Hongzhou looked up in surprise:
"Father, please don't deceive your son."
Fearing that the Emperor would be angry again, Consort Xi quickly spoke first:
"It's true. Your father and I just came from your mother's place. You've really gotten yourself into trouble this time."
"Your subject, your subject doesn't know. Your subject was just angry at the time. Mother didn't say anything to your subject and just took Yuyan away. Your subject just wanted to know an answer."
Yinzhen was angry at his lack of ambition, stood up and walked out.
Consort Xi, Wanru, also sighed:
"You, who usually seem so shrewd, how come you just can't understand your mother's good intentions?"
After saying this, Consort Xi Wanru also got up and left.
During the time Hongzhou spent recuperating in bed, he thought about it for a long time. After calming down, he admitted that he had been a bit too impulsive this time.
Wei Zhu also told Hong Zhou the truth about the matter.
"Your Majesty, the reason the Empress didn't tell you was because she was worried that you would cause trouble due to your impulsiveness. Everything she did was for your own good. As for Yu Yan, it's obvious that someone deliberately brought her here to frame you and Consort Yu."
"Alright, you don't need to say anything more, I know everything. Help me up!"
Wei Zhu stepped forward and advised:
"Sir, your wound hasn't healed yet. It's still being treated with medicine. The imperial physician said you can't move around too much."
Hongzhou paused for a moment, then insisted:
"Your Excellency caused Mother's miscarriage this time, and you must go and apologize to her."
"Fifth brother, you should focus on healing your injuries first."
Just as Wei Zhu was about to step forward to help Hong Zhou, Hong Li, who had just come out of Yongshou Palace, walked in.
Before he came, his mother repeatedly told him to persuade Hongzhou to stay put and not let him run around.
"Fourth Brother, what brings you here?"
"If I hadn't come soon, you would have gone on another stunt."
Hongzhou lowered his head, not daring to look Hongli in the eye:
"Fourth brother, I really just want to see Mother, I don't mean anything else."
"Consort Yu is currently in her postpartum period, so you can't see her even if you want to. Besides, if she finds out that you're not taking care of your health, wouldn't that make her angry again?"
"...It was my younger brother's oversight. Thank you for reminding me, Fourth Brother."
Hongli waved his hand, signaling Wei Zhu to leave first, and then walked to the bedside and sat down.
"You are really bold. You actually went to such lengths for a woman. If it weren't for Consort Yu's consideration for you, you would probably be caught in someone else's trap without even knowing it."
"Fourth Brother, I really like her. Of course, I never expected that she could be a spy planted by someone else."
"Oh, you."
Everything was understood without words; Hongli's words made Hongzhou understand his mother's good intentions.
"Fourth Brother, if you have time, could you bring my books over for me? I've missed a lot of schoolwork lately, so this is a good time to catch up."
Hongli smiled with satisfaction:
"At least he said something decent."
Another month passed, and Hongzhou was able to walk again, while Geng Youran had finished her postpartum confinement.
"Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince is waiting at the door."
"I'm tired, I won't see anyone."
"Your Majesty, it's been five days already, please grant us the audience."
"I said I wouldn't see you, didn't you hear me?"
Qianxue had no choice but to relay the message.
"Aunt Qianxue, how is it?"
"Fifth Prince, you should go back first. The Empress said she's a little tired and doesn't want to see anyone."
"Alright then. Thank you for your trouble, Auntie."
Hongzhou left Chengqian Palace dejectedly, not seeing the figure standing by the window inside.
That evening, Geng Youran couldn't eat anything, only managing a few bites of vegetables before refusing to eat any more.
"Your Majesty, please have some more."
"I have no appetite, take it away."
Geng Youran's condition fluctuated, and it didn't improve significantly until the end of the year.
"elder sister!"
"My little sister is here, please have a seat."
"What is your sister doing?"
"What else can we do? Naturally, we'll brew wine."
Consort Xi, Wanru, breathed a long sigh of relief:
"Sister, you've finally recovered. I can rest easy now."
Geng Youran was both amused and exasperated.
"It's not as serious as you make it out to be."
"Sister, I've come today because there's something I want to tell you."
"...Is it about Yuyan?"
Consort Xi Wanru nodded:
"It has been thoroughly investigated. This Yu Yan was arranged by Consort Ning, and the evidence is conclusive."
"I never imagined that she hated me so much that she also hated Hongzhou."
"Sister, should we tell the Emperor about this?"
"Hmph, do you think the Emperor doesn't know?"
Consort Xi smiled wryly; it seemed her sister was angry with the Emperor.
"It's just a small matter, so I won't trouble Your Majesty."
After this incident, Geng Youran also reflected on her actions.
She was so deeply involved in the relationship that she made such a basic mistake.
Yinzhen was indeed her husband, but he was also the emperor. How could an emperor punish a favored concubine for such a matter, especially since Hongzhou was in the wrong first?
"Sister, do you have a solution?"
"She wants a child, doesn't she? Give her one!"
Sure enough, a few months later, Consort Ning was diagnosed with pregnancy.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! Your Majesty, your wish has finally come true!"
Because of the recent events involving Consort Yu and Hongzhou, she was filled with worry and never expected that she would be able to escape safely from this situation.
To everyone's surprise, the Emperor seemed genuinely unaware of the truth and showed her great care and concern.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Gao has arrived."
"Please come in quickly."
"This servant greets Consort Ning."
"Eunuch Gao, please get up quickly. The Emperor is coming soon."
"Your Majesty, today is the fifteenth. His Majesty said he was going to the Empress's residence and would not be coming today. However, His Majesty specially sent me to deliver a jade ruyi to you. I hope Your Majesty will like it."
Consort Ning felt somewhat uncomfortable when she heard that the Emperor wouldn't be coming over that evening. However, upon hearing that the Emperor still cared about her and had even rewarded her with a precious jade ruyi, she immediately smiled.
"Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty on my behalf, Eunuch Gao. Bai Hua!"
Bai Hua, with a keen eye, discreetly handed Gao Wuyong an inconspicuous purse. Gao Wuyong weighed it in his hand; it was quite heavy.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Since Your Highness has nothing else to say, this servant will return to report."
"Alright. Bai Hua, see Eunuch Gao off for me."
Bai Hua watched Gao Wuyong leave the courtyard, then turned and went into the house:
"Your Majesty, it seems the Emperor truly values you. I've heard that only highly favored concubines receive this ruyi scepter."
"What's the big deal? Once I give birth to the prince, there will be plenty of these things."
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