The eunuch reported meticulously on every detail, and the Empress nodded in satisfaction.
"When spring comes next year and it’s time for school, let Nian’er stay in the palace again. He won’t be used to the coarse food there."
The Royal Family has a rule: in the first year of school, princes and princesses must be self-reliant, attend the Imperial College, and be treated the same as ordinary students.
The Empress, unwilling as she was to part with her son, had no other choice.
Fortunately, a small exception could still be made.
"Once Ning Yue and Ning Xue return, have them come to see me immediately. I have instructions for them. This Xiao family is becoming more unruly. Li Qian, that look of his, still dreams of replacing Nian’er. Fool’s talk. Later, I will write a letter myself for you to personally deliver to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. My father will understand naturally after reading it. This Xiao family needs to be taught a lesson."
As the Empress spoke, she had already risen from the couch and approached the Agarwood Carved Wooden Table, grinding the ink herself, not allowing anyone else to do it.
Chen Gui shouted, "Yes." After speaking, he stood respectfully to the side, waiting quietly.
At this moment, silence spoke louder than words. Chen Gui had served the Empress for five or six years now and had gauged her personality well—a quintessentially malevolent empress. The eunuchs and palace maids of the Shuyi Palace had changed several times over the years. Anyone slightly out of favor with the malevolent empress either got demoted to the Laundry Bureau or dealt with otherwise. It was no wonder the little eunuchs and little palace maids outside were so terrified.
If not for his reticence over the years and the Empress’s laziness in replacing her trusted aides, he too wouldn’t know where he might end up reincarnated right now.
Thinking of this, Chen Gui steeled himself, for although old and declining, he was very much afraid of death...
In no time, the Empress had ground the ink to a fine texture and picked up the Wolf Hair Brush, writing swiftly.
The content was as follows:
The Xiao family harbored ambitions akin to a hungry wolf; they cannot be allowed to grow unchecked. Since my actions are restricted within the palace, I rely on my father to intervene. Nian’er is still young and naive in worldly matters, and the Crown Prince’s position is not yet secure.
Signed: Lan’er.
She then stamped it with a purple orchid-shaped seal.
It was precisely placed right above the name.
After the ink dried, the Empress neatly folded the letter, placed it into an envelope, sealed it with specially made white wax, and handed it to Chen Gui.
This specially made white wax had a unique feature: it prevented others from peeking into the letter. Once opened, it would leave marks that could not be restored, and only the Empress, her father, and a few trusted aides had access to such envelopes; no one else could touch them.
Chen Gui, having received the envelope, carefully made his way out.
Once he departed, the Empress gazed at the copper mirror and gently touched the corners of her eyes, which had some wrinkles, lamenting how time waited for no one!
Most of these wrinkles were due to anger.
That Xiao Yu can’t ever behave, needing to be managed before becoming obedient. Likewise with Consort Xian, Lady, and Princess Consort Qing. Even the fourth-ranked Imperial Concubine is restless. Although Emperor Jingping’s harem might not have three thousand beauties, it certainly has two or three hundred. Excluding those banished to the Cold Palace, the newly arrived ones, and those with weaker family backgrounds, there are several dozen concubines, none of whom are easy to deal with.
There are forty to fifty princes and princesses. Until the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, every day requires vigilance.
Gazing at the mess around, her heart grew restless, and she called out, "Come in and tidy up."
The little eunuchs and little palace maids standing by the door entered in an orderly fashion to clean up.
Sweeping shards, wiping tea spills, mopping the floor, cleaning windows...
It seemed like they were accustomed to this kind of tidying; everyone worked in an orderly manner, cooperating well.
At the Summer Palace, Noble Princess Consort Xiao sneezed three times consecutively but did not mind. She felt elated inside, thinking that Qian’er must be missing her. This boy, indeed, her affection for him was not in vain.
With this sense of happiness, she smiled even more sweetly at Emperor Jingping, who was beside her.