In the dimly lit stable, a mix of unpleasant odors mingled with the nervous whinnying of disturbed horses.
Prince Qi never imagined he’d find himself in such a place.
“What are you doing?” Prince Qi’s eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the carriage driver, wishing he could devour him whole.
Terrified, the driver repeatedly kowtowed, begging for mercy. “Your Highness, please spare me, please spare my life—”
Another kick landed on the driver as Prince Qi questioned him word by word: “Did you harm the Princess Consort?”
The driver suddenly shuddered, seemingly shocked by Prince Qi’s question. After a moment, he came to his senses and stammered, trembling on the ground, “This old servant wouldn’t dare! Even if you beat me to death, I wouldn’t dare harm the Princess Consort!”
This was precisely what Prince Qi found strange.
The driver was a family servant the Princess Consort had brought from her maiden home. How could he develop the intent to harm her?
“Then what were you wiping away?”
The driver’s lips quivered, unable to speak.
Prince Qi’s gaze turned cold as ice. “You don’t have to speak. But consider your entire family carefully!”
The driver swayed and slapped himself hard across the face. “This old servant’s mind was clouded by stupidity… When the Princess Consort met with misfortune, I discovered oil on the carriage steps. Fearing Your Highness’s punishment, I tried to secretly wipe away the oil traces…”
Prince Qi finally understood the driver’s actions.
Oil on the carriage steps must have been secretly spilled by someone. The driver, who should have never left the carriage’s side, failed to notice it. He must have been slacking off, either dozing or wandering elsewhere, giving someone the opportunity. Fearing his master’s blame, the driver thought to destroy the evidence.
In terms of guilt, the driver’s negligence caused the Princess Consort’s miscarriage. Even being flayed alive wouldn’t be too severe a punishment.
Prince Qi suppressed his murderous intent and asked, “You truly didn’t notice anyone suspicious?”
The driver shook his head blankly.
Prince Qi’s face was like ice.
The driver, terrified beyond measure, kept slapping himself. “This old servant deserves death, this old servant deserves death—”
“You indeed deserve death.” Prince Qi gave the driver a long, hard look before turning to leave the stable.
The air outside suddenly felt crisp and fresh.
Prince Qi gazed up at the sky, roiling with dark clouds, his heart feeling as if it had plunged into an abyss.
He didn’t return to the main chamber to accompany the Princess Consort who had just miscarried. Instead, he went to his study in the front courtyard.
Prince Qi had always harbored ambitions for the throne, and with his many visitors, the study was naturally spacious and dignified.
He threw himself into the room, violently thrashing about for a long while before calming down. Looking at the mess around him, he muttered, “Third Brother, just you wait!”
In Prince Jin’s residence, Prince Jin and his Princess Consort were resting together. The lights in the room had already been extinguished.
However, the Princess Consort couldn’t sleep. She quietly turned over, staring at the silver hooks on the canopy lost in thought.
An arm reached out and rested on her body, accompanied by a man’s voice: “Can’t sleep?”
The Princess Consort turned to face him, apologetically saying, “Did I disturb Your Highness?”
“No. Why can’t you sleep?”
The Princess Consort was silent for a moment before saying, “I’m thinking about the Princess Consort of Qi’s miscarriage.”
“Why think about that? There are many accidents in this world. The Princess Consort of Qi only miscarried; she didn’t lose her life. It’s not a big deal.”
The Princess Consort of Jin pursed her lips.
Prince Jin gently patted her, saying softly, “Alright, go to sleep. Don’t let unrelated people affect your mood.”
“Mm, Your Highness should sleep too.” The Princess Consort of Jin smiled and closed her eyes.
After a long while, when she heard steady, deep breathing beside her, she quietly opened her eyes to stare at Prince Jin’s profile.
Was the Princess Consort of Qi’s miscarriage an accident? Or did her husband have a hand in it—
The Princess Consort of Jin didn’t want to think further and closed her eyes again.
Day broke.
