After returning to the capital, Crown Prince Xiao Chengjing did not rush to create a major upheaval. He secluded himself in the Eastern Palace under the pretext of recuperating from his injuries, refusing visitors. Meanwhile, through his trusted bodyguards and deeply embedded informants, he quietly investigated the clues surrounding the palace banquet of years past. The bronze plaque bearing the name "Shadow Studio," found on the body of the assassin from Jiangnan, became the crucial breakthrough. Following this lead, he subtly uncovered a vast network entrenched in the shadows of the palace, also connected to the Jiangnan salt tax case. The clues even subtly pointed to the Imperial Concubine's maternal family—the powerful and deeply entrenched Cheng'en Duke's Mansion!
Meanwhile, the Empress's health miraculously improved after Xiao Chengjing returned to the capital! Her palpitations and shortness of breath were greatly relieved, and her complexion became much rosier. She no longer secluded herself in the palace to recuperate; instead, she began frequently summoning ladies of the court and inquiring about the affairs of the six palaces. She even personally spoke on behalf of several lower-ranking concubines who had been suppressed by the Noble Consort before the Emperor. The once somewhat quiet Kunning Palace once again radiated the dignity befitting the Empress. The Empress's gaze towards her son was filled with relief and a quiet strength, as if silently telling him: "Your mother is well, my son, go ahead and do your best!"
The Imperial Concubine's situation became delicate. With the Crown Prince's safe return and the Empress's "recovery" and return to public life, the "virtuous" image she had cultivated through her diligent care for the ailing Crown Prince was severely damaged. What alarmed her even more was the Emperor's apparent concern over the Crown Prince's assassination attempt in Jiangnan. Even when she subtly hinted at choosing a consort for the Crown Prince (naturally strongly recommending her own niece), the Emperor merely replied with a curt, "Chengjing's injuries have not yet healed, and these are turbulent times; the matter of choosing a consort will be discussed later." This effectively blocked her most direct scheme.
Inside the imperial concubine's palace, the incense was so strong it was suffocating.
"Useless! All of you are useless!" A beautifully crafted imperial porcelain teacup was slammed to the ground, shards flying everywhere. "Those idiots at the 'photo studio' who take money but do nothing! They couldn't even kill a seriously injured person! And now, he's returned unscathed, arousing the Emperor's suspicion!"
The trusted palace maid knelt tremblingly: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! The Crown Prince's investigation may not be able to uncover the truth..."
"Not necessarily?" The Imperial Concubine turned around abruptly, her beautiful face filled with malice. "Do you think he's a pushover? The salt tax in Jiangnan, the old palace banquet incident, and this assassination attempt... he'll settle all the scores with me sooner or later! And that old woman, the Empress! She feigned illness for so long, and then she was perfectly fine as soon as the Crown Prince returned? It's obvious she conspired to get back at me!"
Her eyes flashed with madness and ruthlessness: "I will not let them have their way! The position of Crown Princess must belong to the Duke of Cheng'en's family! The future Crown Prince must also have the blood of my maternal clan flowing through his veins!" She lowered her voice and whispered to her trusted maid, every word dripping with venom: "The people you arrange in Jiangnan... make sure they are absolutely safe! Shen Yuewei and her unborn child must not see the sun rise over the capital! Make your move when she is giving birth! That's the most chaotic and easiest time to strike! Remember, make it look like... a difficult childbirth!"
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine has sent some bird's nest, saying it's the best for replenishing qi and nourishing the body." A trusted nanny presented a brocade box.
The Empress looked at the box of precious bird's nest, a faint, cold smile curving her lips: "Leave it there. Thank the Consort for her kindness. Also, send the white jade Guanyin statue of the Goddess of Mercy who grants children from the storeroom to the Consort. Tell her... I hope she will soon bear children for the royal family." She deliberately emphasized the words "Guanyin statue of the Goddess of Mercy who grants children."
The Imperial Concubine had enjoyed the Emperor's favor for many years but had no children, which was her greatest pain. The Empress's actions were tantamount to stabbing her in the heart.
In the Imperial Concubine's palace, the Imperial Concubine, upon receiving the white jade Guanyin statue, was so enraged that she smashed a teacup from a previous dynasty's imperial kiln on the spot. Her beautiful face contorted in anger: "You vile woman! You start flaunting your power as soon as you recover from your illness! A Guanyin statue that grants children? Is she cursing me?!"
"Your Majesty, please calm down!" The trusted palace maid hurriedly knelt down. "The Empress is only relying on the Crown Prince's return to give her leverage! She won't be smug for long!"
"Her reliance?" A venomous glint flashed in the Consort's eyes. "Isn't her reliance that bastard Xiao Chengjing? And that lowly maid Shen Yuewei, pregnant with a bastard's child in Jiangnan! I'll make them all disappear!" Her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, clenched tightly. "Go! Give the 'photo studio' more money! Tell them that I don't care what methods they use, they must take action when Shen Yuewei gives birth! Make sure she dies along with her unborn child! Do it cleanly! And..." She took a deep breath, her eyes becoming alluring, "Help me with my makeup, I'm going to see the Emperor."
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