The Empress's gaze swept over the female members of the Cui family, then she curtsied slightly and replied, "Yes."
The title of County Princess carried only the honor of the designation and royal privileges; it did not include any economic revenue from a fief, nor did it involve any local governance.
The Emperor was giving Liu Wanting the capital to stand on equal footing with Tang Qingwan.
When they both married into the Eastern Palace in the future, although Liu Wanting would be a secondary consort, having the title of a County Princess naturally elevated her above ordinary concubines.
Old Madam Cui's eyes grew cold. The Emperor had truly gone to great lengths to elevate the Liu family.
Tang Qingwan's gaze wavered slightly. A moment later, it landed on the Crown Prince nearby, but his eyes seemed to dodge hers, and he never turned his head.
Her heart felt as if it had been instantly plunged into the freezing water of the dead of winter, chilling her to the bone.
What a brilliant move to kill two birds with one stone, her dear Crown Prince.
A smile curled the corners of Tang Qingwan's lips. She hadn't known he possessed such calculating methods.
"Your Majesty." Consort Liang stood up to plead for mercy, but Xiao Yi beat her to it once again. "This son will go receive his punishment immediately."
The Emperor's eyes held hidden displeasure as he looked at him, and he waved his hand dismissively.
"Your Majesty, the palace banquet is imminent, and it is the Dragon Boat Festival after all. Could the punishment wait until after the banquet?" Consort Liang knelt to plead, but Prince An's figure had already left the hall.
He was smiling when he left, because the girl beside him was looking at him with worried, guilty, tear-filled eyes.
"I see he is thoroughly enjoying it," the Emperor said, flicking his sleeve.
Consort Liang turned her head and only caught a glimpse of the corner of Xiao Yi's robe as he left. Just as the Emperor had said, his confident strides didn't look the least bit like someone going to be punished; it looked more like he was going to receive a reward.
That insolent fool.
Consort Liang was so angry her vision went dark.
Liu Wanting, who had not dared to make a sound until now, was overwhelmed with excitement and finally dared to kowtow and give thanks. "This subject's daughter thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace."
A County Princess! That was a noble title second only to a Princess and a Commandery Princess. Even after entering the Eastern Palace, she would not be someone Tang Qingwan could casually manipulate or punish.
Her mother really hadn't lied to her.
Liu Wanting suddenly felt that trading that day's humiliation for today's glory was entirely worth it.
"My dear Minister Shen," the Emperor suddenly spoke up, "you shall supervise the caning of Prince An."
Shen Xiabai immediately stood up, cupped his hands in compliance, and left the Phoenix Hall.
The Emperor also stood up. "It is getting late. The palace banquet should begin."
With that, he left the Phoenix Hall amidst the young eunuchs' announcements.
Everyone in the hall bowed together to respectfully send him off.
Cui Yunchu watched the figures disappear at the palace doors and couldn't help but sneer. The royal family was truly interesting, putting on such a good two-man act.
Liu Wanting once again took the Empress's arm, her face full of radiant smiles.
"Mother, this son still has matters to discuss with Imperial Father. I shall take my leave first."
The Empress glanced at him but did not agree. Instead, she stepped down the stairs. "The palace banquet is about to begin. Whatever it is, wait until the banquet is over to discuss it."
The Crown Prince frowned.
He had promised Qingwan that he would fight for the grand wedding arrangements. If he waited until the banquet ended and the imperial decree was issued, everything would be too late.
"Mother,"
The Empress turned her eyes and said gently to Liu Wanting, "It is getting late. Do not make your mother wait anxiously. Head to the main hall first."
The Empress had previously been critical of Liu Wanting, but the Emperor's conferral of the County Princess title forced her to give the girl some regard.
Liu Wanting first glanced at the Cui family women, her gaze finally landing on Tang Qingwan, then she curtsied and complied.
The Empress called a palace maid to lead the way and guide her to the main hall.
Liu Wanting walked away gracefully, but her triumphant gaze remained fixed on Tang Qingwan.
However, Tang Qingwan's coldness, an indifference that seemed to disregard everything, filled Liu Wanting with resentment.
Putting on airs! She didn't believe for a second that Tang Qingwan wasn't angry, hateful, and jealous of her County Princess title.
"Your Majesty, we have intruded for a long time. This old woman will also take her three granddaughters and bid you farewell," Old Madam Cui said as she stood up.
The Empress opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She merely offered a few gentle words of comfort to Tang Qingwan before letting them leave.
Tang Qingwan and Cui Yunchu supported Old Madam Cui on either side as they left.
"Good girl," Old Madam Cui patted the back of Tang Qingwan's hand, her voice low and hoarse.
"Grandmother, you don't need to worry." Tang Qingwan maintained a faint smile.
After the grandmother and granddaughters left, the Empress returned to her high seat and sat down. The gaze she directed at the Crown Prince was unspeakably complex.
"Chen'er, what is it you want to do by seeking out your Imperial Father?"
The Crown Prince lowered his eyes in a brief silence.
"It is for the grand wedding arrangements, isn't it?" the Empress said with absolute certainty.
"Mother," the Crown Prince frowned. "The Liu family now has a County Princess title, showing abundant favor. They should not compete with Qingwan for the grand wedding rites anymore."
"So, the Emperor's arrival was orchestrated entirely by you, wasn't it?"
