“His Highness said that the plot involving Xingan Marquis’s residence is likely unknown to Jin Wang.” Xu Yunhui spoke slowly.
Consort Shu’s mind worked quickly, and she immediately said, “Jin Wang and Consort Gui have always been proud, and they have treated Xingan Marquis’s family well over the years. I never expected that they would be the ones to betray them.”
“Well, well! I will go find Consort Gui at once. Who would have thought that Jin Wangfei is so devoted to her natal family that she would even sacrifice her own husband?”
“Aunt,” Xu Yunhui called out, stopping her.
“Yunhui, is there something else?” Consort Shu asked cheerfully. Things had been going quite smoothly for her lately.
Xu Yunhui nodded slightly, his sharp, chiseled features carrying a faint smile, like ice beginning to thaw. He spoke slowly, “Aunt, how do you plan to present this matter to Consort Gui?”
Consort Shu replied, “Naturally, I will tell her the truth.”
“Aunt, between Jingyuan Marquis and Xingan Marquis, there must be a distinction in priority.”
The primary target had to be chosen carefully.
The excitement in Consort Shu’s eyes cooled slightly. “You mean?”
“Aunt, the case of Lu Zhiliang must not be buried.”
Consort Shu, who had been engrossed in palace intrigue, suddenly snapped to clarity. She had been led astray by the Empress!
Her expression turned serious. “You’re right. I was so pleased that I overlooked it.”
“The Empress brought up Yu Wang’s scandal with Miss He to divert His Majesty’s attention from Lu Zhiliang’s case,” Xu Yunhui said softly. “But this is a double-edged sword, isn’t it?”
Yes! How could it not be!
Consort Shu paced slowly within the hall, her mind racing. After a long pause, she turned to her nephew and asked, “Did Xingan Marquis interfere in the Lu Zhiliang case?”
Xu Yunhui nodded lightly. “There must be some vested interest. otherwise, why would the Marquis gamble with the lifelong prospects of his legitimate daughter? No matter how this situation unfolds, Miss He’s reputation is ruined.”
For a young woman who had yet to marry, this was a cruel fate.
unless she successfully became Yu Wangfei, there would be no way to cleanse her reputation.
Therefore, in order to secure He Wanyi’s future, Xingan Marquis would undoubtedly aim to remove Yu Wangfei. Once she was gone, it would be much easier to change the shizi to Jingyuan Marquis’s title.
One scheme linked to another. Xu Yunhui recalled his Father’s words: Xingan Marquis must not be underestimated.
And sure enough, his Father had been right.
Xu Yunhui laid out the entire situation in detail. Although Consort Shu had already been aware of parts of it, hearing it explained in full made everything clear. She couldn’t help but curse in fury, “Despicable scoundrels!”
Seeing his aunt’s outrage, Xu Yunhui continued, “Aunt, this shows that Xingan Marquis has great ambitions, even to the point of dragging both Jin Wang and Yu Wang into this. I suspect this matter is connected to Duke Cao.”
“There must be a connection,” Consort Shu agreed immediately. “Lu Zhiliang was originally loyal to the Empress, and it was Duke Cao who introduced him to her. The Empress and the Crown Prince have always viewed the other princes as obstacles. I just didn’t expect that their hidden schemes were this intricate.”
A hint of fear surfaced in Consort Shu’s eyes. She had believed she understood the Empress’s machinations clearly, but now she realized the Empress was far more formidable than she had imagined. So much had already been orchestrated out of her sight.
If not for Mingxi’s Third Uncle discovering something amiss by chance and discussing it with Mingxi before forming an alliance with Huang Shao, she would never have uncovered the link between Lu Zhiliang and the Empress. She would never have realized that the Empress was willing to sacrifice He Wanyi to take down both Yu Wang and Jin Wang for the Crown Prince’s sake!
If the Empress had been allowed to execute her plan seamlessly and then later exposed Yu Wang’s scandal with He Wanyi at the perfect moment…
Consort Shu dared not imagine what the outcome would have been!
Mingxi was truly blessed. Her son had sharp eyes and had chosen a brilliant daughter-in-law for her!
Thinking of this, Consort Shu’s expression grew cold and determined. She looked at her nephew and said, “This matter runs deep. We cannot let Kunde Palace off so easily.”
“Aunt, just give the word.” Xu Yunhui had anticipated that his aunt wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
Consort Shu let out a slow breath and told him, “Muchen and I must keep watch over the palace. The situation with the Emperor is constantly shifting, and we cannot allow the Empress and Crown Prince to succeed. So, outside the palace, I need you to pay extra attention.”
“Of course, Aunt, you can count on me.” Xu Yunhui understood the stakes, which was why he had reminded her earlier.
“Mingxi is a clever girl. You should consult with her on important matters.”
Xu Yunhui: …
Did his aunt really hold Miss Duan in such high regard?
He nodded slightly. “Naturally, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to meet with her privately. I’ll have Nanxi pass along any messages.”
“That works as well,” Consort Shu agreed. in her urgency, she had overlooked this point. “You’re quite thoughtful. Be sure to explain everything to your Father as well. Restraining Duke Cao and Xingan Marquis will depend on him.”
“Yes. Before I entered the palace, Father hadn’t yet returned home. I believe he is already working on this matter.”
Consort Shu was very satisfied. With her family’s support, she had a solid foundation in the palace. “You should leave the palace now. I will head to Consort Gui’s Yuzhen Palace. This grand performance cannot be allowed to collapse just yet.”
Xu Yunhui: …
His aunt was still the same as ever. Without hesitation, he left the palace.
Consort Shu deliberately changed her attire, opting for something more elegant. Even her hair was styled in a gentle side-cloud bun, adorned with a simple pearl hairpin, making her look even more graceful and harmless.
Inside Yuzhen Palace, Consort Gui was in an excellent mood. Ah, finally! Consort Xian and Yu Wang had lost all face. Surely, this would drastically diminish Yu Wang’s standing in the Emperor’s eyes—what wonderful news!
“Consort Shu? What is she doing here?” Consort Gui was slightly surprised. The last time they had interacted closely was due to their shared opposition to the Empress, but they weren’t close enough to visit each other frequently.
“Let her in,” Consort Gui said.
As soon as Consort Shu entered the hall, Consort Gui personally came forward to greet her with a smile. “What brings you here today?”
Consort Shu gave a faint smile. Though the four consorts held equal rank, Consort Gui was still considered the foremost among them. She offered a slight bow before responding, “Naturally, the wind from all directions.”
Consort Gui: …
I really can’t be bothered with you!
She invited Consort Shu to sit and ordered the attendants to serve tea before observing her guest closely. “Why do you look so troubled? Given the situation in the palace, shouldn’t you be pleased?”
Watching the Empress and Consort Xian fall from grace—such opportunities were rare.
Consort Shu lifted her gaze slightly, the worry on her face deepening before she let out a soft sigh. “I hadn’t intended to come, but this concerns Jin Wang. He has always been respectful and courteous to me, and I can’t bear to see the boy deceived.”
“What?” Consort Gui was momentarily stunned. What did this have to do with her son?
Oh—if there was any connection, it was through Jin Wangfei’s younger sister, who had been humiliated. But she was only a distant relation by marriage; it wasn’t a big deal.
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