Ji Mingxuan listened to Empress Dowager and Princess Da talking. Occasionally, Princess Da would throw questions to Ji Mingxuan, which she would answer cleverly, making Empress Dowager happy.

Princess Da tried several times, but eventually gave up giving Ji Mingxuan opportunities.

After a long time, De imperial concubine led Prince Da, Yunconcubine of an emperor led Princess Er, and they came to pay respects to Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager laughed heartily and invited everyone in. Palace concubines visited Empress Dowager every month, while princes and princesses came every seven days. Today was exactly the seventh day.

The Palace of Glory and Longevity was bustling with activity. De imperial concubine and Yunconcubine of an emperor saw Ji Mingxuan still in the Palace of Glory and Longevity, so they couldn't help but murmur among themselves. They thought Empress Dowager really liked Ji Xiuhua. Usually, when princes and princesses came, their birth mothers wouldn't let Empress Dowager keep them for too long. Instead, they would send the princes and princesses over, but Empress Dowager's maidservants would personally take them back.

Ji Mingxuan hurriedly got up to pay respects to De imperial concubine and Yunconcubine of an emperor. Prince Da, Zhao Lixi, was seven years old and already knew how to behave in the palace, so he didn't receive Ji Mingxuan's full respect.

Princess Er, Zhao Jinqing, so Yunconcubine of an emperor substituted for her and paid a half-respectful bow to Ji Mingxuan.

There was a clear distinction between the legitimate and illegitimate children. Princess Da only needed to bow her head, while the illegitimate prince had to return a half-respectful bow and also reply.

Empress Dowager called Prince Da and Princess Er forward, then waved at De imperial concubine and Yunconcubine of an emperor. De imperial concubine and Yunconcubine of an emperor had no choice but to kneel and bow their heads and leave.

Empress Dowager asked Prince Da some questions and comforted Princess Er before saying, "Mingxuan, Princess Da has been here for a long time. Please go and escort her back to theBright Phoenix Palace!"

Ji Mingxuan smiled and nodded, "Your Highness, I am honored."

Ou Shuling was surprised to see Empress Dowager. After all, she was just a child.

Empress Dowager nodded.

Ou Shuling hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Ji Mingxuan shook her head.

They walked in silence until Ou Shuling reached theBright Phoenix Palace gate.

Before entering, a bright yellow figure emerged from theBright Phoenix Palace.

Princess Da excitedly knelt down and greeted, "Father Emperor!"

Ji Mingxuan squatted down and bowed, "Your Highness, I am Ji Mingxuan."

Zhao Xunzhe supported Princess Da and then stroked her tiny hairpin, asking, "How is Grandmother? Is she happy?"

Princess Da replied, "Grandmother is very happy and praised me." Ji Mingxuan secretly admired Princess Da's skillful way of speaking. She answered questions tactfully, praising herself subtly without seeming selfish, instead appearing innocent and adorable.

Zhao Xunzhe's expression improved, and he said, "Shulíng is mature, my heart is relieved."

Princess Da smiled.

Rong Hou also walked out of the palace. Seeing Princess Da kneeling and begging for forgiveness, Rong Hou was momentarily stunned but soon said gently, "Shulíng, Father Emperor is busy with state affairs, don't ask him for credit now."

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Princess Da quickly freed Zhao Xunzhe's sleeve and bowed deeply, "Subject, I am sending Father Emperor off."

Zhao Xunzhe stroked Princess Da's head again, saying, "Queen taught you well!"

Rong Hou softly responded, "That's what I should have done."

Ji Mingxuan lowered her head, shrinking her presence. Rong Hou's gaze flashed, and she slightly approved of her but also observed her closely.

Other concubines would likely try to catch the emperor's attention in such a situation, but she remained silent, standing aside quietly.

Zhao Xunzhe looked at Ji Mingxuan and said, "Ji Mingxuan, no need to bow."

Ji Mingxuan said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Why are you going back with Princess Da?"

Ji Mingxuan pondered for a moment. Suddenly, Princess Da said, "I like Ji Mingxuan very much, so Grandmother made Ji Mingxuan bring me back."

Ji Mingxuan was speechless. A child like this could be cunning. Downplaying Empress Dowager's favor wasn't something that could be achieved with just a few words. In the emperor's eyes, whether Princess Da liked her or not, Empress Dowager's confidence in Ji Mingxuan bringing Princess Da back proved her favor.

