Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 340 Placing her on an equal footing

"But Her Highness has been ill for several days. What if her condition worsens?" The young eunuch was still worried about Consort Ning's condition.

Isn't this the perfect opportunity to seize the emperor's favor? Consort Ning is so foolish.

"Your Majesty knows what's going on, you may leave." Linglong didn't want to say any more.

This is the Empress's will; they cannot outwardly comply but inwardly disobey.

The young eunuch had no choice but to retreat.

Although Consort Ning was the highest-ranking noblewoman besides the Empress, she had virtually no presence.

Consort Ning is currently ill, yet she didn't even inform His Majesty. No wonder His Majesty doesn't like her.

What can you accomplish by keeping a low profile in this harem?

It can only be said that the master he followed was not one to accomplish great things.

After sighing to himself for a while, the little eunuch finally calmed down.

Inside Xianfu Palace, after Lou Suyi clarified the metaphorical meaning of the seal, she returned to Empress Dowager Chen and suddenly felt that Empress Dowager Chen's gaze towards Xiao Muchen was no longer innocent.

She also overheard Empress Dowager Chen saying to Murong, "I think Chen'er looks more and more like the emperor as he grows up."

Lou Suyi's brow twitched slightly, feeling that everything she heard now had a deeper meaning.

“I think Chen’er’s personality is more like mine, and his appearance is becoming more and more like mine,” Lou Suyi replied with a smile.

Murong was focused on the child and seemed not to hear what she and Empress Dowager Chen were saying.

Maybe she's just overthinking it.

My son is still so young, there's no need to think about things so far ahead, is there?

Just then, Murong suddenly said, "Chen'er is one year old and is also my eldest son. I plan to make him the crown prince as soon as possible."

Lou Suyi subconsciously looked at Empress Dowager Chen, hoping that Empress Dowager Chen would refute Murong's opinion.

Empress Dowager Chen chimed in, "It's good that it's settled. Establishing a crown prince sooner will stabilize the court, which is a good thing."

Lou Suyi secretly groaned. Was it inappropriate for the mother and son to discuss this matter in front of her?
Murong also asked Lou Suying's opinion: "What does the Empress think?"

Lou Suyi thought to herself, "Is this something I can talk about?"
"The empress and concubines are not allowed to interfere in politics. Your Majesty can make the decisions yourself." Lou Suyi dared not say anything.

Murong scoffed at this, "Whether the empress or not interferes in politics depends on the circumstances. You are my empress and the birth mother of Chen'er, so of course you have the right to express your opinion on whether or not to make Chen'er the crown prince."

Lou Suyi found Murong's statement quite novel.

Many times she found him rigid and boring, but at this moment, Murong placed her on an equal footing with him, which made her feel that he was different from other men and very special.

In that instant, he even seemed to grow taller in her eyes.

However, she still did not want to be accused of interfering in politics, so she replied, "Your Majesty can make the decision. I will listen to Your Majesty."

She only hoped that she wouldn't know about such important events in the future, fearing that the more she knew, the faster she would die.

Murong did not press the matter further.

Interestingly, before he established an empress, many ministers urged him to do so.

After Xiao Muchen was born, no minister ever urged him to establish a crown prince. It was unclear whether these people had their own selfish motives, wanting to fill his harem, or whether they simply didn't want the crown prince to be decided too early.

After all, he only has one son. If he were to establish a crown prince, Chen'er would undoubtedly be the only candidate, and some of these people's expectations would be dashed.

Before today, he felt that there was no rush to decide on the position of crown prince.

But the moment he saw Chen'er pick up the seal, he felt that perhaps the time had come. Little Muchen, oblivious to worldly affairs, tossed the seal aside and began to drag his dove-drawn carriage around the palace, having a great time.

Looking at her innocent and naive son, a tender feeling appeared in Murong's eyes.

As the eldest son of the legitimate wife, Chen'er is the most suitable candidate to be the crown prince.

Empress Dowager Chen also liked Xiao Muchen very much because the child was close to her. She certainly wouldn't object if the Emperor wanted to make Chen'er the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, the emperor has always been decisive, and if he makes a decision, it will be a natural progression for Chen'er to be made crown prince.

That day, Empress Dowager Chen had dinner at Xianfu Palace before returning to Shou'an Palace, while Murong stayed overnight at Xianfu Palace.

The next day was Consort De's birthday.

After a day of feeling dejected, Consort De quickly returned to normal.

Last year, her birthday was forgotten by everyone, but this year it was celebrated in a grand way.

She got up early in the morning, changed into a bright dress, and put on her favorite headdress. When she was dressed up, she drew exclamations of amazement from the servants.

"Your Majesty is radiant today; His Majesty will surely be unable to look away." The more Yunmei looked at her, the more she felt that her mistress was incomparably beautiful, even more delicate than the Empress.

Consort De was also very satisfied with her outfit today, hoping that Murong would be amazed when he saw her.

Today is her birthday. If she can keep Murong for the night and successfully serve him in bed, that would be wonderful.

She knew how rigid Murong was, and she wasn't Lou Suyi; it wouldn't be easy for Murong to stay.

But there is always hope, and she shouldn't give up easily until the very last moment.

Because Lou Suying was pregnant, Empress Dowager Chen was afraid that something might happen to her in Changqiu Palace, so she specifically instructed Lou Suying not to go to Changqiu Palace to congratulate Consort De on her birthday today.

However, Chen Xing will help deliver Lou Suyi's birthday gift.

After Chen Xing explained the matter, Consort De was even happier.

Today is her day. If that annoying woman Lou Suyi comes, she might steal the show. It's more to her liking that Lou Suyi doesn't come to Changqiu Palace.

Moreover, she was intentionally trying to seduce Murong, and if Lou Suyi sabotaged the situation, her plans might fall through.

Although that's what she thought in her heart, she didn't mince words: "That's true, Her Majesty the Empress is of noble status and is now pregnant with the imperial heir. As a mere concubine, it's no big deal if I don't come. I know my place, how dare I blame Her Majesty the Empress?"

As soon as Empress Dowager Chen entered, she heard Consort De's sarcastic remarks.

Therefore, she always felt that, apart from those dressed in plain clothes, many concubines were too petty and narrow-minded.

It's just a birthday celebration. Does the Empress really need to come and celebrate Consort De's birthday with a bang?

However, since no birthday celebration was held for Consort De last year, Empress Dowager Chen could not speak ill of her on her birthday. So she said, "Su Yi is indeed noble now, and the child in her womb is also very important. Everyone and everything must give way to Su Yi and the imperial heir."

Consort De was surprised that Empress Dowager Chen would arrive so coincidentally.

She gritted her teeth secretly before smiling and stepping forward to greet Empress Dowager Chen: "This concubine respectfully wishes Your Majesty good health."

She glanced behind Empress Dowager Chen, but unfortunately, she couldn't find Murong anywhere.

"The Emperor is probably still discussing matters and may not come to celebrate your birthday so soon. Let's wait and see," Empress Dowager Chen said, seeing through Consort De's thoughts at a glance.

Consort De thought to herself that Murong arrived late when she celebrated her birthday, so why did she arrive so early when celebrating the little prince's birthday?

She felt disdain in her heart, but she couldn't show it on her face, so she smiled and replied, "Of course, Your Majesty is busy with state affairs."

Haha, a new week, a new look!!