HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 590: Your Small Matter Is My Great Concern

Chapter 590: Your Small Matter Is My Great Concern

“What instructions does Noble Consort have? Please speak freely. The weather is hot, and I don’t care for sweet, greasy foods,” Shen Xihe wasn’t being disrespectful to Noble Consort Rong; she truly disliked rich foods during the hot weather, preferring only light dishes when temperatures rose.

Noble Consort Rong maintained her dignified, graceful smile: “In five days, His Majesty will take us to Xiangguo Temple to pray for blessings. The Empress Dowager instructed me early on to transfer the palace authority to the Crown Princess. Why not begin with this prayer ceremony, letting the Crown Princess manage it? This will allow everyone to see that the Crown Princess is capable of handling palace affairs. I can take this opportunity to transfer the palace authority to the Crown Princess, which will also give me some relief in the future.”

Regarding the prayer ceremony, since His Majesty was bringing the Empress Dowager, he naturally selected some inner court members to attend. Noble Consort Rong was among them, and as Crown Princess, Shen Xihe would also accompany them. While the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Astronomers would coordinate with Xiangguo Temple for the ceremony itself, the arrangements for the female members needed to be handled by whoever held palace authority.

The number of attendees wasn’t large, making it a relatively simple matter. Noble Consort Rong entrusting this task to Shen Xihe demonstrated her care for her junior, showing both her willingness to delegate power graciously and her magnanimity in not abruptly abandoning her duties or deliberately making things difficult for Shen Xihe.

“I accept Noble Consort’s kind intention,” Shen Xihe nodded to Zhenzhu.

Zhenzhu received a box from Noble Consort Rong’s palace maid, which likely contained seals and documents needed for managing palace maids.

“If the Crown Princess has any questions, feel free to ask me,” Noble Consort Rong added warmly.

“I will certainly trouble Noble Consort for guidance,” Shen Xihe responded politely. “With only five days until the ceremony, I should return to familiarize myself with the prayer protocols. If Noble Consort has no other matters, I shall take my leave.”

“Please proceed, Crown Princess,” Noble Consort Rong stood up to personally see Shen Xihe out.

Shen Xihe didn’t decline, and only when they reached the palace gates of Hanzhang Hall did she say, “Noble Consort, please stop here.”

“Take care, Crown Princess.”

Their interaction was perfectly harmonious and courteous, disappointing many who had been hoping to witness the drama.

“Why didn’t Noble Consort inform us earlier, instead of waiting until now?” Ziyu couldn’t help complaining. How could anything be prepared in only five days?

“This was deliberate,” Zhenzhu glanced at Ziyu. “She’s intentionally making things difficult for the Crown Princess. If the Crown Princess doesn’t accept, she’ll have an excuse later. When the Empress Dowager inquires about the palace authority matter, she’ll certainly bring this up, letting everyone know it wasn’t that she wouldn’t give up authority, but that the Crown Princess couldn’t handle the responsibility. Even if palace authority is forcibly transferred to the Crown Princess in the future, the palace servants below won’t dare easily align themselves with her.”

“I knew she had ill intentions,” Ziyu now despised Noble Consort Rong the most.

“This is just the beginning. Noble Consort Rong’s true malicious intent surely lies in the prayer ceremony itself,” Biyu’s expression grew serious.

Having Shen Xihe manage the prayer ceremony at this time meant Noble Consort Rong must have set some trap. Her goal was simple: to make Shen Xihe commit a major blunder, preferably one that would thoroughly humiliate her. This way, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be able to easily request palace authority for Shen Xihe in the future.

“What’s going on?” Xiao Huayong returned from an outing to find Shen Xihe’s maids looking displeased.

“Just some minor matters. I’ve spoiled them too much,” Shen Xihe didn’t want to trouble Xiao Huayong with these inner palace affairs.

“Youyou, even your smallest matter is earth-shattering to me.” Xiao Huayong knew his wife’s capabilities. If she said it was a small matter, it must be something she could easily resolve. Still, he wanted to know, so he sat beside Shen Xihe and leaned in close to whisper, “Tell me about it.”

If Xiao Huayong hadn’t asked, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have mentioned it, but since he did, she didn’t want to hide anything from him, so she explained the situation.

“This is simple. I’ll go speak with Fifth Brother,” If one’s mother needed managing, and if it required others to discipline her, they shouldn’t complain if the handling was harsh.

“Why do you need to seek out Prince Xin?” Shen Xihe grabbed Xiao Huayong’s wrist as he was about to stand.

“She’s his mother,” Xiao Huayong replied matter-of-factly.

“Your Highness doesn’t understand Noble Consort Rong,” Shen Xihe smiled faintly. “Prince Xin and Prince Lie cannot restrain her at all.”

Noble Consort Rong was their birth mother and elder. Besides verbal persuasion, what could Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying do to her? Of course, they couldn’t take action. Not just because of filial piety, but also because His Majesty was still alive. If even His Majesty as her husband couldn’t restrain her, how could it fall to her sons?

Though Xiao Changqing was skilled in handling matters and likely had methods for dealing with anyone else, he was powerless against his birth mother.

“Since Youyou says so, I won’t bother making the trip,” Following Shen Xihe’s logic, speaking to him would likely be futile, and might even alert Noble Consort Rong through Xiao Changqing. Better to let his wife teach her a lesson, lest some consorts who’ve managed the household too long forget they’re merely consorts. “In the future, Youyou mustn’t hide things from me.”

Seeing Xiao Huayong’s pretend anger, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but smile: “Inner palace matters are just struggles between women. Your Highness shouldn’t be involved.”

Shen Xihe was herself a woman, and it wasn’t that she looked down on women, but she felt that magnificent, towering men like Xiao Huayong shouldn’t be troubled by such trivial matters.

“I never avoid discussing court matters with Youyou, nor do I prevent or interfere with your maneuvering with our sons. Why then do Youyou turn around and forbid me from participating in women’s struggles for fame and gain?” Xiao Huayong argued forcefully. “Anyone who goes against you, regardless of gender, and no matter how small the matter, is our enemy. We husband and wife are one. I’ve never felt that protecting my wife or dealing with women compromises my dignity or principles.”

He had never been a gentleman, nor did he care for those elaborate customs. He would protect what he cared about, unbounded by any ethical teachings.

His attitude was extremely serious, showing genuine concern. Shen Xihe’s reluctance to involve him in inner palace struggles perhaps had nothing to do with them being inner palace struggles, but rather stemmed from her wanting to conceal anything concerning her, especially when people were working against her.

“I understand now, it won’t happen again,” Shen Xihe showed excellent contrition.

Xiao Huayong’s irritation instantly dissipated, his dark eyes filling with mirth: “In Buddhist grounds, to create major trouble, lust, and bloodshed are the two most taboo things.”

Though Buddhist grounds had many taboos, to implicate the Crown Princess’s reputation and prevent Shen Xihe from ever managing palace affairs again, these two points were crucial.

His furrowed brow as he pondered made Shen Xihe unconsciously stare in fascination, even involuntarily curving her lips into a smile.

His Highness the Crown Prince had handled countless major situations with ease, deciding victories from thousands of miles away. When had he ever not been calm and composed? Only because this matter was directed at her did he show unprecedented seriousness.

“Beichen, I suspect Noble Consort Rong’s sudden actions might be at His Majesty’s behest,” Shen Xihe suddenly said.

The Northwestern situation stuck in His Majesty’s throat like a fishbone. She had deliberately let His Majesty feel that she and her father controlled everything. His Majesty taking action against her was just a matter of time.

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