Although the words were reproachful, Xueying heard the concern and worry in Hongli's words, and her heart immediately felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

"Isn't Master doing this for someone else?!" Pichu couldn't help but retort.

Hongli glared at Pichu, and Xueying, seeing their furtive glances, immediately found the scene rather amusing.

Under Xueying's meticulous care for three days, although Hongli was still weak, he did not deteriorate further. Good news also came from the team that the Seventeenth Prince sent out to find the immortal herb.

Inside the Forbidden City.

Lanqin learned from the Fourth Prince about Hongli's attack and immediately became restless. She wished she could sprout wings and go to the Northwest battlefield.

However, Lanqin knew that even if she set off now, she could not possibly sprout wings and fly to Hongli's side.

"Your Majesty, I am worried about Hongli. How could he have been injured?" Lanqin asked the Fourth Prince with tears in her eyes, her heart filled with anguish for the first time.

"Qin'er, I, I will never let the person who caused this trouble in secret get away with it. Don't worry. There's actually a traitor among my own guards!" the Fourth Prince said, his face ashen.

"Your Majesty, Hongli has now left the palace to establish his own residence and has his own family and children. He is no longer the child we protect under our wings. I never used to fight with the women of the harem, but now, for his sake, I have to speak out. I fear that some people harbor resentment towards Hongli and wish to get rid of him as soon as possible," Lanqin said.

Fourth Prince reached out and wiped away the tears on Lanqin's face, then pulled her into his arms and comforted her, "Don't worry, our Hongli is blessed with good fortune. Seventeen's letter said that he wasn't seriously injured."

"Your Majesty, he was born from my womb. Even the slightest harm to him burns my heart like a fire," Lanqin sobbed, prostrating herself on the Fourth Prince's shoulder.

"I understand what you mean. Here's what we'll do: find an excuse to thoroughly search the inner palace. I will also conduct a crackdown in the court to see who dares to lay a hand on Hongli," the Fourth Prince said.

"Does Your Majesty mean for me to reorganize the harem?" Lanqin asked, stopping her tears.

"Yes, if anyone dares to use any crooked or evil tricks to harm people, I will not tolerate it!" the Fourth Prince said, while pressing Lanqin's back with his palm.

The Fourth Prince still had matters to attend to in the court, so he offered a few more words of comfort before leaving Changchun Palace.

"Your Highness, don't worry, Fourth Prince will definitely be alright." Cui Niang quickly stepped forward to help Lan Qin sit down.

“Cui Niang, I’m starting to regret it. I shouldn’t have let this child go to the Northwest,” Lan Qin said, frowning.

“Your Majesty, you just told the Emperor that the Fourth Prince has grown up and can no longer hide under your wing forever. Now that the Emperor has given you this instruction, it’s a good time to get rid of some people who shouldn’t stay in the harem,” said Consort Cui.

"You mean the Emperor also meant the same thing, but just didn't say it outright?" Lanqin said.

“I think that’s what His Majesty means. His Majesty also understands that some people in the harem can’t stand seeing the Empress and the Fourth Prince doing well, and they will definitely do some shady things. As the ruler of the country, His Majesty can’t just punish them arbitrarily; he needs evidence. Now that the Empress is in charge of the harem, it’s time for her to step in and help His Majesty settle all the old and new scores in the harem,” said Cui Niang.

Lanqin pondered. Today, the Fourth Prince patted his back. Did that mean he wanted her to do something that the Emperor himself couldn't do?