The Queen asked worriedly, "Have you been... by that beast...?"
Chu Qingwan shook her head, saying that her younger sister's rescue was timely.
She even said that the man deserved to die because he wanted to imprison her and keep her as his slave.
Bang!
The empress smashed the teacup, trembling with rage.
"I will tear him to pieces and exterminate his entire family."
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."
The emperor looked at the two naked men, waved his hand, and ordered them to be dragged away and cut into a thousand pieces, and then their entire families to be exterminated on some random charge.
"Have them tidy up. Tonight's coming-of-age banquet cannot be canceled, otherwise it will damage the reputation of the two girls."
The Empress glared at him, showing some semblance of a fatherly demeanor.
They showed some concern, but not much; they only considered their reputation and didn't offer much real concern.
"Jiaojiao, is Yinyin fit to participate?"
"The time should not be too long. Let the princess make an appearance at the banquet and then go back to rest. There should be no problem."
There was no other way; for women in ancient times, reputation was more important than life!
If the two princesses don't attend their coming-of-age banquet tonight, the officials will surely make wild guesses, and some busybodies will even investigate in private.
If it were discovered that the two princesses had caught the concubines having an affair, and that they had almost been defiled, then...
As the rumors spread, they evolved into claims that the two princesses' innocence had been tarnished, which would damage their reputation and the royal family's image.
"Mother, I can do it." Chu Qingyin said with a determined look.
"But the wound on your head."
"It's okay, you can wear a wig."
"Leave it to me, I'll handle it."
Su Yujiao took out a one-piece ancient costume wig and put it directly on her head to cover the gauze on her head.
Considering her head injury, the heavy gold crown and hairpins that had been prepared were no longer needed. Instead, some exquisitely crafted bridal headdresses were used to adorn her.
Although it doesn't have the same weight as real gold and silver, and feels light and airy when worn on the head, it is exquisite and gorgeous.
It doesn't look shabby or vulgar; it's very much in line with a princess's status.
In addition, there were no bright lights in ancient times, and the candlelight was dim. Without getting close, who could tell what the material was?
After the headdress was done, Su Yujiao personally helped Chu Qingyin apply exquisite makeup, making her look healthy with rosy cheeks and no sign of illness.
"alright."
"Wow, my cousin's wife is so skillful; she really can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary."
"Sister-in-law, may I dress like my imperial sister?"
"sure."
"Done."
The two little princesses stood side by side, looking exactly alike and graceful. Su Yujiao felt a sense of pride, as if she were witnessing her daughters growing up.
News from Consort Chun's palace was completely blocked, and no one outside knew that such a dangerous incident had occurred before the princess's coming-of-age ceremony.
The banquet began, and Chu Qingyin forced herself to stay for a while before leaving, citing feeling unwell.
Su Yujiao also followed closely to check the situation.
Although Chu Qingwan was worried about her sister, she could not leave her seat.
Overall, the coming-of-age banquets for the two little princesses were very successful.
The officials present praised the two little princesses for their natural beauty and refined elegance, showering them with compliments.
After the banquet, the Queen finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The two little princesses have finally escaped this ordeal and no longer need to live in fear.
"Mother, should we take those Buddhist prayer beads back?"
"Take it back. I'll take some time to listen to the secrets of each palace, so that this kind of thing won't happen again."
"Especially those from Consort Jing's palace, I will listen to their opinions first."
"Perhaps we can obtain useful information."
The Crown Prince nodded: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will take care of it immediately."
The next day, the Empress's health improved significantly, and the Crown Prince took the opportunity to collect the Buddhist beads from all the palaces, saying that he would enshrine them in a temple and continue to pray for the Empress.
"Mother, these are from Consort Jing's palace, and we have already selected them for you."
"As for the rest, I will instruct the Dark Guard to listen."
"good."
Peony, why are you in such a panic?
No, it's nothing!
There's definitely something wrong with you, otherwise why would you act so guilty?
[Aunt, I really didn't see anything.]
What did you see?
【This servant saw nothing.】
[This servant...this servant saw Consort Jing's face...ah...]
Hearing the screams, the Empress was so frightened that she dropped the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. Had the palace maid named Peony been murdered?
What happened to Consort Jing's face?
Why was the young palace maid so frightened that she dared not speak?
Why kill someone to silence them?
The Empress picked it up again to listen, and the palace maid named Peony never spoke again, so it was basically confirmed that she had been killed.
The palace maid who asked the question was called Aunt He Fang, who was the head maidservant of Consort Jing and also Consort Jing's confidante.
She must know some of Consort Jing's secrets!
The Empress picked up He Fang's prayer beads again and listened to the recordings. He Fang cursed herself almost every day, and other than that, she talked about trivial matters of daily life, without any useful information.
"Someone come here."
"Go tell the spies in Consort Jing's palace to keep a close eye on her, especially her face."
"yes."
The Empress couldn't figure out what secret Consort Jing's face held.
Three months have passed in the blink of an eye, and it's potato harvest season.
The prince was overjoyed as he looked at the baskets of golden, heavy potatoes.
Looking at the mountain of potatoes, the crown prince exclaimed excitedly, "I have never seen so much grain in my entire life."
"These potatoes are enough to fill the entire national treasury."
"Now, even if a famine really breaks out, the people won't starve to death."
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