Chapter 166:

Time flies. A month passed in the blink of an eye. If there was one thing that had left everyone in the palace shaken during this period, it would be the death of Consort Qi.

No one could have anticipated that the gentle and unassuming Consort Qi, who seemed indifferent to power struggles, would reveal so many dark secrets under interrogation by the Censorate of Judicial Integrity.

These secrets included not only the murder of Consort De, an attempt to kill the Second Prince, and a plot to frame Noble Consort Shen, but also numerous acts of harm against other concubines. All those implicated suddenly realized why they had remained childless all these years. For a time, anger and unrest spread throughout the palace.

However, aside from this, others also realized that the Censorate of Judicial Integrity was indeed no simple place.

No matter how strong one might be, resistance there was merely a joke. Once someone entered its doors, even someone like Consort Qi would confess everything she had done.

Later, the Emperor, moved perhaps by old affections, finally decided to stop the interrogations and instead ordered her execution by a white silk rope—exactly as had happened with Consort De’s death.

Sometimes things are just like this—karma comes around, and the cycle never fails.

No one could say for sure how everything had truly unfolded: Consort De had harmed Consort Qi, and now Consort Qi had taken her revenge, but at the cost of her own life.

Even the Emperor could only sigh in lament, let alone the other women in the palace.

In addition to this, the imperial court was also in turmoil.

The family of Consort De and the Qi family had become bitter enemies.

Consort De’s family believed that Consort Qi had committed murder and even attempted to assassinate the Second Prince—what an evil woman she must have been. Meanwhile, the Qi family believed that without a cause, there could be no effect. If Consort De had not acted so wickedly back then, how could matters have escalated to this point?

With these two families now at odds, Emperor Jing was secretly delighted.

Although Consort De’s father had been the Emperor’s tutor, Jing had always wished for that family’s decline due to their character and clan traits.

To explain why Emperor Jing bore resentment toward the aristocratic families, it wasn’t simply due to prejudice. In fact, Emperor Jing had originally intended to entrust these families with important responsibilities, but as events unfolded, he realized that such hopes were nothing more than wishful thinking.

The aristocratic families in the capital had been powerful for over a century and had no desire for change. What concerned them was not the prosperity of the nation, but rather how to maintain their own wealth and status.

Moreover, perhaps due to their rigid adherence to classical literary traditions, their thinking had become outdated, stuck in the mindset of the previous generation. Worse still, not only were they resistant to progress, but many of them held key official positions and preferred to promote their own loyalists, appointing people based on personal connections.

This prevented truly capable and insightful individuals from being employed, allowing only those of similar outdated views to dominate the bureaucracy.

Perhaps in his generation, the country wouldn’t suffer serious deterioration, but in the long run, what would happen? If things continued this way, the nation would become “ill.”

His late father had seen this malignant tumor but was too late to remove it. Therefore, Jing was determined not to leave it for his own son.

Both the family of Consort De and the family of Consort Qi were typical examples of such powerful clans. Their mutual enmity brought no benefit to others, but for Emperor Jing, it was an ideal situation.

Fu Jin Yan had uncovered the truth, inevitably provoking the Qi family’s anger. Meanwhile, the De family, already weaker than the Qi family, would likely side with Fu’s. Since they had already incurred the Qi family’s wrath, they might as well assist the De family in attacking the Qi clan. With Fu’s support, Emperor Jing smiled, foreseeing inevitable mutual destruction.

Meanwhile, the false princess from the Zhou family had also stirred up chaos, and the net was already being drawn.

His first step was to bring down the families of Consort De, Consort Qi, and the Zhou family.

As for dealing with the Fu family, Emperor Jing had no such intention. Chancellor Fu was a calculating man who had always supported the Emperor loyally, and Fu Jinyu shared many political views with him. He had no intention of cutting off his own arm.

Reflecting on the people in the palace, while he was clearing out the court’s factions, he would also gradually eliminate the power struggles in the harem, ensuring that his beloved Layue would never face any difficulties.

Emperor Jing’s eyes flickered.

Before, when he hadn’t fallen in love, he hadn’t noticed, but now, looking at Layue again, he had begun to sense something slightly off.

She didn’t love him as she claimed. Or rather, although her gaze often appeared loving and tender, there was always a hint of caution hidden within.

Though this wariness was rare and fleeting, he had noticed it.

He couldn’t quite understand why she felt this way, yet he somehow could.

Perhaps it was natural for her to feel uneasy considering his past behavior.

Even a stone would eventually warm up if held close long enough. How much more so for a pure-hearted girl like Layue?

To him, her subtle hesitations were nothing but endearing.

“Laixi.”

“Your Majesty, I am here,” Laixi quickly responded, entering the room.

“What has Noble Consort Shen been up to lately?”

“Your Majesty, preparations are underway for the first birthday celebration of the young princes and princesses. Noble Consort Shen has been busy with that.”

The Emperor nodded thoughtfully. This girl really didn’t know how to follow orders. He had already delegated all the arrangements to the Ministry of the Interior, and she only needed to oversee the process. Everything had already been handled properly. He couldn’t understand why she was still so busy.

