The princess regretted it.

Concubine Zhang looked at Jiaoyu with satisfaction and said gently, "Jiaoyu, you have really grown up. Mother is so pleased." As she spoke, her expression became gloomy again, "Your second brother now likes to come to mother less and less. I don't know whether it is good or bad for me to raise him to have such a character. He values friendship and has great sense of justice, but he is too pedantic and stubborn. How can he accomplish great things in the future? Whenever I think of this, I feel worried." Concubine Zhang sighed softly, her face full of sorrow.

"Mother, once my brother ascends the throne, he'll naturally understand your good intentions. Perhaps it's precisely this personality that Father likes. You see, even though Father has been angry with you lately, he still loves my brother dearly. He even personally guides him from time to time," Jiaoyu reassured him. "Mother, what we need to do now is to control the harem, stabilize the situation, and implement our plan step by step. As long as my brother can successfully ascend the throne, our Zhang family will be even more glorious."

Concubine Zhang nodded slightly, "You are right." The mother and daughter were talking in a low voice about the follow-up plans.

Qiu Wen also delivered the things to Concubine Lu's palace as requested by Concubine Zhang. When Qiu Wen arrived, Concubine Cen was reclining on a soft couch, holding a snow-white puppy in her arms. When she saw Qiu Wen come in with two palace maids to explain their purpose, she didn't show any extra expression, just looked at the two boxes indifferently.

Qiu Wen saw the look in Concubine Cen's eyes and knew that she was on guard, so she went forward and opened the two boxes. Concubine Cen looked at Qiu Wen's actions without saying anything, but just lowered her eyes, and then raised her eyes to look at the two boxes as if nothing had happened.

As the box slowly opened, revealing the finest ginseng and the exquisite peacock gold hairpin, Concubine Cen's expression remained calm, making it difficult to discern her true thoughts. She remained silent for a moment, motioning for the maid beside her to take the box. Then, she softly said, "Please ask Aunt Qiuwen to tell the Imperial Concubine how grateful she is for her kindness. I will remember this."

Qiu Wen heard that there seemed to be a deeper meaning in Concubine Cen's words, but she didn't care. She was just a concubine named Qiu Ri Huanghun who couldn't have children. How could she compare with her master? She was full of disdain for Concubine Cen. In her opinion, although Concubine Cen was favored by the emperor for a while, she had no children and her love would not last long. And her own master, Concubine Zhang, not only had princes and princesses, but also was of noble birth. How could Concubine Cen's status in the harem be shaken? Her attitude still looked respectful, but there was arrogance in her eyes. She bowed slightly and said, "I will definitely convey the words of the queen to the concubine." After that, she straightened her back, walked away with her people at a steady pace.

Concubine Cen lowered her head and gently stroked the fur of the puppy in her arms. The palace maid beside her looked at the box in her hand and asked softly, "Your Majesty, what should we do with this?"

Concubine Cen curled her lips slightly, revealing a faint smile. "Let it go." She naturally understood what Concubine Zhang meant by this move. It was just a warning to her under the guise of a reward, telling her that she was now the mastermind in the harem. Concubine Cen snorted inwardly. Concubine Zhang was too confident. The situation in the harem was changing rapidly. Who could guarantee that they would always be in power? Concubine Cen gently stroked the puppy, a sharp glint in her eyes.

Zhangsun Hongze also knew that Concubine Zhang had sent the reward to Concubine Cen's palace, and nodded slightly, which was quite sensible. He knew that she had been trying to please him during this period. After being doted on for so many years, she was not without merits. If she could manage the harem well in the future, not interfere in the government affairs, and not get involved in party disputes. He could let go of some things in the past. After all, how many people in this harem were truly pure? Moreover, this harem did need a resourceful and capable person to manage it. Besides, he had no plans to establish a queen anymore. As for the Zhang family, if she was sensible enough to draw a clear line with the Zhang family at that time, he could ensure that she, Ji'er and Jiaoyu would not be implicated.

"Fuquan, go to the storehouse and get a piece of Shu brocade and a bucket of white jade pearls that we got last time and send them to Wuqiu Palace." Changsun Hongze instructed Eunuch Fuquan without even raising his head.

Fuquan immediately took the order and went to make the arrangements. When he delivered the items to Wuqiu Palace, Jiaoyu was demonstrating her new way of making tea to Concubine Zhang. When the eunuch announced that Eunuch Fuquan had arrived, Concubine Zhang was slightly startled. She wondered what Eunuch Fuquan wanted at this time. She quickly stood up and went out to greet him with Jiaoyu.

"This old servant greets the Imperial Concubine and Her Royal Highness the Princess." Fuquan bowed respectfully.

"No need to be polite, eunuch." Concubine Zhang said with a smile. Her eyes fell on the gift in the hands of the eunuch behind Fu Quanshen. She asked hesitantly, "Eunuch, why are you here now? Is there anything the Emperor wants?"

Fuquan smiled slightly and said, "The Emperor, mindful of the Imperial Concubine's hard work in managing the harem, has specially rewarded her with these things."

Concubine Zhang was delighted and said quickly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace." She gestured for the palace maid to accept the gifts. Qiu Wen understood and stepped forward to take a purse to Eunuch Fuquan. "Eunuch, you have worked hard on your journey. Take these and have some tea."

Eunuch Fuquan pretended to decline and put the purse into his sleeve. He said to Concubine Zhang, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I have to go back and report, so I won't bother you any more."

Concubine Zhang smiled and nodded, and Qiu Wen respectfully escorted Eunuch Fuquan out of Wuqiu Palace. After Eunuch Fuquan and his companions left, Concubine Zhang instructed the palace maids to place the reward inside the house.

After dismissing the servants, Concubine Zhang gently stroked the lotus-colored Shu brocade with her hand, unable to suppress the smile on the corner of her mouth. She turned to Jiaoyu, "Jiaoyu, you are right. Your father must have seen me reward Concubine Cen and thought I was sensible and concerned about the overall situation. That's why he rewarded me. It seems that we made the right move. As long as I stabilize this harem first, His Majesty will surely favor me more, and our position in the harem will be more stable. Your future and your brother's will be more secure."

Ever since Jiaoyu came to Wuqiu Palace as a reward from Eunuch Fuquan, a smile has never left her charming face. She smiled and nodded, saying, "Mother is right. Now you just need to be a good imperial concubine and you will surely make the Zhang family glorious forever."

Concubine Zhang's eyes gleamed with confidence, her heart filled with anticipation for the future. She smiled and said, "This Shu brocade is the perfect color for you. Let's have the embroidery department make some clothes for both us."

Jiaoyu's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she happily took Concubine Zhang's arm and said, "Thank you, mother." This Shu brocade was originally a tribute to the emperor, and it was a rare opportunity to obtain a piece. Jiaoyu was overjoyed, imagining herself wearing a dress made of this Shu brocade, she would definitely look radiant.

She smiled and said to Concubine Zhang: "Mother, when the clothes are ready, I will accompany you to wear them and stroll around the Imperial Garden to let others see your grace."

Concubine Zhang looked at Jiaoyu lovingly, patted her hands gently and said, "Okay." Both mother and daughter had happy smiles on their faces, as if they had seen a bright future.