The incident of the Eldest Princess’s injury could not be concealed at all. Cining Palace received the news immediately. When the Grand Empress Dowager learned that the Emperor had arranged for the Imperial Noble Consort to handle the matter, she was momentarily puzzled, wondering why Xuan Ye had thought of sending the Imperial Noble Consort.
Upon hearing that the Imperial Noble Consort had already rushed to the Prince’s Residence, she grew even more surprised. Turning to Sumala beside her, she asked, “Did I hear wrong, or did they report it incorrectly?”
Nanny Sumalā smiled and replied, “You did not hear wrong. The palace maids said that the Imperial Noble Consort has gone to the Prince’s Residence, separated everyone for individual questioning, and is now leading the Eldest Princess to Cining Palace.”
The Grand Empress Dowager frowned and spoke without reservation, “What kind of act is she putting on this time?”
“Regardless of what act the Imperial Noble Consort is putting on, weren’t you worried about the Eldest Princess’s condition earlier and asked me to bring her here? Now that the Imperial Noble Consort is bringing her, doesn’t that align with your wishes?” Nanny Sumalā tried her best to console her.
“What you say is not wrong. No matter what her intentions are, at least she is willing to handle this matter, which is much better than before.” The Grand Empress Dowager spoke in a calm tone and instructed Sumala to keep an eye on the situation.
Meanwhile, Tong Lanshu led Chunxi toward Cining Palace. The Eldest Princess was quiet and well-behaved, while Tong Lanshu remained silent.
One was somewhat nervous, and the other was no different.
The two walked in silence all the way. Upon arriving at Cining Palace, both of them relaxed almost imperceptibly.
The palace maids of Cining Palace had been waiting outside early on, welcoming the Imperial Noble Consort and the Eldest Princess inside. Tong Lanshu performed the salute as she remembered and then stood respectfully to the side.
As soon as Chunxi saw the Grand Empress Dowager, she threw herself into her great-grandmother’s arms, shedding tears of grievance and repeatedly crying out in pain.
The Grand Empress Dowager held the child in her arms to comfort her, inquired about her condition with concern, and gently coaxed her, urging Chunxi not to shed any more tears.
Nanny Sumalā, worried that Tong Lanshu might feel awkward, quickly invited her to sit down. “Your Highness, please don’t just stand there. Let me brew some tea for you.”
“Nanny, there’s no need to worry about me,” Tong Lanshu hurriedly replied.
Only after the Grand Empress Dowager had comforted Chunxi and had her taken away by a palace maid to have some snacks did Tong Lanshu hear the Grand Empress Dowager ask her, “Why did you think of bringing Chunxi to Cining Palace?”
Having been here for over a month, Tong Lanshu was meeting the historical Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang for the first time today and felt momentarily dazed.
She shook her head slightly to regain her composure and found her voice again. “In response to the Grand Empress Dowager, His Majesty ordered your subject consort to go to the Prince’s Residence to handle the matter of the Eldest Princess’s injury. Your subject consort separated the servants for individual questioning to determine whether it was a momentary accident or a long-term neglect. The matter has already shown some progress, but the Eldest Princess asked your subject consort how to deal with the wet nurse, nanny, and palace maids who serve her…”
Tong Lanshu seemed somewhat troubled. “Your subject consort does not know how to handle this, so I came to Cining Palace to seek your guidance.”
Tong Lanshu’s words sounded quite pleasant.
However, the Grand Empress Dowager remained unmoved and spoke in a very cold tone. “You are the Imperial Noble Consort personally appointed by the Emperor. Dealing with a few palace servants is as simple as a single command. Why bother coming before me to put on an act and seek guidance?”
“Could it be that you only desire the honor of being the Imperial Noble Consort?”
Tong Lanshu heard clearly and felt her face flush with embarrassment. She truly did not want to be the villain, but being pointed out so bluntly made her seem incapable of handling matters. However, at this moment, she could only pretend not to understand, forcing a smile, "Your subject consort lacks experience and asks for guidance from the Grand Empress Dowager."
