Inside the Taiji Hall.
Wisps of smoke rose from the purple incense burner, and the refreshing aroma of ambergris lingered in the air.
"Li Mu, who do you think should be chosen as the Seventh Prince's consort?" the Emperor asked casually.
Li Mu was greatly alarmed; a wrong answer could cost him his head.
Li Mu probed, "This servant is ignorant and ill-informed. I thought that since ancient times, marriage has always been a matter of parental arrangement and matchmaker's words."
Li Mu: "Your Majesty, you will surely choose a good daughter-in-law. The Seventh Prince has always been the most filial, and the one you choose will certainly suit his taste."
The implication is that no matter how bad the Emperor's choice is, the Seventh Prince has no choice but to accept it; otherwise, he would be considered unfilial.
The emperor was not satisfied with this answer and continued, "You're quite the trickster. I ask you, when choosing a wife, do you choose virtue or beauty?"
Li Mu smiled wryly: "Your Majesty, please don't tease this servant. How dare this servant interfere in matters of marriage?"
The emperor frowned, and Li Mu, seeing this, knew he was about to lose his temper.
For some reason, Li Mu suddenly thought of Consort Rong of Luanxi Pavilion, such a beautiful and intelligent woman, truly a peerless beauty.
Li Mu quickly added, "However, if I may presume to say something, one should marry a virtuous wife. With the wife managing the household affairs, the husband can focus on his career."
The emperor's furrowed brows relaxed, and he laughed heartily: "Li Mu, you are right. My son is certainly worthy of the most virtuous wife in the land, and the Prime Minister's daughter, Lady Zhao, is quite suitable."
Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief, before he could say anything.
At this moment, a young eunuch whispered a few words in Li Mu's ear.
Li Mu reported to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, someone just came to report that Consort Rong's maid, Hongying, has urgent business to discuss with you."
The Emperor put down his pen. Hongying was a secret guard he had placed beside Xi'er; Xi'er must be in trouble. "Summon her."
Hongying hurried along and bowed to the emperor: "May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Emperor: "Speak, what happened to Xi'er?"
Hongying: "Your Majesty, Consort Rong is in Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager has suddenly become angry for some unknown reason, and Consort Rong may not escape disaster."
The emperor was extremely anxious and immediately rushed to the Cining Palace.
The Seventh Prince entered the palace today. Just as he reached the Taiji Hall, he saw the Emperor's entourage in the distance and asked a palace attendant beside him, "Eunuch Lin, where is Father Emperor going? I have important matters to report."
Xiao Linzi was startled when he saw the Seventh Prince. Normally, he shouldn't have revealed the Emperor's thoughts, but this was the only prince. He spoke in a very low voice, "Something has happened at Cining Palace; Consort Rong is in trouble."
Then, Xiao Linzi took two more steps away: "Your Highness has arrived at an inopportune time; His Majesty is not here at the moment."
The Seventh Prince smiled wickedly, his red robes exuding arrogance, but he toned it down slightly at this moment: "Thank you for informing me, Eunuch Lin."
He laughed and left.
However, they headed towards the Cining Palace.
——————
Cining Palace.
"Consort Rong, do you know your crime?" The Empress's face was calm and composed, but her eyes were filled with endless jealousy.
Having been married to the emperor for so many years, she had seen all kinds of beauties, from the beautiful Consort Jing to the heroic Consort Ruyi, and countless other concubines. She knew that the emperor was cold-hearted and aloof, and had never been truly sincere towards anyone.
It was this woman's appearance that made her feel so pathetic, just like Consort Yi. How ridiculous! It's not that the emperor didn't love, it's just that he didn't love you.
"Consort Rong, why aren't you kneeling? You have shown great disrespect to the Empress Dowager; you should—"
The Empress had not finished speaking.
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