Duan Mingxi knew things wouldn’t go smoothly, but she never imagined the situation would spiral into such chaos.
Sure enough, a major incident occurred at the Eastern Palace’s Three-Day Cleansing Banquet: Side Consort Qian miscarried, and Consort Gui accused the Empress of foul play—saying the Empress took action against Side Consort Qian because the Crown Princess failed to give birth to the Emperor’s first legitimate grandson, trying to prevent that child from being born into Jin Wang’s household.
The Empress flew into a rage and accused Consort Gui of slander, asking the Emperor to thoroughly investigate Side Consort Qian’s pulse records.
Consort Gui, naturally, was unafraid.
Side Consort Qian’s pregnancy had always been considered stable—she had nothing to hide.
But unexpectedly, after the imperial physicians checked her pulse and then compared it to the medical records, they discovered discrepancies. They reported to the Emperor that Side Consort Qian’s pregnancy had been dangerous from the beginning and never likely to end in safe childbirth—yet the records stated her pulse had been steady. The gap was too large and the Emperor was asked to launch a full investigation.
The Empress seized the opportunity to counterattack, accusing Consort Gui of deliberately plotting against the Crown Prince, going so far as to use Side Consort Qian’s pregnancy as a gamble. If the imperial physician’s words were true, then Consort Gui had been scheming for months, clearly harboring ill intentions to harm the Eastern Palace. She petitioned the Emperor to investigate thoroughly.
Given the gravity of the matter, Side Consort Qian was taken away for interrogation, along with all her attendants, including Qi Momo.
Duan Huirou, however, escaped this disaster—having married in recently, and never having involved herself in Side Consort Qian’s affairs since the latter became pregnant.
Side Consort Qian’s residence was turned upside down, and even the medicinal dregs buried under the flowering tree were dug up and taken away.
Very quickly, Side Consort Qian confessed. She admitted that she had known from the beginning her pregnancy was too weak to carry to term, and that she had acted under Consort Gui’s orders to falsely accuse the Empress and Eastern Palace.
Not only did Side Consort Qian confess, but everyone around her—except Qi Momo—admitted guilt. Qi Momo, already in poor health, did not survive long under torture and died within a few days in prison.
Soon after, chaos broke out in Yuxiang City again—Qinan launched another surprise attack. Gao Ling led the troops to respond but, being arrogant and stubborn, suffered a crushing defeat in the first battle and retreated into the city, refusing to come out.
Qinan forces burned, killed, and looted outside the city. Seeing the dire situation, Xiao Lin could no longer maintain appearances and immediately requested to lead troops into battle. Gao Ling, afraid Xiao Lin would gain merit by defeating the enemy, flatly refused.
The two men clashed. Xiao Lin, furious, vomited blood on the spot and was carried away.
Gao Ling had no choice but to lead troops out again, but this time he wasn’t so lucky—he was shot and killed during his retreat.
Battle reports from Yuxiang City were sent back to the capital in quick succession, requesting reinforcements.
The Emperor flew into a rage. Gao Ling had been recommended by Zhang Gelao, who was now implicated. Coupled with Consort Gui’s framing of the Empress and Crown Prince, the Emperor, in his fury, sentenced Side Consort Qian to death, demoted Consort Gui to the rank of Jieyu, and publicly rebuked Zhang Gelao—his position nearly lost.
At this time, the Emperor had originally intended to dispatch the Fengcheng Marquis to the south to support Yuxiang City, but he had gone out to sea to suppress bandits and his return was uncertain.
Xiao Muchen’s faction quickly recommended Xiao Lin, citing his familiarity with both Yuxiang City and Qinan after spending considerable time stationed there with the Marquis. At such a critical moment, they argued, it would be unwise to change generals and disrupt morale. It would be better to let Xiao Lin temporarily assume command and focus on repelling the enemy.
Xiao Lin was entrusted with command in this emergency, and, just as Xiao Muchen had anticipated, firmly secured control over Yuxiang City.
At that moment, Yu Wangfei, whose due date had passed without signs of labor, quietly gave birth.
She delivered the Emperor’s first legitimate grandson. This joyous news finally brought a smile to the Emperor’s face. Even the long-disfavored Yu Wang rose in favor.
Consort Xian was overjoyed and showered Yu Wangfei with rewards, instructing her attendants to care for her closely. Because of the war with Qinan and the scandal at the Eastern Palace’s three-day banquet, the Yu Manor’s banquet was held discreetly.
