"Mother." The Empress supported the Grand Dowager into Fengwu Palace: "To see you once, you have to run back and forth!" She helped Old Madam Shen to sit down.

Old Madam Shen glared at her: "Why say such things? As the mother of the nation, how can you go out at will? Do you think you’re just some unrefined village woman? There’s always some inconvenience!" Old Madam Shen took a sip of tea. After all, she was getting older and felt a bit tired from the carriage ride. She rested for a moment before asking, "What is it? Why call me here in such a hurry? Is there something wrong?"

The Empress smiled and said, "It’s nothing, really. I just wanted to see you." Then she added, "The Imperial Kitchen recently made a new dessert called ’Ten Delicacies’. It tastes good, and I’ve just ordered them to make some for you to try. If you like it, take the mold home so the kitchen can learn it. Li and Qian will definitely like it."

Old Madam Shen nodded with a smile: "With the Empress’s generous gift, how could they not like it!" The Empress, like a child, leaned towards Old Madam Shen and complained, "Just between us, you also joke with me like this. Do I give them things and wait for them to thank me?" Old Madam Shen patted her hand: "I know, I know, it’s your heartfelt intention as an aunt."

The Empress laughed and instructed Nanny Mao, "Go to the Imperial Kitchen and watch over them personally."

Nanny Mao paused, then immediately nodded, "Yes!" She bowed to the Empress and Old Madam Shen, and with a group of female officials, retreated, leaving the Empress and Old Madam Shen in the hall alone. She carefully closed the door.

"Did the Emperor rest in Le’an Palace again yesterday?" Old Madam Shen asked this directly. Since Le Xiu’s miscarriage, the Emperor cherished her even more.

The Empress frowned upon hearing this, somewhat displeased: "It’s not like there. Even Noble Lady Ying couldn’t move him when she personally brought soup over." Noble Lady Ying is a new beauty, truly the Emperor’s favorite! She said this with some dissatisfaction, looking at Old Madam Shen: "Mother, what is so good about Le Xiu that she receives such affection from him?"

Old Madam Shen also slightly furrowed her brows, looked at the Empress, and said, "She was carefully selected by the Le Family to enter the palace. If she didn’t have her means, they wouldn’t have chosen her!" She patted the Empress’s hand: "Put your mind at ease. You are the mother of the nation, don’t focus on these small matters. A woman’s beauty and tricks won’t last long; the palace never lacks beauties. Right now, just peacefully nurture the Eldest Prince, and if you could have another prince, even better. It would be great for them to support each other in the future. Do you understand?"

"Mother!" The Empress sighed: "I understand what you say, but..." She turned her face away from Old Madam Shen: "But over these two years, he only comes over on the first and fifteenth, and sometimes he just says he’s tired and falls asleep, not... even if I want to, it can’t..."

Old Madam Shen furrowed her brows tightly. Having grown up in the palace, she was accustomed to such affairs, where men only laugh with the new without seeing the old cry: "Then think of a way. Keep a pretty maid around, to keep him in the room. Don’t be sour and jealous all day. Whatever you do, think of the Eldest Prince. He is your future reliance, do you understand?"

The Empress obediently nodded: "Your daughter understands!"

Despite saying this, as a mother, who doesn’t hope for their daughter and son-in-law to love each other until old age? Old Madam Shen lovingly patted her daughter’s hand: "At the right time, use some means. But remember, you are the master of the Six Palaces. You can’t be like those concubines, lest people laugh and lose dignity."

The Empress answered: "Even if I want to use means... I wouldn’t know how." She lowered her head and said nothing more. Old Madam Shen touched her head and sighed: "I wonder if the strict upbringing was to help you or harm you back then!"

Her daughter was born to become the mother of the nation, so the rules and etiquette she taught followed palace protocols. As for the things outside, not fit for the stage, she naturally disregards them.

The mother and daughter spoke softly to each other for a while before Old Madam Shen asked, "How did the Eldest Prince perform when teaching in Wenhua Hall today?"

"Very well. Even the Emperor praised him for listening attentively, marking unfamiliar words with a red pen, so humble and meticulous." The Empress’s face showed pride when speaking of her son, and she thought of Shen Wenli: "Li is also doing well. Though young, he sits with perfect posture, and I feel so much fondness for him."

Old Madam Shen smiled, nodding: "The Eldest Prince’s ability to handle things with thorough caution at such a young age promises a brilliant future." She looked at the Empress with praise: "You’ve taught him well!"

The Empress blushed and nodded: "Actually, it’s because you taught well, and what I know is what you taught me back then."

"Now we’re just mother and daughter complimenting each other." Old Madam Shen smiled slightly and thought of Fourth Master Xiao’s eldest son: "How about that child? How do you see him?"

The Empress thought for a moment and said: "Quiet and well-mannered, not at all like a child born of a concubine." She leaned closer to Old Madam Shen and said: "I tell you, don’t be surprised... I’m just casually saying."

Old Madam Shen’s eyes narrowed, asking: "What do you mean?" The Empress replied: "I see that he bears some resemblance to the Emperor!"

"Is there really such a thing?" Old Madam Shen’s reaction was far greater than the Empress expected. The Empress was stunned, asking, "What’s wrong? Did you know all along?"

Old Madam Shen stood up and walked two steps in the hall, recalling Shen Ji talking about Xiao Huaimin’s situation in Chengyi Bo Mansion, along with the Emperor’s unique favor for him, her face showing deep contemplation. The Empress, seeing her anxiety, asked: "Mother, what is it really?"

"It’s nothing!" Old Madam Shen waved her hand, asking further: "How much resemblance?"

The Empress replied: "Four or five points, he’s still young, just a model, a resemblance in spirit!" She paused, looking at Old Madam Shen: "Currently in Wenhua Hall, class ends at 1:45 PM. Let them come here, so you can see them?"

Old Madam Shen nodded: "Alright, I haven’t seen the child yet, only heard that Fourth Madam teaches well. Not sure how well!" She sat back beside the Empress. At this moment, Nanny Mao knocked and entered from outside, brought in the ’Ten Delicacies’ dessert: "Madam, Grand Dowager, please enjoy." She poured fresh hot tea for them both and retreated.

Old Madam Shen then asked: "You called me, is it for this matter?" The Empress laughed, shaking her head: "I actually forgot the main thing!" She paused and spoke with Old Madam Shen: "Chengning is always in a manic state, being locked in the mansion is no good either, and the position of the Marquis Xuanning’s rightful wife is wasted. What do you think, should we..."

"This matter is not urgent." Old Madam Shen waved her hand: "Qinghe is still in the Marquis Mansion!"