Liang Zhe learned about the incident at Duke Chu’s mansion that very day.

That evening, upon returning to the Pingxi Marquis mansion, his fingers rhythmically tapped the table surface as he spoke to Qin Shuying in a calm tone: “Princess Fu’an is living far too comfortably. We need to find something to keep her busy, lest she keeps staring at you all the time.”

Within a few days, a rumor began circulating throughout the capital, claiming that Princess Fu’an had a hidden ailment and was incapable of conjugal relations.

Because of this matter, Princess Fu’an devised ways to torment Yun Jingshu and Luo Jinniang to vent her anger.

Immediately, the entire city was in an uproar.

No one thought to consider that Princess Fu’an, being still young in age, was unable to consummate her marriage. After all, among noble women of her age, those who became pregnant and bore children were not uncommon.

Princess Fu’an fainted from rage, and Consort Kang also trembled with fury.

Who could this be, so vicious as to dare spread such rumors?

This was meant to destroy Fu’an!

After Lady Liu heard the rumors, she discussed with Liu Gongshan: “The Princess couldn’t really be unable to… do that, could she?”

Liu Gongshan immediately scolded her: “A woman’s narrow view! Back then, it was the aunt from Consort Kang’s side who personally told you this. Is this something we can question?”

Indeed, this was truly conveyed by the aunt from Consort Kang’s side.

However, when she delivered the message, she never said it was Emperor Delong’s words, only that they were Consort Kang’s words. Emperor Delong had spoken to Consort Kang, but Consort Kang couldn’t let others know these were Emperor Delong’s words.

Lady Liu still harbored doubts: “Consort Kang must have known about this matter, which is why she deliberately grew close to me, leading me to break off the engagement between Qin Shuying and Jun’er, then arranged for Jun’er to marry the Princess.”

Although Liu Gongshan continued to scold Lady Liu, he himself began to harbor some doubts.

Once doubt took root, many things that seemed unreasonable suddenly appeared perfectly reasonable when explained by the theory that Princess Fu’an was incapable of conjugal relations.

For instance, Princess Fu’an was the younger sister, while Princess Fuping was the elder sister. The elder sister’s marriage prospects were nowhere in sight, yet the younger sister was already married. This defied common sense.

For another example, Princess Fu’an was still quite young – a princess marrying at thirteen was extremely rare in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The Great Zhou Dynasty was much more tolerant toward women compared to previous dynasties, and princesses of the Great Zhou generally remained unmarried until fifteen before marriage discussions began. For Princess Fu’an to hastily marry at only thirteen defied common sense.

As another example, what woman would marry but not consummate the marriage? This defied common sense.

But if Princess Fu’an was incapable of conjugal relations, everything could be explained.

Because Princess Fu’an was incapable of conjugal relations, she had targeted Liu Junqing as a fool to take advantage of, hastily marrying into his family – who could blame Lady Liu for being swayed by Consort Kang’s words?

Two years later, when she came of age and had no choice but to consummate the marriage, the truth would be revealed, and the Liu family could only swallow this bitter pill in silence.

Lady Liu and Liu Gongshan’s imaginations ran wild, and within just a few thoughts, they had concocted several versions of the truth.

The ladies of the capital, having nothing better to do, added several more versions.

Thus, the noble Princess became the protagonist of people’s after-dinner entertainment.

The Seventh Prince secretly investigated the matter but found nothing. The rumors had simultaneously emerged from the mansions of various nobles and aristocrats, mostly spread first by maids and servants before being overheard by their masters.

Even knowing which families were spreading the rumors, the Seventh Prince was powerless to act.

The vast majority of these families were high-ranking officials who were not to be trifled with. Moreover, the Seventh Prince had to consider the Fifth and Sixth Princes – how could he dare to easily use rumors as a pretext to target people?

Unless…

Unless Emperor Delong issued an edict forbidding further spread of the rumors.

But Emperor Delong was not someone who could be seen at will.

Furthermore, the original words about not consummating the marriage had come from Emperor Delong himself. To now approach Emperor Delong with this matter to quell the rumors would seem like failing to appreciate Emperor Delong’s good intentions.

As a woman, Consort Kang naturally understood that Emperor Delong’s original words had been entirely motivated by his loving concern for his daughter.

Princess Fu’an hid away to cry in secret, while Nanny Cao’s molars ached with anger as she continuously comforted the Princess.

After crying for a full day, Princess Fu’an steeled her heart and discussed with Nanny Cao: “Nanny, perhaps we should just…”

Nanny Cao was shocked and alarmed: “Absolutely not! These were His Majesty’s personal words. Your Highness, absolutely not!”

“Father Emperor has always doted on me. I want to go ask him about this matter!”

“Your Highness, His Majesty made these arrangements precisely because he dotes on you. Your Highness, you are still young and cannot bear certain things. His Majesty has considered everything so thoroughly for you – Your Highness must not disappoint His Majesty’s heart!”

Princess Fu’an cried until her face was like pear blossoms wet with rain: “Just who is it that wants to harm me like this? If I ever find out, I’ll have her cut into a thousand pieces!”

Nanny Cao was equally at a loss.

She did have several suspects, but upon closer examination, each person had reasons why they wouldn’t need to do such a thing.

The first suspect was Qin Shuying. Qin Shuying was ruthless and merciless, and Her Highness had suffered many losses at her hands. However, to create such momentum in such a short time while remaining undetectable would require resources beyond Qin Shuying’s means.

The second suspect was Consort Lian. After all, she and Consort Kang had always used each other, depended on each other, and competed against each other. However, though Consort Lian was cunning, she valued her reputation and would not easily destroy the Sixth Prince’s standing.

The third suspect was Princess Fuping. Ever since Princess Fuping had fallen seriously ill several months ago, her temperament had completely changed. The former Princess Fuping, though not as willful as Princess Fu’an, wasn’t much better, and she had even more scheming thoughts. Now, she rarely spoke, making her increasingly inscrutable. However, Princess Fuping currently had no conflicts of interest with Princess Fu’an, so there was no need for her to do something so harmful yet unprofitable.

After two more days passed this way, the rumors grew even more intense, and Consort Kang finally couldn’t sit still. She went to see Emperor Delong.

Just as she reached the entrance of the Yangxin Palace, she saw Zhao Quansheng coming out to greet her.

“Consort Kang.”

Zhao Quansheng performed a bow.

Consort Kang didn’t dare to act presumptuous: “Eunuch Zhao, is His Majesty present? This servant has urgent matters requiring His Majesty’s guidance.”

The Great Zhou’s harem rules were extremely strict. Without the Emperor’s permission, imperial consorts and other women of the harem could never enter the Yangxin Palace.

Usually, the only person who could enter was Princess Yongjia, or when Emperor Delong was in a good mood and proactively summoned a particular consort.

However, such occasions were mostly for official business, not for tender sentiments.

Zhao Quansheng smiled in an official manner: “Your Ladyship, this servant will convey your words. Please return, Your Ladyship.”

Emperor Delong was a diligent ruler who devoted himself to state affairs. Combined with his advancing age, he rarely visited the consorts’ palaces now. Consort Kang hadn’t seen Emperor Delong for more than half a month.

Though she had known she might not be able to enter, she still felt somewhat disappointed.

But she knew that the area before the Yangxin Palace was not a place where she could linger at will. Sighing, she turned to leave.

Just as she had barely taken her stance, she heard a woman’s voice speaking from within the Yangxin Palace.

A woman?