In Chang Xin Palace, Feng Ling Su frowned as she watched the sobbing Feng Chen Bi. Though irritation flickered in her eyes, she suppressed it and sighed, “Constantly staying here in my palace isn’t a solution. You need to find a way to win Prince Cheng’s heart.”
Feng Chen Bi bit her lip and wiped her eyes, saying with great grievance, “But Cousin doesn’t trust me anymore, he only trusts Qin Xiang. She’s the Crown Princess’s sister – how could she have good intentions?! I know she was with a child, but I only had people watch her, I never harmed her child! Now Cousin only believes her and not me… I… I don’t want to go back to the Prince’s manor anymore, waa waa waa…”
Feng Ling Su rubbed her temples. “Enough!”
Her sharp rebuke frightened Feng Chen Bi into silence. As Feng Chen Bi pressed her lips together, still sniffling, Feng Ling Su sighed again. “Chen Bi, though you’re my niece, you’re now married to Prince Cheng and must consider the bigger picture. You must conduct yourself as Prince Cheng’s Princess. Do you know how high my standards are for Prince Cheng’s Princess? If you weren’t… if you weren’t my niece, I might not have even arranged for Prince Cheng to marry you. Yet here you are, not only failing to cherish this hard-won opportunity but causing such trouble. Do you plan to keep living here and give up being Prince Cheng’s Princess?”
Feng Ling Su’s words showed no favoritism toward Feng Chen Bi, who hurriedly replied, “Aunt… no, Noble Mother… you don’t believe me either? It wasn’t me, waa waa… if I did such a thing, let heaven strike me dead with lightning—”
Feng Ling Su raised her hand to stop Feng Chen Bi’s words, feeling that her niece was truly hopeless. “I only ask you one thing: do you still want to be Prince Cheng’s Princess?”
Feng Chen Bi immediately replied, “Of course, Noble Mother! I’ve loved Cousin since childhood, you know that!”
Feng Ling Su sighed, “While you’re here crying, at Prince Cheng’s manor, he’s showing every care and concern to that Qin family concubine. Stay here a few more days, and that Qin concubine might be carrying her second child. Just look at yourself! You’re truly bringing shame to the Duke’s manor!”
Feng Chen Bi’s eyes reddened, clearly about to cry again. Feng Ling Su’s brows furrowed, and Feng Chen Bi quickly pressed her lips together to hold back her tears.
“If you still want to be Prince Cheng’s Princess, then return to the manor immediately and think about where you went wrong in this matter!”
Seeing Feng Chen Bi about to defend herself again, Feng Ling Su’s gaze turned cold. “Don’t tell me it wasn’t your doing! Think about why Prince Cheng believes others over you – is it because others are better at winning people’s hearts, or because their methods are more sophisticated? Others won, you lost – what use is crying? Instead of thinking about how to win back your position, you hide here. If something like this happens again and even angers the Empress Dowager, even I won’t protect you!”
Feng Chen Bi stood dumbfounded, either shocked by Feng Ling Su’s words or struck by some realization. Feng Ling Su shook her head with a sigh, hardly believing her brother and sister-in-law had spoiled Feng Chen Bi into such a fragile state. “Think carefully about how to capture Prince Cheng’s heart and how to be a proper Princess. If you lack ability, don’t blame others for framing you. If you continue to be incompetent, you won’t even be able to protect your position as Princess!”
Feng Chen Bi’s face grew even paler. Seeing Feng Ling Su’s cold expression, she dared not cry or act coquettish anymore. She could only wipe the tears from her face and stand up. “All right… then… I’ll go back… thank you for your guidance, Noble Mother.”
Feng Ling Su nodded and added, “Now that you’re married into Prince Cheng’s manor, don’t run to your parents over every little thing. Even if it’s your uncle, he shouldn’t meddle in his nephew’s household affairs, especially since Prince Cheng is of royal blood – you should show some discretion.”
Feng Chen Bi trembled slightly, her face paling further. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll remember everything Noble Mother said. I won’t dare do it again.”
