"During the selection process, I shared a room with Princess Dong'e. Before the selection, Father had mentioned that Princess Dong'e might be the future Third Prince Consort, and that I should get along well with her. Father had also revealed that Empress Xiaoyi valued me highly and had someone inquire about the personalities and preferences of the Emperor's concubines in advance."

At that time, I noticed that Consort Dong'e was trying to please Consort De in her words, actions, and clothing. I even heard Consort Dong'e talking in her sleep, calling out the name of the Fourth Prince.

After falling into the water, I suspected Dong E Gege. However, I was staying in Yan Hui Pavilion and was not familiar with the nanny and Chunlan at that time, so I did not dare to speak rashly. Later, I received the imperial edict from the emperor to confer the title of concubine, while Dong E Gege received the imperial edict to confer the title of Fourth Prince Consort.

Although I have never met the Fourth Prince, I cannot say that we are completely unrelated. Because of this connection, I cannot speak of it now that the imperial decree has been issued. I never expected the Emperor to trace it back to Consort De. Now, I have no choice but to speak.

An Ning's words were sincere, at least that's what Granny Wulan thought.

To be honest, Granny Wulan had never thought of Dong'e Gege as a potential candidate.

Now that the Crown Prince's position is secure, it's true that Consort De is more favored than Consort Rong, but the Fourth Prince is too cold-hearted and cannot be valued as much as Consort Rong's Third Prince.

Furthermore, Consort De's relationship with the Fourth Prince is not harmonious, and anyone with a keen eye can find out about it, so being the Fourth Prince's wife is destined to be difficult.

However, upon closer reflection, if it really was Dong E Gege who did it, and even made Consort De take the blame, then her approach was truly ingenious.

Consort De has made a bad impression on Emperor Kangxi. It would be too embarrassing to make things difficult for her daughter-in-law after she enters the family. Princess Dong'e's life should not be too difficult.

The only unexpected thing is that An Ning didn't die and even remembered her flaws.

"What does Your Majesty need from me?"

"Shouldn't the old nanny have people in the palace to relay messages?"

"There are some."

A very small portion of these hands belonged to her personally, while the rest were given to her by Emperor Kangxi.

"Find a way to remind Consort De."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I wonder if Consort De will let the Emperor know that Princess Dong'e is the future Fourth Prince's consort. If she reveals it, the Fourth Prince will be embarrassed. If she doesn't, Consort De will probably have to suffer in silence."

Bored in the harem, they watch the drama unfold.

"Your Majesty does not understand Consort De's character. Given Consort De's abilities, Princess Dong'e will definitely remain the Fourth Prince's wife. She will not expose this to embarrass the Fourth Prince. If the Fourth Prince is embarrassed, she will also be embarrassed. However, she will definitely let the Emperor know that she has been wronged."

Moreover, Princess Dong'e will likely have a difficult time in the Fourth Prince's harem from now on. The Emperor will also watch coldly. A daughter-in-law disliked by her parents-in-law—Your Majesty, just wait and see. The Fourth Prince's harem will probably be the most lively place in the future.

Consort De's attitude towards the Fourth Prince was neither too lenient nor too harsh. Their relationship wasn't bad, but they were just too polite and distant with each other.

With this incident, Consort De might be able to use the excuse of the Fourth Prince's wife's bad character to interfere in the Fourth Prince's affairs without restraint.

An Ning chuckled, "Then I'll be waiting to see the show. Thank you, Granny."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Watching Granny Wulan's departing figure, Anning wrote the character "静" (quiet) on the Xuan paper.

She couldn't help but laugh. She was indeed very adaptable to her environment. After saying that, she couldn't even tell how much of what she said was true and how much was false.

She originally did not intend to use Consort De's hand to deal with Consort Dong'e.

After all, before knowing that Consort Dong'e had made Consort De take the blame, An Ning couldn't guarantee Consort De's attitude towards Consort Dong'e. However, she was certain that in Consort De's heart, no one was more pleasing than the original owner of this body, the daughter-in-law chosen by Empress Xiaoyi.

Letting Consort De find out rashly might not be a good thing.

Furthermore, she was concerned about the fact that the original owner of this body had once been the hidden Fourth Prince's wife. If she spoke ill of Consort Dong'e and people found out, and if no fault of Consort Dong'e could be found, she was afraid that people would associate her with something between her and the Fourth Prince, and then say unfounded things in front of Emperor Kangxi, which would be a huge loss for her.

Her good life in the harem still depended on Kangxi. She hadn't given birth yet, and that child was her only hope for leaving the palace in her later years, so she couldn't afford to lose his favor.

Now there's no need to worry. Even if Dong E tries to cover her tracks, it won't matter. She has the motive, and Consort De will confirm it no matter what.

As for whether Kangxi believed the results of Consort De's investigation?

He would probably believe it, but it's hard to mend a broken wall, and Consort De's image in Kangxi's heart will likely never be the same again.

Consort De probably knows this too, so there's going to be a dramatic showdown between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!

It's true that watching the drama unfold is instinctive.

As for whether Consort De would take action against her, An Ning didn't need to worry too much; Consort De would simply avoid her at all costs.

On the other hand, Consort De is still "sick." Her physical illness has healed, but she can't recover until the truth is found.

She practically investigated the entire lineage of the palace maid who caused Anning to fall into the water, but still found nothing.

Well, Dong Eshi is indeed very cautious in her actions since her rebirth.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

Hearing the head palace maid, Mozhu, enter with a hint of joy in her voice, Consort De had a premonition that the matter she was investigating was about to yield some clues.

"Speak, what is it?" Consort De didn't mind her minor breach of etiquette and quickly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, this servant has discovered that Princess Dong'e had been preparing to enter the Fourth Prince's harem even before the imperial concubine selection."

Consort De's face showed a look of shock: "You didn't make a mistake?"

"There's no mistake. This servant found out that before the selection of the princes, Consort Dong'e had her servants secretly investigate the preferences and behavior of the Fourth Prince and you. She did it very discreetly, and it took this servant a lot of effort to find out. I wonder if Your Majesty remembers that Consort Dong'e's words, actions, and clothing during the selection of the princes were all things Your Majesty liked."

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