Duan Mingxi, worried, got into the carriage heading toward the palace. She also wanted to find out how things had gone at Jin Wang’s residence last night and whether Duan Huirou had behaved herself.
Upon arriving at the palace, she walked toward Cuiwei Palace. The palace corridors were bustling with servants, but everything seemed normal, which eased her mind a little.
When she arrived, Consort Shu waved her over with a smile. “Why are you here so early?”
Mingxi bowed respectfully and said, “I had some worries on my mind, so I came early.”
“Worried about the new Jin Wangfei?” Consort Shu chuckled. “Even if Jin Wang is foolish, he wouldn’t dare embarrass her on a day like yesterday. Don’t worry.”
“It’s not just that. Wangye left the residence very early this morning, and I can’t help but worry.”
Consort Shu froze for a moment. “He left that early? He hasn’t come by here either. Don’t worry, I’ll send someone to check.”
She summoned Chen Fu. “Go find out where Duan Wang is and what he’s doing.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Chen Fu replied and left.
Mingxi couldn’t help but remember what Xiao Muchen had told her earlier about the Qiping Prefecture. Could it be related to that?
But hadn’t they agreed it would happen in a few days?
If it happened ahead of schedule, it must mean something urgent had occurred.
If it wasn’t about Qiping Prefecture, then what could it be?
If it weren’t urgent, Xiao Muchen would surely have left a message—he hadn’t even had time for that, which showed how critical it must be.
Consort Shu looked at Mingxi’s furrowed brows and felt very gratified. At least now her daughter-in-law truly cared about her son, enough to be anxious for him—how could she not be pleased?
“Don’t worry,” she said. “There hasn’t been word of any major events recently. Let’s wait for news.”
Mingxi nodded and relayed to Consort Shu what Xiao Muchen had previously told her about the Qiping Prefecture.
Consort Shu was surprised. “The Qiping matter? His Majesty hasn’t even mentioned it recently. I thought it was still under investigation. Has there already been a breakthrough?”
The Qiping Prefecture was tied to the Kunde Palace mother-son pair, who would surely try to interfere. But Consort Shu hadn’t expected that both Zhong Yuqing and Qu You had been attacked, with Qu You even more seriously injured than Zhong Yuqing.
“Did the Emperor send imperial physicians?” Consort Shu’s expression turned grim. “Why haven’t we heard anything from the palace?”
Mingxi was also shocked. “Royal Mother didn’t know anything?”
Consort Shu nodded. “Exactly. It’s strange.”
Normally, no matter His Majesty’s intentions, news from Chongzheng Hall would eventually leak into the inner palace.
The Qiping case, compared to the Crown Prince’s previous scandals, wasn’t even that catastrophic. His Majesty had covered for the Crown Prince before, so this case shouldn’t have been enough to completely lock down all information either.
Consort Shu had already prepared herself for the possibility that the Emperor would once again raise his hand high and let it fall lightly, as he always did.
After so many years, she was used to it.
But this time, there was no news at all.
Consort Shu suddenly stood up, her eyes shining as she looked at Mingxi.
Mingxi also immediately understood the key point, and both their hearts filled with excitement.
Mingxi stood up as well, speaking in a low voice, “Royal Mother, could it be that this time the Emperor might actually take it more seriously?”
Consort Shu couldn’t give a definite answer either. She looked at Mingxi and said, “The Emperor has never been this solemn before. This time is different.”
Mingxi let out a long breath, a trace of excitement in her voice: “All our efforts were not in vain. We can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Consort Shu grabbed Mingxi’s hand tightly, unable to hide the joy in her eyes. “If the evidence is really solid this time, even if the Emperor doesn’t punish the Crown Prince harshly, the fact that he’s blocking the news already shows he’s disappointed.Who is he trying to keep the news from? Only that one in Kunde Palace. It shows the Emperor is finally dissatisfied with the Empress. This is such good news, wonderful!”
All these years, the Empress had relied on the Crown Prince to remain as steady as a mountain in the harem, while the Four Consorts had been suppressed. How could they possibly be happy about that?
If the Empress had truly been a virtuous woman, Consort Shu would have accepted it.
But was she?
Thinking of the Empress’s deeds, thinking of all the children in the palace who hadn’t survived… if Consort Shu hadn’t protected her own son so tightly back then…
As Consort Shu’s expression shifted between emotions, Mingxi softly said by her side, “I wonder if Kunde Palace knows about this yet.”
Consort Shu turned her head and looked at Mingxi. “What are you thinking?”
Mingxi lowered her voice and said, “Royal Mother, when people panic, they are more likely to make mistakes.”
Consort Shu was stunned for a moment.
Exactly. The Empress probably didn’t know the news yet. If she suddenly received it, she would be desperate to help the Crown Prince — and in her panic, she might slip up.
And once she made a mistake, it would be their chance.
“Let’s wait for Chen Fu to return,” Consort Shu said solemnly.
Mingxi nodded, and the two sat down to wait quietly.
After about the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, Chen Fu hurriedly returned, sweat glistening on his forehead. He bowed and reported, “Your Highness, all the Wangyes are kneeling outside the hall. We don’t know what angered His Majesty. I tried to inquire with Steward Ding, but I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him.”
“Later, I found one of his apprentices. He whispered to me that the Wangye had entered the palace before dawn to seek an audience with His Majesty. After seeing His Majesty, they said something that angered him, and he ordered them out to kneel. Afterwards, even Jin Wang and the others got dragged into it — His Majesty didn’t see them and made them kneel too.”
What kind of situation was this?
Mingxi frowned tightly and asked, “Chief Steward Chen, is there any other news?”
Chen Fu shook his head. “Replying to Wangfei, I only found out this much. But while leaving, I overheard some servants whisper that the Crown Prince might also be kneeling in Chongzheng Hall. Though I can’t confirm if it’s true.”
Consort Shu waved her hand to dismiss Chen Fu and instructed, “Keep a close eye on the front. If there’s any news, report it immediately — and be careful not to get caught.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Chen Fu bowed and left.
After he left, Consort Shu looked at Duan Mingxi and said, “If the Crown Prince really is kneeling inside Chongzheng Hall, then the Emperor must truly be angry over the Qiping Prefecture incident.”
“Exactly because the Crown Prince is kneeling inside, His Majesty made the other Wangyes kneel outside, not allowing them to see him — it’s to preserve the Crown Prince’s dignity,” Mingxi said softly.
Consort Shu nodded slightly and said, “I’ll go greet the Empress now. You stay and wait for the Old Eight’s Wangfei.”
Mingxi understood Consort Shu’s intent — she was protecting her from being dragged into the Empress’s anger — and said sincerely, “Royal Mother, be careful.”
Consort Shu patted Mingxi’s hand. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
Then Consort Shu, taking several attendants with her, left briskly, while Mingxi waited anxiously for the Kang Wangfei to arrive.
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