She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Consort Ling continued, "If you have nothing to do, you can often come to the palace to keep me company and relieve my boredom. It just so happens that Yi'er is on duty in the palace, so you two can go back to your residence together."

Shen Qingtan's heart stirred slightly. Consort Ling's attitude towards her was a bit too enthusiastic, as if she intended to get close to her.

Emperor Jing'an's true love was Empress Yuanrong. Because Empress Yuanrong loved Zhao Yi, Emperor Jing'an also loved Zhao Yi out of affection.

Even because Consort Ling had saved Empress Yuanrong, Emperor Jing'an treated her differently.

If she were Consort Ling, she would definitely treat Zhao Yi well.

After all, Zhao Yi was not a prince, and no matter how much Emperor Jing'an favored him, he would not appoint Zhao Yi as the crown prince.

Moreover, in the eyes of the world, Zhao Yi was not going to live long.

There was absolutely no conflict of interest between them and Consort Ling.

On the contrary, Consort Ling's good treatment of Zhao Yi will earn her more favor with Emperor Jing'an.

Even so, Consort Ling still agreed to Marquis Chengen's request to persuade the Duke's mansion to appoint Zhao Jue as the heir apparent.

So the most fundamental reason is that Zhao Yi is sickly, so Consort Ling wants to have her cake and eat it too?

After discerning Consort Ling's thoughts, Shen Qingtan said in a gentle tone, "Your Majesty is in charge of the affairs of the six palaces. The princes and princesses have all grown up and are of marriageable age. I'm afraid Your Majesty will be too busy to take care of them. If I only come once or twice, it will be fine, but if I come several more times, you will feel a headache just looking at me."

Shen Mingzhu retorted, not to be outdone, "Your Majesty, I feel an immediate connection with you and would be happy to come to the palace to keep you company. However, you are now the head of the harem and are very busy. How could I possibly bother you?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall turned pale.

Because Consort Ling expressed her deep sisterly affection for the late Empress, Shen Mingzhu's words immediately suggested that Consort Ling was trying to usurp her position.

Isn't this a slap in the face to Consort Ling?

Consort Ling said with a forced smile, "I am merely a Consort, not the head of the harem. My current management of the affairs of the six palaces is simply to share the Emperor's burdens."

When Shen Mingzhu saw that Consort Ling had agreed to her words, she did not understand the implication in her words and simply assumed that Consort Ling was being modest.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then she could focus on observing Shen Qingtan and the old lady's expressions. Seeing that they were both frowning, she couldn't help but lower her head and purse her lips.

She had long understood that these two people simply didn't want her to be happy.

Consort Ling didn't bother arguing with a fool; she was pondering the hidden meaning in Shen Qingtan's words.

The reason was that Shen Qingtan brought up the fact that the princes had grown up for no reason, and Consort Ling was very sensitive to this word, so she had to be more cautious.

She probed, "Tan'er, you are a famous talented woman in the capital, and you are on good terms with the daughters of various families. In your opinion, which daughter is a good match for which prince?"

"Your Majesty, a good marriage requires more than just matching social status; it also depends on whether the two people's temperaments are compatible. I am already married and have no contact with other men. All my knowledge of other men comes from the Second Prince. However, the Second Prince rarely goes out and always keeps to himself, let alone interacting with the princes. He knows nothing about their temperaments, so I know even less. How dare I advise Your Majesty? In fact, I might only cause you more trouble than help."

At this point, Shen Qingtan couldn't help but smile and say, "Speaking of which, the only prince I am most familiar with is Prince Yu. I have met him several times during autumn and spring outings. Prince Yu is gentle and kind, which is similar to your personality. If you were not so sickly, you would definitely be like-minded with Prince Yu and become close friends."

Consort Ling's eyes flickered slightly. Shen Qingtan's words implied that Zhao Yi never interacted with the other princes, only being familiar with Prince Yu. If the two had the opportunity to meet, it was quite possible for them to become friends.

If Prince Yu and Zhao Yi were on good terms...

"Unfortunately, the Second Master's condition is getting worse, and the imperial physicians have not seen any improvement." Shen Qingtan's smile faded, and she said self-deprecatingly, "To comfort me, the Emperor has given me a string of rewards. He told me to treat the Second Master well and not to cause him any distress."

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Qingtan placed her fingers on the filigree inlaid bracelet on her wrist.

Consort Ling's gaze fell on Shen Qingtan's wrist. The filigree inlay technique on this bracelet was only available in the palace, and it was clearly a gift from Emperor Jing'an.

After Shen Qingtan married Zhao Yi, Emperor Jing'an bestowed upon her extremely generous rewards.

Such a reward is unprecedented in history; no other wife of a subject has ever received such favor.

Consort Ling began to weigh the value of Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan in her mind.

After all, neither of them was stupid; they both knew that the other was testing them.

Shen Qingtan and Zhao Yi are husband and wife. Was her attitude at Zhao Yi's behest?

Furthermore, Zhao Yi and Zhao Jue have a strained relationship. If Zhao Yi's health deteriorates due to her intervention in Zhao Jue's succession to the Duke's mansion, the Emperor might take his anger out on her.

Consort Ling suppressed her heavy thoughts and said to Shen Qingtan and Shen Mingzhu, "The flowers in the Imperial Garden are in bloom. I think the scenery is quite beautiful. You two sisters-in-law should go and enjoy the view."

Then she instructed the palace maid, "Huichun, take them for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."

"Yes, ma'am." Huichun respectfully asked the two to leave Yanxiang Palace.

As Shen Qingtan stepped out of the palace, she glanced back at the ornately decorated Yanxiang Palace, wondering if Consort Ling would still request the Duke's Mansion to bestow a title upon Zhao Jue.

If she were Consort Ling, she would definitely persuade Emperor Jing'an to bestow a title upon Zhao Yi, thus gaining his favor. After Zhao Yi's death, she would then use that favor to make Zhao Jue the heir to the Duke's mansion.

They grabbed it with both hands.

Shen Mingzhu was equally distracted, because no matter what she said, Consort Ling did not treat her differently, but instead deliberately praised Shen Qingtan.

She felt a tightness in her chest.

Neither of them was paying attention to the scenery in the garden, and even when the old lady came out of Yanxiang Palace, she had no interest in looking at it.

Shen Qingtan sat in the carriage and observed the old lady's expression without making a sound, but the old lady remained expressionless and showed no clue.

However, she was not in a hurry.

She would soon find out what choice Consort Ling would make.

The Duke's Mansion will definitely take some action today.