choice!"
Those princes are still young and their potential is yet to be seen. Supporting them would require several years of hard work and effort, and the outcome is still uncertain.
The Empress said, "I don't know what he's thinking either; all I know is that he's completely out of my control."
Judging from her expression, she still doesn't plan to look for Sheng Jingyu.
Most of what she just said was untrue; the main reason was that she was afraid.
After witnessing the tragic state of Jinkouhe, she felt anxious and fearful every day, always thinking that Sheng Jingyu would one day skin her alive and tear her apart.
Granny Cheng said, "Your Highness cannot give up now. Think of a way, using both soft and hard tactics. You have been kind to the Prince. If he repays kindness with enmity, it will not sound good for his reputation."
"First, do a good job on the surface and don't give anyone anything to talk about. Then, gradually ease the tension in the future and show more care for Princess Consort Chen."
After much persuasion, the Empress finally made a decision and did as she suggested.
After all, someone is needed to help the Eighth Prince.
If she doesn't seize such a great opportunity with Sheng Jingyu, someone else might beat her to it.
No matter who Sheng Jingyu helps, they will become her troubles and obstacles.
"Here's what we'll do. Have someone send a message to Prince Chen, telling him to come to my palace for lunch." The Empress suppressed her fear.
Previously, they dined together more often than the Empress spent time with the two princes.
Otherwise, how could people outside say that the Empress treats Sheng Jingyu better than her own son?
Granny Cheng didn't move; she had a different idea.
"Nowadays, everyone in and outside the palace knows that as long as Princess Consort Chen is happy, Prince Chen is happy. Your Highness, why don't you invite Princess Consort over for a meal?"
The conflict between the Empress and Sheng Jingyu was caused by Su Wenyuan, so it's only natural that she should end it.
The Empress waved her hand repeatedly and said, "Keep Su Wenyuan away from me. Just looking at her makes me angry."
The Empress was afraid of Sheng Jingyu, but she was also familiar with him and could easily act with him.
Su Wenyuan's methods are too unpredictable, and the Empress really doesn't want to see her.
Granny Cheng then launched into another round of earnest and heartfelt persuasion.
"There have been rumors circulating outside that you and the Princess Consort don't get along. But the Princess Consort isn't some monster, Your Highness, there's no need to be afraid," Granny Cheng inadvertently revealed the truth.
The Empress was afraid of Sheng Jingyu, but she didn't realize it. After all, the two had maintained a superficial mother-son relationship for many years, so there was nothing to be afraid of.
But the Empress was afraid to see Su Wenyuan, and Granny Cheng noticed this.
Whenever Su Wenyuan was mentioned, the Empress wished she could cover her mouth and not bear to hear it.
But it was too embarrassing to say such a thing out loud, so Granny Cheng only thought about it in her heart. Just now, in her excitement, she said it out loud.
As soon as she finished speaking, she regretted it, hurriedly lowered her head, took a step back, and dared not look the Empress in the eye.
"You say I'm afraid?" The Empress was instantly enraged.
"She's just a princess!" the Empress emphasized. "I am the Empress, what is there to be afraid of? I just find her annoying and don't want to make myself miserable."
Granny Cheng nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself that whatever you say is what you mean.
Seeing that she still didn't believe it, the Empress quickly proved herself with her actions.
He cleared his throat and said, "Since you think it would be better to invite her to the palace, then let her come. But you should also ask her if she is feeling better. If she can't come, don't force her."
Before Cheng Mama could react, a palace maid shuffled in.
"Princess Consort Chen has come to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress."
"I won't see her!" the Empress blurted out without thinking.
Granny Cheng looked at her in astonishment, thinking that this reaction was enough to explain something.
A palace maid went out to deliver a message, and Su Wenyuan, clutching her wound, said, "I am not fully recovered yet. I came here specifically to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Why will the Empress Dowager not see me?"
Her wound has already scabbed over, and she can't feel anything at all now.
But you still have to pretend.
Inside Chengming Palace, the Empress was restless and inexplicably nervous.
Granny Cheng whispered, "You are the Empress, and she is just a princess. What is there to be afraid of?"
These are the words the Empress herself just said, but she has forgotten them now.
The Empress herself didn't know when she had started to fear Su Wenyuan.
Was it after she scolded the Crown Prince, or after her cruel treatment of Lady Wang? Or perhaps it was after she repeatedly contradicted the Emperor in public?
Before she could figure it out, a palace maid came in and repeated Su Wenyuan's words.
Granny Cheng said helplessly, "Your Majesty should see her, otherwise if she causes trouble in the palace, the blame will fall on you again!"
The Empress said angrily, "Look, I haven't done anything yet, but I almost fell into her trap and was forced to meet her."
She now knew where her fear came from.
Su Wenyuan always had some tricks that were hard to guard against, which made her uneasy.
The Empress had done too many wrong things and was always afraid that Su Wenyuan would see through them or ask about them unintentionally.
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