"In your opinion, does the third son have the ability to become the crown prince?" Shu Chengfeng asked.
Yun Ji was taken aback: "Your Majesty, I am just a eunuch, how should I put it..."
Shu Chengfeng didn't press for more details.
"Go and tell the concubines to go to Zhaochun Palace."
Yun Ji sighed and went out to deliver the message.
Half an hour later, Shu Chengfeng arrived at Zhaochun Palace, where all the concubines were already there.
He waved his hand. Then he ordered Yunji to read out the imperial decree.
The decree was simple: to promote Consort Ke to Consort Ke Hui.
Consort Kehui, who had been promoted, showed no sign of joy. Instead, her face turned deathly pale in an instant, and she stood up, unsure of what to say or do.
"Why isn't my sister thanking me?" Yan Nangui smiled.
"No...no...I...I..." Consort Ke Hui's body went limp, and she collapsed back down.
"What's going on?" Consort Ning frowned. "The Third Prince has grown up. We were promoting you properly, and you... did you do something?"
"Yes, what's wrong, little sister?" Consort Xiang frowned. "Why do you look so frightened?"
"Someone, Consort Ke Hui is unwell, send her back." Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
Consort Ke Hui was helped to her feet, but she suddenly broke free from those supporting her and rushed to His Majesty, kneeling and clinging to his legs: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty... I... I beg Your Majesty to spare me, Your Majesty..."
"Take him out," Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
Consort Kehui screamed as she was dragged away. The other concubines, unaware of what was happening, also paled. What was going on?
“The eldest prince was born to Consort Ning, and the second prince was adopted by the Empress. It’s a good thing that the third prince’s mother has been promoted.” Yan Nangui smiled.
“Your Majesty is right,” Consort Jia was the first to respond.
"The affairs of the inner palace are too numerous and complicated these days, and it is not suitable for two people to manage them together. Consort Xiangxian, you should hand over all the matters to Consort Duanyi, and from now on just focus on raising the Eighth Prince." Shu Chengfeng said calmly.
Consort Xiang paused for a moment: "Yes."
In an instant, she felt an overwhelming sense of frustration and sadness.
So many years have passed. So many years.
How could she... have ended up in this state?
Back then, the Empress, whom she considered an enemy, died, and Consort Jing, who also considered her an enemy, also died.
But she, who had always been favored in the household, had come to this.
Everyone in the harem was watching. They all watched as she lost her power to manage affairs.
He also fell out of favor.
Your Majesty is truly heartless.
She didn't quite hear what was said after that, and mechanically took her leave after the meeting ended.
Shu Chengfeng had other things to do, so he told Yan Nangui that he would come back in the evening and left first.
After everyone left, Yan Nan returned to his study.
Bai Wei said, "At this point, if she were to ask for her right to take back control, she probably wouldn't dare to do anything."
Bai Wei was unaware that this was something she had thought of the day the wild geese returned south.
Once the true culprit is found, His Majesty will surely punish him. After that, we will reclaim the power from Consort Xiangxian.
At least it can deter Consort Xiang from making any moves for the time being.
Yes. Dispose of.
Nowadays, anyone with a modicum of sense knows that Consort Kehui's promotion is a punishment.
Inside Yujing Palace, Consort Kehui paced back and forth like a trapped beast.
"Foggy rain, foggy rain!"
Wu Yu came in: "Your Highness, I have already sent someone, but so much time has passed and the Third Prince still hasn't arrived."
"It's terrible, Your Highness! Outside... outside we're blocked by the people from Beichen Palace. We're not allowed to go in or out... even the Third Prince can't come." The eunuch rushed in and said anxiously.
Consort Kehui sat down: "No, how could this be... how could this happen?"
In fact, given that Consort Xia had pushed her personal maid to take the blame back then, Shu Chengfeng would not give Consort Ke Hui another chance.
"Your Majesty, you must think of something!" Wuyu and Wanxia were both afraid and anxious.
But what can we do if we're stuck there?
In Ruining Palace, the Empress Dowager asked in confusion, "Why was she suddenly promoted? I also heard that Consort Xiangxian's affairs have been handed over to the Noble Consort?"
"Your Majesty, it is likely that Consort Kehui was behind this. His Majesty must have already found out," said Granny Fei.
"You mean... the emperor really wants her dead?" the Empress Dowager asked in surprise.
"It's hard to say whether she should be executed, but I suppose she won't have a future," said Granny Fei.
The Empress Dowager frowned: "I really don't understand them."
Granny Fei thought to herself, "You've never understood it in your entire life."
The third prince was extremely anxious, but he dared not plead for mercy directly.
The people who stopped him said that Consort Kehui was unwell and had no time to meet.
He knew nothing of the details; Consort Ke Hui had not told the Third Prince anything about this matter.
So I really don't know how to plead for them.
Within three or four days, news spread that Consort Ke Hui was seriously ill.
Some people say that His Majesty promoted Consort Ke Hui to a higher rank because he pitied her when she was seriously ill.
When these words got out, they seemed as if they were true.
Where was the composure that Consort Kehui had when she first entered the mansion?
At this moment, she was like a madwoman, making a scene, crying, and shouting.
She either starves to death by not eating or drinking, or... slowly dies from taking medication.
When Yan Nangui arrived at Yujing Palace, Murong Shi seemed like a completely different person. Her long hair was disheveled, and her cheeks were sunken.
The way he looked at Yan Nangui was like a wolf in the dark.
"No longer pretending?" Yan Nangui smiled faintly. "I still remember how calm and elegant you were back then. How did you become such an ugly person in just a few years?"
"It's you." Murong's voice was hoarse; she dared not drink water, so her throat was hoarse.
"Me? I didn't do anything." Yan Nangui smiled.
"Ha, you didn't do anything? Who would believe that? His Majesty? If you didn't do anything, how did you go from a lowly concubine who was remarried to the Noble Consort Duanyi? You didn't do anything? How dare you say that?" Murong asked.
“If that’s what you say, then you’re not wrong. I’m not innocent either.” Yan Nangui looked at her with pity: “You want to know where you lost? You’ve been unconvinced from the beginning. I’m crude in my words and actions, and I’m a second wife, yet I’ve always lived a more comfortable life than you. Don’t you really want to know why?”
"Yes. I want to know!" Murong's eyes were bloodshot. "I want to know why His Majesty values you so much? Why? Why are you able to live such a high and mighty life?"
"Because you're all foolish. There are so many people in the harem, everyone wants the emperor's favor, everyone wants the emperor's heart. And because of this, there's constant fighting. Everyone wants to get rid of those who stand in their way. Everyone wants to bring down those who are favored. How foolish!" Yan Nangui shook his head with a smile.
“What’s wrong with this? Once you’re in the harem, are you going to act like a bodhisattva? When you need to be ruthless, aren’t you ruthless?” Murong Shi protested.
"Of course I have to be ruthless. Anyone who crosses me will not be let off easily."
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