"Miss, why do you think Her Majesty the Empress would do this?" Xueqing asked, puzzled. "She finally managed to bring down Consort Li, but now she's releasing her from the Cold Palace. Isn't this just raising a tiger only to cause more trouble?"
Early this morning, Shen Tangning received news from the palace that the Empress had suggested to His Majesty that Consort Li, who had lost her two children and was living a difficult life in the Cold Palace, should be released.
At the Empress's urging, His Majesty agreed to the matter.
Not only Xueqing was puzzled, but the concubines in the harem were also puzzled. Consort Li and the Empress had been at odds for so many years and could be said to be mortal enemies. She herself was unlucky and gave birth to a good-for-nothing son, which made the Emperor dislike her.
Why is the Empress suddenly becoming so kind and soft-hearted?
Most importantly, after Consort Li comes out of the Cold Palace, who knows if she will regain favor and pose a threat to their status?
Shen Tangning said calmly, "Because my aunt needs to retire."
"Retreat?" Xue Qing looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"His Majesty has already begun to take action against the powerful families, and the Xie family can hardly remain unaffected, but this is far from enough."
Even if the Xie family backs down, as long as his aunt remains the Empress, His Majesty cannot let his guard down. As long as his aunt holds this position and wields power over the six palaces, the Xie family will have the opportunity to make a comeback at any time.
"So it was actually what my aunt was happy to see that Consort Li was able to regain favor. She needed someone to divert the attention of the court and the harem."
Shen Tangning paused, a dark glint flashing in her eyes: "Besides, we already know that the Third Prince is still alive, so it's only a matter of time before Consort Li comes out of the Cold Palace. Rather than letting her reap the benefits from behind the scenes, we should bring her to the forefront."
Xueqing suddenly realized that the Empress's intention was to retreat in order to advance.
"You've certainly learned to apply what you've learned to other situations." Shen Tangning's lips curled up slightly.
Xueqing lowered her head in embarrassment.
——
As usual, Chi Yan returned home with a full load of food today.
Shen Tangning watched him hand the vegetable basket to Ba Liang and couldn't help but tease, "If this keeps up, the kitchen won't even need to buy groceries. Aren't you afraid of what people will say if you go there to freeload every day?"
Chi Yan raised an eyebrow, speaking with self-righteousness: "Who dares to gossip? This is all the goodwill the people have for me. If I refuse, wouldn't I be betraying their kindness?"
He paused for a moment, then said with an air of seriousness, "Besides, while we don't take a single needle or thread from the people, we also don't say we won't eat a single melon or vegetable from them!"
He taught the people how to make farm tools for free, and they already felt guilty, so receiving a little kindness would put their minds at ease.
Shen Tangning was speechless for a moment, and couldn't help but glance at him:
He does have his own unique style of dealing with people and situations.
Chi Yan sat down in front of the chair: "His Majesty heard about my having farm tools made and said that he wants to promote those things throughout the country and is going to reward me handsomely!"
In a way, he indirectly promoted the improvement of agricultural production levels, which can be considered a great achievement, right?
Chi Yan suddenly had a sudden inspiration: "Tell me, how about I ask you to be granted an imperial title?"
Shen Tangning raised an eyebrow slightly, taking it as a joke, but she played along perfectly: "That's great, wouldn't I be benefiting from my husband's good fortune?"
Chi Yan was flattered and became somewhat elated, but he humbly replied, "This is all I should do as your husband."
However, he also knew that it was not easy to obtain an imperial title; one had to have made significant contributions to the cause.
If she were truly granted an imperial title, she would have more confidence in front of the Marquis's family, and his hypocritical father wouldn't be able to do anything to her.
Thinking about it this way, Chi Yan really started to consider it.
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