Upon re-entering the imperial palace, Zheng Qingling was basking in the fortune brought by her children. She was carried in a first-class, luxuriously comfortable palanquin, led by generals at the front and a hundred guards at the rear—a stark contrast to her pitiful departure from the palace for "safety" not long ago.
However, her palanquin still entered through a side gate. After all, she was only of the rank of Fei, and it would be improper to use the main gate.
Under the jealous glares of the other consorts, Zheng Qingling made a respectful bow to Xiao Qianming. But before she could even complete her formal greeting, the Emperor gently raised her with his hand.
"Beloved consort, there's no need for such formality. Today is the full-month celebration of our dragon-phoenix twins—my heart is filled with joy."
Zheng Qingling's expression showed deep emotion, but in her heart she scoffed: If I truly didn't salute, he'd remember this slight in his ledger, and the censors would record it in the annals as my arrogance.
The concubines, forced to witness the harmonious scene, could only suppress their bitterness and force smiles, lest they displease the Emperor.
At the lavish and grand full-month banquet arranged by the Emperor, Shu Fei and Yi Pin—both of whom had only borne princesses—felt especially suffocated.
And when they heard the Emperor, holding the eldest prince in his arms, proclaim him "My First Son," their suppressed fury nearly burst forth.
Indeed—in the royal clan, a mother's honor rose with her son's rank. To give birth to a prince was the true cause for grand celebration.
Zheng Qingling had long anticipated the Emperor's favoritism toward their son. For a feudal monarch, the importance of the Crown Prince's position was self-evident—especially to one so desperate for an heir.
But in daily life, Zheng Qingling treated both children equally, though inwardly she doted more on her daughter. After all, even a princess faced countless hardships in this world.
The officials watching Xiao Qianming fawn over the prince felt puzzled. True, the boy was handsome, with fine features and a noble brow—but was that worth such endless grinning?
In truth, many ministers felt uneasy. For an Emperor who normally carried a stern and solemn face, to see him smiling with unrestrained delight was deeply unsettling.
When the banquet ended, Xiao Qianming escorted Zheng Qingling away. But soon she realized they weren't heading toward her old residence, Xinghua Pavilion.
Sensing her pause, the Emperor explained with good humor:
"Qingling, I have arranged a new palace for you, named Xichen Palace, where you may live with the prince and princess in greater comfort."
"Your Majesty, thank you for such kindness. You are far too good to me!"
Her face showed moving gratitude, but inwardly she was unmoved. The children are the real reason for this favor. Without them, I'd never have been given the chance to relocate. A man's words are meant to be heard, not believed—take them to heart, and you're a fool.
That night, after their bout of "pillow play," Xiao Qianming looked at her drowsy face and suddenly proposed:
"Qingling, now that you are Zhaofei, why not help Shu Fei manage palace affairs?"
At once, Zheng Qingling's drowsiness vanished. This was terrifying—he wanted her to become a thankless "palace clerk"?
"Your Majesty jests. I already have two children to care for, and attending to Your Majesty alone leaves me exhausted. How could I have the energy to manage palace affairs as well? Please, spare me—I truly haven't the strength."
Hearing her sincere refusal, Xiao Qianming finally smiled in satisfaction.
Excellent. As long as Zhaofei remained this way, he could rest assured in his favor. After all, a woman could not be allowed both sons and power, or the harem would never be stable.
With her spiritual sense, Zheng Qingling observed his shifting expression and sneered inwardly: Good thing I never believe this pig's sweet words. Otherwise, he'd have tricked me to the bone by now.
This schemer—always looking for a chance to set another trap.
After her return to the palace, Zheng Qingling also fulfilled her earlier promise: she found Chunxiu a good family, arranging her marriage to a palace guard of her choosing, and even provided a generous dowry.
Meanwhile, jealous consorts tried secretly to harm the prince, hoping for a "dragon dead, phoenix alive" outcome.
But each time they made a move, they mysteriously weakened. Physicians found nothing wrong, leaving them terrified.
Soon rumors spread: the eldest prince carried immense fortune. Anyone with malice toward him would suffer dire consequences.
Aware of these plots, the Emperor tightened his control over the harem, especially reinforcing the children's protection.
For years, Xiao Qianming prayed Heaven might grant him more heirs. He built temples and monasteries, hoping for blessings.
But a decade passed, and nothing changed. Even with more young concubines, no sons were born.
Zheng Qingling had long foreseen this. People are greedy. Once they get something, they crave more. If he had more sons, I guarantee my eldest would only become a target.
This way was best. Her son was intelligent, with a natural sharpness for governance—truly born to be Emperor.
Yet as the prince grew, Zheng Qingling sensed the Emperor's wariness increasing. He limited her visits with her son and multiplied the guards outside her residence.
With her stronger spiritual powers, she soon learned why—from Xiao Qianming's own memories.
After his prophetic dream, he had secretly been taking the pills of wandering Daoists, seeking immortality. Recently, the drugs had damaged his body. Fearing she might control the future emperor, he plotted to poison her into the grave alongside him.
Good. What a ruthless dog. Since he shows no mercy, I need not show compassion either.
Days later, the Emperor was announced to have died suddenly of illness. But the court knew well—it was from years of alchemical poison.
Still, the true cause could not be spoken. To preserve the dynasty's dignity, it was rewritten as a sudden illness.
At first, ministers feared the Empress Dowager might seize power behind the curtain. But Zheng Qingling did no such thing. Instead, she allowed four senior ministers to assist her eleven-year-old son, Xiao Yuancheng, in taking the throne.
Zheng Qingling had no lust for power. She had no desire for a life of dawn-to-dusk drudgery. Xiao Qianming had utterly misjudged her—she had never coveted the throne.
Once her son fully assumed power, Zheng Qingling retired with a few attendants to the royal villa. She took no part in palace intrigues, living her days in leisure—admiring scenery, cooking, and enjoying a free and untroubled life.