Upon hearing Mu Chenshuang's words, the Empress Dowager took a deep breath, her expression turning serious. "Since you have come this far, I have nothing more to say. It is Xilan who is not fortunate enough. If Shuang'er has a man she likes, she should definitely tell me, and I will definitely stand up for you."
Mu Chenshuang nodded slightly and replied, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager looked at her and asked, "I heard that you and that boy Junheng have been getting quite close lately?"
The Empress Dowager already knew that Fu Junheng had defended Mu Chenshuang that day, and when Shen Biyun came to visit her yesterday, she also asked about the two of them.
Mu Chenshuang calmly replied, "I don't have much interaction with Crown Prince Junheng. It's because of Prince Xiaoyao that I have some contact with Crown Prince Junheng."
"I see. Junheng is a cold-hearted boy. He has completely inherited his mother's beauty. Girls can easily fall for Junheng. However, I heard that he doesn't interact with girls at all. I thought he didn't like women. But the fact that he is willing to interact with you shows that Junheng is discerning. However, he will be returning to Xiyue Kingdom in the future."
The Empress Dowager's last sentence carried a hint of reminder.
Mu Chenshuang could easily understand that the Empress Dowager meant that she should not have too much contact with Fu Junheng, because she was afraid that she might really fall in love with Fu Junheng. Fu Junheng treated her specially, and she was worried that they might fall in love with each other.
Even if the Empress Dowager didn't say anything, she didn't want to have any more contact with Fu Junheng.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I have no particular feelings for Crown Prince Junheng," Mu Chenshuang replied earnestly.
"Shuang'er, it's good that you understand."
"But it seems that Shuang'er is not having a good time in the Marquis's mansion. Is your aunt deliberately targeting you?"
Mu Chenshuang replied, "I have indeed encountered some troubles, but I am able to resolve them."
"Did your aunt return the fief to you?"
Before Mu Chenshuang could answer.
The old nanny hurried in to report.
"Your Majesty, Consort Ling requests an audience."
The Empress Dowager turned to the nanny and said, "Let her in!"
Immediately afterwards, Consort Ling entered, glanced at Mu Chenshuang, and then bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this concubine greets you."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. So the Princess is here too. I hope I haven't disturbed your conversation with the Princess."
Consort Ling's gentle face was filled with a smile, and when she looked at Mu Chenshuang, her eyes were calm as if nothing had happened.
After all, on that day outside Cining Palace, Consort Ling was determined to punish Mu Chenshuang, but now she is so calm.
"It's alright," the Empress Dowager said.
Consort Ling smiled and didn't say much, then had her personal maid bring over some tonics.
Consort Ling was very good at talking; she said a few words that made the Empress Dowager very happy, and the Empress Dowager's face was full of smiles.
The Empress Dowager had a very good impression of Consort Ling. In the Empress Dowager's mind, Consort Ling was a quiet and elegant woman who knew how to assess the situation, was neither arrogant nor impatient, unlike other women who caused unrest in the harem in their struggle for favor.
"Now that I see the princess here, it seems she has truly been wronged," Consort Ling suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she looked at Mu Chenshuang with suspicion, "Shuang'er, what happened?"
"In order to verify whether my aunt had really donated my fief, I went to see Lord Cai. Lord Cai's heart disease had relapsed and he had stopped breathing. I happened to be the only one there. Because I had some grudges with Lord Cai, I became the prime suspect and was taken to the Chengtianjian for interrogation. However, in the end, my innocence was proven. Lord Cai was just showing signs of apparent death, and now everything is fine."
The Empress Dowager listened, still shaken. "It's good that you're alright. Did your aunt return your fiefdom to you?"
Mu Chenshuang didn't hide anything and replied, "It has already been returned to me, but she said she would donate all of her income for the year to help with the disaster relief in Nanyang and Jiangbei. Since she didn't tell me beforehand, and the amount of money is quite large, I went to the Ministry of Revenue to verify it. I also hope that this money can really be used effectively."
"How's the verification going?"
"Lord Cai is already verifying this, and we should know soon."
Upon hearing this, Consort Ling's fingers clenched tightly beneath her sleeves, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Whether it's true or false, her behavior is inappropriate and no different from stealing fame and reputation."
The Empress Dowager's tone was quite displeased.
Consort Ling then added, "So it turns out the Princess was unaware of this matter. I heard that Madam Lu donated in Your Highness's name."
Suddenly, Consort Ling thought of something and raised her voice, "I just remembered. When the princess and the crown prince had a conflict, the princess was not in the palace. At that time, the royal family and ministers were actively raising funds. If the princess, as the crown prince's wife, did not take the lead in making a gesture, it would have caused unnecessary controversy."
Upon hearing Consort Ling's explanation, the Empress Dowager's expression softened. "So that's how it is."
Mu Chenshuang's gaze fell on Consort Ling, it seemed that her purpose in coming was to speak well of Lu Wei.
Therefore, Consort Ling knew immediately when she entered Cining Palace, indicating that Consort Ling had spies within the palace.
Consort Ling was not as naive as she appeared; on the contrary, she was very cunning.
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