Back then, when she first discovered the truth about Liu Jinghong and Liu Wanqiu’s parentage, she had once felt indignant for her mother and chased after the birth mother of Noble Consort Xiao Liu to confront her.
And every time—it would end the same way.
They would faint.
Every single time!
Clearly, they were the ones who had done wrong, yet they would always put on an act, looking as if they were the ones who had suffered unbearable grievances and were forced to compromise.
What was this?!
Emperor Yongchang had originally been trying his best to restrain himself, afraid of further angering Liu Wangfei.
But when Noble Consort Xiao Liu fainted from the emotional blow, he finally couldn’t hold back. He rushed forward to catch her in his arms and angrily shouted at Eunuch Xia who had followed him in, “What are you waiting for? Go summon the imperial physician immediately!”
It was utter chaos.
Eunuch Xia quietly glanced at Noble Consort Xiao Liu lying on the floor, then looked at Liu Wangfei whose face was cold as ice, before quickly retreating.
Liu Wangfei let out a cold laugh, completely fed up.
Emperor Yongchang was caught between anxiety and worry, afraid that Liu Wangfei would overthink. For a moment, he was thoroughly overwhelmed.
Lowering his voice, he tried to explain, “Wanyin, even if she’s not your real sister, this isn’t her fault…”
Yes, not her fault.
Not Duke Chu’s fault either.
All these people had their reasons, their hardships.
So the suffering she had endured all these years—was it all what she deserved?
A mixture of cold disappointment and burning anger surged in Liu Wangfei’s heart as she asked coldly, “Your Majesty, when the late Emperor passed away, the Empress Dowager and the court believed the nation required a mature ruler, and so they brought you to the capital to ascend the throne. But back then, Consort Shun wanted her own son, Chen Wang, to succeed, and so she sent assassins to kill you.”
Emperor Yongchang looked up at her.
Liu Wangfei curled her lips into a mocking smile and asked sarcastically, “At that time, Chen Wang knew nothing about it, and he was only nine years old. But after you ascended the throne, did you ever truly let go of your grudge against Chen Wang?”
Emperor Yongchang opened his mouth but couldn’t immediately refute her.
It was true. Consort Shun had repeatedly tried to harm him, and after he ascended the throne, he ordered Consort Shun’s death and never went easy on Chen Wang.
Now Liu Wangfei was using this example to mock him—something he himself could not do, yet he expected her to.
Regret filled Emperor Yongchang’s heart.
If he had known earlier about Liu Wanqiu’s true parentage, he would never have brought her into the palace.
But it was too late now.
Carrying the unconscious Noble Consort in his arms, he said, “Wanyin, I know you’ve suffered many grievances over the years and endured much hardship. I understand your feelings now. Once I’ve thoroughly investigated this matter, I will give you a proper answer.”
Watching his retreating figure as he carried Noble Consort Xiao Liu away, Liu Wangfei suddenly realized that perhaps that answer no longer mattered to her.
She had been gone too long. The person who once shared the most intimate moments with her now felt so distant and frightening.
Yes, he was no longer just her husband.
The Noble Consort also bore him children, kept him company, and shared his pillow.
She was no longer youthful, no longer gentle after all her suffering. But Noble Consort Xiao Liu was still a delicately nurtured flower from a greenhouse.
How could she compare?
On the other side, Emperor Yongchang carried Noble Consort Xiao Liu back to her palace. Princess Borong and Princess Mingcheng, who had been waiting anxiously inside, immediately rushed over.
Seeing Noble Consort Xiao Liu unconscious, Princess Borong discreetly pinched Princess Mingcheng’s waist.
Princess Mingcheng immediately burst into loud sobs: “Royal Mother! Royal Mother, what’s wrong with you, Mother?!”
Tears were also rolling down Princess Baorong’s cheeks in large drops. She choked out a question to Emperor Yongchang: “Royal Father, is it because Grandfather offended Aunt, so Aunt doesn’t like Royal mother or us either, is that it?”
Emperor Yongchang didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
Then Princess Baorong finally started to cry out loud: “Royal Father, does that mean you won’t like us anymore either? Is Aunt going to drive us out of the palace? But my brother’s leg hasn’t even healed yet!”
The panic and fear in his daughters made Emperor Yongchang’s mind a mess.
He couldn’t help but scold them: “Don’t talk nonsense! You are my daughters and princesses of the dynasty—who dares to drive you out? No one can drive you out!”
—
The next day, word of what happened in the palace reached Duke Chu’s household.
Duke Chu couldn’t help but laugh. Turning to Old Madam Liu, he said, “See? What did I tell you? Baorong is clever, and Her Ladyship is even sharper. They won’t suffer losses.”
A woman’s tears were simply the best weapon.
And in this regard, both Princess Baorong and Noble Consort Xiao Liu were undoubtedly experts.
Old Madam Liu let out a heavy sigh of relief and finally felt at ease, even carrying a bit of hidden pride.
That Jiang woman was always stiff and unyielding, never knew how to soften her attitude.
The daughter she gave birth to was just the same.
Like mother, like daughter. The daughter Jiang gave birth to didn’t know how to charm a man’s heart, while Noble Consort Xiao Liu she herself raised was skilled beyond compare. And Princess Baorong? She surpassed even her mother.
Indeed, with Princess Baorong around, there was no need to worry that Liu Wangfei would win Emperor Yongchang’s favor.
Lowering her voice, she asked, “So are you going to make arrangements for that matter now?”
The longer the night, the more likely the dreams. She didn’t want to delay this any longer.
It would be best to take care of everything early and get rid of Liu Wangfei once and for all.
Duke Chu gave a quiet hum in response and, putting on his cloak, said, “I’ll go find Jiang Yanzhen and discuss how to handle this. He’s her uncle—he’ll know more.”
Bribing the servants close to Liu Wangfei should be much easier.
Seeing that he already had a plan, Old Madam Liu finally felt completely at ease and said no more. She only helped brush some stray threads off his cloak and personally saw him out.
They had just stepped off the winding corridor and were about to exit the courtyard when Duke Chu was suddenly bumped into hard. He staggered back a step from the force.
Old Madam Liu was right beside him, and the impact caused her to stumble too—she nearly lost her footing.
Duke Chu was about to flare up, but when he saw the person who had crashed into them was Madam Liu, his daughter-in-law, he immediately reined in his temper.
Ever since Liu Jinghong had died, Madam Liu had been in poor health.
Now she looked visibly aged.
He couldn’t bear to scold her and only frowned, asking, “What is it? Why are you in such a hurry?”
Madam Liu was breathing heavily, flushed with anxiety and frustration. “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law—something terrible has happened! At the gates—there’s a group of constables!”
Duke Chu scowled. “Ridiculous! Constables? What constables? Do they think the Duke’s residence is somewhere they can just barge into?”
Old Madam Liu’s face also darkened. “The magistrates of the Shuntian Prefecture are getting more and more out of hand. Do they think there’s any place they can’t go? What are they here for?”
The two of them looked thoroughly displeased.
Madam Liu’s face turned a deep purplish red. For a moment, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Only when Madam Liu shot her a look of growing impatience did she finally gulp and stammer nervously, “They… they said they’ve come to summon you to court, Mother-in-law! Someone has filed a complaint against you…”
Madam Liu’s brows shot up, her whole being radiating hostility.
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