The Grand Empress Dowager glanced at Tong Lanshu and did not press her too hard.
Ultimately, Tong Lanshu was also a child in her eyes. Just her hurried trip to the Prince's Residence today was enough to soften the Grand Empress Dowager's attitude. "What are your thoughts?"
The Grand Empress Dowager asked directly, and Tong Lanshu naturally would not resort to petty tricks or schemes—her little tricks were simply not enough to impress Empress Xiaozhuang.
"Before coming to Cining Palace, your subject consort had already clarified the matter. It was caused by the negligence of Eldest Princess's Mammy."
"Replacing Eldest Princess's Mammy is simple, but Eldest Princess has a deep bond with her Mammy. If handled improperly, your subject consort fears Eldest Princess would suffer."
Tong Lanshu laid out all her concerns, worried that Chunxi would become depressed without someone close to her.
Seeing that the Grand Empress Dowager remained silent, Tong Lanshu steeled her heart, "Other Ages and Princesses living in the Prince's Residence have their own mothers who care for them, occasionally sending palace maids or eunuchs to check on them. But Eldest Princess…"
What she meant was simply that Chunxi was isolated and powerless in the palace, and she feared that the servants might neglect Chunxi based on shifting winds.
This matter was not surprising; everyone in the palace would whisper a few words about it, but only Tong Lanshu dared to speak so frankly.
She was not afraid of being disliked or blamed for it.
Considering this, the Grand Empress Dowager gradually softened her expression, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Tong Lanshu had clearly come seeking someone to make decisions, but unknowingly she was led along. She had no choice but to slowly express her humble opinion, "Eldest Princess is injured now and relies heavily on her Mammy. Your subject consort thinks, perhaps I could personally admonish her and allow her to stay with Eldest Princess temporarily. Once Eldest Princess's injuries improve, we can decide her fate?"
The Grand Empress Dowager nodded slowly, "Chunxi's Mammy has actually already passed the age to leave the palace, but she stayed because Chunxi depends on her. This matter is entrusted to you. Whether she stays or leaves afterward will be your decision."
Tong Lanshu: "…"
She did not want to handle this matter.
Tong Lanshu felt conflicted internally but could only accept, "Your subject consort obeys the decree."
"Chunxi is injured and will stay in Cining Palace these few days. Sumala will take good care of her," the Grand Empress Dowager said solemnly.
Tong Lanshu immediately expressed gratitude upon receiving the clear instruction, then promptly requested to leave, saying she still needed to visit the Prince's Residence.
The Grand Empress Dowager did not make it difficult, agreeing and allowing Tong Lanshu to depart.
After Tong Lanshu left, the Grand Empress Dowager's stern expression softened considerably. Seeing Sumala approach, she asked proactively, "How is Chunxi?"
"Eldest Princess has already rested. She truly suffered today." Sumala gestured to her master about the little princess's wounds, her tone filled with heartache.
Both master and servant lamented that fortunately the injuries were not on her face, dissatisfied with the Mammy's negligence.
"She receives such high Monthly Silver yet cannot even care for a child properly. What use is she?"
"This matter, Imperial Noble Consort spoke reasonably. Eldest Princess depends on her Mammy; this must be handled gradually."
"She is still somewhat sensible."
"You seem quite satisfied with Imperial Noble Consort today."
The Grand Empress Dowager glared at Sumala, but the latter smiled cheerfully, not at all intimidated by her master's gaze.
"Now that she's an Imperial Noble Consort, she can't remain completely unchanged," the Grand Empress Dowager rubbed her forehead helplessly. "I don't expect her to be particularly capable, just hope she doesn't hinder Xuan Ye."
"The court faces internal troubles and external threats; Xuan Ye is already burdened enough."
"Master, saying that truly undervalues the Imperial Noble Consort. Over these years, she has wholeheartedly stood by His Majesty, never aiding her family to trouble him." Sumala smiled, refilling a bowl of sweet soup for the Grand Empress Dowager, urging her to calm her temper. "Please soothe your throat."
