A smile returned to the face of the Duchess of Zhenguo, while Xu Yuehuai was clearly still somewhat surprised, and Qi Guze also showed a hint of joy.
However, they were also filled with anxiety, unable to understand why the emperor had suddenly issued an edict.
At this moment, Zhao Min and the other person looked extremely ugly; they hadn't died of anger.
Consort Min frowned almost imperceptibly, and her wicked thoughts resurfaced.
She immediately smiled and said, "That would be even better. Now that she's a princess, she's part of the family. Wouldn't it be even more natural for her to take care of the crown prince?"
"Alright, then let Princess Heyue take care of His Highness the Crown Prince and help him recover." The Emperor thought that Consort Min's words made sense, so he immediately agreed.
Qi Guze and the Duchess of Zhenguo looked at Xu Yuehuai with some anxiety upon hearing this.
Although Xu Yuehuai had not expected things to develop in this way, she pondered for a moment, gave the two of them a reassuring look, and said, "Your Majesty, it is my honor to serve the Crown Prince. However, things have happened too suddenly, and I need three days to prepare."
Upon hearing this, Marquis Ningyuan immediately frowned.
He didn't want anything to go wrong, as things could change too quickly.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s health cannot be delayed any longer. Three days is indeed too long. In my opinion, one night is enough.” He spoke immediately, his words full of concern for Ah Qi.
The current emperor was suddenly faced with a dilemma.
Looking at Ning Yuanhou's smug expression, Xu Yuehuai became even more certain that this was a trap he was setting for her.
She pondered for a moment, then knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, my status is special, and the matter has happened suddenly. If you cannot give me three days, I would rather disobey the imperial decree and behead than enter the Eastern Palace."
Upon hearing this, Lady Zhenguo's palms were already sweating.
"Ah Yue, please don't say that." She was afraid that the emperor would get angry and punish Xu Yuehuai immediately.
She wished she could kneel down immediately and take the blame for others.
Seeing Xu Yuehuai's appearance, the Emperor couldn't help but feel uneasy, sensing that something was amiss.
He glanced at everyone and then said, "Alright, let's do it according to Princess Heyue's wishes. Let's not discuss it anymore."
The matter of taking care of Aqi was settled, and Consort Min's birthday banquet ended due to the Crown Prince's fainting. Everyone dispersed and left.
Now that the birthday banquet was over, Zhao Min naturally saw no need to continue arguing with Consort Min and Xu Yuehuai in the Imperial Garden, so she simply followed Consort Min back to the palace.
No matter what she did, she couldn't understand. After thinking for a moment, she finally asked, "Aunt, why did you let Xu Yuehuai stay in the East Palace to take care of the Crown Prince? She was already a bit pretentious with the Crown Prince. If they have another opportunity to spend time together, it will definitely be more detrimental to us in the future."
Although she held Ah Qi's secret in her hands, she didn't want Xu Yuehuai to have any more opportunities to take advantage of her.
A ruthless glint flashed in Consort Min's eyes.
She sneered, "That's because you don't understand. We can only find an opportunity to get rid of her if we keep Xu Yuehuai under our noses."
As she spoke, she made a murderous gesture.
Zhao Min instantly understood, and was both excited and thrilled: "Aunt, you are truly amazing! This way, even if the Regent and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion want to protect her, they won't find a chance. But will the Crown Prince help us?"
"Don't worry, my relationship with the Crown Prince has long surpassed that between him and Xu Yuehuai. He will definitely help us." Consort Min was full of confidence.
She knew that Aqi was dissatisfied with the Empress, but the Empress's concern for Xu Yuehuai today was clearly suspicious. Given Aqi's personality, she would definitely become wary of Xu Yuehuai.
Zhao Min couldn't help but praise Consort Min. At the same time, she also wanted to stay and watch Xu Yuehuai make a fool of himself: "Aunt, I also want to stay in this palace and watch Xu Yuehuai make a fool of himself. Please talk to the Crown Prince for me and let me go too."
As she spoke, she revealed a sinister smile, and even burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright." Consort Min doted on Zhao Min the most, so upon hearing her words, she naturally agreed immediately.
After the banquet ended, Xu Yuehuai left the palace with the Duchess of Zhenguo.
She couldn't rest easy thinking about the Emperor's order for Xu Yuehuai to serve Ah Qi, fearing that Xu Yuehuai might encounter some trouble in the Eastern Palace.
“Ah Yue, the situation in the palace is ever-changing. You have never been to the palace before, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it. Moreover, you almost broke ties with the Crown Prince today. You will definitely be bullied after you enter the Eastern Palace.” The Duchess of Zhenguo sighed as she spoke.
She was genuinely worried that Xu Yuehuai might be in danger, but there was no turning back now.
She held Xu Yuehuai's hand, wishing she could take her place in the Eastern Palace.
"Mother, I know everything. Don't worry, I will definitely protect myself." Xu Yuehuai comforted the Duchess of Zhenguo.
Although she knew that entering the Eastern Palace this time would not be easy, she still had to bite the bullet and go.
"Mother, with your and Father's status, you'll definitely find a chance to visit me in the future. Don't worry, I'll definitely be fine, and the Prince will surely pave the way for me." Xu Yuehuai reassured her and sent her back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
At that time, Zhenguo Gongzheng was waiting at the door. When he saw the two of them return, he immediately went to greet them.
"Are you two alright? I just heard that the Imperial Concubine is making trouble. If you're upset, tell me and I'll go to His Majesty to seek justice." He was always fiercely protective of his wife, and now with a daughter added to the mix, he was naturally even more worried.
The Duchess immediately explained the Emperor's decree in detail.
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo immediately became agitated: "What!?"
“Our Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion is, after all, a family of great wealth and honor, not to mention we have made great contributions. For Ningyuan Marquis to make such a statement is clearly an attempt to embarrass us! No, I must go and argue with His Majesty.”
Xu Yuehuai was well aware of the status of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. If he were to bring this matter up with His Majesty, His Majesty would certainly agree.
But if that were the case, His Majesty would suspect that the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was not loyal to him.
Thinking of this, she immediately stopped him: "Father, why are you in such a hurry? Don't worry, I can take care of myself. Besides, only by going deep into the tiger's den can I find out what they are really up to."
"Besides, I can't let down the monarch title that my mother got for me."
Xu Yuehuai immediately coaxed them and calmed them down before returning to Tianxiang Tower with peace of mind.
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