Chapter 432: Getting Along Nicely

Chapter 432: Getting Along Nicely

When Nguyen returned, she remained in a daze for quite some time.

She still didn't fully grasp the meaning behind Queen Xia's words.

However, the confidence and radiance with which Queen Xia spoke left a deep impression on her.

Who wouldn't admire such a woman?

From the beginning, Nguyen had followed Queen Xia with the mindset of being criticized, believing that she would gradually improve in areas where her mother-in-law was dissatisfied.

But Queen Xia never mentioned any flaws she had.

Nguyen knew she had shortcomings, but Queen Xia gently taught her, and over time, perhaps she would change.

The fact that she wasn't being pointed out and corrected immediately made her feel both relieved and touched.

She would definitely be an excellent Crown Princess. She would not disappoint Queen Xia.

After Nguyen Thi left, Yun Li had no other matters to attend to.

So she went to find He Jinli.

The emperor was busy, but he wasn't too busy – after all, there was a crown prince now.

The young prince was still too inexperienced and lacked understanding of many things. Relying on him to handle state affairs at this stage would be unrealistic.

But for less significant matters, the emperor allowed him to practice.

If he didn't perform well, there were always officials present to guide and analyze the situation.

With ministers accompanying them, the emperor could afford to take a break from work if he wished.

Thus, as soon as Yun Li arrived, He Jinli put aside his duties.

The two of them strolled directly into the palace gardens.

The scenery here was delightful, though it couldn't quite match the beauty of the Southern Park. However, its novelty made up for it.

This was Yun Li's first visit to Ye Zhou, while the emperor had only been here in his childhood and never returned since.

Of course, it held a certain significance.

Amidst their laughter and chatter, He Jinli also found himself reminiscing about some trivial matters from his own childhood spent in the palace.

The crown prince was scratching his head, listening to his ministers analyze the situation – it was truly giving him a headache.

It wasn't until evening that he was finally relieved.

As soon as he was free, he ran off, skipping his evening greetings to the emperor and the virtuous concubine, claiming that he was simply too tired.

During dinner, He Jinli couldn't help but chuckle. "Looks like he's gotten too used to having it easy."

"Because he knows you dote on him. He gained the position of crown prince effortlessly. If he had to scheme and plot to get here, I bet he'd be more eager to share your burdens," Yun Li remarked.

"He Jinli, you have many great qualities, but when it comes to your words, why can't you tell a white lie when needed? Must you always be so straightforward?" He Jinli questioned.

Yun Li smiled with hidden meaning.

Indeed, those words held truth. Yun Li had indeed put in great effort, but He Jinli's decision to bestow the crown prince position on Xiao Jiu was also fueled by his affection.

"He Jinli asked, "Shall we rest here for a few days before heading to the grasslands? Do you want to go?"

"Alright, I suppose. It's been years since the Empress passed away; I don't have much interest left," Yun Li replied.

"He Jinli shook his head, "You still remember that? You're really sentimental."

"If I weren't sentimental, I wouldn't have liked you all this time," Yun Li shot back with a roll of her eyes.

"How can that be the same?" He Jinli retorted, feeling indignant.

"Well, it's not, but you're just prettier," Yun Li said.

He Jinli fell silent, at a loss for words. This woman...

"By the way, how is Xiao Jiu getting along with Ruan's family?" He Jinli inquired.

"Alright, I guess. Xiao Jiu's heart isn't there. Ruan's family is quite good, though young, they're sensible and modest," Yun Li shared.

"I have no concerns about those you've trained," Emperor Hekinli waved dismissively.

"Tsk, you truly are at ease," Yun Li reclined in her chair. "In matters of getting along, it's enough if both parties find each other pleasing to the eye. Everything else can be cultivated over time."

Hekinli nodded in agreement; that was precisely his sentiment.

"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the palace," announced an eunuch at the entrance.

"Bring it here."

