“Master, please calm down! What is it that Master wants Yehe Shi and you to go to the South Courtyard? Why didn’t you say so this morning when you were washing the Fifth Princess’s third birthday?” Lingxiu asked.
"Yes, I didn't do anything. She gave birth peacefully." The wife couldn't recall anything happening at this time.
Lingxiu tidied up the Fujin's hair and helped her sit down in front of the dressing table.
“Master, could it be the bracelet? Yehe clan gave it to Niohuru clan on her own initiative, but she still gave birth to a daughter. It was all for nothing!” Lingxiu reminded her.
"But is that really what happened?! Impossible! How could Niohuru understand the mystery behind it all!" The Fujin suddenly paled and exclaimed.
“If that’s really the case, then we’re in a very passive position! We haven’t gathered any evidence before, but that bracelet is definitely solid evidence!” Lingxiu said.
The more the Fujin thought about it, the more she realized it made sense. Otherwise, why would the Fourth Prince suddenly send her to the South Courtyard so urgently?
"This servant has an idea, but I don't know if it's feasible!" Lingxiu saw the fear on the Fujin's face; this was the first time she had seen fear on her face, because this time there was no one else to push forward. The Yehe clan was no longer the Yehe clan of the past; they might not listen to the Fujin, and besides, she was currently favored and would never sacrifice herself to cover for the Fujin. Although the Yehe clan and the Aixin Gioro family were sworn enemies, they had their own independent businesses in Longxi, and some members held official positions, though not high ones, so they had nothing to fear, unlike the Yin clan, who was easier to manipulate.
"Speak quickly!" the wife said urgently. She was like a wife whose mask was about to be removed by her husband, and she was terrified of that moment.
"May I ask, Madam, were these two bracelets a gift from the Imperial Household Department?" Lingxiu asked, certain that they were not from the Imperial Household Department, as they would never have such intentions.
“Of course not. These bracelets were part of my dowry when I got married. They were originally hollow, but they were filled with pollen, so they would smell like flowers when worn!” the princess said. “However, when I gave them to them, I replaced the pollen with musk!”
"That's good! When the master asks, just say you know nothing about it. When the old lady gave it to you, she instructed you to give the bracelet to the concubine. Her intention was for her daughter. Although her methods were quite ruthless, the master won't hold a grudge against an old lady who is no longer alive! At most, you will only have the fault of not knowing!" Lingxiu said.
"Is this really feasible? To shift the blame onto my mother! To explain it based on her maternal love for me?" the Fujin asked hesitantly.
“Master, they are coming with overwhelming force, and we have no time to make any arrangements. This is all we can do,” Lingxiu said.
After thinking for a moment, the Fujin realized that Lingxiu was right and that she was completely helpless at the moment.
"That's the only way! You should go back and inform my father." The Fujin was vaguely uneasy, because she was completely unprepared this time, and the other party had driven her into a corner! This feeling made the Fujin very uneasy, just like the few words Lanqin said when she was about to give birth, which made the Fujin feel indescribably surprised!
The princess consort had Qiu Chan help her out. After she left with Su Peisheng, Lingxiu changed her clothes and went out through the side door.
Meanwhile, everyone waited in the south courtyard, but the Fujin (princess) did not arrive for a long time.
Yehe suddenly stood up, walked to the Fourth Prince's side, and knelt down: "Your Highness, although I did not know that this jade bracelet existed, I often came to keep the Consort company during that time, and I am afraid that it was because of this that the Consort almost miscarried. In truth, it was all my fault. Please punish me, Your Highness!"
Looking at Yehe's pained and guilty expression, Lanqin immediately thought that she was really smart. With this statement, she completely absolved herself of responsibility and made such an attitude that no one could bear to punish her!
Lady Nian glanced at Lady Yehe and said sarcastically, "Lady Ye, what a coincidence! It's said that after giving the bracelet, you stopped coming to see the concubine. You should have known that the sisterly bond was stronger after giving the bracelet!"
Both Song and Geng nodded, watching her to see how she would answer!
"At that time, the concubine was heavily pregnant, and I was afraid that my frequent visits would disturb her rest!" Yehe Shi said eloquently.
"Get up and speak. Don't keep kneeling to speak. People who don't know better will think I treat my sisters very badly! What do you say, Master?" Lanqin was secretly displeased. Yehe Shi was so humble and subservient, she looked pitiful.
"Get up first, we'll talk when the Fujin arrives!" said the Fourth Prince.
When Yehe saw that the Fourth Prince's attitude had not softened, she began to sob.
Everyone felt disgusted when they saw her acting so affectedly in front of the Fourth Master. Lanqin also felt uncomfortable looking at her.
However, looking at Yehe's appearance, something in the Fourth Prince's heart seemed to be stirred.
"Get up, kneeling for too long will hurt your knees!" Fourth Master couldn't help but help Yehe Shi up. Yehe Shi's crying just now reminded Fourth Master of how he and Yehe Shi were in bed, she was also crying like that!
Yes, Yehe did it on purpose. She knew that she had to evoke his pity for her at this moment and remind him of how they were in bed together.
Lanqin felt uncomfortable watching the Fourth Master help Yehe Shi up in front of her, and turned her head away.
"The Princess Consort has arrived!" Nianxue's voice came from outside.
Yehe sat down next to Geng with a hint of smugness.
Lanqin paused for a moment, then asked Cui Niang to adjust the cushions for her.
As soon as the Fujin entered Lanqin's room, she saw that Nianshi, Songshi, and Gengshi were all there. Her heart grew heavier, but she still kept a straight face and walked in, giving a slight bow to the Fourth Prince.
"Cui Niang, please, Madam, take a seat on the left!" Lanqin also greeted her with courtesy!
Yehe Shi did not look at the Fujin. It seemed that she was going to offend the Fujin today. She was not afraid that the Fujin would expose her. That would only prove that the Fujin was ruthless!
After Cui Niang invited the Princess Consort to take a seat, the Fourth Prince said, "Princess Consort, do you recognize this bracelet?"
The princess's heart pounded, but her face remained calm as she said, "This is a gift from me to my sister Yehe and sister Nian, one string each!"
Lanqin looked at the Fujin, trying to see a hint of panic on her face, but there was none!
She had already realized it! Lanqin could only draw this conclusion: no one could remain completely unmoved when their conspiracy was exposed. There was only one possibility: she had known beforehand and had come prepared, which was why she was so calm!
"Now that musk has been found in the jade beads of this bracelet, what explanation do you have for this, Madam?" Fourth Prince stared at Madam and asked.
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