"It's alright, I'm not afraid of such things." She knew there would be plenty of gossip about her as Empress. One more or one less wouldn't matter.
"Your Majesty," Kong Qing called from the doorway.
"Come in and give your answer."
After Kong Qing entered, knelt down to pay her respects, and then stood up to report: "Your Majesty, after the Fourth Prince returned, he smashed a lot of things, including the teacups that His Majesty had bestowed upon him."
"Throwing things?" Yan Nangui raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed, I was thinking, isn't this... a bit off?"
Baihe asked in confusion, "Consort Rong has just passed away. It's understandable that he would be heartbroken and act abnormally due to grief and breakdown. So... something's not right."
“It’s understandable to feel upset, but breaking things doesn’t necessarily mean you’re just sad. It could just mean you’re heartbroken and on the verge of a breakdown, but we can’t ignore those things,” Shuanzi said.
“Oh…that’s true.” Lily said, pouring the tea.
"Investigate thoroughly in secret," Yan Nangui said.
Kong Qing agreed and went out first.
"Mother, I don't understand." The Seventh Princess looked up.
"You'll understand in time. Just remember what I said today and don't tell your fourth brother," Yan Nangui said.
"Hmm, I definitely won't say. Is it because Consort Rong committed suicide that Fourth Brother can no longer be the Crown Prince?" the Seventh Princess asked.
"The person behind this is obviously the one who doesn't want him to be the crown prince. If the truth behind this can't be found out, then your father, out of mercy, will at most not pursue the Jiang family's serious crimes, and your fourth brother will have no chance. Even if it is found out, no matter why, it's because Consort Rong concealed it from your father, preferring to die rather than ask your father for help. So... I'm afraid even your father can't trust your fourth brother anymore."
Yan Nangui did not tell Shu Chengfeng these words.
Whether you say it or not, it's all the same. Since Consort Rong really died on her own, there's no way to unravel the mystery.
It's not that the Fourth Prince has no chance at all, but in the next few years, I'm afraid His Majesty will never be able to let this matter go.
"If Fourth Brother can't be the Crown Prince, Fifth Brother can't be either because of his scars, and Sixth Brother himself said he doesn't want to be. Eighth Brother is too stupid, Ninth and Tenth Brothers are still young, and Eleventh Brother is even younger." The Seventh Princess frowned.
“Your father has been on the throne for fifteen years. A crown prince will be appointed sooner or later, but I’m afraid it won’t be long. Your eldest, second, and third brothers haven’t done anything obviously wrong.” Yan Nangui looked at her: “Anyone could be the one.”
"Oh. This is so troublesome. Actually, Father Emperor likes Fifth Brother the most. If it weren't for Fifth Brother's scar, he might have been the one chosen," said the Seventh Princess.
“Silly child, with your fifth brother’s temperament, even without the scars, how could he be the crown prince? Your father likes him because he is simple-minded. Although he is impatient and unsteady, he is innocent and straightforward. A simple-minded son is a very good child. But if he were to be the crown prince, your father would be worried to death,” Yan Nangui said.
"Alright, it's getting late. Go back, wash up, and go to bed. Your mother is tired too, and there's still a lot to do tomorrow." Yan Nangui patted her bottom.
The seventh princess chuckled and got down from the ground.
At this time, the Fourth Prince left the palace to see Consort Rong off.
He knelt at the spot where the body was laid to rest, with Yang Li beside him.
"Was this done by Consort Jin?" the Fourth Prince asked through gritted teeth.
"This servant truly knows nothing about it; there wasn't a trace left over there. But thinking about it... that doesn't make sense." After all, Consort Jin supported the Fourth Prince for the sake of their future and the Huo family. If she thought that Consort Rong's death would make it easier to win over the Fourth Prince, that would be far too naive.
The fourth prince is no longer a child; he's a grown man. Even if he compromises for the sake of interests for the time being, what about the future?
If things really go smoothly, the first thing he'll do upon ascending the throne is to settle scores with the Huo family, which isn't worth it.
The fourth prince could also have thought of this.
He gritted his teeth: "The Empress is right. Whoever it is, this is directed at me. My mother is doing this for me..."
"Your Highness, please take good care of yourself. Only if you are well can you avenge the Empress," Yang Li said.
The fourth prince took a deep breath: "I must take care of myself, I must make sure I reach the very end."
At this moment, Consort Jin could not possibly sleep in Liuyun Palace.
She knew that the Fourth Prince probably suspected her, but she wasn't stupid, so why would she do such a thing?
What she wanted to do was support the fourth prince, so that after he ascended the throne, she would still have the Huo family. With that, she could live a good life.
At least by then, a childless goose returning south would no longer be a threat.
Of course, Yan Nangui was not the empress at that time, and many things were different from today.
But no matter what, she wouldn't be foolish enough to kill Consort Rong; wouldn't that be courting death?
"Who did this? Has His Majesty heard anything?" Consort Jin was troubled.
“Your Highness, there’s still no news. You should rest. We haven’t done anything anyway. Even if the Fourth Prince suspects something, we haven’t done it.” Hongchou said.
Consort Jin sighed, "Really... if I had known earlier that Yan Nangui could become Empress, I wouldn't have bothered to cooperate with the Fourth Prince."
At that time, because there was no empress, she also thought that His Majesty would not appoint an empress.
Since there is no empress, and everyone will be a concubine in the future, it doesn't matter if the fourth prince's mother is the empress dowager after he ascends the throne, it won't prevent someone else from living a good life.
But what about now?
Now we're truly in a bind.
Another incident like this has occurred; I wonder who's behind it all.
"You mean, is it the Empress?"
Green Feather shook her head: "I'm afraid not. You don't know the Empress well. Although she is very capable, if she really wanted to target the Fourth Prince, she wouldn't need to go to such lengths."
"Who is that? And who else knows about my relationship with the Fourth Prince?" Consort Jin asked.
“This servant thinks they might not know you. Knowing even a little about the Fourth Prince would be enough to force Consort Rong to commit suicide. It all depends on how much they know. Why don’t we think of a way to send a message to the Fourth Prince? I’m afraid his inner circle isn’t clean either,” said Green Feather.
Consort Jin took a deep breath: "Passing on a message now is tantamount to courting death. Just wait." She couldn't calm down either.
Yes, nothing was done this time, but what about before?
Ultimately, he still had something to hide.
Consort Jin went to bed with a heavy heart, but whether she could actually fall asleep was another matter entirely.
Many people are sleepless tonight.
Inside the Jade Hibiscus Palace, Red Bean was massaging Consort Ning's head: "Your headaches are a result of overthinking these past few years."
"How could I not want to? From the time I was forced to have a child until now, every step of the way has been the result of my own efforts. I dare not slack off even for a moment," said Consort Ning.
"Your Highness has had a tough time too, but thankfully our Prince is doing well and performing his duties quite well now. I hear everyone outside is praising him. His reputation is getting better and better," Hongdou said with a smile.
"Yes, I hope so. I can't rest easy until I get him to go up there," Consort Ning sighed.
“Your Majesty is right, it’s only a matter of time,” Hongdou said confidently.
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