Su An silently rolled her eyes, smiled sweetly, touched the tip of her nose, and said sarcastically:
"Forced? But just now, didn't Miss Li use Consort Wan's status to pressure me? I think Miss Li seems quite satisfied with Consort Wan's status, so it doesn't seem like she was forced at all."
As she spoke, she shrugged and looked at Li Wanyue with an innocent expression.
When Fu Zhun exposed her in front of him, Li Wanyue felt embarrassed, a faint blush rose on her face, and she hurriedly explained.
"That's not how it is. I made this choice for the good of Your Highness. That day, the Emperor wanted me to use the child in my womb to set a trap and frame Your Highness. I couldn't bear to see Your Highness's reputation tarnished, so I had no choice but to resort to this tactic."
Selflessness for others—what a magnificent statement.
Su An clicked his tongue, inwardly amazed.
As she said this, Li Wanyue herself was almost moved by her words, and once again looked up at Fu Zhun with tender affection.
But Fu Zhun's answer almost made her lose her composure.
"Stop putting on airs! It's only because I'm shrewd that your tricks failed!"
Fu Zhun's eyes flashed with disgust, and he frowned as he retorted.
Li Wanyue was speechless after being rebuked, her face turning pale, and her hands nervously clenched her sleeves.
Her soft appearance made it seem as if she might faint at any moment.
But Fu Zhun didn't notice at all. Instead, as if afraid that Su An would misunderstand, he quickly turned his head and explained to her.
“She did come into my room that day, but I assure you, nothing happened between us. I had An Yi throw her out as soon as she came in. I didn’t even touch the hem of her clothes.”
Seeing how nervous he was, Su An felt a warm feeling in her heart and responded with a smile.
"Actually, you don't need to explain to me. I believe you."
A good horse doesn't eat the grass it has already grazed.
Moreover, not only did Li Wanyue betray him, but she also became entangled with his mortal enemy. Given his personality, it was absolutely impossible for him to have any further involvement with Li Wanyue.
"By the way, I've heard that the unborn child is extremely delicate. Instead of resting properly in the palace, Consort Wan is wandering around aimlessly. If something were to happen to the imperial heir, I'm afraid Consort Wan would have a hard time explaining herself to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty!"
Su An raised an eyebrow and glanced meaningfully at her lower abdomen.
Almost instinctively, Li Wanyue raised her hand to cover her lower abdomen and glanced at her warily.
Now that things have come to this, a relationship between her and Fu Zhun is impossible.
This child is her only way out right now, and she cannot afford any mishaps.
Li Wanyue forced a dry laugh and bowed to Fu Zhun.
"Your Highness, please take care of yourself. I am not feeling well, so I will take my leave now."
After speaking, she slowly left with the help of a palace maid.
With Li Wanyue no longer in the way, Su An felt that even the air was fresher.
They were so focused on their wits and courage that they didn't notice that there was a garden full of all kinds of flowers not far away, and a plaque with the three big characters "Imperial Garden" hanging in front of the garden entrance.
Noticing her gaze, Fu Zhun slightly raised his lips and extended an invitation.
"I heard that the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom these days. Since we're already here, why don't we go and take a look?"
"OK!"
This was exactly what Su An wanted to hear, so she didn't hesitate and readily agreed.
The two walked side by side into the Imperial Garden.
The courtyard was filled with flowers vying for attention, with bees occasionally buzzing around them. The fragrance of various flowers mingled together, filling the nostrils and making people feel relaxed and carefree.
Thinking about it carefully, isn't this harem just Chu Yi's back garden?
The concubines in the harem are like flowers in the imperial garden, vying for favor with Chu Yi alone.
These flowers are so beautiful, it's a real shame they can only be confined to the Imperial Garden.
Thinking of this, Su An couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
The image of Consort Xian suddenly flashed through her mind, and she remembered the important matter at hand, asking Fu Zhun with a puzzled look.
"By the way, today in Cining Palace, Consort Xian seemed very hostile towards me, but this was my first time entering the palace, and I shouldn't have offended her. Do you know why?"
Upon hearing this, Fu Zhun was slightly taken aback, and it took him a long time to recall what he had heard.
Speaking of this matter, it really was he who dragged her into it.
Fu Zhun nodded with a wry smile, his eyes filled with apology, and replied with pursed lips:
"I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this. I dismissed her brother from his official post and demoted him to a commoner. But don't worry, I'll handle this matter properly and won't give her another chance to make things difficult for you."
Su An pursed her lips and nodded knowingly.
No wonder Consort Xian hated her so much; it turns out there was this connection.
However, speaking of making things difficult for her, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she will probably only enter the palace once. Even if Consort Xian intends to make things difficult for her in the future, she probably won't have the chance!
But the next moment, Su An was dumbfounded.
As they rounded the flowerbeds, they saw a graceful woman, supported by palace maids, walking toward them with an uncertain expression.
This person was none other than Consort Xian.
To bump into Consort Xian while strolling in the garden—what a twist of fate!
Su An instinctively took a step back and hid behind Fu Zhun.
It wasn't that she lacked courage, but rather that the palace was filled with powerful and wealthy people, while she was just a commoner. Even if she could argue with them, she couldn't beat them.
Rather than trying to save face and forcing it on, it would be better to let Fu Zhun handle it.
Fu Zhun also took a step forward, using his body to completely block Su An.
Consort Xian stared at Fu Zhun with a face full of anger, and her words were full of hostility.
“Prince Zhenbei, even if my brother has acted somewhat improperly in his daily life, frankly speaking, he has only made some minor mistakes. He can correct them in the future. I wonder when I offended you so much that you are so petty about it?”
Fu Zhun raised an eyebrow, sneered, and stared directly at Consort Xian.
"Does Consort Xian really think these are just minor mistakes? He used Consort Xian's name to embezzle and accept bribes, and to rob people of their property. The people are suffering terribly because of this. I am only sparing his life because of Consort Xian and His Majesty. How dare Consort Xian question me like this!"
"However, on the other hand, given Consort Xian's protectiveness of him, could it be that she orchestrated all of this, or that she knew about his actions and deliberately condoned them? If that's the case, then I will have to re-examine his crimes!"
These words successfully frightened the virtuous concubine so much that she turned pale and almost collapsed to the ground.
How could she not know her own brother's character?
If all the blame were placed on her, she would be completely ruined. It's true that she pities her brother, but for her, nothing is more important than her own future.
Consort Xian feigned anger and spoke in a hesitant voice.
"Is that so? So he did so many despicable things behind my back. If Your Highness hadn't explained, I would have almost been deceived by this scoundrel. I apologize for any offense I may have caused, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
That face changed so quickly!
Su An peeked out from behind Fu Zhun, clicking his tongue and sighing.
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