The soft little girl spoke in her soft little voice. Consort Shu was utterly charmed. She had already removed her arm guards and took the child from Hu Momo with a smile. “Grandmother isn’t mistaken. Zhiyi is the name your parents gave you. Zhaohua is the title bestowed by your Imperial Grandfather. They’re both you.”
Xiao Zhiyi blinked—both names were hers? She turned to look at her mother.
Mingxi nodded and smiled. “Your Imperial Grandmother is right. Both are yours. When you go out, others will call you by your title. That’s a mark of honor from your Imperial Grandfather.”
Zhiyi didn’t understand what “honor” meant, but instinctively knew it was something good. She immediately beamed with happiness.
“Imperial Grandmother, I’ll walk by myself. I’m too heavy!” Zhiyi squirmed out of Consort Shu’s arms and ran straight into the hall.
Consort Shu looked at her back in surprise, then turned to Mingxi. “This child is so nimble?”
Mingxi nodded. “At home, she’s been learning some martial arts from a teacher.”
Consort Shu frowned slightly. “A girl learning that kind of thing…” but remembering Mingxi’s own impressive skills, she changed her tone quickly. “Very good, it’s useful for self-defense. But when picking a teacher, don’t choose one who’s too strict.”
Of course Mingxi caught that change in tone, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Consort Shu shot her a look. “I didn’t say anything!”
Mingxi stepped forward to help Consort Shu into the hall. “I know, you’re only thinking of the child’s well-being. She has noble blood as a royal princess. Her mother was just a merchant’s daughter. In those days, it was all about survival.”
Consort Shu felt a bit awkward and patted Mingxi’s hand. “I know you’ve suffered a lot, and that’s why you don’t want Zhiyi to suffer too. Raising a child is between you and your husband. I’m only offering my opinion. How to raise her is entirely up to you.”
“Oh, to have an elder like you is a blessing for me, and for the child too.”
Consort Shu thought to herself: if her daughter-in-law were more soft-tempered, she’d have to step in and help manage the household. But Mingxi was someone with strong opinions—two tigers can’t live on one mountain. Naturally, the same applies to a mother- and daughter-in-law.
As long as Mingxi did the right thing, she would never interfere—only offer occasional advice.
It was Zhiyi’s first visit to Cuiwei Palace, and she was extremely curious. Her big eyes blinked and blinked, completely melting Consort Shu’s heart.
She took Zhiyi’s hand and led her into the inner hall. The table had already been set with snacks and fruits for the child. Zhiyi’s eyes immediately lit up.
The bright sparkle in her eyes nearly dazzled Consort Shu. This child was completely different from her Father when he was little.
Her son never liked to smile as a child. You had to coax him forever just to get the corners of his mouth to lift. Consort Shu had always felt defeated.
It wasn’t like raising a son—it felt more like worshipping an ancestor. It had been truly frustrating.
This stark contrast made Consort Shu love Zhiyi all the more. She held her in her lap, personally peeling fruits to feed her. Although it was their first meeting, grandmother and granddaughter got along extraordinarily well.
And mind you, Xiao Zhiyi wasn’t the type to warm up to people easily.
While playing with the child, Consort Shu chatted with Mingxi about palace matters.
“Things at Kunde Palace have been strangely quiet lately. It’s made me uneasy. All my years in the palace—I’ve never seen it that quiet,” she said in a low voice.
Mingxi shared the key developments from the outside.
Consort Shu had heard vague rumors, but not in such detail—especially about the secret passage. Her face changed immediately.
Seeing that the topic had turned serious, Hu Momo took the young princess out to play in the courtyard while she kept watch at the hall door.
Consort Shu asked in a low voice, “You suspect the deposed Crown Prince is planning something with that passage? But he’s under house arrest—what could he possibly do?”
“Royal Mother, while his body is confined, his mind is not. He operated for so many years. Even after the reckoning, some courtiers who support the orthodox line haven’t changed their stance.”
Consort Shu leaned back, quietly contemplating.
Mingxi didn’t say another word.
A long silence followed, before Consort Shu finally sighed softly, “If that’s the case, you must be careful outside. Do not let your guard down.”
Mingxi nodded. “I know. I’m telling you this so that you’ll be aware. I suspect the deposed Crown Prince still has contact with Kunde Palace. The quieter it is, the more unusual it becomes.”
“Once you leave the palace,” Consort Shu warned, “do not speak of this again. What you did with the Duke’s estate was right—retreating in time is important. Don’t give them anything to use against you. If it’s discovered, who knows what unexpected trouble might follow.”
“Yes, Wangye and I have already withdrawn. Even if someone investigates over there, they won’t find anything.”
“That’s good.” Consort Shu let out a small breath of relief. “How are things on the Dongjiang side?”
“It’s still too early to tell. Gao Zhan’s attitude is the most critical, but it’s hard to draw a conclusion right now.” As Mingxi spoke, she looked at Consort Shu. “Royal Mother, if only Gao Zhan could return to the capital before the end of the year to resume his duties, that would be ideal.”
“Return to the capital to resume his duties?”
“Yes. The matter of him having a mistress has to come to a resolution eventually. Since we’ve allowed Bai Zhiwei to return to the Duke’s residence, we should at least give her some hope.”
“I’ll think of a way,” Consort Shu said.
“If you bring this up to Royal Father, will it be acceptable? I’m worried he might grow suspicious.”
“Wasn’t it Bai Zhiwei herself who caused people to dislike her? I’ll have someone quietly pass a message to Dukchess Gao’s household and have her send a formal request to enter the palace, directed to the Kunde Palace.”
“To the Kunde Palace?”
“Of course. Bai Zhiwei’s younger sister married the deposed Crown Prince — the Empress is her mother-in-law. The Duke’s family and the Empress are in-laws in a way, so why couldn’t the Empress step in to mediate?”
Mingxi’s eyes lit up. That’s right — this was an excellent idea. In that case, the people at Kunde Palace might not remain so composed. The opportunity had come, and the Empress would surely want to seize it.
This was truly killing two birds with one stone.
“Royal Mother, you are brilliant.”
Consort Shu looked at Mingxi. “Then it’s settled. I’ll have Duke Wei’s household take care of it.”
Within the Duke’s residence, the only one suitable to deliver such domestic matters was the Duchess herself.
Mingxi didn’t have a good impression of her at all. After some thought, she still chose to speak up: “If you intend to let Duchess Wei handle this matter, I can only ask you to reconsider.”
Consort Shu was momentarily stunned. She knew her sister-in-law had offended Mingxi a few years back, but she was still slightly surprised by how straightforward Mingxi was being. “Are you worried she’ll mishandle it?”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “I’ve heard the Duchess has been obsessed with finding a good marriage for her niece. She’s arranged several matches in the past few years, all of which ended with no follow-through. She’s also offended quite a few people in the capital — some of their wives even passed word to me in private.
But as you know, I’ve had past conflicts with the Duchess, so naturally, I shouldn’t interfere in her affairs. It’s just that the Jingchuan Marquis’ household no longer exists, and Miss Feng is no longer a noble lady, only a commoner now.
Still, the Duchess insists on marrying her into a prestigious family. What noble household would agree to that? They only refrain from directly rejecting the proposal because of your and Wangye’s standing.”
Consort Shu frowned deeply. “Didn’t they say they already found a good family for Feng Wenxuan and even set a wedding date? Why didn’t it go through again?”
