Qingping swallowed in excitement.
“His Majesty promoted the Second Young Master! He was directly raised from the ninth rank to the fourth rank!”
“What?!” Consort Chen was overjoyed, her voice rising in surprise.
“Not only that!” Qingping continued, “His Majesty also promoted the Master of the household. He was originally a fourth-rank Vice Minister of Revenue, but now he’s been promoted to the third-rank Minister of Revenue!”
Shangguan Sui: ?!
【Ah! Father even promoted Grandfather too! I only just found out about this~】
【Father is quite on the ball~ I’ll praise him a bit~】
Qingping looked proud, though her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
“Hmph, there used to be rumors in the palace mocking Your Highness for your humble background and lack of support from your family.”
“Let’s see who dares say that now! Anyone with eyes can see His Majesty highly values our Shangguan family now!”
Consort Chen smiled lightly and gently chided Qingping.
“Alright, it’s fine to say such things in our own palace, but don’t speak of it outside.”
Qingping had grown up with her and was always straightforward, never careful with her words.
Although the Emperor now favored the Shangguan family, they still had to remain steady and not get carried away.
Qingping quickly nodded. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. I know what I should and shouldn’t say.”
Shangguan Sui listened to them while yawning repeatedly.
In the end, she couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep sideways.
Qingping then said, “By the way, Your Highness, Consort Xian just sent someone to ask whether you will attend the banquet she is holding in Linqing Palace tomorrow.”
Consort Chen looked at Shangguan Sui’s peaceful sleeping face and thought for a moment.
“We’ll go. The Empress and Dowager Empress are currently at Lingshan Temple for prayers, so Consort Xian is in charge of the harem. If we don’t go, she may target us later.”
Qingping nodded. “Your Highness is right. I will prepare tomorrow’s attire.”
..
Eldest Prince’s Residence.
Shangguan Jue stepped down from the carriage and rubbed his aching temples.
That afternoon, he had suddenly received an imperial order from his father to interrogate Lü Yuan in prison and extract evidence of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s grain corruption.
He had interrogated him until now and finally managed to extract some information.
Back at the main courtyard, he couldn’t help but cough again.
“Your Highness, you forgot to take your medicine again.”
Xiao Yun quickly walked over and supported him.
Shangguan Jue frowned slightly at her touch and calmly pulled his arm away.
“Too tired today. I won’t take it. I’m going back to rest. You should rest early too.”
With that, he left without looking back.
Xiao Yun stood frozen in place, her smile stiffening.
What did this sickly man mean?
Her mind raced quickly.
That shouldn’t be right. She had been following the plot exactly.
She had been poisoning Shangguan Jue, and by this time next year, he should die quietly without anyone noticing.
Everyone would only think he died of poor health.
In two years, the Marquis of Zhenbei would rebel. In the novel, the rebellion failed—
but now, with her help, it would definitely succeed.
She knew the original plot!
And after the rebellion succeeded, she would marry the Third Prince and become the Empress of the Great Yue Kingdom!
Thinking of this, her mood improved.
Shangguan Jue was already deeply poisoned anyway and wouldn’t live much longer.
She didn’t care what he thought now.
..
The next day.
Shangguan Sui slowly opened her eyes and found herself still in Bihua Palace.
【Father didn’t take me to the Imperial Study today?】
【Yay! I get to stay with Mother all day and cuddle her~】
She sat up with a yawn.
Consort Chen, hearing movement, quickly came to the bedside.
The moment Shangguan Sui saw her, her eyes widened.
Today, Consort Chen wore a lotus-green palace robe. Her dark hair was styled into a side bun, adorned with a green gemstone hairpin whose tassels swayed gently as she moved.
Her lightly powdered face carried a soft, gentle smile that made people unable to look away.
【Ahhh she’s beautiful no matter how I look at her—once, twice, three, four, five times, still beautiful!】
【Snuggle with beautiful Mother! Muah!】
【Being with Mother is the best! So pleasing to the eyes!】
Consort Chen couldn’t help but smile at her thoughts.
Suisui’s words were just too sweet.
“Does Suisui want to go flower viewing with Mother today?”
For the past few days, the Emperor had come every morning to take Suisui away.
But now it was already past the morning hour, so he likely wouldn’t come today.
They might as well go to the imperial garden to relax.
Shangguan Sui immediately nodded enthusiastically.
“Ahba ahba—”
【Yes yes! Flower viewing! There will definitely be many beautiful ladies!】
【I want to go! I want to go with Mother!】
Consort Chen smiled at her thoughts, though a hint of worry flickered in her eyes.
Suisui’s throat… why still hasn’t it healed?
After today’s outing, she should call Imperial Physician Xu again to check.
Imperial Garden.
“Consort Ning, you know what to do later.”
Consort Ning lowered her head nervously and glanced at Consort Xian.
She nodded slightly. “I understand.”
Consort Xian smiled in satisfaction and turned to leave.
Consort Ning placed a hand over her belly.
This child was never meant to be kept anyway.
It would be better to use it to gain Consort Xian’s protection…
Consort Chen arrived at the imperial garden with Shangguan Sui.
As soon as she stood steady, a warm voice came from behind her.
“Sister Consort Chen, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Consort Xian walked over and affectionately took her hand.
They greeted each other warmly, calling each other “sister” with apparent closeness.
Soon, many consorts gathered around.
“So this is the Fifth Princess—she really is adorable!”
“She’s only three years old this year, right? Already such a little beauty~”
Shangguan Sui leaned in Consort Chen’s arms, smiling as she listened to the praise.
Her little dimples showed—adorable beyond words.
“Hahaha, the Fifth Princess is smiling! She’s even more beautiful when she smiles!”
Consort Xian’s smile stiffened slightly as she listened.
Everyone in the palace knew the Fifth Princess was His Majesty’s favorite.
Thinking of her own Third Prince, she felt a faint bitterness.
The Emperor’s affection for him didn’t even come close to half of what he showed the Fifth Princess.
Consort Xian cleared her throat and successfully drew everyone’s attention.
With a soft laugh, she said, “The Fifth Princess has just recovered from illness. We shouldn’t crowd her—it’s not good for her health.”
The consorts dispersed accordingly.
“Let’s go over there, Suisui,” Consort Chen said gently, leading her away.
Shangguan Sui nodded happily.
【As long as I’m with Mother, anywhere is fine~】
Watching their retreating figures, Consort Xian gave Consort Ning a subtle glance.
Consort Ning nodded and followed them.
The imperial garden was filled with chrysanthemums of various kinds.
Shangguan Sui looked around in awe.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but sigh at how magnificent the imperial palace was.
“Be careful, Suisui, don’t fall,” Consort Chen said softly behind her.
Shangguan Sui turned back—
and saw a pink figure suddenly darting out from behind Consort Chen.
That person deliberately bumped into Consort Chen, then fell hard to the ground.
Shangguan Sui froze.
【What is this? A staged hit-and-fall scam?!】
The pink-clad woman immediately cried out.
“Ah—!”
“My child—!”
At that moment, Consort Xian rushed over with a group of consorts.
“Consort Ning! Consort Ning, what happened?! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!”
Consort Ning clutched her stomach, looking in extreme pain.
With a trembling voice she said,
“I don’t know what I did to offend Consort Chen…”
“She… she suddenly pushed me…”