Chapter 92: Testing Loyalty

Chapter 92: Testing Loyalty

"Su Jiaojiao and His Majesty think alike."

Shen Huai reached out to help her up, speaking softly, "Su Jiaojiao is here too, today is quite lively. Please rise."

The Talent Lady Yu, following behind, noticed that Noble Consort Zhen was also present. The smile in her eyes faded slightly, but she still maintained a respectful demeanor, curtsying and saying, "I pay my respects to Noble Consort Zhen and Noble Lady Xiang."

Su Jiaojiao placed her delicate hand in the Emperor's palm, using the momentum to rise, her eyes curving into a gentle smile, "Did Your Majesty come from the Tai Chi Hall with Talent Lady Yu?"

Her question was natural, without any hint of pretense, making it clear whether Talent Lady Yu had coincidentally met the Emperor on the way to Nanxun Hall or if she had been in the Tai Chi Hall and came together.

Shen Huai held Su Jiaojiao's hand without letting go. After she stood up, she naturally walked side by side with the Emperor, pushing Talent Lady Yu, who had been standing beside the Emperor, to the back.

Talent Lady Yu's expression changed slightly, but she concealed it well, showing no sign of dissatisfaction.

The Emperor led Noble Consort Zhen to sit on the main seat, then said indifferently, "I just finished handling official duties and knew that tomorrow is Nan Xi's hundred-day celebration, so I came to visit Noble Lady Xiang."

He glanced at Talent Lady Yu, his tone casual, "Talent Lady Yu and I seem to have thought alike."

Talent Lady Yu curtsied, smiling softly, "I was concerned about the Second Prince and wanted to come early to deliver gifts. I didn't expect to coincidentally meet Your Majesty and Noble Consort Zhen. It is my fortune to be able to visit the Second Prince together with Your Majesty and Noble Consort Zhen."

Seeing this, Noble Lady Xiang quickly said, "Since Your Majesty has come to see Xi Er, I dare not let him sleep any longer. Shall I have the nanny bring him over for Your Majesty to see?"

Shen Huai spoke, "No need. Nan Xi is young, and it's normal for him to sleep a lot. There's no need to wake him. If he doesn't sleep well, he might become fussy."

"Cai Shan."

At the Emperor's call, Cai Shan, who was standing nearby, immediately understood His Majesty's intention. He gave a look to the eunuch at the door, who quickly brought something forward and presented it to Noble Lady Xiang.

Cai Shan smiled and said, "This is a longevity lock that His Majesty ordered to be made shortly after the Second Prince was born. It is made of pure gold, carved with lotus and crane patterns, symbolizing auspiciousness and longevity. It is most suitable as a gift for the Second Prince."

The golden longevity lock lay in a satin-lined brocade box, shining brilliantly as if emitting golden light. The intricate carvings of lotus and cranes were clearly visible, indicating its extraordinary value.

Noble Lady Xiang was overjoyed and quickly knelt to express her gratitude, tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty's care for the Second Prince is truly a blessing for me and the Second Prince. I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

Su Jiaojiao, sitting beside the Emperor, smiled and said, "Talent Lady Yu just thought alike with Your Majesty, and now I find myself thinking alike with Your Majesty as well."

Yu Ying brought over the gifts, smiling as she said, "Noble Consort Zhen has always been concerned about Noble Lady Xiang and the Second Prince. Early this morning, she instructed me to prepare gifts. The most thoughtful among them is this longevity lock, though it is not as precious as the one Your Majesty gave to the Second Prince. Please accept Noble Consort Zhen's heartfelt gift."

Noble Lady Xiang quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, saying, "Noble Consort Zhen has been so kind to me and has gone to such lengths to send these gifts. I am so overwhelmed with joy that I don't know what to say."

"Cui Mei, quickly take these and keep them safe. When the Second Prince wakes up, let him touch each one to absorb the blessings from Your Majesty and Noble Consort Zhen."

