Seeing how gentle Yinzhen was, Qian Shengyan felt uneasy and was even a little embarrassed to make up a lie.

But… grasping the bandage in her hand, Qian Shengyan closed her eyes briefly and said, “That day, when Consort Li sent the clothes over, I… I felt something was off. I didn’t really want Hongli and the others to wear them, but I was afraid of offending Consort Li, so I had the sewing room make two more garments based on the embroidery pattern. Those… those two garments, I didn’t dare let the children wear them…”

Her voice trailed off as she spoke, seemingly feeling guilty for her distrust of Li Shi. But at that moment, Yinzhen only wanted to sincerely thank Qian Shengyan for her caution.

He took her uninjured hand in his own, his throat tightening slightly, and after a long pause, he said, "It's alright, this is fine too."

He paused again, then continued, "You've done very well."

Qian Shengyan lowered her head, clutching the bandage, when she heard a very, very soft voice: "Master... I shouldn't have pushed you, I'm sorry."

She looked up abruptly, unable to believe that Yinzhen had said those words. She even thought she was hallucinating. But when she saw Yinzhen avoiding her gaze, it seemed that... what he had just said was actually true!

It wasn't her hallucination!

Wow, Prince Yong can even apologize!

Qian Shengyan was happy for a moment, but then she felt that he should apologize. If this were nowadays, if a boyfriend hurt his girlfriend, he would be lucky if he didn't have to kneel on a keyboard, let alone apologize!

This damned feudalism!

After another moment of silence, Qian Shengyan didn't know what to say. Yinzhen didn't seem to expect her answer either, and he even looked a little... embarrassed. He probably hoped that Qian Shengyan would give no reaction at all and pretend that he had never said anything.

The two awkwardly spent a few moments together before Su Peisheng's voice from outside the door broke the strange atmosphere.

"Your Highness, Consort Li was about to touch the wall, but I had someone stop her."

Su Peisheng's voice was tinged with helplessness. Yinzhen sneered, lifted the curtain, and walked out: "Don't stop her. I'll watch her crash into the car!"

Qian Shengyan, following behind: ...

She doesn't believe it!

She neither believed that Lady Li would actually run into the wall, nor did she believe that if she did, Yinzhen would not stop her—wouldn't it sound good if word got out that a concubine committed suicide?

Upon stepping outside, Qian Shengyan saw that the lanterns in the courtyard were already lit. Standing under the eaves, she looked out and saw Li Shi, her face streaked with tears, collapsing into her maid's arms, crying and saying, "Don't stop me! I'm willing to die to prove my innocence!"

"Don't stop her." Yinzhen stood to the side, his aura heavy, and he said angrily, "No one is allowed to stop her!"

Upon seeing Yinzhen emerge, Lady Li first burst into tears, then crawled over on her hands and knees, her eyes sweeping over Qian Shengyan with a venomous glint before pleadingly looking at Yinzhen: "Your Highness and I have been together for many years, do you not trust me at all?"

"I regret trusting you too much!" Yinzhen said coldly. "The whole story has been investigated. Do I need to explain what your sister-in-law's cousin did?"

"Your Highness..." Madam Li panicked a little and immediately resorted to her tantrum tactics, "What is Your Highness saying? I don't understand! I only ordered people to purchase the best cotton wadding to make new clothes for the princes. Others are heartless. I have been deceived, Your Highness!"

Qian Shengyan couldn't help but purse her lips.

Good heavens, my own sister-in-law has become someone else.

"As a concubine in the household, I naturally have to take good care of the princes and princesses. Is it wrong to make clothes for the children?" Madam Li continued to shout.

Yinzhen sneered and said no more to her: "In my opinion, granting you the position of a secondary consort has only emboldened you to harbor ambitions you shouldn't have! Hongshi is someone you failed to properly educate, yet he dared to harm the other princes in the household, Li Shi! How dare you!"

Before Li could offer any further explanation, Yinzhen gave her a look, and Su Peisheng quickly stepped forward and ordered someone to cover her mouth.

“Li Shi,” Yinzhen pursed his lips, but still said in a deep voice, “has suddenly fallen ill and is unable to see anyone. She needs to be bedridden for many years and is unable to fulfill the duties of a secondary consort. Therefore, she is demoted to a concubine so that she can focus on recuperating.”

"Your Highness!!!!" Madam Li yanked the nanny off her mouth and cried out in disbelief, "Your Highness, Your Highness! Please, Your Highness, for Hongshi's sake..."

"Do you think you'd still be here speaking to me if it weren't for Hongshi?" Yinzhen, having calmed down, felt only deep weariness. He waved his hand and said, "Send Consort Li back to her quarters to recuperate. She is not allowed to go out unless necessary."

"Your Highness! Your Highness! The Third Princess is about to be married, and I cannot be absent!" Madam Li no longer cared about rank; she hurriedly struggled to her feet, crying, "She is my only daughter!"

"It is a disgrace for my daughter to have a mother like you!" Yinzhen rebuked mercilessly.

"Your Highness!" Li cried out in anguish, but seeing that Yinzhen turned and left without hesitation, she frantically tried to rush forward to pull him back, but was stopped by someone.

Li's eyes swept wildly over the crowd, then she suddenly stood up and rushed towards Qian Shengyan: "It's you! It's you, you little slut! What did you say to the Prince? Did you say something to the Prince? Slut, slut! You dare to try and take my position as your concubine!"

Qian Shengyan was startled by her distorted expression and subconsciously took a few steps back. The maids quickly surrounded Qian Shengyan, keeping Li Shi out.

Yinzhen turned back, took Qian Shengyan's hand, frowned as he watched Li Shi being pulled away, and then looked at Qian Shengyan: "I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Qian Shengyan shook her head and said nothing.

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