Seeing the Fourth Prince's hesitation, Lord Fucha pleaded again, "My father has always had a lingering resentment regarding my daughter, and his health has recently been declining. He is constantly thinking about my disappointing daughter. I am truly ashamed; I have been unfilial to my parents and have failed to raise my children properly... Your Majesty, please punish me; my crimes are unforgivable..."
The Fourth Prince closed his eyes. The reason he hadn't executed Lady Fucha back then was because she was the eldest granddaughter of the late Lord Fucha. Now that the Fucha clan was offering their assistance, and Argun had brought up Lord Fucha's name again, the Fourth Prince was in a difficult position. In the end, he asked Argun to leave first, and he would consider it before making a decision.
Before leaving, Argun assured the Fourth Master that the Fucha clan would do their utmost to assist in the implementation of the new law.
The Fourth Prince invited the Thirteenth Prince to the palace and told him about what had happened that day. The Thirteenth Prince suddenly realized, "So it was all for his daughter. Lord Fucha has really gone to great lengths."
Seeing the troubled look on the Fourth Prince's face, the Thirteenth Prince knew that the mistake made by Lady Fucha was unforgivable to the Fourth Prince, but he could not ignore the current situation.
“Your Majesty, I know your pain, but this is a rare opportunity. The new policies are currently gathering opinions, and the support of the Fucha clan cannot be shaken.” The Thirteenth Prince tentatively advised, but the Fourth Prince angrily slammed his fist on the table.
“She is ruthless and cruel. She even killed Hongsheng. I didn’t kill her because of Lord Fucha…” The death of Hongsheng was still vivid in the mind of the Fourth Prince, who was heartbroken.
The Thirteenth Prince sighed and comforted her, saying, "Why not release Lady Fucha from the Cold Palace, make her a concubine, and place her at the lowest level, so that we don't favor her? This would be a way to appease Lady Fucha."
The Fourth Prince said with a sigh, "Hongsheng's death was all her doing. Consort Nian has always been resentful that I didn't punish Lady Fucha. I'm also worried that once Lady Fucha is released, the Nian family won't easily agree..."
The Thirteenth Prince sighed. The Fourth Prince, a dignified ruler of a country, had to consider even the people around him in every way, and there was never a moment of peace.
Being an emperor isn't an easy job either!
"Your Majesty should prioritize the greater good. It's understandable that Consort Nian is angry. Your Majesty should offer some comfort, and she will surely understand. However, the new policies are urgent, and Your Majesty cannot hesitate at this crucial moment. Besides, Your Majesty has only released Lady Fucha; you have no intention of restoring her favor. In time, the ladies of the palace will understand Your Majesty's intentions..."
After much deliberation, the Fourth Prince agreed to the Thirteenth Prince's suggestion and sent someone to the Cold Palace to announce the imperial decree, bestowing upon Lady Fucha the title of "Consort" and ordering her to reside in a side hall of Qixiang Palace.
The Cold Palace remained as quiet as ever, deserted even in the sweltering summer heat. Sunlight slowly filtered through the window frames, casting its rays into the desolate hall. A woman in plain clothes sat alone at a table, on which lay a bowl of soup with only a few vegetable leaves. Another woman picked up her bowl and chopsticks, glanced at them, and angrily slammed down her chopsticks, exclaiming, "What kind of food is this?"
Fucha frowned slightly as she looked at the glaring light.
She got up and walked to the window, feeling the chill of the cold palace seeping into her bones despite it being the height of summer...
Empress Fucha couldn't help but flinch. However, a eunuch-looking man walked in through the window. He wasn't from the Cold Palace; he was carrying a bright, gleaming scroll.
"Sister, the Emperor's decree has arrived!" Fucha suddenly shouted.
“Sister, are you…” Wuya said in despair.
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