With something this serious happening, I definitely can't not go back.

His Majesty and the Empress then set off, with the others following behind.

Inside the palace, everyone was busy and cautious.

Shu Chengfeng and Yan Nangui headed straight for Yiyuan Palace, before Consort Rong had even seen them off.

The fourth prince is here, crying his heart out.

Wang Lingyi was also quite frightened.

"What exactly happened?"

"Father!" The fourth prince rushed over: "Father, how could Mother commit suicide? She was living a good life, and her son is all grown up and can take care of her. What could she possibly be thinking?"

That's the truth.

Although Consort Rong was not favored, Shu Chengfeng took good care of her because she was honest and sensible.

In previous years, he would occasionally serve the emperor in bed.

She hasn't served the emperor in recent years, but Shu Chengfeng still comes over occasionally for a meal for the sake of the children.

Even though the Jiang family is doing well now, they would never commit suicide.

“Your Highness, it was suicide by hanging. The maids didn’t hear anything, and by the time they found her, she was already dead. I searched her, but there were no papers or anything like that left behind,” Shuanzi explained.

"Call all those who serve her here," Yan Nangui said.

Before long, all the people from Yiyuan Palace arrived.

Yan Nangui did not rush to ask questions, but first instructed the Imperial Household Department to handle the matter.

If this matter is covered up and the outside world is told that Consort Rong committed suicide, then the Jiang family will be doomed.

"Which ones are the ones who serve you personally?" Yan Nangui asked.

A dozen or so people came out at once, all of them palace maids and eunuchs who served her personally.

Bi Rou and Bi Shui were brought by Consort Rong's family.

Kneel at the very front.

Who was on night duty last night?

Two maids stepped forward, but neither of them were Bi Rou nor Bi Shui.

“We really didn’t hear a thing last night. Her Majesty… Her Majesty covered the stool with cloth, so there was no sound when it was knocked over. Her Majesty also forbade us from coming in to serve her last night,” the maid cried.

“Alright, tell me, who has your mistress met recently, what has she said, and on which day did her expression seem off? Or did any palace maids or eunuchs come by? Tell me everything that seems unusual. If you can’t explain it clearly, none of you will survive,” Yan Nangui said.

Everyone was quite frightened and started to think about it.

After weeping for a while, the fourth prince knelt down and said, "Thank you, Mother Empress, for investigating on behalf of my mother... for inquiring on behalf of my mother..."

“I’ve heard that some people have a hidden sorrow; they may appear cheerful, but they are actually very distressed inside, making them prone to trouble. But from my observation, your mother is not like that. Your mother loves to eat and enjoys culinary creations; she doesn’t seem like someone who hides her sadness. Even back in the manor, she was a very shrewd person. Although she has a gentle temper, she is clear-headed. For a concubine to commit suicide is a grave crime; she would never do such a thing for you her whole life.”

"So there's only one possibility: she committed suicide because of you," Yan Nangui said directly.

"What?" The fourth prince was taken aback: "For me?"

"Perhaps someone used you to threaten her. She didn't leave a single word. Perhaps she didn't want to, or perhaps she didn't have the chance."

After a long silence, Shu Chengfeng said, "After the imperial physician examines her, send her out. Say she died of illness. Posthumously confer upon her the title of... Consort Rong, and send her to the imperial concubine's mausoleum."

"Thank you, Father." The fourth prince knelt down and cried again.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, all the ladies of the harem are outside requesting an audience," Yun Ji said.

"No need. Let them all go back first. They can offer incense when Consort Rong is feeling better." Shu Chengfeng waved his hand.

He glanced at the kneeling crowd and said, "Yunji, take them to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for questioning. Make sure you get the details. Anyone who dares to commit suicide will have their entire family wiped out."

The group was terrified and begged for mercy, but they were still taken away.

Yan Nangui returned to the Beichen Palace with the emperor.

It was very hot; it was the end of May.

They had all changed into plain clothes. They only brought up the matter again after drinking tea.

"What did you discover from what you just said?" Shu Chengfeng asked.

"I just think that although Consort Rong is gentle by nature, she is also very decisive. Why would she commit suicide if there was nothing serious going on? The only one who could threaten her, besides the Fourth Prince, is the Fourth Prince. He is twelve years old this year."

Shu Chengfeng understood.

"Actually, your delay in establishing a crown prince inevitably leads to these struggles. Since the three princes above you are not to your liking, the princes below you will have to work harder. This will only make them more antagonistic to each other." Yan Nangui never held back when she said these words.

Shu Chengfeng frowned: "Who said that the princes above me are not on my mind?"

"What's the use of getting it or not? There can only be one Crown Prince. No matter who it is, even if they plotted to kill Consort Rong, they probably still have other plans. But what loss would the Fourth Prince have in killing Consort Rong? I'm afraid that person's real goal is to find out who did it or who is involved," Yan Nangui said.

It's just a mystery who had such a grand scheme to kill a concubine and implicate a prince.

Yan Nangui suddenly laughed.

Shu Chengfeng looked at her.

Yan Nangui shook her head: "Actually, since ancient times, when princes compete for the position of crown prince, the first thing to consider is whether they are the legitimate sons. If not, then it depends on their maternal family background, their mothers' favor, and their own abilities and favor. But you treat all the princes equally. And you treat their mothers the same. Only Consort Mei Hui still has favor, but she can't suppress me. The mothers of the other princes have no room for advancement. Their maternal families' power is just so-so. So now the struggle is getting more and more ugly."

Shu Chengfeng neither answered nor refuted.

He sighed and took Yan Nangui's hand. They sat quietly.

When Yan Nan returned to Zhaochun Palace, it was already dark.

She ate her meal in the Beichen Palace.

The seventh princess came to act cute, and she held the child, rubbing her daughter's tender little face, while listening to Shuanzi's reply.

"The Imperial Household Department is still questioning people, and there are many of them, so I'm afraid there won't be a result anytime soon. But I think this is a really ugly thing to do."

After thinking for a moment, Shuanzi said, "Perhaps I'm overthinking it, but I feel that this matter is not only about the Fourth Prince."

"Of course it's not just about him. My coronation ceremony isn't until August. This has already happened in May. If it gets out, wouldn't it make me, the empress, unable to manage the harem? Wouldn't it make me, the empress, intolerant of people? If a few more unclear rumors are spread, people, always curious, will probably believe them." Yan Nangui sneered.

"Mother, is someone trying to harm you?" the Seventh Princess asked.

"Your mother has no sons, yet she ascended to the throne. She's blocking the path of many people. You're the same; you're just a princess, yet you receive such favor from your father, which is also an eyesore. You must get used to this." Yan Nangui lowered her head.

The seventh princess nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

“I’ve already ordered people to keep watch over the news in the palace. If it gets out, I’ll be dead. But… rumors are the hardest thing to stop,” Shuanzi said.