Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The Empress's expression didn’t change, her tone casual.

But ever since the Empress was a young girl in her family home, Nanny Fang had been by her side. Given her familiarity with the Empress, she quietly sensed that the Empress had something important to say.

Many years ago, when the concubines in the palace were stirring up trouble, if the Empress wanted to instruct her to do something privately, she would have this kind of expression.

Nanny Fang wiped the smile off her face, thanked her, and sat down on the chair beside the Empress, seriously saying, "Your Majesty, whatever you need, just say the word."

The Empress did not mention A Tong, only saying, "I have received word that someone is threatening the lives of your three grandsons to get you to mess with my food."

Upon hearing this, Nanny Fang was horrified and quickly knelt, raising her hand to swear, "Your Majesty, I would rather die than harm you in the slightest, or may lightning strike me..."

"Watch your words," the Empress scolded in a low voice, cutting her off.

Thinking of the original story where Nanny Fang drowned in the lake, the Empress sighed and pulled Nanny Fang up, "I naturally know you wouldn’t harm me, which is why I’m telling you this. In the future, don’t kneel and swear so easily. At our age, let’s not talk about such unlucky things, I don’t like to hear them."

Nanny Fang was moved and nodded repeatedly, "I will remember that."

The Empress shot her a look, "Sit down properly and listen carefully, I haven’t finished speaking."

Nanny Fang complied and sat back on the chair, "Your Majesty, do you know which lowly servant is trying to get me to harm you?"

The Empress rarely kept anything from Nanny Fang regarding matters around her. But she always knew her limits and never asked unnecessary questions.

However, this matter involved the Empress’s safety and the lives of her three grandsons, so she couldn’t help but boldly ask.

The Empress did not hide it, "It should be Nanny Dou from Consort Kang’s palace."

Nanny Fang clenched her fists, furious, "That nasty old hag."

"In the past, whenever she saw me, she would always act humble and polite, calling me sister and saying nice things."

"I thought she was just trying to cozy up to our palace, seeing that Consort Kang has no children and is not favored by the Emperor, to make life easier for Consort Kang in the palace. I never expected she had such malicious intentions."

The Empress said, "Almost everyone in the palace wears a mask. Don’t be angry."

Nanny Fang asked again, "Is Consort Kang behind this?"

The Empress replied, "It’s not clear yet."

Nanny Fang’s expression turned grave, "Whether it’s Consort Kang’s doing or not, that old hag has already harbored intentions to harm Your Majesty. She can’t be allowed to stay. Your Majesty, have you decided how to deal with her?"

The Empress said, "I have only heard about this matter. For now, play dumb and don’t tip them off. In the next couple of days, she will likely approach you. Whatever she says, go along with it for now, and we’ll figure it out later."

Logically, bringing Nanny Dou before Nuo Er would reveal everything.

But her little granddaughter is just three, and she didn’t want such filthy matters and people to taint her granddaughter’s eyes.

She’d rather handle it herself, even if it’s a hassle.

Hearing the Empress’s words, Nanny Fang felt as if she had returned to the days when she and the Empress fought side by side in the palace. She was instantly fired up and ready to go, "I will follow Your Majesty’s arrangements."

Seeing Nanny Fang’s high spirits and fighting spirit, the Empress couldn’t help but laugh, pointing at her with some helplessness, "You’re still as feisty as ever."

Nanny Fang also laughed, "Who doesn’t want peace? It’s just not in the cards for us."

"That’s true," the Empress said seriously, "There’s no rush with Consort Kang and Nanny Dou. We’ll catch them red-handed when they make their move. But for your three grandsons, we must be vigilant and make proper arrangements first."

Nanny Fang nodded, her expression filled with concern, "I was just about to bring this matter up to Your Majesty."

The Empress reminded her, "It seems there’s a traitor in your household who could harm your grandchildren. Leave the palace early tomorrow and go home to investigate quietly. If you find anything, don’t act right away—just have someone monitor it."

"Bring all three children to the palace to stay for a few days. With only adults at home, it’ll be easier to manage any issues. Once this is resolved, you can send the children back."

