ing all its strength. It was trying hard to lean between the ladder and the wall, borrowing strength from its little master.The lord found this amusing and quickly picked up the chubby girl, rescuing...The third princess immediately covered her face and pouted, "No, I can't get tanned!"

Jia Yin pushed her into the room, "Take care of yourself. I'll have Shui Ling go on a trip."

Having said that, she gave Shui Ling a glance and returned to the side hall.

Soon, Shui Ling carried a food box and left the palace with her token...

When Jiayin woke up from her afternoon nap, Shuiling had already brought back some snacks and delivered them to the study.

Yi Zong got an extra box, so he smiled and tested the poison. Seeing that it was fine, he urged Shui Ling to return to Zhi Lan Palace early.

The third princess and Jia Yin also had some snacks, and in the afternoon they asked a little eunuch to set up a swing in the corner of the courtyard. They played until it was dark, really tired before stopping.

After dinner, the third princess felt sleepy and couldn't stay awake. She managed to wash up, got into bed, and fell asleep.

Jia Yin held three fox cubs on her lap as she sat on the soft mattress. She was reading a book while stroking their fur.

Su Yun sliced the fruit platter and put it on the table, softly persuading, "Miss, you should get some sleep early too."

Jia Yin nodded and instructed, “Tonight, you two will have to work hard guarding the gates of Zhi Lan Palace. No one is allowed in or out. If you hear any noise, don't open the door. If anyone acts recklessly, just subdue them first. Don't worry about life or death!”

Suiyun was startled and asked, "Your Highness, tonight..."

Jia Yin waved her hand, signaling her to stop talking.

"Do as I say, and don't worry. Whatever happens out there has nothing to do with us, just make sure Zhi Lan Palace stays safe."

"Yes, My Lady," Shuǐyún hurriedly retreated.

Soon, the sound of a door creaking came, footsteps fading into the distance, becoming clearer and clearer in the darkness...

In the Imperial study, the Emperor put down his medicine bowl, struggling to suppress the bitterness in his mouth, and asked, "Is everything arranged"

Yi Zong hurriedly bent down and bowed, "Your Majesty, Rong Hua Palace has been surrounded. Not even a fly can get out."

The emperor fell silent for a moment before rising to his feet.

Yi Zongtang hurried to follow, with the little eunuchs carrying lanterns in front and behind him, like a moving dragon in the dark night, rushing towards Rong Hua Palace.

In the past, at this time of day, the Rong Hua Palace was brightly lit and bustling with activity because the Emperor had stayed there.

Today is the same, yet it feels different everywhere.

The guards in full armor, one hand on their swords and the other holding torches, surrounded the Rong Hua Palace like an iron barrel.

Especially the imperial concubine's bedroom, eunuchs and maidservants were tied up tightly, kneeling in the courtyard, their faces ashen.

Since the imperial concubine was favored, they were arrogant. Now, they are terrified and regretful.

A man's love is unreliable at best, let alone a ruler.

In the morning, fresh fruits were delivered because the Noble Consort liked to eat them.

As soon as twilight fell, the guards burst in, shattering all that was beautiful with their ruthlessness...

"Sob." A maid couldn't hold back and sobbed softly.

Immediately, a guard stepped forward and kicked her hard until the palace maid squeezed her tears back in.

The other court ladies and eunuchs shrank their heads, wishing they could burrow into the ground to feel safe...

Inside the main hall, the concubine in a water-red court dress was also shocked, her face as pale as paper.

Her close female attendants, maidservants, and eunuch supervisors were all bound up like zongzi.

Although she wasn't bound, she could only sit in the chair and couldn't move an inch; otherwise, the guard's long sword would be at her throat.

She had a vague hunch, her heart pounding so hard it almost felt like it would burst, but there was still a glimmer of hope.

In her dealings, she had been sufficiently careful and prudent. These days the Emperor hadn't noticed anything amiss, so perhaps today's situation arose because the court officials had all put forward the Second Prince as crown prince. The Emperor was momentarily angered, not because he had discovered her schemes...

"Presumptuous! How dare you!" After calming herself for a long while, the Noble Consort finally gathered her courage and slapped the table with a resounding bang, causing the golden phoenix hairpin adorned with pearls on her head to tremble incessantly.

"You dare to break into Rong Huagong! Don't you know this is my palace! When the Emperor arrives, I will definitely ask him to severely punish you!"

"No need, I'm already here." The Emperor replied from outside the door, then stepped over the threshold.

With a wave of his hand, Yi Zuo ordered the guards to close the door. Only two remained inside to ensure the emperor's safety, while the rest retreated outside.

The noble consort's eyes were red-rimmed, and she threw herself directly before the emperor, sobbing with grievance.

"Your Majesty, you've finally arrived! Just now, these guards suddenly rushed in, not only binding my maids and eunuchs, but also forbidding me from moving freely."

"Waaah, what crime has this servant committed to be treated so cruelly This servant can't live anymore!"

Having said that, the emperor had already sat down. The noble consort stepped forward and knelt at his legs, slowly raising her face.

The beauty wept, her tears like pear blossoms in the rain, glistening and translucent under the candlelight.

The Emperor was momentarily stunned. For so many years, he had known about her connection to the Empress Dowager, yet he continued to shower her with affection and even allowed her to give birth to the second prince, wasn't it all because of her beauty and gentleness

He thought, even if this woman had some self-interest, she would cherish their feelings more.

It's a pity, her actions have reduced his twenty-year lifespan to just a few months...

The emperor raised his hand and gently adjusted the empress's disheveled hair, then slapped her hard in the next instant.

"Bang!"

The noble consort was caught off guard and knocked to the ground.

She surprised lifted her head, covering her face, and cried out, "Your Majesty, why hit your concubine"

The emperor's face was cold, with no warmth in his eyes.

"Do you need me to remind you of something you yourself have done"

Having said that, he pointed to the incense burner in the corner. Yi, the head steward, immediately rushed over and carried the incense burner to the Consort's face.

The Noble Consort instinctively shrank her neck, but she still refused to admit it.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong with this incense burner of mine Is there something amiss This was a gift you personally bestowed upon me last year!"

"Yes, this was a stove brought as tribute from the south. Just because you said you liked it, I had it moved here for you." The Emperor sneered, his expression laced with a hint of sorrow.

"So, you used the furnace I bestowed upon you to poison me, did you You are truly my beloved consort!"

"No, no, Your Majesty! I am wronged! What poison I don't know anything about it!" The Noble Consort seemed terrified, crawling forward and clutching the dragon robe's hem, crying out in fear and despair.

"Your Majesty, I spend every day in Rong Hua Palace, rarely speaking to outsiders. My sole focus is on educating and caring for the Second Prince! How could I possibly have a second heart and harm Your Majesty's health I implore you, Your Majesty, to see through this!"

"You only cry when you see the coffin, well, I'll let you lose so convincingly that you have no choice but to accept defeat." The Emperor pulled his dragon robe back on, deeply disappointed.

After all, she was a woman he had loved for so many years. If she had simply confessed, there might have been a shred of their past affection left.

But with all her explanations, her stained skirt, messy hair, and disheveled appearance made her seem utterly humiliated and strangely unfamiliar.

"General Yi, get everything ready, and bring the people here too." of the Lu family finished two baskets of dumplings and carried a bucket of dumpling soup back to the east wing to eat.As for Jiaren and the others, Old Lady Li felt sorry for them having to endure th...