Consort Yin had someone bring medicinal cuisine from the Imperial Kitchen and headed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

She happened to encounter Consort Yun at the entrance.

She had married the Emperor before Consort Yun, and the son she bore was even more outstanding than Consort Yun’s son. She couldn’t understand why the Emperor wouldn’t allow her to manage the Phoenix Seal.

“Elder Sister Consort Yin,” Consort Yun said with a smile, “How rare to meet you—let’s go in together.”

She had come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see which palace maids in certain positions could freely enter and exit, so she could replace them.

When the two reached the main hall entrance, Eunuch Gao bowed and said, “The Emperor is currently taking his medicine. Would the two consorts please wait a moment.”

“Then I can perfectly attend to the Emperor while he takes his medicine.”

Without waiting for Eunuch Gao to speak, Consort Yin pushed past him and walked in, with Consort Yun following closely behind.

One was the birth mother of the newly appointed Crown Prince, the other was the consort managing the Phoenix Seal—both were impossible to offend, so Eunuch Gao didn’t dare truly stop them.

As Consort Yin entered, before she even reached the inner chamber, she heard a young woman’s voice speaking: “…Imperial Uncle’s health is robust, so there’s really no need to establish a Crown Prince so early… Ziyue once read a story in a book about a country where there was a Crown Prince who remained in that position for over forty years. The Emperor lived too long, and the Crown Prince could never ascend the throne, therefore…”

“What nonsense are you spouting!” Consort Yin swept aside the curtain and rushed in. “So the one speaking such nonsense is Princess Consort Zhuang! Your Majesty, after you established the Crown Prince, Princess Consort Zhuang says such things—it’s hard not to suspect her motives. Your Majesty must not be deceived by this woman!”

Su Ziyue’s face turned pale with fright.

This story had just been told to her by her husband, who asked her to relay it to the Emperor. She didn’t know why her husband wanted her to tell this story, but her husband’s words naturally had purpose.

What she hadn’t expected was that someone other than the Emperor would overhear.

“Ziyue’s words are not wrong,” the Emperor said slowly. “She is speaking from her position, concerned for me.”

Consort Yin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

This Su family woman was clearly interfering with the Emperor’s establishment of the Crown Prince. Even the Empress wouldn’t have the qualification to say such things before the Emperor.

Just because Princess Consort Zhuang was surnamed Su, because she was from the Emperor’s birth mother’s family, the Emperor was this tolerant?

“Ziyue was born to a merchant family and doesn’t understand the rules of court politics. Ziyue has overstepped,” Su Ziyue raised her eyes to the Emperor. “Please punish me, Imperial Uncle.”

Meeting her gaze, the Emperor suddenly felt somewhat dazed and couldn’t help but say, “This Crown Prince was indeed established too hastily…”

Before he could finish the sentence, there was a loud “crash” as the medicine bowl shattered on the floor.

Consort Yun said coldly, “Can’t even hold a medicine bowl properly—what use are you? Someone come, drag her out, punish her with ten strokes of the rod, and demote her to the Laundry Bureau!”

The palace maid was terrified to the extreme. Her knees went soft as she knelt on the ground: “Please spare my life, Consort Yun! This servant was wrong and will never dare again. Please retract your command, Your Ladyship…”

Consort Yin, somewhat annoyed by the Emperor’s protection of Su Ziyue, vented her anger on the palace maid: “What kind of behavior is this clamoring? Someone come, quickly drag her away!”

The Emperor waved his hand: “I am tired. All of you withdraw.”

Consort Yun, Consort Yin, and Su Ziyue curtsied and withdrew as the doors of the great hall slowly closed.

“The Emperor’s chamber is missing someone to serve tea and water. I will arrange for someone to fill this vacancy later,” Consort Yun said casually. “Now that the Emperor’s health is poor, if the Hall of Mental Cultivation needs staff, Eunuch Gao can have someone inform me at any time.”

Eunuch Gao lowered his head: “Yes.”

After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Consort Yin couldn’t help but speak: “Consort Yun, did you notice that after Princess Consort Zhuang said those words, the Emperor seemed… somewhat regretful about establishing the Crown Prince?”