Nanny Fang stood up, ready to kneel again, but the Empress stopped her with a raised hand. Nanny Fang then said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Empress waved her hand, "This whole mess started because of me. Tomorrow, I’ll have the Crown Prince send two guards from the Eastern Palace to stay at your place quietly until this is over."

Nanny Fang thanked her over and over.

With this matter settled, the Empress continued, "Yin Die and Cai E are both good young women. From now on, take them under your wing."

Although Nanny Fang didn’t know why the Empress suddenly mentioned Yin Die and Cai E, she didn’t ask further and simply nodded in agreement.

The Empress dismissed Nanny Fang and first called Yin Die in, asking, "Do you have someone you’re interested in?"

Previously, the Empress had mentioned arranging a marriage for her when she reached the age to leave the palace, so Yin Die thought that was what the Empress was referring to. She didn’t expect the Empress to ask now, so she shook her head and honestly replied, "No, I don’t."

The Empress nodded and asked again, "Have you ever thought about what kind of person you would like to marry?"

Yin Die thought for a moment, clasping her fingers, "Someone who can provide for the family, live a decent life, and never raise a hand or voice to his wife and kids."

The Empress was somewhat surprised, "Why?"

Yin Die looked sad and embarrassed, finding it difficult to speak for a moment. After a pause, she said, "Your Majesty, my father was a drunk. Every time he drank, he’d beat and kick my mother and us kids. I never want to live that kind of life again."

"Poor thing," the Empress said, taking Yin Die’s hand and patting it, "Don’t worry, I’ll find you a good man who’ll make sure you’re well taken care of."

Yin Die's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she knelt down to kowtow three times to the Empress, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

The Empress added, "It’s been a while since you’ve been home, hasn’t it? Tomorrow, you can go home for two days to visit your mother and siblings."

Yin Die's face lit up with joy, and she knelt down again to kowtow in gratitude.

The Empress called Nanny Fang in and pointed to Yin Die, "I’ve given her two days off. Tomorrow morning, have someone pack some pastries for her to take, and pick out some fabric from the storeroom and some jewelry she can use outside the palace, for her to take back."

Nanny Fang smiled and replied, "Yes, this old servant will prepare them shortly."

Before Yin Die could thank her again, the Empress instructed Nanny Fang, "Also, pick two sturdy maids to go with Yin Die. Her father’s no good, so let Yin Die go back and stand up for her mother."

Upon hearing this, Yin Die was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears streamed down her face. She knelt down and choked out, "I kowtow on behalf of my mother to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

The Empress waved her hand, "Enough, stop kneeling so much—it’s making me dizzy. Go home for two days and come back quickly. There are important matters in the palace, and I still have tasks for you."

Yin Die naturally agreed a hundred times.

After Yin Die left, the Empress called Cai E in and, without wasting time, got straight to the point, "Do you want to serve the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace?"

Upon hearing this, Cai E's face instantly changed.

She had her eyes on the Crown Prince and had often sent him covert glances.

But she always thought she had been very discreet, otherwise why hadn’t the Crown Prince given her a single glance.

She never expected that the Empress would see through her first.

Coveting the Crown Prince, this crime could be big or small, depending on how the master thought and judged.

Cai E's heart pounded, but she did not deny it. Kneeling down and knocking her head on the ground, she gritted her teeth and said, "This servant knows her fault."

Seeing Cai E’s courage to own up to her mistake, the Empress nodded and said earnestly, "The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have a deep bond. The Crown Prince is unlikely to take another woman easily in this lifetime. You won't be able to enter the Eastern Palace, so don’t think about it anymore."

Cai E had already lost heart after repeated setbacks with the Crown Prince.

It was just that the Crown Prince was of noble character, and the Crown Princess was kind and gentle. She thought that being a concubine in the Eastern Palace would be good enough, so she didn’t want to give up easily.

But now, with the Empress having spoken so clearly, if she persisted, it would be considered foolish. She hurriedly knocked her head and said, "Yes, from this moment on, I will abandon this thought."

