Huashu smiled; Consort Shu truly was not to be underestimated.
“Little sister speaks as if I intend to raise the eldest prince, afraid you might snatch him away.”
Huashu’s blunt words made Consort Shu appear embarrassed. Her gaze flicked toward the Emperor. “I dare not.”
“Is it that you dare not, or that you do not wish to?” Huashu’s eyes turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, now everyone knows the eldest prince’s birth mother committed a grave error and caused the death of Consort Rong’s child. Who in the palace would willingly raise him and invite trouble?”
Huashu understood exactly what Consort Shu was thinking. Pretending to be indifferent while secretly scheming—probably hoping to maneuver the eldest prince into her care, causing unrest and perhaps arousing the Emperor’s suspicion.
But Consort Shu did not realize that Huashu had no such intention.
Not only did she not intend to take the prince, but she also aimed to shut down Consort Shu’s path entirely.
Chu Ze listened to the Empress’ words, a depth of thought crossing his eyes.
Indeed, a child without advantage would be abandoned. He understood this well.
He looked at her and asked, “So the Empress does not wish to raise the eldest prince?”
Huashu smiled. “I do not wish to. And my temper is volatile—especially with unruly children. I might lose control and strike him!”
Though she was speaking nonsense, coming from her lips, it sounded convincingly real.
Chu Ze observed her, noticing a hint of pride in her eyes, and could not help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Then he realized it was inappropriate to linger, and collected his expression. “Does the Empress feel the eldest prince has nowhere to go? Perhaps he could stay in Cining Palace, so the Empress Dowager might have some company.”
Hearing this, Consort Shu spoke softly. “Your Majesty, I believe the eldest prince, being the heir, should not be placed there.”
Having just failed to win favor with the Empress, she now needed to align with the Emperor.
Of course, the Emperor would not let the Empress Dowager raise the eldest prince.
Huashu understood—his words were merely a test.
She sipped her tea and then said, “Your Majesty, cannot you see the eldest prince has been influenced by ill-intentioned people? Since there is no suitable caretaker, then give him to no one. Establish a dedicated place for raising princes and princesses, and invite a tutor to instruct them properly.”
Even if the Empress had once been careless, the eldest prince was still just a little child. How much could he remember?
Now, his fear of her was nothing but the result of whispers in his ears.
Chu Ze’s gaze shifted; he looked at Huashu differently.
What she suggested was indeed a good solution.
He had seen how brutal succession matters could be.
Moreover, Chu Kingdom was not yet strong; though in the Central Plains, threats still existed.
To the south, the rising Ling Kingdom; to the north, Yu Kingdom, with tens of thousands of elite soldiers.
Even the strong Yu Kingdom had been drained by internal strife.
Chu Ze did not want similar troubles for his own child.
His father had spent his life trying to reclaim five cities lost to Yu Kingdom. After years of effort, only three were recovered. To prevent suffering among the people, a ten-year peace treaty was signed with Yu Kingdom.
Chu Ze planned to bring Chu Kingdom to its peak in the coming years, witnessing a golden age where nations came to pay tribute.
Huashu saw the light in his eyes—it was familiar: the ambition to conquer everything.
“Good. Then Empress, please give this matter your attention,” Chu Ze finally approved her plan.
“Your Majesty, no matter how attentive I am, the affairs of the harem—assigning places and daily needs—are simple enough. But as for hiring tutors, that must be carefully considered. After all, a child’s character is seen at three, fully developed by seven. If the mind is not guided properly, disaster could follow.”
Huashu spoke calmly. She had long observed the scheming in the harem; children raised amidst this would adopt similar mindsets.
By guiding them early, she hoped to reduce future chaos.
“By the way, Consort Shu’s father is the Grand Tutor—perhaps that…” Huashu smiled subtly at Consort Shu.
Chu Ze rose first, signaling his decision. “I will consider this carefully.”
Consort Shu paled, nearly losing her balance, fingers clutching her handkerchief.
She glanced at the Empress, but only saw calm, unreadable eyes.
Consort Shu focused. For the first time, she truly felt the Empress’ terrifying presence.
Silent and deadly.
Huashu slowly stood and followed the Emperor outside.
Chu Ze looked at the eldest prince playing in the courtyard. No longer sorrowful, the child now displayed a playful innocence.
His gaze darkened slightly at this subtle change—Huashu noted it immediately.
Qin Shi saw the Emperor and Empress emerge, and led the eldest prince over.
Chu Ze spoke beside him, “Zhiyuan, you are a good child. Father knows you are sensible. Remember: the Empress is your mother. You must not lose decorum.”
Though he could not explain everything to a child so young, the basic rules of etiquette must be clear.
The eldest prince looked at his father, then toward the Empress, before folding his small hands at his forehead to bow properly.
“I pay respects to my mother, Mother Empress. May you be blessed and safe.”
Seeing this, Huashu smiled gently, understanding that the child should not be burdened. She allowed him to forego the bow.
Chu Ze glanced at Li Sheng, instructing him to take the eldest prince to play, leaving Qin Shi behind.
“Inciting the prince—tongue removed!” Chu Ze said coldly.
He would not tolerate those who stirred trouble.
Qin Shi froze, hurriedly begging, “Your Majesty! I did not! The eldest prince heard something he should not have! It is not my fault! I have served him faithfully, Your Majesty!”
She stole a glance at Consort Shu.
Consort Shu’s face was grim but tempered herself, speaking calmly: “Your Majesty, the eldest prince is young and has just lost his birth mother. Losing his wet nurse now might be unbearable.”
She had always been kind to the women of the harem; pleading for the wet nurse was usual for her.
Qin Shi continued through tears, following Consort Shu’s lead—indeed, the eldest prince could not do without her.
Chu Ze considered the prince’s feelings. Having lost his mother, further blows could traumatize his young heart.
Huashu descended the steps, eyes playful, sweeping a glance at Consort Shu and Qin Shi.
“Yes. For the eldest prince’s sake, perhaps it is best to spare her life. She may serve faithfully, but no more gossiping.”
Seeing the Empress speak, Chu Ze turned to Qin Shi kneeling there. “Take her away. Remove her tongue.”
This was the perfect solution: she would serve, yet speak no more, and it would warn others.
Even this punishment frightened Qin Shi into fainting.
She could not have imagined that merely bringing the eldest prince here would lead to such consequences.
After she was dragged away, the Emperor, annoyed, hurried back to enforce the matter.
Consort Shu turned, facing the Empress, bowing respectfully, though her eyes betrayed lingering resentment.
Huashu lowered her eyelids, lips slightly parted. “Consort Shu, there is no need to thank me. Consider it a reward from me.”