Laixi, sensing his thoughts, cautiously added, “Noble Consort Shen said that many officials will be invited to the banquet, and with so many people in the palace, everything must be done to perfection.”

The Emperor chuckled.

“She’s probably nervous because it’s her first time organizing such a grand banquet.”

As for Layue, there was something amusing about her. Ever since the incident with Ji’er’s injury, everyone in the palace had suspected Guo’er’s identity. Layue must have had her suspicions too, but she continued to treat Guo’er normally, without showing any change in behavior or asking questions.

Yet, on many occasions, she would mutter things near Guo’er that she couldn’t say directly to the Emperor.

It was as if she treated Guo’er as a messenger. She didn’t consider that if Guo’er didn’t report these things, her efforts would be in vain.

Despite how much he doted on her, she still refused to speak directly, always going around in circles. What a peculiar little girl she was.

Doing everything to perfection? Perhaps the real point was hidden in the first part of that sentence.

She was reminding him in her own way.

With so many people in the palace, he needed to pay extra attention to safety. After all, the children were still so young. How could he not be careful?

Emperor Jing understood that although the palace was now tightly controlled, he couldn’t claim to have covered every possible loophole.

Therefore, they still needed to be extra vigilant.

“Issue orders. The palace’s security must be further strengthened. Also, keep a close watch on the concubines in the harem. I won’t allow them to stir up trouble. By the way, does Li Concubine still visit the Empress Dowager every day?”

Laixi replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. But the Empress Dowager continues to refuse to see her.”

“What about the Sixth Prince?”

“The Sixth Prince visits the Empress Dowager daily as well, but they have not met. Li Concubine always arrives after the Sixth Prince has left.”

Emperor Jing sneered, “So this longed-for lover, she dares not even meet him face to face?”

As for Zhu Yuning and the Sixth Prince, how could Emperor Jing not know?

Laixi remained silent. Although Li Concubine was not favored, she was still the Emperor’s consort.

For a consort to harbor feelings for the Sixth Prince, how could the Emperor feel at ease?

To put it bluntly, wasn’t this akin to wearing a green hat?

Of course, while her body remained chaste, her heart was not.

Such thoughts were only in Laixi’s mind, for he would never dare to voice them aloud.

Unless he wanted to die, he would never speak recklessly.

“She is merely fulfilling her duties.”

“Fulfilling her duties? The Zhu family dared to send a woman of such questionable virtue into the palace, thinking I am an easy target? Once the Zhou family matter is settled, send the false princess to the Zhu family.”

Laixi raised his eyebrows and responded, “Your Majesty, I understand.”

As a eunuch, he had no understanding of love or desire. He simply couldn’t grasp why so many men were drawn to the so-called Princess Diwa, a woman who clearly did not conform to traditional virtues.

How strange!

Laixi didn’t understand, and even Laifu didn’t either. But Emperor Jing did.

With a woman of such beauty, she could do far more than anyone imagined.

Princess Diwa? If she were truly the real Diwa Princess, would she behave in such a manner?

A cold smile crossed Emperor Jing’s face.

No one knew that the real Princess Diwa had already died on her way to the Southern Kingdom from typhoid fever.

At the time, they were about to enter the capital. If the news had been announced, it would have caused many complications.

Fortunately, he had come up with a plan in an instant.

Since Princess Rosalind had already arrived in the Southern Kingdom, and Diwa would not interfere, why not use this false princess identity to achieve more?

It turned out to be a brilliant idea.

Firstly, it successfully divided the Sixth Prince and the Zhou family.

The Sixth Prince had loved the mother of Shen Layue, yet despite this, he had feigned deep devotion to his late wife, thus gaining the unwavering support of the Zhou family.

Although it wouldn’t lead to anything significant, it was still annoying to have a small faction in the court opposing him.

Using the false Rosalind had proven effective.

Indeed, a beautiful woman could be of great use.

This false Rosalind was one of the secret agents, skilled in such tactics. Emperor Jing was confident everything would go well.

The next step was the downfall of the Zhou family.

Emperor Jing smiled broadly. My dear children, your father will present you with an entertaining spectacle at the birthday banquet.

And not just you—this entire city’s aristocracy will have a new and amusing topic of conversation after that day!

You’ve all been so self-righteous and dignified. Now it’s time to taste the bitterness of disgrace.

Seeing the Emperor’s cheerful expression, Laixi shivered involuntarily.

When the Emperor smiled like this, someone was certainly going to suffer misfortune.

He just didn’t know who it would be this time.

“Laixi, notify Noble Consort Shen. Tonight, I will have dinner at Qing’an Palace. Let her prepare well.”

After much contemplation, Emperor Jing was in an excellent mood.

He was planning to go and share some news with his beloved concubine.

This was going to be such an amusing event. He had to make sure Layue was mentally prepared. Otherwise, she might think he was deliberately ruining the birthday celebration of the little ones!