Two weeks later.
Prince Xiao was released from confinement ahead of schedule because he donated a large sum of military rations to Emperor Wenjian.
After the ban was lifted, he first went to the palace to thank Emperor Wenjian, and then went to visit Consort Zhang without stopping.
"Mother, how are you feeling now? Is there anything seriously wrong with you?"
Prince Xiao was always filial, and when he arrived at Consort Zhang's place, the first thing he did was to inquire about her injuries.
At this time, after half a month of recuperation, Consort Zhang was able to walk again, but she still had a lingering ailment and looked somewhat weak.
"My son, why were you released from quarantine ahead of schedule? Who saved you?"
When Consort Zhang saw Prince Xiao approaching, she touched his face with teary eyes.
"Mother, are you alright? Your son was released from confinement because he donated a large amount of military rations to Father."
"Mother is much better, but her health has deteriorated. I don't know why your father's temperament has changed so drastically. Now he's spending all his time pampering that vixen, Consort Yao!"
Consort Zhang spoke through gritted teeth.
Ever since she had been favored by the emperor, she had become extremely enamored with that feeling. Now that she had suddenly lost it, she was consumed with jealousy when she saw other women receiving his favor.
"Mother, don't be angry. Your health is the most important thing. When I ascend the throne, you will be the most honored woman in the world. At that time, you can deal with Consort Yao however you want."
King Xiao comforted Consort Zhang.
Actually, he had another purpose in coming to see Consort Zhang today.
"Mother, I have come to ask for your help today. I have a brilliant plan to bring down the Crown Prince, but I have encountered a little difficulty."
King Xiao looked at Consort Zhang with a worried expression.
"What's the problem? Can your mother help you?"
Consort Zhang looked at Prince Xiao with a puzzled expression. Now that she was no longer favored by the emperor, she didn't know what help she could offer.
“Mother, I want to find someone, but this is someone that even Consort Liu couldn’t find before. But if we find this person, we can bring down the Empress and the Crown Prince.”
Your son knows that you know someone in the martial arts world who seems to be particularly skilled at finding people. Your son is thinking—"
Prince Xiao looked at Consort Zhang expectantly, a hint of embarrassment in his eyes. He knew his mother might be very resistant to such a request, but he had no other choice at the moment.
When Consort Zhang heard that someone in the martial arts world was mentioned, her expression immediately fell, and she interrupted him with a stern face.
"No, Mother will not go to that person!"
"Mother! I beg you, if we don't do this, how will I survive after the Crown Prince ascends the throne? Can you bear to watch me die?"
King Xiao pleaded.
"But......"
Consort Zhang looked troubled and conflicted.
That person was her lifelong nightmare; the mere thought of that person touching her memories would send chills down her spine.
And the reason for this was simply because that person was too ugly.
She swore that she had never seen anyone uglier than that man in the world.
But now her own son was actually asking her to go find that person, and she couldn't help but tremble.
"Mother! If I die, you will certainly not have a good life either. Father is getting old and will have to hand over the country to the Crown Prince sooner or later. Do you want to go back to the life you had before, which was worse than a dog's?"
King Xiao spoke again in a deep voice.
Consort Zhang's heart softened. She recalled the days when she was pregnant with Prince Xiao. Because the Emperor didn't have many children, she, a lowly palace maid, was promoted to the rank of Consort because of her pregnancy.
However, all of this made Consort Liu, who was once the most favored concubine, dislike her. If it weren't for the medicine that person gave her to prevent miscarriage, she certainly wouldn't have been able to give birth to the child.
Later, she was fortunate enough to give birth to Queen Xiao. Emperor Wenjian was overjoyed and gave her many rewards, promoting her from a low-ranking concubine to a high-ranking consort.
However, her good days didn't last long. Because of the birth of the King of Chu, she was once again suppressed by Consort Liu, and her life in the harem was worse than that of a dog in Consort Liu's palace.
Those days were extremely humiliating.
It wasn't until later, when her son grew up, became quite capable, and showed no ambition, that he voluntarily requested to go to his fiefdom, that Consort Liu stopped targeting her.
"Who are you looking for? Is it really that important that you need your mother to help you find that person?"
Consort Zhang gradually wavered, but still wanted to figure out which important person had made her sacrifice so much and take such a risk.
“They were the Empress’s midwife back then. Mother Consort, I found two palace maids who used to serve Consort Liu. They said that Consort Liu discovered that the Crown Prince was not the Empress’s son.”
"What?"
Consort Zhang stared wide-eyed in surprise.
"Isn't the Crown Prince the Emperor's son too?"
"What do you mean by 'also'? Mother, what do you mean by that?"
Prince Xiao looked at Consort Zhang strangely. Did his mother know something else?
"No, it's nothing. Mother was just surprised to say an extra word. Does Mother mean that the Crown Prince is neither the Empress's son nor the Emperor's son?"
A flicker of panic flashed across Consort Zhang's eyes.
Although King Xiao felt something was amiss, he didn't ask any further questions because of the purpose of his visit.
Little did they know that in the instant they were speaking earnestly, a woman outside covered her mouth in surprise and then quietly moved away.
"Is it just a matter of finding the midwife to find out? But I can't find her no matter what I do. I know that the person Mother knows has extraordinary abilities in finding people. I hope Mother can help me."
King Xiao looked earnestly at Consort Zhang once again.
When he was a child, he saw a strange man come to his mother's palace and heard the man say his identity.
Later, when he grew up, he had someone in the martial arts world investigate that man and learned that he was the famous Earth-Earing Rat.
The Earth-Earth Rat is famous in the martial arts world for finding people and things. He has superhuman abilities; as long as you give him a little information about a missing person, he can turn the ground upside down to find them.
Although he didn't know what the relationship was between this person and his mother, he naturally had to ask his mother for help since this person could help him now.
"this......"
"Mother! Do you really want to watch your son die?"
Seeing that Consort Zhang was still hesitating, Prince Xiao couldn't help but look at her pitifully again and call out.
Seeing Prince Xiao's state, Consort Zhang hesitated for a while, but finally gritted her teeth and agreed.
"Your mother agrees."
*
"Your Majesty, there is an unfamiliar palace maid outside who is urgently looking for you. She says it is a matter of great importance concerning His Highness the Crown Prince and begs you to see her."
Phoenix Palace.
The Empress was about to lie down for an afternoon nap when she suddenly heard a palace maid come in to report something.
Does this concern the Crown Prince?
She dared not delay; lately, she had been feeling restless.
So she had the palace maids brought in.
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