Feng Ling Su made a sound of acknowledgment and had palace servants escort Feng Chen Bi out. After she left, Bao Die brought Feng Ling Su a fresh cup of hot tea and softly asked, “Your Grace, do you believe the Princess’s words? Was it the Princess or that concubine…”
Feng Ling Su gave a cold laugh. “Regardless of who it was, Feng Chen Bi’s stupidity is genuine – she’s truly unteachable. As for that Qin family concubine… I’m not worried. She’s cut off her retreat by entering Prince Cheng’s manor; now she can only focus entirely on Prince Cheng. This child would have been Prince Cheng’s first – not only is Prince Cheng angry, but even I find it regrettable. If she hadn’t miscarried, this first great-grandchild would have been Prince Cheng’s first, which would have been a joyous occasion. But now…”
Her eyes narrowed as she continued, “If she truly knows how to use children as leverage, then I admire her for it. Let’s watch – if she can direct that ruthlessness appropriately, I won’t say anything. It might even serve as a wake-up call for Feng Chen Bi to improve herself. But if she dares harbor other thoughts, naturally I won’t tolerate her.”
Bao Die nodded. “Your Grace thinks of everything.”
Feng Ling Su took a sip of tea and asked leisurely, “Is there still no movement from Kun Ning Palace?”
At this question, Bao Die immediately smiled. “None. Commander Zhao received His Majesty’s orders and is guarding it strictly. I heard the Empress wanted to send messages out but couldn’t. The Crown Prince also sent people to look, but they were stopped. With the matters in court giving the Crown Prince such headaches, he dared not clash with the Imperial Guard at this critical moment, so now no one knows what’s happening inside Kun Ning Palace.”
Feng Ling Su let out a derisive laugh. “Ah, Empress, it seems this time depends on whether the Crown Prince has what it takes.”
“Official Zhang has been imprisoned, and these past days many court memorials have been impeaching the Crown Prince. Many of Official Zhang’s subordinates have been implicated one after another. Many of these people came from the Northern Army, and investigating the court has also exposed many of the Crown Prince’s faction. It seems the Crown Prince won’t easily resolve this situation.”
Feng Ling Su said leisurely, “Last year he escaped disaster in the salt transportation corruption case, but I don’t think he can escape this year. Truly heaven helps me.”
When the Jin Prince Manor corpse case emerged, Feng Ling Su had been anxious for several days, as that corpse case was connected to the case of Jin Prince poisoning Noble Consort Jin. Feng Ling Su didn’t understand what the suddenly discovered corpses would reveal, but unexpectedly it led to the Empress being confined.
For all these years, the Crown Prince had followed the Empress’s lead in everything. With the Empress suddenly confined, the Crown Prince would certainly be confused and troubled. And at this very moment, Zhang Qi De suddenly got into trouble!
Zhang Qi De had returned to report for duty and was the Crown Prince’s choice to lead the Shuo Xi Army. Yet who could have imagined that Zhang Qi De would be the first high-ranking official to fall in the military provisions case? With his imprisonment, the Crown Prince lost his right arm, the Northern Army was implicated, and the Crown Prince’s faction faced danger from all sides.
These past few days, Feng Ling Su’s mood improved with each passing day. As impeachment memorials increased, the Crown Prince would lose both court officials’ support and public favor. Nothing made her happier than this. She even wondered if the Emperor would decide to depose the Empress… if Zhao Shu Hua were deposed…
At this thought, Feng Ling Su smiled with satisfaction. Whether Empress or Noble Consort, no one knows who will triumph until the final moment. Feng Ling Su snorted, “Keep watch on the Eastern Palace, especially the new Crown Princess. This new Crown Princess isn’t foolish like Feng Chen Bi.”
Bao Die quickly nodded, but hesitantly added, “Your Grace, I haven’t forgotten to watch the Eastern Palace for a moment, and I’ve noticed something strange.”
“Oh?” Feng Ling Su looked at Bao Die.
Bao Die hurriedly lowered her voice, “I’ve observed that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess don’t seem close.”
Feng Ling Su raised an eyebrow, and Bao Die continued, “The Crown Prince spends most of his time in the side hall, sometimes even sleeping there. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess spend perhaps only two cups of tea’s worth of time together daily, and… the Crown Prince hasn’t spent the night in the Crown Princess’s chambers for several consecutive days.”
The Eastern Palace was within the imperial palace, where many eyes watched everything – such matters couldn’t remain secret, but Feng Ling Su hadn’t considered this point.
Yan Qi might not particularly like Feng Chen Bi, but they were newly married, and according to Prince Cheng’s household, Yan Qi visited Feng Chen Bi’s chambers quite frequently. What man wouldn’t be moved by a young woman of the right age? Especially one of superior beauty and bearing!
Though the Crown Prince wasn’t as fond of beauty as Yan Qi, the Empress had early on set her sights on Qin Zhao Yu. By rights, the Crown Prince should have been delighted when Qin Zhao Yu became Crown Princess. Feng Ling Su smiled with interest, “Another piece of happy news. I thought the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were deeply in love, but it seems not so.”
