Emperor Yong’an waved his hand, and the palace servants who had been preparing to force poisoned wine on the four consorts all withdrew.

“Speak then.” Emperor Yong’an looked down from his superior position, staring at the disheveled Beauty Wang.

He remembered that this Beauty Wang was usually very close with Consort An.

Beauty Wang bit her lip and pointed at Consort An. “Atop Xuande Tower, when everyone was watching the fireworks, this concubine vaguely heard some movement, as if something had fallen from Sister Consort An—”

“Beauty Wang!” Consort An’s face turned pale, her eyes splitting with hatred. “What nonsense are you spouting!”

Beauty Wang’s gaze shifted evasively, not daring to meet Consort An’s eyes.

As good sisters, she naturally didn’t want to implicate Consort An, but there was no choice—she wanted to live.

She was only sixteen years old!

Beauty Wang’s lashes trembled lightly as she suppressed that trace of guilt. “Your Majesty, this concubine is not speaking nonsense. This concubine truly heard it and even found it strange at the time—”

Emperor Yong’an coldly interrupted her. “If you found it strange, why didn’t you speak up when the incident occurred? Why didn’t you speak up just now?”

Beauty Wang prostrated herself on the ground, saying tremulously, “When the incident first occurred, this concubine didn’t even know what was happening. Later, when she saw the snake the guard had caught and the blood the Noble Consort shed, she was so frightened she didn’t think of this matter at all.”

As she spoke, she quickly glanced at Consort An and mumbled, “Just now… this concubine also didn’t dare speak carelessly. After all, this concubine didn’t see it with her own eyes, only heard some movement. If this concubine wrongly accused Sister Consort An of such a grave offense—”

“Vile wretch, put away that disgusting face of yours. To think I considered you a good sister—I was truly blind!” Consort An cursed furiously.

Emperor Yong’an had no patience for squabbles between minor consorts. He said coldly, “Consort An, explain your purpose in doing this.”

Consort An couldn’t be bothered to continue cursing Beauty Wang. Her face pale, she defended herself, “This concubine did not harm the Noble Consort! This concubine is merely a lowly consort who has been in the palace less than three months, worlds apart from the Noble Consort. Even if this concubine harmed the Noble Consort, she would gain no benefit!”

“Is that so?” Emperor Yong’an’s tone was light, cool and indifferent as water. “You are the highest-ranking among the newly entered consorts and also Empress Yuan’s cousin. If the Noble Consort truly met with misfortune, wouldn’t that benefit you?”

“Your Majesty!” Consort An looked at Emperor Yong’an, completely unable to imagine such callous words coming so lightly from his mouth.

Those nights of imperial favor—did they mean nothing?

Consort An’s heart grew cold. She kowtowed to Emperor Yong’an.

This kowtow was delivered with full force. Upon striking the golden brick, it produced a clear thud.

“Since entering the palace, this concubine could at most take walks in the garden. Even the palace servants around her have only just become manageable. Even if she truly harbored ill intentions, where would she have obtained the ability to procure a snake in such cold weather? Please Your Majesty investigate clearly!”

Looking at Consort An with her reddened forehead, Emperor Yong’an remained unmoved, saying lightly, “Perhaps someone cooperated with you.”

As he spoke, his icy gaze swept across the faces of the other three in turn, finally settling on Beauty Wang.

Beauty Wang had already been frightened senseless by the Emperor’s ruthlessness. Under the pressure of this temperature-less gaze, she blurted out, “It was the Princess!”

Hearing this cry, Zhou Shan nearly collapsed.

This useless beauty dared to say anything!

Suppressing the urge to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, Zhou Shan quietly observed Emperor Yong’an’s expression.

Emperor Yong’an appeared unusually calm. “Oh, you mean Changle?”

Only then did Beauty Wang realize what she had said. Her lips trembled for a long while, unable to form words.

“I don’t have that much patience.”

