Disaster relief funds?

Consort Xiao said, “I know about it.”

Jingyi continued, “A few days ago, in front of both me and Jingrong, Father Emperor brought it up. He didn’t say it explicitly, but your son believes Father Emperor is considering selecting one person from between me and Jingrong to go to Yufu County to investigate this case.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Xiao fully understood in her heart.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Your Father Emperor is trying to avoid a fierce struggle for the throne, so he plans to send one person away! It’s essentially… exile.”

“Mother Consort speaks truly.”

“Then what is your Father Emperor’s decision? Who will he select?”

“He didn’t say directly. He should be waiting for me and Jingrong to speak up ourselves.”

So in other words, Qizhen was a cunning fox.

Consort Xiao saw through it completely. “Your Father Emperor is not confused—he should know how to decide. After all, it was you who achieved merit by exposing Jinghua’s treason. By sentiment and reason, he won’t send you to Yufu County. The court ministers also favor you because of your success in rescuing His Majesty, and the political winds have turned in your direction. At this critical juncture, the position of heir apparent belongs to none other than you.”

The implication being that her son was capable of becoming the heir apparent.

After all, Jingrong’s current position in court couldn’t compare to Jingyi’s present standing.

Jingyi’s lips curved in a smile. “If not for Mother Consort’s strategy—having your son use Master Pan by Jinghua’s side, borrowing his mouth to incite Jinghua to rebel, and bribing Minister Zhang of the Palace Administration Bureau—this matter wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

Consort Xiao assumed a sinister expression, stepping forward two paces. “The Crown Prince has already fallen. Now, as long as you marry the legitimate daughter of the Ji family and win over the Ji brothers, the throne will be yours sooner or later. That Jingrong is merely a powerless breeze.”

Having finished, she sighed again.

“It’s just a pity about that girl Kong Yu. I used her, having her replace the Ji family’s legitimate daughter in marrying Jinghua. Although Jinghua was deposed, she was at least a former Crown Princess. Sooner or later, His Majesty would have taken pity on her and remarried her to another family. But she couldn’t think it through and actually followed Jinghua in death. What a waste.”

Feigning concern!

Her tone carried several traces of sympathy for Kong Yu.

Listening, Jingyi didn’t express his own opinion.

He didn’t stay long at Zhangzhi Hall. When leaving, he encountered Jingxuan in the courtyard outside the hall.

These siblings had only been apart for a few days, yet they seemed estranged. Jingxuan didn’t even glance at him, walking straight past him.

“Stop!”

Jingyi shouted sternly.

Jingxuan’s steps halted, but she didn’t turn around, asking, “Does Imperial Brother have business with me?”

“What’s wrong with you? You seem unhappy.”

“Do I?” Jingxuan smiled, turning stiffly. In her eyes was considerable sarcasm. “Where does Imperial Brother see that I’m unhappy? I’m too delighted to contain it. First Imperial Brother is dead, and Imperial Brother, you should soon ascend to the position of Crown Prince, right? In the future, you can even become Emperor. Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

“Who told you such nonsense?”

“I said it myself.”

“Absurd! As a princess, don’t you know that some words should be spoken and some should not?”

Jingyi was clearly somewhat angry.

However—

The smile at the corners of Jingxuan’s lips gradually turned cold and stark. Her eyes involuntarily reddened, and she sniffled as her nose turned sour.

Straightening her neck and lifting her chin, she said, “The words Imperial Brother speaks, this imperial sister naturally knows. But this imperial sister never knew that Imperial Brother’s heart could be so ruthless—ruthless enough to not spare even your own blood brother. I truly don’t know if one day, I too will become a chess piece in Imperial Brother’s hands, my life and death decided by you.”

The meaning of these words was very clear.

Apparently, Jingxuan had heard everything he and Consort Xiao had just said.

Alert in his heart, Jingyi reached out and grasped Jingxuan, his face cold and stern as he said seriously, “Jingxuan, what Imperial Brother has done was also a helpless measure. But no matter what, I will protect you. You are not a chess piece, understand?”

Upon finishing, Jingxuan flung his hand away.

She retreated several steps!

She denounced him: “What right do you have to protect me? From the very beginning, you and Mother Consort have been the same—for your own interests, anyone can be sacrificed. If not for you and Mother Consort, Sister Yu wouldn’t have entered the palace, wouldn’t have been used by you to marry First Imperial Brother, and wouldn’t have died. It was you—you who caused her death.”

Her voice grew louder and more choked with emotion.

Jingyi wanted to reach out and grasp her again, but she retreated several more steps.

Her earlier distress transformed into fury as she said, “I’m going to tell Father Emperor, tell him everything you and Mother Consort said.”

As she spoke, she prepared to rush to Fuyang Hall.

Before Jingyi could catch her or even call out to her, Consort Xiao’s voice came from behind.

“Someone, bind the princess.”

Yes, she said bind.

The eunuchs who received the order stepped forward and seized Jingxuan.

“Let me go! Let me go! I’m going to find Father Emperor.”

She struggled, gritting her teeth.

Consort Xiao walked before her with lotus steps, her gaze darkening as she spoke in a gentle tone: “Xuan’er, everything Mother Consort has done is for you and your Imperial Brother. You should understand this in your heart.”

“I don’t understand.” She shouted back, “Mother Consort, you killed Sister Yu. It was you, and you and Imperial Brother who killed First Imperial Brother. I’m going to tell Father Emperor…”

Slap—

A vicious slap struck down.

It directly knocked Jingxuan’s head to the side, blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

Everyone present was practically stupefied!

Even Jingyi was.

And this slap was effective—Jingxuan stopped struggling and shouting, her face turned to the side, silent for a long while.

Consort Xiao’s palm burned painfully, but she felt no remorse or regret. She even ordered, “Take the princess away. Without my command, she is not to leave her chambers by even half a step. Otherwise, I will have your heads.”

“Yes!”

The eunuchs dared not disobey and led away Jingxuan, who was like a wooden puppet.

Shortly after—

Jingyi stepped forward, saying, “Mother Consort, this matter…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t let Xuan’er see your Father Emperor.”

“Mm.”

Jingyi also departed with peace of mind.

…

On the other side!

After leaving the palace, Jingrong headed straight to Bamboo Creek Garden.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Ji Yinshu bustling about in front of one of the coffins.

She was even muttering something under her breath.

Jingrong coughed lightly, and only then did Ji Yinshu turn her head to look. “Finished with your business?”

“Mm.”

“You went to the Kong residence?”

“Mm. I’ve given the portrait to Lady Kong.”

Ji Yinshu nodded in response.

She said nothing more.

Jingrong walked to her side, wrinkling his nose as he glanced into the coffin. On that pile of white bones, some viscous silk fabric still clung, the color dark and dull, mixed with some dirt, giving a wet feeling.

Looking at it, it didn’t seem to be as old as fourteen years.

Frowning, he asked in confusion, “Why are these skeletal remains different from the others?”

“They are different.”

“Why?”