The glazed tiles shone even more brilliantly in the sunlight. The large stone cistern in the courtyard cultivated many lotus seeds, its surface densely covered with lotus leaves the size of lotus seeds. Occasionally small water bubbles emerged, and looking down carefully, one could even see goldfish leisurely swishing their tails.

The female official carefully watched the little princess stand on tiptoe to toss fish food inside, while instructing the young palace maid holding the parasol to stay closer to the princess.

Though much fish food was thrown in, no goldfish floated to the surface to eat. The little princess grew somewhat impatient, tossed down the food, and pattered toward the main hall.

Consort Song had just finished reviewing the account books. Furrowing her brow, she handed the books to the female official beside her. Turning her head, she saw her daughter run in and quickly smiled. “Eleven, come here quickly. Were you looking at that cistern of fish again? In this blazing sun, even the fish need to rest. How could they constantly float up to play with you?”

She was only twenty-three this year, yet had already been in the palace for a full fifteen years. In those fifteen years, she had only one child—Eleventh Princess Zhou Qi—and therefore always treasured her like the apple of her eye.

Zhou Qi swiftly threw herself into Consort Song’s arms, her small face reddening as she pouted with some unhappiness. “Not one floated up today. How disappointing.”

“You should also grow closer to Ninth Princess. Playing alone every day is naturally boring.” Consort Song somewhat heartachingly helped her daughter brush aside her sweat-dampened bangs. “Don’t stay cooped up in Fengzao Palace all the time. You could also visit the Empress Dowager more often.”

Zhou Qi covered her ears with both hands, unwilling to listen. After a long pause, she reluctantly hummed, “What’s fun about that? Ninth Sister always dislikes how young I am and won’t take me along. The Empress Dowager doesn’t like me either.”

“What are you saying?!” Consort Song glanced at those around her and quickly rebuked, “The Empress Dowager is the mother of all under heaven. How can there be talk of liking or disliking anyone? Naturally she likes everyone.”

Zhou Qi said no more, but was still somewhat unhappy. “I didn’t speak nonsense. Last time in the Empress Dowager’s palace, she was clearly the one who ruined Grandmother’s Buddhist scripture, but she insisted it was me who ruined it. I told Grandmother, but Grandmother didn’t believe me.”

Speaking of this, Zhou Qi was still young after all—her tears nearly fell from grievance.

Consort Song sighed deeply and called Zhuyi to take her to wash her face, while she herself only stared blankly at the beautifully arranged lotus flowers before her.

Zhuying brought her tea and softly consoled, “Your Ladyship needn’t be upset over this. Children fighting and playing is quite common.”

Where was this ordinary child’s play? Ninth Princess Zhou Man was already fourteen years old. Didn’t she know what should and shouldn’t be done? She was clearly acting willfully because she relied on Consort Xian’s backing.

Were there any simple people in the palace? Previously, Consort Xian, who had clearly shown goodwill many times, had suddenly changed direction. The Empress Dowager had also pointed at mulberry trees to curse locust trees on multiple occasions. It was probably still because her own family hadn’t taken a stance.

She shook her head, supporting her head with one hand, somewhat weary.

“The Empress Dowager previously let it be known that she wanted to meet several girls from our family.” Consort Song only felt her heart grow heavier and heavier, her face bearing worry and concern that couldn’t be erased. “I’m afraid she wants to take this opportunity to warn us and also wants to see Little Sixth.”

Zhuying quickly came forward to remove two of the heavier gold hairpins for her, then gently massaged her shoulders. “Didn’t the family repeatedly send word that Sixth Miss is very clever? She knows how to handle things. You needn’t worry too much—there will always be a solution.”

Consort Song laughed self-mockingly. “If she pleases the Empress Dowager, what about the Empress’s side? This was already a no-win situation from the start. No matter how clever, she can’t handle both sides. Besides, she’s only a little girl—however clever, it’s limited.”

Speaking of this, she felt somewhat agitated again.

The family only told her to restrain herself from being too close to Consort Xian and Consort Liang, but didn’t come up with any plan. She was caught between the Empress Dowager and the Empress, suffering from both sides.

“Call for a clever young eunuch to go out and subtly hint at it before Grandmother.” Consort Song leaned close to her ear and spoke softly, then additionally instructed, “Don’t say anything else—Grandmother will understand.”

The Empress Dowager simply remembered the grudge regarding the Wang clan. After all, she had raised Wang Jinsi for so many years, doted on Wang Jinsi for so many years, and only had Wang Jinsi as a close relative left. Now that Wang Jinsi had died at the Song family’s hands, it was natural for her heart to hold resentment.

As long as she vented her resentment, it would be fine. It was just that this resentment naturally shouldn’t be vented on the Song family or herself—that would be best.

Since this matter started because of Little Sixth, naturally pushing the matter onto Little Sixth’s head was also best. First, she was a young lady—the Empress Dowager wouldn’t stoop to quarrel with her. Second, if she did quarrel, that was also good.

Song family daughters were all born for the Song family. If the Empress Dowager directed her fury toward her, that would also count as her contribution and dedication to the Song family.

Zhuying hesitated somewhat. Her hand resting on the consort’s shoulder stopped, and she asked with some uncertainty, “But Your Ladyship… last time when the old madam came, she specifically mentioned that you absolutely must not reveal to the Empress Dowager that this matter had anything to do with Sixth Miss. If you speak of it now, at best Sixth Miss will be rebuked by the Empress Dowager, at worst she might lose her life or her prospects…”

“Enough!” Consort Song suddenly stood up. The walking hairpins on her head jingled, and her delicate features momentarily became somewhat distorted. “Since this palace has told you to do it, naturally there is reason to have you do it! They’re not the ones staying in the palace suffering insults. Of course they speak lightly. You haven’t failed to see the Empress Dowager’s attitude toward this palace and Eleven. How long can this go on? At this time, what’s wrong with pushing someone out to appease the Empress Dowager’s fury? Could this palace be less important to the Song family than some yellow-haired girl?!”

Zhuying was somewhat dazed from the rebuke. Coming to her senses, she quickly knelt on the ground continuously acknowledging the order.

Consort Song coldly watched her leave. She was so angry her vision darkened and she nearly couldn’t stand. Only after a long while did she steady herself and sit back down in her chair.

The Empress had decades of marital affection with the Emperor. Consort Xian and Consort Liang had both followed the Emperor for decades. Only she herself had shallow seniority and no son to rely on, therefore living particularly cautiously and carefully.

Zhou Qi had already been bathed and groomed anew. At this moment, entering the hall and seeing her mother-consort’s expression, her steps became somewhat hesitant. After pausing briefly, she walked toward Consort Song again, her voice also lower than before. “Mother-consort, who has made you unhappy?”

Seeing her daughter, Consort Song’s expression relaxed considerably. She embraced her to sit down and smiled while shaking her head. “Just an ignorant little palace maid—nothing serious.”

Zhou Qi no longer displayed her previous spoiled and willful appearance, sensibly nodding her head.

Even the youngest children in the palace had already learned the skill of reading others’ expressions to perfection.

Consort Song called Zhuyi to take her measurements, preparing to have the Garment Bureau make her several new outfits. Seeing her listless and unable to muster energy, she teased, “Don’t keep that stiff face. After a while, when your several cousin sisters enter, they can also keep you company and talk.”