The next day, Gu Jingchun had just woken up when he heard Lanxin's New Year greetings.

"Miss, Happy New Year! May you have good fortune and all your wishes come true."

Gu Jingchun smiled and nodded, then immediately presented a red envelope.

Lanxin accepted the red envelope and immediately went out happily.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Jinxi and Xiaoman also came over.

Gu Jingchun presented each of them with a red envelope.

Looking up again, I saw a red envelope in front of me.

Shen Hechuan's deep voice rang out.

"Happy New Year."

Gu Jingchun accepted it with a smile and then offered one to Shen Hechuan.

Shen Hechuan was surprised to find that he had one too, and was stunned for a moment before taking it.

A moment later, Princess Rongyang arrived as if flying.

After receiving several thick red envelopes, her expression changed, and she pulled Gu Jinxi to go and ask the Empress Dowager for more red envelopes.

The Empress Dowager's favorite thing right now is this little guy.

She believed that with Gu Jinxi around, her grandmother would definitely give her a red envelope this time.

Oh, and there's also the Empress Dowager's side; she needs to take Gu Jinxi there as well.

Seeing that Princess Rongyang was in high spirits, Gu Jingchun did not stop her and went with them.

Shen Hechuan gave Tianji a wink, instructing someone to secretly watch over Gu Jinxi and ensure that he did not encounter any accidents.

The two had just reached the small bridge in the garden when they encountered another uninvited guest.

"Oh my, where did this child come from? He's so adorable!"

Consort Hui stood on the path the two were bound to take, watching them with a charming smile.

Princess Rongyang also disliked Consort Hui's hypocritical face. Seeing this, she shielded Gu Jinxi behind her and then casually gave a curtsy.

"She's just a child from the East Palace. I found her very cute, so I took her to Shou'an Palace to cheer up the Empress Dowager. It's just that you, Noble Consort, have been worried."

Consort Hui's gaze fell on Gu Jinxi.

He looked her up and down.

If you only look at his face now, he doesn't seem to resemble Shen Hechuan much, but if you look closely at his features, you can immediately find the similarities between him and Shen Hechuan.

No wonder, he remained in the palace without causing much of a reaction.

It's probably something no one could have imagined that this child would actually be Shen Hechuan's biological child.

"He is just an ordinary child, yet he has caught the eye of Princess Rongyang. He must have some extraordinary qualities."

Princess Rongyang, noticing Consort Hui's gaze, instinctively hid Gu Jinxi even further behind her.

"It's just a child. I thought he was cute and teased him a bit. I think Consort Hui is overthinking it."

Princess Rongyang said this and pulled Gu Jinxi forward.

However, Consort Hui showed no intention of making way.

They stood on a small arched bridge in the Imperial Garden. The bridge was not large, and it was usually only wide enough for two people to walk side by side.

With Consort Hui blocking the way, Princess Rongyang couldn't get through and could only raise her voice slightly.

"Your Highness, I am in a hurry to see my grandmother. If you don't step aside, and we are late, can you bear the consequences?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Hui chuckled softly, took a step back, and made way for them.

However, as Princess Rongyang pulled Gu Jinxi closer, Consort Hui suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Gu Jinxi's arm.

"He is indeed a lovely child. No wonder His Highness the Crown Prince cherishes him so much that he even personally hired a teacher for him."

Consort Hui couldn't help but feel hatred when she looked at Gu Jinxi.

Shen Hechuan has caused his own son such a terrible tragedy.

Now that her son was in her hands, the flames of hatred in her heart immediately ignited.

She placed her hand on his face, her long, slender nails tracing lines on Gu Jinxi's cheek, before pressing down hard, causing Princess Rongyang's expression to change instantly.

"what are you up to?"

Princess Rongyang instinctively reached out to pull Consort Hui.

However, Gu Jinxi, feeling a pain in her cheek, instinctively pushed Consort Hui.

Consort Hui's body suddenly leaned backward and fell directly into the river behind her.

A soft "thump" quickly drew the attention of many people.

The palace maids and eunuchs around were also startled and craned their necks to look. Only then did they realize that the person struggling in the river was none other than Consort Hui.

The servants were shocked and immediately shouted to save the person.

Consort Hui struggled desperately in the water, trying to call for help, but she was in great discomfort because she had choked on several mouthfuls of water.

The fishy, ​​foul smell in the water almost made her unable to breathe.

However, the more she struggled, the faster she sank, and she was about to sink completely.

At this moment, one of the eunuchs realized it was too late and quickly plunged into the water to rescue Consort Hui.

Princess Rongyang stood there holding Gu Jinxi, watching this scene with a mix of fear and trepidation.

Gu Jinxi's face turned pale.

"What should I do, Princess? Have I done something wrong?"

Gu Jinxi tugged at Princess Rongyang's sleeve, "Will I implicate my mother?"

After entering the palace, Gu Jinxi was very obedient, never crying or making a fuss. Even when she missed Gu Jingchun, she wouldn't cling to him like before.

He knew that his mother must have something important to do here.

He is still too young to help his mother.

However, he didn't want to cause trouble for his mother, so he tried his best to be as obedient as possible.

But just now, he was in so much pain that he couldn't help but gently push her.

He really only pushed her lightly, without using any force, but she still fell down.

Seeing this, Princess Rongyang comforted Gu Jinxi while instructing two palace maids beside her to go and inform Shen Hechuan and the Empress Dowager respectively.

An hour later, Consort Hui lay half-reclined on the bed, looking at Emperor Rongcheng with a wronged expression.

"Your Majesty, you must do justice for me! I am, after all, a Noble Consort of the court, in charge of the six palaces. Now, I have been pushed into the water by a child. If this gets out, I will lose all face."

She changed into a white dress, her face pale, tears welling in her eyes, just like the pear blossoms in Chun-Li that had been battered by frost, delicate and lovely, making Emperor Rongcheng feel sorry for her.

He placed his large, warm hand on her back and gently comforted her until she calmed down.

Emperor Rongcheng helped her lie down and watched over her until she fell asleep before lowering the curtain and striding out.

As soon as he stepped into the outer room, his expression turned cold, and he turned to look in the direction of the door.

At this moment, Princess Rongyang and Gu Jinxi were kneeling respectfully.

Directly in front of them sat the Empress Dowager, her face solemn.

Beside him stood Shen Hechuan, his face radiating coldness.

Behind Shen Hechuan stood Gu Jingchun.

Gu Jingchun looked at the red marks on Gu Jinxi's face.