If she said she was willing, Hongli would definitely try his best to win her over from the Empress Dowager. However, Su Yushan could see that the Empress Dowager trusted Gao Xiuwen. If the Empress lost her real power, the Empress Dowager would definitely let Gao Xiuwen assist in managing the inner palace. If Hongli recommended her, the Empress Dowager would be displeased. Then the mother and son would have another argument. Wouldn't she be causing trouble for Hongli again?
After much thought, Su Yushan felt she shouldn't agree, and finally shook her head, "Thank you for considering my feelings, but I really have no interest in these things."
If Yu Shan abstains, the Empress Dowager will definitely hand over the power to Gao Xiuwen. At that time, the Empress Dowager will use this as an excuse to promote Gao Xiuwen to the rank of Consort. Then, if she wants to promote Yu Shan, she will have no reason to do so!
Yu Shan might not care about these empty titles, but he did. To get her to agree, Hongli simply used the children as an excuse.
"There are currently three consorts in the palace. If you refuse to manage the harem, then this power will fall into the hands of Consort Rong or Consort Xian."
You must understand, Consort Xian desires children most of all. Once she gains the Empress Dowager's favor and is promoted to Imperial Noble Consort under some pretext, she will definitely demand to raise your child. And you, being only a Consort, will find it difficult to refuse her request.
Is that even possible? Su Yushan immediately tensed up upon hearing this. "Didn't you say you would protect the child and not let anyone else raise him?"
Hongli pretended to be troubled and said, "Of course I will protect her, but her rank is too high, so even if I wanted to protect her, I wouldn't have a legitimate reason!"
Seeing the worry on her face, Hongli took the opportunity to coax her, "Unless you manage the harem, I will then bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine, and you will not have to worry about anyone taking our child away."
His words seemed to make some sense. To protect her three children, Su Yushan steeled her heart and finally mustered the courage to nod.
"Alright then! Do as you say. Try to get it for me. If you can, great. But if the Empress Dowager really disagrees, then forget it. I don't want to put you in a difficult position."
As Hongli had predicted, Yushan never cared about anything that concerned her interests, except when it involved her child.
With her agreement, Hongli was finally relieved.
Knowing that this path would not be easy, he was still willing to try.
Seeing that her son had made up his mind, the Empress Dowager stopped pleading for the Empress and began to think about finding someone to replace the Empress in managing the inner palace.
Unexpectedly, Hongli brought it up himself, saying that he planned to let Su Yushan manage the harem.
The Empress Dowager would never agree to such a suggestion. “When Consort Rong was in the Prince’s residence, she often helped manage the household affairs. She has experience and it would be easier for her to manage the inner palace.”
"That's because Yu Shan is pregnant, and I didn't want her to work too hard, so I asked Lady Gao to help. Now that Yu Shan is free, she will take on the responsibility of managing the inner palace."
The Empress Dowager scoffed disdainfully, "To bestow the title of Consort is already an honor upon her. This harem is not a place where just anyone can manage things; she has no right to do so!"
The Empress Dowager's so-called qualifications were determined by her own preferences and were completely unfounded. Hongli hated hearing such remarks and retorted impatiently.
"This is my harem, and it is up to me to decide who manages it."
He had only been on the throne for less than a year, yet he was already thinking about seizing power, completely forgetting that she, the Empress Dowager, was the true mistress of the harem!
The Empress Dowager could not tolerate her authority being questioned, and she raised her voice to rebuke:
"I'm not dead yet! As long as I'm alive, I should be in charge of this harem. You just need to take care of the affairs of the court."
The mother and son disagreed. Hongli insisted on recommending Su Yushan and disagreed with letting Gao Xiuwen assist in managing the harem. The Empress Dowager could not accept this and fainted in anger.
The imperial physician came to examine her and said that the Empress Dowager's heart fire was too strong and she should not be stimulated again. How could Hongli not see that his mother was putting on an act, trying to use her illness to force him to comply?
He could usually let her have her way in ordinary matters, but this was different. Hongli took it very seriously and was unwilling to compromise easily. He only instructed the palace servants to take good care of the Empress Dowager before leaving.
For the next two days, the Empress Dowager continued to feign illness, waiting for her son to bow down to her, but he didn't come to Cining Palace at all, and she couldn't even catch a glimpse of him.
Consort Rong and Consort Xian both came to visit the Empress Dowager. They knew the Emperor's intentions, but they did not yet know who the Empress Dowager favored.
Consort Xian was extremely attentive and took the initiative to serve the Empress Dowager when she was ill, hoping that the Empress Dowager would give her the power to manage the inner palace. However, as soon as Gao Xiuwen arrived, the Empress Dowager found an excuse to let her return to Xianfu Palace first.
When the Empress Dowager wanted to speak with Gao Xiuwen alone, Lan Rong couldn't help but become suspicious. She wondered if the Empress Dowager intended to let Gao Xiuwen manage the affairs of the inner palace.
Gao Xiuwen had already raised Yongcheng, while Lan Rong had nothing. After returning to the palace, Lan Rong felt more and more aggrieved. "The Empress Dowager didn't give Yongcheng to me, but shouldn't she at least give me some power? How could she be so biased?"
Qiu Cha kindly advised, "This matter has not been decided yet, Your Majesty, please don't be anxious. The Empress Dowager has not announced it yet! This servant guesses that it should be your turn this time."
Lan Rong prayed silently, feeling melancholy, "I hope so! Otherwise, I'll really become the most pathetic of the three consorts."
When news of the Empress Dowager's illness reached Jingren Palace, Su Yushan felt a pang of melancholy. She really didn't want to go to Cining Palace unless absolutely necessary, and Hongli had said she didn't have to. But the Empress Dowager was, after all, her mother-in-law. Everyone else was visiting her when she was sick; it would be unreasonable for her not to go.
But if I go, I'll most likely get a scolding.
Let her be reprimanded! It's better for her to listen than to be impolite and give the Empress Dowager something to talk about. Besides, some things can't be avoided forever; eventually, they have to be faced.
After much deliberation, Su Yushan decided to go.
Xi Lan was worried that the Empress Dowager would bully her again, so she decided to accompany her to visit the Empress Dowager.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
