“Did Consort Zhang summon you to discuss this matter?” Mingxi asked.
Consort Shu let out a cold laugh. “Tan Jieyu is currently riding a wave of favor. A few days ago, she ran into Consort Zhang in the imperial garden. Somehow, she returned with a stomachache, and His Majesty scolded Consort Zhang because of it.”
Mingxi was stunned. Jin Wang had already taken two wives, and the child in Tan Jieyu’s belly wasn’t even a point of contention at this moment. Why would Consort Zhang pick a fight with her?
To put it bluntly, no one even knew yet if the child was a boy or girl, or whether it could be safely born and raised. The older consorts’ sons were already grown, married, and had children. That child would need to grow up before he could even think of competing.
Even if they were displeased with His Majesty’s favor toward this pregnancy, it didn’t make sense to make a reckless move now.
Kang Wangfei listened quietly, her expression somber. “Niang Niang, what did Consort Zhang say?”
Consort Shu sighed. “She said she only exchanged a few words with Tan Jieyu before leaving. The stomachache had nothing to do with her.”
Truly a disaster falling from the sky.
Consort Zhang had already fallen from high favor before and only just reclaimed her rank after being demoted. Even now, with the Crown Prince deposed and the Empress convalescing at Kunde Palace, she had been acting with great caution—not nearly as brash as before.
Yet who would have expected such a blow to fall on her again? Getting scolded by the Emperor—she had grievances but no way to voice them.
Mingxi suddenly had a flash of insight and said, “A few days ago, Zhang Gelao submitted a memorial requesting the Emperor to open maritime trade routes, including the territory under the governor-general of Dongjiang.”
Consort Shu’s expression sharpened. “There was such a thing?”
Kang Wangfei hadn’t heard either and looked at her Fourth Sister-in-law.
Mingxi gave a soft cough. “Zhang Gelao didn’t announce it at court. He submitted a sealed memorial to the throne. Since Wangye is familiar with matters at Donggang, Royal Father consulted him on it.”
“So Zhang Gelao’s memorial must have struck a nerve with Tan Yingtai. That’s why Tan Jieyu made a move against Consort Zhang—to send a warning to Zhang Gelao?” Consort Shu said grimly.
But Mingxi added, “Tan Yingtai is all the way in Dongjiang—how could he have such timely information on court matters? How could Tan Jieyu react so quickly? It doesn’t make sense.”
Messages between the palace and Dongjiang—even by fast horse courier—would still take several days at the very least.
As soon as Mingxi said this, everyone exchanged glances.
Consort Shu stood up immediately. “You two go wait for me at Yuchen Palace. I’m going to speak with Consort Zhang.”
There was clearly an informant on the inside. Zhang Gelao must be warned.
Though Consort Shu and Consort Zhang had their past frictions due to conflicting interests, right now they were temporarily in the same boat, facing Tan Jieyu together. They had to cooperate.
As for Consort Xian—she was a typical fence-sitter, always leaning whichever way the wind blew.
Consort De, with that temperament of hers, wants to sit securely on the fishing platform*—yet Qi Wang is disappointing, and she can’t bring herself to decisively choose a side. She always wants to have it both ways. As for Consort Shu, her relationship with them is merely superficial, with no deep ties.
Not long after Consort Shu left, unexpectedly, Yu Wangfei arrived, holding the hand of her son, Xiao Rong.
Xiao Rong was very well-behaved beside Yu Wangfei. Mingxi and Kang Wangfei greeted them with meeting gifts. Mingxi even picked up Xiao Rong with a smile and said, “Oh my, our little shizi is already this big! Come, Auntie wants a hug.”
Xiao Rong looked back at his mother. Yu Wangfei gave him a nod, and he allowed Mingxi to hold him.
Mingxi invited Yu Wangfei to sit. “Second Sister-in-law, Consort Shu just stepped out—it’s a bit unfortunate timing.”
“I met Niang Niang halfway here and already greeted her,” said Yu Wangfei. “Ronger couldn’t sit still in the room, so I brought him out for a walk. Since we passed by, I thought I’d come in and say hello.”
Mingxi handed a white jade melon to Xiao Rong. He took a bite, found it sweet, and squinted his eyes into a smile.
Mingxi pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of his mouth. She was used to caring for her daughter, so she always kept a handkerchief close. “You like it? Auntie will send a whole cart to you later.”
This white jade melon was a new variety developed on her estate this year. Snow-white throughout, juicy and crisp-sweet in flavor. Xiao Muchen had offered several carts of it to the Emperor.
Consort Shu loved it, and upon learning this, Mingxi regularly sent fresh ones into the palace.
Yu Wangfei smiled. “You’re going to such trouble.”
She didn’t decline. Mingxi’s estate always produced top-quality goods, and by now her name was well established in the capital. Apart from Mingxi, others truly couldn’t buy them.
“Second Sister-in-law, you’re being too polite. Food isn’t like other things—I don’t dare give it out lightly. But if Ronger likes it, just let me know privately. It’s not like it’s some precious treasure.”
Kang Wangfei was a bit surprised at how close Yu Wangfei seemed with her Fourth Sister-in-law. One really couldn’t tell from their appearances in public.
Yu Wangfei shook her head. “I didn’t want to trouble you. If I opened that door, others would start asking too, and would you be able to refuse them? But since you’re giving it to Ronger, I won’t turn it down.”
Mingxi knew Yu Wangfei had become increasingly cautious. She gave her a subtle look.
Yu Wangfei turned to the wetnurse and said, “Take Ronger outside the hall for a little walk. He’s eaten quite a bit—don’t let it upset his stomach.”
The wetnurse stepped forward, picked up Xiao Rong, gave a curtsey, and left.
Xiao Rong leaned quietly against the wetnurse’s shoulder. Mingxi looked at him, then thought of her own mischievous little daughter and suddenly fell silent.
With only the three of them left in the hall, Mingxi quietly told Yu Wangfei about her suspicions regarding Tan Jieyu.
Yu Wangfei furrowed her brows deeply and suddenly said, “A while back, Yu Wang was always going out. Once, he even gave Ronger a three-masted ship, about a foot long, exquisitely crafted. I asked him where it came from, and he said someone gifted it to him. I didn’t think much of it then, but now it seems out of the ordinary.”
Mingxi’s heart sank. She looked at Yu Wangfei and said, “Now that Ronger is the only imperial grandson, you need to keep a close eye on him.”
Precisely because he was the only one, Yu Wang had risen in status. Though the Emperor still disliked him, he had begun assigning him duties.
Yu Wangfei’s heart tightened. “Originally, I didn’t want to bring him into the palace today. But Yu Wang insisted that the child was old enough to visit his Royal grandfather, and that Royal Mother missed her grandson—so I brought him.”
“Second Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Let’s just say we’re being overly cautious—it won’t hurt to stay alert,” Mingxi said.
Yu Wangfei tightly grasped Mingxi’s hand. “Good sister, I know you’re always clever and insightful. I’m counting on you today. If I overlook anything, you must warn me.”
Mingxi nodded. “We’re family, Second Sister-in-law. You can count on me.”
But how could Yu Wangfei really be at ease? Who had given Yu Wang that ship?
And thinking of how he had insisted she bring the child into the palace today—she really shouldn’t have listened to him.
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