She was furious, gnashing her teeth at the mere mention of Liu Wangfei.
Her expression darkened again. “That wretched woman has always had a terrible temper. Back then, whenever she looked at me, her eyes and nose were full of disdain. Now that she’s back—what’s going to happen to our Wanqiu?”
At the mention of Noble Consort Xiao Liu, Old Madam Liu grew anxious.
She couldn’t help but start crying. “How could our Wanqiu ever be her match? His Majesty is the softest of hearts, always holding onto old affections. Every New Year’s Eve, hasn’t he always gone to her shrine first before starting the palace banquet?”
Now that Liu Wangfei has returned, the Noble Consort will surely suffer.
Duke Chu was equally troubled by this.
It was true—Liu Wangfei didn’t even give him any face today. She tore all pretenses apart the moment they met.
How could that wretched girl possibly show the Noble Consort any kindness?
His Majesty already feels guilty towards her. It’s almost certain that Wanqiu will have to endure some grievances from now on.
Thinking of this, he patted the old madam’s hand. “Enough, enough. There’s still Princess Baorong in the palace. She’s the cleverest one—she won’t let the Noble Consort suffer losses.”
Everyone knew Princess Baorong was most adept at reading His Majesty’s mind.
But even though he said this, Old Madam Liu still felt bitter. “They can protect her for a while, but can they protect her for a lifetime?”
As long as Liu Wangfei exists, she will suppress the Noble Consort forever.
She glared at Duke Chu with resentment. “Aren’t you going to think of something?”
The Duke told her how he had handled the matter in front of the Emperor today and said calmly, “Anyway, I’ve already completely cleared you of it. I joined forces with the Jiang family to fully distance you. No one will ever be able to call you an outside mistress again.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Liu finally felt somewhat relieved.
She hadn’t expected her husband to handle it so thoroughly.
He even pinned a heavy accusation on Madam Jiang—claiming she had switched her daughter to seek glory.
Suddenly she felt completely at ease and even smiled a little. “Hearing that, I feel much better.”
But after a pause, she still frowned. “But this isn’t a long-term solution. Even if it’s now proven she isn’t your daughter, she’s still the Wangfei.”
Duke Chu raised his eyebrows slightly. On his way back from the palace, he had already come up with a plan.
A man’s affection extends to the children of the woman he loves.
He never loved Madam Jiang, so naturally, he didn’t care for Madam Jiang’s children.
Or rather—it wasn’t that he disliked them, but that the children of the woman he truly loved would always matter far more.
So at this moment, he spoke without hesitation, “What’s there to fear? She’s been wandering and displaced outside for so long.”
Old Madam Liu didn’t quite catch his meaning. “It’s been decades…”
“Exactly.” The Duke said coolly, “Decades—no one was watching her. Who can say for sure that she’s still pure and chaste? Who can guarantee that that simpleton is truly the child she carried back then?”
Old Madam Liu froze on the spot.
She looked at Duke Chu in disbelief.
It took her quite a while to finally process what he meant.
Yes! Liu Wangfei had disappeared for decades!
What’s the quickest way to completely ruin a woman’s reputation and leave her with no chance to recover?
Attack her chastity.
Yes, who could prove that all these years Liu Wangfei had remained faithful and untouched?
Who could prove that the simple-minded boy was truly the Emperor’s son?
She had been on the run, constantly pursued—how could a child be so easily kept safe?
Within moments, Old Madam Liu fully understood.
She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
She quickly held back her laughter and sighed, “Ah, but this is just too cruel.”
But whether to be cruel to herself or to others—that was a very easy choice to make.
She pressed her lips together, a flash of murderous intent flickering in her eyes.
Such vicious tactics wouldn’t have been necessary—if only Liu Wangfei hadn’t come back.
Wouldn’t it have been better if she had stayed away?
If she had spent her whole life in hiding, never returning, at least she could have lived out her days in peace.
But she came back. This is the price she has to pay.
At this time, in the palace, Emperor Yongchang temporarily arranged for Liu Wangfei to stay at the Guangfeng Jiyue Hall and personally stayed with her to comfort her.
The Eldest Princess was settled in her former palace residence.
Once everything had calmed down, Emperor Yongchang softly reassured Liu Wangfei, “Don’t worry. I will definitely get to the bottom of this. No matter who was hunting you, once I find out, I will make them pay.”
Liu Wangfei sneered coldly in her heart.
Time is truly a terrifying thing.
It can make two people who were once the closest in the world feel as distant as strangers.
At this moment, as she looked at Emperor Yongchang, all the tenderness and affection from their youth had long since vanished, leaving only disgust and disappointment.
This man claimed to love her, yet he continued to elevate the very people who had harmed her.
If it hadn’t been for the Eldest Princess seizing the opportunity to secretly urge her to be patient, she would never have agreed to stay in the same room with him.
She was about to sarcastically lash out when suddenly, the door of the sleeping quarters was knocked.
A palace maid softly reported from outside, “Your Majesty, the Noble Consort has arrived.”
The Noble Consort?
Emperor Yongchang glanced at Liu Wangfei and, seeing her face covered in icy disdain, hesitated.
But Liu Wangfei let out a cold laugh. “Let her in.”
Noble Consort Xiao Liu entered, dressed in a pale yellow palace gown. Having been doted on and pampered for years, even after giving birth to four children, she still looked delicate and beautiful, like a young maiden.
As soon as she entered, she rushed toward Liu Wangfei. “Sister!”
When she was little, the Noble Consort used to run into her arms like this, sweetly and softly calling her sister.
At the time, Liu Wangfei didn’t know the truth about her own background and truly loved her as a younger sister.
In fact, the Noble Consort practically grew up in Liu Wangfei’s arms.
But precisely because of this, Liu Wangfei’s hatred ran even deeper.
She harshly pushed the Noble Consort away, her face laced with sarcasm. “You’ve got it wrong. Your father no longer acknowledges me as his daughter. Calling me sister—aren’t you slapping your own father’s face?”
Noble Consort Xiao Liu immediately turned pale. Her wide, tear-filled eyes looked helplessly at Liu Wangfei, then at Emperor Yongchang, completely flustered.
Choking back sobs, she shook her head. “Sister, I didn’t know, I didn’t know…”
Emperor Yongchang felt pity in his heart, but he didn’t go to help her—he simply turned his head away.
Liu Wangfei had suffered enough. He couldn’t afford to add insult to injury now.
Liu Wangfei mocked, “You didn’t know? You didn’t know what your mother did? You were young, but you weren’t a fool. Your mother was alive and well, yet you were sent to my mother’s side. And you claim you didn’t know the truth?”
Cornered by the questioning, Noble Consort Xiao Liu staggered back step by step, biting her lips so hard that they began to bleed. Finally, overwhelmed by Liu Wangfei’s relentless pressure, she let out a whimper and fainted on the spot.
Liu Wangfei almost laughed coldly.
So many years had passed, and this mother and daughter pair were still such masterful pretenders.
