When a minister possessed things even better than the emperor’s, the emperor would naturally know about it. Since he knew, there would be a thorn in his heart.

“Duke Chen is a clever man and was fairly clear-headed in earlier years. The temptation of power is truly too great. Watching Zhou Li change day by day and receive His Majesty’s praise, Duke Chen not only became confused but his ambitions also grew. In this palace consort’s view, the Crown Prince is benevolent by nature and will be a merciful ruler in the future. The Chen family and Zhou Li really have no need to take such desperate risks.”

Qin Shuying listened quietly.

As for what kind of person the Crown Prince was, she only knew from what Liang Zhe and Princess Yongjia had told her. She didn’t truly know what he was like.

However, since the person Liang Zhe supported was the Crown Prince, she wouldn’t oppose it.

She had seen the Crown Princess from afar several times. The Crown Princess didn’t speak much, so it was impossible to determine her character at present.

Qin Shuying’s current impression of the Empress wasn’t bad, and Princess Yongjia had helped her multiple times. After thinking, Qin Shuying said: “Your Highness, the Empress has summoned this subject’s wife several times, but only for casual conversation. She has never mentioned anything related to court politics. Since she hasn’t interfered in court politics for so many years, the Empress probably won’t in the future either.”

Princess Yongjia’s beautiful eyes curved slightly. “After being here for half the day, I finally see you say something straightforward. You’re just someone who thinks too much.”

Qin Shuying was somewhat embarrassed. She couldn’t help but think deeply. Her tragic experiences in her previous life had taught her to be careful.

Princess Yongjia said: “Since the Empress met with the inner and outer court ladies once a month ago, she has also summoned the Jin Prince’s consort, summoned some court ladies for conversation, and summoned this palace consort as well. Do you know what she said to this palace consort?”

Qin Shuying shook her head.

“She said she wanted this palace consort to help the Crown Prince. She spoke so directly that this palace consort was somewhat incredulous at the time. This palace consort only said that this palace consort only helps whoever sits on the imperial throne. As for who that person is, this palace consort doesn’t care.”

In others’ eyes, Princess Yongjia was Emperor Delong’s blood sister, so naturally it would be the same to her no matter who ascended the throne.

Qin Shuying asked: “What did the Empress say?”

“What else could she say? This palace consort left right after speaking… hahahaha…”

Princess Yongjia began laughing, laughing until her whole body shook, laughing until tears came out.

But Qin Shuying could hear that Princess Yongjia’s laughter contained desolation and ineffable sadness.

After laughing for a while, Princess Yongjia said: “Qin Shuying, do you think this palace consort is just a joke? This palace consort is already over forty years old—why should she still care about past matters? But for some reason, this palace consort just wants to care, this palace consort must care… If she didn’t care about this palace consort before, that would be fine, but now, what gives her the right to ask this palace consort to help the Crown Prince? She used all her thoughts and methods to keep His Majesty by her side. She’s had a lifetime of glory and wealth—what is she not satisfied with? What right does she have to still point fingers and demand this palace consort pave the way for her future glory and wealth? She…”

It was also because there was no one around. If there were people watching, they would definitely find it indescribably strange.

Princess Yongjia, over forty years old, saying these words to fifteen-year-old Qin Shuying.

If it were truly the fifteen-year-old Qin Shuying, she certainly wouldn’t understand Princess Yongjia’s complex feelings, but she wasn’t only fifteen years old. Adding her previous life’s years, she was nearly thirty.

Moreover, she had had Feng’er—she had been a mother.

At the moment when Princess Yongjia was emotionally agitated, Qin Shuying suddenly interjected: “Your Highness, Your Highness, saying this, she understands everything!”

Princess Yongjia suddenly stopped speaking, her smile freezing on her face as she stared directly at Qin Shuying.

Subsequently, Princess Yongjia’s lips almost trembled. “Yes, yes… truly cunning, cunning… I, how did I fall for her scheme at that time…”

The Empress wasn’t some Wen Xiaoqing, but the late emperor’s consort Lin Yuan.

The late emperor’s consort Lin Yuan had given birth to a princess, but that princess supposedly died on the day the late emperor passed away.

Who could know that the princess hadn’t died, but had survived by taking the name of Emperor Delong’s blood sister—this was Princess Yongjia. In other words, Princess Yongjia was Lin Yuan’s daughter. Princess Yongjia and the Crown Prince were born of the same mother.

Ever since receiving Qin Shuying’s inspiration last time, Princess Yongjia had secretly searched for the truth about her background. Later, when she saw the Empress’s true appearance, she quickly learned her real identity.

Although there was no evidence, a woman’s sensitivity and deductions from many aspects told her that she was the Empress’s biological daughter.

As for how the Empress had secretly collaborated with Emperor Delong back then, that was another story.

She could have pretended not to know, but she had so clearly refused the Empress with such a firm attitude and awkward tone… Someone as intelligent as the Empress would naturally see that Princess Yongjia already knew her true identity.

Immediately, Princess Yongjia’s legs went weak. “Tell me, tell me, will she kill this palace consort? Will she? She, she’s too formidable… able to stand firm in the palace for over thirty years, her scheming is profound, she, she…”

With imperial favor lasting over thirty years and keeping secrets for so many years, could the Empress be someone soft-hearted?

Impossible.

Qin Shuying said uncertainly: “Your Highness, don’t panic first. This subject’s wife believes the Empress cares about you. The Empress has summoned this subject’s wife several times, and her purpose was always to hear about your affairs. She clearly cares about you deeply.”

Princess Yongjia excitedly said loudly: “She cares about me? If she cares about me, why did she have him marry me to a dying man? Why won’t she let me remarry? Why? Why?!”

Qin Shuying had nothing to say.

Princess Yongjia’s life seemed glorious and wealthy, but she had no husband, no children. Like a beautiful flower vase, living in extravagance and indulgence, she was almost wasting her time.

For a woman, this was extremely cruel.

Qin Shuying could only console: “Perhaps, perhaps the Empress couldn’t protect herself at that time… After all, Your Highness, this palace has countless beauties. For the Empress to reach where she is today, the hardships and dangers involved—Your Highness must be able to guess some of it.”

Princess Yongjia naturally understood this reasoning. Otherwise, she wouldn’t think the Empress wasn’t benevolent. Just surviving wasn’t easy, let alone maintaining favor for many years.

But the barrier in her heart could never be overcome.

She supported herself on the chair and sat down. After a long while, she waved her hand. “Go read your books. Let this palace consort be quiet for a while.”

…

After leaving Princess Yongjia’s residence, Qin Shuying had the coachman take the carriage on a detour past Duke Chen’s residence. From behind the curtain, she watched from afar the soldiers and troops coming and going outside Duke Chen’s residence.

Subsequently, her eyes turned away without any emotion.

The Chen family had no direct conflict with her, and none of the several hundred people in the Chen family had directly offended her, Qin Shuying. But she was just this ruthless, just this cold-hearted.

Chen family members, if you want to blame someone, blame your family head for becoming increasingly confused, blame Third Master Chen for actually bullying Ziteng, blame yourselves for being Noble Consort De’s natal family.

Blame the Fifth Prince for repeatedly ignoring her, Qin Shuying, for actually daring to set his sights on her, Qin Shuying.