Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue were also invited over by Consort Hui's messengers.

Although the two women had almost relinquished their power in the palace, when Consort Hui made a scene, no one else could persuade her to back down.

Of course, neither Xiuning nor Tong Jiarongyue could either.

However, as the highest-ranking concubines in the harem, they had the responsibility and obligation to handle the disputes that arose in the harem.

The sedan chair was carried to Chuxiu Palace and landed. Xiuning and Tong Jiarongyue stepped down one after the other.

Consort Jing

Consort Tong

Tong Jiarongyue's eyes were filled with anger, clearly offended by the Crown Prince's actions. "We should go in."

Xiu Ning smiled slightly, “It’s easy to go in but hard to come out.” This was no ordinary accident; it even involved Consort Hui’s personal maid. If the Crown Prince successfully took this person away, regardless of whether the maid had any issues, Consort Hui would not receive any favors from Emperor Kangxi.

It should be noted that Consort Hui's son, Yinti, was accompanying Emperor Kangxi on a campaign against the Dzungars. The two sides were locked in fierce fighting, and judging from the current situation, the Dzungars were suffering repeated defeats. Emperor Kangxi's return to the capital was expected to be brought forward. It was easy to imagine that Yinti would be rewarded by Emperor Kangxi, and might even be promoted from a bald prince to a Beile or Junwang, thus completely distancing himself from the other bald princes in the harem.

Tong Jiarongyue clearly understood the underlying meaning behind Xiuning's words.

However, Yinti's misfortune was not bad for her, since she still had her own son, Yinyu.

“This time, the Crown Prince will not give up until he succeeds,” Tong Jia Rongyue looked up at the plaque of Chuxiu Palace, “I’m afraid Consort Hui will not be able to stop him.”

The people the Crown Prince brought in were all physically strong. Would Consort Hui's tantrums and tantrums be of any use? Once the Crown Prince used force, Consort Hui would have no choice but to admit defeat.

“We two weren’t involved, so we can see it clearly, but Consort Hui might not,” Consort Hui said, regardless of whether she understood or not, she couldn’t let Chengxin be taken away by the Crown Prince.

"Alright, if we don't go in now, people might hold a grudge. Let's go in and see."

Xiu Ning stopped chatting with Tong Jia Rongyue. The two exchanged a glance and stepped into the gate of Chuxiu Palace at the same time.

As soon as they entered, the two heard a commotion coming from the yard.

Consort Hui was refuting the Crown Prince, and the situation between the two sides was tense and on the verge of a physical confrontation. They might clash and start pushing each other at any moment.

Xiu Ning looked at the two groups of people and stood in the middle with Tong Jia Rongyue in tacit agreement.

"Consort Jing, Consort Tong, you two have arrived."

Consort Hui, still agitated, was reminded by a palace servant that Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue had arrived. She turned her head, her words filled with anger, "You've come at the right time. You must give me a fair judgment. Why did the Crown Prince, without distinguishing right from wrong, bring these guards directly to my Chuxiu Palace to arrest people?"

The Crown Prince's face was grim. Ignoring Consort Hui, he turned to greet Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue, then produced his decree authorizing him to oversee the country and manage the harem. "My actions are always well-documented. Consort Hui, please stop making trouble here and hand the suspect over to me as soon as possible."

The Crown Prince forced himself to suppress his dwindling patience, trying to take Consort Hui's personal maid away without causing any physical contact.

However, this matter is ultimately impossible. Consort Hui might be able to compromise on a mere ordinary palace maid, but it is obvious that it would be very difficult to accomplish when it involves Consort Hui's personal maid.

The guards who came with the Crown Prince were also helpless. They could only obey their master's orders. Consort Hui on the other side was clearly not going to back down. When the two sides started fighting, would they really fight back or pretend to back down? If they really fought back, would Consort Hui retaliate? If they pretended to back down, would it displease the Crown Prince?

These questions lingered in the minds of the guards, making them hesitant to take any action and causing them to act with restraint.

However, the palace maids and eunuchs standing behind Consort Hui did not have this concern.

The main problem is that they are already in Consort Hui's palace. If they offend Consort Hui, their only way out is to return to the Imperial Household Department.

It's important to understand that palace servants who are sent back to the Imperial Household Department don't have the right to be reassigned. Even if they do, they're usually assigned to various cold palaces or remote palaces. They're not the ones who benefit, but they're the first to take the blame when it comes to the consequences.

The imperial harem is a place where personal relationships are essential; without a powerful backer, one cannot succeed.

Therefore, the palace servants here fully support Consort Hui's actions. They are not afraid to confront the guards at all. As long as their mistress is not in trouble, they will be fine. If their mistress is in trouble, none of them will escape. What is there to be afraid of?

The atmosphere between the two sides grew increasingly tense, and Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rongyue frowned as they watched.

It's really hard for either of them to say anything. Helping Consort Hui offends the Crown Prince, and helping the Crown Prince offends Consort Hui. The best way is to not help either of them.

Unfortunately, they wanted to ignore everyone, but Consort Hui's purpose in inviting them was not merely for show.

After the contest ended inconclusively, Consort Hui and the Crown Prince tacitly turned their attention to Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rong Yue.

Judging from this, Xiu Ning and Tong Jia Rongyue definitely need to come up with a solution.

"Hmph! What are you looking at me for?"

Tong Jiarong sneered, thinking to herself that she wouldn't do anything that would offend people.

With her hands shrugged, Tong Jiarongyue stood still.

Consort Hui and the Crown Prince were momentarily speechless, but no one could do anything about Tong Jia Rongyue. They couldn't force her to come up with a perfect solution for them, after all, she was a Noble Consort (the Emperor's cousin).

“I don’t have any good ideas either,” Xiu Ning sighed with a troubled expression. Before Consort Hui and the Crown Prince could say anything more, she mentioned Cheng Xin, who was standing to the side, “She is Consort Hui’s personal maid. She is different from ordinary palace maids. If any bad rumors spread, it could easily cause trouble.”

Judging from this, it seems to favor Consort Hui.

The Crown Prince was displeased and immediately said that he had discovered that Chengxin's family background was not entirely clean. "Your Highness Consort Jing, if we miss any important clues because of this, Father Emperor will be unhappy when he returns."

The Crown Prince then used Emperor Kangxi to threaten Xiuning.

It's no secret that Emperor Kangxi is coming back.

The Dzungar Khanate could not withstand the Qing army, and Emperor Kangxi, being the emperor, could not stay away for long.

The Crown Prince has received the news, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kangxi will return in September.

There was nothing that could be done about missing the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, as Emperor Kangxi's schedule was already set.

It's already early August, so it's understandable that the Crown Prince is in such a hurry.

Xiu Ning's face turned cold. "I only said that Cheng Xin was involved in a very important matter and it was not convenient for her to leave. I didn't say anything else. Is the Crown Prince accusing me of being ignorant?"