Beauty Wang gave a start and said through gritted teeth, “When this concubine ascended the tower, she saw Her Highness the Princess and Sister Consort An brush past each other. If the snake was brought by Her Highness the Princess, that opportunity would have been sufficient to hand it to Sister Consort An—”

“Vile wretch, how exactly have I wronged you that you must put me to death?” Consort An demanded hoarsely.

Beauty Wang lowered her eyes without responding and continued, “Previously, Sister Consort An and Her Highness the Princess also encountered each other in the Imperial Garden and conversed quite pleasantly…”

“Good, very good.” Emperor Yong’an coldly spat out these few words.

Beauty Wang’s sobbing and Consort An’s cursing seemed like nothing more than the chirping of sparrows, unable to enter his ears in the slightest.

Emperor Yong’an was silent for a moment, then instructed Zhou Shan, “Summon the imperial physicians to examine their pulses.”

Before long, an imperial physician hurried in and took the pulses of the four consorts in turn before coming before Emperor Yong’an.

“How is it?”

The imperial physician shook his head slightly.

After dismissing the imperial physician, Emperor Yong’an calmly ordered, “Zhou Shan, take Consort An and Beauty Wang away.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As she was dragged away, Beauty Wang cried out, “Your Majesty, this concubine has done nothing! This concubine is innocent! Please spare this concubine—”

Emperor Yong’an showed not the slightest reaction.

Zhou Shan gave a palace servant a meaningful look.

Understanding, the palace servant immediately gagged Beauty Wang’s mouth.

The hall quickly quieted down.

Emperor Yong’an shifted his gaze to look at the remaining two consorts.

Consort Li trembled in fear, while Beauty Zhang had been completely frightened senseless.

Emperor Yong’an spoke lightly, “You may withdraw. As for what you should do, I don’t wish to remind you again.”

“Thank, thank you, Your Majesty!” Consort Li and Beauty Zhang, having survived a calamity, supported each other as they fled the hall.

The hall became completely deserted.

Emperor Yong’an gazed toward the direction of Yuhua Palace, silent for a long while.

Zhou Shan stood at the side, not daring to speak unnecessarily.

His Majesty must be thinking about Noble Consort Xiao and Princess Changle right now.

Dealing with two minor consorts was one thing, but Princess Changle was different.

Who knew how His Majesty would punish Princess Changle this time?

In the end, Emperor Yong’an didn’t mention Princess Changle at all, saying lightly, “Go to Yuhua Palace and inquire how the Noble Consort and the little princess are faring.”

Zhou Shan accepted the command and left the hall. When the cold midnight wind hit him, he became completely clear-headed.

For all his long service to the Emperor, he had truly been foolish. Whether the little princess born prematurely by Noble Consort Xiao could even survive was still uncertain—how could she compare with Princess Changle?

The matter of Princess Changle scheming against His Majesty’s bloodline—at least for now, His Majesty would not expose it.

The next day, news spread that Consort An and Beauty Wang had been granted death for causing Noble Consort Xiao’s premature birth, along with news that Noble Consort Xiao had given birth to a little princess.

When Luo Sheng received this news, she headed to Grand Commander Luo’s study.

“Why is Sheng’er inquiring about this?”

The young lady in a light red jacket looked perfectly innocent. “Curiosity, of course. Daughter only heard that Noble Consort Xiao was harmed by two minor consorts but doesn’t know how exactly. Father also knows that daughter has had several dealings with Noble Consort Xiao, so naturally she can’t help but be concerned.”

Grand Commander Luo also recalled how Yuhua Palace sent people to the tavern every month to fetch beggar’s chicken. He said in a low voice, “Noble Consort Xiao was frightened by a snake…”

After listening to Grand Commander Luo’s account, Luo Sheng’s thoughts raced: In this ice and snow season, how did two minor consorts obtain a live snake?

Princess Changle likely had a hand in this.

After noon, Luo Sheng received an invitation sent from the Princess’s residence. Princess Changle was inviting her to tour the lantern fair.