Empress Feng immediately understood everything.
This meant there was no possibility of simply letting the matter end there.
She let out a long breath. For a moment, she could not even describe what she was feeling.
Sad?
No. She and Emperor Yongchang had never truly shared any affection.
Not to mention the many years of estrangement and indifference that lay between them.
Disappointed?
That, certainly.
Furong was obviously part of a scheme orchestrated by the remnants of Duke Chu’s faction.
Princess Mingcheng and Prince Yongrong had always been favored.
Now there was also Furong, who looked strikingly like Noble Consort Xiao Liu.
This situation was becoming extremely troublesome.
Seeing that she remained silent, Xie Gugu could only force herself to comfort her. “Actually, Your Majesty, it isn’t such a major matter. They are only preparing a palace for her according to the standards of an ordinary imperial consort.”
So they had already ordered a palace to be prepared.
That meant she would definitely be granted a title.
Empress Feng immediately lost interest. Rising to her feet, she said blandly, “Prepare her palace according to the rank of Pin. Make sure all the palace attendants are assigned as well.”
The relationship between her and Emperor Yongchang had only recently begun to improve.
There was no need to fall out over something like this.
Xie Gugu sighed and hurried away to carry out the order.
Empress Feng was not particularly pleased about the matter, but the Crown Prince was overjoyed.
Looking at Liao Bin, he asked eagerly, “Are you absolutely certain? Royal Father said he intends to confer upon her the title of Li Pin?”
A palace maid who would enter the harem directly as a Consort.
Emperor Yongchang kept insisting that no one could ever replace Noble Consort Xiao Liu, but his actions clearly told a different story.
The Crown Prince himself was a man.
No one understood better than he did that a man’s lower half and his brain were often two entirely separate things.
He burst into loud laughter.
Good!
Excellent!
This plan has finally succeeded!
Seeing him laughing so hard that he could barely catch his breath, Liao Bin became worried. “Your Highness, please take it easy! Take it easy! Things aren’t completely settled yet. Please don’t get too excited.”
The imperial physicians had repeatedly warned him not to allow his emotions to fluctuate too drastically.
But the Crown Prince paid no attention.
Indeed, he did not care at all.
He was practically delirious with joy.
After laughing enough, he coldly instructed: “You must tell Mingcheng that Royal Father has already decided to pass the throne to Xiao Yunting. Once Xiao Yunting returns, there won’t be any place left for Yongrong.”
Princess Mingcheng had been raised by Princess Baorong.
All those strange ideas and shocking beliefs that filled Princess Baorong’s mind had been passed down to her.
That was why the Crown Prince had always known that the constantly tearful and spoiled Princess Mingcheng was actually the most dangerous one of all.
And he had guessed correctly.
Choosing to cooperate with Princess Mingcheng had truly been a brilliant move.
Feeling refreshed, he added with a smile, “Tell her that only by firmly holding Royal Father’s heart can they obtain everything they want. As for me? Tell them I’ve already had a stroke and don’t have many years left to live.”
Liao Bin immediately understood and replied cheerfully, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Then he headed straight for Princess Mingcheng’s residence.
Princess Mingcheng was currently staring at Furong.
Furong’s cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. Looking delicate and timid, she knelt on the floor, biting her lip and looking at the princess nervously.
Princess Mingcheng was still young, but she understood perfectly well what had happened.
She snorted coldly. “You slut! Don’t think that becoming Li Pin makes you the same as my royal mother! Keep dreaming!”
Her royal mother had been Royal Father’s most beloved consort.
That fact would never change.
Furong whimpered and tearfully agreed.
But Princess Mingcheng suddenly smiled. “It’s alright if you don’t listen to me. If you refuse to obey, I’ll kill every single one of your relatives. Every one of them. Including your two-year-old little brother…”
The words frightened Furong so badly that she collapsed onto the floor, repeatedly kowtowing and begging for mercy.
Only then did Princess Mingcheng seem to feel slightly better.
She threw a teacup and shouted sharply, “Get out!”
Biting her lip, Furong rose to her feet and retreated carefully while crying.
Liao Bin clicked his tongue. “Your Highness, that’s rather unfriendly. You know, this Li Pin will likely become one of His Majesty’s favorites. Offending her like this may not be wise.”
Princess Mingcheng was in a terrible mood and had no interest in arguing.
She asked coldly, “What are you here for?”
Liao Bin sat down across from her and said softly, “I’ve merely come to remind Your Highness that we’ve only succeeded halfway. You can’t kill the donkey after it has finished pulling the millstone.”
Princess Mingcheng remained silent.
Liao Bin continued calmly, “This time, when the Imperial Grandson was attacked on his journey to the Northwest, His Majesty was furious. He even openly spoke of the crime of harming the heir apparent. His affection for the Young Imperial Grandson is obvious.”
Princess Mingcheng’s expression darkened further.
She knew that was true.
Emperor Yongchang genuinely adored Xiao Yunting.
Leaning back in her chair, she rubbed her forehead tiredly.
Only then did Liao Bin quietly say, “Your Highness, the item in your possession can be given to Li Pin in small amounts. Let her add a little of it to His Majesty’s food or drink. No matter what, His Majesty must become unable to live without Li Pin.”
Princess Mingcheng abruptly raised her head. “You dare!”
“Your Highness, I dare only for your own good,” Liao Bin replied fearlessly. “With the Young Imperial Grandson’s abilities, his return may not be far off. He might even make it back in time for the New Year. When that happens, what will you do?”
He leaned forward slightly. “The only option is to keep His Majesty firmly in your grasp, isn’t it?”
Princess Mingcheng sat there with a dark expression, saying nothing.
She was not without inner conflict.
Ever since childhood, Emperor Yongchang had treasured her dearly.
Even after the downfall of Duke Chu’s household, after Noble Consort Xiao Liu’s death, after Qi Wang’s downfall, and after her elder sister died in disgrace, Royal Father had still kept her and Yongrong safely in the palace.
She should have been able to rely on him.
But could she rely on him forever?
Even ten fingers are not all the same length.
Royal Father clearly favored Xiao Yunting more.
Yet Xiao Yunting was the chief culprit behind the destruction of Duke Chu’s household.
Even her brother…
Her brother had died at Xiao Yunting’s hands.
Even if she and Yongrong remained obedient and kept their heads down, would their future truly be peaceful?
How could one allow another to sleep soundly beside one’s own bed?
Yongrong’s very identity ensured that people would never fully trust him.
She struggled internally for a long time.
Only after an unknown period did she finally say coldly, “I understand.”
Without changing expression, Liao Bin took a small cloth bundle from his robe and handed it to her with a smile. “Your Highness, the item belongs to you. How you choose to use it is entirely your decision.”
Princess Mingcheng gripped the bundle tightly.
For a moment she was so tense she did not know how to react.
After a long silence, she finally shouted sharply, “Get out!”
Liao Bin rose with a smile and left.
Before departing, however, he turned back and cast Princess Mingcheng a meaningful glance.
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