Yierha had been somewhat distraught ever since she returned from the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Yinzhen and Changning wanted to comfort her, but they saw that she was so strong that she refused to shed a tear, only forcing a smile and saying that she was fine.
Yinzhen had no choice but to let her go back and rest, and let her process the matter herself.
However, before she left, she gave her a word of advice: "Yierha, you are your father's first child. From today onwards, you are an adult. In the future, you must be able to stand on your own two feet."
I heard that the Emperor punished Bayan with fifty strokes of the cane in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. With Song's intelligence, she immediately knew that it must have been the letter he sent to her daughter.
Song was so angry she gritted her teeth. She also felt that Honghui was using the Haha Beads to win over Yierha, and her impression of him plummeted.
Zhao Fuhai, assigned by Changning, went to Zhongcui Palace and reported the whole story of Bayan to Consort Mao. After hearing it, Consort Song was very grateful: "Thank you so much for your hard work, Your Majesty. The eldest princess was able to turn back in time, all thanks to Your Majesty. If it weren't for the eldest prince and Bayan, the eldest princess wouldn't be so heartbroken."
Zhao Fuhai added, "Her Majesty the Empress said that the eldest princess is currently feeling very distressed. If Consort Mao feels sorry for her daughter and wants to comfort her, she must be careful with her tone and absolutely must not criticize the eldest princess again."
Madam Song sighed, "I understand. Please ask you to thank Her Majesty the Empress for me when you return."
When Zhao Fuhai returned to Chengqian Palace, he saw Chuixue and the others standing at the door. He knew that the Emperor must have arrived. He was not in a hurry to reply. He gave Chuixue a wink at the door, and the two of them went to the tea room together.
Chuixue was washing the tribute grapes, a bunch of grapes as long as an arm. Except for those from Yangxin Hall and Cining Palace, all the others were here. She asked, "What's wrong? Didn't you go to Zhongcui Palace? Is Consort Mao still dissatisfied?"
Zhao Fuhai, ever perceptive, assisted her and chuckled softly, "How could that be? Consort Mao is extremely grateful to our Empress. However, I've noticed that she's already harboring resentment towards the First Prince."
Fubuki glanced at him sideways, her tone somewhat cold: "What are you up to now? I'm warning you, don't do anything behind our master's back. Our master isn't one to be trifled with."
Zhao Fuhai quickly smiled ingratiatingly, "How could I dare? I was merely thinking of how to share the burden with my master. Our Third Prince is the legitimate eldest son, but because of the First Prince, it seems somewhat illegitimate to outsiders. Perhaps..."
Chuixue sneered, "Or what? Use this incident to bring down the First Prince? I advise you to abandon this idea; the Empress will not agree."
Zhao Fuhai retorted, "Our Empress does not wish to harm the First Prince, but it is our duty as servants to share our mistress's burdens."
Chuixue forcefully snatched the plate from his hand, plated it herself, and glanced at him: "Zhao Fuhai, I see that after you entered the palace and became the chief eunuch by the Empress's side, you've become arrogant. You even dare to go against the Emperor."
Seeing Zhao Fuhai's expression change slightly, Chuixue continued, "If you don't believe what I'm saying, why don't you go ask Granny Zhang? She's the most decisive person. If she agrees, we'll risk our lives to help Her Majesty."
Zhao Fuhai nodded: "Alright, I'll go ask her right away. Granny Zhang is the most loyal, how could she not think of the Empress and the Prince?"
Fubuki ignored him. Zhao Fuhai was capable, ambitious, and loyal. But he was just too power-hungry.
Being the chief steward of the Empress was not enough; he also wanted to be the chief steward of the Empress Dowager.
Although Fubuki believed that her mistress must be the Empress Dowager, a servant is a servant, and she must never act without her master's permission.
After leaving the house, Zhao Fuhai went to the back room where Granny Zhang lived.
Now that Granny Zhang is getting old, Changning wants her to live out her days in the palace. She has assigned several young palace maids to serve her and has even chosen a secluded room behind Chengqian Palace for her to live in alone.
Now, Granny Zhang rarely does any servant's work; she focuses more on making decisions and disciplining the palace maids and eunuchs of Chengqian Palace.
Zhao Fuhai crouched down and knocked on the door. He figured that Granny Zhang was probably still awake and doing some needlework. Sure enough, when he went in, he saw that Granny Zhang was holding a piece of fine cotton satin, which was obviously made for the three young masters.
He flattered her, saying, "It's all thanks to Granny's skill. All the young masters in our Chengqian Palace need their personal clothing made by Granny herself to be truly pleasing. Without your supervision, how could our young masters be so healthy?"
Granny Zhang pointed at him and laughed, scolding, "You little monkey, you're all talk and no action. What, instead of being your head steward and showing off your power, you come here to beg for tea from this old woman?"
Faced with such a witty and sarcastic rebuke from Granny Zhang, Zhao Fuhai felt a little embarrassed: "Look at what you're saying, what kind of prestige do I have? It's all thanks to the kindness of our master and your watchful eye. You are the pillar of our Chengqian Palace."
Granny Zhang put down what she was doing and, too lazy to play games with him, asked, "Speak, what happened this time?"
Zhao Fuhai then composed himself and said in a low voice, "The matter of Consort Mao has been resolved. I went to Zhongcui Palace just now and told her the whole story. She was very grateful to the Empress, but she seemed to have some complaints about the First Prince."
At this point, he cautiously glanced at Granny Zhang's expression. Seeing that she was expressionless, he forced himself to continue: "This servant thinks that, in the final analysis, this matter is all caused by the First Prince not keeping a close eye on the people around him. That person who is so disrespectful is also his Haha Zhuzi. The two have always been close, so no matter how you look at it, he can't escape responsibility."
If Consort Mao truly has feelings for the First Prince, why don't we go with the flow... After all, our Third Prince should be the eldest son of the legitimate wife, shouldn't he?"
Granny Zhang remained calm, her gaze fixed on Zhao Fuhai: "Is this your own idea? Have you discussed it with anyone?"
Zhao Fuhai nodded and didn't hide anything from her: "I mentioned it to Chuixue, and she asked me to come and discuss it with you."
Granny Zhang sneered, "At least Chuixue is still a person with a clear head."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Fuhai broke out in a cold sweat: "You don't approve?"
Instead of answering directly, Granny Zhang brought up another matter.
"Since our Emperor ascended the throne, he has bestowed upon the Empress unparalleled honor, and the Fucha clan has enjoyed unprecedented high status and power. Such immense wealth and honor have not blinded them."
From Lord Bodel onwards, to the newly appointed Minister of Rites, Lord Changhua, who is in charge of military affairs, and Lord Changxing, who is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, everyone is cautious and prudent, fearing that their growing influence will attract unwanted attention.
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