It's a pity that the Emperor is not seeing anyone now. Song Hong submitted his card, waited for half a day but wasn't summoned, and returned to the Duke Weiguo Residence disappointed and unwilling to see any guests.
Seeing Song Hong in such a state, the Crown Prince and Duke Qiguo perked up. Others, observing the situation, increasingly showed allegiance to the Crown Prince's faction.
For a time, the Crown Prince's influence was at its peak in the court, pressuring the other princes to band together to barely counter it.
Not only in the front court but also in the harem, the Crown Prince's mother, Consort Xian, felt her status was not what it used to be, as her son was about to become the next monarch.
By then, she would at least be a Saintess Empress Dowager, with her biological son as Emperor, a rightful position compared to the Empress Dowager.
