Zheng Yao was taken back to Consort Zheng's palace.

Consort Zheng also learned of Zheng Yao's ordeal at this time.

She was about to rush to the Plum Blossom Palace.

The old woman held her tightly, "Your Highness! You can't go! How could Consort Mei possibly admit it without any evidence?"

The old woman was afraid; the Imperial Concubine had always been at a disadvantage against Consort Mei.

The concubine was always the one who suffered.

Now the emperor is too lazy to act anymore.

The Duke's mansion was not of any interest to the Emperor.

Consort Mei's arrogance stems from the Emperor's indulgence.

No one in the harem dared to go against her.

That night, she would whisper something in the emperor's ear, and regardless of whether it was right or wrong, it was always someone else who suffered.

"So you're going to let her bully me without saying a word?" Consort Zheng was furious.

She was indeed afraid of Consort Mei.

After ruling the harem for so many years, he never expected to be completely suppressed by the vixen Consort Mei in the end.

Madam Zheng dared not speak.

She was even more helpless against someone whom even the Imperial Concubine couldn't control.

However, her daughter suffered a loss like this, and she couldn't swallow her anger.

"Your Majesty! Why did he want to harm Yao'er?"

"She just doesn't like me and wants to make me unhappy."

Consort Zheng said bitterly.

"Perhaps not, Your Highness. In my opinion, she must have other motives." Madam Zheng disagreed with the Imperial Concubine's statement.

The Imperial Concubine was used to a life of ease and had always been well protected by the Duke's mansion.

The imperial court and the harem were closely connected; in the past, the emperor had to rely on the Duke's mansion.

Naturally, Consort Zheng would also be pampered.

For the first twenty years in the palace, Consort Zheng was all-powerful.

Now the tables have turned, and the Emperor no longer needs to consider the opinions of any powerful family; he has begun to favor Consort Mei, who has no powerful background.

Because at this time, Consort Mei perfectly suited the emperor's needs.

The emperor needed a favorite concubine like this to slap the faces of the powerful families.

The fact that the faction took sides made it clear to the powerful families that they could not kill Consort Mei quietly.

Otherwise, the emperor might have ordered the entire family to be buried alive with him.

Consort Mei represents the supreme authority of the current emperor.

Consort Mei understood this, which is why she tore off her disguise.

She doesn't need to be afraid of offending anyone now.

At least, no concubine would dare to push a noblewoman into the pond in broad daylight and fail to rescue her in time.

“What my sister-in-law says makes sense,” Consort Zheng gradually calmed down. “She is currently enjoying the Emperor’s favor. If I confront her directly, I’m afraid I will anger His Majesty. But this matter must not be let go so easily.”

Consort Zheng's eyes flickered, and she already had a plan in mind.

She could only endure it for the time being; otherwise, having just been released from confinement, provoking her again would only incur the emperor's displeasure.

Let's wait for the right opportunity before delivering the fatal blow to Consort Mei! She'll eventually fall out of favor; the Emperor isn't one to hold onto affections for long.

"You're saying it was Young Master Jiang who saved Yao'er?" The Imperial Concubine found it unbelievable; what a coincidence!

"Yes, I saw that child too. He is indeed very handsome and a good match for Yao'er."

When the river was mentioned, Madam Zheng couldn't hide the smile on her face.

This can be considered an unexpected surprise today.

Yao'er no longer said she wouldn't get married, and seemed quite satisfied with Jiang He.

Consort Zheng looked at Zheng Yao, "Yao'er also thinks he's very good-looking, right?"

"Cough cough cough..." Zheng Yao coughed a few times suddenly.

She choked on the ginger soup she was drinking and couldn't speak.

Mrs. Zheng quickly patted her daughter's back, "Drink slowly!"

Consort Zheng looked at the shyness on her face, and she understood perfectly well what was going on.

Despite soaking in the lotus pond for so long, Zheng Yao still caught a cold.

Madam Zheng looked at her daughter with heartache, "Your Majesty, I'll take Yao'er back first."

Consort Zheng did not invite them to stay for a meal.

The palace is not a good place; one wrong move and you could be plotted against.

Now, Yao'er must not be allowed to get into trouble.

She was also going to marry into the General's Mansion, which would be a great help to Shen'er.

If Yao'er can persuade the General's Mansion to stand on Shen'er's side, Shen'er will be one step closer to that position.

Thinking about this, Consort Zheng finally understood Consort Mei's purpose.

It turns out she was trying to ruin Yao'er's marriage.

As long as Yao'er's reputation is damaged, the General's Mansion will definitely go to the Emperor to request annulment of the engagement.

The two families were unwilling to form a marriage alliance, so this was exactly what they wanted.

"Consort Mei is truly a vicious woman." Thinking of this, Consort Zheng cursed.

Meanwhile, in the Plum Blossom Palace, Consort Mei was throwing a tantrum.

"Heh, what a coincidence, the guard who saved her is actually her future husband." Consort Mei smashed a teacup in anger.

Then all her efforts today were in vain.

The old woman looked at the expensive porcelain with a pained expression.

When Consort Mei first entered the palace, she was very careful with these objects, but now she has also learned the habit of smashing objects at the drop of a hat.

The servants of Plum Blossom Palace knelt on the ground.

Consort Mei is going to smash the jade again.

"Your Majesty!" the nanny exclaimed.

Consort Mei regained her senses.

This is a jade hairpin that the Emperor just gave her; she told him yesterday that she liked it very much.

If this is smashed, will the Emperor think she's lying?

Consort Mei was indignant. How could Miss Zheng be so lucky?

It seems that the marriage between the General's Mansion and the Duke's Mansion is a done deal.

"I don't know what the Emperor is thinking, this isn't..."

"Your Highness, please be careful what you say," the nanny immediately interrupted Consort Mei.

If these words were to reach the Emperor's ears, they would surely displease him.

The Emperor's bestowal of this marriage was based on careful consideration; there was no reason for the concubines to object.

Your Majesty's actions today were inappropriate.

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