Empress Fucha had heard of Jin Minjing's misdeeds, but as the Fujin (principal wife), her responsibility was to protect Hongli's bloodline. No matter what mistakes Jin Minjing made, Empress Fucha had to ensure that she gave birth to the child safely.
However, Hongli didn't care about any of these things she cared about. "It's her bad luck that she couldn't keep the child. She did all those vicious and cruel things, and I didn't take her life. Letting her stay in the other courtyard to rest and prepare for childbirth is already more than enough. But she's restless and still trying to find ways to go back to the manor? Don't even think about it!"
"If something really happens to the child, and Mother asks..."
Ultimately, she was still afraid of taking responsibility. Hongli, not wanting to listen to her rambling, immediately said, "I will take responsibility for Mother's inquiries. You don't need to worry about it. This is no longer her home, and I will never let her come back!"
He insisted on not letting anyone return to the mansion, and Lady Fucha had no choice but to comply with his wishes and reject the request from the other residence.
Jin Minjing thought that by using the child's safety as an excuse, Hongli would soften and let her go back. However, he remained unmoved. Still unwilling to give up, she asked someone to pass on a message to her brother, asking him to find a way to reveal the matter to Consort Xi.
Consort Xi was already very concerned about the child in Jin Minjing's womb. When she learned that Jin Minjing's pregnancy was unstable, she became anxious. Just then, Hongli came to pay his respects to her, so she instructed him to take Jin Minjing back.
Only two or three days have passed, and his mother has already found out about this. Is it Kim Min-jung who is up to something, or is his mother's surveillance on him too tight?
Regardless of the situation or who makes such a request, Hongli will never agree. He will reiterate his stance: Jin Minjing is not allowed to return to the mansion.
Consort Xi earnestly advised, "I told you last time how important offspring are. As a prince, you must not be willful and should prioritize the bloodline. Jin Minjing's child must be saved. She is already more than four months pregnant, and the child should be born in five months at most. During these five months, you should take pity on her and let her stay in the mansion."
Five months—it sounds easy, but who knows what might happen in those five months?
"Your Majesty has already given Kim Min-jung two chances, but she has never shown any remorse. It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. Your Majesty does not believe that she will truly change her ways, and will not give her the opportunity to continue doing bad things!"
“But you left her alone in the other courtyard. She’s living in constant fear. How can she have a safe pregnancy? If something happens to the baby, you’ll be the culprit! No matter how much you hate her, you should think about your child.”
"It is precisely for the sake of the child that I cannot allow her to return to the residence," Hongli said righteously, leaving Consort Xi even more confused.
What do you mean by that?
“The maid Su Yushan is four months pregnant. The two have a long-standing feud, and I am worried that Jin Minjing will harm Su Yushan’s unborn child. Therefore, I cannot let her return to the manor.”
Even though he said he no longer loved her, he would still consider her feelings when it came to important matters.
Kim Min-jeong had tried to harm her several times, and her hatred for him had penetrated to the bone. If he allowed Kim Min-jeong to return to the manor, Kim Min-jeong would get his wish, but Yu Shan might suffer a miscarriage as a result.
Consort Xi dismissed it, saying, "How could Jin Shi have such audacity as to plot against a royal heir? Does she have a death wish?"
Others might not have the guts, but Jin Minjing was hard to say. "She dared to drug me, what wouldn't she dare to do?"
The son refused to budge, and Consort Xi felt something was amiss. How could he, as a father, not value his own flesh and blood? Could it be that someone was gossiping about him?
"But Su won't allow Jin to come back? You're being so cruel to Jin just to please her?"
Seeing his mother's suspicion of Su Yushan, Hongli immediately clarified for her, "Su Yushan never said such a thing. She cannot control my will. This is my own idea."
Both maids are now pregnant, but Consort Xi still favors one over the other. "Don't forget, Su is a Han Chinese, and her child is not as precious as Jin's child."
However, Hongli's mind was biased towards the other side. "The child of the Su family has my blood flowing in his veins. The child was born with Manchu blood. If Mother insists on talking about bloodline, then the ancestors of the Jin family were Koreans, which is not considered very noble."
"..." Consort Xi was speechless after being refuted by her own child. She retorted, "At least the Jin family comes from an official family, while the Su family is a commoner. Their backgrounds are far inferior, and they cannot be compared."
"In my opinion, character is far more important than family background. What good is the Jin family's good background? She is hypocritical and vicious. Such a woman is not worthy to be my maid!"
For every word Consort Xi spoke, he retorted, igniting her anger. "I only asked you to bring Jin back to the manor. It's such a small matter, yet you insist on disobeying me! If anything happens to Jin's child, how can you live with yourself?"
Instead of answering, Hongli asked, "If Su's child is lost, who will take responsibility?"
With her brows furrowed, Consort Xi, furious, raised her voice and declared, "I will take the blame!"
Even if the mother takes responsibility, if something happens to Su Yushan's child, the last thread of their bond will be severed!
Hongli knew that she was only staying for the sake of her family and child. If the child was lost, she might want to run away again. Therefore, Yushan's child had to be saved, and he could not take that risk!
Hongli, who had been respectfully looking down, raised his eyes to look directly at Consort Xi, and solemnly declared, "Your Majesty, I do not need you to take responsibility, because I will not allow any harm to Su's child!"
"You..." Consort Xi wanted to persuade him again, but Hongli refused to listen and resolutely resigned, leaving the palace.
This situation was beyond Consort Xi's expectations. How could a mere maid, Su Shi, be so favored by her son? Consort Xi was uneasy and immediately ordered someone to secretly investigate this woman.
In the past, Hongli always compromised in front of his mother, which led to all the troubles that followed. Now, he is unwilling to be controlled by others anymore. For the sake of his and Su Yushan's child, he must make this decision!
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