NFBE Chapter 1004 Consort Cui
Chapter 1004 Consort Cui
A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer. Zhou Ding is already over ten years old and has grown up in the deep palace, so he naturally understands these principles.
Although not many children have been born in the palace in recent years, there is no guarantee that Consort Cui will be able to give birth to a son.
Given her current level of favor, coupled with her father's consistent neglect of her over the past few years, it's not impossible for the position of crown prince to change hands.
After a moment of silence, Zhou Ding looked up and asked, "In Zhang's opinion, how should this matter be resolved?"
"I dare not speak presumptuously, but I do have some thoughts on this matter, which Your Highness may take into consideration," Xiaoyuer said modestly.
"Please speak," Zhou Ding said, giving him an attentive look.
"I know that His Highness the Crown Prince and the late Empress have a deep bond. If a new Empress is to be established, he will naturally be unhappy. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can the harem be without a mistress for a day. Establishing a new Empress is inevitable. His Majesty has also expressed this intention recently. Rather than waiting for His Majesty's final decision, it is better to take the initiative and select a suitable candidate in advance."
"Should I choose?" Zhou Ding asked, somewhat unsure.
The palace coup five years ago left a deep impression on him, and his maternal grandfather Qin Qingshan's words became a nightmare he could not speak of every day.
He didn't know how much of what he said was true and how much was false. Although there had been very few imperial offspring born in the harem in recent years, there were still some. So he couldn't be sure whether his father was still able to have children, or whether he was his father's biological son. He could only pretend to be confused and pretend to have forgotten about it.
However, the gap between him and his father was widening in their daily words and actions and in their interactions. He didn't think he had the ability to influence his father's decisions, otherwise his advice over the past few years wouldn't have been completely useless.
"Of course!" Little Fish said with certainty.
"Your Highness, you are the Crown Prince, and one of His Majesty's only two bloodlines. The Crown Prince naturally has the right to recommend who will become the Empress, and the court officials will also weigh your opinion."
Although Xiaoyuer knew from his father Zhang Ping'an that His Majesty might be infertile, such things are never certain. He knew from the palace servants who served him closely that His Majesty often chose concubines, proving that he was still a real man. As long as he was a man, it was still possible to have children. Besides, there were so many imperial physicians in the palace, and they were not just sitting idly by. So he was also gambling.
Let's try it this time, as Father wishes. Whether it succeeds or not, there's no loss. At least for now, the Emperor still needs the Crown Prince and won't easily do anything to him.
Compared to the possibility of making Cui Rong the empress, it's safer to let Qian's cousin take the throne.
Thinking of this, Xiaoyuer re-analyzed the situation in the harem. It was obvious who had a good family background, was not favored, was most suitable to be the empress, and would not threaten the crown prince's position.
After Xiaoyuer said that, Zhou Ding gained some confidence. Mainly, Consort Cui's arrogant attitude had provoked him and had already planted seeds of resentment. He knew that he should also take action.
After the two finished their discussion, it was almost time, and Xiaoyuer was about to take his leave when he suddenly heard a eunuch outside shout in a shrill voice, "Consort Cui has arrived!!!"
Left with no other choice, Xiaoyuer had to stop tidying up and turn around to bow.
The crown prince gave a curt bow, his unwelcome tone immediately apparent.
Cui Rong pretended not to see it, slowly walked to the chaise lounge by the window and sat down, gently raising her hand and saying, "No need for formalities."
The voice was soft, with a lingering trailing tone, like strands of sticky honey that were impossible to tear apart, yet also cloying.
To be fair, Xiaoyuer had to admit that Cui Rong had changed so much since entering the palace that she was completely different from a few years ago. A few years ago, she could be described as a young girl in her prime, innocent and carefree, as pure and beautiful as a jasmine flower.
Now, however, the red peonies are in full bloom, at their most vibrant, and paired with her red peony tattoo that extends from her forehead to the depths of her neck, she appears both alluring and seductive.
The scars left from the disfigurement have been completely covered and are no longer visible.
Xiaoyuer didn't know if Cui Rong had found out that he was the one behind her disfigurement, but he knew that she harbored resentment, even hatred, towards him.
If only he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have spared her life in the first place. He should have just let her die in an accident. Ever since Cui Rong became favored, Xiao Yu'er has been regretting this.
But regret is useless now; all we can do is deal with it cautiously.
Ignoring their expressions, Cui Rong gently took a bowl of sweet soup from the hands of the accompanying palace maid and placed it on the table with her fingers adorned with gold nail guards.
She chuckled and said, "I heard from the palace servants that His Highness the Crown Prince really enjoyed the sweet soup I sent over yesterday. I had nothing to do today, so I specially ordered the servants to stew another pot and send it over to the Crown Prince to help him recover. Your Highness, please come and try it and see if it suits your taste."
"Thank you for your kind offer, Consort Cui," Zhou Ding said indifferently as he sat down, lifted the lid of the soup bowl, took a couple of sips as a token gesture, and then put it down.
"Does the Crown Prince not like it?" Cui Rong asked lazily, leaning against the couch after reading it.
Two fingers covered in armor gripped the teacup, which, in Little Fish's eyes, looked like the clawing legs of a spider.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ding paused for a moment before replying in a low voice, "The soup tastes excellent, but unfortunately I have a poor appetite today and cannot eat it. I'm afraid I'll have to waste Consort Cui's good intentions."
"Oh? Is that so?" Cui Rong said casually, as if chatting. "His Highness the Crown Prince ate the same food as usual today, but he couldn't eat the sweet soup that I sent him. It seems that the palace servants are not very skilled."
After saying that, he suddenly changed his expression and ordered in a loud voice: "Guards, send all the palace servants who made sweet soup for His Highness the Crown Prince today to the laundry department!"
This was clearly a show put on for Zhou Ding, and Zhou Ding's expression immediately turned ugly.
If this gets out, people will probably say that the Crown Prince is extravagant and mistreated the palace servants.
However, if Zhou Ding were to drink the sweet soup, it would suggest that his previous poor appetite was just an excuse, and he would be indirectly admitting defeat to Cui Rong.
In the end, I had no choice but to say nothing.
"Alas, all my good intentions have been wasted. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and he has to study and attend classes every day. I am often worried about his health. Since he has a poor appetite, please ask the imperial physician to come and take a look. We cannot delay."
The little fish, left standing to the side, rolled its eyes inwardly.
If this happens every day, even if the crown prince had a hundred guts, he would eventually lose it.
That woman is truly vicious.