After accompanying Yuan Bao for lunch and chatting with him for a while, the Empress managed to get him to take a nap in Kun Ning Palace.

As soon as Yuan Bao’s eyes were closed, the Empress immediately set out for Yang Xin Palace.

Before she reached Yang Xin Palace, she heard someone singing a long, melodious tune from inside.

The Empress’s face darkened.

An Ru, understanding immediately, stepped forward and said quietly, “Recently, Yue Changzai from Yi Kun Palace has been favored by the Emperor. Even if she doesn’t get summoned at night, she still has to come to Yang Xin Palace at noon to serve. She must be seen every day.”

“Who cares who she is?” the Empress snorted. “Later, tell the Respectful Attendants’ Office to make sure she doesn’t break the rules.”

The Empress’s instructions were straightforward, and An Ru understood perfectly.

Once the Respectful Attendants’ Office received the message, Yue Changzai would find her life in the palace increasingly difficult.

Over the years, the Empress had mostly ignored the women in the harem, and Yue Changzai happened to have crossed paths with the Empress during a time of displeasure.

The eunuch guarding Yang Xin Palace saw the Empress’s approach and immediately went inside to announce her arrival.

The Empress couldn’t wait and went straight in, with no one daring to stop her.

As soon as the announcement was made, the Empress walked into Yang Xin Palace.

She happened to catch the Emperor sitting at his desk with a beautiful young woman in his lap, who was cuddling and acting spoiled.

“Get out!” the Empress said coldly.

The young woman was startled and quickly got up from the Emperor’s lap.

She didn’t dare say a word, picked up her clothes from the floor, and ran out.

“Why are you so angry? Still worried about Zhen’er’s injury?” The Emperor stood up, helped the Empress to sit down, and poured her tea. “I had Huang Desheng ask the doctor who bandaged him. It’s just flesh wounds; he’s in good health and will recover soon.”

The Empress sneered, “Your son has been attacked and is missing, yet you’re here, enjoying yourself with music and entertainment. Is this how a father should act?”

“You want to manage it, but does he let you? We’ve searched the entire capital and still can’t find him.” The Emperor sighed helplessly. “His temperament is like yours—stubborn. Once he’s set on something, nothing will change his mind.”

“Indeed, he’s like me. If he were like you, falling for every pretty girl, I wouldn’t be so worried.”

The Emperor looked somewhat embarrassed and cleared his throat. “You came rushing over. Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing serious, just wanted to let you know that the girl you picked for Liu Zhen might not work out,” the Empress said, her face showing a hint of frustration.

She genuinely liked Liang Mu Chen’s daughter—pretty and kind, unlike the high and mighty noble girls in the capital.

It was a pity she might not become her daughter-in-law.

The Emperor didn’t believe the Empress’s words and shook his head with a smile. “You’re just too idle and overthinking things. Did Zhen’er tell you this himself?”

“He didn’t say it directly; it was Yuan Bao who mentioned it. But I think the meaning is the same. Last time, when he was with his maid in the Imperial Garden, I saw them. If he were interested in Liang Muchen, he wouldn’t have held her hand in front of everyone.”

“I’ve heard about that maid. I’m told she’s very beautiful…”

The Empress rolled her eyes in response.

“As long as Zhen’er still likes beauties, it won’t be a big deal. If he likes her, so be it. The East Palace is so big, how could it not keep even a maid?

We could appoint her as a concubine or a secondary wife if needed in the future.

As for the Weiyuan Marquisate, I already consider them as in-laws. You don’t need to worry; I’ll make sure he agrees to it.”

“You want to force him?” The Empress gave the Emperor a sideways glance, pressing her lips together.

After decades of marriage, they knew each other’s tactics very well.

Hearing the Emperor say he would make the Crown Prince yield, the Empress couldn’t help but remind him, “Don’t be too harsh, or you’ll damage the father-son relationship.”

The Emperor looked helpless. “Do I need you to tell me that? Why would I be harsh with my own son? Don’t worry; I have a trump card.”

“A trump card?” The Empress asked curiously. “What is it?”

The Emperor seemed reluctant to reveal it, but after the Empress’s persistent questioning, he laughed and said, “Don’t you remember? Our precious Yuanbao hasn’t been entered into the official register yet!”

“You mean…” The Empress immediately understood, slapped the table, and said, “So that’s why you wouldn’t give in before! Your Majesty, you’re truly clever!”

“Don’t tell anyone about this. I’ll discuss it with Zhen’er personally.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not senile yet.”

---

During the past ten days back in the East Palace, Rongrong had been quite content.

With the Crown Prince away, it was just her and Yuanbao in the Yuhua Palace.

She felt very free.

She hadn’t been to Wutong Lane lately, partly because she needed to stay at the East Palace for Yuanbao to see her as soon as he returned, and partly because she had just found her son and didn’t want to be away from him.

Unfortunately, the Empress sent someone daily to take Yuanbao to Kunning Palace, leaving Rongrong lonely in the East Palace.

With nothing to do, she started trying to write her story.

She thought she had everything well-planned, but once she began writing, she realized how difficult it was to produce a manuscript as thick as Yang Tong’s.

