The entire Wanchun Palace was filled with a low-pressure atmosphere.
Even the Eighth Prince didn't dare to speak.
Lingjiao said cautiously, "Your Majesty, please don't get angry. Your health is important."
“Yes, it scared the Eighth Prince too,” Ouhua said.
Consort Xiangxian glanced at the huddled Eighth Prince and frowned in annoyance.
It's all because of this good-for-nothing. If he weren't so stupid, things wouldn't have come to this.
Upon seeing this, Lingjiao quickly told the wet nurse to take the Eighth Prince out.
“Your Majesty, please calm down. This matter has nothing to do with us. They were just saying those things on purpose,” Lingjiao said.
Consort Xiangxian calmed herself down for a moment before taking a deep breath: "Tell me, who did this?"
"I've been thinking about it, and the most suspicious ones are Consort Ke and her son. They both know they've reached a critical juncture. I'm afraid they're getting anxious. When Consort Chen summoned Consort Ning to meet guests, it was to find a suitable wife for the First Prince. Those young ladies are all currently very popular. She only summoned Consort Ning and not Consort Ke, how could she not be anxious?"
“If it were her, this plan wouldn’t be very clever,” said Consort Xiangxian.
“Perhaps it’s not a clever move, but right now she’s probably too impatient. The pressure from outside is intense. Even if His Majesty doesn’t appoint a crown prince right now, the selection of a consort for the eldest prince is already half decided. If she can’t bring the eldest prince down now, she might not have another chance. After all, appointing a crown prince is easy, but deposing one is difficult,” Lingjiao said.
"You're right. I was wondering what Consort Chen did in this matter?" Consort Xiang frowned.
"But she has no children, so what can she do?" Lingjiao asked, puzzled.
Consort Xiangxian gently shook her head: "Go and call Wang Lingyi here."
Before long, Wang Lingyi arrived.
After everyone had taken their seats, Consort Xiangxian dismissed them all.
"Wang Lingyi, what do you think of what happened today?"
"Your Majesty, I am too dull to see it," Wang Lingyi said somewhat uneasily.
"After all these years, you are still only a Consort. You came from the household. Your rank should have been changed long ago. If you were a Consort, one more step would have been to be made a Consort," said Consort Xiangxian.
“Your Majesty… it would be good to be promoted, but I am incompetent. You have seen that over the years. You can’t just… make up stories because of a promotion, can you?” Wang Lingyi said.
"That's not what I meant. I'm just telling you. You're staying here, and I'm not doing very well myself, so I can't protect you for long. Even if you're a Consort, without being promoted, you'll always be someone who's dispensable," Consort Xiangxian said irritably.
The concubines still fawned over her, but after the Eighth Prince's talent was revealed, they were not as eager as before.
There are never as many people as those who fawn over Consort Chen.
“Your Majesty, all I know is that a few days ago, all the princesses went to the Hall of Joyful Longevity and the Pavilion of Thousand Autumns to play. If we can’t find anything, then it can only be this time,” said Wang Lingyi.
"Among the princesses... if we're talking about those with a good relationship with the Third Prince's lineage, then it's only the eldest princess and the third princess, born to Consort Yi. But how can I put it? Even if I had a thousand lives, I wouldn't dare to accuse the princesses. Please, Your Majesty, don't make things difficult for me." Wang Lingyi knelt down. How could she dare to be the one to expose the princesses?
Consort Xiangxian sighed, "Get up. Since you are a princess, who would dare to speak recklessly?"
Wang Lingyi breathed a sigh of relief.
"I summoned you here merely to ask you a question," Consort Xiangxian's expression grew increasingly cold. She had originally intended to discuss something with her, seeking others' opinions. The opinions of concubines and maids were always different, but Wang Lingyi's indifferent attitude angered her.
Wang Lingyi realized that what she had said was really offensive, so she quickly tried to make amends: "If Your Majesty really needs me to do anything, I will do my best. But..."
"No need. You may go back." Consort Xiang waved her hand.
Wang Lingyi nervously agreed, wanting to say something more, but then stopped herself.
"Useless thing!" Consort Xiangxian smashed her teacup in anger.
Lingjiao rushed in to persuade them.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
"Over the years, I haven't dared to get too close to anyone. There are some who can be used, but no concubines on the surface. When Consort Chen got into trouble, there were still a few people speaking up for her. Now, even Consort He seems to be on her side. As for me, I've become all alone."
"How could that be? Hui Lingyi is very willing to listen to you. Qiao Baolin and Xu Baolin also feel the same way. As for Lu Xiaoyi, she will not refuse a word from you."
The more I listen, the worse it gets. What kind of people are they?
The fact that the princesses had been there was no secret, and everyone soon found out.
Everyone was of one mind; who would dare to doubt the princesses?
As everyone knows, His Majesty is more lenient and doting on the princess.
However, His Majesty will find out himself.
Yun Ji told His Majesty this, and Shu Chengfeng remained silent for a long time.
"Is Consort Yi now getting close to Consort Ke?"
"Your Majesty, it is like this. Over the years, Consort Ke has taken good care of that side."
"Take care of?" Shu Chengfeng's expression turned ugly.
"As a Consort, Consort Yi is only one rank lower than her. Does she need to be taken care of? Have I neglected her?" Shu Chengfeng said angrily.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. This... is different after all," Yun Ji said.
"It's different. I haven't stayed overnight at her place for many years. Is she worried about the future? Or is she dissatisfied with the present?" Shu Chengfeng sneered.
“This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s Consort Yi. This matter is still strange. As mentioned later, it could also be aimed at the Imperial Concubine. Anyone could be involved,” Yun Ji said.
Shu Chengfeng fell silent.
After a long pause, he waved his hand and said, "Investigate again. Summon all the princesses, from the eldest to the fifth. I will question them myself."
Yun agreed and soon went to deliver the message.
In the afternoon, all five princesses arrived at Beichen Palace.
The eldest princess is now a fifteen-year-old young lady, graceful and beautiful, resembling Consort Yi.
The second princess also resembled Shu Chengfeng, but now that she's older, she doesn't look so much like him anymore; at least she doesn't resemble the seventh princess as much.
The third princess is unique; she has a round face and big eyes, and is very cute.
The fourth princess followed the example of Consort Jing. However, her personality was quite different; she was quiet and reserved, unlike her younger brother.
The fifth princess was weak-willed and had a unique appearance.
"Please sit down."
The eldest princess took the lead and told her younger sisters to sit down.
"You all know what happened earlier, right? Father summoned you here to ask you about this matter. What did you see when you went to the Hall of Joyful Longevity a few days ago?"
He kept his eyes on the princesses while asking them questions.
The two younger ones just looked at each other in bewilderment. Even if they had heard about it, they didn't realize how serious the situation was.
The three older children were all aware of the situation, which made them somewhat nervous.
Especially the eldest princess.
"Qing'er, you're the eldest, but what do you know? Witchcraft is no small matter," Shu Chengfeng asked again. He stared at the eldest princess, not missing a single expression or movement.
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