The Empress was so shocked by the Crown Prince’s words that she fell ill for several days and couldn’t get out of bed. No matter what, she never imagined the Crown Prince would finally say these words so blatantly. She had always felt this matter was exceptionally unfair to the Crown Prince, and also felt that later neglecting Prince Gong for the Crown Prince’s sake was exceptionally unfair to Prince Gong. Now provoked by her son like this, she felt she had wronged both sons and had offended both of them completely. She couldn’t help feeling grief arise from within, and in just a few days, she had become haggard and worn.
Princess Rongcheng entered the palace to attend to her illness. Upon hearing the full story, her disappointment in her elder brother who served as Crown Prince deepened even more. Holding her mother’s hand, she silently shed tears: “With Imperial Elder Brother’s temper and narrow-mindedness, truly…” She spoke to this point, afraid her mother would be saddened, and turned her words around: “Mother need not be angry with him. If you’re going to be angry with him, you simply won’t have to live.”
The Empress smiled bitterly, the corners of her mouth pulling into a cold smile: “The Fan woman is nothing but an ant—just pinch her and she’d be gone. The only reason I’ve been unwilling to act all along is purely out of consideration for his feelings and his face.”
Princess Rongcheng fell silent. After a long while, she sighed: “He’s always had a stubborn temperament. This time because of the Fan woman he’s become set against you, so getting him to kill the Fan woman is even more impossible. This Fan woman also has ability. For her sake, Imperial Elder Brother even mobilized the Minister of Rites. This skill at feinting east while attacking west and fishing in troubled waters—Imperial Elder Brother wasn’t so proficient at it before.”
After discussing it through, Princess Rongcheng herself felt increasingly anxious—just as her husband said, the Crown Prince was truly straying further and further from the right path, yet the lives and futures of so many people were tied to this person who was straying further from the path. It was truly worrisome.
Fortunately Xie Siyi brought in a cup of blood swallow and red date tea, presented it to the Empress to drink, then said softly: “Your Majesty, Consort Song has arrived.”
Recently Consort Song had been coming to Qingning Palace quite frequently. Hearing this, the Empress smiled and nodded, telling her to come in. Upon seeing the young prince, she personally played with him for a while, then smiled at Consort Song: “The young prince is growing excellently. You’ve been attentive.”
Emperor Jianzhang had gained a young son in middle age. At first it was just momentary enthusiasm, but later as they spent time together, he actually derived some pleasure from it—when his sons were first born, he had been locked in fierce struggle with Prince Tai, and later during his sons’ growing years he had been quite suppressed by Empress Dowager Rongxian. Therefore his care for the children had indeed been minimal. Now suddenly adding a son when it was a time of peace throughout the realm, his state of mind was different, the small child was innocent and adorable, so it was quite interesting. Because of the young prince, even the time spent with Consort Song increased. Consort Song’s days were getting better and better. Hearing the Empress praise her this way, she hurriedly smiled and said: “This is all because of Your Majesty’s blessed protection.”
The Empress smiled and asked her: “Eleven hasn’t entered the palace for some time, has she? Living so close by, must she really be constrained by propriety to only enter the palace on the first and fifteenth to pay respects? With her father, empress mother, and birth mother in this palace, even if she entered daily it would be proper.”
Consort Song had always been clever. Hearing the strings and understanding the elegant meaning, she immediately understood that the Empress’s intent was not in the wine itself. She smiled: “Your Majesty doesn’t know—this girl went with the Prince Consort on a trip to Jiangnan and simply didn’t want to return.”
Princess Rongcheng had a good relationship with the Eleventh Princess. Hearing this, she smiled: “Eleven still has a child’s temperament. However, since the Prince Consort is willing to accompany her in touring mountains and waters, and they as husband and wife live harmoniously, that’s also a good thing.”
With this foundation laid, the Empress smiled and nodded: “Indeed. Choosing a son-in-law is an extremely important matter. Eleven selected a good Prince Consort. Speaking of which, the several young ladies of your family are all excellent as well.”
This topic was raised again. Consort Song understood in her heart and smiled: “Speaking of this, Eleven also said she wants to ask the Princess to give her face. In a few days she’s holding some tea gathering and wants to invite the Princess to attend as well, to lend her prestige.”
“When Rongcheng first married, she enjoyed organizing such things for those first few years, but these past years it’s been neglected.” The Empress coughed a few times then sighed: “With long days and nothing to do, naturally it’s good to socialize more. We should also let the young people have some fun.”
Princess Rongcheng had never quite understood her mother. After Consort Song took her leave, she finally said: “Why does Mother Empress seem so interested in Eleven’s tea gathering?”
The Empress couldn’t help but reproach her: “You! Didn’t I mention Miss Song Six to you before? Miss Song Six is good, and I like her too, but we must see what she really thinks. She’s not an ordinary young lady after all. Directly summoning her to the palace to ask isn’t quite appropriate. I was thinking, why not have Eleven and you go ask her thoughts.”
Actually if not for this, having Princess Duanhui go would be the same. Unfortunately in the current situation, with Cui Yingshu having made such a grave error now, Princess Duanhui was inappropriate.
Princess Rongcheng suddenly understood and couldn’t help laughing: “What Weizhao himself has his eye on—could it be that if we think it’s not good, then it’s not good? Moreover, with his temperament, if the young lady didn’t agree, he wouldn’t let his intentions become known to you.”
“That’s one way to put it,” the Empress became serious upon hearing this: “He’s always been one who doesn’t force others into difficulties, I know that. But this child has truly had it difficult. I’m not going to investigate the person—after all these years we generally know what kind of person Miss Song Six is. Before I was afraid she was too formidable, now I’m afraid Weizhao has his eye on someone not formidable enough. In any case, you go take a look, so I’ll have something to say before your father.”
Princess Rongcheng agreed. When she returned and told Ye Jingkuan about this matter, Ye Jingkuan first shook his head, then nodded: “This really is… perhaps the formidable must be matched with the formidable. She and His Highness truly are a heaven-made pair.”
Princess Rongcheng also sighed: “I only fear Mother Consort and Jingchuan will feel hurt.”
Ye Jingkuan was more open-minded than her, raising his eyebrows and shaking his head: “What’s there to feel hurt about? Miss Song Six isn’t the only good girl under heaven. Without this one, there’s that one. Never heard of anyone not living their life anymore because of some particular woman. Moreover Father Prince is right—they never promised us this matter would definitely work out. They made it clear early on to discuss it further after returning from Jinzhong. Forget it. In any case, there’s no karmic connection. Instead, I wish her and His Highness’s marriage matters go smoothly.”
Since even Ye Jingkuan said this, Princess Rongcheng wouldn’t bring it up again—she certainly wished Zhou Weizhao well. Zhou Weizhao with great difficulty had a girl he liked, so naturally she hoped he could have his wish fulfilled. She was just afraid her husband and parents-in-law would have a knot in their hearts. Since her husband now spoke this way, she naturally felt even more at ease.