"As expected of Tongjia's daughter, she is indeed quick-witted!"

"Since you speak so righteously, do you dare to swear in front of me and the Emperor, in the name of the Tongjia clan, that you and the Tongjia clan will never have any ambition for the position of Crown Prince?" The Empress Dowager is now putting increasing pressure on the Imperial Noble Consort.

"Grandmother, I believe my cousin would not harm the Crown Prince!" Kangxi said to the Empress Dowager.

"The Emperor can speak! I thought he was mute!" the Empress Dowager said in an icy voice.

Emperor Kangxi blushed repeatedly at the Empress Dowager's words.

"Your Majesty, whether I have designs on the Crown Prince's position is not something that can be controlled by a simple vow. I can say with a completely clear conscience that I have no wrongdoing towards the Crown Prince!"

"If the Empress Dowager is not at ease, she may depose me from my position as Imperial Noble Consort!" the Imperial Noble Consort said without fear.

“Cousin, you…” Kangxi wanted to stop the Imperial Noble Consort, but she had already spoken.

"It seems you no longer wish to be the Imperial Noble Consort!" the Empress Dowager asked, looking at the Imperial Noble Consort.

"It's not a matter of whether I want to or not, but being an Imperial Noble Consort would probably make things uneasy for both me and Yinzhen. It's better not to do it at all!"

The Imperial Noble Consort looked at Kangxi and said with a smile, "Cousin, I know that my position as Imperial Noble Consort has put you in a difficult position. I really don't want to be Imperial Noble Consort anymore!"

Emperor Kangxi looked at the Imperial Noble Consort with heartache. He had always wanted to give her the best, but he never expected it would become a burden for her.

"Imperial Noble Consort, it's not that I favor the Crown Prince, it's just that I don't want to see a situation where brothers fight each other!" the Empress Dowager said with a sense of helplessness.

"If you were in my position, you would understand my good intentions!"

"Your Majesty, I would never dare to have such a thought!"

"The Imperial Noble Consort is unwell and should return to Chengqian Palace to recuperate. No one is to disturb her!" the Empress Dowager said.

"Your Majesty, I will obey the Empress Dowager's decree!" The Imperial Noble Consort did not expect that the Empress Dowager would only order her to stay in the palace to reflect on her mistakes.

When the Imperial Noble Consort went out, she saw the Crown Prince and his three companions waiting at the door.

"Mother, are you alright?" the Fourth Prince asked the Imperial Noble Consort.

"Mother is alright!" The Imperial Noble Consort turned to the Crown Prince. "Crown Prince, once He Xue wakes up, please send her out of the palace as soon as possible."

As for the Crown Prince's desire to marry He Xue, I urge him to consider this carefully. He Xue is truly unsuitable for this palace. Is the Crown Prince truly capable of treating He Xue as before?

The Imperial Noble Consort knew that if the Empress Dowager wanted to punish her, even Emperor Kangxi could not protect her.

In the treacherous palace, can the Crown Prince always protect He Xue? Will the Crown Prince later find He Xue a burden?

“Mother Tong, I can agree to anything else, but not this. I must marry He Xue!”

"I will treat her as before and will not let her suffer any injustice!" the Crown Prince said firmly.

"I hope you can keep your word!" After saying this, the Imperial Noble Consort smiled and left Cining Palace.

"Xuan Ye, do you feel that I am biased?" the Empress Dowager asked Kangxi.

"Grandmother, I know that everything you do is for the Qing Dynasty, and sometimes it is difficult to treat everyone equally."

"My grandson also shows more affection for the Crown Prince!" Kangxi was able to understand the Empress Dowager's good intentions.

"Let's leave this matter here on the surface, but secretly continue to send people to investigate and find out who Ruguo has been in contact with!"

The Empress Dowager knew that Ru Guo was deliberately trying to get involved with the Imperial Noble Consort. She was also trying to test the Imperial Noble Consort today. The person behind Ru Guo was very well hidden. It was unclear whether this person was from inside the palace or outside the palace.

If it's someone from inside the palace, that's fine, but she's worried that if it's someone from outside the palace, then things might get a bit complicated!

"Yes, grandson understands!" Kangxi replied.