Сhapter 11 Тhе Princеss Looks Sо Веаutiful Whеn Shе Smiles
Qing Рing swаllоwеd hard in eхcitement.
“Thе Еmpеrоr hаs рrоmotеd thе Sеcond Yоung Мastеr! Directly frоm the ninth rаnk to the fourth rаnk!”
“What?!”
Сonsоrt Сhen was оverjoyеd, hеr vоiсe involuntаrilу rising а fеw notchеs.
“Not оnly that, thе Empеror has аlso promоtеd thе Mаstеr! Originally, thе Mаstеr was a fоurth-rank Vicе Ministеr оf Rеvenuе, but now he hаs been рrоmоted to the third-rank Minister of Revеnuе!”
Shangguan Sui: ?
[Ah! Fathеr аlso promоtеd Grandfather! I just found out about this too~]
[Father is quite sensible~ Let’s praise him a bit~]
Qing Ping wore a proud expression, her tone tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction.
“Hmph, there were always some rumors in the rear palace before, mocking Your Ladyship for your humble background and having no one in the court to support you.”
“I’d like to see who dares say that now! Anyone with eyes can see that the Emperor now holds our Lou family in high regard!”
Consort Chen chuckled lightly, giving Qing Ping a gentle, reproachful look.
“Alright, these words are fine to say within our palace, but don’t say them outside.”
Qing Ping had grown up with her since childhood and was the most straightforward in temperament, always speaking without restraint.
Although the Emperor now viewed the Lou family differently, they still needed to remain steady and not get carried away.
Qing Ping nodded hurriedly, “Your Ladyship, rest assured, this servant knows what should and should not be said.”
As Shangguan Sui listened to them talk, her eyes couldn’t stop fluttering, one yawn after another.
Finally unable to hold on any longer, she tilted her head and fell asleep.
Qing Ping: “By the way, Your Ladyship, Consort Xian just sent someone over, saying she will prepare a banquet tomorrow at Linqing Hall and asking if Your Ladyship will attend?”
Consort Chen looked at Shangguan Sui’s peaceful sleeping face, pursed her lips, and thought for a moment.
“We’ll go. The Empress and the Empress Dowager have gone to Spirit Mountain to worship Buddha. Consort Xian is currently in charge of the Six Palaces. If we don’t go, who knows how she might target us in the future.”
Qing Ping nodded, “Your Ladyship is absolutely right. This servant will go prepare the clothes for Your Ladyship to wear tomorrow.”
The First Prince’s Residence.
Shangguan Jue stepped down from the carriage and reached up to rub his aching forehead.
This afternoon, he had suddenly received an edict from the Emperor, ordering him to go to the prison to interrogate Lu Yuan and extract evidence of Marquis Zhenbei’s embezzlement of military provisions.
After interrogating until now, he had finally managed to force out some information.
Returning to the main courtyard, Shangguan Jue couldn’t help but start coughing again.
“Your Highness, you forgot to take your medicine again.”
Xiao Yun strode to Shangguan Jue’s side, reaching out to support him.
Shangguan Jue looked at those hands, his brow slightly furrowed.
He subtly withdrew his arm.
“Too tired today, no medicine. I’m going to my room now, you should rest early too.”
After saying this, he left without looking back.
Xiao Yun remained where she was, her expression stiff.
What did this sickly prince mean?
Xiao Yun’s mind raced.
It shouldn’t be like this. She had clearly been following the Plot development.
She had poisoned Shangguan Jue; by this time next year, he would die without anyone knowing.
Everyone would just think his health was poor.
Two years later, Marquis Zhenbei would rebel. Although in the book, this rebellion failed.
But now, with her help, Marquis Zhenbei was sure to succeed.
She was someone who knew the Plot!
And after the rebellion succeeded, she would marry the Third Prince and become the Empress of the Great Moon Kingdom!
Thinking this, Xiao Yun’s mood instantly improved considerably.
Anyway, Shangguan Jue was already deeply poisoned and wouldn’t live much longer.
No matter what he thought now.
The next day.Shangguan Sui slowly lifted her eyelids, only to find herself still in Bihua Palace.
[Daddy didn’t take her to the Imperial Study today?]
[Yay, I can spend the whole day cuddling with Mother today!]
Shangguan Sui yawned and sat up from the bed.
Hearing the movement, Consort Chen hurried over to the bedside.
The moment Shangguan Sui saw Consort Chen, her eyes widened in awe.
Today, Consort Chen wore an orchid-colored palace dress, her cloud-like black hair styled into a side bun.
A green gem hairpin adorned her bun, its tail dangling with several tassels that swayed gently as she moved.
Her lightly powdered face carried a gentle smile, making it impossible to look away.
