Bin'er paused and continued, "At that time, my lady was confined to Qiluan Garden. She was often hungry and the food sent to her was thin soup and water, and much of it was spoiled. My lady was malnourished and her body was very weak. She did not receive care from the imperial physicians, which led to her premature birth."
"During childbirth, she suffered greatly because of the midwife who was bribed by Consort Zhuang."
Bin'er kowtowed to the Empress Dowager: "It is this servant's fault for failing to protect Consort Shu. This servant is incompetent. Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Consort Shu hurriedly stood up from her stool and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, if you must punish someone, punish me. I have been confined to my quarters for a long time, and it is thanks to Bin'er by my side that I was able to avoid this Seventh Princess..."
As Consort Shu spoke, her lips twitched, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
The Empress Dowager's brow twitched slightly: "I think the inner palace really needs a thorough overhaul. How come no one has reported such a big matter to me?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down." Emperor Yuanwu hurriedly took Mu Qianqian from the Empress Dowager's arms: "I have never heard Consort Shu mention these things before, and this is the first time I have heard of them."
The Empress Dowager walked up to Consort Shu and helped her up: "Consort Shu, you have already done the greatest service by giving the Emperor so many princes and princesses. I had misunderstood you before. I never expected you to be so sensible."
"As long as Your Majesty the Empress Dowager doesn't misunderstand me, that is my blessing," Consort Shu said softly.
"Your Majesty," the Empress Dowager turned to Emperor Yuanwu and said, "Although Consort Shu was also at fault for what happened back then, she was only worried about her brother. The royal family teaches their children from a young age to support and care for each other. Consort Shu was only concerned about her brother, so what's wrong with that? If the Seventh Princess, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fifth Prince grow up and find out about this, how will they get along?"
"Your Majesty's reprimand is correct," Emperor Yuanwu said, lowering his eyes.
"Consort Shu has rendered meritorious service in protecting the imperial offspring, and with three sons and one mother, she is worthy of the title of Noble Consort." The Empress solemnly said, "By my decree, Consort Shu, with her gentle and virtuous nature, prudent conduct, careful and respectful before the Empress, and kind and gentle in managing her subordinates, is hereby promoted to Noble Consort Shu."
Consort Shu was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses: "Thank you, Empress Dowager, thank you, Your Majesty."
"Consort Shu, please rise." A faint smile finally appeared on the Empress Dowager's face. "Leave the rest to the Ministry of Rites."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager played with Mu Qianqian in Qiluan Garden for a while before leaving.
She had just left Consort Shu's place.
Sanxi hurriedly ran into Yikun Palace.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, something terrible has happened!" Sanxi asked in a panic.
"What's wrong?" The Queen asked calmly, as she was trimming a bunch of fragrant lilies.
"Your Majesty, oh dear, Your Majesty, how can you still be in the mood to prune flowers here? Has something terrible happened?" Sanxi said anxiously.
"What's wrong? Has Consort Shu been demoted? Or confined to her quarters? Can't you speak properly? What's the panic?" Consort Shu clicked her tongue.
Seeing that the Empress seemed to know nothing, Sanxi became so anxious that a layer of fine sweat appeared on his forehead: "Your Majesty, it's neither."
"Neither...?" the Empress drawled. "Could it be... that you were kicked out?"
After the Empress finished speaking, she gave a deep, smug sneer: "I really didn't expect the Empress Dowager to be so quick..."
"No, no, none of those are..."
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