Duchess Cao was so terrified she fell straight onto the floor!
Kill who?
Zhenbei Wang?
Was she trying to send her daughter to an early grave?
How could Her Majesty the Empress say something so terrifying?
Seeing her sister-in-law’s terrified expression, the Empress felt both disappointment and sadness. All these years she had supported her maternal family in countless ways, yet in return, they only caused her endless trouble.
Her brother hadn’t even been able to control the insignificant Xingan Marquis; it was only after the Crown Prince grew up that the Marquis was finally brought to heel and made to serve the Eastern Palace.
Yet when the Marquis got into trouble, her brother couldn’t even save him — and almost got dragged down himself.
Look at the other royal consorts — their natal families were all competent and reliable. Only she, the Empress, had to worry herself sick over hers.
If her Father were still alive…
If her brilliant half-brother had not died…
The Empress’s expression darkened.
The smartest, most talented member of the Li family had been her half-brother. Sadly, her own mother, fearing he might one day overshadow her full brother, had taken matters into her own hands and orchestrated an “accident.”
Back then, the Empress had been young and ignorant. By the time she realized what had happened, it was too late.
Even when she learned the truth, she hadn’t thought much of it — but now she regretted it bitterly. If her half-brother had lived and she had supported him, the Li family would surely be in a much stronger position today. She wouldn’t have had to rely solely on women’s tricks to navigate the treacherous waters of the harem.
Was she tired?
Of course she was.
What chilled her most now was her sister-in-law’s attitude — so utterly self-centered, without a single thought for the Empress’s position.
Did they really expect her to suppress Zhenbei Wangfei just to cater to Peilan? Did they not understand how important maintaining propriety and rules was for the Empress’s control over the royal consorts?
The more the Empress stayed silent, the more terrified Duchess Cao became. She sat there, sweating buckets, twisting her handkerchief into knots but not daring to say a word.
Finally, the Empress glanced at her coldly and said, “Escort Duchess Cao out of the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Lu Momo, stepping forward at once.
“Your Majesty…” Duchess Cao panicked and scrambled to her feet, wanting to plead, but the Empress ignored her and walked straight into the inner hall.
Lu Momo smiled with cold politeness at Duchess Cao. “Madam, please.”
Duchess Cao hadn’t been treated so coldly by the Empress in years. Her face flushed with humiliation, and, clenching her teeth, she turned and left.
After sending off Duchess Cao, Lu Momo returned to the inner hall, only to see the Empress leaning against a soft pillow, looking exhausted. She couldn’t help feeling a pang of pity and stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. It’s not worth harming your health.”
“How could I not be angry?” The Empress let out a cold laugh. “All these years, have I not supported my natal family enough? Yet look at her—not only is she ungrateful, but she even dares to point fingers at me. Utterly shameless.”
It was her indulgence that had spoiled her natal family.
“Your Majesty, perhaps you could have His Highness the Crown Prince say a word to Duke Cao. If His Highness speaks, the Duke will surely understand the seriousness,” Lu Momo advised.
Lu Momo had seen many like Duchess Cao—relying on the Empress being a daughter of the Li family and her favor toward her natal family, they lost their propriety and dared to act insolently.
The Empress was silent for a long moment before saying, “A leopard can’t change its spots. I’m afraid it won’t help. I can’t rely on her anymore. Do this—choose a strict and capable Momo to be sent to Peilan’s side, to keep an eye on her. Do not let her cause trouble in the Zhenbei Wang Mansion. Otherwise, I will not spare her.”
Given the Crown Prince’s precarious situation, they could not afford to offend Zhenbei Wang and his wife further.
The incident with Gan Li had already planted seeds of resentment. She had planned for Peilan to marry into Zhenbei Wang’s family to form a familial bond, hoping to ease past grudges.
With such a connection, even if Zhenbei Wang did not openly support the Crown Prince, with Peilan as his daughter-in-law, others would hesitate to draw him into their own factions.
That was the Empress’s plan, crafted with great effort—only to be nearly ruined by her sister-in-law’s foolishness. Was this marriage an alliance, or the start of a feud?
“Your Majesty, this is an excellent plan. I will carefully select someone to send over,” Lu Momo promptly responded.
“Pick someone tough enough to control Peilan,” the Empress said coldly.
As much as she loved her niece, no affection could compare to the importance of her son.
Meanwhile, after failing to find Consort Shu, Consort De, feeling stifled, headed toward Consort Xian’s palace. However, Yu Wangfei was already there, happily chatting with Consort Xian. The atmosphere was full of laughter. After sitting for a while, feeling out of place and unable to vent her frustrations in front of Yu Wangfei, Consort De finished a cup of tea and made an excuse to leave.
Once Consort De left, Consort Xian let out a quiet sigh of relief and said to Yu Wangfei, “In the future, stay away from Qi Wangfei unless absolutely necessary.”
Someone with such a troublemaking nature—it was better to steer clear.
Yu Wangfei quickly nodded. “I will listen to Royal Mother. Seventh Sister-in-law’s temper is far too fiery. How could she argue with the Seventh Brother like that? And after fighting, she just went back to her maiden home. Seventh Brother must have lost face, and who knows what will happen between the two of them now.”
Hearing her daughter-in-law speak so sensibly, Consort Xian couldn’t help but recall that her son’s wife had never quarreled with him after marriage, always being thoughtful and accommodating.
Yet her foolish son had fallen for that sly little fox He Wanyi, leading to the Emperor’s displeasure.
She tried not to think about it, but the more she did, the angrier she became.
Consort Xian turned to ask Yu Wangfei, “Has he asked to visit Side Consort He recently?”
Yu Wangfei’s eyes flickered briefly with indifference, but her voice remained dutiful. “Since the last incident, my husband has not visited Side Consort He. News from the separate courtyard says that Side Consort He is unwell. I arranged for a physician to see her. It’s nothing serious, just some emotional distress.”
Consort Xian sneered, “Ignore her. As for her sister’s matter, don’t tell her yet. We’ll discuss it after she gives birth.”
“Yes, Royal Mother,” Yu Wangfei obediently replied.
After leaving the palace, sitting in her carriage, Yu Wangfei finally let a trace of mockery appear on her face.
Consort Xian wasn’t protecting her—she was protecting the child in her womb. If she didn’t give birth to a son, and if He Wanyi did, their attitude toward her and her child would surely change.
She couldn’t count on Consort Xian or Yu Wang. She could only rely on herself.
Thus, He Wanyi’s child could not be allowed to be born.
It wasn’t cruelty—it was necessity.
Two days before Zhenbei Wang’s wedding celebration, news came from the separate courtyard: He Wanyi had suffered a miscarriage.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 15 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
