On the second day, Chu Shaoling returned to the palace and first went to Ci'an Palace to see the Empress Dowager who had been waiting for a long time.

The Empress Dowager actually felt a bit guilty towards Chu Shaoling in her heart. She originally wanted to arrange a marriage for Chu Shaoling, but unexpectedly, after being busy for a while, it ended in vain, and even added another Zhen family concubine for the Emperor.

The Empress Dowager would not be naive to think that Chu Shaoling knew nothing in the temporary palace. The reason why she liked Chu Shaoling was not only because of blood ties, but also because she saw that Chu Shaoling was a prince who could take on heavy responsibilities. The Empress Dowager acquiesced and even indulged Chu Shaoling to secretly cultivate his forces in the palace. The old Empress Dowager did not think there was anything wrong with this.

The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Shaoling carefully, knowing that her precious grandson was not thin or sick, she put her mind at ease and slowly comforted: "I guess you also know that the Emperor wants to find a suitable girl for you, but unfortunately, alas, forget it, no one was chosen, there was no suitable match. The Emperor promised me, we will take it slow, and must choose a good one for you."

If Ling Yun is not suitable, there is still Ling Yi. The Empress Dowager had summoned the 11-year-old Ling Yi into the palace a few days ago under the pretext of seeing her. Unlike Ling Yun, little Ling Yi was in good health and had even better looks than her sister. Of course these were not important, when marrying a wife, one should marry a virtuous one. On this point, the old Empress Dowager completely trusted the family education of the Marquis Zijun Manor.

Chu Shaoling didn't expect that the Empress Dowager had already postponed his marriage. This saved him a lot of trouble. Chu Shaoling smiled lightly: "It's okay, I'm not in a hurry about marriage, I just feel sorry for troubling Imperial Grandmother."

The Empress Dowager shook her head and sighed, unable to help but blame the Emperor a little in her heart. If the Emperor had already established Chu Shaoling as the crown prince, if the Emperor didn't have so many suspicions, then Zhen Si could be designated to Chu Shaoling. The girl was outgoing, even if the Zhen family was not on good terms with Chu Shaoling, as long as she married over, the old Empress Dowager didn't believe she would still favor her maternal family.

Chu Shaoling laughed in his heart, the nonsense he used to scheme against the Zhen family actually made the Empress Dowager keep it in mind.

The Empress Dowager felt quite regretful in her heart, and slowly said: "That Zhen Si is not a good person either. After entering the palace, she served in bed for three consecutive days, and now the Emperor also frequents her place more. Among the favored concubines in the rear palace, two have the surname Zhen."

Before returning to the palace, Chu Shaoling had already heard that Consort Zhen was very favored now. Upon hearing this, he asked: "Is this favored one still diligent and filial to Imperial Grandmother?"

The Empress Dowager nodded: "She is indeed diligent, never missing morning and evening greetings." That's why it's annoying, not even giving the Empress Dowager an excuse to vent her anger.

Chu Shaoling laughed in his heart, this Zhen Si was quite interesting. It's admirable that she could keep her composure at such a young age. Chu Shaoling couldn't help but think of that person in his Bitao Palace who was packing luggage, moving pickled peach jars inside and out, even a year older than Zhen Si, yet had no scheming ability at all.

The Empress Dowager didn't know that Chu Shaoling's thoughts had already drifted to Bitao Palace. She continued: "In the past few days, Consort Zhen didn't interact much with Consort Li, but we still need to be on guard. One is the aunt and the other is the niece, this is even more formidable than your mother and I back then."

Chu Shaoling smiled and reassured the Empress Dowager: "Imperial Grandmother and mother were maternal aunt and nephew, not much more distant than them. Otherwise, Imperial Grandmother wouldn't have doted on mother so much."

The Empress Dowager smiled: "You and your sweet mouth."

Chu Shaoling smiled and poured a cup of tea for the Empress Dowager, saying: "Besides, they are serving the same husband. Has Imperial Grandmother seen them join forces to vie for favor? Since they are fighting separately, many things are much simpler."

When Chu Shaoling said this, Empress Dowager already understood and smiled: "Ling'er is still the wisest."

While talking, the morning court had ended. Chu Shaoling chatted with the Empress Dowager about some casual matters and then went to the front hall.

On the way to Chengqian Palace, Chu Shaoling encountered Chu Shaoyang. Chu Shaoling sneered in his heart, quite good, saving him the trouble of going to Zhaoyang Palace to find him.

In front of Chu Shaoling now, Chu Shaoyang was not as casual as before, because from the previous few incidents, Chu Shaoyang saw that his elder brother was not the same towards him as before. It's just that he was used to Chu Shaoling doting on the little prince and couldn't come to his senses for a while. Would Chu Shaoling really have the heart to make a deadly move against him? Impossible.

As Chu Shaoling's only biological younger brother, no matter how Chu Shaoyang thought about it, he felt that his elder brother would not really treat him as an enemy because of those minor matters before. At most, he was just trying to scare him. Chu Shaoyang naively believed in himself.

Chu Shaoyang came forward to greet him and said with a smile: "Big brother, did you have a good time at the temporary palace?"

Chu Shaoling smiled lightly, looking at Chu Shaoyang carefully. He had to admit that Chu Shaoyang did resemble him somewhat, having mastered the skill of showing one thing on the surface while thinking another in the heart. Chu Shaoling couldn't help but think of that foolish person in Bitao Palace again. Despite being the same age as Chu Shaoyang, even a few months older, whatever he thought in his heart showed on his face, without any pretense.