After ten days of writing, revising, and editing, she had only completed two pages.

“His Highness has returned to the palace!”

In the afternoon, while Rongrong was reviewing the beginning of her manuscript, she suddenly heard the familiar voice of Fuzhuan from outside.

The Crown Prince is back?

That should mean the assassin issue is resolved.

She wondered if his injuries had healed.

Since he was the master of Yuhua Palace and Fuzhuan was announcing his return, Rongrong naturally went out to greet him.

She hurriedly put away her manuscript and went outside, just in time to see his tall figure entering.

The sunlight outside was very bright, and as Rongrong looked from inside the room, she couldn’t make out his features or clothing clearly, only seeing his dark silhouette approaching closer.

“Greetings to His Highness,” Rongrong said, bowing to him.

He stopped and looked at Rong Rong. “Where is Yuan Bao?”

“When His Highness is not in the East Palace, the Empress sends someone every day to bring Prince Yuan Bao to the palace,” Rong Rong explained.

Actually, the Empress also wanted to call Rong Rong into the palace so that Yuan Bao could stay overnight in Kun Ning Palace, but when An Ru mentioned it, Yuan Bao didn’t respond, so the plan was abandoned.

“Hmm.” He responded with a nod and sat down in the central chair.

Rong Rong looked up at him.

Today, he wore a red brocade robe that was much more elaborate than his usual dark-patterned robes.

It was embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon on the front, and the cuffs were also adorned with golden embroidery.

The robe exuded an air of nobility, and he was cinched with a top-quality white jade belt.

He always tied his belt tightly, which made his shoulders appear broader and his waist narrower.

Normally, when he sat down, tea would be served immediately, but during their brief conversation, the people who had accompanied him back to the palace had disappeared, and even Fu Quan was nowhere to be seen.

Could it be that she had to serve him tea herself?

Rong Rong steeled herself and said, “I am currently organizing spring clothes for Prince Yuanbao. If His Highness has no further instructions, I will return to my duties.”

His gaze turned cold. “I have something for you.”

Something?

Rong Rong’s heart raced, nearly leaping out of her chest.

She was not his maid.

If he had something, he should call Fu Quan.

Unfortunately, she could only voice her dissatisfaction internally and had to suppress it. “What does His Highness need?”

“Change my clothes. Bring me a set of wide-sleeved robes.”

“Understood.” Rong Rong glanced at his red dragon robe, noting that the sleeves were indeed narrower than his usual ones.

Could it be that he lacked proper clothing at the estate?

Rong Rong went to the inner chamber and found a set of dark-colored everyday robes, the kind he was used to, with cloud dragon patterns embroidered in black silk.

When Rong Rong brought out the clothes, the Crown Prince stood up and extended his hands for her to help him change.

First, she had to undo the belt.

Fearing his impatience, Rong Rong deliberately fumbled twice before successfully removing the white jade belt. Next were the sleeves.

Although the sleeves were a bit tight, she managed to pull off the left sleeve with a little effort.

However, when reaching the part where his hand was, her movements slowed.

His left hand, no longer bandaged, showed a fresh, severe knife wound on his palm, which was quite alarming.

Rongrong pulled down the sleeve just a little, only to see that the white bandage inside had turned red with blood.

“Your Highness?” The blood, though not much, was very glaring, and Rongrong was startled. “I’ll go call the Imperial Physician right away.”

“No,” the Crown Prince firmly refused, commanding, “Continue taking it off.”

“Yes.” Rongrong had no choice but to continue helping him, though it was hard for her to continue with the injury still bleeding.

Every time she moved her hand, she noticed his eyes twitch slightly.

He must be in a lot of pain.

Rongrong felt a pang of sympathy for him despite herself.

“Wait a moment.” Rongrong didn’t wait for his reply before rushing back into the room.

She grabbed a pair of scissors and cut open the sleeve of his right arm without hesitation.

His gaze fell on the half-cut sleeve. “I heard this outfit took thirty palace maids three months to embroider. I didn’t expect it to be ruined like this.”

Rongrong was exasperated. She was trying to help him, and he was worried about his clothes?

“The third drawer over there has medicine and bandages. Get them and help me reapply them.”

“I’m clumsy and don’t know much about this. It’s better to call for Fuzhuan to assist His Highness,” Rongrong finally vented her frustration.

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, half-smiling. “Fuquan is busy, so you’re the only one left.”

Rongrong felt helpless.

Despite her reluctance, she softened seeing the blood seeping from his arm and got up to fetch the medicine and bandages.

She used the scissors to cut the bandages, but realized they were wrapped so tightly that she had to press the scissors into the wound to cut.

Since his arm was already bleeding, it was difficult to apply this pressure.

“Just cut it directly,” he said indifferently.

“Your Highness, it’s been ten days and your wound is still bleeding. We really need to call the Imperial Physician,” Rongrong pleaded.

The Crown Prince, hearing the almost tearful tone in her voice, turned to look at her with a relaxed expression, explaining as if to himself, “The court only knows about my left hand injury. How could they call for the Imperial Physician? I’ve already visited the palace and the cabinet today, and informed them that I’m fine.”