After seeing the imperial physician off, Xiao Liu frowned. If it weren't for the fact that the Empress's personal physician, Dr. Dou, was ill at home today—wait, why was Dr. Dou suddenly ill at home? In the chaos just now, he hadn't even thought of this.

He hurried back to the palace and saw that Consort Ning had taken her medicine and was lying on the bed, slowly falling asleep. Not wanting to disturb Consort Ning, he quietly called Huanzi out.

Just as the two reached the palace gate, Consort Ning asked, "Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?"

"Your Majesty, someone has been sent to invite him. The Emperor will surely come to see you soon." Huanzi came back and gently tucked the blanket around her.

As if things weren't going to go wrong, a sudden downpour followed by a headwind. This was destined to be a troublesome season. Just as Huanzi finished speaking, two palace maids and eunuchs rushed in and knelt before the bed. "Your Majesty, there are floods in Jiangnan and Shu. The urgent report has reached Taihe Hall. His Majesty is summoning all officials to court for a meeting."

Upon hearing this, Consort Ning showed a relieved expression and weakly waved her hand, "Go down."

The palace maids and eunuchs were puzzled, but dared not ask. They bowed and took their leave, leaving only Xiao Liuzi and Huanzi behind. "Your Highness, Physician Dou is on leave today." After thinking for a moment, Xiao Liuzi decided to inform Consort Ning of this matter.

Consort Ning closed her eyes, as if she were resting or had fallen asleep after taking medicine. The two looked at each other for a long time before Consort Ning said, "Who else knows about the urgent reports of floods in Jiangnan and Shu, besides our people?"

"Your Majesty, only our people know this. The urgent report didn't stay at the post station for very long, only a day," Xiao Liuzi reported with absolute certainty.

Consort Ning suddenly opened her eyes. "Go, tell Bi'er that I'm annoyed by the fact that Zhao Xiu and Zhao Yi were taken away together this time."

"Your Majesty, this servant believes that this matter has nothing to do with Consort De," Huanzi said cautiously. It wasn't to speak well of the eldest prince, Zhao Xiu, but because she knew Consort De well, she would never resort to such methods.

Consort Ning gave her a cold glance. "How can I let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by? Regardless of whether Consort De or I was murdered by Consort De, she will be sent to the Cold Palace this time!"

She had lost her mind due to the pain earlier, but now that she was feeling better, Consort Ning's intelligence returned. She had already analyzed the situation and concluded that while Consort De might not have been responsible for her miscarriage, the possibility could not be ruled out. Since she was going to die anyway, she was too lazy to play any tricks and gave a cold smile.

"Yes, Your Highness, this servant will go find you personally." Xiao Liu bowed and said. The maid who went out to chase after the messenger has not yet returned and is probably not coming back. He was not comfortable sending someone else.

Consort Ning closed her eyes again and nodded. "Go."

Not long after Xiao Liu left, a young eunuch hurried over. He seemed unable to speak, but handed Huan Zi a slip of paper. Huan Zi waved for him to leave and handed the slip of paper to Consort Ning.

Consort Ning took the document and unfolded it. Her face immediately turned extremely ugly. She angrily said, "He is not unaware of what I am seeking. Why does that wretched Hao Shi have the right to occupy the Empress's position? Even Hao Shumei can be made a Noble Consort, but I have to be subordinate to a bunch of wretches. Now, a mere young girl has been granted the title of Imperial Noble Consort! Here she comes, I want to see what she is capable of!"

It seemed everyone was racing against time. Before Zhao Shu returned to Taihe Hall, Zhao Bi arrived first. Yong Wang, who was outside the door, remembered Zhao Shu's instructions and disliked Taihe Hall. He did not rush to Emperor Mingde with everyone. Emperor Mingde had many people protecting him, and he did not understand medicine, so he stayed outside the hall, glancing at the door of the side hall from time to time.

"Nineteenth Uncle," Zhao Bi stepped forward to greet him. "I just heard from the palace servants that there are great floods in Jiangnan and Shu. I wonder what the situation is?" He looked extremely worried, showing no anger whatsoever because of what happened at the Sun residence.

Prince Yong witnessed his daughter plunder half of Madam Sun's private property after Zhao Bi and his wife fainted. Upon seeing Zhao Bi, he felt an inexplicable urge to laugh. However, with the country in crisis, he restrained himself and said solemnly, "It is said that there are countless dead and injured. His Majesty and his ministers are discussing the matter in the palace."

"Isn't Uncle Nineteen going in?" Zhao Bi asked knowingly.

"I have never been involved in state affairs, so I do not wish to participate in this matter." All the ministers knew that he had never been involved in state affairs, and Zhao Bi smiled knowingly upon hearing this.

Xiao Duzi stood guard outside the door. Zhao Bi bowed and stepped past Prince Yong, saying, "Xiao Duzi, please announce my arrival."

Xiao Duzi, who had been keeping his head down, bowed respectfully and scurried into the main hall to report. Inside the hall, a heated argument had already begun. "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince requests an audience."

"Summon them." Emperor Mingde's head was throbbing with pain, and his cloudy eyes betrayed his agitation.

The old and new parties started arguing back and forth again, and Zhao Bi's arrival came at just the right time.

Zhao Bi entered the main hall, threw off his robes, knelt down, and said loudly, "Father, I request permission to go to Jiangnan to control the floods. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"

He was decisive and straightforward, and his voice was firm and resounding. When the ministers heard this, some of his supporters disagreed. In many cases, even Emperor Mingde could not distinguish which ministers were in a faction, but when it came to matters concerning life, reputation, and status, he could quickly tell.

After Liu Huan was demoted, the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Fu Boxing, was Zhao Bi's man. As soon as Zhao Bi finished speaking, he immediately stood up and said, "Your Highness is of noble status and a chosen one of Heaven. Your personal involvement in flood control is a blessing for the people. On behalf of the disaster-stricken people, I thank Your Highness."

These were all seasoned veterans who had spent decades in the imperial court; how could they not understand Fu Boxing's unspoken meaning? The First Prince and the Crown Prince were both present, and the Fourth Prince had immediately requested to go to Jiangnan to manage the floods upon his arrival. If I remember correctly, neither the Crown Prince nor the First Prince had expressed their opinion earlier.

For many years, the Crown Prince has secluded himself in the Eastern Palace, spending his days studying and learning. Since entering the main hall, he has remained silent. If he were not the Crown Prince, people would have let it go. But he is the Crown Prince. Even the Fourth Prince can stand up to share the burden of the country, yet the Crown Prince sits idly by and watches the people suffer? Such a Crown Prince is a cause for concern for the nation.

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