Rong Hou discreetly pulled on Princess Da, and she stopped speaking.

Zhao Xunzhe glanced at Ji Mingxuan and said, "As expected," before leaving.

Rong Hou said, "We've been fidgeting for a whole day, Ji Mingxuan should be tired. You can go back now!"

Ji Mingxuan said, "Yes, Your Highness, I will follow your orders."

Rong Hou nodded and then led Princess Da away.

Ji Mingxuan sighed in relief. This emperor was truly unpredictable.

Zhi Cao supported Ji Mingxuan, and after walking for a while, a breeze came, causing Ji Mingxuan's body to shrink.

"Milady, please rest for a moment beside the pavilion."

Ji Mingxuan nodded when she saw the pavilion ahead.

Sitting down, she noticed there was a small bowl of fish food on the table inside the pavilion. She immediately said, "Let's go back!"

Zhi Cao was stunned. Ji Mingxuan decided to leave voluntarily, so Zhi Cao followed behind.

"Sister Xiuhua, why are you hurrying to go?" Ji Mingxuan sighed, clearly someone was following her.

She turned to bow and said, "De imperial concubine Dowager, may your health be blessed."

Liang De imperial concubine walked out from another garden area, accompanied by many people.

"Get up, Sister Xiuhua, hasn't Your Highness answered me yet."

Ji Mingxuan said, "I am escorting Princess Da back to the palace as per Empress Dowager's instructions. Now I am rushing back to Honshou Palace to report back."

Liang De imperial concubine chuckled lightly, "So it is, Sister Xiuhua is truly favored by Empress Dowager."

Ji Mingxuan didn't respond but asked, "Empress Dowager is kind and treats all palace concubines equally. De imperial concubine Dowager, do you agree?"

Whether she was favored or not could only be determined by Empress Dowager herself. If she spoke, she would appear arrogant, which could be serious.

Liang De imperial concubine smiled and nodded, seemingly forgetting her earlier remark. She said, "I thought Sister Xiuhua didn't understand, but I see that you are a smart person."

Ji Mingxuan lowered her head.

Liang De imperial concubine continued, "Since you understand so clearly, you should think carefully. Don't lose your reliance."

If she said something inappropriate, it would definitely reach Empress Dowager's ears today. So, it was best not to say anything. Liang De imperial concubine' gaze was sharp as she looked at Ji Mingxuan, and finally, she coldly said, "Xiuhua, think hard. I won't keep you here."

Ji Mingxuan smiled and nodded, then bowed and retreated.

After Liang De imperial concubine sent Ji Mingxuan away, she said, "Who told me she was stupid?"

Immediately, a eunuch started kneeling and begging, Liang De imperial concubine coldly snorted, "The rules of Deyi Palace, go fetch forty whips yourself."

The little eunuch bowed to Liang De imperial concubine and then retreated. Liang De imperial concubine waved her hand, and except for her close maid Dongting, everyone else left.

"Noblewoman, don't get angry because of a small Xiuhua," Dongting immediately advised.

Liang De imperial concubine looked up indifferently and said, "Even if Empress Dowager protects her, during difficult times, she would abandon her rather than me, the mother of the crown prince. I hate that Queen wants to use the child she might bear to undermine my position. It makes me uncomfortable. A pawn isn't even worthy of angering me."

Dongting said, "With Empress Dowager and Queen's dual protection, could Xiuhua really give birth to..."

Liang De imperial concubine said, "We'll see! To give birth to a prince, we'll see if she carries it."

Dongting quickly lowered her head, afraid to speak further!

Zhi Cao supported Ji Mingxuan, and Ji Mingxuan said, "In the future, whenever you meet someone from Deyi Palace, stay as far away as possible. Don't let them catch you with any evidence."

"Milady, this De imperial concubine Dowager..."

Ji Mingxuan scowled, "She won't break face with me, but be careful not to let her catch you with any mistakes." Empress Dowager's purpose was not hidden; both Queen and De imperial concubine naturally guessed it. With the crown prince alone, whoever gave birth to a prince first would become De imperial concubine's thorn in the flesh because of Empress Dowager. Therefore, Ji Mingxuan was the most likely candidate to safely bear the heir, and De imperial concubine wouldn't spare her.