The second day of the New Year brought good weather. As usual, the imperial concubines went to pay their respects to the Empress.
Living in the deep recesses of the palace, they hadn’t yet heard about last night’s commotion.
The Empress hadn’t appeared yet, and the waiting concubines chatted casually.
It had been several years since new concubines entered the palace. Whether they were thriving or struggling, they had all become quite familiar with each other. During the New Year, no one wanted to cause trouble, so they stuck to pleasant topics.
Noble Consort Xian naturally became the focus of attention.
“Noble Consort Xian is truly blessed. Both of your daughters-in-law are with the child. It’s truly enviable.”
“Indeed, both Princesses will give Noble Consort Xian grandchildren this year.”
“I’ve heard that when pregnancies occur one after another, they often result in different outcomes – one boy and one girl. Noble Consort Xian might soon have both a grandson and a granddaughter…”
“Is there such a saying?” Noble Consort Xian, who had been maintaining a dignified smile, looked towards the junior concubine who spoke.
The junior concubine nodded. “This is a saying from this concubine’s hometown.”
“Princess Yan and Princess Qi became pregnant one after the other. I wonder who will give birth to the imperial grandson?” Someone’s voice rose from the chirping crowd.
Noble Consort Xian unconsciously frowned but didn’t acknowledge the voice. Instead, she kept her gaze on the junior concubine.
Who would give birth to the imperial grandson? Of course, she hoped it would be her fourth son’s wife. As for her seventh son’s wife, given the attitude of her seventh son and his wife towards her as their mother, she wouldn’t be particularly pleased no matter what they had.
If that ungrateful thing, her seventh son’s wife, were to give birth to the imperial grandson, wouldn’t she become even more arrogant? This was something she very much didn’t want to see.
The junior concubine was quick-witted and hurriedly said, “In my hometown, they also say that blooming first and bearing fruit later is a sign of good fortune. Both Princesses are blessed.”
Noble Consort Xian smiled her gaze towards the junior concubine filled with approval.
This little minx certainly knew how to speak.
Blooming first and bearing fruit later – the Princess Consort of Qi, who already had a daughter, would have a son, while the Princess Consort of Yan, in her first pregnancy, would have a daughter.
Although Noble Consort Xian knew the junior concubine was just saying what she wanted to hear, who doesn’t like to hear pleasant things? Her mood improved greatly.
The junior concubine who received Noble Consort Xian’s approval raised the corners of her mouth slightly.
It was said that after the Crown Prince was deposed, Prince Jin and Prince Qi were the most likely to ascend the throne. With the support of Noble Consort Xian and Duke Anguo’s family, plus the Princess Consort of Qi’s pregnancy, Prince Jin might not be able to compete with Prince Qi.
If Prince Qi were to ascend the throne, Noble Consort Xian would become the de facto mistress of the harem in the future. If one didn’t take the opportunity to curry favor now, it would be too late to show goodwill later.
Many concubines shared the junior concubine’s thoughts, and a chorus of agreeing voices arose.
The harem often reflected the front court. For instance, if two ministers were at odds and both had daughters who entered the palace, these two concubines would certainly not get along. Now that Prince Qi had become a hot candidate for Crown Prince, the palace concubines naturally increased their flattery towards Noble Consort Xian.
Consort Zhuang lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea.
The matter of establishing a Crown Prince was far from settled, yet these people were already so eager.
“Her Majesty the Empress arrives—”
Soon, the Empress, in full regalia, appeared before the concubines.
The concubines immediately paid their respects to the Empress.
“No need for such formality.”
After the usual greetings, the Empress spoke about some palace matters before turning her gaze to Noble Consort Xian.
“Sister Xian, there is a matter I must inform you about.”
Noble Consort Xian quickly said, “Please speak, Your Majesty.”
According to custom, the Emperor would have spent the night in the Empress’s chambers. What could the Empress have to tell her?
The Empress paused for a moment before saying, “Last night, the Princess Consort of Qi unfortunately suffered a miscarriage.”