As soon as the letter was in Hekinli's hands, he said, "It's from the Empress Consort."

Yun Li nodded.

After Hekinli finished reading it, he passed it to Yun Li. "Take a look."

Yun Li quickly scanned the contents. It was nothing out of the ordinary - just pleasantries and assurances that all was well within the palace walls. The Empress Dowager was in good health, the Empress remained as she was, and everyone else continued with their usual routines.

"Perhaps you should pen a reply," suggested Hekinli.

Yun Li didn't say much and immediately instructed someone to prepare ink for her reply.

In her response, she subtly mentioned the utmost importance of ensuring the Empress's safety.

The Concubine should understand the message: whether anyone dared to act or not, caution was crucial.

In fact, Yun Li had already made arrangements before leaving, but things were naturally different in her absence.

Without even reading the reply, He Jinli sent it off.

This was actually the second letter from the Concubine.

During her time away, she would write a letter every few days.

By the time the response reached the capital, Yun Li and her party had already set off for the grasslands.

In the palace, after reading the letter, the Concubine rose to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

There was no need to show the letter to the Empress Dowager, as it was not written by His Majesty himself.

Speaking to the Empress Dowager, they mentioned the letter: "His Majesty and the others are all well. By now, they should be on their way to the grasslands. The weather is getting warmer."

The Empress Dowager replied, "Yes, that's good to hear. You should pay them a visit, but with all the affairs in the palace... Are those few capable?"

"The Grand Concubine Yu is managing things quite effectively; she's as good as two people," the Honorable Consort chuckled.

The Empress Dowager nodded, recalling Grand Concubine Yu...

Among the people the Empress Dowager had underestimated in her life, one was Qi Yunli, and the other was this very Grand Concubine Yu.

There was no need to mention Qi Yunli; she was a once-in-a-century talent.

But Grand Concubine Yu turned out to be exceptionally clever. When she first entered the palace, she put on an air of foolishness, leading the Empress Dowager to believe she was naive.

The Empress Dowager had planned to use her, but to her surprise, the woman seemed simple-minded but was, in reality, sharp-witted.

She even gave birth to an imperial prince and raised him.

Although the Emperor dotes most on the Virtuous Consort, he rarely visits other places now. However, with an imperial prince, Grand Concubine Yu can enjoy a secure future.

Particularly, she was on good terms with Concubine Xian, and her prince didn't harbor excessive ambitions.

Wouldn't it be a blessing to live like this for a lifetime?

"The Jade Imperial Lady is a good one. The Graceful Imperial Lady is also diligent, paying attention to every detail. She's been in the palace for quite some time," the Empress Dowager said.

"Yes, Your Majesty. They would both be of great use to me," the Consort said.

"You mustn't overexert yourself," the Empress Dowager replied.

"How could I? There isn't much to do," the Consort smiled.

The Empress Dowager chuckled, shaking her head. She thought to herself that there might not be much to do, but the Consort had already delegated most of it.

After the Consort left, the Empress Dowager rose to visit her small garden.

"I am old now; they all seem to have complex minds," she murmured.

"You're not that old either, yet you always say so," Fan Nanny chuckled.

"Fancy that, now that the Virtuous Empress is gone, the Emperor has left the Honorable Empress behind clearly to balance out the Lady Concubine Shu. And the Virtuous Empress outdid herself—she left and immediately enlisted the aid of three ladies from the Junior Consorts. She deliberately avoided Empress An and Lady Concubine Min."

Logically, Junior Consorts hold a lower rank than Second Rank Consorts.

But both Empress An and Lady Concubine Min hail from the Eastern Palace.

There must be some other entanglements involved.

Indeed, it would be troublesome. "Yes, they would have to dare. Although Concubine Min and Concubine An have been out of favor for many years, they still hold the rank of second-class consorts. But with a Grand Empress and an Honorable Consort around, they would be thoroughly suppressed," Nurse Fan said with a smile.