Сhарtеr 22: The First Prinсе’s Whereаbouts
Upоn hеаring this, Zhiluо wаs sоmewhаt рuzzlеd.
Нer Ladуship wasn’t going to rаisе the First Рrinсе? Тhеn why did shе wаnt hеr to keер a сlose watсh on him аll the time?
Cоnsort Shu fоlded thе lеtter without sрeaking.
Aftеr аll, thе First Рrince’s birth mоthеr wаs а stain—she hаd cаused the dеath of Сonsort Rоng’s child. The Еmреror dislikеd hеr, and Consоrt Rong hеld а grudge.
It cоuld be said thаt whoеvеr rаised him wоuld gain no аdvantagе.
“Тhе First Prince is now at an age whеrе he understands things. If he knеw whо had causеd his mоther’s death, what do you think he would do?”
As Consort Shu spoke, she looked up and saw the gentle and graceful face reflected in the mirror.
Her fingertips lightly brushed the hair beside her ear, her eyes carrying a hint of a smile.
Zhiluo seemed to understand but not fully. “Consort De’s death had Consort Xian’s involvement. Does Your Ladyship intend to tell the First Prince directly?”
“Zhiluo, why are you being so foolish?” Consort Shu glanced at her and then stood up.
At first, she had thought Consort De was simply too foolish, trying to frame the Empress only to end up harming herself.
She hadn’t expected there to be so many twists and turns, with Consort Xian also playing a part in it.
This blood-written letter alone was enough to intimidate Consort Xian. Of course, she wouldn’t reveal it now but would wait for the right moment.
As for the First Prince.
His whereabouts were likely still being considered by the Emperor.
If the Empress were to raise the First Prince, he would be both the legitimate heir and the eldest son, which would be unfavorable to the other consorts in the harem.
A faint smile appeared in Consort Shu’s eyes. “Go and tell Madam Qin that if she wants to survive, I can protect her, but she must understand whom she should be loyal to. Moreover, the First Prince should also understand things now. Consort De’s death is not unrelated to the Empress.”
Upon hearing this, Zhiluo’s heart skipped a beat. Her Ladyship’s meaning was to inform the First Prince.
Did the Empress harm Consort De?
This way, no matter how the Empress raised the First Prince, they would never grow close.
Perhaps he might even become a major threat to the Empress.
Her mistress’s move was truly brilliant.
Zhiluo smiled slightly and hurriedly accepted the order. Before she could leave, her mistress’s voice came again.
“Don’t forget about the Mandarin Duck Tail Hall either. Pay more attention to it.”
“Yes, I understand.”
………..
In the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Hua Shu was in the backyard, supervising the servants as they cleaned the pond.
This spot had been deliberately set aside—quiet, with good scenery. Once properly renovated, it would become a natural bathing pool.
By noon, the water in the pond would be warmed by the sun.
She was a good swimmer and loved to float in the water. Moreover, her body suffered from severe cold syndrome and required medicinal baths.
Combining the two would benefit both body and mind.
“Hurry up over here, pay attention!” Not far away, Chief Eunuch Wang was overseeing the work, shouting with great effort, disregarding his sweat-drenched face as he tried his best to show his diligence.
Hua Shu sat on a reclining chair, leisurely squinting her eyes.
Nanny Wen approached with a fruit platter—unchilled, as her mistress’s current condition was not suited for cold foods.
She placed it on the table and glanced at the maid fanning behind her.
The maid understood the meaning and quietly withdrew.
Nanny Wen crouched beside her mistress and whispered a few words into her ear.
Hua Shu opened her eyes. “Consort Shu?”
Previously, she had suspected Consort Xian the most, but she hadn’t expected to unexpectedly uncover Consort Shu’s involvement.Nanny Wen nodded, “Yes, originally Yun Yue saw the First Prince’s wet nurse hurrying about and wanted to find a suitable opportunity to question her. Unexpectedly, she was intercepted by a maid from Consort Shu’s side. It’s unclear what happened between them, but the wet nurse obediently returned. Yun Yue couldn’t decide what to do, so she came back to ask for instructions. Your Highness, should we bring the wet nurse in for interrogation?”