The Empress smiled, "You’re a sensible child. Rise and speak."

After Cai E stood up, the Empress carefully examined her, noting her fair skin, striking features, and indeed, her good looks. She thought to herself that Cai E would be suitable as a secondary consort for the Eleventh Prince.

But thinking of her own son, who was like an iceberg, she said, "The Eleventh Prince has a detached personality. He is not a good match for any woman. Don’t think about him either."

Cai E's heart raced, and her hands clenched tightly under her sleeves.

She had entertained such thoughts, but only after being rejected by the Crown Prince. It was just a fleeting thought, one she hadn’t even taken seriously herself.

How did Her Majesty know?

Could it be that Her Majesty could read minds?

Seeing the shock in Cai E’s eyes, the Empress did not explain, "I know you want to marry into a good family and have a reliable support in your later years. But marrying into the royal family is only glamorous on the surface. Not everyone can live as happily as the Crown Princess."

Cai E nodded, deeply agreeing, and confessed, "This servant thanks Her Majesty for the guidance. Having been in the palace for so many years, I have seen and heard much. I know Her Majesty’s advice is true. I never really hoped that if I had the chance to marry into the royal family, I would live a life of marital bliss. I just wanted to find a respectable husband and gain some respect."

Hearing the underlying meaning in her words, the Empress asked, "What do you mean?"

Cai E: "To be frank with Your Majesty, I originally had three sisters at home. When the selection for the palace was made, my parents didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately sent me to the palace."

"The other sisters in the family had already been arranged by my parents to find good marriages. I am now twenty-two years old and still serving in the palace."

After saying this, Cai E secretly thought she had misspoken, her heart tightened, and she explained incoherently: "Your Majesty, please don't blame me. I'm not saying that serving in the palace is bad. I like serving in the palace. I just..."

The Empress waved her hand: "It's fine, continue."

Seeing that the Empress did not blame her, Cai E composed herself and continued: "When I leave the palace in three years, I will be a twenty-five-year-old spinster, and it will be difficult to find a suitable family."

"Whenever I remember crying and telling my parents I didn't want to enter the palace, and my sisters taunted and made cutting remarks, and the thought of not being able to marry in the future, with them looking at me with mocking eyes, I feel resentful."

"So I thought, if I could enter the household of any prince, even as a concubine, it would still be a way to stand out."

The Empress wondered: "Is your mother a stepmother? Or are you a concubine's child?"

Cai E shook her head, looking desolate: "Neither, I am also a legitimate daughter, born to my parents, but with an elder sister and brother above, and a younger sister and brother below, I am just the inconspicuous middle child."

It's common for parents to show favoritism when they have many children.

The Empress nodded: "Alright, I understand. Rest assured, I will arrange your marriage and ensure it is a grand affair."

Cai E's tears uncontrollably streamed down, and she kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

The Empress told her to rise and then instructed: "Leave this to me. From now on, focus on your duties and don't dwell on it."

Cai E naturally agreed, expressing a thousand thanks before retreating.

From then on, she abandoned all inappropriate thoughts and dutifully served in the Fengyi Palace, eventually becoming inseparable friends with Yin Die, but that is a story for later.

After arranging all the matters, the Empress called Nanny Fang in, and the Empress and her servant sat together on the same couch, talking for a long while until late at night, before they each retired to rest.

Early the next morning, as soon as the palace gates opened, Yin Die, accompanied by two tall and sturdy maids, left the palace through the gate used by the palace staff. She carried large and small packages as she went to visit her family.

Not long after she left, Nanny Fang also went home in a carriage to fetch her grandson.

By mid-morning, in the Eastern Palace.

Shen Zhinuo woke up fully rested, stretched a few times, rolled about in bed, and was then tidied up by her mother and sister before being carried to have breakfast.

After the meal, the Crown Princess went to attend to her duties. The little girl, holding her truant second brother's hand in her left and her fragrant sister's in her right, strolled around the Eastern Palace.

"Puppy, let's inspect all the palace staff in the Eastern Palace today."