Chaрtеr 24: Тhе Еmpress Would Disсiрline Childrеn
Hua Shu smilеd; this Соnsоrt Shu wаs trulу no еаsу оppоnent.
“Sister speаks аs if I werе rаising thе First Рrinсe оut оf fеar yоu might snаtch him аway.”
Huа Shu spоke bluntly, which lеft Cоnsort Shu lооking awkward. Shе glanced tоwаrd thе Еmperоr аnd sаid, “Тhis conсubine wоuld not darе.”
“Is it that yоu dare nоt, or that yоu dо nоt wish to?” Нuа Shu turned her gazе to thе рerson bеside her. “Yоur Mаjеstу, now еveryоne knows thаt thе First Рrince’s birth mother committed a сrimе by harming Consоrt Rоng’s child. Who in the раlace would want to take on such a burden and invite trouble for no reason?”
Hua Shu understood all too well what Consort Shu was scheming—pretending to be detached from worldly affairs while secretly calculating every move.
How to shove the First Prince onto her, to cause her distress.
And to make the Emperor suspicious.
Unfortunately, Consort Shu was still scheming based on the original host’s temperament, unaware that Hua Shu had no such intentions.
Not only did she lack such intentions, but she was also determined to block Consort Shu’s every move.
Chu Ze listened to the Empress’s words, a profound look flashing in his eyes.
Yes, indeed it was so—a child without advantages would be discarded.
He understood this clearly.
Chu Ze looked at her and continued to inquire, “So the Empress does not wish to raise the First Prince?”
Hua Shu smiled. “This concubine does not wish to, and moreover, this concubine has a quick temper, especially with those who refuse discipline. I fear I might not be able to resist disciplining him!”
Though she spoke nonsense, coming from her mouth, it somehow sounded plausible.
Chu Ze looked at the person before him, noticing the three parts of pride in her eyes, and couldn’t help but curl his lips.
Then, feeling it inappropriate, he composed his expression. “So the Empress believes the First Prince has nowhere to go? Perhaps we should send him to Cining Palace to keep Mother company.”
Hearing this, Consort Shu spoke softly, “This concubine believes that the First Prince is, after all, a royal heir. This would not be appropriate.”
Having just been rebuffed by the Empress, she now had to align herself with the Emperor.
How could the Emperor possibly let the Empress Dowager raise the First Prince?
Hua Shu, of course, understood that the Emperor’s words were merely testing her.
She picked up her tea, took a sip, and then said, “Your Majesty, can you not see that the First Prince has been incited by those with ulterior motives? Since there is no suitable candidate, then simply give him to no one. Establish a dedicated place for raising princes and princesses, and hire tutors to impart knowledge and resolve doubts.”
Even if the Empress had been somewhat absurd in the past, the First Prince was just a child—how much could he remember?
His current fear of her was simply due to someone whispering in his ear.
Chu Ze’s gaze shifted, and the way he looked at Hua Shu gradually changed.
What she said was indeed a good method.
He had personally witnessed the affairs among royal heirs—utterly brutal.
Moreover, the Chu Kingdom was not yet strong enough. Though situated in the Central Plains, there were still hidden dangers.
To the south, the Ling Kingdom was growing stronger day by day; to the north, the Yu Kingdom had tens of thousands of elite soldiers.
Even the powerful Yu Kingdom had consumed its fortune through repeated internal strife.
It was for this reason that Chu Ze pondered deeply, not wanting his own children to suffer similar fates.
In the past, his late father’s lifelong wish had been to reclaim the five cities ceded to the Yu Kingdom.
He had schemed for so many years, barely recovering three of them. To spare the people suffering, he signed a ten-year peace treaty with the Yu Kingdom.
Chu Ze intended to elevate the Chu Kingdom to its peak within these few years.
In his lifetime, he wished to witness the prosperous era of all nations paying tribute.
Hua Shu saw the light in Chu Ze’s eyes—she was all too familiar with it. It was the ambition to conquer everything.”Very well, then I shall entrust this matter to your care, Empress.” Chu Ze essentially affirmed her suggestion.
