After returning to the palace, Mu Qing dismissed everyone.
After everyone left, Mu Qing's face suddenly darkened.
Surprisingly, the Empress was quite lucky.
Although she hadn't sent anyone to confirm it, she knew from the eldest princess's behavior that the empress was probably alright.
Otherwise, the eldest princess wouldn't have had the leisure to visit the Imperial Garden.
Instead, he stayed by the Empress's side to attend to her when she was ill.
Although she didn't know what was going on, this had greatly changed her plans.
Originally, she planned to get rid of the Empress first, and then distribute the power in the harem.
With her scheming, the power to manage the harem will surely fall into her hands.
After that, she put her son in front of the emperor to increase her chances of seizing the throne.
If so, she can better cope with situations where the emperor does not act according to her wishes.
However, now, an unexpected incident has occurred because of the Empress.
All subsequent plans were disrupted.
Mu Qing grew increasingly furious the more she thought about it!
It took a while for things to calm down.
Since one attempt failed, let's try again. I refuse to believe the Empress won't die.
Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Mu Qing's eyes.
On the other side, after the Third Prince's mother, Consort Mu Qing, left, Mo Qian stayed for a while before also leaving the Imperial Garden.
Afterwards, they returned to the original owner's mother's palace, stayed there for a while, and then left the palace.
When they returned to the princess's residence, the steward walked in from outside, his face showing a hint of conflict.
"Princess, a servant has reported to me that there are occasional noises coming from the Osmanthus Courtyard."
"Moreover, the prince consort and Miss Zhang have been inside for almost half a month, and without the princess's orders, no one dares to send them food," the steward replied cautiously to Mo Qian.
"Okay, I understand. You can go now."
After hearing the butler's words, Mo Qian remembered the two people who were still in the Osmanthus Courtyard and became interested in seeing their current situation.
Although Xiao Bai had already learned that the two were still alive, they weren't doing very well.
“Princess, those two deserved it, they got what they deserved,” Hongxiu said, her face showing a hint of indignation on Moqian’s behalf.
"Okay, let's go see them, let's see what kind of situation they are in now." After saying that, Mo Qian got up from the chair and walked towards the door.
Jinzhu and Hongxiu followed closely behind.
Before Mo Qian and the others even entered the Osmanthus Courtyard, they heard sounds coming from inside.
"It's all your fault! You promised to give me a good life, but now I can't even get a decent meal. You're so useless!"
"I shouldn't have gone with you in the first place!"
"I don't want to stay here anymore! I want to get out! Let me out!"
...
At this moment, only Zhang Wanniang spoke, while Pei Shangxuan remained silent.
"Bring a ladder over here." Mo Qian then instructed the servant beside her.
"Yes, Princess."
A short while later, the servant came running over carrying a ladder.
"Lean the ladder against the wall," Mo Qian said, pointing to the wall on one side.
The servant, upon hearing the princess's instructions, dared not delay and hurriedly arranged the items according to her request.
Seeing this, Mo Qian stepped forward, intending to climb the ladder.
"Princess, this is dangerous!" Jinzhu said hurriedly when she saw Moqian about to climb up, her face showing a hint of worry.
“Yes, Princess, you are of noble birth. What would happen if you were injured?” Hongxiu also joined the group trying to dissuade Moqian from climbing the ladder.
"It's alright. If you two are really worried, just hold onto the ladder from below." After saying that, Mo Qian climbed the first step.
Seeing this, Jinzhu and Hongxiu naturally knew that they couldn't stop their princess, so they gave up the idea of persuading her and helped her up the ladder one by one.
As for Mo Qian, she quickly climbed upwards.
They quickly climbed to the top and saw the scene in the courtyard.
Pei Shangxuan's once clean and tidy robes were now tattered and covered in dark stains.
Squatting on the ground, he picked up a handful of old rice mixed with dirt and gravel.
As for Zhang Wanniang, she stood beside Pei Shangxuan, constantly complaining and roaring at him.
Her clothes were in no better condition either.
Mo Qian looked at the dried rice in Pei Shangxuan's hand and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
She naturally knew where the aged rice came from, thanks to Xiaobai.
The day after Pei Shangxuan and Zhang Wanniang entered the Osmanthus Courtyard, after repeatedly calling out to have food delivered but receiving no response, the two began searching the courtyard.
Finally, in an abandoned kitchen, Pei Shangxuan found a small half-bag of moldy old rice.
However, due to Zhang Wanniang's carelessness, the rice was accidentally spilled on the ground.
Therefore, with no other food available, Pei Shangxuan had no choice but to survive on this stale rice.
As for Zhang Wanniang, after being starving for three days, she also humbled herself and ate the stale rice.
"Princess! It's the princess!" Zhang Wanniang, who had been complaining about Pei Shangxuan, suddenly saw a person on the wall.
Upon closer inspection and recognizing Mo Qian, a look of wild joy flashed across his face.
"Princess, please let me out!"
"Princess, I was wrong. I shouldn't have tried to steal your man!"
"I'll give you Pei Shangxuan, just let me leave." Zhang Wanniang quickly arrived at the wall where Mo Qian was and shouted at Mo Qian.
Pei Shangxuan, who heard the commotion, stopped what he was doing and looked in the direction where Mo Qian was.
Then, for reasons unknown, Pei Shangxuan put down the rice in his hand and straightened his clothes.
"That won't do. You two are so deeply in love, how can I let you two be separated?" Mo Qian said casually, a playful smile playing on her lips.
"Princess, I was wrong. I shouldn't have lied to you. Please let me go. Let me leave."
"I promise I won't ever show my face in the capital again!" Zhang Wanniang shouted, her face showing a mixture of fear and anticipation.
"Pei Shangxuan, is your sweetheart planning to abandon you and leave alone? Do you have anything to say about it?"
Mo Qian didn't look at Zhang Wanniang, but instead turned her gaze to Pei Shangxuan beside her and said.
"It is my fault for wronging the princess."
"Please forgive me, Your Highness."
“You and you, you really have wronged me.” Mo Qian pointed at Pei Shangxuan, then at Zhang Wanniang, and said.
"Then you shall atone for your sins with your entire lives," Mo Qian said coldly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wanniang sat down on the ground, her face filled with despair.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
