Fourth Master followed him in, and noticing the awkward atmosphere in the room, he immediately looked at Lanqin. Lanqin was also looking at him, and she nodded, indicating that the problem did not lie with her or the women in Fourth Master's household.
Even with just a glance, Lanqin understood what the Fourth Master meant, so she returned his understanding look and nodded, letting him know that the problem wasn't on her side.
"Master!" Wanyan suddenly rushed out from the other side and crashed into the Fourteenth Prince's arms.
The Fourteenth Prince was a little confused by Wanyan's sudden burst in and quickly asked, "What's going on?"
"Master, our Hongcha has been terribly harmed by Chen!" Wanyan cried, then pointed at Chen with her red nail polish, "It was her, she did it on purpose!"
"My lady, I didn't mean it. I just wanted Honghua to experience the joy of setting off firecrackers himself, but I never expected this to happen," Chen said with tears in her eyes.
Lanqin trusted Chen Shi. From the time she spent with Chen Shi in the washroom, she felt that Chen Shi was an extremely innocent woman. If this had happened to anyone else, Lanqin wouldn't have believed it, but with Chen Shi involved, Lanqin felt that perhaps she truly meant no harm. However, in the deep palace, such things might not be so easy to explain.
"You're talking nonsense! You're clearly doing this on purpose. Hong Huan is so young, and you're already encouraging him to set off the cannons himself. What are you up to!" Wanyan suddenly lunged at Chen and shoved her.
Lanqin glanced at Consort De's expression and saw a hint of anxiety in her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat: Consort De didn't seem to want to pursue Chen Shi too much. Otherwise, she wouldn't have shown that look just now. Did she not believe that Chen Shi would do such a thing?
The Fourth Prince's wife and Lady Nian watched with amusement as Lady Wanyan and Lady Chen began to fight, since they were both consorts of the Fourteenth Prince, and the Fourteenth Prince and the Fourth Prince had already started to openly and secretly compete with each other.
Fourteenth Prince looked unsure of whom to trust, clearly uncomfortable dealing with such power struggles within the inner court. He could only look to Consort De for help. However, Consort De was also hesitant to openly show her allegiance at this moment.
“Fourteenth Prince’s Consort, this matter is actually a coincidence. Consort Chen probably didn’t do it on purpose, since she didn’t know that the firecracker Hong Huan lit would just happen to misfire. So it’s just a coincidence. Why don’t we wait until Hong Huan is alright before discussing this matter? Right now, what he needs most is for Fourteenth Prince’s Consort to be by his side,” Lan Qin said boldly.
Someone has to be the peacemaker!
Sure enough, Consort De's eyes flickered. She had wanted to say that just now, but hadn't because of Wanyan. Lanqin's words were exactly what she wanted to hear.
Fourteen quickly added, "Jinzhi, quickly take the master to see Honghao."
When Lanqin said that, and when Shisi said he wanted to see Honghao, Wanyan had no choice but to put aside her anger towards Chen and took Shisi to the side hall to see Honghao.
Chen awkwardly tugged at the sleeve that Wanyan had just pulled out, and looked at Lanqin gratefully, expressing her thanks for speaking up in time.
Everyone had no choice but to remain in the main hall. The Fourth Prince finally learned what had happened from Lanqin. He greatly agreed with Lanqin's words at this moment.
After waiting for another half hour, past midnight, the person inside still hadn't come out. Madam Nian was getting impatient. She had been pampered by the Fourth Prince for years, so she was feeling resentful. Since the incident didn't involve anyone from the Fourth Prince's inner quarters, there was no point in her waiting like this.
"Mother, why don't I wait here while you go and rest? There's a lot to do tomorrow," Fourth Master said.
Consort De was indeed getting old and couldn't hold on any longer, but the Fourteenth Prince's child was still in danger, and she had always been his pillar of support. How could she possibly suggest that she go and rest first? But after the Fourth Prince said that, no one dared to say anything.
"Yes, Mother, please go and rest first. Once Honghao's injuries are treated, I will immediately report to you," Lanqin said hastily.
The Fourth Princess Consort looked rather pale at this moment. She should have been the one to say those words, but for some reason, she hadn't!
Consort De nodded, her gaze gently sweeping over Fourth Prince, Lanqin, and the others, and said, "How about this, Fourth Prince's wife, Shilan, Lanqin, and you, all of you go and rest. None of you are doctors, so there's no use in you staying here. Fourth Prince, you can rest in the side room for a while. I'll have Consort De arrange for someone to watch over you."
Consort De understood that it was indeed inappropriate to have the fourth prince's family stay with him, especially since there were still many things to do tomorrow.
"Mother, your son isn't tired, I'll stay here and keep watch," Fourth Master insisted.
Consort De nodded to the Fourth Prince with satisfaction, then helped the palace maid away. She had said everything she needed to say; whether they wanted to rest or stay was up to them.
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