Just as Mingyue was about to ask the reason, Chengbi interrupted, "Your Majesty the Empress must be wondering why I was there, right?"

Talking to smart people is incredibly enjoyable; they can guess what you're thinking from just one gesture.

Upon hearing this, Mingyue nodded in agreement.

Cheng Bi did not hide anything and truthfully replied, "Consort Hui arrived just before me."

"Are you afraid that I will go along with her wishes?" Mingyue asked back.

“Exactly!” Cheng Bi nodded without any hesitation.

Mingyue smiled and said, "I'm not that stupid. Your worries are unnecessary."

"yes."

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.

It's not hard to guess that when Wanwan hurriedly walked out, Chengbi didn't even have time to hide, so she could only pretend to pass by and bump into Wanwan.

In this way, no one will suspect anything.

"It's a pity that Your Highness has become an enemy of Consort Hui because of me." Cheng Bi sighed with guilt.

Mingyue didn't care at all, "So what? With her qualifications, she is not worthy to be my enemy."

“She is unworthy, but Jianning…” Cheng Bi didn’t finish her sentence, but instead looked around warily.

Mingyue understood and immediately told everyone to leave. In an instant, only she and Chengbi remained in the huge palace.

"You also know it's Jianning?" Mingyue asked, but after asking, she felt it was unnecessary. If Chengbi didn't know anything, why would she remind her of those things?

Cheng Bi nodded. "Consort Hui is not scary, but Huan Zhu by her side is Princess Jianning's person. She will definitely tell her true master everything that happened today. At that time, I'm afraid there will be more conspiracies and tricks waiting for you."

"We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Even if I do nothing, it doesn't mean she'll show me any mercy." Mingyue sighed. "I really can't understand why she would do this."

Cheng Bi turned her clear black and white eyes and thought for a moment before saying, "If I'm not mistaken, she probably wants to take revenge on the Emperor!"

"Why?" Mingyue asked in surprise.

"It must be for Prince Consort Wu and her child!"

At this point, Mingyue suddenly felt enlightened and even began to feel some sympathy for Jianning.

Jianning was the daughter of Qi Lei and the youngest daughter of Huang Taiji. In order to ensure Wu Sangui's loyalty, Xuan Ye (Emperor Xuan Ye) devised a political marriage and married Jianning to Wu Sangui's son, Wu Yingxiong.

At first, Jianning strongly disagreed, but under Dayuer's pressure, she eventually compromised. She originally thought she would live like a walking corpse, but unexpectedly, Wu Yingxiong was a gentle and romantic person who gradually won her heart. In the end, she fell in love with him and gave birth to two sons.

Unfortunately, the happy days were too short-lived. Wu Sangui eventually rebelled, implicating the Jianning family of four.

Despite Jianning's repeated confirmations that Wu Yingxiong knew nothing, Xuan Ye feared that if the problem wasn't eradicated completely, it would resurface. So, apart from Jianning, he showed no mercy and executed Wu Yingxiong's entire family.

Jianning is pitiful, but weren't all those princes who died innocent? Mingyue sympathizes with her, but she refuses to forgive her; Jianning deserves to die.

The decree to execute her husband and children was issued by Xuan Ye, yet she didn't kill Xuan Ye, but instead killed those defenseless people. It's truly... truly infuriating!

Thinking of this, a hint of hatred flashed in Mingyue's eyes. No wonder Xuan Ye lost so many children in the early years; it was all Jianning's doing.

However, this shows that the concubines in Xuan Ye's harem all had some compassion. Although they fought each other to the death, they never harmed innocent children. Otherwise, Xuan Ye would not have had so many children.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Seeing that Mingyue hadn't spoken for a long time, Chengbi thought she was unwell and quickly asked.

Upon hearing Cheng Bi's voice, Mingyue immediately snapped out of her thoughts and said softly, "It's alright. I was just thinking that the death of Consort Hui's first child, apart from Jianning, was inextricably linked to Huanzhu."

"Of course, those closest to you are the easiest targets. Isn't Your Majesty in the same situation as Consort Hui?"

“That’s right.” Mingyue nodded; of course, she hadn’t forgotten Duobao, that ingrate.

"It's a pity that Consort Hui didn't discover it as early as you, and she was still being played around." Cheng Bi revealed a mocking look. She was not a saint, and she was naturally happy to see Wanwan suffer.

Upon hearing this, Mingyue remained silent for a moment, then laughed. "You're right. She was indeed being manipulated. If she knew that the person she couldn't even bear to hit had killed her son, wouldn't she break down?" As she finished speaking, a glint of light flashed in her eyes.

Upon seeing this light, Cheng Bi's lips curled up slightly, as if she could already see Consort Hui's collapse. Her smile deepened, and she could imagine how crazy Consort Hui would become.

Just as the two were about to discuss how to find out the truth from Wanwan, Mingyue suddenly felt a familiar aura approaching. She raised an eyebrow and a glint of light flashed in her eyes.

She looked up at the figure slowly approaching from afar, a hint of joy on her face.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Mingyue smiled sweetly and curtsied.

Cheng Bi followed suit.

"No need for formalities!" Xuan Ye walked over and sat down next to Mingyue, his gaze falling on her high, protruding belly, and his mood immediately improved.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Mingyue straightened up and then asked, "Did Your Majesty come here specifically because you learned that Consort De was in my palace?"

Mingyue's words startled Xuan Ye for a moment, then he coughed lightly twice.

Seeing the emperor's embarrassed expression, Mingyue smiled secretly, but her expression remained calm and composed.

Cheng Bi smiled. "Your Majesty the Empress is always good at teasing me. How could Your Majesty possibly know that I am in your palace?" After saying that, she looked at Xuan Ye and said, "Your Majesty must have important matters to discuss with the Empress today!"

After saying this, she wisely took her leave.

Xuan Ye gazed at her retreating figure and said meaningfully, "Noble Lady De is a sensible person. If Consort Hui were here, she certainly wouldn't be so considerate. Although the two are cousins, their personalities are worlds apart!"

Mingyue smiled gently, “Everyone has their own way of doing things. Although Consort Hui is not as intelligent as Noble Lady De, she is beautiful. As long as the Emperor likes her, that’s fine.”

After saying that, she raised her head and looked at Xuan Ye with a serious expression, "Your Majesty, is there something you want to say to me?"

"Hmm..." Xuan Ye nodded, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "My harem has gained another concubine..."

Before he could finish speaking, Mingyue interrupted him, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations on having another younger sister! May the family line continue!"

Mingyue's reaction surprised Xuan Ye. He looked at her delighted face and his eyes flickered. "So, you don't mind?"

He was somewhat incredulous. Was this still the Mingyue who was prone to jealousy?

"Of course I don't mind!" Mingyue shook her head, looking at Xuan Ye with a sincere expression. She had no feelings for him to begin with, so why would she mind?