This verbal battle, which started with the Imperial Concubine, involved the Princess Consort and her daughter-in-law, as well as the Empress, and no one dared to get involved casually. The surrounding royal consorts quietly drank tea and watched the show, and the beauties and ladies-in-waiting in the harem dared even less to participate in the war between the two major figures in the palace.
The Empress glanced at the time and interrupted the soon-to-be-angry Consort, standing up and taking the hand of the nanny beside her, saying, "It's about time, let's go to Mother's side."
Originally, the elders of the imperial clan should have visited and spoken with the Empress Dowager, and even the Empress should have gone with her. Since the dynasty governs with filial piety, and Emperor Xuande was a filial son, naturally no one dared to ignore the Empress Dowager.
However, the Empress Dowager was feeling unwell these days due to the changing seasons and her advanced age. She also didn't want too many people making noise, so everyone gathered in the Empress's palace, where the Empress was in charge of greeting them. The Crown Princess, along with several princesses, accompanied the Empress Dowager in her palace.
The Empress Dowager naturally had no objections to her own granddaughter becoming the Crown Princess.
However, if a banquet is to be held, the Empress and others still need to go to the Empress Dowager's place to invite her.
The Imperial Concubine was interrupted, and she was so angry that she dug her nails into her palms. The stinging pain in her palms reminded her not to lose her composure, otherwise it would be her fault if she delayed her meeting with the Empress Dowager.
The Empress went out first, and the Consort glared fiercely at her useless daughter-in-law and niece who didn't speak up for her, before following her out.
Compared to the Empress's Yuning Palace, the Empress Dowager's palace was truly a scene of harmony and joy. The Crown Princess was accompanying the Empress Dowager with several princesses, while her children were either eating snacks or playing.
The Empress led everyone in and first paid her respects to the Empress Dowager. Then the Crown Princess and everyone else exchanged greetings before taking their seats.
No one mentioned what had just happened in the palace.
Even the Imperial Concubine couldn't get much advantage over the Princess Consort and her daughter-in-law, let alone others. These people already knew that Jiang Xuelin was difficult to deal with. Even though she was a junior, whose status was higher than the Imperial Concubine's?
He seemed to be answering politely, but his words were practically an insult directed at the imperial concubine.
After sitting for a while in the Empress Dowager's palace, the group got up again and headed to the banquet.
Jiang Xuelin didn't cause any trouble and behaved herself, suppressing her aggressiveness. She sat with the Princess Consort of Ping, while the Imperial Concubine and other concubines sat in front. Fei Qing, the Crown Princess, and the Second Prince's wife sat together not far from Jiang Xuelin.
But if Jiang Xuelin stops causing trouble, there's someone else over there who can cause trouble, and there's no reliable person like Princess Ping keeping things in check over there.
Rather than pacifying the enemy, King Ping would likely be at the forefront of the charge.
Prince Ping was very close to Emperor Xuande, so he naturally sat near the front. Fu Hanlai was with him, and several princes sat next to them.
Emperor Xuande had only five sons, the youngest of whom was only ten years old. The fourth prince had just been betrothed and was seven years younger than the third prince.
Prince Ping was highly valued by Emperor Xuande. Some of the princes even felt that Emperor Xuande treated Prince Ping and his son better than his own son. Naturally, those who had ambitions for the throne would not antagonize Prince Ping.
If we could gain the support of King Ping and his son, that would be a great thing.
Of course, these were just the Second Prince's thoughts.
With his position as Crown Prince secure, there's no need for him to rush into befriending ministers, nobles, and members of the imperial clan. Doing so would only arouse Emperor Xuande's suspicion. Because of his connections with the Vice Minister of Rites and Jiang Xuelin, the willful Prince Ping and his son are unlikely to side with him. It would be good enough if they didn't hinder him.
...No, he's already dragging the Third Prince down. It's only been a few days since the Vice Minister of Rites was dismissed.
The fourth prince had just been betrothed, and his mother, being of low rank, had no particular interest in the matter. The fifth prince was even less likely to consider it, being only ten years old and significantly older than his brothers.
The second prince is different.
Unfortunately, when he raised his wine cup to toast his uncle, Prince Ping, and also to show goodwill to Prince Ping and his son, the two avoided him.
The expressions on their faces were exactly the same, looking fake, polite, and very cold.
The second prince's smile almost froze.
The crown prince, who was standing nearby, watched this scene with a sneer in his heart.
The entire capital knew that Sixth Uncle and his son were ignorant and incompetent, and that they only acted arrogantly because Sixth Uncle was the same mother as the Emperor. However, in reality, this uncle and cousin knew very well what was going on.
Besides, has he already forgotten what his second brother did?
Do you really think the Prince Ping's residence can't find out? Or do you think the Princess Ping is a pushover?
The Third Prince sneered inwardly when he saw the Second Prince get the short end of the stick.
The Vice Minister of Rites!
He didn't have many high-ranking officials under him, and they were all so easily dismissed by Fu Hanlai and Jiang Xuelin. How could he not hate them?
From the moment he wanted to marry Jiang Xuelin until now, it seems that nothing has gone smoothly for him.
"Cousin."
Fu Hanlai lowered his head and ate.
"Cousin!"
Fu Hanlai lowered his head and drank.
Third Prince: "..."
My temper flared up instantly.
"My cousin, Ah Shou!"
Fu Hanlai, you bastard!
Fu Hanlai could no longer pretend not to hear. He put down his chopsticks, raised his head, and asked lazily, "What are your orders, Third Prince?"
"That's not the case." The Third Prince smiled, but his gaze towards Fu Hanlai was anything but friendly. Perhaps he had drunk a few cups of wine and was a little tipsy.
Now that the congratulations to Emperor Xuande have been given and the gifts have been presented, it is time to strengthen the bond between them. Otherwise, the Third Prince would not dare to cause trouble under Emperor Xuande's nose.
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