The Grand Empress Dowager took the sweet soup and drank slowly, feeling heartache when mentioning Chunxi. "After Xuan Ye finishes court, have him come to Cining Palace."
The Grand Empress Dowager wanted to discuss Chunxi's matter with the emperor, and coincidentally, the emperor had the same thought. Without waiting for his grandmother to summon him, he hurried over after court.
He personally visited his daughter, then came to speak with his grandmother.
Seeing his displeased expression, the Grand Empress Dowager couldn't help but offer comfort. "Fortunately, her face wasn't injured."
"The servants at the Prince's Residence are too negligent," Xuan Ye said coldly. "Simply having them watch a few children led to such a major incident."
"Now there are more children in the Prince's Residence; toddlers as young as three can climb roofs and tear tiles, so the servants inevitably overlook things. I think we should assign more personnel to the Prince's Residence." The Grand Empress Dowager merely addressed the matter objectively.
"The princes and princesses now live with their birth mothers; there are only a few children in the Prince's Residence—how could they be inadequately supervised?" Xuan Ye's tone remained indifferent.
The Second Princess and Third Prince, born to the same mother, reside with Consort Rong in Jingyang Palace. The Eldest Prince lives in Changchun Palace, the Crown Prince has lived with the emperor in Qianqing Palace since childhood, the Fourth Prince is with the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Fifth Prince stays with the Empress Dowager.
The Sixth Prince is raised by Consort De herself.
Currently, only the Seventh Prince, Eighth Prince, and three princesses remain in the Prince's Residence.
Besides the palace maids and eunuchs at the Prince's Residence, each prince and princess has their own nursemaids and palace maids—yet such an incident still occurred.
"Grand Empress Dowager, I have matters to discuss with you." Xuan Ye spoke frankly to the Grand Empress Dowager about arrangements for several children.
"I think Consort Duan could raise Duanjing, while Kejing could be entrusted to Consort Yi."
The emperor didn't elaborate, but the Grand Empress Dowager understood clearly: Noble Lady Bu lives with Consort Duan in Zhongcui Palace, while the Fourth Princess's birth mother, Noble Lady Guo, resides in Yikun Palace.
Xuan Ye's arrangements were indeed thoughtful.
"As for Yinsi, I intend to entrust him to Consort Hui."
With these arrangements, only the Eldest Princess and Seventh Prince would remain in the Prince's Residence.
"Should these two children stay in the Prince's Residence?"
"Yin You has congenital disabilities; entrusting him to anyone is unsuitable. Lady Daijia's rank is low, and she lacks the qualification to raise a child. Keeping him in the Prince's Residence is appropriate." Xuan Ye had clearly considered this.
But regarding Chunxi, the Grand Empress Dowager had a different opinion. "Yin You being a toddler isn't a problem, but Chunxi was severely injured today. If she continues living with her younger brother in the Prince's Residence, it would inevitably be unfair."
"Grand Empress Dowager speaks rightly." Xuan Ye pondered carefully, not rejecting this proposal, but hadn't yet decided how to arrange Chunxi.
"Chengqian Palace is somewhat quiet." The Grand Empress Dowager remarked casually.
Xuan Ye frowned slightly upon hearing Grand Empress Dowager's words. "Imperial Noble Consort?"
"She has always been frail. Taking care of two children…" Xuan Ye hesitated, but Grand Empress Dowager believed sending Chunxi to Chengqian Palace was the best choice.
"Wherever Eldest Princess goes, none would be more suitable than Chengqian Palace." Grand Empress Dowager had her own considerations. Chunxi's status was special; if she did not stay in the Prince's Residence, only Chengqian Palace would be appropriate.
The Emperor pondered briefly and understood Grand Empress Dowager's intention. "Your grandson will discuss this properly with Imperial Noble Consort."
Grand Empress Dowager nodded slightly in agreement.
Tong Lanshu was completely unaware of their plans. When she learned of them later, she was left only with astonishment.