Su Yunmo was taken aback.
Why had he come?
Consort Qin was also surprised. "So it's Prince Yu. Is there something you need from this consort today?"
Ye Jingyu's words were not particularly friendly, but Consort Qin was not offended. Instead, she warmly invited him, "Someone, quickly offer Prince Yu a seat."
A servant moved to usher Ye Jingyu to a seat.
"No need to sit," Ye Jingyu's gaze swept over Ye Jingguang and then landed on Su Yunmo, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
She really knew how to attract attention!
Both children shivered simultaneously.
"I have come to ask Consort Qin to do me a favor and arrange for two palace maids to serve my mother."
Those banished to the cold palace were not allowed to enjoy the same treatment as other consorts.
It was already a great kindness from the Empress Dowager that Ye Jingyu could frequently enter the palace to see Consort Liang. By rights, he should not have made any further requests.
"The Empress Dowager has graciously permitted Prince Yu to visit the cold palace. As I manage the affairs of the harem, I must naturally consider the daily needs of the princes. Assigning two people to serve them is not a major issue."
Consort Qin agreed without hesitation.
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched, and she cast a strange glance at Consort Qin.
She must owe Ye Jingyu money.
Ye Jingyu seemed to have anticipated Consort Qin's agreement. "Consort Qin is kind-hearted, and I am grateful. For Consort Qin's own good, I offer a piece of advice."
A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he enunciated each word: "Some people are destined not to be together. It is best not to provoke those you shouldn't."
Consort Qin's body stiffened, and her expression gradually turned unpleasant. "What does Prince Yu mean by this?"
Ye Jingyu walked to Su Yunmo's side, grabbed her collar, and slung her over his arm, his gaze fixed on her. "This is what I mean."
His eyes held a threat that only the two of them understood.
Consort Qin felt her heart pound, and her palms began to sweat.
How could she have forgotten that Su Yunmo frequently visited the cold palace, meaning she must have a good relationship with Ye Jingyu?
How could this Prince Yu possibly not care about such a prize, letting it be snatched away by someone else so easily?
"If Consort Qin has nothing else, I shall take my leave," Ye Jingyu said and turned to go.
Consort Qin watched his retreating back, feeling the oppressive aura that had been upon her instantly withdraw. She almost fell from her seat.
"Mother Consort, what's wrong?" Ye Jingguang quickly stepped forward to support her, still looking bewildered.
Consort Qin's eyelids twitched, and she slapped him. "You brat, from today onwards, stay away from that little girl from the Su family."
Ye Jingguang cried out in pain. "Why? Didn't you just say I should play with her?"
Consort Qin slapped him again. "No 'why.' Just do as your mother says!"
So close, so close. Fortunately, she hadn't spoken too clearly for Prince Yu to overhear.
Others were one thing, but this prince was absolutely not to be provoked.
"Oh~" Ye Jingguang agreed meekly, his gaze fixed on the doorway.
Mother Consort was always so moody. But the more she told him not to play with Mo Mo, the more he wanted to find Mo Mo. Perhaps he could sneak off to play with her.
At the same time, Su Yunmo, who was being carried, sneezed.
She tilted her head up and looked at Ye Jingyu, displeased. "Can you hold me properly?"
Ye Jingyu, still holding her collar, said with a dark expression, "Be quiet!"
Su Yunmo crossed her arms, pouted, and swung her legs irritably, dangling in mid-air like she was on a swing.
"By the way, last time Consort Qin went to Fengqi Palace, she used the deceased people of that palace to seize the Empress's authority over the six palaces. Was this your doing?"
She had always thought he had merely used some trick to lure Consort Qin there, but she hadn't expected there to be a transaction between them from the start.
Otherwise, Consort Qin wouldn't have agreed to his request so readily today.
No... rather than a transaction, it was more like Consort Qin was somewhat afraid of him.