Chu Shaoling had already been conferred as a prince, and in the past few months, he had also secured his position in the court. There was no need to be hypocritical with Chu Shaoyang anymore. When there was no benefit to gain, Chu Shaoling didn't bother showing any good attitude. Pretending to be brotherly had lost its meaning. Chu Shaoling smiled lightly: "Whether I had a good time or not, didn't Li Guang tell you?"

Chu Shaoyang's face instantly turned pale. Li Guang was precisely that eunuch who was beaten to death by Chu Shaoling.

Chu Shaoling smiled: "Oh, I forgot, Li Guang is already dead."

Chu Shaoling had just returned, and Chu Shaoyang didn't know about Li Guang's execution yet. Chu Shaoruan also came over from not far away. Chu Shaoling got closer, as if the two brothers were talking about something private, and said softly: "I ordered to beat him to death. It lasted a full hour. That slave wailed miserably and said a lot of nonsense, even mentioning you."

Chu Shaoyang tried to remain calm and said: "It must be nonsense."

Chu Shaoling nodded and smiled lightly: "Of course. In the future, if there's anything you want to know, come directly and ask your big brother. I will certainly tell you everything I know, without holding back."

Chu Shaoyang couldn't be sure how much Chu Shaoling actually knew and didn't dare to say more to avoid revealing flaws. Moreover, Chu Shaoruan had walked over. Chu Shaoyang could only say vaguely: "I... I know."

Chu Shaoling nodded with a light smile, the corners of his mouth carrying a hint of mockery. He turned and entered the main hall first.

The Emperor had fully recovered from his illness and looked quite well. Chu Shaoling reported the matters regarding the construction of the temporary palace. The Emperor nodded: "Do as you say." The Emperor was rarely so agreeable. Although he was not willing to admit it, the Emperor's confidence was not that strong in front of his eldest son.

Chu Shaoling didn't care at all. From the beginning, it was impossible for him to marry Zhen Si. Not to mention that he had promised Wei Ji that he would not take a wife, even if he did, he wouldn't be foolish enough to keep the daughter of an enemy by his side. However, it seemed that the stance of this "enemy's daughter" had already changed.

They chatted for a while longer and talked about the old accounts of the Ministry of Revenue. This had always been a concern for the Emperor, but he was powerless to do anything about it. If he didn't take action, it wouldn't matter, but it was always a worry. If he really wanted to do something, it would require a lot of effort. The autumn harvest was approaching, and the Emperor was keen to rectify the situation.

Although he was reluctant, among the current princes, Chu Shaoling was the only one the Emperor could rely on. Although Chu Shaoruan was also older, he had now taken Zhen Si as a concubine, so it was not good to cultivate Chu Shaoruan too much. The court officials were all watching with their eyes, and although the Emperor was biased, he would also have some scruples.

In the previous life, Chu Shaoling had always been in charge of this area, so naturally, he would not have a headache. He nodded and accepted the Emperor's appointment. The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it alone. Let Yang'er go with you."

The Emperor's face was kind, and he smiled, "Let him gain some experience too." Since he couldn't let Chu Shaoruan share the credit, he would let Chu Shaoyang go and restrain him. The incident in front of the main hall of Chengqian Palace had already reached the Emperor's ears. Since the brothers had already started to quarrel, he would add fuel to the fire.

This matter was very much in line with Chu Shaoling's intentions. Although it deviated slightly from Chu Shaoling's original plan, it was harmless. Chu Shaoyang was too bold and dared to move against Wei Ji, so of course, he couldn't let him off so easily.

Chu Shaoyang instinctively did not want to go with Chu Shaoling to "gain experience," but he had no choice but to comply. He bowed and agreed with a heart full of worries.

Several princes went to pay their respects to the Emperor, while the concubines in Ci'an Palace paid their respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager slowly sipped her tea and smiled, "Who served the Emperor last night?"

Zhen Si's heart tightened, and she stood up and said, "In response to the Empress Dowager, it was this concubine."

"Oh, it's Consort Zhen again." The Empress Dowager's face was kind, and she said, "Sit down, this place doesn't have so many rules. The Emperor likes you, which is your blessing. This place still has a lot of tonic medicine, and later, someone will send it to Yongfu Palace for you."

Zhen Si hurriedly thanked her and respectfully said, "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile and slowly said, "Not only do I sympathize with you for serving the Emperor diligently, but you are also young and in good health, which is the right age for childbearing. There haven't been any young princes born in the palace for a long time, and this old woman is waiting to hold a golden grandson."

Upon hearing this, the concubines in the hall felt like a thorn had been stuck in their hearts. Granny Sun changed a cup of tea for the Empress Dowager and smiled, "The Empress Dowager is anxious. Consort Zhen is so young, how many princes and princesses can she give birth to in the future? The people of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau all say that Consort Zhen has a destiny of soaring phoenixes and luan birds. With such a good fate, it can't be wrong."

The concubines all laughed upon hearing this, but some were not sincere. Consort Li, however, couldn't even force a smile. In the past few days, Consort Li had been holding back a belly full of anger. Since Zhen Si entered the palace, the Emperor had not come to Linzhi Palace even once, which made her worry. After Zhen Si entered the palace, she had not come to see Consort Li, and when Consort Li went to Yongfu Palace, Zhen Si always had excuses not to see her. It had been many days, and Consort Li had not been able to say a single word to Zhen Si!

Consort Li tried hard to suppress the anger in her heart. After returning, she would ask her mother and eldest sister-in-law to come to the palace for a visit.