[Ahhh! She’s stunning at first glance, and still stunning after the second, third, fourth, and fifth glances!]
[Cuddle with my beautiful mother! Mwah!]
[It’s still best to be with Mother! So pleasing to the eyes!]
Hearing Suisui’s inner thoughts, Consort Chen couldn’t help but smile.
Sui Sui’s words were truly too sweet.
“Sui Sui, would you like to go flower-viewing with Mother today?”
For the past few days, the Emperor had come every day at Chen hour to take Sui Sui away.
It was already Si hour now, so it seemed the Emperor wouldn’t be coming today.
Why not take Sui Sui to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers and relax?
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Sui immediately nodded vigorously.
“Ababa—”
[Flower-viewing sounds great! There’ll definitely be lots of pretty sisters there!]
[I want to go! Mother, I want to go too!]
Consort Chen heard the inner thoughts.
While finding it amusing, she couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.
Why hadn’t Sui Sui’s throat improved yet?
After returning from flower-viewing today, she would summon Imperial Physician Xu again to take a look.
To see what exactly was going on.
Imperial Garden.
“Consort Ning, you know what to do later, right?”
Consort Ning lowered her head, timidly looking at Consort Xian before her.
She nodded softly, “This concubine understands.”
Consort Xian smiled with satisfaction, then turned and left.
Watching Consort Xian’s retreating figure, Consort Ning gently placed a hand on her belly.
This pregnancy couldn’t be saved anyway.
Better to use it to take a chance and gain Consort Xian’s protection…
Consort Chen carried Shangguan Sui and boarded the palanquin.
They arrived at the Imperial Garden in no time.
As soon as Consort Chen stepped down and steadied herself, a gentle female voice came from behind.
“Consort Chen, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”
Consort Xian walked up to Consort Chen, taking her hand with great familiarity.
Addressing each other as “sister” with utmost affection.
As the two exchanged pleasantries, more concubines gradually gathered around.
“This must be the Fifth Princess. She truly looks adorable!”
“The Fifth Princess is only three years old this year, yet she’s already a little beauty~”
Shangguan Sui nestled in Consort Chen’s arms, listening to everyone’s praises, and smiled with her eyes curved.
The small dimples on her cheeks appeared, making her look utterly adorable.
“Hahaha, the Fifth Princess is smiling! The princess looks so lovely when she smiles!”
Hearing everyone’s compliments, Consort Xian forced a stiff smile.
Now, everyone in the palace knew that the Fifth Princess was the Emperor’s favorite.
Thinking of her own Third Prince, Consort Xian couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness.
The Emperor’s affection for the Third Prince wasn’t even half of what he showed the Fifth Princess.
Consort Xian glanced around, cleared her throat, and successfully drew everyone’s attention to herself.
She chuckled softly and said slowly, “The Fifth Princess has just recovered from a serious illness. It’s best not to crowd around her—it’s not good for the little princess’s health.”
Upon hearing this, the others had no choice but to disperse, gathering in small groups to admire the flowers.”Suisui, shall we go take a look over there?”
Consort Chen set Shangguan Sui down on the ground, holding her little hand as she gently coaxed her.
Shangguan Sui nodded with a hum.
[As long as I can be with Mother, anywhere is fine~]
Watching the two of them walk away, Consort Xian immediately shot Ning Pin a meaningful glance.
Ning Pin nodded and quickly followed them.
It was autumn now, and the Imperial Garden was filled with chrysanthemums of various kinds.
Shangguan Sui’s eyes were dazzled by the sight.
As she walked, she marveled at how impressive the imperial palace truly was.
“Suisui, be careful, don’t fall.”
Consort Chen followed behind Shangguan Sui, watching her slightly unsteady little steps, and couldn’t help but cover her lips with a light laugh.
Her Suisui was even adorable when walking.
Shangguan Sui turned around at the sound, only to see a pink figure suddenly dart out from behind Consort Chen.
That person bumped into Consort Chen and then abruptly fell to the ground.
Shangguan Sui was stunned.
[What is this? Can someone really stage a scam like this?!]
As soon as the pink figure fell to the ground, she began to cry out.
“Ah—”
“My child—”
No sooner had she spoken than Consort Xian hurried over with a group of concubines in tow.
Consort Xian exclaimed, “Ning Pin! Ning Pin, what happened to you?! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!”
Ning Pin clutched her stomach, her expression filled with pain.
Consort Xian appeared terrified and quickly asked, “Ning Pin, what’s wrong? What happened?!”
Ning Pin’s face was deathly pale, tears falling in large drops.
Her voice trembled as she whispered, “I don’t know how I offended Consort Chen…”
“Consort Chen, she… she suddenly pushed me…”