Prince Rong?

When she heard those two words, Ji Wanxin’s heart suddenly tightened, and she listened even more carefully. She heard the plump embroiderer say, “I heard that His Majesty dismissed Lord Lu and Lord Zhou and the others to suppress Prince Rong, so after Prince Rong learned of it, he immediately returned to the capital. During this time, His Majesty and Prince Rong have been fighting fiercely in secret. Just a few days ago, His Majesty issued a decree to confine Prince Rong, with the charge being that Prince Rong had acted above his station and offended the emperor! But what kind of person is Prince Rong—how could he act above his station? And just yesterday, someone personally witnessed Prince Rong being escorted into Fuyang Palace, and sounds of fighting could be heard from inside. Before long, Prince Rong actually walked out from inside with injuries. At that time, the people outside didn’t dare to stop him. As a result, early this morning, His Majesty issued three imperial edicts. Tell me, isn’t that strange? Isn’t it strange?”

She asked twice in succession.

Strange indeed!

Everyone looked at each other, speculating one after another.

“Could it be that Prince Rong said something? So His Majesty released him?”

“I think Prince Rong threatened His Majesty.”

“You’re all wrong. That’s the emperor we’re talking about. Since Prince Rong wouldn’t dare act above his station, how could he threaten His Majesty? I think the mystery behind this is beyond our ability to guess.”

“…”

All sorts of things were being said!

A complete mess.

The more Ji Wanxin listened, the more distracted she became, her mind also guessing at the possibilities! Although she had been in Jinjiang all this time, she had heard plenty about the capital’s affairs. Anyone with eyes could see that Wei Yi’s actions over these past few months had been aimed at suppressing Jingrong’s influence and expanding his own “military forces.” Since the struggle had been so fierce, why did he suddenly change his mind? Why would he voluntarily “annihilate” all the “military forces” he had worked so hard to establish?

This was indeed strange.

Could it be that Wei Yi had suddenly seen the light?

Or perhaps… he really had been threatened by Jingrong?

As she was thinking… the embroidery needle in her hand accidentally pricked her finger.

“Ah!”

The pain made her beautiful brow furrow tightly, and she quickly put her bleeding finger in her mouth and sucked on it a few times.

“What are you all doing? Are you not working anymore?” A voice came from the doorway.

Everyone’s nerves instantly tensed up.

They saw Nanny Jiang entering from outside with a dark expression.

She glared very sternly at the embroiderers gathered in a circle.

The embroiderers who had been discussing animatedly, upon seeing Nanny Jiang enter, immediately scattered and returned to their workstations, burying their heads in their work.

Focusing on their own tasks!

Nanny Jiang scolded and lectured them, “Listen well, all of you. You’re not storytellers in some teahouse. Don’t go around flapping your mouths carelessly. Be careful that interested parties might overhear, and when trouble comes, that will be a capital offense! Ten lives wouldn’t be enough to compensate.”

“Yes!” Everyone responded in unison.

No one dared to speak anymore.

Nanny Jiang’s anger gradually subsided. She walked to Ji Wanxin’s side and, seeing that her hand was injured, quickly showed concern, “How could you be so careless? Does it hurt? If it hurts, go rest for a while.”

She knew very well that one absolutely could not receive special treatment in the palace, otherwise those who originally wanted to curry favor with her would become jealous, and the final result would be everyone turning against her in unison.

That would be terrible!

“Thank you for your concern, Nanny. I’m fine.”

“That’s good. If you’re tired, rest for a while.”

“Yes.”

The embroiderers nearby, after hearing this, all wore expressions of jealousy and disgust, their pairs of eyes like knives cutting toward Ji Wanxin.

Just as Ji Wanxin had anticipated, if Nanny Jiang continued to treat her so well, everyone’s previous flattery might turn into jealousy, which could ultimately cost her her life!

Nanny Jiang gently patted her thin shoulder before turning to leave.

But in the next moment, Ji Wanxin seemed to think of something and immediately got up to chase after her.

“Nanny.” She called out to her.

Nanny Jiang stopped, “What is it?”

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

Hmm?

Nanny Jiang couldn’t have wished for more, “Tell me. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll certainly help you.”

“It’s actually just a small matter. I have a cloak that got stained with ink before I entered the palace. No matter how I wash it, the stain won’t come out. I heard that the palace laundry has something specially for removing ink stains. I wonder if my garment could be sent there for washing?”

“This…”

She was somewhat troubled.

After all, the laundry only washed the palace staff’s clothing, not personal garments.

Ji Wanxin put on a pitiful expression, “That cloak was given to me by my grandmother. I’ve never been able to bring myself to throw it away. Now that she’s dead, I only have that one item to remember her by. Please help me, Nanny.”

Pleading!

“This…”

“Is it not possible?”

Nanny Jiang thought for a moment and quickly said, “It’s not that. Just bring me the garment.”

She agreed!

Ji Wanxin brought the garment to her, and Nanny Jiang personally made the trip.

That same day, the garment was washed and returned by someone from the laundry. The person who delivered the garment was none other than Sang Lan.

The maid from Noble Consort Xiao’s side!

Ji Wanxin pulled her into the room, closed the door, and said to her seriously, “You finally came.”

Sang Lan set down the garment in her hand, “You deliberately wanted me to come see you? That’s why you sent the cloak you wore that night to the laundry to be washed.”

“That’s right.”

“What do you want to see me for?”

“I need you to help me with something.”

Sang Lan was puzzled, “Me? What can I help you with? And… why should I help you?”

Ji Wanxin’s face darkened as she slowly moved closer to her, saying, “Because we’re in the same boat.”

Uh!

…

That evening, Wei Yi sat in Fuyang Palace. Since issuing those three imperial edicts, he had been sitting inside.

Not eating or drinking!

At this moment—

A palace attendant brought over ginseng soup prepared by the imperial kitchen.

“Your Majesty, you haven’t eaten anything all day. Please eat something first.”

He sat there with his head propped up, eyes closed, motionless.

The palace attendant had no choice but to place the ginseng soup to one side before silently withdrawing.

After an unknown period of time—

Wei Yi finally raised his head and let out a deep sigh.

His eyes were vacant, and he looked much more haggard.

Completely lacking in spirit.

The three imperial edicts were like three knives stabbing viciously into him.

It was also like admitting his own mistakes, slapping himself in the face!

Ah—

His gaze wandered around the hall, finally landing on the bowl of ginseng soup placed beside him. More precisely, it landed on something pressed beneath the bowl.

It was a slip of paper!

Hmm?

Curiosity arose in him as he took out the paper slip.

He opened it!

It contained only four characters:

Civil and military can prosper!

His palm tightened and his eyes widened.

He knew who had written it.

He also knew what that person meant by these four characters.

After a moment, the slip of paper was crumpled into a ball in his hand…

He tossed it into the incense burner where it burned completely. Only a wisp of green smoke remained!