CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN

"I noticed that the lady seemed to have listened to your words just now. Give her some time, and she will surely understand." Jiang Chuan respectfully said, "Fortunately, Miss Qin still needs some time to recover from her injuries."

"Father is very concerned about this Qin Xiulian, you all must take good care of her." The Seventh Prince instructed, "Make sure to serve her well!"

Seeing the Seventh Prince so serious, Jiang Chuan felt a slight chill in his heart and immediately responded earnestly, "Rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely take good care of Miss Qin."

"During this period, while Qin Xiulian is recuperating in Zhao Yang Palace, Father will often come to Zhao Yang Palace. Isn’t this a good thing for Mother?"

"Your Highness, these words must not be heard by the Empress; otherwise, she will be upset again."

"Father usually only comes to Zhao Yang Palace on the first and fifteenth of the month. Isn’t Mother aware?" The Seventh Prince understood clearly, "To put it bluntly, if Mother weren’t the Empress, Father probably wouldn’t even come to Zhao Yang Palace on those days."

Jiang Chuan spoke with a stiff expression, "Your Highness, you..."

"As for Noble Princess Consort Rong, Father often goes there." The Seventh Prince remarked, "If we do not take some counteraction soon, Prince Dai might really become the Crown Prince, and Noble Princess Consort Rong may become the Empress."

"Your Highness, you are absolutely right."

"It was right for Uncle to arrange for Qin Xiulian to enter the palace. We can’t let Noble Consort continue to enjoy this much favor." The Seventh Prince squinted slightly, "Qin Xiulian must have been trained by Uncle before. She entered the palace just to win favor, just to surpass Noble Princess Consort Rong."

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will persuade the lady properly."

"You should frequent Miss Qin and discuss Noble Princess Consort Rong with her."

Understanding the Seventh Prince’s meaning, Jiang Chuan nodded, "I understand."

"Tomorrow, after Uncle finishes his duties at court, invite him to Zhao Yang Palace for a visit." The Seventh Prince said, "Uncle should clarify things to Mother."

"After court tomorrow, I will go invite Duke Zhen."

The Seventh Prince said no more and returned to the study to continue reading his books.

At this time, inside the Imperial Study at Chengguang Hall.

The Emperor had just finished reviewing a pile of memorials. He was resting while sipping tea.

"By the way, go clean up Changle Palace."

Upon hearing the Emperor’s order, Sun Kui was greatly shocked. He hesitated for a moment and carefully asked, "Your Majesty, you want me to prepare Changle Palace for Miss Qin?"

The Emperor placed the tea lid on the cup, producing a crisp sound.

Upon hearing this sound, Sun Kui’s heart skipped a beat.

The Emperor glanced askew at Sun Kui, "If not for her, then who will reside there, you?"

Sun Kui forced a smile and said, "I wouldn’t dare."

The Emperor commanded, "Make it well-prepared, put some fine things there."

"Your Majesty, how much fine things should we place?"

The Emperor replied casually, "Just like Yongxin Palace."

"What?" Sun Kui was utterly shocked by the Emperor’s words and asked with an expression of disbelief, "Your Majesty, really like Yongxin Palace?" Yongxin Palace belonged to Noble Princess Consort Rong; her palace’s furnishings were considered the most luxurious in the entire harem, even surpassing Empress Xie’s Zhao Yang Palace. "Isn’t this somewhat improper?"

The Emperor seemed indifferent, "Is that so?"

"Your Majesty, Yongxin Palace is the Noble Consort’s palace. By making Changle Palace the same, where does that leave the Noble Consort’s dignity?" Sun Kui murmured softly, "Aren’t you making it difficult for the Noble Consort?"

"Oh, then just make it six or seven-tenths like Yongxin Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor lightly tapped the tea lid with his fingers, "What do you think I should confer upon her, should I directly confer her as a consort?"

Sun Kui’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this and quickly suggested, "Your Majesty, directly conferring her as a consort might not be appropriate, given that Miss Qin doesn’t come from a high background. If you directly confer her as a consort, the ministers will certainly criticize you."

The Emperor let out a derisive chuckle, "Do you think I’m afraid of what they say?"

"Aren’t you afraid of the nuisance?" Sun Kui continued, "The ministers will keep grumbling about this matter, won’t you find it annoying?"

"True, they can indeed be as bothersome as flies sometimes." The Emperor tapped the tea lid again, deliberating, "Then let’s confer her as a concubine."

"Your Majesty, isn’t conferring her as a concubine still a bit too high?"

"Too high? She saved my life." The Emperor said, a meaningful smile curling his lips, "Plus, she looks exactly like the love of my past. It would be a shame not to confer her as a concubine." The words "love of my past" were emphasized by the Emperor.