Glazed tiles shone even brighter in the sunlight, and the large stone vat in the courtyard was home to many lotus flowers. The surface of the water was densely covered with lotus leaves as big as the lotus flowers themselves, and occasionally a small bubble would emerge from beneath. Upon closer inspection, one could also spot lazy goldfish swimming about.

  The lady-in-waiting carefully watched the little princess tiptoe to feed the fish, while reminding the palace maid holding a parasol to stand closer to the princess.

  Just threw a lot of fish food in, but didn't see any goldfish floating up to eat, the little princess got impatient and ran into the main hall with a splash.

  Empress Song had just finished checking the account book, furrowed her brow and handed it to the female official beside her. She turned around to see her daughter running in, and hurriedly smiled: "Eleventh, come quickly. Did you go to watch that fish tank again? In this scorching sun, even the fish need a rest, how can they always float up for you to play?"

  She is only twenty-three years old this year, and she has been in the palace for a full fifteen years. In these fifteen years, there is only one child, Princess Zhou Qi, so she has always looked at her like her own eyes.

  Zhou Qi flew quickly into Song Gui Fei's arms, her small face red and pouting: "Not a single one floated up today, how disappointing."

  "It's also time to get close to the Ninth Princess, playing alone all day is naturally boring." Song Gui Fei helped her daughter wipe away the sweat-drenched hair on her forehead with a somewhat sympathetic tone: "Don't stay cooped up in Feng Mou Palace every day, besides, you can visit the Empress Dowager more often too."

  Zhou Mei covered her ears with both hands, refusing to listen. After a while, she reluctantly hummed: "What's so fun about it? Ninth sister always looks down on me and doesn't want to take me along. The empress dowager doesn't like me either."

  "What nonsense!" Empress Song glanced around and hastily scolded her: "The Imperial Grandmother is the mother of all people under heaven, how can there be talk of liking or disliking someone? She naturally likes everyone."

  Zhou Qi didn't say anything more, but still looked somewhat unhappy: "I wasn't talking nonsense. Last time at the Empress Dowager's palace, it was clearly her who damaged the Buddhist scriptures, but she had to say I did it and told Grandmother about it, but Grandmother didn't believe me."

  As she spoke, Zhou Qi was still so wronged that her tears almost fell.

  The Empress Song let out a deep sigh and called for Zhu Yi to take her to wash up, but she herself just stared blankly at the beautifully arranged lotus flowers in front of her.

  Zhu Ying replaced her with a cup of tea and softly comforted: "Your Majesty doesn't have to be angry because of this, children fighting and quarreling is also common."

  What is this ordinary children's play? The ninth princess Zhou Lin has already been 14 years old, doesn't she know what to do and what not to do? It's obviously relying on the virtuous concubine to do as she pleases.

  Is there anyone simple in the palace? Xianfei, who had clearly shown her favor many times before, suddenly changed her attitude, and the Empress Dowager also repeatedly scolded her, probably because her own family did not take a stand.

  She shook her head, propping it up with one hand, looking somewhat exhausted.

  "The Empress Dowager previously mentioned that she wants to see the girls in our household." Song Gui Fei felt her heart becoming even heavier, and there was a worry on her face that couldn't be wiped away: "I'm afraid this is an opportunity for her to bully us, and also to take a look at Xiao Liu'er."

  The bamboo shadow busily came forward to help her take off two heavier golden hairpins, and gently pressed on her shoulder: "Isn't it that the family has repeatedly sent messages saying that Miss Six is very clever? She knows how to respond. You don't have to worry too much, there will always be a way."

  The Empress Song sneered and smiled: "Even if I can please the Empress Dowager, what about the Queen's side? It was originally a situation where neither side could be pleased, and even if she was clever, she couldn't cope with it. Moreover, she was just a little girl, and no matter how clever she was, there were limitations."

  She said, and felt slightly annoyed again.

  At home, she was only told to restrain herself from being too close to Empress Dowager and the Queen, but not a single rule was given to her. She was caught between the Empress Dowager and the Queen, suffering from both sides.

  "Call a clever little eunuch out, and slightly reveal the meaning in front of Grandmother." Consort Song leaned close to her ear and whispered, adding an extra reminder: "There's no need to say anything else, Grandmother will understand."

  The Empress Dowager is just remembering the grudge against Wang's family. After all, she has been raising and doting on Wang Jin Si for so many years, and now that Wang Jin Si has died in the Song household, it's normal for her to have some resentment.

  It's just fine as long as she vents her grievances. It's best if these grievances aren't vented on the Song family or herself.

  Since this matter was caused by Xiaoliu, it's naturally best to push the matter onto her head. Firstly, she is a young girl, and the Empress Dowager will not bother to calculate with her. Secondly, if she does calculate, that would be good too.

  The daughters of the Song family were all born for the sake of the Song family. If the empress dowager vented her anger on her head, that would also be considered her sacrifice for the Song family.

  Zhu Ying hesitated, her hand on Gui Fei's shoulder paused, and she asked uncertainly: "But last time when Old Madame came, you mentioned that the Empress Dowager strictly forbade you from revealing this matter to Sixth Miss. Now that you've said it, Sixth Miss will either be scolded by the Empress Dowager or possibly lose her life and future."

  "Alright!" Empress Song suddenly stood up, the jade pendants on her head clinking loudly, her delicate face twisted in anger: "Since I've called you to do something, there must be a reason! Those who stay in the palace and suffer are not them, of course they can speak lightly. The empress dowager's attitude towards me and the eleventh prince, haven't you seen it? How long can this go on?! Now, pushing someone out to appease the empress dowager's anger, what's wrong with that?! Am I, in the Song family, not even as important as a little yellow-haired girl?!"

  Zhu Ying was scolded and became somewhat confused, but as soon as she came to her senses, she quickly knelt down on the ground and kept saying "yes".

  The Empress Song coldly watched her leave, getting so angry that she almost fell over, and it took a long time to steady herself before sitting back down in the chair.

  The queen has decades of conjugal relationship with the emperor, and the virtuous consorts have followed the emperor for decades. Only she herself has shallow qualifications and no children by her side, so she is particularly cautious.

  Zhou Qi had already tidied herself up and at this moment, she walked into the palace to see her mother's expression. Her footsteps were slightly hesitant, and she paused for a moment before walking towards Empress Song again. Her voice was also softer than before: "Mother, who made you unhappy?"

  The Empress Song saw her daughter and the expression on her face relaxed a lot, she hugged her and sat down, smiling and shaking her head: "It's just an ignorant little palace maid, nothing big."

  Zhou Qi no longer showed her previous spoiled and mischievous look, but instead nodded sensibly.

  Even the smallest children in the palace have already mastered the art of observing words and expressions.

  The Empress Song called for Zhu Yi to take her measurements, preparing to have the imperial tailor make a few new dresses for her. Seeing that she was listless and couldn't muster up any energy, she teased her: "Don't keep a long face, after a while when your several elder female cousins come in, they can also accompany you and chat with you."