The Empress left the Imperial Clan Court and summoned the Master, who was residing in the Orchid Garden, a separate villa outside the palace, to Cloud Palace.
The Master, wearing a veiled hat, maintained her composed and transcendent demeanor.
The Empress showed her deference.
"Master, you once predicted that Prince Yu would be the greatest obstacle to my son's enthronement. Is that true?"
The Master removed her veiled hat, revealing the face of a woman in her fifties. She looked at the Empress with a placid expression, raising her eyebrows slightly, "What, Empress, do you not believe me?"
The Empress quickly shook her head and smiled, "Not at all. Even without the Master's prediction, Prince Yu is my son's strongest opponent. Of course, I believe you."
This Master Liushang had found her ten years ago, claiming she could help her son seize the position of Crown Prince, and in return, she herself could ascend to the position of Empress.
At first, the Empress had been skeptical, but later, many events she predicted came true: the Emperor's injury during a hunt, a locust plague in the western regions, and sneak attacks from the Northern Qi... her predictions were truly accurate.
With the Master's assistance, within a year, the Emperor had indeed chosen Xian'er as the Crown Prince and increasingly favored him. She herself naturally became the Empress. Their influence in the court grew stronger with each passing year.
By this time, the Empress had complete faith in the Master's abilities.
"In that case, why has the Empress summoned me today?" the Master asked indifferently, appearing displeased at being disturbed.
The Empress lowered her voice, "Master, can you predict when my son will be enthroned? Approximately... how much longer?"
The Master closed her eyes slightly, "Heavenly secrets cannot be divulged. However, for the Empress's sake, I will offer two words of advice. Recently, the Emperor Star in the east has reappeared. This star will also become a force against the Crown Prince, and I fear the Crown Prince is in great peril."
"Ah?" The Empress swayed, nearly falling from her seat. Li Momo, standing by her side, immediately supported her.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Master? Is there a way to resolve this?"
A murderous glint flashed in the Master's sharp eyes, "As long as the Empress and the Crown Prince are powerful enough, meeting Buddha, kill Buddha; meeting demons, slay demons, they can eliminate the obstacles before them and ensure the Crown Prince's safety. If their strength is insufficient, they will be consumed by the opponent."
The Empress nodded gravely, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master."
As Li Momo escorted the Master out of Cloud Palace, she saw, not far away, the deranged Consort Yu climbing a crooked tree, reaching out to grasp a leaf. At the base of the tree, a palace maid cried out in distress, "Your Highness, please come down! It's dangerous, it's dangerous!"
Consort Yu giggled foolishly, "Leaf, pretty, hehe."
Li Momo smiled at Master Liushang, "Master, let's go. She's just a madwoman."
A flicker of surprise crossed Master Liushang's eyes as she put on her veiled hat and walked away.
Red Tree Slope.
After the Emperor delivered his verdict on the Crown Prince's private mining of iron ore and weapon manufacturing, Prince Yu immediately sent word to Bai Sheng.
Bai Sheng, looking at the imprisoned miners in their cells, finally felt a sigh of relief. With Prince Yu taking over the mines, these people would be dealt with by him. It was such a drain to feed them day after day.
The day after she received the news, Prince Yu arrived at Red Tree Slope again with over thirty guards, stating he intended to reside there permanently for convenient management of the mines.
Lu Ye had commented that managing mines didn't require him to be personally involved in every matter; assigning people to do it would suffice, there was no need to... stay permanently.
Prince Yu directly pressed five thousand taels of silver into his hand, calling it the cost of food and expenses for this period.
In addition, Prince Yu brought Bai Sheng four wet nurses, two maids, and five midwives.
Look at the grand gesture! Even if Lu Ye wanted to ask them to leave, he felt too embarrassed.
However, Prince Yu's reach was extending too far.
"Prince Yu, this commoner has already found five midwives, and you've brought five more. My house is too small to accommodate them," Lu Ye, as the baby's father, insisted on having the primary say. What business did Prince Yu have with his darling child giving birth?
He had met Prince Yu, who was also bringing midwives, halfway back.
Prince Yu scoffed, "What sort of people did you find? How can they be as good as the midwives I've found? Two of my midwives are from the capital and are highly experienced. They can ensure Little Black Face's safety!"
A Qiu glanced at his master and rubbed his forehead.
The five midwives, praised publicly by Prince Yu, immediately felt a sense of superiority and looked with smugness at the five midwives standing on the other side, whose attire was slightly more worn.
Hmph, all talk and no action. Let's see who's better in the real battle!
A silent battle of glances ensued between the midwives, unbeknownst to their respective masters.
"I hope so." Lu Ye was not a rigid person. If they could help his darling child give birth and ensure her safety, why should he be so petty?
The only issue was the severe shortage of living quarters.
Prince Yu glanced at the unfinished new rooms, then turned to the more than thirty guards and loudly commanded, "You will all help build houses tomorrow. Within five days, get all the houses done."
"Yes!" The leading guard, Ah Bian, responded respectfully.
Like Ah Qiu, he also enjoyed staying at Red Tree Slope. The meals prepared by this family were delicious, and he could freely play cuju and have fun with the big snake and the big white wolf.
Originally, Lu Ye planned to build 10 more servant rooms and 20 guest rooms. Four or five had already been built. The main structure of the houses was primarily wood and bamboo, making construction quick. With the help of these thirty-odd strong men, it would be even faster.
When Bai Sheng woke up from her nap and opened the door, she saw a vast crowd of people outside.
Her home was truly filled with so many people!
Prince Yu immediately stepped forward... to claim credit, "Little Black Face, look, I've brought you four wet nurses, two maids, and five midwives. You can rest assured during your pregnancy."
Good heavens, it's just giving birth, and such a grand affair! At that moment, Bai Sheng felt as if she were a queen.
Since they had been brought, then... fine. After all, it was the considerate intention of this sharp-tongued drama king. "This commoner thanks Prince Yu for his care. I've troubled Prince Yu."
Prince Yu chuckled proudly, "A small matter. No matter what, childbirth is very dangerous. We must ensure your safety, without any margin for error."
Ah Qiu increasingly felt that his master's clumsy demeanor was becoming unbearable. In front of Xiao Bai, he became progressively more foolish, but away from Xiao Bai, he reverted to his arrogant and domineering self, as if the whole world owed him money.
Lu Ye watched Prince Yu preen, clenching his fists, wishing he could punch him in both eye sockets.
"I'll trouble Prince Yu. Please, Prince Yu, have a seat. Huo, Huo, bring the tea quickly!" Bai Sheng looked for Lu Huo in the crowd.
"Alright, Master!" Lu Huo jumped from behind a group of tall guards, quickly poking his head out to his mistress.
Lu Huo was only twelve years old. Although taller than his peers, he was still shorter compared to the guards brought by Prince Yu.
She felt she must eat more to grow tall and strong, so she could hold all four of her soon-to-be-born little masters at once.
Her male and female masters were both so handsome, their little masters would surely be fair and plump, soft and fleshy, rosy and tender. Oh, she was so looking forward to it!
Ah Qiu was also happy to see Bai Sheng, "Xiao Bai, your belly is so big!"
Bai Sheng laughed, "Haha, Brother Qiu is too kind."