Refusing again would be going too far.
"Your Highness, this old minister thanks you." Huo Yun knelt down and kowtowed.
The Seventh Prince helped the woman up, chatted for a few words, and then left with Princess Jiahua. Before leaving, he said, "Jiahua and the old lady get along very well. I will have to bother them in the future."
"It is a blessing for the Huo family to have caught the eye of the Seventh Prince's Consort," Huo Yun said respectfully.
"General Huo, please wait."
The two left.
Huo Yun's vision blurred and he almost lost his balance. He swayed and held tightly to the servant's hand as he returned to his study, where he recounted what he had just said.
Huo Xi frowned.
"We have very little connection with the Seventh Prince. After returning to the capital, the Seventh Prince rarely interacts with the court officials. Why is he getting so close to us?" Old Madam Huo wondered. She had only met the Seventh Prince's wife once, so they had nothing to talk about.
Huo Yun said, "The Huo family has been targeted. Xi'er will be unable to leave Jincheng for the time being. I just don't know whether the Seventh Prince is a friend or foe."
The entrances and exits of the underground palace were guarded by the Seventh Prince's men.
Huo Xi couldn't leave even if he wanted to. He took a deep breath and said, "Let's wait a little longer. Maybe we're overthinking it."
"I hope so."
The news that the Seventh Prince's residence had moved next door to the Huo family quickly reached Empress Yan's ears, and she could no longer sit still.
"Why did you suddenly move away?"
"I heard that the Seventh Prince bought the courtyard because the Seventh Prince's wife liked the scent of pear blossoms in the Huo family's courtyard."
Empress Yan felt a pang of unease upon hearing this, and pursed her lips: "Go and send a message to the Third Prince's wife, and find a way to bring the Seventh Prince's wife into the palace as well."
"yes."
evening
The Third Prince's wife went to the residence and was able to meet Princess Jia Hua as she wished.
Why do you still look so unwell?
Princess Jia Hua shrugged: "I'm thinking about it every day, I can't eat or sleep well, how can I recuperate properly?"
Hearing this, the Third Prince's wife sighed, "We are thousands of miles apart, it will be difficult for you to see me. You should take care of yourself."
"Third Sister-in-law, how about we make a deal?"
The Third Prince's wife's eyelids twitched. She took a small sip of tea, a half-smile playing on her lips, and asked, "What kind of deal?"
"Third Sister-in-law is now relying on the Empress and the Yan family, but the prince the Yan family has their eye on is not the Third Prince. Has Third Sister-in-law ever thought about what will happen to her if the Yan family dislikes her?" Princess Jiahua was too lazy to beat around the bush and said directly, "The struggle between the Third Prince's residence and the Seventh Prince's residence is like the snipe and the clam fighting, with the fisherman benefiting. It's just killing each other. Why bother?"
The Third Prince's wife frowned.
“The Huo family holds hidden military power, and Your Highness has enough troops. I can persuade Your Highness to hand over the Huo family to the Third Prince’s residence.”
The Third Prince's wife took a deep breath: "Continue."
"The person the Yan family has their eye on is the second prince."
"Second Prince, this is impossible!" The Third Prince's wife flatly refused, "The Second Prince is away from home all year round and doesn't have a single soldier under his command."
“The Second Prince was born to the First Empress and is the legitimate eldest son. His being separated from the Empress is only to protect him. If you don’t believe me, you can investigate the clues in private.” Princess Jia Hua added, “I know that Her Majesty the Empress promised you the position of Empress and pledged to support the Third Prince to ascend the throne.”
"Seventh Prince's wife, don't talk nonsense." The Third Prince's wife denied it repeatedly.
Princess Jia Hua lowered her voice and said a few words, and the Third Prince's wife's expression changed: "Did Your Highness really show you the letter in private?"
"All the letters from Northern Chu were intercepted by the Empress, a total of thirty-six."
Hearing Princess Jia Hua accurately recite the contents of the letter, the Third Prince's Consort completely believed her. Princess Jia Hua then said, "Your Majesty sent someone to Northern Chu. I will settle this score with you to the end!"
What do you want?
"Let Xiangzhu take the child back to Northern Chu." Princess Jiahua said, "I know you intend to harm Xiangzhu and leave the child with me. I might as well tell you today, if Xiangzhu dies, I will make sure someone is buried with her!"
The sharp tone made the Third Prince's wife's scalp tingle.
She had witnessed Princess Jia Hua's ruthlessness, intelligence, and boldness, and she quickly guessed the other party's intentions; even Empress Yan was no match for her.
"How could that be..." the Third Prince's wife denied guiltily.
Princess Jiahua then brought up a few more matters, which made the Third Prince's wife tremble with fear. She bit her lip and said, "It's not difficult to get Xiangzhu to leave Jincheng, but how can I be sure you will keep your promise and not turn around and bite me?"
"The Seventh Prince's residence has military power to protect him, so what gives Third Sister-in-law the confidence to protect the young prince?" Princess Jiahua retorted.
The Third Prince's wife's pupils contracted, and she clenched her fists tightly to calm herself down: "Fine! I will arrange for someone to send Xiangzhu away immediately. As for the cooperation, I need to see your sincerity."
Princess Jia Hua nodded.
Half an hour later, Princess Jiahua entered the palace with the Third Prince's wife.
The Fengyi Palace had already lit calming incense.
"Greetings to Your Majesty." The two bowed.
Empress Yan glanced at Princess Jia Hua, her gaze settling on her shoulder: "Is your injury healed?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine."
Empress Yan slowly sat up and glanced at the Third Prince's wife: "Third Prince's wife, I have something I want to say to the Seventh Prince's wife alone."
The Third Prince's wife's eyes flickered slightly before she silently withdrew.
Silence reigned all around.
Empress Yan suddenly spoke up: "How about I arrange for someone to send you back to Northern Chu?"
"Does Your Highness wish to send it privately or openly?"
"What's the difference?"
“Of course it’s different. Privately, she was worried I wouldn’t make it to Northern Chu alive.” Princess Jia Hua bluntly exposed Empress Yan’s true thoughts.
Empress Yan's expression changed slightly: "Are you doubting me?"
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