Chapter 308: Inner Palace Reaction

At this moment, the Empress in the palace had just seen off her mother, Lady Tang, and after returning she dismissed the palace staff, leaving only her trusted Aunt Wei by her side to gently press her head.

This day, not a moment of leisure.

At noon, the Crown Prince came to accompany her for lunch.

Not long after the Crown Prince left, Lady Tang came again.

Just dealing with these two people, the Empress was already exhausted in body and mind, let alone the many affairs of the Inner Palace.

Now finally free to rest a while, she sighed lightly, and after a long pause whispered to Aunt Wei, "Tell me… who am I doing all this for?"

Lady Tang had previously tried to foster ties with Prince Qi's residence, hoping to marry the Fourth Lady there; the Empress certainly wasn't completely unaware—how could she not know? The Crown Prince learned the news even earlier but gave no indication; only a few days ago he came to the palace and said: he is close with his maternal grandfather's residence, and others cannot surpass that; even without the cousin connection, the two sides' relations would not be affected.

The Crown Prince phrased it politely, but the Empress wasn't foolish; could she not understand?

The Crown Prince's words angered the Tang family; even if the Tang family regretted it and wanted to place the Fourth Lady into the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince no longer wanted that!

After hearing, the Empress's anger flared, yet she could not articulate anything.

This matter was originally handled dishonestly by the Tang family.

If the Tang family refused, could she, as Empress, force them? That was her maternal family; she let a Tang family daughter enter the Eastern Palace—for whom? Thinking this, the Empress clenched her teeth in anger.

Today the Crown Prince came, only to politely state: the affairs of the Jin Yang Marquis Residence and the Huaiyang Marquis Residence are private matters of each house; he does not wish the Tang family to meddle.

After hearing, the Empress's head throbbed again.

How did the Tang family get involved in the affairs of these two residences? The Empress, unclear on the situation, had already sent someone to investigate.

When Lady Tang arrived, the Empress finally understood what was happening.

Yesterday, there were many matters concerning the Fǔguó Gōng Residence, so the incident of Tang Lingheng tying the young master of the Wei Residence, Wei Lanqiao, to a tree did not attract attention.

Of course, it might also be because the incident occurred in the afternoon, few knew, so it was handled discreetly.

However, after the Huaiyang Marquis learned of this, he was relentless; for this matter he came to His Majesty today.

His Majesty said a few symbolic words to the Crown Prince, after which the Crown Prince entered the Empress's palace.

The Empress, after hearing her mother's explanation, could only think…

What on earth is this?

Lady Tang honestly explained, with a good attitude, but when it came to disciplining Tang Lingheng, she kept repeating the same few lines: "The child is still young; disciplining now may cause a bad temper, better to take it slowly."

"All children are like this when they're young; you and your elder brother were similarly mischievous in youth; you'll grow out of it."

"Xiao Wu is still a child."

…

Upon hearing her mother's remarks, the Empress felt a pounding headache.

In the end, helpless, she could no longer intervene and bluntly told Lady Tang: "Since Fourth Lady has no intention of entering the Eastern Palace, let her marriage be considered carefully."

This plainly told Lady Tang: since Lady Tang does not wish her daughter to become a side consort in the Eastern Palace, the Eastern Palace will no longer accept her.

The Empress, too lazy to say more, wanted a Tang family daughter in the Eastern Palace only to preserve the Tang family's honor.

If the Tang family refuses, could she still force it?

The Empress felt weary; she did not want a rift between mother and son before the Crown Prince ascends the throne.

Moreover, regarding this matter, Lady Tang could have politely declined, but she did not; she kept both sides hanging while making her own arrangements.

She was at fault first, so don't blame her for not sparing her maternal family's face. When Lady Tang left, her expression was not very pleasant.

Grandson being trained, granddaughter being despised—no wonder she's not happy.

She's unhappy, and the Empress is also unhappy.

Compared with the Empress's displeasure, Noble Consort He is now signaling the palace staff to prepare Koudan and will soon play with a nail.

Yesterday, Feng You Tan was slighted by an inconspicuous concubine at the Lu Residence, which made Noble Consort He very displeased.

So, when His Majesty arrived last night, she coaxed him to agree, and on the court she gave Lu Xingming, the Left Junior Minister of the Da Li Si, a little reprimand.

Venting on her daughter, and hearing that people were coming and going in the Empress's palace, the Crown Prince had gone, Lady Tang also went; seeing that something was happening, could Noble Consort He not be pleased? Once pleased, she prepared to stir up something.

Noble Consort He had just turned thirty, with a plump figure and a gorgeous complexion.

She still retained some youthful brilliance, but more so a woman's elegant charm.

At this moment, she lightly flicked her nails, her brows and eyes smiling, bright and generous, noble and elegant: "First I'll do my nails, then go pay respects to the Empress."

Her soft, coquettish voice made even the palace staff feel a tingling in their bones, let alone His Majesty.

The Emperor, having just finished his state affairs, arrived and heard the consort's smiling voice.

The flirtatiousness hidden in the tail of her words made His Majesty's heart itch.

He laughed brightly as he entered, asking loudly, "Yun'er, you smile so broadly— is it because you get to see me?"

Noble Consort He's inner name: Hong Yun.

These years, His Majesty has privately called her Yun'er.

When called by her inner name, Noble Consort He becomes bewildered, stumbling, each step swaying, exuding a special charm.

Noble Consort He is straightforward, without scheming; when the Emperor asked, she openly admitted, "I heard the Empress is rather worried; I thought I'd come over to see what's happening."

The Emperor especially loves Noble Consort He's candid and charmingly naive look; seeing her smile and rush into his arms, he burst into a delighted laugh.

The palace staff, understandingly, withdrew most of them, leaving only trusted aunties nearby to attend.

His Majesty and the consort naturally wouldn't fool around in daylight; however, idle talk of the imperial consort need not have all the palace staff gather to listen.

At this moment, Sui Sui already had his face covered in ink.

At first, everyone was calmly drawing plans there.

While drawing, no one knew who started, and Feng Xuanrui was directly splashed with ink on his face.

Feng Xuanrui's face turned black, instantly angry like a frizzed cat: "Ah ya ya, who is it? Who!"

He immediately dipped his brush in ink, looking for a foe everywhere… When Sui Sui saw his brother being bullied, he immediately joined in.

Then, the siblings—not just them, but the siblings—were all given a collective big painted face!

Master Shen doesn't really restrain their carefree behavior.

Kids, after all, still like to play around.

If they can feel the joy of learning amid the play, that's a pretty good experience.

Master Shen thinks education shouldn't be too rigid.

Second watch at 19:00