Nanny Fang repeatedly acknowledged and didn’t dare delay for a moment, immediately turning to leave. Over these years after their side gained power, they had planted quite a few informants on the Crown Princess’s side. Although later, after His Highness the Crown Prince returned from Longhu Mountain, many of their arms were severed, a centipede doesn’t fall even after death. Moreover, the Dowager Consort had always been favored, so there were still quite a few eyes and ears.

Xiangling was getting a headache from these skulking servants. The news of the Crown Prince’s assassination could be hidden from others but not from their own people. As soon as the Crown Princess was summoned to Qingning Hall, these people all became active.

When the Crown Princess returned somewhat later with a pale face, she hurried forward and together with Peiyin attended to the Crown Princess, helping her wash and refresh herself anew. After offering a cup of milk, she finally dared to gather her courage to ask, “Your Highness, His Highness he…”

The Crown Princess’s hand holding the glass cup trembled slightly. She stared blankly for a while, and after a long moment finally heard Xiangling’s words. She slowly shook her head. “He was injured. He’s currently recuperating in Jinzhong. His Majesty has already dispatched Attendant Li and Imperial Physician Sun to go there.”

Though she said this, her heart was still terrified. For this journey her son made to Yangquan, she had always known the dangers involved and had always been prepared, but when it came down to it and she heard the news of her son’s injury, she still panicked to the point of nearly fainting—he was flesh fallen from her body, her only hope for living all these years. She had originally been childhood sweethearts with Prince Gong, but was forced to marry the Crown Prince for her family’s sake. Subjected to the Crown Prince’s coldness until now, she no longer placed hope in her family or anyone else—she simply wanted to live well together with her son. It took her quite a while before her ice-cold fingertips warmed up. She turned to ask Xiangling, “Has anyone sent news back?”

Zhou Weizhao’s side always had people regularly sending news back. Even if he was injured, Ye Jingkuan should have sent news back to the capital. Just as her words fell, Nanny Chen from outside came to report that Princess Rongcheng had arrived.

As soon as Princess Rongcheng entered, she grasped the Crown Princess’s hand. Seeing her face deathly pale and somewhat panicked, she quickly helped her sit down and said softly, “I just came from Father Emperor’s place. Don’t be anxious yet.” She reached this point and lowered her voice. “When my husband sent the urgent report, he also sent a family letter back, saying Weizhao’s injuries aren’t serious at all. As long as he recuperates properly, nothing will happen.”

That Ye Jingkuan had specially sent a separate family letter back was surely because he feared they would worry. Upon hearing this, the Crown Princess’s expression finally eased somewhat. She nodded stiffly and sighed, finally feeling like she had come back to life. “Rongcheng, you don’t know how worried I was. Just now when Mother Empress cried like that, I could almost not hold on anymore.”

“This is only natural.” Princess Rongcheng patted her hand consolingly. Seeing her quickly recover, her expression became somewhat somber. “According to what my husband’s confidant who returned to report said, this assassination was most likely that side’s handiwork. That side is truly too bold.” She sighed, feeling somewhat dissatisfied with her Crown Prince brother in her heart. If not for his favoritism, he wouldn’t have indulged the Fan mother and son to be this audacious. Now it was like soft tofu falling into ash—couldn’t be blown off or beaten off. Once it got out, news of discord in the Eastern Palace would leak as well. The Crown Prince couldn’t even manage the struggles between wife and concubine, and had even caused his two sons to become bitter enemies—how could people trust him to be a wise ruler?

The Crown Princess let out a cold laugh. A rare flash of ruthlessness crossed between her elegant brows. They had retreated time and again, only to be met with the Fan clan’s escalating audacity. She turned her head softly to ask Peiyin, “Who were those who went out to report earlier?”

She kept these people like raising a bunch of disasters. Previously it was to keep peace—making a scene would be ugly. But now making a scene would be different—her son who had quelled the Yangquan rebellion was assassinated and gravely injured, and the one who dug this pit for the Eastern Palace was their own people. She wanted to see just how long the Crown Prince could continue to favor the Fan clan.

Peiyin reported all the names one by one. The Crown Princess’s pale face bore a cold smile. “When His Highness the Crown Prince returns, have all these people bound and sent over.”

Princess Rongcheng on the side couldn’t help but sigh. These two husband and wife truly didn’t seem like husband and wife, but rather like enemies.

The Crown Princess raised her hand to stop Princess Rongcheng’s impending words of advice. What was there to advise? Over all these years, even if her heart had been a basin of burning coals, it had all been thoroughly doused with ashes.

When the Crown Prince returned, it was already deep into the night. As soon as he entered the study, all his advisors came forward to meet him. Crown Prince Chamberlain Chen Ding’an, his expression somewhat anxious, spoke for everyone. “Your Highness, is the Crown Prince alright?”

Right now was an excellent time for the Eastern Palace. Relying on Crown Prince Zhou Weizhao’s merit in quelling the Yangquan rebellion, the Eastern Palace faction stood more firmly. Moreover, Zhou Weizhao was truly favored by Emperor Jianzhang and could play a considerable mediating role between the Crown Prince and Emperor Jianzhang. At this time, the Crown Prince absolutely could not have an accident.

A trace of weariness showed between the Crown Prince’s brows. His lips pale and the area under his eyes darkened, he shook his head. “He was gravely injured and hasn’t awakened yet. He’s recuperating at the Cui manor in Jinzhong. Father Emperor has already sent imperial physicians there.”

Everyone couldn’t help but feel their hearts rise in suspense. Chen Ding’an’s expression became rather ugly. “At this time, the one who most wants the Crown Prince to have an accident and break Your Highness’s arm would be none other than Prince Gong.”

Prince Gong’s fief happened to also be in Shanxi—that was fundamentally his territory.

The coldness in the Crown Prince’s eyes deepened as he slowly broke into a cold smile. His younger brother had always been like this—from childhood wanting to snatch things from his bowl, as if the things in his bowl were more fragrant.

“This humble subject should go personally.” Chen Ding’an looked at the Crown Prince. “His Highness has had such a major incident. You should send someone to take a look.”

Yes, now that Zhou Weizhao had established such great merit, he should appear very anxious before Emperor Jianzhang. Since he was anxious, he should send someone to look. He agreed without hesitation. “Go. Return tonight to pack your things and leave tomorrow. When you arrive, convey my words—say I told him to recuperate well.”

After consulting with everyone for a while longer, his spirits flagged. His health had always been extremely poor. Today he had been on edge all day and spent the entire day before Emperor Jianzhang—he could no longer hold on.

Sanbao followed closely behind him, lowering his voice in trepidation as he reported, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess’s side… the Crown Princess’s side dismissed a batch of people, saying they were derelict in their duties. This afternoon they all fled west.”

West referred to Dowager Consort Fan’s side. The Crown Prince’s face instantly turned iron blue.