The crowd turned to look at the unfamiliar and unremarkable face, but it was filled with an innocent expression. As the phoenix eyes moved, the cherry lips twitched slightly, and the expression was so... infuriating that it made people grit their teeth.

Bai Jia and Niu Hulu showed somewhat strange expressions, clearly recognizing this person.

Li Chenjiao reacted quickly. Although she had never met this Miss Lu before, the only unfamiliar face standing here was Miss Lu, who had insisted on staying.

Although the princess had never met her, she had heard rumors that the master had returned with a concubine who played the konghou (a type of Chinese harp).

Her eyes were cold and indifferent. She raised her right hand, which was covered in nail guards, slightly, but completely ignored her.

Yu Ru, who was beside the Fujin, stepped forward. She first bowed respectfully to everyone before walking up to Miss Lu and slapping her across the face.

"Smack!" The sound was so loud that even Liu, who was standing next to Miss Lu, couldn't help but tremble.

"When the Princess Consort is speaking, how dare you interrupt? If you keep your mouth shut, there will be no gossip."

Yu Ru pressed her wrist, forcing a smile: "This servant has offended you, please forgive me, young lady."

Zhu was stunned by Yu Ru's slap. She instinctively raised her hand to cover her face, her ears ringing and her eyes filled with tears.

"You!" She could barely speak clearly.

Yu Ru had already respectfully returned to the Fujin's side at this moment.

The princess consort glanced at her coldly and said, "Since you've entered the Fourth Prince's inner quarters, you must know the rules. If you don't, you'll have to learn a lesson."

Clearly, Miss Lu has become a tool for the Fujin to establish her authority. By opening her mouth, she is practically walking into the line of fire.

Li Chenjiao closed her eyes, she really had no interest in listening to any of this.

The crowd had various expressions, but Liu was the first to respond in silence: "Your Majesty is wise, and we servants will follow your advice."

The way everyone positioned themselves at this moment was actually quite interesting.

The Fujin sat at the entrance of the corridor, where she could be the first to enter if there was any movement inside. Li Chenjiao sat at the lower right end, with Bai Jiashi and Niu Hulushi standing in front of her. The two women had come out from the inner room and naturally stood in front of Li Chenjiao.

On the other side were the Song and Liu families, and further back was the Xu family.

Opposite to Xu, at the very end, stood Miss Lu, Zhu.

Upon hearing Liu's words, Song, who was standing in front of her, twitched the corners of her mouth and gave a perfunctory curtsy.

Bai Jia made sure to put on a good show by responding, while Xu seemed somewhat distracted but quickly followed suit. Niu Hulu was the one who gave a perfunctory reply, merely curtsying slightly behind Bai Jia, her eyes occasionally glancing at Li Chenjiao in front of her.

After a while, as she straightened up, her eyes suddenly fell on the inner room. The Fourth Prince came out from inside, and Niohuru withdrew her gaze expressionlessly.

The princess consort quickly got up, but dared not speak for a moment.

The Fourth Prince spoke up: "Let's talk in the side room." This was naturally addressed to the Princess Consort.

The princess consort feigned concern: "What about Sister Wu..."

The moment the Fujin mentioned Wu Shi, the Fourth Prince's gaze seemed to turn cold. His lips were pressed tightly together, as if he was trying his best to suppress some emotion. In the end, he didn't even look at the Fujin and went straight to the side room.

"The rest of you may disperse. Do not come to the South Courtyard to disturb us unless necessary," Fourth Master said, his voice even colder.

The princess consort shut her mouth in annoyance, then waved her hand at the crowd, saying, "Everyone, go your separate ways."

Li Chenjiao stood up, glanced into the inner room, then looked at the Fourth Master's back as he walked into the darkness, and when she looked away, she turned and walked out of the south courtyard.

Lin Mama hurriedly followed, with Dongsheng holding the lamp ahead. She lowered her head and said meekly, "It seems that Master has gone to see the First Prince."

Li Chenjiao hummed in response, her voice somewhat muffled.

With the passing of the eldest prince, the most devastating blow was undoubtedly to the fourth prince and Lady Wu.

Niohuru followed closely behind, silently trailing behind Li Chenjiao. After Li Chenjiao entered the East Courtyard, she stood outside the East Courtyard for a moment before slowly returning to her own courtyard.

Even Huiyun, who wasn't very bright, sensed something was wrong: "Would the Princess Consort tolerate the First Prince?"

Niohuru remained somewhat indifferent throughout: "Whether she can tolerate it or not, the eldest prince is gone, it's a done deal, and even if she has a thousand mouths, she can't explain it. Who would harm the eldest prince for no reason?"

If Consort Li were in the mansion, perhaps some people would suspect her. But since Consort Li is not in the mansion, the Fourth Prince is still young, and Madam Song only has a First Princess, so she wouldn't bother to harm the First Prince. Madam Xu is of low status, so it's possible she has the Third Prince... But Consort Li is definitely the one who will be the target of everyone's suspicion.

Huiyun felt a lingering fear: "The eldest prince was such a well-behaved child..."

She had met the First Prince several times. Each time, although he always had a stern face, he was always very approachable to his servants.

Niohuru was somewhat absent-minded. With the eldest prince gone, the winds of change in the inner court were about to shift...

Hopefully, this gust of wind won't affect the concubine.

Li Chenjiao felt weak all over when she returned to the East Courtyard. Several maids were waiting under the corridor, and they all crowded around her when they saw her return.

"Hot water is prepared in the clean room. Would you like to take a bath, Master?"

"Pingniang from the little kitchen made cherry pastries... Is Master hungry right now?"

"Second Princess just went to take a bath. She said she missed Master when she left. Fourth Prince just finished eating and is playing with the nannies. Shall I have someone ask a nanny to bring Fourth Prince over?"

Several maids surrounded Li Chenjiao, each talking to themselves.

Li Chenjiao waved her hand: "Let's prepare for a bath first."

Qiu Hu agreed, waved his hand, and went down with a few maids to prepare.

Li Chenjiao went to take a bath, and Xiao Luzi took the opportunity to go to the kitchen to ask for hot water and inquire about information.

After Li Chenjiao finished bathing, she didn't have time to listen to Xiao Luzi's report before falling into a deep sleep.

The eldest prince's accident was unexpected. Li Chenjiao's heart was in turmoil for half a day, filled with a mix of emotions. In the end, she could only utter a heavy sentence: "When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out."

She didn't sleep well either, and dreamed a lot. In fact, she didn't have much interaction with the eldest prince, and Madam Wu always protected that child very well.

What impressed Li Chenjiao most were the servants who always took turns serving the First Prince.

She didn't sleep well, and Wu Shi in the south courtyard didn't sleep at all.

For Wu, sleepless nights seemed to be a way to numb herself. She held the clothes that the eldest prince had worn before his death and silently shed tears.

The Fourth Prince went to see the First Prince and said he wanted the coroner to examine the body. Wu Shi gritted her teeth and agreed, but she only asked the Fourth Prince for one thing.

We beg the Fourth Prince to give the First Prince justice.