Startled by the overly sharp gaze, Consort Ruan shook her head subconsciously, "Ruan, Ruan knows nothing."
"That's because no matter how much the late Emperor favored you, the position of Empress remains mine, the position of Crown Prince remains my imperial son's, and in the end, the one who sits on the dragon throne will still be my imperial son.
Therefore, with my fame, power, and an imperial son who can become emperor, why would I stoop to bickering with a mere plaything who relies on her looks? Wouldn't that be beneath me?"
"You—"
"What about you, you insolent wretch!
I often went to the temple to burn incense and pray not to see you two lovebirds, but that doesn't mean I was dead.
Moreover, every day I opened my eyes to see a group of robust young monks practicing naked in the courtyard, a truly delightful sight.
Ahem—
What I mean to say is, the environment and location of the pavilions in the back mountains of Putuo Temple are excellent, perfectly suited for chanting Buddhist scriptures."
Consort Ruan, who had inadvertently overheard this enormous secret, immediately pointed her slender finger at the Empress Dowager's nose and reprimanded her by name:
"Nalan Ji, you not only betray your marital vows but also disrespect the late Emperor, you are truly unworthy of the title of Empress!"
But the Empress Dowager remained unperturbed, "Heh, why else do they say you have a big chest and a small brain?
The late Emperor has entered the imperial mausoleum, and the entire Great Xia belongs to my imperial son. Even if I say anything treasonous, who would dare to punish me?
Besides, I've been holding these words in for years. It feels much better to speak them now.
But then again, although the late Emperor wasn't a good husband, he was passable as a wise ruler. He knew that the throne was most appropriately occupied by my imperial son."
"No!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes slightly, "What, Consort Ruan thinks my imperial son is not suitable for that position and that your imperial son should ascend it instead?"
Consort Ruan, realizing her mistake, quickly shook her head:
"Ruan dare not!"
"Hmph, even if Consort Ruan had the inclination, your imperial son is a useless piece of mud.
As a prince, he doesn't advocate for the people but instead extorts their wealth for his own use. It's fortunate he was born into royalty; if he had been born into another family, losing his head would have been a light punishment!
To be frank.
Ruan Yu, if I were you, I would have already lowered my tail and behaved myself. I certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to be pushed out as a pawn!"
Those who had lived in the deep palace for a long time were all astute. Consort Ruan, having calmed down, no longer possessed her previous arrogance. She gnashed her teeth resentfully and scurried away with her retinue.
With her opponent gone, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to the small child at her feet. Her fierce scowl immediately softened into a smile as warm as the midday sun:
"Mo'er, what do you like to eat the most?"
"Sugar figurines!"
"I also loved sugar figurines the most when I was little, especially little monkey sugar figurines."
"Mo'er loves little monkey sugar figurines the most too!"
"Then I'll have the Imperial Kitchen make some little monkey sugar figurines and send them over."
After giving the order, the Empress Dowager shifted a sliver of her attention to Lin Qingge and the other person, "What are you two still standing there for? The Imperial Kitchen makes many pastries, come back with me to taste them."
What happened to the promise that the harem would not interfere in state affairs?
Lin Qingge, who had witnessed the entire exchange, dared not ask but respectfully replied:
"Yes."
Then, she and Leng Ningyue followed behind this formidable Empress Dowager.
As she turned,
Leng Ningyue's peripheral vision swept past the rock garden in the distance, and she vaguely glimpsed a striking imperial yellow.
Before she could react, Lin Ziming's voice reached her ears, "Mother, hurry!"
"Mm."
Leng Ningyue immediately followed.
Only after the group had majestically departed did the figure in imperial yellow emerge from behind the rock garden.
He looked at the person fanning himself beside him and asked with certainty:
"Did you invite Mother back?"
"Yes, I heard from Feng Si that Your Highness intended to rectify the imperial harem, so I invited the Empress Dowager.
After all, to deal with the demons and monsters left by the late Emperor, no one is more capable than the Empress Dowager.
Of course, it's not easy to get the Empress Dowager, who is focused on the courtesans outside the palace, to return with ordinary reasons, so I took the liberty of revealing that matter to her.
With the Empress Dowager presiding over the harem from now on, Your Highness need not worry about anyone troubling Madam and the young master."
The figure in imperial yellow heard this and raised his hand to rub his aching temples:
"Heh.
I certainly don't need to worry about them being troubled, but given Mother's temper and methods, even if she doesn't reprimand me, I won't be able to see them for some time."
"Isn't that good? If Lord Lin were to see Your Highness, he might just resign on the spot and quit his post."
"Your Highness truly flatters me. Even if you gave me ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to dictate your decisions!
However, it would be a shame if the interesting and delightful Lord Lin were to resign.
Also, Your Highness, are you sure about confronting Lord Lin without first dealing with 'that person'?
From my understanding of Lord Lin, if he knew that Your Highness was looking elsewhere while already in a relationship, he would abandon his official position and flee the capital with his wife and children, as far away as possible."
"Prime Minister Shangguan has deep roots, and it will not be a matter of a day or two to bring him down.
Moreover, I have just ascended the throne and have not yet stabilized my position. If Prime Minister Shangguan, in desperation, colludes with King Wu Cheng, that would be truly troublesome, so 'she' cannot be touched for now."
"Tsk, I'm afraid 'that person' might stir up trouble.
By the way, Your Highness, there's something I've always found very strange.
Given the Empress Dowager's nature of being silent until she speaks, how did she give birth to an imperial prince as intelligent, wise, and solitary as Your Highness?
Perhaps from listening to too many scriptures?"
"Get lost—!"
"Alright!
And Your Highness, please don't tell Feng Si that I invited his godmother, or he'll start cursing again."
On the other side.
As Lin Qingge and her group arrived at the Yongshou Palace where the Empress Dowager resided, they saw the youngest Prime Minister in the Great Xia dynasty already waiting at the entrance.
"Qingchen pays his respects to Godmother.
Why didn't Godmother inform Qingchen upon her return? Qingchen could have sent someone to pick you up."
"I heard from that boy Cheng Ye that you've been busy lately, so I didn't want to bother you.
However, I heard from Cheng Ye that you've become Prime Minister?
Good. You haven't disgraced me.
Come, accompany me to eat pastries."
"Qingchen respectfully accepts your invitation."
Feng Qingchen lowered his head obediently, his lips pressed tightly together, "Rong San, I'm not finished with you!"
And so, another person joined the pastry-eating brigade.
The Empress Dowager stared intently at Lin Ziming, who was devouring pastries.
Feng Qingchen took the opportunity to walk up to Lin Qingge and plop himself onto a nearby chair, saying nonchalantly:
"Brother Lin, it's been a while, and you've become quite distant from this official."