After some conversation, Shen Huai lifted his eyelids and said casually, "We've been here for a while now. There's no need to stand on ceremony. Let's have some seats."

The palace servants of Nanxun Hall brought two low stools for Noble Lady Xiang and Talent Lady Yu, allowing them to sit. Shen Huai then said indifferently, "It is only right for Noble Lady Xiang to be grateful. Before you gave birth, Noble Consort Zhen was already thinking of you, wanting to accompany you during childbirth, fearing that something might go wrong. After the birth of the Imperial Heir, she spoke highly of you in front of me, pleading for you to be allowed to raise Nan Xi yourself. All of this shows her sincerity."

Noble Lady Xiang stood up and said, "Noble Consort Zhen has always been kind to me, even when I was under Beauty Xiao's care. She went to great lengths to help me during childbirth. Noble Consort Zhen is magnanimous and has treated me so well. I dare not forget her kindness."

Su Jiaojiao lowered her eyelashes and smiled softly, "Noble Lady Xiang is the most grateful person, which is why I was willing to overcome my own fears to help you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared."

"Isn't that right?"

After saying this, she glanced at Talent Lady Yu, who was sitting nearby, and smiled meaningfully, "After all this conversation, I almost forgot that Talent Lady Yu is here. Talent Lady Yu and Noble Lady Xiang are close. You should take advantage of Noble Lady Xiang's good fortune and strive to conceive an Imperial Heir. That would be double the joy. With so few heirs in the palace, if Talent Lady Yu could also bear a child, it would be a companion for the Second Prince."

Hearing this, Talent Lady Yu acted as if she didn't catch the underlying meaning in Su Jiaojiao's words. She merely glanced shyly at the Emperor and said softly, "It would be a great fortune to bear a child for Your Majesty. I will take Noble Consort Zhen's kind words to heart."

Su Jiaojiao's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, feeling that Talent Lady Yu's reaction was somewhat off.

Noble Lady Xiang deliberately hid her close ties with Talent Lady Yu, while Talent Lady Yu seemed to have no intention of concealing it, openly acknowledging the connection.

Now, Noble Lady Xiang has gained some standing in the palace because of her son, the Second Prince. Even if she can't capture the Emperor's heart, as long as she doesn't make mistakes and the Second Prince grows up healthy, the Emperor will surely visit often.

Just as the Emperor granted the Second Prince the name "Xi," his future seems bright.

However, Talent Lady Yu is at a dead end in the palace, with no way out. Noble Consort Mi loathes her, and Noble Consort Wang has cast her aside. Now that she has a bit of favor, she must use these advantages to plan for her future. Noble Lady Xiang had helped her before, and the two are already inseparable. If she wants to have influence with the Emperor and the Empress, tying herself to Noble Lady Xiang is the best choice.

As for Noble Lady Xiang's proposal to introduce Talent Lady Yu to the Empress, it is not false, but given the Empress's temperament, she wouldn't let go of her suspicions just because of this, nor would she trust a Talent Lady Yu who has betrayed her master multiple times.

On the flip side, Talent Lady Yu now has some favor and is at odds with Noble Consort Mi, making her the ideal pawn.

Having experienced ups and downs in the palace several times, Talent Lady Yu probably understands this herself, which is why she is desperately trying to win over Noble Lady Xiang, using her favor to benefit Noble Lady Xiang and the Second Prince, hoping to secure an additional layer of protection for herself.

As for the Empress—

The Empress has been feigning illness and staying out of sight, remaining silent for a long time. On the surface, the winds in the palace seem to blow towards Noble Consort Mi, but in reality, the Empress's spies are everywhere, and she knows everything happening in the palace without stepping out.

Since Talent Lady Yu has pledged her loyalty, the Empress will surely "test" her to see if she is truly loyal.

But how will she test her, and when?

And who will be targeted?

Will it be the powerful Noble Consort Mi, the favored Su Jiaojiao, or the now-suspected Noble Lady Xiang, who has given birth to a healthy prince and is raising him alone?