Of course, this isn’t to say that the palace personnel had treated her poorly before.
Haitang, Shaoyao, and the others had undoubtedly been diligent and attentive toward Zhuang Yunlan.
However, that diligence and attentiveness had been built on the foundation of serving the Eastern Palace’s boss—His Highness the Crown Prince—together.
For instance, when Haitang and the others styled her hair or selected her outfits, their primary consideration wasn’t Zhuang Yunlan’s personal preferences but rather their speculation about the Crown Prince’s tastes.
Even during times when she couldn’t see the Crown Prince at all, the palace personnel had acted this way.
Zhuang Yunlan had noticed, but she hadn’t felt particularly unhappy about it.
This was a feudal dynasty, after all. To put it nicely, she was a Cairen of the Crown Prince, nominally a mistress of sorts, but in essence, she was merely a senior attendant in the Eastern Palace branch. These palace personnel, like her, served the Crown Prince first and foremost; she only came afterward.
Zhuang Yunlan understood.
But now, the situation had changed.
At least when it came to dressing and hairstyling, Haitang and the others had begun considering Zhuang Yunlan’s preferences.
As long as the Crown Prince wasn’t around, even if she wanted to let her hair down and lounge on the daybed reading casual books, the palace maids no longer tried to dissuade her with constipated expressions.
They would simply remind the guards outside the hall to stay alert, then bring all her favorite fruits, pastries, and such right to her, allowing her to read her leisure books in even greater comfort and relaxation.
Thus, with the hall doors closed, Zhuang Yunlan resumed the leisurely lifestyle she had enjoyed back in Nanzhili. Setting aside the fact that she was in the imperial palace, her level of contentment was simply perfect.
As La Month arrived, the palace began to fill with New Year’s atmosphere, and everywhere was bustling with activity.
After visiting the Crown Princess on the first day of La Month, the Crown Prince had not entered the rear courtyard again.
The Snow Disaster matter had finally been settled: the court allocated grain to the affected regions, Prince Shao personally requested to serve as the imperial commissioner, and The Emperor approved it.
Setting off at this time, if the assignment was handled quickly, he wouldn’t even miss returning to the capital for the New Year. Even if he were delayed, with his birth mother Consort Liu there to whisper some pillow talk, The Emperor would undoubtedly feel immense heartache for this son toiling for the court, and the benefits would certainly be plentiful.
Several officials from the Household Administration of the Crown Prince cautiously observed the Crown Prince’s expression.
Although the Crown Prince was absolutely not associated with words like “violent” or “tyrannical,” even an ordinary commoner couldn’t be entirely without temper.
Prince Shao had never been a low-key person to begin with, and this time, leveraging his commissioner assignment, he openly visited the residences of several hall officials from the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel, and Censorate—clearly currying favor and winning hearts. Yet The Emperor simply pretended not to see it. Not to mention the Crown Prince himself, even several Eastern Palace officials felt uncomfortable on the Crown Prince’s behalf.
Official Zhan Shihan, the Supervisor of the Household, stood closest to the Crown Prince. Lifting his gaze, he noticed the Crown Prince’s expression was perfectly normal.
It wasn’t the previous kind of calm that concealed joy or anger without showing, but rather as if he truly didn’t take Prince Shao’s actions this time to heart.
Seeing the Crown Prince so composed, the several ministers felt both relieved and impressed.
After discussing matters a while longer, the Crown Prince had imperially made Laba porridge brought in to reward these officials. Once they finished the porridge, he dismissed them.
Today was Laba Festival, and the Crown Prince needed to go to the inner palace to pay respects to the Empress.
The current Emperor had successively installed two Empresses. The first Empress, Empress Tu, was deposed just a few months after her conferment.
The current Empress’s surname is Xue. She entered the palace in the same selection round as the deposed Empress. When she first entered the palace, she was granted the title Consort Xian. After Empress Tu was deposed, she was installed as Empress.
Neither Empress gave birth to an imperial prince, but Empress Xue was different from the arrogant Empress Tu—she was a dignified and benevolent lady who cared well for the imperial princes born to the concubines.
The Crown Prince was The Emperor's eldest son. After his birth mother, Consort Jing, passed away, he was raised by Empress Xue. Although they were not related by blood, their relationship was quite good.
Knowing that the Crown Prince was coming, all the pastries and fruits arranged in Kunning Palace today were his favorites.
Nanny Qian took the Crown Prince's cloak and personally went to warm it by the fire.
The Empress had someone serve the Crown Prince a cup of Wuyi rock tea. Watching him drink the tea and seeing his frost-pale complexion gradually ease, she then asked, "How is Fuyue's health really doing now? Yesterday, her palace maid came to see me and said she had seen red again. I immediately sent the imperial physician to examine her, but the physician kept repeating the same few lines—only saying that the Crown Princess's body is weak and needs gradual nurturing, that it cannot be rushed. So I asked, what exactly does 'gradual nurturing' mean? And when can the symptom of seeing red be completely eradicated? But several imperial physicians hemmed and hawed, unable to give a definite answer. Eldest Brother, tell me truthfully, are you still holding a grudge against her over Consort Chu's matter? Is that why she's been excessively worried and saw red again?"
Before the Crown Prince could reply, the Empress sighed.
"Regarding Consort Chu's matter, Fuyue did not handle it well. Her nature is gentle and kind—when the concubines make mistakes, she cannot bear to punish them, which is how she spoiled Consort Chu and caused you to suffer a setback in front of your father. Mother knows this has wronged you, but Fuyue is still carrying your child after all. This is your legitimate eldest son—it cannot be neglected."
"Mother," the Crown Prince's index finger resting on his thumb ring twitched slightly. He said, "Your son is not holding a grudge against her."
This was the truth.
At least regarding Consort Chu's matter, although it implicated the Crown Prince himself, he had never quarreled with the Crown Princess over it, nor had he even mentioned it.
"It's not that you're angry with her," the Empress knew the Crown Prince's temperament—he was not the type to take his anger out on his wives and concubines.
She said, "Fuyue tends to overthink—you know this. And you, with your busy Court Affairs, might there be times when you've neglected her? In the past, you were considerate toward her. If there have been any changes at this critical time, she is bound to overthink. Matters between you two as husband and wife—Mother has never interfered. But now she is in a crucial period. Even if just for the sake of the imperial grandson, be more tolerant, alright?"
The Crown Prince said, "Your son understands. It is your son's fault for causing Mother to worry."
"As long as you are aware in your heart," the Empress smiled and continued, "The New Year is approaching, and there are many matters in the palace. Originally, I thought of having Shen Shi assist Fuyue. Shen Shi is proper, unlike Consort Chu. With her help in managing affairs, Fuyue could have some relief. But who knew Consort Chu's incident would happen. Shen Shi holds a higher rank and has seniority. If she were to intervene in Eastern Palace affairs again, Fuyue would likely overthink. Hmm, how are those consorts and concubines selected this year? If any seem reliable, let them help Fuyue?"
Originally, these words should have been said to the Crown Princess, but given the Crown Princess's condition, the Empress no longer required her to come to the inner palace for greetings.
The Crown Prince thought for a moment and indeed recalled one who had left an impression.
He said, "I find Zhuang Shi quite suitable. If Mother Empress also thinks she is acceptable, I will have her assist the Crown Princess for the time being."
The Empress smiled and said, "She is your person, so if you think she is good, that is enough. Speaking of which, I also remember Zhuang Shi—she is well-mannered and skilled in painting. Now that she has caught your eye, it is her good fortune. Since you favor her, go and inform Fuyue about it. Just make sure not to arrange this matter without her knowledge."