The Empress was kind-hearted and spared Consort Li's life.
Although Consort Li was unwilling, the situation was hopeless, and she felt extremely fortunate to have survived.
After Consort Li thanked the Empress, the Sixth Prince also knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!"
The Empress said, "You and your son should say goodbye now. Once Consort Li leaves the palace, it will be difficult to see her again."
The Sixth Prince and Consort Li embraced and wept bitterly.
Chiu Chiu sighed from the side, "Alas! If I had known this would happen, why did I harm people in the first place?"
Xu Ruyun poked Qiuqiu: "Qiuqiu, just say less!"
Consort Li seemed to regret her actions, and she said with tears in her eyes, "It's all my fault for being too greedy. Back when I couldn't get food outside the palace, it was the Empress who helped me. Later, she brought me into the palace and gave me a life of luxury."
【You actually know all this? I thought you'd lost all your conscience!】
Consort Li: "It's all my fault for being so foolish! So foolish!"
The sixth prince, standing beside Consort Li, said, "Mother Consort—"
Consort Li: "After I leave, please treat Xing'er well, sister. I kowtow to you here!"
Consort Li kowtowed several times to the Empress.
Empress: "Alright! Don't worry, I will definitely teach Xing'er well."
Subsequently, Consort Li had her magnificent headdress and beautiful clothes removed.
She was sent to a nunnery dressed only in plain clothes.
When the mother and son were separated, the sixth prince cried so hard he almost fainted.
Chiu Chiu looked at the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince is so pitiful. Can I play with him for a while?"
The Queen nodded.
Inside the sealed-off palace, many people were talking about it privately.
"What exactly happened? Why won't His Majesty let us out?"
Qi Jinlan muttered to herself, "I prepared quite a few good poems, intending to display them at the banquet, but I didn't expect it to end so quickly."
Qi Jiating comforted her daughter, saying, "It's alright, it's alright."
Xiao Zhenzhen said with a displeased expression, "What do you mean 'nothing'? Why can that girl Qiuqiu steal the spotlight, but we Jinlan can't?"
Qi Jia said irritably, "Just shut up!"
A man named Lord Sun, who was standing nearby, sized up Jinlan.
Lord Sun: "Such a young age, yet you speak with such arrogance. Tell me, what poems can you write?"
Qi Jinlan showed the poem she had written to Lord Sun.
Lord Sun was astonished: "Did you write all of this?"
Qi Jinlan said, "Hmm, how is it?"
Lord Sun exclaimed excitedly, "Incredible! Incredible! This child has a limitless future! May I keep this poem for myself?"
Qi Jinlan nodded: "Why not? Please take it, sir."
Lord Sun: "Then I thank you!"
Qi Jiating politely said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Sun!"
Lord Sun warmly said to Qi Jiating, "Lord Qi, come to my residence for a drink another day, and bring your family along!"
Before Qi Jiating could even speak, Xiao Zhenzhen eagerly said, "Great! Thank you, Lord Sun!"
Ever since that disgraceful incident at the inn, Qi Jiating's popularity has plummeted.
Most people in the court disdained to associate with him.
Xiao Zhenzhen was even more destitute.
No lady was on good terms with her.
This time, because their daughter was invited, Xiao Zhenzhen felt that she had finally regained some face.
Seeing that someone appreciated her, Qi Jinlan went along with it in front of Lord Sun, saying, "I'm not just good at reciting poems; my brother and I can do many other things too!"
Lord Sun was somewhat surprised, yet also pleased, and said, "Oh, really?"
Qi Jinlan tugged at her brother Qi Gaoming, who was standing next to her.
Qi Gaoming stammered, "Oh, yes."
Lord Sun was even happier and said, "Then I must invite you to my residence. What time would be suitable? Would tomorrow be alright?"
Xiao Zhenzhen nodded and said, "Sure, sure. We're available anytime."
Qi Jiating glanced at Xiao Zhenzhen.
You've completely embarrassed yourself. You seem so unsophisticated. If it were Yun'er, she wouldn't have lost her composure like that.
Yun'er. Why is he thinking of his ex-wife again?
Didn't he say he had no feelings for her? But why does it seem like Xiao Zhenzhen is inferior to Yun'er in every way? Sigh!
Qi Jiating sighed.
Xiao Zhenzhen was still immersed in joy and did not take Qi Jiating's reaction to heart.
At that moment, the palace gates were suddenly opened.
The eunuch announced loudly, "The palace gates are open!"
Everyone rushed outside.
"The palace gates are open! Let's hurry home. It's so hot!"
"I don't know what has happened during all this time."
"Whatever. Looks like the matter is resolved. Otherwise, they wouldn't have let us out."
"It's good that it's resolved. As long as it doesn't involve us!"
The group chattered away as they walked towards the palace gates.
Only Lord Sun slipped some silver into the hand of a eunuch beside him to gather information.
Lord Sun asked, "May I ask, Your Excellency, has something gone wrong in the palace?"
The eunuch looked around to make sure no one was watching, then whispered to Lord Sun, "Your Excellency, please don't tell anyone. As far as I know, it seems the Second Prince has committed some offense and has been imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court!"
Lord Sun: "The Imperial Clan Court?"
The eunuch said, "That's right!"
Lord Sun: "Very well. I understand. Thank you, Eunuch!"
After his father-in-law left, Lord Sun was secretly pleased.
The Second Prince has fallen from power, that's wonderful!
Not long after leaving the palace, in a private room of an elegant restaurant in the capital, Lord Sun reported the situation to a mysterious figure.
The mysterious figure burst into laughter.
"Good! That idiot second brother actually tried to harm sixth brother."
Lord Sun: "Your Highness is truly wise. You remained calm and did not get involved in any of the Second Prince's struggles. As a result, no trouble has come your way."
This mysterious figure is the eldest prince.
The eldest prince usually presents himself as indifferent to fame and fortune, staying away from the struggles within the palace.
He often told others that he only wanted to be a carefree prince.
But who knew that his ambitions were far greater?
He was waiting for these people to be defeated so he could reap the benefits.
The eldest prince said, "The second prince has done so many bad things that even Father probably doesn't know. Locking him up in the Imperial Clan Court is already being merciful to him."
Lord Sun echoed, "Yes, yes, yes!"
The eldest prince: "What other interesting things have happened? Tell me about them."
Lord Sun: "If we're talking about interesting stories, I do have one here."
The eldest prince took a sip of water and placed the cup on the table.
"oh?"
Lord Sun: "Today at the palace gate, I encountered a talented young woman. Her poetry was quite remarkable!"
The eldest prince immediately became interested: "Really? How exciting is it?"
Lord Sun took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to the eldest prince.
The eldest prince, who had always been obsessed with poetry, widened his eyes considerably when he saw the note.
The First Prince: "What a fine poem! What a fine poem! Where is the person who wrote it? Bring him here immediately!"
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