Chapter 310: To Live Long and Everlasting

The children were noisy and clamorous, and the adults were not idle either.

Prince Qi, half‑joking, shared with the Princess Consort the amusing thing he heard today: "I heard Master He was at the Da Li Si today, tormenting his brother‑in‑law all day, hahahaha!"

Finding the matter curious, the Princess Consort asked softly, "…What's going on?"

After asking, the Princess Consort recovered, yet she did not withdraw her gaze and kept watching the Prince.

Prince Qi laughed and said, "Yesterday the concubine of my brother‑in‑law brazenly bumped into Princess Shunyang's head; after Princess Shunyang returned to the palace she complained to Noble Consort He, who in turn complained to the imperial brother, even having the imperial brother publicly rebuke my brother‑in‑law. The imperial brother, mindful of old Guó Gōng's face, didn't actually scold anyone in the court, but then turned and passed the matter on to Master He."

Noble Consort He's father is a Minister of the Da Li Si, and Master Lu is the Left Junior Minister of the Da Li Si; their ranks are close.

Simply put, Master He is Master Lu's direct superior, so tormenting him is still easy.

Even though Master Lu is backed by the Fǔguó Gōng residence, who doesn't have a powerful patron?

Master He even leans on Noble Consort He!

Thus, today he tormented Master Lu all day, making him handle every dirty and tiring task, even the interrogation of the Che family, all done personally by Master Lu.

Master Lu, knowing he was in the wrong, didn't even dare to rebut and honestly went to work.

Prince Qi, recalling the information he had gathered, couldn't hide his grin: "Hahaha, my brother‑in‑law finally gets his day! How amusing, truly amusing! I was originally thinking that if Noble Consort He's side wasn't being tormented, I'd have to stir things up myself. What are those concubines in my brother‑in‑law's rear courtyard? They're not even me."

Princess Consort of Qi: …

Prince, don't get too smug, as if you're saying the quality of your former rear‑court concubines was excellent.

But better not say that; it would hurt feelings.

Princess Consort of Qi also inquired about yesterday's incident afterward.

She learned that the aunt had merely made some snide remarks, did nothing else, and mostly targeted Lu Yin Song, so Princess Consort of Qi thought that a little back‑and‑forth trouble would suffice.

There's no need to lower one's status to revenge a concubine.

Moreover, Lù Fūrén isn't a fool; the target is her son, how could she do nothing?

Now, hearing the Prince speak, Princess Consort of Qi felt both amused and exasperated.

She thought that aunt wasn't clever either; who you trouble is irrelevant, why trouble people inside Noble Consort He's palace?

Noble Consort He has been in the palace for years and has raised a son, cherishing him as if he were her own eye.

His Majesty assigned Princess Shunyang to her care, giving her both a son and a daughter; Noble Consort He was overjoyed, protecting them as if they were something precious.

Provoke her? Are you mad? Noble Consort He would never take a concubine seriously, so she had people torment Master Lu.

Master Lu, displeased, would return to his residence and surely rebuke that concubine.

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi shook her head lightly: "Who could have imagined? Back then, that person was also dear to my elder brother."

The words carried a faintly mocking tone.

Prince Qi, after listening, sneered, "Some things are just pleasant to say; they can't be taken seriously, can they?"

After speaking, fearing the Princess Consort might feel uneasy, Prince Qi shifted tone, laughing, "All the admiration and regard, after years of turmoil, have probably vanished."

Princess Consort of Qi lowered her eyes slightly, offering a faint smile without words.

She thought, the child taught by the Grand Princess would naturally possess tactics and scheming.

Master Lu and Lù Fūrén had a profit‑based union back then; after Lù Fūrén's marriage she realized her husband had a white moonlight.

Moreover, at that time, the white moonlight even went on a hunger strike, preferring to become a concubine and enter the Lu residence to follow Master Lu.

Lù Fūrén didn't stop him; she deeply understood that what one can't have is always on one's mind, while what one gets may later be unwanted.

Thus, she generously persuaded the old Guó Gōng, then brought the person into the residence, turning the once lofty white moonlight into a grain of white rice now fallen on the dining table.

Master Lu's filter regarding He Aunt had long been shattered. Yet He Aunt probably still couldn't see reality clearly, relying on past camaraderie, constantly tormenting, thinking this might return her and Master Lu to the way things were?

Only, could that be possible?

Princess Consort of Qi smiled coldly inwardly, though it showed no sign on her face.

Regarding the Prince's words, she quickly nodded and replied lightly, "That's true."

After responding, Princess Consort of Qi thought and asked, "I also don't know how the elder brother intends to deal with He Aunt?"

For now this matter likely has no result yet, so Prince Qi's side hasn't learned anything.

He shook his head, "We don't know yet; the best outcome would be to send her far away."

After all, Master Lu has fathered children, so abandoning him to death isn't very likely.

At most, send her to the remote annex Zhuangzi to be kept for now.

If her children turn out successful, there's a chance of bringing them back to the residence for honorable upbringing.

If not, there's no further plan; she'll live in Zhuangzi until death.

Princess Consort of Qi gave her little comment.

The path was her own choice, the days her own turmoil, so no one can be blamed.

Princess Consort of Qi recalled another matter and whispered to the Prince, "By the way, Huaiyang Hou Fu sent a gift of thanks at noon."

Prince Qi tightened his brows upon hearing, clearly not fond of those people from that residence.

However, the other side was still considerate; it's just that the gift arrived a bit late?

This irritated Prince Qi; his Princess Consort and the obedient one didn't act, and the eldest son of the Wei residence might end up dying outside.

Indeed, perhaps they're even hoping the child dies out there.

Thinking of this, Prince Qi rolled his eyes, "Stepfather and stepmother are just no good!"

After speaking, Prince Qi turned to the Princess Consort, clasped her hand with deep affection, and said gravely, "So we must live well, cannot let the obedient one fall into stepfather and stepmother's hands; otherwise those days would be dreadful. Just thinking of it makes my heart ache beyond measure!"

He'd been fine staying silent, but those words made Princess Consort of Qi's heart race wildly twice.

She had only thought to let the Prince live a few more years, to protect the women and children of this courtyard.

Now she thought, she too must live long and prosper! Step‑mother…

No!

Absolutely not!

Thinking of this, Princess Consort of Qi solemnly nodded, "You are right!"

Prince Qi was recognized, and he proudly raised his head.

At that moment, Sui Sui ran over and presented the carved wooden flower to the Princess Consort, "Mother Consort, I give this to you, wishing you to be dignified and graceful, forever young!"

These two sentences, however, were just learned on the spot by her and Le Le.

On the way here, Sui Sui muttered to herself several times, fearing she might say it wrong.

Now that it's said, Sui Sui, while proudly shaking her little head, whispered to the system, "Le Le, did I say it correctly?"

"You said it perfectly, my Sui Sui, you are truly so clever, well done!"

Sui Sui, hearing the system's praise, became even happier, as if she wanted to lift her little head straight up to the heavens! The second watch is at 19:00.