Consort Yun smiled, “Elder Sister, don’t overthink it. The Emperor’s health is simply poor, and he’s been thinking too much. The new Crown Prince has been announced to the world—there will be no further changes in this matter.”

In truth, she had also noticed that the Emperor trusted that Su family woman far too much.

Something as significant as establishing the Crown Prince, yet he actually allowed that Su family woman to express her opinion—this was indulgence taken to the extreme.

It all felt somewhat strange.

After the new Crown Prince was established, the Eastern Palace was completely renewed, about to welcome its new master.

However, Chu Yi was still serving at the Court of Judicial Review, which was located outside the palace. Traveling in and out of the palace was truly inconvenient, so he delayed moving into the Eastern Palace.

This was just the surface excuse.

In truth, the person behind the scenes had not yet emerged. If he moved into the palace, it would be equivalent to entering an unfamiliar environment.

He was worried about Chu’er and the three children.

Once the person behind everything was dealt with, it wouldn’t be too late to move into the Eastern Palace.

And in the third year after Yun Chu became Princess Pingxi, she finally set about hosting a banquet—mainly because Chu Yi had become Crown Prince, making this banquet unavoidable.

When a new Crown Prince took office, he naturally needed to expand his connections. Nearly all the court officials received invitations.

Prince Pingxi’s manor was bustling with activity as those coming to offer congratulations nearly trampled down the threshold.

“Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess!”

“The Crown Prince looks so well! Congratulations, congratulations!”

“The Crown Princess never hosts banquets—we didn’t even know what Prince Pingxi’s manor looked like.”

“Crown Princess, you must host more flower-viewing banquets in the future!”

Yun Chu smiled and said, “Viewing flowers in spring, drinking tea in summer, hunting in autumn, watching snow in winter—as long as everyone doesn’t find it tiresome.”

When people entered, they discovered that Prince Pingxi’s manor wasn’t as luxurious as imagined. The scenery everywhere radiated elegance and warmth.

Chu Yi received court officials in the front courtyard.

Yun Chu entertained the women in the rear courtyard.

Chu Hongyu and Chu Changsheng were also greeting young guests.

Some boys joined Chu Hongyu and Meng Shen to discuss studies.

Some girls joined Chu Changsheng to chat about daily needlework, painting, and such topics.

Although Chu Changsheng had grown up, by nature she still didn’t enjoy socializing. After settling a group of young ladies from aristocratic families of similar age, she quietly pulled Xie Xian aside to a side courtyard.

She exhaled in relief: “Talking to them is too exhausting. Let’s just read here together.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice came from nearby: “I’ll read with you too.”

Chu Changsheng looked over—it was Xie Shiyun.

Since the manor was hosting a banquet today, she had invited both her good friends Xie Xian and Xie Shiyun. Xie Xian was someone she often spent time with, but she hadn’t seen Xie Shiyun for quite some time.

Xie Shiyun felt somewhat inferior: “Those young masters are discussing things I don’t understand.”

He could only come find the County Princess, otherwise staying alone would be even more awkward.

“Never mind you—I don’t understand what they’re discussing either,” Chu Changsheng said with a smile. “You’ve come at just the right time. I want to make a painting using the fruit from these trees. Can you help me pick the fruit?”

Throughout the rear courtyard of the manor were these camphor trees. The fruit on the trees ranged from green to deep purple in various colors. Arranged on rice paper by color, they could indeed form a painting.

Xie Shiyun broke into a smile: “Sure, I’m best at this.”

He immediately climbed up the tree trunk and vigorously shook the branches. Fruit of various colors fell like rain.

“Shiyun, you’re amazing!”

Chu Changsheng couldn’t help but praise him.

Xie Shiyun’s smile grew even wider.

When he had entered the manor earlier, people kept asking about his identity. When they learned his surname was Xie, everyone’s eyes showed contempt and disdain.

Only the young County Princess, knowing full well what his status was, had never looked down on him. She treated him as a normal friend, and to avoid hurting his self-esteem, she often used the method of giving return gifts to send him brush, ink, paper, inkstones, and books. He was very grateful but didn’t know how to repay her.

This whole tree of fruit—he wished he could shake it all down, as long as the young County Princess was satisfied.