Imperial Observatory.

A young Taoist priest in blue robes reported respectfully, "Reporting to Master, Yuan Qi had dinner with the sixth young master of the Bai family at Baihelou today."

"She seems to be living a leisurely life all day long. Does she still go to Tianshui Street to set up a stall every day?" Xuan Qing asked coldly.

Kong Mo said, "Yes, it's near our Wuji Palace, three divinations a day. Master, did our two senior brothers die in vain?"

Xuan Qing felt extremely saddened when he thought of Kong Qing and Kong Ling. They were his most promising disciples, whom he had carefully nurtured for many years. Yuan Qi had killed his two disciples without any remorse, and the murderer was still at large. How could he accept this?

Xuan Qing revealed a ruthless look. Wuji Palace had done so much for the Emperor, yet the Emperor refused to protect the disciples of Wuji Palace. He watched as the disciples of Wuji Palace died tragically, yet he did not issue an edict to punish the culprits.

Xuanji, who had devoted herself to him for many days, died. The emperor only sighed a few times and asked how Xuanji died.

This heartless emperor is truly disheartening. If I want revenge, I can't rely on the emperor; I have to rely on myself.

However, Xuan Qing reacted indifferently, saying without any expression, "Their lack of skill is no one's fault but theirs."

Kong Mo dared not say anything. He knew that his master was always cold-hearted and would not be saddened by the death of anyone. Then he said the purpose of his visit: "Master, the Emperor has summoned you to discuss matters."

Xuan Qing slowly stood up and snorted softly, "It's just a discussion about how to deal with the four major families, no need to rush. Give the order to have someone keep an eye on Yuan Qi."

"Yes." Kong Mo had been following Xuan Qing for more than three months. Xuan Qing never taught him any magic techniques, but only asked him to do some secret things. Although he was very unhappy, after becoming his master's last disciple, the attitude of his fellow disciples around him was obviously different.

Kong Mo was still quite satisfied. He believed that in time, his master would definitely teach him magic, and perhaps this was just a test for him.

He has to withstand the test; besides, many disciples of great masters have to go through such a period of time.

...

At noon, exquisite dishes were laid out on the table in front of Consort Feng.

Most of them were foods that the Crown Prince liked to eat. There was a booklet next to her, which was sent by the Eastern Palace Administration Office.

Consort Feng turned the pages one by one, her brows furrowing as she read.

"This is outrageous! The Crown Prince is so full of vigor, how come he hasn't favored any of his concubines for seven or eight months? I'm still waiting to hold my grandson, how can this go on?"

She let out a heavy sigh: "And this Crown Princess, why doesn't she come to me to discuss this matter?"

The old woman next to him took the booklet, handed it to the eunuch next to her, and waved for them to leave.

Then the nanny guessed, "The Crown Princess is too young to talk about such things. Why don't you call her over and give her some pointers?"

Consort Feng hummed in agreement: "Come to think of it, the Crown Prince only became like this after the last incident. I asked him several times, but he just wouldn't say what happened during the time he was imprisoned by Tanxi. Could it be that he has some kind of psychological trauma?"

The old nanny sighed beside her, "Perhaps so. I also think that the Crown Prince is hiding something from Your Highness. Your Highness should have a good talk with His Highness. I've noticed that His Highness has become much more withdrawn these days. He doesn't like to talk and is very polite to Your Highness, unlike before when he would tell you everything."

Consort Feng was also troubled. In the past, her son was very close to her and they talked about everything, from their brotherly relationship to which palace maid seduced him, to which eunuch was having an affair with which palace maid. She was very gossipy about everything.

Now, aside from exchanging a few polite greetings, they refuse to say anything else.

Just then, Xiao Yi arrived, his face cold and expressionless. He greeted Consort Feng, "Mother, did you call your son here for something?"

Even when he greeted Consort Feng, Xiao Yi remained indifferent and showed little interest, barely glancing at the table full of dishes.

Consort Feng saw this and felt very distressed. Her son had lost interest in his favorite dishes. What should she do?

"Sit down and have a meal with your mother. You've lost weight these days. Is it because the cooks in the Eastern Palace aren't serving you properly?" Consort Feng asked with a somewhat sharp expression.

Xiao Yi looked at the large table of dishes, most of which were his favorite foods in the past. Knowing what his mother meant, he felt a little irritated. He had been annoyed lately by people nagging him about what to do and what not to do.

"Mother, please don't worry. The servants are taking good care of me. It's just that I don't have much of an appetite." Xiao Yi frowned, quite disgusted by Consort Feng's words. These days, he just wanted to live according to his own wishes. "Don't say anything more. I know my own body."

Consort Feng dismissed the nannies and servants before patiently speaking: "I've read the records of the Imperial Household Department. It's been several months, and you haven't even summoned a single concubine. If they don't suit your taste, your mother will pick a few more for you to serve."

Xiao Yi became even more agitated, recalling the time he was imprisoned and harassed and raped by those female ghosts, a fate worse than death.

He didn't tell anyone about this, for fear of losing face.

Because of this incident, he developed a psychological aversion to women and no longer wanted to interact with them.

Although he knew his woman wouldn't do that, he still couldn't bring himself to be close to those women.

"Mother, please stop talking. I don't need it. The Crown Princess is fine."

These days, Jiang Bailu hasn't been bothering him as much. Instead, she thoughtfully delivers some tonics and leaves. He is very satisfied with the Crown Princess's tact.

"How can this be?" Consort Feng was also getting anxious. "My son, your wedding has been going on for a while now, and the Crown Princess's belly is still not showing any signs of pregnancy. The Empress has been subtly and overtly making snide remarks to me..."

Xiao Yi said impatiently, "I said I don't need it, Mother, please don't worry about it."

He lost his appetite, put down his chopsticks, stood up, and said, "I'm full. Mother, please eat by yourself."

After saying that, he left without waiting for Consort Feng's consent.

When the nanny came in, she saw Consort Feng secretly shedding tears.

"Your Majesty, don't be sad..."

Consort Feng choked up and said, "He must have encountered something to become like this. As his mother, it hurts me to see my son in pain and I can't help him at all."

The old woman was at a loss and could only try to find a solution through the Crown Princess: "Your Highness, why don't we ask the Crown Princess to come over? Perhaps she will have a solution."

Consort Feng disagreed: "What can she do? It's good enough if she doesn't cause trouble. If she had a solution, would things have turned out this way? Would I have gone to all that trouble to invite the Crown Prince to dinner?"

The old woman gently advised, "Your Highness, I've inquired and found out that the Crown Princess used to bother the Crown Prince quite often and was scolded by him a lot. But recently the Crown Prince's attitude towards the Crown Princess has improved. Let's call her over; what if she has a solution?"

Consort Feng shook her head and sighed, "No need."