“Grandmother is still in good health. You used to visit her often, but now you’ll be too busy. The inner palace can be lonely – let Little Fourteen keep her company,” Xiao Huayong said, thinking about how he wouldn’t be around much longer, hoping to give the Empress Dowager something else to care about.

Shen Xihe had thought of this too. Since marrying Xiao Huayong, she often kept the Empress Dowager company, but after taking charge of palace affairs, she hadn’t had as much time for visits.

Regarding Noble Consort Song’s situation, Consort Su had already schemed it all out. She hadn’t framed Noble Consort Song – everything stemmed from Noble Consort Song’s selfish actions. The loss of custody rights was irreversible. Since the Fourteenth Prince was destined to be raised by someone other than his birth mother, if the Empress Dowager took the initiative to speak up, His Majesty wouldn’t go against her wishes. No matter how favored Consort Su was, she would end up working for someone else’s benefit.

Shen Xihe strongly agreed with this approach. She didn’t want to scheme against a child. While it would have been easy to prevent Consort Su from gaining custody when Noble Consort Song couldn’t raise him herself, she couldn’t justify harming a child just to warn Consort Su.

Placing the Fourteenth Prince with the Empress Dowager made sense – she had raised someone as brilliant as Xiao Huayong, so she certainly wouldn’t neglect the Fourteenth Prince. Moreover, with him under the Empress Dowager’s care, other consorts wouldn’t dare use the situation to cause trouble or scheme against such a young child.

The couple naturally went together to visit the Empress Dowager, who spent her days tending to flowers. Her palace, like the Eastern Palace, was filled with various rare flowers and plants – Xiao Huayong never forgot to share any new specimens with her.

“How rare to have you both visit me together,” the Empress Dowager’s eyes sparkled with joy upon seeing Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe. She quickly instructed her lady-in-waiting to have the kitchen prepare some of their favorite dishes. “Stay and have dinner with me today.”

“How could we refuse Grandmother’s invitation? I’ve been thinking about your kitchen’s cooking,” Xiao Huayong said, pleasing the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager laughed happily, wagging her finger in the air at Xiao Huayong: “Always sweet-talking me! I know very well that not only is Youyou skilled in the kitchen, but you also have that little glutton by your side. Your tastes have become quite refined.”

Whenever Shen Xihe cooked something, she would send a portion to the Empress Dowager, and when the Empress Dowager suddenly craved something, she would send someone to ask Ziyu to make it.

“It’s all thanks to Grandmother’s good eye in choosing such an excellent daughter-in-law,” Xiao Huayong said sweetly.

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily: “You mean to say you have good taste yourself!”

The Empress Dowager took one of their hands in each of hers: “Come, let’s sit inside.”

Whenever Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong visited, the Empress Dowager was sure to be happy all day. After chatting for quite a while, Xiao Huayong seemed to finally remember their purpose: “We came today with a matter that requires Grandmother’s help.”

“Look, look at this! Now the truth comes out!” The Empress Dowager pointed at Xiao Huayong, speaking to Shen Xihe, “He claimed to come to visit me, but I see now he only thought of this old woman because he needs something.”

“How could that be? Beichen mentions you to me every day,” Shen Xihe naturally took Xiao Huayong’s side.

“I see now, you two are truly of one mind,” the Empress Dowager teased, then turned to Xiao Huayong, “Quick, tell me what brings you here seeking my help.”

“We’re asking Grandmother to raise Little Fourteen…” Xiao Huayong briefly explained the situation.

The Empress Dowager fell silent for a while: “Seventh Son, I’m just an old woman…”

“Grandmother, Seventh Son has some things he wishes to tell you,” Xiao Huayong interrupted.

Shen Xihe immediately stood up: “I’ll take a walk in the courtyard.”

The Empress Dowager looked between Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong, confused.

Stepping outside, Shen Xihe gazed at the azure sky where wispy clouds formed a thin veil. Though it was still clear and sunny, she felt a heaviness in her heart.

About a quarter hour later, Shen Xihe returned from her circuit of the courtyard. The Empress Dowager’s eyes were rimmed red, obviously from crying, but upon seeing Shen Xihe, she put on a brave face. She didn’t mention Xiao Honghong again, called for an early dinner, and acted as if nothing had happened, sharing a harmonious meal.

The next day, Noble Consort Song’s situation exploded. His Majesty was furious and had Xiao Honghong taken from her palace.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have anticipated this and ultimately took Xiao Honghong from Zhengqing Hall back to her palace. From then on, the Fourteenth Prince was raised by the Empress Dowager.

When Consort Su heard about this, she stormed furiously to the Eastern Palace.

“Why does the Crown Prince Consort insist on opposing me?” Consort Su brushed aside the palace maids trying to stop her, standing before Shen Xihe with a dark expression.

Though the Empress Dowager was still healthy, she was elderly. Xiao Honghong was only five – an energetic child. While occasional visits to play with a grandchild were fine, personally raising him and attending to all his daily needs was no small task.

In all these years, when had the Empress Dowager ever raised any prince? Why would she suddenly have such an inclination? Among those who could influence the Empress Dowager in the palace, there were only a few. Who would believe it wasn’t Shen Xihe’s interference?

“Opposing you?” Shen Xihe laughed lightly, adjusting the silk shawl on her arm. “Consort Su, His Majesty’s favor and your comfort in the palace have made you forget that everything in this world depends on one’s abilities. Just as you managed to make Noble Consort Song lose her custody rights through your capability, I prevented you from gaining custody rights through mine.

What’s this? Does not get your way mean I’m opposing you? Has His Majesty’s indulgence made you think everyone in the world should bend to your will?”

“You…” Consort Su choked, “I thought we were allies…”

“So did I,” Shen Xihe tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. “We were before, and whether we will be in the future is entirely up to you, Consort Su.”

“I only wanted to raise a prince – how have I offended you?” Consort Su demanded.

“Actually… whether you raise a prince or not doesn’t offend me at all,” Shen Xihe said coolly. “Whether you simply want to raise a prince or have other thoughts, I don’t care. I just want to remind you not to forget your position.

You shouldn’t meddle in imperial family matters, and His Majesty’s favor shouldn’t become a weapon for you to use as you please.”

If she dared to scheme regarding a prince today, such ambition might grow until she dared to scheme against the Eastern Palace or the Empress Dowager.

“After all this talk, you’re just using me, wanting to control me, not allowing me any freedom beyond your grasp!” Hatred flashed in Consort Su’s eyes.

“If that’s how you choose to see it, I can’t help that,” Shen Xihe said carelessly.

“Fine. Since you won’t treat me as an ally, we’ll go our separate ways from now on. As you wish, let everything depend on our abilities!” Consort Su stared intently at Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe didn’t back down at all: “Biyu, escort Consort Su.”

Consort Su’s face turned cold with anger. She snorted and turned to leave.

“Your Highness, Consort Su…” Zhenzhu started to speak, but Shen Xihe raised her hand to stop her.

“She won’t talk too much.”