The Crown Prince pursed his lips and remained silent for a long time.
The Empress did not know whether she should be happy or how she should feel.
In matters of great right and wrong, her son always prioritized their grand enterprise. Yet, that coldness in weighing pros and cons resembled his Imperial Father to a very high degree.
"You promised Tang Qingwan the grand wedding rites, but you worried that saying it yourself would dissatisfy the Liu family. So you simply decided to give them a sweet date first before delivering a slap."
The Crown Prince was silent for a long while before speaking in a low voice, "This son... merely gave Madam Liu an idea. It was Lord Liu who sought him out in the imperial study."
Thus leading to everything that followed.
The Empress sat on her phoenix throne, seemingly dazed for a moment. "Chen'er, you did very well today, it's just..."
Her eyes were hazy and somewhat vacant. "There is no perfect method in this world; gains and losses go hand in hand. Since you have done it, you must be mentally prepared to bear the consequences."
The Crown Prince furrowed his brows. "Is what this son has learned not all from Mother's teachings?"
The Empress looked at the Crown Prince and suddenly chuckled softly. "A son resembles his father. There are some things you know how to do even without Mother teaching you."
"You don't need to go to your Imperial Father anymore. He will not agree."
The Crown Prince frowned tightly. "Whether it succeeds or not, I always have to try."
The Empress cast a sidelong glance at him. "How sharp is your Imperial Father? Do you think he doesn't know you were adding fuel to the fire behind the scenes today?"
"He turned a blind eye not because he dotes on you, but because your scheme suited his intentions. However, he will not repeatedly indulge you in treating him as a chess piece to be manipulated at will."
The Empress picked up her teacup and took a few light sips. "Let today's matters end here. Your Imperial Father's attitude towards the Liu family is enough to explain everything."
The Crown Prince stood there, his face taut, saying nothing.
The Empress looked at him and suddenly said, "What seems like a victory is actually empty; what seems like a loss is actually a victory."
"Balancing the Liu family is only one part of it. Dealing with Prince An is your main goal."
The Empress set down her teacup and slowly stood up. "Let's go. It is getting late. Any later, and the palace banquet will begin."
"Mother," the Crown Prince wanted to say something else, but the Empress waved her hand. "Say no more. Let's go quickly."
When the Cui family grandmother and granddaughters left, they were not far from Liu Wanting, practically going the same way.
However, because Old Madam Cui was present, Liu Wanting restrained herself somewhat and did not show off too deliberately.
Just as they were about to enter the hall, Liu Wanting intentionally slowed her pace. "Miss Tang, we will be sisters in the future. I have a few words I'd like to say to you in private. I wonder if it is convenient?"
Tang Qingwan raised her eyes coldly, but Cui Yunchu stepped forward first to shield her. "Cousin, help Grandmother back first. Whatever Miss Liu has to say, she can say it to me."
Everyone knew Liu Wanting's intentions; it was nothing more than an attempt to humiliate Tang Qingwan.
Old Madam Cui's gaze was cold and stern.
Cui Yunchu gently shook her arm. "Grandmother, do not worry. Your granddaughter can handle this."
Old Madam Cui still had some confidence in Cui Yunchu's combativeness. She nodded, gave a soft hum of agreement, and stepped into the main hall.
Tang Qingwan said, "Be careful."
Cui Yunchu nodded. Beside her, Cui Yunfeng had not left either. She stared coldly at Liu Wanting. "Speak."
The two sisters looked fierce, immediately overpowering Liu Wanting. Furthermore, with the previous lesson learned from dealing with Cui Yunchu, and knowing that Cui Yunfeng was fiercely protected as Prince An's precious darling, Liu Wanting had some reservations.
"The person I am looking for is Tang Qingwan. What, is she scared, so she let you two sisters step up for her?"
Cui Yunchu did not speak; she merely stared at her darkly with a pair of clear, piercing eyes.
The scene at the restaurant was still vivid in her mind. Liu Wanting said, "I am now a County Princess personally titled by the Emperor. What dare you do to me?"
Cui Yunchu suddenly let out a light chuckle. "Yes, a County Princess title exchanged for being shoved into a slop bucket. Just hearing it carries a stench of urine."
Cui Yunfeng was speechless.
She glanced at Cui Yunchu. Did she really have to be so vulgar?
What if she could not bring herself to say such things?
"You..." Liu Wanting trembled with anger, pointing her finger at Cui Yunchu.
But Cui Yunfeng slapped her hand down. "You what? Don't tell me the title of County Princess can dictate whose room the Crown Prince visits in the future?"
"Or can the Empress help force you into his bed?" Cui Yunfeng lowered her voice, leaning close to Liu Wanting's ear. "You are just asking to be humiliated."
"Cui Yunfeng, you are insolent! How dare you speak of Her Majesty the Empress like this!"
Liu Wanting's face flushed bright red. She widened her eyes, completely unable to believe that a young lady of the Cui family would dare utter such words.
Cui Yunchu and Cui Yunfeng simultaneously stepped aside to clear a path. "Go on, then. Go repeat what was just said in front of a hall full of officials and their female family members."
"..."
She truly was not that shameless.
Even if Cui Yunfeng received a few reprimands, it would not compare to the immense humiliation Liu Wanting would suffer.
