Chapter 590: Your Matters, No Matter How Small, Are My Major Concerns
"What instructions does Noble Consort have? Please speak freely. The weather is hot, and I don't care for sweet, rich foods." Shen Xihe wasn't refusing Noble Consort Rong's hospitality—she genuinely disliked heavy foods in the heat and preferred light, refreshing dishes.
Noble Consort Rong maintained her dignified and graceful smile. "In five days, His Majesty will take us to Xiangguo Temple to pray for blessings. The Empress Dowager has long instructed me to hand over the palace authority to the Crown Princess. Why not start with the blessing arrangements? Let the Crown Princess manage them, so everyone can see her capability in handling palace authority."
"This way, I can smoothly transfer the palace authority to the Crown Princess and lighten my own load afterward."
Since His Majesty was bringing the Empress Dowager, he had also selected some inner court ladies to accompany them. Noble Consort Rong was among them, and as the Crown Princess, Shen Xihe would also attend. While the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Astronomer, and Xiangguo Temple jointly handled the blessing arrangements, the female attendants' side had to be managed by whoever held the palace authority.
With few attendees, it wasn't a complicated matter. By entrusting this to Shen Xihe, Noble Consort Rong demonstrated her care for the younger generation—showing both her willingness to delegate authority responsibly and her consideration in not overwhelming Shen Xihe all at once.
"I accept Noble Consort's kind offer." Shen Xihe nodded to Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu took a box from Noble Consort Rong's maid. It likely contained seals and documents needed for assigning palace maids.
"If the Crown Princess has any uncertainties, feel free to ask me," Noble Consort Rong added gently.
"I may have to trouble Noble Consort further," Shen Xihe replied politely. "With the blessing in five days, I should return to familiarize myself with the protocols." If Noble Consort has no other matters, I shall take my leave."
"Crown Princess, please." Noble Consort Rong stood and personally saw Shen Xihe out.
Shen Xihe did not decline. Only when they reached the palace gate of Hanzhang Hall did she say, "Noble Consort, there's no need to see me further."
"Take care, Crown Princess."
Their interaction was harmonious and courteous, disappointing many who had been anticipating drama.
"Why didn't Noble Consort inform us earlier, waiting until now?" With only five days, how could they possibly manage? Ziyu couldn't help complaining.
"She did it on purpose," Zhenzhu glanced at Ziyu. "She intends to make things difficult for the Crown Princess. But if the Crown Princess refused, Noble Consort would have an excuse later. When the Empress Dowager inquires about the palace authority, she'd surely use this to claim that it wasn't she who withheld it, but that the Crown Princess couldn't handle the responsibility. Even if the palace authority were forced upon the Crown Princess later, the palace staff wouldn't dare align with her easily."
"I knew she had ill intentions," Ziyu grumbled, now considering Noble Consort Rong her least favorite person.
"This is just the beginning. "Noble Consort Rong's true malice must lie in the prayer arrangements," Biyu said with a grave expression.
By having Shen Xihe manage the prayer affairs at this time, Noble Consort Rong must have set some trap—aiming for Shen Xihe to make a major blunder, ideally one that would humiliate her thoroughly. That way, even the Empress Dowager would find it hard to demand the palace authority for Shen Xihe in the future.
"What's going on?" Xiao Huayong returned from an outing and noticed Shen Xihe's maids seemed displeased.
"Just a minor issue. I've spoiled them all," Shen Xihe replied, not wanting to bother Xiao Huayong with inner court matters."Even the smallest matter concerning Youyou is of earth-shattering importance to me." Xiao Huayong knew his wife's capabilities well. If she claimed something was trivial, it must be easily resolvable. Still, he wanted to understand. Sitting beside Shen Xihe, he leaned in and whispered, "Tell me about it."
Had Xiao Huayong not asked, Shen Xihe wouldn't have brought it up. But since he inquired, she saw no reason to conceal it and recounted the entire incident.
"This is simple. I'll go have a word with Fifth Prince." One should manage one's own mother. If others must be troubled to discipline her, they shouldn't complain if the methods become harsh.
"Why seek out Prince Xin?" Shen Xihe caught Xiao Huayong's wrist as he made to rise.
"She's his mother," Xiao Huayong stated matter-of-factly.
"Your Highness doesn't understand Noble Consort Rong." Shen Xihe offered a faint smile. "Neither Prince Xin nor Prince Lie can truly restrain her."
As their birth mother and elder, what could Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changying do beyond verbal persuasion? Dare they lay hands on Noble Consort Rong?
Naturally not. Setting aside filial piety, while Your Majesty remains as husband, he hasn't restrained her—how could it fall to the sons? Though Xiao Changqing possessed remarkable methods against others, he remained powerless against his own mother.
"Since Youyou says so, I'll spare myself the trip." According to Shen Xihe, speaking to them would likely prove futile and might only alert Noble Consort Rong prematurely. Letting his wife teach her a lesson was preferable—lest certain consorts forget their place after long acting as mistresses of the household. "In future, Youyou must not hide matters from me."
Seeing Xiao Huayong's feigned anger, Shen Xihe couldn't suppress her amusement. "Harem affairs are merely conflicts between women. Your Highness shouldn't involve yourself in them."
As a woman herself, Shen Xihe didn't look down upon her gender. Rather, she believed magnificent men like Xiao Huayong shouldn't be troubled by such trivial matters.
"I never avoid discussing court affairs with Youyou, nor do I interfere when you contend with men. Why then do you forbid my participation in women's struggles for power and influence?" Xiao Huayong argued earnestly. "Those who oppose you—regardless of gender or scale—are our enemies. We husband and wife are one. I never consider defending my wife or confronting women as undignified or compromising my integrity."
He had never been a gentleman nor cared for tedious etiquette. What he valued, he would protect—no conventions could bind him.
His solemn demeanor revealed genuine concern. Shen Xihe's reluctance to involve him in harem conflicts perhaps mattered less than her concealing any matter concerning her, especially when someone meant her harm.
"I'll remember. It won't happen again." Shen Xihe offered her apology gracefully.
Xiao Huayong's lingering displeasure vanished instantly, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "In Buddhist sanctums, to create major scandals, nothing violates taboos more severely than lust and bloodshed."
While many transgressions existed in sacred spaces, these two aspects remained crucial for implicating the Crown Princess's reputation and permanently stripping Shen Xihe of palace authority.
Watching him ponder with knitted brows, Shen Xihe found herself captivated, an unconscious smile gracing her lips.The Crown Prince, who strategizes within the command tent and secures victory a thousand miles away, has faced countless grand situations—each time with effortless composure. Yet, because this matter was directed at her, he revealed an unprecedented seriousness.
"Beichen, I suspect Noble Consort Rong’s sudden actions may have been instructed by His Majesty," Shen Xihe suddenly remarked.
The affairs of the northwest had left His Majesty deeply unsettled. By deliberately making it seem as though she and her father held complete control, she knew it was only a matter of time before His Majesty moved against her.
Today’s update is extra long. Mwah, goodnight, off to sleep now.
(End of Chapter)
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