When Consort Rong arrived at the gate of Zhaoning Palace, she heard the conversations of the ladies in the courtyard. The handkerchief in her hand was already crumpled and deformed.

Upon seeing Consort Rong arrive, everyone stopped talking.

When Jiang Yu came out, the first thing she saw was Consort Rong's belly. "Someone, give Consort Rong and Consort Yi seats."

"Today is the Third Prince's birthday, but since he is not by my side, I thought I would hold this flower-viewing banquet to make Zhaoning Palace lively as well," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "Today, everyone can enjoy the flowers to their heart's content, so please don't be too reserved."

"I heard that most of these flowers were personally selected by the Third Prince." After what happened to Gu Qingyao at the Prince Yu's residence, the Princess Consort of the Prince Yu was clearly much closer to Jiang Yu. "The Third Prince is young, but he is a filial child."

"What Your Majesty says is true. The Third Prince has been away from the capital for some time now, and I miss him dearly." The flowers in Zhaoning Palace were blooming so vibrantly, and there were also some rare varieties sent by Gu Heng, which dazzled everyone.

After exchanging pleasantries with the ladies, Jiang Yu slowly walked toward Consort Rong, who was sitting down.

"Is there any discomfort in your stomach?" Jiang Yu asked with concern. "If you feel unwell, send someone to summon the imperial physician."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am perfectly fine."

Consort Rong would never allow Jiang Yu to summon the imperial physician and ruin her long-planned scheme.

Seeing this, Jiang Yu said no more. Gu Qingyao, who was following behind, gave Consort Rong a deep look, which made Consort Rong feel a chill.

Halfway through the flower-viewing banquet, Jiang Yu seemed a little tired. She left Ling Mama and Wanji to serve her outside while she went inside to rest.

"Her Majesty the Empress is resting inside. If Consort Rong needs anything, please allow me to go in and inform her." Granny Ling stopped Consort Rong from entering the room, but Consort Rong rebuked her, "I feel a little unwell in my stomach and would like to go in and sit for a while. Do I have to ask the Empress for that?"

"If anything were to happen to the child in my womb, could you, a mere servant, bear the responsibility?"

Ling Mama was frightened by Rong Pin's words, while Rong Pin went into the room without saying a word.

Inside the room, Consort Rong looked at the sleeping Jiang Yu, and a vicious surge of jealousy welled up inside her.

"How come you're so lucky? You were born the legitimate daughter of a marquis's family, and you became the empress as soon as you entered the palace. You have everything that I could never reach even if I stood on tiptoe."

Consort Rong stroked her belly, "Now you still want to take what's mine, Jiang Yu, you forced me into this!"

In an instant, Jiang Yu opened her eyes.

Upon seeing this, Consort Rong slammed her head against the bedpost. A sharp pain shot through her abdomen, and she fell to the ground. "Your Majesty, why did you push me? Quickly, call the imperial physician! My stomach hurts so much..."

Hearing the commotion, the people who rushed in were at a loss when they saw the scene. One by one, they all said that they had something to do at home and hurriedly left the palace. They dared not get involved in the affairs of the inner palace.

Gu Heng arrived at Zhaoning Palace in just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"Ayu, are you hurt?"

Consort Rong's painful groans were completely ignored. Gu Heng looked at Jiang Yu with concern, "As soon as I heard that something had happened at Zhaoning Palace, I rushed over here."

"I am fine," Jiang Yu said calmly. "It's just that Consort Rong's pregnancy has encountered a problem."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you must do justice for me! The Empress pushed me for no reason; she's trying to harm the child in my womb!" Consort Rong was covered in sweat from the pain, and her voice was weak.

Upon hearing this, Gu Heng looked at Jiang Yu, moved his lips but made no sound.

"I did not push Consort Rong. It was Consort Rong who bumped into me and tried to frame me." Jiang Yu remained calm. "I already have three princes and one princess. Consort Rong's pregnancy will not affect me at all."

"I believe you."

Gu Heng's words made Consort Rong's vision go black, and she felt a warm current flowing down her body. Consort Rong's consciousness began to blur. In her dazed state, she heard the commotion of the imperial physician arriving. Jiang Yu ordered the palace servants to move her to the bed.

Gu Heng stopped him, saying, "Carry Consort Rong to the side hall of Zhaoning Palace. Let Ayu rest here for a while. I can tell that Ayu doesn't look well either."

The next second, Consort Rong fell into a coma.

......

"You're awake."

Consort Rong was unconscious for two hours. When she opened her eyes again, she reached out and touched her stomach, which had shrunk.

Her child is gone.

Gu Heng was truly ruthless today, which saved me a lot of trouble.

"You must be very happy now." Consort Rong wiped away her tears. "Seeing me lose everything, Jiang Yu, do you think you've won?"

Seeing the determination in Consort Rong's eyes, Jiang Yu laughed out loud, "Of course I won. When I noticed something was wrong, Yao'er immediately went to call the Emperor. All the flowers in my Zhaoning Palace were brought here by Ayan. Even Feng'er is a filial child now."

"Why am I not a winner?"

Jiang Yu looked down at Consort Rong as if she were looking at a defeated soldier, but Consort Rong laughed, "I laugh at your pitifulness, Jiang Yu, you are actually a pitiful wretch."

"Those things you thought were yours? Actually, they're all mine."

Consort Rong had become somewhat deranged. Jiang Yu stared at Consort Rong for a moment, then turned and left.

"Tonight, as planned, we'll dress up as evil spirits and scare our Consort Rong."

On the other side, Gu Qingyan, who had almost uncovered the mole within the county government, breathed a rare sigh of relief. "Brother Huo, haven't you returned from your investigation yet?"

"Third Prince, Mr. Huo said he would be back tonight before he left."

Gu Qingyan then remembered that it was his birthday, and with a quick turn, he arrived at the South Alley Market. "Waiter, a bowl of noodles, please."

His mother also said that she would cook him a bowl of longevity noodles on his birthday, but unfortunately he is not by his mother's side now.

The noodles were still steaming when they were served, but Gu Qingyan immediately noticed the thick calluses on the waiter's thumb.

A slight tremor ran through Gu Qingyan as he calmly observed the entire market. Today's market was unusually bustling.

While eating noodles, Gu Qingyan gestured to the soldiers behind him, but he had only brought a few dozen soldiers with him today.

The atmosphere became tense. The other party seemed to realize that Gu Qingyan had noticed something was wrong, and directly drew his sword to stab Gu Qingyan.

Soon, Gu Qingyan was covered in blood. Dozens of soldiers protected Gu Qingyan as he retreated, but the enemy pursued him relentlessly, determined to kill him.

One by one, the soldiers fell to the ground. Gu Qingyan looked around and wondered, "Who on earth sent such a large force to try and kill me?"

"You only have yourself to blame for offending the wrong person."

A sharp sword thrust straight at him, but Gu Qingyan's right hand was too injured to exert any strength.