Chapter 933: Chapter 929: Gradual Progression (4)

Before Fourth Master Xiao arrived at the room, Han Cheng, Pang Guibin, and Zhou Bohan all came one after another. Fourth Master Xiao smiled bitterly at Xiqiu: "You should sleep first, don’t wait for me."

Xiqiu shook her head: "I can’t sleep, I’ll wait for Fourth Master."

That night, when Fourth Master Xiao returned, it was already late at night. Xiqiu leaned against the bedhead, dozing off, and awoke startled at the sound, calling out: "You’re back." Then she went to assist him with washing: "Has Lord Han left?" She smelled alcohol on Fourth Master Xiao.

Fourth Master Xiao shook his head, responding: "He is sleeping in the guest courtyard, saying he’s annoyed to return."

Xiqiu smiled without saying anything. Lord Han had fixed a wedding date for next year; Madam Hong would surely be up in arms again.

The couple lay in bed and chatted about many things before resting.

The next day, Xiqiu took the initiative to submit a card to enter the palace for the first time. Le Xiu was surprised to see her, as Xiqiu had never actively sought her out.

Xiqiu knew that with the late Empress’s posthumous child rumored to be lost among the people, the Empress and Old Madam Shen’s focus had shifted. With Min now safe, she had fewer worries, not needing to concern herself with her stance anymore.

"Thinking about your ladyship, I hope I haven’t disturbed you." Xiqiu smiled softly.

Le Xiu sat across from Xiqiu, smiling back: "How could you disturb me? I’m thrilled you’ve come." She paused, then asked: "I understood what happened some time ago. Is your health alright? I couldn’t visit you; I’m unaware of your well-being."

"It’s all fine now, thank you for your concern, your ladyship." She said, taking the tea Jinyu brewed with a smile: "Thank you, Aunt Jinyu."

Jinyu blushed, replying: "Madam, you can call me Jinyu." She lowered her head and retreated to the doorway.

Le Xiu looked at Xiqiu and asked: "Is there something you need, Madam?" Xiqiu smiled and shook her head: "Truly, nothing. Just concerned about your ladyship, I came to visit."

Le Xiu’s gaze shifted, without further inquiry, mentioning Chief Cai’s affair: "I’ve found out that Chief Cai went to Fengwu Palace on the first day!" After speaking, she looked at Xiqiu again, whose expression remained calm, not showing surprise. She was secretly startled; could Xiqiu have known earlier?

Pausing, Le Xiu spoke with anger: "I will not let this matter rest!"

Xiqiu sipped tea, then placed the cup back without continuing the subject, instead said: "Isn’t the Second Prince set to begin his learning next year?"

Le Xiu didn’t understand why Xiqiu mentioned the Second Prince suddenly but nodded: "Consort Wen has already petitioned the Emperor, and he agreed. He’ll start in spring."

Upon hearing this, Xiqiu nodded slightly, laughing: "I once saw the Second Prince at Fengwu Palace; he truly is kind and clever." She remarked meaningfully, looking at Le Xiu.

Le Xiu was taken aback by her gaze and, after pondering, understood her implication. The Second Prince’s mother, Consort Wen, was of low birth and lacked family power to rely on, but after birthing the Second Prince, her gentle and soft nature earned her the Emperor’s affection, resting in her palace a few times monthly. Even during her most prominent times, the Emperor didn’t change this habit. She once pretended to be jealous about it, saying she wasn’t as gentle and pleasing as Consort Wen. The Emperor just laughed, not commenting further.

However, she secretly observed for a while, noticing the Emperor’s gaze at Consort Wen was different from hers, akin to deep-seated emotions. It lacked the admiration and passion shown to her but held a gentle warmth like a spring breeze.

She understood then their relationship to the Emperor was intensely emotional, admiring and fiery but such emotions easily lead to exhaustion, not enduring the test of time. Consort Wen, however, was like clear water, gentle without waves yet indispensable.

"What does Fourth Madam mean?" Consort Wen had the Second Prince, she didn’t, but she had reliable external power, which Consort Wen lacked.

Xiqiu smiled, nodding slightly: "Your ladyship is still young; you’ll surely have another Prince in the future. But now, lacking a child to enjoy, life seems lonely. Why not invite the Second Prince over more often? Even when you and the Emperor run out of things to say, having a child around to lighten the mood makes days easier."

After all, the Emperor rests with her more often. Having the Second Prince frequently in his sight is something Consort Wen would likely welcome.

This way, palace dynamics would become even more interesting.

Why not watch the show from the sidelines? After all, in their eyes, she only held onto the Emperor’s favor for being young and beautiful, yet without offspring, not enough to become their thorn.

"Fourth Madam, have some tea." Le Xiu smiled slightly at Xiqiu.

Xiqiu nodded, taking the tea cup, bowing to drink. The Le’an Palace remained quiet.

Xiqiu also paid respects to the Empress before leaving the palace, visiting the South Arch to see the Grand Dowager and First Madam, then returned to the Governor Mansion.

On the ninth day of the ninth month, Xiqiu returned to the Tong Mansion. Tong Xiyu and Second Master Lou’s marriage was finally settled, and Tong Xiyu was brought back to the mansion. After months, Xiqiu saw Tong Xiyu for the first time, wearing a light blue dress, with a rosy face indicating her good time at the temple, gracefully bowing to Madam Lou. Madam Lou nodded slightly, not looking at her much, turning to speak with Xiqiu: "You’re unwell; rest at home!"

"It’s my younger sister’s betrothal; as an elder sister, how could I not return?" Xiqiu smiled lightly.

Tong Xiyu glanced at Madam Lou, lowered her eyes, concealing disappointment.

Madam Lou smiled gently, inquiring softly: "I’ve heard Consort Le adopted the Second Prince as a godchild?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Yes, I heard too. The Emperor even attended to taste the banquet." Xiqiu replied quietly, glancing at Tong Xiyu: "Sister, today’s your wonderful day, looking so restrained, come sit over here."

"Yes!" Tong Xiyu lowered her head, sat beside Xiqiu. Meanwhile, Madam Lou commented: "In my opinion, Consort Le’s actions are indeed clever. With the Second Prince as company and being able to be close to someone as virtuous as Consort Wen, life would have more humor, wouldn’t it?" Speaking with a hint of significance, showing her understanding of the implied meaning.

Women in the inner chambers are not fools; Madam Lou, although straightforward, was perceptive.

Xiqiu nodded, stating: "The Second Prince is humble and stable, according to Madam Ruan, he gets along extremely well with Consort Le." Even the Emperor was pleased, glad that Le Xiu emerged from the shadow of failed childbearing, and as a man, if the inner chambers were harmonious, he would naturally be pleased.

Tong Xiyu watched them talking, her lips moved, and after thinking, she rose to replenish tea for Madam Lou and Xiqiu. Madam Lou nodded slightly, then spoke to Xiqiu: "I heard yesterday the Emperor received a memorial impeaching Lord Zhang, angrily discarded it on the Dragon Case, saying that not only the Prefect of Zhejiang, but the Shandong Governor’s office and Henan Road also have several offices under Lord Zhang’s command."