After thinking, Feng Ling Su added, “Go see what help we might offer…”
Bao Die understood and withdrew. Feng Ling Su leaned back against her cushion, her expression relaxed and quietly expectant. The Crown Prince’s predicament wasn’t simple – without the Empress, he was like a trapped beast, and Yan Qi wouldn’t give him a chance to breathe.
Feng Ling Su covered her eyes with her hand, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
At the same time in the Eastern Palace, Qin Zhao Yu frowned at Qin Xu, “Father, is there truly no solution? These days, the court’s tide increasingly turns against His Highness the Crown Prince. Without control, His Highness will surely lose public support!”
Seeing Qin Zhao Yu’s anxious eyes, Qin Shu could only smile bitterly. “Daughter, if there were a solution, wouldn’t I implement it? Moreover, His Highness has already ordered that in this matter, we shouldn’t cling to what can’t be saved, lest we entangle ourselves.”
Qin Zhao Yu sighed deeply. “What does Father think is His Majesty’s intention this time?”
Qin Shu instinctively looked back, only relaxing when he saw Mo Yun and others guarding the door. He lowered his voice, “I can’t be certain either. These days, it’s best for the Crown Prince to do nothing. Given the situation, we absolutely cannot give them new faults to seize upon.”
Qin Zhao Yu rubbed her brow. “I understand this, and I’ve been doing so these past days, but His Highness…”
She hesitated, then changed course, “I just don’t know what His Highness is thinking.”
Complex emotions flickered in Qin Shu’s eyes. He wanted to speak but felt awkward, finally managing, “Daughter… His Highness’s treatment of you…”
“His Highness treats me very well.” Qin Zhao Yu slowly turned aside, her face stubborn.
Qin Shu had his suspicions, and seeing Qin Zhao Yu’s expression, understood everything. Remembering the scene when Yan Che met Qin Wan at the Qin residence, Qin Shu hesitated but didn’t speak. Instead, he said, “His Highness’s thoughts run deep; you must put in more effort. You’re now husband and wife – you must endure any grievances for now.”
Qin Zhao Yu bit her lip, her expression rigid for a moment before relaxing. She nodded, “Don’t worry, I understand.”
As a father, Qin Shu couldn’t say more. He sighed and took his leave.
As soon as Qin Shu left, Qin Zhao Yu’s eyes reddened. She turned her back to the door, taking some time to suppress her tears. Soon footsteps approached from behind – it was Mo Yun slowly entering. “Your Highness? The Marquis has left…”
Qin Zhao Yu took a deep breath, showing no trace of emotion when she turned around. “Mm, where is His Highness?”
“His Highness is meeting with the Ministry of Revenue’s Deputy Director in the side hall.”
Qin Zhao Yu nodded and walked out, only stopping when she reached the side hall where Yan Che was.
Though she was the Eastern Palace’s Crown Princess, she couldn’t enter and leave this place freely. She had to wait outside like the other officials.
After two cups of tea’s worth of time, Qin Zhao Yu saw Tang Fu hurrying out. “Crown Princess, please enter…”
Qin Zhao Yu nodded and stepped inside. Yan Che sat behind his desk, his brows tightly knitted. For two days, the court had undergone dramatic changes, leaving her Crown Prince anxious and restless. Qin Zhao Yu bowed and asked, “Does Your Highness have a solution?”
Yan Che cast a cold glance at her, not understanding her concern and even feeling that a woman shouldn’t inquire about court matters.
After a moment’s tension, Yan Che finally said, “You need not concern yourself with these matters.”
Qin Zhao Yu knew this meant he hadn’t found a solution. She sighed, “Your Highness, let’s visit the Empress Dowager.”
Yan Che frowned. Qin Zhao Yu continued, “Previously when the Empress Dowager summoned us, I sensed she meant to comfort us. At this point, the Empress Dowager might be our opportunity. I dare not speak of court matters, but I see the inner palace. Now only the Empress Dowager can help us.”
Yan Che’s gaze finally softened somewhat. Unable to see the Empress, the Empress Dowager was indeed their only chance.
“But Royal Grandmother’s health is poor now, and with such a major incident, she cannot speak up for us.”
Qin Zhao Yu said calmly, “She cannot speak for outside officials, but she will certainly speak for you. That’s enough.”
Yan Che’s brows furrowed as he seemed to understand Qin Zhao Yu’s meaning. His gaze darkened again, but Qin Zhao Yu said, “Your Highness, we may need to prepare for the worst…”
The worst meant this turmoil might endanger his position as Crown Prince. But would Father Emperor depose him?!