Hua Shu shook her head, “No rush. Observe secretly for now, and respond with stillness to movement.”
The situation was complicated now. Without concrete evidence to capture them all at once, caution was necessary to avoid falling into a carefully laid trap.
None of these noble-born women who managed to establish themselves in the palace were simple.
She recalled that in the State of Zhao, her circumstances had been even more difficult. The old emperor’s women had all spent years maneuvering within the palace.
On the surface, they appeared as serene and detached as bodhisattvas, but in private, they were as venomous as scorpions.
Nanny Wen nodded, then thought of something and said, “Your Highness, could Consort Shu’s actions be because she wants to adopt the First Prince?”
Consort Shu had no sons of her own. Perhaps she had set her sights on adopting the First Prince.
Hua Shu stood up with a smile, “The matter of the First Prince’s future is indeed a troublesome one.”
Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn’t want to raise him, but there were always those willing to gamble—after all, he was still a prince.
However, Hua Shu had no interest in this matter.
“Tell Yun Yue not to deliberately keep watch. The Emperor will likely consider this matter soon, so it’s best not to let him find out and become suspicious again.”
As Hua Shu spoke, she walked forward. The pond before her was now clear enough to see the bottom.
Chief Eunuch Wang saw Her Highness approaching and hurried over with a bow, “Your Highness, please see if there’s anything else you’re dissatisfied with. This servant will have it improved immediately!”
“For now, it’s fine,” Hua Shu said, giving a meaningful glance at the bowing Chief Eunuch Wang before turning to walk back.
Only after Her Highness had left did Chief Eunuch Wang dare to look up, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Nanny Wen eyed him curiously, “Eunuch Wang has been quite diligent in his duties lately!”
Chief Eunuch Wang was an old eunuch in the palace who, relying on his seniority, had always carried out his tasks at a leisurely and relaxed pace—nothing like now, bustling about tirelessly.
Eunuch Wang forced an awkward smile, “The weather is hot, so it’s hard to avoid feeling restless. This body feels as if it has endless energy.”
He exaggeratedly gestured as if trying to prove something.
Nanny Wen rolled her eyes and left.
Chief Eunuch Wang wore a pained expression and let out a long sigh.
Of course, he was guilty!
If he had known those two little rascals were traitors, no matter how much money they had offered him, he wouldn’t have dared to let them in!
Eunuch Wang grumbled inwardly.
Even though the sun felt scorching, whenever he thought about it, he still felt a chill on the back of his neck.
He could only turn around and continue shouting for people to work.
………..
“Your Majesty, no matter how busy state affairs are, you must take care of your imperial health and avoid overexertion,” Empress Dowager Zhao said.
Mother and son sat facing each other, sipping tea.
Empress Dowager Zhao knew the Emperor loved Dragon Well Tea Before Rain, so she had specially prepared it today.
Since her return to the palace, the Emperor had visited her whenever he had free time.
“Thank you for your concern, Mother. Seeing you return has brought me some relief. The chaotic harem finally has a pillar of support,” Chu Ze said, taking a sip of tea.
Empress Dowager Zhao’s gaze rested on him, and she sighed.
“Your Majesty, the harem should ultimately be managed by the Empress. In the past, the Empress was young and inexperienced, but now I see she has improved. Let her handle it properly.”The Empress was, after all, chosen by her. If she had truly committed some grave mistake, this old face of hers would have nowhere to hide.
Chu Ze smiled and changed the subject, bringing up the matter of the First Prince’s whereabouts.
Empress Dowager Zhao frowned; this matter was indeed rather difficult to handle.
Before she could speak, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“Since no decision has been made yet, why not let him stay and be raised in Mother’s Cining Palace for a while? Once I have determined his future arrangements, it won’t be too late to make further plans!”
Empress Dowager Zhao’s eyes shifted, and she reluctantly refused.
“Your Majesty, at my age now, I truly prefer peace and quiet. Your Majesty should consider other options. Perhaps discuss it with the Empress instead.”
Chu Ze could only nod, and the matter was left at that for now.
After the Emperor left, Nanny Guan, who served the Empress Dowager, stepped forward and said, “Your Highness, what do you think the Emperor’s intentions are with this?”