Secondary Consort Wei watched respectfully as Prince Ling left. Only then did she straighten herself.
She first glanced smugly around at the concubines and children in the room, then took the seat of honor.
This position really wasn't bad at all.
Secondary Consort Wei dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, feeling quite pleased with herself.
It hadn't been in vain that she had laid her trap for so long, deliberately mentioning, just as the prince returned to the residence, in his presence, the matter of her son Lin'er preparing a birthday gift.
She had even deliberately reminded Prince Ling, "I hear from the maids that not only Commandery Princess Anning, but even Commandery Princess Funing and the others have prepared gifts."
"Would Your Highness like to take a look at the children's gifts first? What if their offerings don’t meet the Emperor’s wishes?"
"There is still time now—they can prepare anew."
"If we wait until the actual birthday, it will be too late to make changes."
Prince Ling found this reasoning quite sound.
Thus, the scene just now had unfolded.
"You all heard me just now. From this day forward, all household affairs will be managed by me."
Secondary Consort Wei put on an air of authority and swept her gaze across the room.
"Someone, escort the Princess Consort back to her chambers for a proper rest!"
At Secondary Consort Wei's command, two sturdy maids entered immediately and supported Princess Consort Ling away.
Right after, the Princess Consort’s maid knelt in haste.
"Secondary Consort Wei, please call a physician for our Princess Consort!"
Secondary Consort Wei ignored the maid entirely.
Seeing this, Xiao Yun'an quickly joined in the plea.
Only then did Secondary Consort Wei show a gentle smile.
"Hurry, help the Heir Apparent to his feet!"
"Heir Apparent, it’s not that I refuse to call a physician."
"It’s just that this matter today should not be spread around."
"Tell me—if a doctor were to come and hear that the Princess Consort encouraged the Commandery Princess to embroider a four-clawed golden dragon for His Majesty, what do you think the consequences would be?"
Xiao Yun'an froze. He hadn’t thought that far.
Still, he understood from his father’s attitude just now just how serious this was.
"But my mother..."
A flicker of impatience flashed in Secondary Consort Wei’s eyes.
If not for her family’s low status, the position of Princess Consort would have been hers by right.
And the position of Heir Apparent would have been her son’s!
Secondary Consort Wei lowered her gaze, concealing the calculations within.
"Heir Apparent, rest assured. The Princess Consort is usually in good health; surely nothing will happen."
"She is merely overly worried about Commandery Princess Anning and has fainted from agitation."
"Once she rests a while, she will wake."
"Oh, and Heir Apparent, the prince just instructed that starting today, you are to move to the outer courtyard."
"Someone, escort the Heir Apparent to the outer courtyard!"
No sooner had Secondary Consort Wei spoken than Xiao Yun'an's page boy rushed in, pulling and dragging him away.
Xiao Yunming left along with the two maids supporting Princess Consort Ling.
The other concubines, seeing this, quickly bowed to Secondary Consort Wei and departed with their children.
Finally, only Song Shuyu remained.
Song Shuyu waited until everyone had left before rising from the ground.
"Secondary Consort Wei, did you know about the four-clawed golden dragon beforehand?"
Faced with Song Shuyu’s accusation, Secondary Consort Wei smiled.
"Commandery Princess Funing, I only learned about it from the embroiderer just now."
"Actually, I have done you a great favor—you should thank me."
"See, I had the embroiderer teach you needlework, and I helped you escape disaster."
"I admit the prince slapped you just now, but think about it—what if your pouch had been discovered last?"
"At that point, to shift the blame, the prince would have certainly pushed you forward."
"Have you ever considered what that would mean? It would be a crime worthy of beheading!"
Secondary Consort Wei deliberately frightened Song Shuyu, certain she didn’t understand the severity.
As expected, Song Shuyu shivered at the mention of beheading.
But Song Shuyu refused to be grateful.
"Hmph! You were just using me anyway!" Song Shuyu had finally figured it out.
Having stayed so long in Prince Ling’s residence, she had gradually learned a few things.
Secondary Consort Wei and Princess Consort Ling had long been locked in open and covert struggles.
Both had sons, and both schemed for their children’s futures.
When Song Shuyu heard about all this from Chunxiao, she had even felt a trace of envy.
Hearing Song Shuyu say such a thing, Secondary Consort Wei was taken aback.
This Commandery Princess Funing didn’t seem as foolish as she had imagined!
"I helped you gain authority over the household. By rights, you ought to thank me!"
"You have basked in my good fortune to have this opportunity."
"If you dare treat me badly, I will take back your luck!"
"Then you will end up just like Princess Consort Ling!" Song Shuyu declared triumphantly.
Secondary Consort Wei’s heart gave a jolt of alarm.
She had been locked in battle with Princess Consort Ling for years, a back-and-forth seesaw.
Strangely, the Princess Consort’s several downfalls all seemed connected to this Commandery Princess Funing.
Could it really be for the reason Song Shuyu said?
Secondary Consort Wei was half-doubtful as she scrutinized Song Shuyu warily.
Song Shuyu forced herself to remain calm. "Believe it or not. Don’t come crying later when you regret it."
"And don’t forget—the authority to manage the household was given to you by Father."
"Father dotes on me the most!"
With these parting words, Song Shuyu turned and walked out.
Once outside, she let out a long sigh of relief.
It was her first time bluffing with borrowed authority—and she had done it well!
Inside the room, Secondary Consort Wei’s trusted maid Zhenzhu approached her side.
"Secondary Consort, what Commandery Princess Funing said seems to have some truth to it."
Secondary Consort Wei’s expression flickered uncertainly.
Now, the household reins were in her hands.
As long as she made no mistakes, the prince would not take them back.
Then she could trip up Princess Consort Ling little by little; perhaps the prince would grow disgusted with her.
With a little more prodding, she, a secondary consort, might even become the official Princess Consort.
And when Prince Ling ascended the throne, she would be the supreme empress!
At this thought, Secondary Consort Wei straightened her back.
"Zhenzhu, send someone to keep an eye on Commandery Princess Funing."
"And station two of our people to watch over the Princess Consort."
"The prince ordered her to reflect properly."
Zhenzhu hurried out.
Secondary Consort Wei lowered her head in thought. This Commandery Princess Funing was still just a child, easy to coax.
She had no fear of what a little girl like Song Shuyu could do to her.
After all, Song Shuyu would have to rely on her to survive in this inner household.
In fact, she could use Song Shuyu to bring down the Princess Consort completely!
Wasn’t this the perfect pawn?
Song Shuyu wasn’t even Prince Ling’s blood; if anything went wrong, she would just shift the blame onto Song Shuyu!
The prince certainly wouldn’t protect her!
She understood very well that Prince Ling was merely using Song Shuyu’s reputation as a lucky star.
When Prince Ling eventually ascended the throne, Song Shuyu’s fate was anyone’s guess.
At this thought, Secondary Consort Wei smiled.
"Ah-choo!" Song Shuyu sneezed.
She rubbed her nose. Was someone plotting against her?
