"Grandmother is still in good health. In the past, you often accompanied her, but in the future, you won't have as much time. The deep palace is lonely and cold—let Little Fourteen keep Grandmother company." Xiao Huayong thought of how he wouldn't be around much longer, and this could also give the Empress Dowager something more to hold onto in her heart.
Shen Xihe also considered this point. Since her marriage to Xiao Huayong, she had often visited to accompany the Empress Dowager. However, after taking over palace affairs, she no longer had as much time to spend with her.
As for Consort Song, Shu Fei had already made her plans. Shen Xihe hadn't framed Consort Song either—everything was driven by Consort Song's own selfish desires. Losing custody rights was irreversible. Since the Fourteenth Prince was destined not to be raised by his birth mother, if the Empress Dowager took the initiative to speak up, His Majesty would not go against her wishes. No matter how favored Shu Fei was, she would inevitably end up working for someone else's benefit.
Shen Xihe strongly agreed with this approach. She didn't want to scheme against a young child. Since Consort Song couldn't raise him herself, preventing Shu Fei from succeeding would be easy for Shen Xihe. But she couldn't just ruin a child's life merely to warn Shu Fei.
If the Fourteenth Prince were entrusted to the Empress Dowager, she had raised someone as wise and brilliant as Xiao Huayong, so she certainly wouldn't neglect the Fourteenth Prince either. Moreover, with the Empress Dowager overseeing his upbringing, other palace consorts wouldn't dare seize the opportunity to cause trouble or scheme against such a young child again.
Naturally, the couple went together to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager spent her days tending to flowers and plants, and her palace, like the Eastern Palace, was filled with all kinds of rare and exotic flowers and herbs. Whenever Xiao Huayong had something, he never forgot to share a portion with the Empress Dowager.
"It's rare for you two to come visit me together." When the Empress Dowager saw Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe, her eyes sparkled with joy. She immediately instructed her personal lady-in-waiting to have the kitchen prepare a few dishes that Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe loved. "Stay and have dinner with me today."
"How could we refuse Grandmother's request? I've been missing your small kitchen for a while," Xiao Huayong coaxed the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager laughed happily, pointing playfully at Xiao Huayong from a distance. "You're just sweet-talking me. I know Youyou isn't just skilled herself—she also has a little glutton by her side. Your palate has long been spoiled."
Whenever Shen Xihe cooked something in her spare time, she would send a portion to the Empress Dowager. Occasionally, if the Empress Dowager suddenly craved something, she would send someone to have Ziyu prepare it.
"It's all because Grandmother has a good eye, picking such an excellent granddaughter-in-law," Xiao Huayong said with extra sweetness.
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily. "You mean to say you have a good eye yourself!"
The Empress Dowager took each of them by the hand. "Come, let's sit inside."
Whenever Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong visited, the Empress Dowager could be happy all day. After chatting for quite a while, Xiao Huayong seemed to remember the main matter. "Actually, we came today because there's something we need to trouble you with, Grandmother."
"Look, look! The truth comes out!" The Empress Dowager pointed at Xiao Huayong and said to Shen Xihe, "He said he came to keep me company, but I see now—he only thought of this old woman because he needed something."
"How could that be? Beichen talks about you every day," Shen Xihe naturally sided with Xiao Huayong.
"I can see it now—you two are in perfect harmony," the Empress Dowager teased before turning back to Xiao Huayong. "Hurry up and tell me, what matter has you coming to ask me for help?"
"It's about asking you to raise Little Fourteen..." Xiao Huayong briefly explained the situation.
After listening, the Empress Dowager fell silent for a moment. "Qilang, I'm just an old woman with creaking bones..."
"Grandmother, Qilang has something he wants to say to you," Xiao Huayong interrupted the Empress Dowager.Shen Xihe immediately stood up: "I'll take a stroll in the courtyard."
The Empress Dowager glanced at Shen Xihe, then at Xiao Huayong, thoroughly perplexed.
Shen Xihe stepped over the threshold and gazed at the azure sky, where wispy, mist-like clouds formed a thin veil. Though the sky remained clear for miles, looking at it still made her feel suffocated.
About a quarter of an hour later, Shen Xihe circled back. The Empress Dowager's eyes were rimmed red, clearly from crying, but upon seeing Shen Xihe, she forced composure and refrained from mentioning Xiao Changhong. She ordered an early meal service, acting as if nothing had happened, maintaining harmonious cheer throughout the dining.
The next day, the matter concerning Consort Song erupted. His Majesty flew into a rage and took Xiao Changhong from Consort Song's palace.
The Empress Dowager seemed to have caught wind of it and eventually retrieved Xiao Changhong from the Hall of Diligent Governance to her own palace. From then on, the Fourteenth Prince was raised by the Empress Dowager.
When Shu Fei heard the news, she stormed furiously to the Eastern Palace.
"Why must the Crown Princess make things difficult for me?" Shu Fei brushed aside the palace maids blocking her path and stood before Shen Xihe with a darkened expression.
Though the Empress Dowager was hale and hearty, she was after all advanced in years. Xiao Changhong was only five—a boisterous child. Occasional visits for some doting grandparent moments were one thing, but personally raising him and overseeing every aspect of his daily life was no light task.
For so many years, the Empress Dowager had never raised any imperial prince. How could she suddenly develop such an idea? In this palace, only a handful could influence the Empress Dowager. If not for Shen Xihe meddling, who would believe it?
"Make things difficult for you?" Shen Xihe chuckled lightly, adjusting the drifting shawl on her arm. "Shu Fei, His Majesty's favor and your smooth-sailing life in the palace have made you forget that everything in this world depends on one's own capabilities. Just as you caused Consort Song to lose her right to raise her adopted son—that was your capability. My preventing you from obtaining the Fourteenth Prince's guardianship is my capability.
What? Does not getting your way mean I'm making things difficult for you? Has His Majesty's indulgence led you to believe everyone in this world should act according to your whims?"
"You..." Shu Fei choked on her words. "I thought we were allies..."
"So did I." Shen Xihe tilted her head slightly and raised a brow. "We were in the past. Whether we remain so in the future depends entirely on you, Shu Fei."
"I only wished to raise an imperial prince. How have I offended you?" Shu Fei demanded.
"Actually... whether you raise a prince or not doesn't offend me." Shen Xihe spoke indifferently. "Whether you simply want to raise a prince or have other intentions, I pay it no mind. I merely wish to remind you not to forget your position.
Matters of the imperial family are not for you to interfere in. His Majesty's favor should not become a blade for you to act willfully."
Today she dared scheme against an imperial prince. If such ambition were allowed to grow, one day she might even dare scheme against the Eastern Palace or the Empress Dowager.
"All this talk—you're just using me, trying to control me, refusing to allow me even the slightest freedom beyond your grasp!" Hatred flashed in Shu Fei's eyes.
"If you insist on seeing it that way, I cannot help it." Shen Xihe replied nonchalantly.
"Fine. Since you no longer see me as an ally, from now on we go our separate ways. As you wish—everything shall depend on our own capabilities!" Shu Fei stared intently at Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe didn't yield in the slightest. "Biyu, escort Shu Fei out."
Shu Fei's face turned cold with anger. She snorted and turned to leave.
"Your Highness, Shu Fei..." Zhenzhu began to speak, but Shen Xihe raised a hand to stop her."She won't talk."
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