Chen Fu immediately responded, “The Empress and Noble Consort haven’t directly accused Wangye, but the Crown Prince was accompanied by Miss Fu. It’s said that this Miss Fu managed to tear a token from one of the assassins.”
Fu Hongxiao?
A token?
Duan Mingxi’s expression darkened further. She knew Fu Hongxiao all too well. Such a person claiming to have pulled off a token from an assassin was surely fabricating the story.
Duan Mingxi now understood: this was a baseless accusation intended to cast suspicion on Duan Wang in the Emperor’s eyes. Whether Xiao Muchen was guilty or not wasn’t the issue—the question was whether the Emperor believed it.
It was a cunning move aimed straight at the heart.
Consort Shu looked at Mingxi. “Now do you understand?”
Mingxi nodded slightly. She understood.
At that moment, a messenger from Chongzheng Hall arrived to summon Consort Shu. The eunuch delivering the message was courteous and smiled at Consort Shu as he said, “His Majesty has heard that Miss Duan has also entered the palace and asks that Niang Niang bring her along.”
Duan Mingxi slightly bowed in respect.
Consort Shu glanced at the eunuch and said unhurriedly, “It seems Zhang Mingde has finally found the time to report to His Majesty.”
The eunuch dared not respond. On one side was Consort Shu, and on the other was the chief steward close to the Empress—offending either would bring trouble.
Consort Shu made her remark without putting the messenger in a difficult position and brought Mingxi along as they headed to Chongzheng Hall.
Following Consort Shu into Chongzheng Hall, Mingxi stepped into this place for the first time in both her lives. The hall was grand and deep, and as soon as they entered, a refreshing coolness enveloped them, carrying the faint fragrance of dragon musk.
“Your Majesty, this consort humbly greets you.”
Following behind Consort Shu, Duan Mingxi curtseyed respectfully, her head slightly bowed. She refrained from looking around, her posture upright and demeanor composed. The Emperor glanced at her briefly and nodded slightly.
“Rise, my beloved consort.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After standing, Consort Shu then greeted both the Empress and the Noble Consort with a formal bow. Smiling, she remarked, “It’s truly rare to meet Her Majesty the Empress and Noble Consort here. Could it be that His Majesty has something joyous to announce today?”
Hearing Consort Shu’s words, Duan Mingxi almost struggled to maintain her composure.
The Empress, however, remained unruffled, speaking slowly, “Consort Shu, are you aware of the assassination attempt that occurred at Longhu today?”
Consort Shu displayed a look of surprise. “Her Majesty the Empress truly lives up to her position as the head of the harem. The incident involving Muchen’s attempted assassination only happened moments ago, and yet Her Majesty already knows? It seems you hold Duan Wang in high regard.”
“I must thank you on behalf of Duan Wang for your concern. Truly, it’s fortunate that Mingxi was present; otherwise, tonight Muchen might have suffered greatly.”
The Emperor paused in shock. “What? Duan Wang was also attacked?”
Feigning bewilderment, Consort Shu looked at the Emperor with confusion. “Your Majesty, wasn’t that the reason you summoned me here?”
“I had just received the news and was so worried that I immediately had Mingxi brought into the palace to inquire about what happened. But hearing your words now, I assumed Your Majesty was already informed. Could it be you weren’t?”
Consort Shu’s words were calculated, both revealing and striking. First, she disclosed the major news of Xiao Muchen’s assassination attempt, shocking the Emperor. Then, she subtly mocked the Empress for being so well-informed about affairs outside the palace. Finally, she expressed disappointment, posing a question to the Emperor with an undertone of grievance.
Though the Emperor favored the Crown Prince in his heart, at least outwardly, he showed equal care for all his sons.
That last remark from Consort Shu was like a sharp thorn, successfully evoking a sense of guilt in the Emperor toward his son, Duan Wang.
Duan Mingxi, listening from the side, couldn’t help but admire Consort Shu. No wonder she had maintained her position as one of the four prominent consorts and eventually supported her son to rival the Crown Prince. She truly lived up to her reputation.
The Emperor’s expression grew slightly awkward as he glanced at the Empress and Noble Consort.
The Empress: …
The Noble Consort: …
The Noble Consort quickly adjusted her demeanor, feigning surprise as she addressed Consort Shu. “Duan Wang was also attacked? What a coincidence!”
Consort Shu’s face immediately hardened, her tone carrying a trace of anger. “What does Noble Consort mean by this? Duan Wang narrowly escaped death, and yet you make such a flippant remark. It truly chills my heart.”
“Nonsense Consort Shu! I didn’t mean it that way,” the Noble Consort retorted angrily.
“Whether you meant it or not, we’ve been sisters in the harem for decades, so I know you tend to speak without malice,” Consort Shu replied with a measured smile.
The Emperor, looking pleased with Consort Shu’s magnanimity, remarked, “When it comes to thoughtfulness and kindness, no one in the palace compares to Consort Shu.”
The Noble Consort’s face turned green; once again, Consort Shu had used the situation to trample her.
Seeing this, the Empress quickly changed the subject. “Your Majesty, judging by Consort Shu’s words, it seems she is unaware of the attack on the Crown Prince and Jin Wang. However, Miss Fu has already presented evidence. I believe Consort Shu owes us an explanation. After all, while Consort Shu knows about Duan Wang’s attack, her account of the events on Longhu Street seems one-sided.”
Standing beside Consort Shu, Duan Mingxi was entirely overlooked by the Empress and Noble Consort, who refused to even acknowledge her presence. For a less experienced lady, such disdain would have been nerve-wracking, but Mingxi, having faced life and death, found these petty tactics insignificant.
Consort Shu frowned slightly at the Empress’s words and calmly replied, “Your Majesty, the Empress has misunderstood. I only learned of the incident because I sent something to Duan Wang’s residence and received the news. Upon hearing of such a dire event, I was utterly distraught and incapable of focusing on anything else. Furthermore, the people at Duan Wang’s residence were unaware of the attacks on the Crown Prince and Jin Wang. If they didn’t know, how could I? I am not as capable as the Empress in keeping such thorough knowledge of outside affairs.”
The Emperor’s expression shifted slightly, his suspicion subtly surfacing. Though he supported the Crown Prince for being the legitimate heir, it didn’t mean he was entirely free of reservations about him.
Noting the Emperor’s subtle change in demeanor, Consort Shu felt a flicker of satisfaction. She knew her words would provoke unease.
Seeing the Empress preparing to retort, Consort Shu preemptively asked with feigned hesitation, “Your Majesty, when the Empress mentioned Miss Fu, is she referring to the one who was titled Liangdi?”
The Empress’s expression darkened slightly, but before the Emperor, she couldn’t show her displeasure openly. “Yes, that’s her.”
Consort Shu adopted an uncertain look and turned to the Emperor, her hesitance prompting him to ask, “Consort Shu, what are you trying to say?”
With a sigh, Consort Shu, appearing troubled, said, “Your Majesty, I hold no personal grievance against Miss Fu, but after the events surrounding her conferment, she harbors some resentment toward Mingxi and Duan Wang. How can I trust her testimony?”
“Consort Shu!” The Empress, unable to contain her anger, snapped, “What do you mean by this?”
Watching the Empress’s growing ire, Consort Shu deduced that the Emperor wasn’t fully aware of the incident where Mingxi was usurped. This was a divine opportunity to expose the Empress and Crown Prince, and Consort Shu wouldn’t let it slip by.
It was time to tear the mask off their faces!
