Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, incense was burning in a gilded incense burner, its fragrance intoxicating. Sandalwood was the perfect ingredient for calming the mind and spirit.
The Fourth Prince was sitting behind his desk, reading memorials.
Consort Nian stood by, serving him. Her voice, when she spoke, carried a hint of coquettishness, quite different from her usual harshness in front of others, "Your Majesty, regarding the fire at the Imperial Laundry..."
"I have already heard about it," the Fourth Prince looked up at her. The kingfisher feather hairpin on Consort Nian's head was dazzling, which made her fair skin and noble temperament stand out. The Fourth Prince said softly, "The Xin Zhe Ku caught fire. Thank you for taking care of it."
"I'm not tired," Consort Nian said softly, sitting beside the Fourth Prince and carefully observing his expression. "The fire last night was really huge. It destroyed many houses, and 108 slaves in the Xin Zhe Ku were burned to death, including Fucha and Wuya..."
The Fourth Prince's expression remained indifferent. Only upon hearing the names of these two did he look at her properly and ask in confusion, "Fucha and Wuya? What are they doing there?"
Fucha and Wuya should have been in the Cold Palace, but they went to the Laundry Department instead, and the Fourth Prince was completely unaware of this.
Consort Nian's tone carried a hint of coquettishness, "The other day, those two offended me, so I ordered them to be sent to the Laundry Department. I thought they had committed serious offenses and were being dismissed, so to avoid disturbing Your Majesty's ears, I did not send anyone to inform Your Majesty."
The Fourth Prince placed the book he was holding on the table, turned his head to stare at her, his deep black eyes devoid of any other emotion. "You are a Noble Consort, so it's not a big deal for you to punish the women in the Cold Palace. But they have already been deposed, yet they still dare to offend you?"
Consort Nian is currently the most "favored" woman in the harem. Everyone who sees her is afraid of her, and no one dares to offend her.
Consort Nian nodded, then complained in a coquettish voice, "I heard from the people in the Cold Palace that they uttered wild words and cursed me day and night. No wonder I've been feeling unwell lately!"
"Oh? What did they say?" Fourth Master asked again.
Consort Nian said coyly, "The filthy words are unbearable to hear. I cannot say them. They are just saying things to curse me to a terrible death because they see that I am favored."
"You scoundrel!" the Fourth Prince suddenly shouted. Although his voice was not loud, it was full of energy, which made Consort Nian take a breath and was also a little frightened.
The Fourth Prince was furious and said sternly, "These wretches have already been sent to the Cold Palace, yet they still won't behave! They should be sent to the Laundry Department!"
Consort Nian felt much relieved upon seeing the Fourth Prince's reaction. Then she heard the Fourth Prince ask, "The Xin Zhe Ku is on fire. How are they now?"
Consort Nian has always been arrogant and has been favored by the emperor since she entered the palace. Seeing that the number of favored concubines around the Fourth Prince has increased, her methods have become more and more ruthless.
She didn't want to see the Fourth Prince showing too much concern for the other women besides her, so she said, "It's nothing, they're all fine. Although the Xin Zhe Ku caught fire, they were unharmed. I've already sent them back to the Cold Palace."
The Fourth Prince snorted, his face cold and indifferent, clearly showing that he had no feelings for the two of them anymore. "Then let them stay in the Cold Palace. If they dare to cause trouble again, they can't be allowed to live!"
Consort Nian raised an eyebrow, relieved. Seeing that the Fourth Prince truly had no feelings for those two anymore, she felt a little more at ease. "Then I will not disturb Your Majesty any longer. I will take my leave."
The Fourth Prince didn't speak, picked up the book on the table, and Consort Nian smiled smugly, turned around and left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, heading towards the Yikun Palace.
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