The Empress was drinking the jasmine tea made by Rongrong. The tea was fragrant and not greasy at all, perfectly to her taste.

In the past, at Kun Ning Palace, even when she had delicious food, she would only take a few bites and not indulge too much.

However, today the jasmine tea was so refreshing and delicious that she wanted more.

She had already had a bowl with her meal and was now drinking another bowl.

An Ru approached and said, “Your Majesty, Miss Xue has arrived.”

Rongrong felt uneasy and anxious.

She had no personal interactions with the Empress, and if the Empress had summoned her, it was certainly to discuss matters related to the Crown Prince.

She wasn’t afraid of being warned to stay away from the Crown Prince; she was worried the Empress might expel her from the Eastern Palace, causing her to lose her chance to see Yuanbao again.

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Only then did the Empress put down her tea bowl and, after wiping her mouth, asked, “Has Yuanbao gone to sleep?”

“He is already asleep.”

The Empress nodded, her gaze firmly fixed on Rongrong as she appraised her from head to toe, silently nodding in approval.

Rongrong truly had a remarkable appearance. Her pretty face could look both charming and displeased, and her eyes, which seemed neither completely black nor completely colored, combined with her slightly pale complexion, made her look even more beautiful than Xi Shi in her prime.

Liang Muchen, who was already considered a top beauty, seemed less impressive in comparison.

No wonder Liu Zhen was so enamored with her that he disregarded others.

The Empress sighed inwardly, thinking that if Liu Zhen wasn’t so fond of her, she wouldn’t have to go through such trouble.

“Please sit and speak.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

An Ru moved a small stool over for Rongrong to sit on, and soon someone brought her tea.

It was the first time Rongrong had someone serve her tea since she came to the Eastern Palace.

She was momentarily overwhelmed by the favor, understanding that the Empress did not regard her as a mere servant.

But as the saying goes, one should not receive benefits without merit; why would the Empress treat her as a guest without any reason?

After a moment, the Empress spoke first, “I heard you previously worked at the Jingning Marquis’s residence.”

“Yes.”

Rongrong placed her hands neatly on her lap and slightly lowered her chin.

From the Empress’s perspective, she appeared like a well-behaved and likable person.

“Were you a personal maid to Yuanchu?”

The Empress’s question was direct, and Rongrong answered openly, “Yes, I was favored by the master and worked in the Young Master’s study.”

“The Marquis’s residence is a good place. Why did you leave?” the Empress asked.

“A commoner’s daughter still has a grandmother at home who needs care, so I redeemed myself to leave the residence,” Rongrong said.

The Empress’s gaze remained fixed on Rongrong, “If you have a grandmother to care for, why did you come to the Eastern Palace?”

Rongrong’s heart tightened.

Here it comes!

“My grandmother was seriously ill a few days ago. I searched all over the capital for famous doctors, but none dared to treat her.

At the brink of life and death, we were fortunate to encounter Prince Yuanbao, who sent palace physicians to cure my grandmother.

I have nothing to repay the prince, so since he likes the dishes I make, I stayed in the Eastern Palace to cook for him as a way to repay his great kindness.”

The Empress’s gaze grew sharper, “You stayed in the Eastern Palace just to cook for Yuanbao?”

Rongrong’s hands, resting on her knees, clenched her skirt tightly.

“That is indeed my intention. When Prince Yuanbao gets tired of my cooking, that will be the time for me to leave the Eastern Palace.”

The Empress smiled, took a sip of the jasmine tea Anru had just poured for her, and said, “You are a smart girl. Smart people often speak in circles. Here, there’s no one else, just you and me, so let’s speak frankly.”

Rongrong lowered her eyes, “Your Majesty, I have no delusions about the Crown Prince.”

“That’s better,” the Empress chuckled. “You don’t need to be afraid. I like clever and well-behaved girls like you.

If the common concubines in the harem were as obedient as you, I wouldn’t have to live such a tiring life.”

Rongrong bowed her head even lower.

“I won’t blame you for having feelings for Liu Zhen,” the Empress continued, a satisfied look on her face. “Over the years, I’ve seen so many noble daughters, each one proud and self-assured. If any of them lived in Yuhua Palace like you, they would never want to leave.”

Rongrong remained silent.

The Empress didn’t expect Rongrong to respond immediately.

Instead, she smiled and went on, “Did you see Liang Muchen from the Marquis of Weiyuan’s residence in the Imperial Garden last time?”

“Yes, when the Crown Prince was playing chess with Miss Liang, I went to deliver some pastries.”

The Empress nodded.

