Her words made Sheng Jingyu sound like he was about to die, and that he could just be buried alive.

Even a blind person could see that Su Wenyuan was lying through her teeth.

With a troubled expression, Eunuch Hu asked Sheng Jingyu, "Is the Prince's health really that serious?"

Sheng Jingyu blinked and then suddenly started coughing, the sound coming incessantly, which terrified Eunuch Hu, who was afraid that he would pass away right before his eyes.

"Oh dear... this..." Eunuch Hu retreated frantically in a panic.

These two are just like those people trying to stage an accident; we can't pin this on him.

Su Wenyuan spread her hands, as if to say, "See, I told you I was right. I just can't go; my health is too poor."

Left with no other choice, Eunuch Hu said, "When will the Prince recover? I will go back and speak with the Emperor to see if we can reschedule."

Since he could say that, it means that the Emperor tacitly approved of it.

If all else fails, let Sheng Jingyu choose the time himself.

This banquet was not held for nothing; it was intended to allow court officials and envoys to talk face-to-face and stop dwelling on this matter.

The crown prince was beaten under the protection of his own people, but they were not ashamed and spread the news everywhere.

The emperor was worried that the court officials would be unable to resolve the matter.

That's why I thought of inviting Sheng Jingyu along, hoping it would increase the chances of success.

The two had a falling out that day, and they wanted the Empress to help mediate, but Sheng Jingyu claimed to be ill and didn't give the Empress a chance to speak, so the Emperor had to send someone over himself.

The Emperor intended to let Sheng Jingyu choose the timing himself, which showed his determination.

In the past, Sheng Jingyu would have compromised, unwilling to break ties with the Emperor over such a trivial matter.

With Su Wenyuan around, even if he wanted to compromise, Su Wenyuan wouldn't be willing.

“Eunuch Hu, what you’re saying is putting too much importance on the Prince. What virtue or ability does the Prince possess to be able to change the banquet time?” Su Wenyuan placed her hand on Sheng Jingyu’s leg.

She didn't mean to belittle Sheng Jingyu; she was saying it to outsiders.

Sheng Jingyu knew in his heart that he wouldn't care about such details.

Eunuch Hu flattered, "Your Highness Prince Chen is the only prince in Anchuan Kingdom, so his status is naturally high. Only if Your Highness attends this banquet will His Majesty feel at ease. If Your Highness's health allows, you should go."

"I can't hold on any longer." Su Wenyuan's answer was decisive and straightforward, leaving no room for negotiation.

They had previously thought of pushing Sheng Jingyu out to take the blame, but now that they wanted Sheng Jingyu's help, they had to offer something in return.

Sheng Jingyu patted her hand, signaling her to tone it down and not go too far.

If we go back a year, Sheng Jingyu wouldn't dare let her cause trouble, for fear of angering the Emperor. Now that he can't keep up the act any longer, let her be as wild as she wants.

The beautiful facade has been maintained for so many years; it should have collapsed long ago.

When Eunuch Hu saw that Su Wenyuan didn't give him any face, he couldn't help but lose his temper.

Su Wenyuan smiled and said, "Father-in-law, there's no need to be angry. I wasn't targeting you. You were just passing on a message today. Once the message is delivered, just take my message back. I'll definitely make sure you get the tea you deserve."

Yuexiu stepped forward and presented him with a silver note of considerable value, which immediately brought a smile to Eunuch Hu's face.

Su Wenyuan is right. He's just a messenger; he only needs to relay the message back and forth. Why get angry over it?

"Does Your Highness mean the same thing?" Eunuch Hu asked, making it easier to explain to the Emperor.

Sheng Jingyu nodded and said, "I am not feeling well and have been relying on the Princess Consort for care these days. I don't want to worry about anything and the Princess Consort makes all the decisions."

"Then this servant will go back and report!" Eunuch Hu left with the answer.

Before the man had gone far, Su Wenyuan's eyes lit up, and she suddenly chased after him, stopping Eunuch Hu's carriage and stuffing him with a lot of silver notes.

Grandpa Hu held the silver notes, grinning from ear to ear.

Although Su Wenyuan had said so many impolite things before, she wasn't targeting him personally. For the sake of money, Eunuch Hu could forgive her.

"Your Highness is too kind. I was merely following orders and may have said something wrong. Please forgive me." Eunuch Hu said with a beaming smile, his attitude much improved.

Everyone's saying that Princess Consort Chen is rich, and it seems to be true; she just gives away large sums of money like that.

Su Wenyuan waved her hand and said, "Every word your father-in-law said makes perfect sense."

Eunuch Hu looked around and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, pulled Su Wenyuan to the back of the carriage and said in a low voice, "Since the Princess thinks what I said makes sense, then I will say a few more words."

"I would be grateful for your guidance, Father-in-law." Su Wenyuan was very polite, adopting an attitude of listening attentively.

She could roughly guess what Eunuch Hu was going to say. She chased after him not to hear those things, but because she had something to discuss with him.

Eunuch Hu pointed upwards and kindly advised, "This servant knows that the Princess Consort is unwilling to be wronged, but one must be selective about who one is dealing with. There are some people that cannot be offended."

"The Prince is the same kind of person, but he's been toning down his temper in the last two years, hasn't he? Especially after marrying you, his temper has improved so much..." Eunuch Hu suddenly realized that he had gone off-topic and said too much.

Su Wenyuan smiled and said, "We can't just let the prince be bullied just because he's in a good mood now, can we? I understand your intentions, Father-in-law."

Eunuch Hu smiled and said, "It's good that you understand. I will be more careful when I reply, but I still have to attend this banquet."

The Emperor could not allow Sheng Jingyu to escape this matter.

Su Wenyuan's eyes flickered, and she said meaningfully, "I know, so please mention one more person when you reply, Father-in-law..."

The look in Eunuch Hu's eyes as he looked at Su Wenyuan gradually turned into one of appreciation.

Having spent a long time in the palace, I've become accustomed to the scheming and infighting among the concubines.

Many things only require Hu Gonggong to hear the beginning of, and he can deduce the whole thing, as well as the purpose hidden behind it.

After the matter was settled, Su Wenyuan watched Eunuch Hu return to the palace, then turned and went back to her residence.

"Go and fetch Hua Ling, and have her take the prince's pulse again."

With the Emperor's attitude so resolute, even without Eunuch Hu's reminder, Su Wenyuan knew she would have to go sooner or later. She was just waiting for a bigger opportunity, and her sincerity was still lacking.

Even if Sheng Jingyu's health wasn't as bad as Su Wenyuan claimed, or even if it were exactly as Su Wenyuan said, she still had to go.

Who told him to be the emperor? He has to comply with any demands.

Every time Su Wenyuan provoked him, she was testing the limits of the Emperor's bottom line.

The first refusal didn't cross the Emperor's bottom line, so he won't do anything about it.

Refusing again would be ungrateful.

Sheng Jingyu didn't ask her where she had been, but simply said, "I was the one who hit him, so it's time to give this matter a result. Anyway, our people have already been placed in charge."

At that time, besides malicious revenge, his more important goal was to arrange for his own people to stay at the post station.

Princess Heyi brought so many people back, and they're all hiding in the post station. He wouldn't feel at ease if none of his people were there.