Yu Mingyue had been in officialdom for less than half a year and was now a Deputy Fifth Rank Dali Temple Zheng. This promotion speed was unprecedented, naturally drawing much criticism in the capital.
The blessing of luck was also a form of strength. Yu Mingyue felt her greatest strength was following a good master.
Her master's strength was certified by a sage. His ups and downs in officialdom were merely bad luck or a test from the sage. Now that the test period was over, her master's official career was naturally smooth sailing.
Since she was her master's only female disciple and her martial prowess was inferior to Senior Brother Song, she stayed in the capital to guard their home.
She would uphold her master's integrity and uprightness. She hoped her master and senior brother's trip to Jiangnan would end quickly so they could return to the capital smoothly.
Consort Cui was both happy and worried about her daughter's promotion. She was delighted to see her happy but also concerned about her future struggles in the vortex of the imperial court, the constant scheming and infighting, as she was, after all, a girl.
Yu Mingyue, however, was full of ambition, eager to do well and not disappoint her master.
Dali Temple had plenty of cases; she had no time for those rumors.
On the twenty-first of August, Mo Yuxi gave birth to the Emperor's eldest grandson. The sage was overjoyed and planned a grand celebration for the grandson's full moon. Suddenly, news that Consort Mo was to replace the Crown Princess spread throughout the capital, making Yu Mingyue's rumors seem insignificant.
The Eastern Palace
Luo Lingyi was personally reviewing the guest list for the Crown Prince's grandson's full moon banquet, checking each name meticulously, afraid of any oversight. After all, this was a joyous occasion for the Eastern Palace, a grand feast.
"Your Highness..." Lü Mei brought a cup of hot tea and placed it beside the table.
"Why do you hesitate?" Luo Lingyi asked without looking up.
"Your Highness, rumors are spreading outside that Consort Mo is to be made Crown Princess to secure the status of the Emperor's eldest grandson..." Lü Mei said worriedly.
"What do you think?" Luo Lingyi chuckled softly.
Lü Mei shook her head, "This servant does not know."
Great Wei had always valued legitimate heirs. Crown Prince Xiao Che's difficult path to the throne was due to him not being a legitimate son, which was heavily criticized. It was only after the sage demoted his birth mother and placed him under Empress Wang's name that his legitimacy was established.
To prevent the Emperor's grandson from repeating the same mistake, it was not impossible.
However, her lady was the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince's legal wife. She could not be deposed so easily. Remember how favored Noble Consort Yao was, yet she was eventually deposed. The Empress Consort remained Empress Wang.
Now that her lady's poison had been completely cured, she could bear legitimate grandsons in the future.
Luo Lingyi put down the scroll in her hand, picked up the tea sent by Lü Mei, and took a sip with a smile. "His Highness the Crown Prince is sentimental, Consort Mo is kind, and the Mo family values propriety. They will not contend for the position of Crown Princess."
"Really?" Lü Mei asked joyfully.
She did not notice that Luo Lingyi said they would not contend for the position of Crown Princess because the Mo family was aiming for the position of Empress.
Consort Mo had just given birth to the little imperial grandson and was still weak, as was the delicate child. After the decline of the aristocratic families, the Mo family was at its peak. Even if their influence reached the palace, who could guarantee there would be no missteps? It was uncertain whether such a young child would even survive.
The Mo family were all intelligent people; why would they do such a thing? Especially after these rumors surfaced, they would only try to appease her.
From the moment she entered the capital, she knew the road ahead would not be easy. After being poisoned, she knew she had no support and could only forge her own path.
She was determined to obtain the position of Empress, crushing any who stood in her way.
Luo Lingyi put down the teacup and handed the scroll, which she had personally reviewed, to Lü Mei. "I have checked the list, and it is correct. However, the design of the invitations is not grand enough. Have the Imperial Household Department send a few more styles."