This was the first time in Ji Wanxin’s entire life that someone had slapped her face!

And the one who struck her was none other than Ji Muqing.

Her face was knocked to the side, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, and even the hairpin on her head nearly fell off.

One could imagine that Ji Muqing’s hand had also gone numb from the force!

Her powder-caked face twisted together as she said viciously, “Ji Wanxin, you’re also a concubine-born daughter, no different from that girl Ji Yinshu. Remind me? You? You’re not worthy!”

After this snort, she flung her sleeves and left in anger.

Behind her, Ji Wanxin only after a long while raised those profound eyes of hers. Her usually gentle-as-water gaze now flickered with a dark, eerie aura.

Her pale lips moved slightly, actually curving into a faint arc.

She murmured softly, “Even the most docile kitten will eventually grow sharp claws.”

…

At this moment!

At Liang Zongzheng’s residence.

With His Majesty’s birthday celebration imminent, as a court official, he naturally couldn’t hold a grand funeral, so not even white silk was hung outside the Liang Manor gates.

The people in the household weren’t even wearing mourning clothes!

How pitiful!

The coffin was placed in the memorial hall in the back courtyard, covered with black cloth. On top, only a few white candles were lit—not even paper ingot candles were burned!

Liang Zongzheng handled imperial affairs, and was currently in charge of the Crown Princess selection, so he could not be tainted by mourning.

Wearing a purple-black satin robe with wide sleeves, hands hanging at his sides, body slightly bowed, he stood before the coffin.

His eyes were deeply sunken, his cheeks protruding.

As if overnight, he had aged considerably.

“Xu’er, your father is useless. I cannot seek justice for you, nor can I give you a grand and glorious funeral. Your father has failed you.”

Tears in his eyes!

His body trembling faintly!

At this moment, Steward Liang hurried over from the front courtyard, holding a black brocade box in his hands.

Walking up to Liang Zongzheng, he handed over the box, saying, “Master, this was sent by Noble Consort Xiao. She said it’s to accompany the young miss.”

The so-called accompanying gift meant burial goods!

But—

“Noble Consort Xiao?” Liang Zongzheng was puzzled, looking at the steward, then at the box in his hands. “Why would Noble Consort Xiao send a gift?”

“Not clear!”

By rights, he, Liang Zongzheng, had no dealings with Noble Consort Xiao!

Their only connection was this Crown Princess selection.

Liang Zongzheng took the box and opened it to look inside—it contained a string of head pearls!

This string of precious head pearls had been personally crafted by the wife of Marquis Yuanbo when she was alive. The pearls had taken several years to create.

Marquis Yuanbo’s wife had exhausted herself making this string of head pearls and eventually passed away from the strain.

Since then, the pearls had fallen into Noble Consort Xiao’s hands, where she had always kept them.

Who would have thought that today, she would send them as burial goods for his daughter?

Such generosity was somewhat strange!

“Accept the gift,” Liang Zongzheng said.

The steward acknowledged and placed the box beside the coffin, then added, “Noble Consort Xiao said for you to restrain your grief and accept the inevitable, Master.”

“Only this?”

“That’s what the messenger said.”

It definitely wouldn’t be this simple!

Liang Zongzheng felt somewhat unsteady on his feet. He raised his hand to rub his brow, sighed, and had the steward help him leave the memorial hall.

The very next morning, after burying his daughter, he performed the purification ritual and entered the palace.

Just as he reached the palace gates, he ran into Ji Li!

When Ji Li saw him, his expression was cold. Walking over, he merely said, “Minister Liang, you’ve just finished with family funeral matters—there’s no need to rush into the palace. Rest a few more days.”

Like a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken.

“Thank you for Chief Minister Ji’s concern. This official is fine.”

“Good that you’re fine.” After saying this, Ji Li added in a warning tone, “Minister Liang is a clever man. You should know what words can be said and what words cannot be said, yes?”

Liang Zongzheng gave him a cold look. “If Chief Minister Ji has something to say, speak plainly!”

Ji Li stopped beating around the bush. His gentle exterior remained calm as water as he deliberately lowered his voice.

“Miss Liang’s death was caused by her own careless fall. My younger sister is the decided Crown Princess candidate. If Liang Zongzheng says anything improper before His Majesty, it would be quite inappropriate.”

This was clearly a threat!

Having lost his daughter, how could Liang Zongzheng still care about such things!

His weathered face pulled downward as he sneered, “Chief Minister Ji need not worry. This official serves His Majesty. Though an internal official, I never speak of rights and wrongs.”

“Good, then I won’t delay you from entering the palace!”

Ji Li left satisfied!

Liang Zongzheng kept suppressing that ball of fire in his heart.

It wasn’t that there would be no retribution—the time simply hadn’t come yet!

After entering the palace, he went directly to Zhangli Hall!

Noble Consort Xiao had been waiting in the palace early, ordering servants to pour two cups of tea.

When they cooled, they were replaced.

After being replaced, they cooled again.

When cool again, replaced again!

Finally, Liang Zongzheng arrived.

“This subject pays respects to Noble Consort Xiao!”

He cupped his hands!

Noble Consort Xiao was extremely gracious, yet also carried an expression of regret as she raised her hand. “Please be seated, Minister Liang.”

Liang Zongzheng lowered his head and sat down beside her, looking grief-stricken.

“This palace knows that Minister Liang has just suffered the painful loss of his daughter and must be very sad. This palace also watched that girl Xu’er grow up. Though we didn’t meet often, I knew she was a lovely child. For her to pass like this is truly regrettable. However, the dead cannot be brought back to life. Minister Liang must not grieve excessively and harm your health.”

As she spoke, it seemed she was about to squeeze out a few tears!

Liang Zongzheng held his hands together on his thighs, slowly raising his head to look at Noble Consort Xiao.

“Does Noble Consort Xiao have other words to say?”

“It seems Minister Liang already knows this palace’s meaning!”

“Your Ladyship sent someone to deliver burial goods for my daughter. Naturally, you have something you wish this subject to do. Then, speak plainly.” Liang Zongzheng’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

Heavy!

Yet also muffled!

Noble Consort Xiao seemed unhurried, slowly pushing the tea before her toward Liang Zongzheng.

Her phoenix eyes pressed slightly downward as she said, “This palace heard that Xu’er’s death this time seems related to that legitimate daughter of the Ji family, Ji Muqing. I also heard that Chief Minister Ji and General Ji personally went to the Capital Magistrate’s Office to fetch her, and the previous witnesses all changed their testimonies, so Xu’er’s death became an accident. But whether it was truly an accident—that’s uncertain.”

Her ambiguous words clearly carried deeper meaning!

This mention made the fury in Liang Zongzheng’s heart burn even more fiercely, but on the surface, he remained calm.

After a long while, he asked Noble Consort Xiao, “Since Your Ladyship knew this subject would come, you know this subject’s meaning. Whatever you wish to say, Your Ladyship, speak plainly.”

“Good!”

Noble Consort Xiao rose. Her originally gentle gaze suddenly became fierce.

Raising her chin, she said,

“Originally, Xu’er would have become the Crown Prince’s secondary consort, but then Ji Muqing appeared and caused Xu’er’s tragic death. How can such a woman become Crown Princess? When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, how could she become the mother of the nation? Minister Liang’s heart must be unwilling, yes? And the person in charge of this Crown Princess selection is none other than you, Minister Liang! If something were to go wrong in the process, it would be quite reasonable.”