"Let's follow the rules." The Crown Prince naturally wouldn't care about a Xiang family member: "Tell Yunji to investigate further, and lock him up for now."
He mainly wanted to see if there was anyone behind him.
However, this rudimentary method was likely spearheaded by the Xiang family.
Xiang was carried back to Feixue Pavilion. Although she wasn't particularly favored, she was still much better off than the likes of Zhang Chenghui and Wang Fengyi.
Now that this has happened, he might not even be able to save his life.
Even if the Crown Prince doesn't kill her, she'll at least be demoted to a maidservant, with no hope of ever rising again.
The Xiang family really has no ability, so naturally they wouldn't dare to frame someone.
Her maid quickly confessed everything; the thing was easy to obtain.
Because it blooms frequently, it can be found in many places within the manor.
Even though it's poisonous, if you eat a little bit of this every day...
It would take a lot of poison to really harm someone.
So for adults, it's really not a big deal. If Qing Shuang hadn't been allergic to this stuff, Xia Zhaoxun probably wouldn't have even noticed.
Just because it's harmless to adults doesn't mean it's harmless to the fetus.
If a pregnant woman ingests toxic substances every day, even if she is perfectly healthy, there's no guarantee the baby won't be harmed.
Even if there is no miscarriage, there is no guarantee that the child will be deformed or have defects.
In the royal family, not being able to have children is not considered a sin; at most, it's seen as incompetence.
But if you give birth to a deformed child, your life is basically ruined.
Therefore, whether Xiang Shi did something she dared not admit or it was an unintentional mistake, it was enough for Xia Zhaoxun to hate her to death.
After being locked up for three days, Xia Zhaoxun went to the front yard to complain.
She had never cried like this before, not even when Ye Liangdi had bullied her so much.
Now she knelt at Shu Chengfeng's feet: "Whether she did it on purpose or not, if I didn't have Qing Shuang and had just unknowingly eaten it, what would happen to the child in the future... Waaah, I don't dare to think about it. Your Highness, I beg you to do justice for me."
Shu Chengfeng helped her up: "When did I say I wouldn't care? Why are you crying while you're pregnant?"
"I am truly uneasy, and I am filled with lingering fear whenever I think about it now," Xia Zhaoxun said, wiping away her tears.
"Alright, you can go back now. Even if you hadn't come, I would have handled it myself." Shu Chengfeng waved his hand.
After Xia Zhaoxun received his instructions, he left, turning back to look at him every step of the way.
However, the response came around noon.
Xiao Luzi was naturally beaten to death.
Xiao Xi, Feng Yi's maid, didn't participate; she was beaten and sent away.
Another girl who had participated was overjoyed and was beaten to death.
The kitchen staff had supervisors overseeing these junior eunuchs; those who failed to supervise them properly were punished with a beating and fines.
As for Xiang Shi herself, since she was given to the Crown Prince by His Majesty, it was not appropriate to kill her directly.
She was demoted to a maidservant and resided in the Fuyu Pavilion. She was not allowed to enter or leave without the permission of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. She was not permitted to be served by anyone.
Xiang was still young, but she had lost her freedom and everything. Even though she cried and said she didn't want to go, no one would stop her.
After this matter was dealt with, the mansion was quiet for a few days.
When Shu Chengfeng came to Jiyue Pavilion again, it was the fifth day of the second month.
The weather is lovely today. Geese flying south are teasing a yellow sparrow under the eaves.
"When did you start keeping birds?" Shu Chengfeng chuckled.
"It was a gift from the bird and flower shop in the backyard. They said this bird is very beautiful," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
“I told them to find another one to pair with, because one is too lonely.”
"Tang'er, why does that sound like a complaint?" Shu Chengfeng raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with complaining? I'm bored all day and can't complain when His Highness doesn't come? Your Highness is really mean. Don't the men of your royal family allow women to complain?" Yan Nangui snorted. "To complain means to harbor resentment. Tsk, you're all alone, with so many people in the backyard waiting for you. You're sad because you can't come. Can't you harbor resentment?"
Shu Chengfeng was speechless...
To be honest, he hadn't thought that much about it. It's not like this person in front of him is the only one who wouldn't be able to see him.
However, no woman would dare to say such things to him.
"I can't argue with you." Shu Chengfeng walked over and sat down on the porch.
Jiang Xiang hurriedly served him tea.
"Hey, speaking of which, I remember Xiang Shi quite clearly. What a lovely girl she was. Look, it's all because of you." Yan Nangui withdrew his hand from teasing the bird.
"Why is it because of me? A concubine should have rules, and I've allowed her to harm people?" Shu Chengfeng snorted.
"Come on. If she weren't so eager to see Your Highness, she wouldn't be in this situation," Yan Nangui said.
"What? Nan Gui wants to plead for her?" Shu Chengfeng laughed.
"If I really beg, can I get her out?" Yan Nangui became interested and sat down next to him.
“That depends on what Nan Gui does,” Shu Chengfeng said.
"Pah! Whether she lives or dies is none of my business!" Yan Nangui threw her handkerchief at Shu Chengfeng.
Shu Chengfeng laughed: "A dog's temper."
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will not plead for her. This is a case of the Xia family being wronged. If it were a case of the Xia family being wronged, I would break her legs!" Yan Nangui snorted.
Speaking of which, isn't there still that one lackey waiting for her to break?
No rush, wait until she gives birth.
Shu Chengfeng had no idea what she was thinking, and just laughed for a long time.
In fact, he himself knew that Yan would never plead for that poisonous woman.
She looked down on the Xiang family at all.
With the Xiang family's methods, who can stand up to them?
That's too vulgar.
“But this mansion is quite interesting. Last year it was the Li family, and this year it’s the Xiang family. They both came in the same year and both moved over there.” Yan Nangui shook his head.
Back then, people said these two would rise to prominence.
Shu Chengfeng simply hummed in agreement and did not continue the topic.
Yan Nangui thought about it and realized that the Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince, and there were still not enough people in the backyard.
Among those of average birth, only the Xia family has managed to remain powerful.
In the main courtyard, the Crown Princess woke up from a nap and busied herself for a while.
There are many things to arrange.
After finishing his work and drinking a cup of tea, he finally had time to ask, "Your Highness went to the Xia family again?"
"No, His Highness went to Jiyue Pavilion today. He went there this morning." It's already late afternoon.
"Yes, Lady Yan is quite favored by His Highness now," the Crown Princess said nonchalantly.
"She went back?" This was the question asked by Ning Chenghui.
"I'm back. I heard you were asleep, so I didn't want to disturb you," Madam He said with a smile.
"After she gave birth to the eldest grandson of the emperor... she only served the emperor once?" the Crown Princess asked.
“Yes, only once every two months,” Mrs. He said.
"What do you think, should we tell her to have another child?" the Crown Princess asked.
Mrs. He was taken aback, and after a long while she sighed: "I'm afraid she... won't agree."
"I only have one child, which is too few. If I had another, perhaps... I wouldn't need so much help," the Crown Princess said.
“Your Majesty, you will always have your own children.” Madam He’s heart skipped a beat.
What does Your Highness the Crown Princess mean by this?
They're saying that if Ning Chenghui has another child, then...
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