Wei Shi’s words nearly made the Virtuous Consort stand up in shock, her face changing color. “Sister-in-law, what do you mean?”
Wei Shi observed the Virtuous Consort’s reaction with surprise. “Could it be that Your Highness is completely unaware?”
It seemed the Virtuous Consort’s position in the palace was not favorable.
The Prince Qi faction had suffered consecutive blows, and even a secluded woman like herself had heard about it. Yet, the Virtuous Consort appeared to be completely in the dark.
Wei Shi suddenly felt that coming to the palace to pay respects today was a mistake. She should reduce her visits to the Virtuous Consort in the future.
As the Duchess, she could enjoy respect outside the palace. Why bother coming to the palace to humble herself before her sister-in-law if not for the hope of future advancement?
“Sister-in-law, how could there be such rumors outside?” the Virtuous Consort asked.
Wei Shi replied hesitantly, “I thought Your Highness was aware. I didn’t mean to speak out of turn. If I’ve caused you any distress, it’s my fault—”
“Sister-in-law, why are you being so formal at a time like this? We’re family. Surely you wouldn’t keep things from me?” The Virtuous Consort’s heart sank further seeing Wei Shi’s behavior.
Wei Shi sighed, “It’s just that Prince Qi’s wife’s clan brother, Vice Minister Li, was suddenly imprisoned for lobbying for someone’s position. Chen, the Junior Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, also got into trouble. They were both close to Prince Qi… So there are rumors that Prince Qi has fallen out of favor…”
Upon hearing this, the Virtuous Consort’s blood surged, her face turning whiter than paper.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
“I’m fine. Sister-in-law, how is Zhangr?”
“The Prince has been secluded for the past two days, with no activity.”
“Secluded?”
Wei Shi nodded, “Yes, they say the Prince left the palace on the first day of the month looking displeased. He hasn’t left his residence since. After Junior Minister Chen and Vice Minister Li got into trouble, some people tried to seek an audience but were turned away at the gate…”
Normally, a prince’s summons to the palace and his demeanor upon leaving wouldn’t be widely known. But with Prince Qi’s faction suddenly falling out of the Emperor’s favor, those with keen eyes pieced together the unusual events of the first day of the fourth month.
Prince Qi’s faction’s misfortune, coupled with the Prince’s displeased expression when leaving the palace before the incident, clearly indicated that Prince Qi had somehow angered the Emperor.
The Virtuous Consort’s mind buzzed, and she felt faint.
The first day of the fourth month… Could it be that Zhangr’s scheme had been exposed?
Impossible, this couldn’t be!
Seeing the Virtuous Consort’s terrible pallor, as if she might faint at any moment, Wei Shi probed, “Your Highness, has the Prince perhaps displeased the Emperor in some way?”
The Virtuous Consort snapped back to attention, forcing a smile, “Sister-in-law, you know Zhangr. He’s always been cautious and proper. How could he displease the Emperor? I’m just shocked. It seems I need to ask Zhangr about the situation.”
Wei Shi inwardly scoffed at these words.
Being cautious and proper means one won’t displease the Emperor.
The Virtuous Consort’s words were quite amusing.
If Prince Qi were truly proper, he wouldn’t be eyeing that position.
She used to think Prince Qi had great prospects, but now it seemed that if he didn’t have the ability, he shouldn’t drag down Duke Anguo’s family.
Thinking this, Wei Shi regretted not heeding Duke Anguo’s warning.
She shouldn’t have spoken out of turn on this visit.
Wei Shi felt the urge to leave, “It’s getting late. I won’t disturb Your Highness any longer. It’s good that you’re aware of these rumors, but don’t take them too seriously.”
The Virtuous Consort nodded weakly, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I understand. The rise and fall of court officials is common. Some people just like to make a fuss about it.”
By the end, she was trying to reassure Wei Shi.
After Wei Shi left, the Virtuous Consort sat motionless for a long time before ordering someone to go out of the palace to summon Prince Qi.
Was Zhangr’s seclusion due to his anxiety or the Emperor’s orders?
She had to find out.
It wasn’t long before the messenger returned to report, “Your Highness, I was stopped at the palace gate.”
“Why?” The Virtuous Consort knew things were bad. She clenched her fists so hard that her carefully manicured nails nearly broke.
The messenger replied tremblingly, “They said there were orders from above that Prince Qi is not to enter the palace without the Emperor’s summons from now on—”
There was a faint sound as a long fingernail broke, piercing the Virtuous Consort’s delicate palm.
The Virtuous Consort didn’t feel the pain. Her mind was in chaos as she murmured, “Not allowed to enter without summons, how could this be, how could this be…”
The eunuch kept his head down, not daring to speak.
After a while, the Virtuous Consort suppressed her panic and said through gritted teeth, “Go and ask the Emperor to come.”
The eunuch obeyed and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request Emperor Jingming’s presence.
Emperor Jingming had just returned from visiting the Empress Dowager and was resting on a soft couch with his eyes closed.
The succession of vexing matters had left Emperor Jingming feeling increasingly drained. He found it difficult to muster the energy to handle state affairs and just wanted to lie down and rest.
“Your Majesty, someone from Yuquan Palace is here requesting your presence,” Pan Hai approached and said softly.
Emperor Jingming opened his eyes and saw Jixiang playing with a ball of yarn not far away.
The colorful yarn ball was adorned with a string of small pompoms, making it look exquisite and cute. It had been specially prepared for Jixiang by the palace maids.
The white cat was batting the yarn ball back and forth, thoroughly enjoying itself.
At that moment, Emperor Jingming couldn’t help but sigh.
Sometimes, he felt that he, as the Emperor, lived a life less comfortable than Jixiang’s.
“Did they say what it was about?”
Pan Hai hesitated before saying, “A while ago, Yuquan Palace sent someone to summon Prince Qi, but they were stopped—”
Emperor Jingming immediately understood and got up, saying, “Let’s go to Yuquan Palace.”
This commotion only drew a lazy glance from Jixiang before it resumed playing.
Emperor Jingming sighed deeply.
He had been wrong. It wasn’t just sometimes, but always that he lived less comfortably than Jixiang.
When Emperor Jingming arrived at Yuquan Palace, he was greeted by a haggard-looking woman.
Thinking of the Virtuous Consort’s former radiance and looking at the sickly woman before him, Emperor Jingming sighed inwardly and said flatly, “Let’s talk inside.”
They entered the room and dismissed all unnecessary personnel, leaving only trusted attendants.
“What did you call me here for, my dear?”
The Virtuous Consort pressed her lips together before speaking, “I’ve been feeling unwell and missing Zhangr. I just sent someone to call him over, but they were stopped… Your Majesty, has Zhangr angered you?”
“Yes,” Emperor Jingming replied concisely.
The Virtuous Consort was speechless for a while.
The Emperor’s direct and merciless response made her wonder if Zhangr’s scheme had truly been discovered.
Emperor Jingming spared her the agony of speculation and said bluntly, “The Fourth Prince schemed against the Empress Dowager, and his brothers, and even dragged me into his plots. As a son, he is unfilial. He has disappointed me greatly!”
“Your Majesty—”
Emperor Jingming didn’t soften at the sight of the Virtuous Consort’s pale face. He said decisively, “I understand your longing for your son, my dear. But until the Fourth Prince repents, I cannot allow such a scheming scoundrel to enter the palace again—”
Every word Emperor Jingming uttered was like a heavy hammer, pounding on the Virtuous Consort’s heart.
The Virtuous Consort swayed and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Emperor Jingming, his face splattered with blood, was momentarily stunned.
Pan Hai reacted quickly, rushing over with a handkerchief.