After noon.
The emperor's relatives, nobles, and civil and military officials accompanied him to watch the opera performance, followed by a series of activities, including poetry recitation competitions, Cuju (ancient Chinese football), horseback riding and archery. The women also accompanied them, and they watched fireworks at 7 PM.
Qi Rong made an excuse that she was not feeling well. Feng Guche felt sorry for her and told her to go back to the palace to rest and not to come with him anymore.
Jade Hibiscus Palace.
With a snap.
Qi Rong slammed the cup to the ground, sat down on the stool, pounded the armrest in anger, and glared at Mu Chenshuang, "Damn Mu Chenshuang."
It's unbelievable that she lost so much face on such an important occasion.
She really underestimated this woman.
"Sister, you are too audacious to slander the Prince of Xiaoyao in public." A soft voice came from outside the door.
Despite its gentle tone, the voice sounded as cold and desolate as the frost and snow of the dead of winter.
Qi Rong looked up and saw Ji Luoyan walking in slowly. "What do you mean by that, sister-in-law? He is just a powerless and idle prince. Do you think I'm afraid of him?"
"Powerless and without influence?" Ji Luoyan asked softly, stepping forward. "Sister, you've been favored for too long. Have you forgotten who pulled the First Prince down from the position of Crown Prince? If the Prince of Xiaoyao hadn't suddenly withdrawn, how could the current Crown Prince be the Third Prince?"
Qi Rong's expression changed.
Four years ago, during the Eastern Palace Incident, Feng Ji led troops to launch a coup.
But just three months after the crown prince was deposed, Feng Ji suddenly relinquished his military power and was willing to become a carefree and leisurely prince, leaving everyone puzzled as to why.
During these four years, Feng Ji indeed did not interfere in any affairs of the court.
As time went on, in everyone's eyes he really was just a carefree prince.
"Sister, don't be so reckless next time. Otherwise, even with His Majesty's protection, if the Prince of Xiaoyao really wants to harm you, you won't be able to escape," Ji Luoyan warned.
The words were spoken.
Qi Rongxin shuddered, her fists clenching. "I understand," she said, her tone still tinged with resentment.
"But Luo Yan, what exactly is going on with Mu Chen Shuang? Is it really just a false pregnancy?"
"Judging from the pulse, it is indeed a false pregnancy. I am here to remind you, sister, that Prince Xiaoyao is currently protecting the Crown Princess. Moreover, this is only a matter concerning Consort Yu. Even if she is your cousin, you should be very careful before you act. Don't do anything foolish if you are not absolutely certain."
Qi Rong felt somewhat displeased as she listened to Ji Luoyan's reprimand.
"I will keep my sister-in-law's reminder in mind."
Ji Luoyan glanced at her indifferently and said nothing more. "Then, sister, please rest first. I'll take my leave."
After Ji Luoyan left.
Qi Rong snorted angrily.
Lianqiu, standing to the side, spoke up in defense, "Your Majesty, Physician Ji is too arrogant. You are, after all, the elder sister and the emperor's concubine. How dare she speak to you in such an attitude?"
Qi Rong coldly and disdainfully mocked herself: "You don't know, my sister-in-law has made a great contribution to my success today."
Even his younger brother, the current commander of the Imperial Guards, would not be where he is today without Ji Luoyan.
So now everyone in the Qi family follows her lead, and she, an outsider, has truly become the head of the Qi family.
"Even so, Your Majesty is no longer the same as before. This Divine Physician Ji is arrogant and now he is bossing you around without any respect for your status."
Lianqiu could see through Qi Rong's thoughts, so she naturally had to go along with Consort Rong's wishes and speak out her dissatisfaction on her behalf.
"Now that you are favored by the Emperor, if you give birth to his heir, you will be promoted to Imperial Concubine in no time."
Hearing Lianqiu's words, Qi Rong felt much better. Then she sighed and rubbed her forehead, "So what if she is a Noble Consort? She is still overshadowed by the Empress. Even the Imperial Noble Consort who came to marry the Empress with great fanfare has been reduced to spending her days worshipping Buddha in a temple. How can I possibly compete with her?"
Lianqiu comforted her, saying, "Your Majesty, as the saying goes, nothing lasts forever. Your maternal uncle is now a Duke of the State, and your younger brother is a second-rank Imperial Guard Commander. What do you have to worry about? Who can say what will happen in the future? Your Majesty's most important task right now is to give birth to an imperial heir as soon as possible."
These words struck a chord with Qi Rong; who could predict what would happen in the future?
"You're right, it's about time."
At this moment.
A palace maid entered the palace and announced, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu has arrived."
"Let her in!"
Xiao Qingyu walked in.
"cousin."
Xiao Qingyu stepped forward and knelt directly in front of Qi Rong.
Seeing this, Qi Rong quickly stepped forward and reached out to help her up, saying, "Yu'er, what are you doing? Get up quickly."
Qi Rong helped Xiao Qingyu sit up.
"I'm sorry, cousin. I've dragged you into this today."
Qi Rong patted her hand and comforted her, "Alright, this is not your fault. Besides, I am fine. It is you who have been forced to copy Buddhist scriptures by that bitch Mu Chenshuang."
Even if Xiao Qingyu was furious at the moment, she could only swallow her anger, but she would never let it go.
"Did Luo Yan come looking for my cousin just now?"
Qi Rong replied, "She said that Mu Chenshuang's pregnancy was indeed false, and she even gave me a good reminder."
His expression turned somewhat cold as he spoke the last sentence.
Xiao Qingyu's face darkened, and she said, "These past few days I have had people observe Mu Chenshuang's medication, and I haven't seen her drink any medicine to regulate her menstrual cycle. Today she is clearly lying."
Qi Rong was startled and asked in confusion, "Could she really be pregnant? But if she is pregnant, how come Luo Yan didn't notice? And how could she be faking it?"
"I don't know what's going on either." As she spoke, she suddenly thought of something, "Could it be that the Prince of Xiaoyao secretly helped her? He protected Mu Chenshuang so much today. How could someone who can be ruthless to his brothers suddenly show kindness and help Mu Chenshuang? There must be something fishy going on."
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