The two Palace Maids, both looking delicate and about the age of sixteen, were kneeling on the Pearl Wood Embroidery Couch, one gently massaging the shoulders of Noble Princess Consort Xiao.

The other was kneeling on the couch, massaging her feet.

The two young Palace Maids held their breath, carefully attending to this fragrant Imperial Concubine~

Opposite sat a young man with a handsome, refined appearance.

It was Li Qian.

He was fifteen this year. The red birthmark the size of a pigeon egg near his right temple had disappeared, and his bright eyes made his face even more handsome. If one looked closely, they would notice a red mole near his ear.

He spoke aloud: "You two need not attend here, you may withdraw for now."

The two Palace Maids found his voice heavenly, felt as if they were granted a pardon, and respectfully climbed down from the couch, bowed, then slowly turned to leave, closing the crimson door as they went.

Only Noble Princess Consort Xiao, Li Qian, and one of her confidantes remained in the room.

"Mother, Second Brother is the Crown Prince. Father has never expressed any desire to dethrone him, so we shouldn’t create more trouble."

Noble Princess Consort Xiao elegantly sat up, leaning against the Pearl Wood Embroidery Couch, her expression clear and serene, saying: "Mother has not created more trouble. Everything is subject to change. The Right Minister Zhang Mingji forms cliques for personal gain, establishing private influence. Do you think your father doesn’t see this? Do you know why he dispatched the Six Gates to monitor the court’s officials?"

Li Qian had heard of the supervision of the court ministers and had consulted his father: "Father mentioned it was to care about the officials’ daily lives, hence occasionally sending out Six Gates spies to monitor."

Noble Princess Consort Xiao said nothing, glancing at her confidante, Shu Bai.

Shu Bai, eighteen years old, with brows like distant mountains and a dignified face, appeared serious. Her skin was a shade darker than that of a typical official’s daughter due to martial arts training, displaying a wheatish complexion. She protected the Imperial Concubine in public, while her master served Noble Princess Consort Xiao in secret. She spoke:

"Yes, the Emperor will periodically send spies to record the daily routines of the court ministers. The spies will detail these records, and those officials with numerous contacts will be thoroughly investigated to trace all related personnel and keep comprehensive records. I suspect there are too many unclear influences in the court, which is why the Emperor has delayed taking action. Additionally, Prince An, Li Shu, with rebellious intent, has established the Yama Hall and assassinated several court officials. The Emperor has not yet discovered that the mastermind behind Yama Hall is him."

Li Qian, with an incredulous look, turned to the woman on the Pearl Wood Embroidery Couch. Matters that even the Emperor hadn’t uncovered, his mother had, this...

No one understands a son better than his mother.

Of course, Noble Princess Consort Xiao knew what her son was thinking, and with a look of frustration at his lack of ambition, she said: "This information was uncovered by Master Shuilan, who took great risks. Do you think Mother has extraordinary abilities, with more timely information than the Six Gates?"

"Moreover, do you know that the Empress has her father, Zhang Mingji, suppressing your grandfather in the court? You must prepare yourself, even if not aiming for the throne. You must still have the ability to protect yourself in the future. Otherwise, if Li Changnian becomes Emperor, the first family he would eradicate would be the Xiao Family."

"Do you think your mother wouldn’t want to sit comfortably in the position of Imperial Concubine, enjoying a life of luxury?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"But, do you know your Second Brother is not a straightforward person, and the Empress is not kind-hearted?"

"If you truly care for our Xiao Family, then show some spirit and gain more favor from your father."

The woman’s words echoed in Li Qian’s ears. Silent, he sat on the chair, head bowed, seemingly contemplating his mother’s advice.

As the Crown Prince’s younger brother, would he really not spare the Xiao Family once he becomes Emperor?