"You talk too much," Ye Jingyu said as he stepped into the cold palace, brought her to the bed, and tossed her onto it.
Su Yunmo fell and gritted her teeth in pain. "Ye Jingyu, you scoundrel..."
"Mo Mo, you're here?" Suddenly, a pair of warm hands embraced her from behind.
Su Yunmo swallowed her curse and turned back with a sweet smile. "Greetings, Consort Liang."
"Mo Mo, you're so good. Why haven't you visited Mother Consort these past two days? Mother Consort misses you so much." Consort Liang placed a light kiss on her forehead.
Su Yunmo sighed and pointed at Ye Jingyu. "Your Highness, that's your son. Look, the one standing over there."
Caring for a patient's emotions was one thing, but being mistaken repeatedly was another. Consort Liang should come to her senses.
Consort Liang glanced at Ye Jingyu, then quickly looked away, not entirely approving. As if teaching a child to speak, she said, word by word, "Mo Mo, be good, call me Mother Consort, Mother Consort~"
Su Yunmo's head ached. She looked at the person watching the spectacle. "Can't you say something?"
Ye Jingyu stood aside, ignoring the matter, but the anger in his heart subsided.
Consort Liang was very insistent, repeating word by word, "Mother Consort~ Mother Consort, call me Mother Consort~ Mo Mo, call me Mother Consort~"
Su Yunmo found it difficult to say.
Consort Liang's face showed anxiety. "Mo Mo, call me Mother Consort, call me Mother Consort. Does Mo Mo dislike Mother Consort now?"
Ye Jingyu's eyes flickered. He walked over and took out medicine. "Mother Consort, you haven't taken your medicine today."
"I won't take it, get away," Consort Liang said, holding Su Yunmo's small hand, sweat breaking out on her forehead. "Mo Mo, Mo Mo..."
It wouldn't do if she didn't take her medicine. Su Yunmo took the medicine.
"Mo Mo doesn't dislike you. Mother Consort, you must be obedient and take your medicine so you can get better faster."
Forget it. Consort Liang's memory was still muddled; she couldn't reason with her.
Ye Jingyu's gaze swept over their clasped hands, and he lowered his eyes, a meaningful smile flashing in their depths.
Consort Liang finally relaxed, her expression softening considerably. She obediently took the medicine.
After calling her "Mother Consort" once, there would be a second time.
After chatting with Consort Liang for a while longer, when it was nearly noon and Consort Liang needed her nap, they left.
Outside the palace, they got into the carriage and traveled together.
Su Yunmo brought up the matter of Chen Xingguo. "You've had a lot of contact with him in court. Do you think there's a possibility of making him stop assisting Ye Jingcheng?"
Ye Jingyu replied, "Chen Xingguo has assisted Ye Jingcheng for so long that it won't be easy to make him withdraw. But if there's something more important to him than assisting the 'new emperor,' then it's not certain."
Su Yunmo pondered, her eyes flashing with a cunning light. "What if he discovers that the person he's assisting is not fit to be a ruler?"
Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes. "That depends on whether this Lord Chen is fundamentally a loyal minister or a treacherous one."
Their eyes met, a perfect understanding between them.
"Let's find an opportunity to try."
Chen Mingmo's birthday banquet was held at his residence.
Because Chen Mingmo had been ill for a long time, it was a rare occasion for him to celebrate a proper birthday. Madam Chen had even invited street performers and other entertainers to liven up the mansion.
The adults drank and chatted, while the children played and sparred, creating a lively atmosphere.
Two lion dancers leaped and crouched in the courtyard, appearing lifelike, and everyone gathered to watch.
Among the guests, Su Yunmo noticed someone.
Wang Chun, a minister who had discussed matters with Ye Jingcheng when he was sent to suppress bandits, and one of Ye Jingcheng's confidantes.
At this moment, Minister Wang was enjoying himself while drinking.
Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow.
However, it was a pity that this lord would probably only enjoy himself for this short while.