While Yu Manor brimmed with joy, the Jin Palace was desolate.
Jin Wang was completely dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand how things could change so drastically in a single day.
The Side Consort he had always cherished had falsely accused his own mother. Because of Side Consort Qian’s false charges, his mother was demoted to Jieyu. Qi Momo died in prison. He truly couldn’t fathom why Side Consort Qian had done such a thing.
Duan Huirou, married for the first time, had immediately been thrown into a political storm. She was so terrified her legs had gone weak. She had never imagined things could turn so dangerous. Once she calmed herself, she realized this was a perfect chance to win favor in front of Consort Gui… now-Jieyu. She promptly entered the palace to perform her duties as a good daughter-in-law.
She thought Yu Wangfei’s path had been a wise one—if she could win over Zhang Jieyu, then even as a second wife, she could solidify her position in the Jin Palace.
Besides, Side Consort Qian was already dead.
After the new year, turmoil continued at court. The struggle between the Empress and the Consort Gui gradually reached a conclusion.
Because of Side Consort Qian’s false accusations, the Crown Prince actually benefited and was released from confinement. Facing the demoted Jieyu, the Empress felt especially satisfied and vindicated.
Consort Xian and Consort De were both deeply unsettled—they had been very close to Consort Gui these past few months.
Only Consort Shu remained unmoved, like a fisherman patiently waiting. Regardless of the strife between the Empress and Consort Gui, she had never outwardly involved herself. In fact, to avoid suspicion, she had distanced herself from Consort Gui and incurred her displeasure, causing friction between them.
After all this, the Emperor looked over his harem and saw that Consort Shu was still the one he favored most.
Everyone else had gotten involved to some degree—only she had not.
In the blink of an eye, May arrived. The situation in Yuxiang City gradually stabilized, and the atmosphere at court began to relax.
At that moment, news broke from the Eastern Palace that Jiang Liangdi had suffered a miscarriage. Just as things had begun to calm down, the Eastern Palace was once again thrust into the spotlight.
As soon as June began, Xiao Muchen grew nervous—Mingxi was due to give birth that month.
Consort Shu sent over a midwife she had prepared long ago. In the birthing quarters, Fang Momo led people in cleaning and preparation several times. Li Mama served attentively all day, not daring to slack for even a moment.
When news of a great victory came from Yuxiang City, Mingxi labored for a full day and night before finally giving birth to her and Xiao Muchen’s eldest daughter.
Consort Shu showed no disappointment. Yu Wangfei had already borne the Emperor’s first legitimate grandson, and the Crown Princess had given birth to the legitimate eldest granddaughter. Whether Mingxi bore a boy or a girl, it wouldn’t be the eldest of either—so long as mother and child were healthy, Consort Shu was pleased.
Xiao Muchen stared at his daughter without blinking. He looked at his wife, then thought of his own handsome face, and couldn’t understand—how had they managed to produce such an ugly baby girl?
He didn’t dare say it aloud, fearing he’d upset Mingxi. He secretly fretted. If it had been a son, good looks or not wouldn’t matter. But for a daughter—what girl doesn’t care about her appearance?
Before he could come up with a solution, he noticed that their daughter changed every day—becoming prettier by the day. Especially when those dark eyes looked at him, his heart melted completely.
Mingxi’s body had always been stronger than most women’s, and she recovered quickly. Within just half a month, she looked vibrant and glowing with health. If not for Li Mama and Fang Momo watching her closely, she felt she could probably wrestle a bull.
The tiny baby laid sleeping soundly beside her. Mingxi turned to look at her, joy bubbling in her chest—it could not be suppressed.
This was her child—bound to her by blood.
“Wangfei, Jin Wangfei has arrived.”
Mingxi said softly, “Why has she come now? Invite her in.”
Duan Huirou followed Qiancao into the room. She first looked at the little princess—her niece—then hung a small golden lock around the baby’s neck before turning to Duan Mingxi and said, “Jieyu is ill.”
Mingxi was momentarily stunned. If it were just an ordinary illness, Duan Huirou wouldn’t have made a special trip. She immediately asked, “Is it very serious?”
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Soo many things happening..and we have a baby girl????❤️❤️❤️ not Muchen saying the baby is ugly seriously😂