Rongrong spoke honestly, without trying to hide anything, which pleased the Empress. She was tired of those who thought themselves clever.

“Liang Muchen is the wife the Emperor has chosen for Liu Zhen. Do you know what this means?” The Empress asked, but she didn’t wait for Rongrong to answer, continuing at her own pace, “The person the Emperor has decided on cannot be changed by either me or Liu Zhen.”

“Commoner understands that Miss Liang comes from a noble family and possesses both talent and beauty, making her suitable to be the Crown Princess.” Rongrong had already known that the marriage between the Crown Prince and Liang Muchen was a certainty, but hearing it from the Empress’s lips now made her heart ache again.

“Do you really believe so?” The Empress raised an eyebrow, her gaze carrying a deeper meaning.

Rongrong nodded.

“I do not think so.” The Empress smiled and said, “As a mother, I hope Liu Zhen can be happy. If he is to be happy, the most suitable woman to stay by his side is not Liang Muchen, but you.”

Rongrong’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at the Empress.

“Your Majesty… I… I have no such delusions.”

“There is no need to be so nervous. As the Empress, if I wanted to punish you, would I need to use such words?”

Indeed.

In the past, Rongrong had heard many stories about the Empress’s iron-fisted methods while serving in the Court of Ceremonies.

With her status, the Empress could decide one’s life or death without needing to deceive.

Rongrong lowered her head helplessly.

The Empress sighed slightly, “I know that Liu Zhen has determined to have you. Not only him, but Yuanbao has also recognized you.

I am satisfied with Liang Muchen, but I am clear in my heart that Liu Zhen has never regarded Liang Muchen highly.

You are still young and may not understand the feelings of a mother.

I would like Liu Zhen to marry a woman he truly loves, but he is the Crown Prince.

To you, the Crown Prince is just one step away from being the Son of Heaven, but do you know how many have failed to take that step?”

The Empress’s voice, usually commanding, was now gentle, as if she were confiding in Rongrong as an elder.

Yet, this soft and gentle voice felt like countless needles piercing Rongrong’s ears, causing her pain.

“I am the legitimate daughter of the An Guo Duke’s family. After marriage, I became the legitimate wife of the Ning Wang’s household, then the Crown Princess, and now the Empress.

Everyone praises me as having a destiny of phoenix-like grandeur, but only the Emperor knows how I have moved step by step from Wangfei to Crown Princess and then to Empress.

In my life, I have never dared to make mistakes; a single misstep could have prevented me from reaching where I am today.

Liu Zhen and I appear to be in a high and mighty position now, but behind the scenes, there are countless who wish to pull us down.”

Xue Xue could not fully empathize with the Empress’s experience.

She only knew that serving in the palace was like walking on a knife’s edge; one wrong move could lead to disaster.

She had never thought that even those in high positions like the Empress would need to be so cautious and vigilant.

But hearing the Empress’s words made it clear to her.

The positions in the palace, such as the Court of Ceremonies, were fiercely contested; even more so for positions like the Empress and the Crown Prince!

She was like a small rabbit beside a tiger, always fearful, but the tiger’s position was likely more precarious and fraught with danger.

“The Wei Yuan Marquis’s residence has guarded the northern frontier for generations, protecting the national borders.

Although the direct line of the Wei Yuan Marquis’s residence has ended, Liang Muchen’s family is still of their bloodline.

Because of this, the Northwestern Army will respect them.

The Northwestern Army is watching how the court will treat the Wei Yuan Marquis’s residence.

Liu Zhen currently only has a thousand elite guards, which is far from enough. To secure the situation, gaining the support of the Northwestern Army is crucial.”

The more Rongrong listened, the more alarmed she became.

Suddenly, she stood up from the embroidered stool and knelt before the Empress.

“Your Majesty, I am inexperienced and truly do not understand what you are saying.”

“Whether you understand or not, I must tell you,” the Empress sighed, “You need not be afraid. The reason I am telling you this is because I need your help.”

“Your Majesty’s command, I dare not disobey.”

The Empress sighed again, “Liu Zhen, he is extremely clever, but also capable of great foolishness. Do you know about Yuanbao’s birth mother?”

Rongrong nodded, “I have heard some things.”

The Empress took a deep breath, remembering the past, “Liu Zhen did many foolish things for her. Now that he is about to marry, I fear he might do something foolish for you again…”

Liu Zhen did foolish things for Jing Rong?

A slight smile appeared on Rongrong’s lips.

Last time, she had ruined the Crown Prince’s good match.

This time, she would not delay his happiness again.

Rongrong stepped forward and kowtowed before the Empress.