“Your Majesty, no matter how diligently I attend to these matters, they remain affairs of the inner palace. Arranging accommodations and daily necessities is straightforward, but the selection of a tutor requires Your Majesty’s careful consideration. After all, as the saying goes, ‘At three, one’s character is formed; at seven, it is set.’ If the heart and nature are not properly guided, it could easily lead to calamity.”
Hua Shu spoke calmly. How could she not be aware of the power struggles playing out within the inner palace? Children were being molded into such mindsets from an early age.
In the future, it would lead to storms of blood and strife.
She had harbored this idea for a long time: would dedicated and careful guidance significantly reduce such scenes?
“By the way, isn’t Consort Shu’s father the Grand Tutor? It seems…” Hua Shu smiled as she glanced toward where Consort Shu was seated.
Chu Ze, however, rose to his feet first, his actions already rejecting the idea. “I will give it careful thought.”
Consort Shu paled, nearly losing her balance. Her fingers tightened around the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve.
Her gaze turned toward the Empress, but from her face, she could only see calmness, and her eyes held not a ripple of emotion.
Consort Shu focused intently. For the first time, she felt the terror of the Empress.
Killing without leaving a trace.
Hua Shu slowly stood up. Seeing the Emperor walk out, she followed suit.
Chu Ze watched the First Prince playing in the courtyard, free from the earlier sorrow, instead displaying the innocent joy of a child.
A subtle shadow flickered in his eyes.
Such a slight change naturally did not escape Hua Shu’s notice.
Nanny Qin, noticing the Emperor and Empress emerging, led the First Prince over.
Chu Ze approached the First Prince and said, “Yuan’er, you are a good child. Your father knows you understand reason. Remember, the Empress is your mother. You must not neglect propriety or overstep boundaries.”
Some matters were still beyond the child’s understanding due to his youth, and Chu Ze could not explain them fully. However, basic etiquette had to be instilled in him.
Seeing his father’s expression, the First Prince consciously glanced toward the standing Empress.
Then, with proper decorum, he placed his small hands together before his forehead and began to bow.
“Your son pays respects to Mother Empress. May Mother Empress enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
In the current situation, Hua Shu understood she could not make things difficult for the child. She simply smiled gently and excused him from the formalities.
Chu Ze glanced at Li Sheng beside him, instructing him to take the First Prince out to play. Meanwhile, Nanny Qin remained.
“Inciting the prince—execution by beating!” Chu Ze declared coldly.
He would not tolerate such troublemakers.
Nanny Qin was struck with terror and hurriedly knelt, pleading for mercy. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant did no such thing! The First Prince must have heard nonsense from someone—it has nothing to do with this servant!”
“This servant has always served the First Prince diligently. If not for merit, at least for hard work! Your Majesty!”
Nanny Qin wept as she begged for mercy, her eyes darting toward Consort Shu.
Consort Shu’s expression was grim, though she managed to compose herself, maintaining her usual demeanor as she spoke calmly, “Your Majesty, the First Prince is young and has just lost his birth mother. If he were to lose his wet nurse now, I fear he would be unable to bear it.”
She had always treated everyone in the inner palace with kindness, and pleading for a wet nurse was not unusual.
Nanny Qin quickly echoed Consort Shu’s words through her tears, insisting that the First Prince truly could not do without her.
Chu Ze did indeed consider the First Prince’s feelings. After all, he had just lost his mother, and further blows might traumatize his young heart.Hua Shu descended the steps one by one, her eyes filled with mockery as she swept her gaze over Consort Shu and Nanny Qin.
“Indeed, for the sake of the First Prince, Your Majesty might as well spare her life. Let her serve diligently and refrain from wagging her tongue.”
Seeing the Empress speak up, Chu Ze turned his attention to Nanny Qin kneeling there. “Take her away and have her tongue removed.”
This was the perfect solution—she could still serve, yet would be unable to speak recklessly, and it would serve as a warning to others.
Even with this punishment, Nanny Qin fainted from fright.
She could never have imagined that merely bringing the First Prince here would lead to such an outcome.
After the woman was dragged away, the Emperor, furious and eager to settle the matter, hurriedly turned to leave.
Consort Shu turned around, faced the Empress, and curtsied in farewell.
Yet her eyes held a trace of unwillingness.
Hua Shu lowered her eyelids, her red lips parting slightly. “Consort Shu, there is no need to thank me for this courtesy. Consider it a gift from me.”