Consort Liang's smile froze.
What's wrong with her these past two days? She forgot to check the almanac before going out.
That's really bringing up the very thing you shouldn't talk about.
"Your Majesty, perhaps the First Prince was delayed by something. You raised him with so much care and effort, how could he not be filial to you?"
As Consort Liang spoke, she racked her brains trying to change the subject, just as she was at her wits' end.
His gaze fell on an orange-red gemstone on the Empress's bedside table.
Consort Liang's eyes lit up as if she had seen a savior: "Your Majesty, this gemstone by your bedside is so beautiful. I've never seen it before. Where did you get it?"
"Hmm?" The Empress turned her head in the direction of Consort Liang's gaze, and her expression relaxed slightly when her eyes fell on the orange-red gemstone.
She reached out and took the orange-red gemstone: "This is what you're talking about. Consort Shu brought it with her when she came today. I found it interesting and just put it here. You can take it if you like."
Consort Liang's eyes lit up with joy: "Since it was Consort Shu who presented it to Her Majesty the Empress, how could I possibly do her a favor?"
"What's so special about this?" the Empress said casually. "I have plenty of things like this in my storeroom. If you like, you can take it."
"Then..." Consort Liang hurriedly rose and bowed, "This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress."
The two were talking.
The voice of a eunuch announcing the news came from the doorway.
"The Crown Prince has arrived."
Upon hearing the announcement, Consort Liang hurriedly stood up from the ground.
"May the Crown Prince be blessed."
"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
The eldest prince crossed his arms and bowed to Consort Shu, saying, "Greetings, Consort Liang."
"Get up," the Empress said calmly.
The moment Mu Junyao stood up, he inadvertently glanced at the orange-red gemstone in Consort Liang's hand.
His eyes flashed with a sharp glint: "Your Highness, where did you get this thing in your hand?"
Consort Liang paused for a moment, then followed the Crown Prince's astonished gaze to look at what was in her hand, and the smile on her face suddenly froze.
What does "eldest prince" mean?
Could it be that he's eyeing that gemstone in her hand and wants to snatch it from her?
Consort Liang couldn't help but feel remorse.
She should have left as soon as she got the orange-red gem.
Oh no, oh no.
This is completely over.
Look at the way the eldest prince stared at that orange-red gem.
He knew then that his orange-red gem was doomed.
Consort Liang couldn't help but wail inwardly.
The next second.
As her fingertips emptied, her heart emptied as well.
The smile on the Empress's face froze instantly upon Mu Junyao's action.
"This... I have already bestowed it upon Consort Liang." The Empress paused. "There are many other jade stones in the storeroom. Why don't you go and take a look?"
The eldest prince ignored the empress and his eyes darkened as he looked at the orange-red gemstone: "I have already bestowed this orange-red gemstone upon Consort Liang."
"I mean, where did this orange-red gem come from?" Mu Junyao asked, somewhat agitated.
"Yes..." The Empress was taken aback by the shout: "It was brought by Consort Shu when she came to visit me."
The eldest prince scoffed, took the orange-red gemstone, and turned to walk out the door.
The Consort Liang and the Empress were left completely bewildered, and it took them a while to come to their senses.
"What's wrong with the eldest prince?" Consort Liang asked sullenly.
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