With a wave of his hand, the Prince's Mansion's fortune exploded throughout the entire cap

"Your Majesty, I'm innocent! Your Majesty, I didn't know! I really didn't know there was anything strange about the jade pendant that Consort Shu gave me. I was just ordered to give the jade pendant to my fifth brother. I had no intention of harming my fifth brother. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" Although he knew that his mother was ambitious, he never expected that she would do such an extreme thing. To harm a prince was a crime that would implicate nine generations of one's family. At this moment, he was filled with fear and only wanted to beg the emperor to spare him.

The Empress looked at the kneeling Crown Prince and said in a dignified tone, "Crown Prince, Consort Shu is your birth mother. She is wicked and plotted to harm you. Although you were unaware of this, you were still complicit. Today, for the sake of the Emperor, I will spare you for now. But if you ever harbor any disloyal thoughts or continue to condone your mother's evil deeds, you will be punished along with Consort Shu!" "Your subject obeys! Your subject thanks the Emperor and Your Majesty for sparing my life! Your subject will certainly behave himself in the future and will never dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts!" The Crown Prince hurriedly kowtowed to express his gratitude, his tone respectful yet flustered, his face ashen, no longer daring to be negligent in the slightest.

[The eldest prince is scared too! They are all bad people, they all want to harm the young prince. The emperor and empress will definitely not let them go again, that's great!] Little Jingjing looked at the eldest prince kneeling on the ground, feeling secretly relieved. Her eyes were full of expectation, but she still stood obediently, pretending to be ignorant and innocent.

Seeing this, Lu Wenshu spoke up at the right moment, her tone respectful yet gentle: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, perhaps Consort Shu was also confused for a moment, blinded by greed, which is why she did such a foolish thing. Please, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress, calm down and do not harm your health." While she spoke words to exonerate Consort Shu, she was actually implying to the Emperor that Consort Shu was ambitious and not just confused for a moment. At the same time, she maintained the proper decorum of the Prince Jing's residence, pretending to simply express her opinion without mentioning that she already knew the truth (hearing Xiao Jingjing's inner thoughts)—she continued to tacitly pretend not to know, leaving no loopholes for anyone.

Xiao Mingzhu quickly chimed in, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, I also believe this matter is of utmost importance. Fortunately, Princess Jianing accidentally broke the jade pendant, which allowed the Fifth Prince to be freed and recover. It is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. I implore Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress to investigate thoroughly, severely punish those behind this, and restore the innocence of the Fifth Prince and Princess Jianing." Her three elder brothers also spoke up, their tone respectful: "Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." They all tacitly pretended not to know Consort Shu's true intentions, simply requesting the Emperor and Empress to investigate, their tone natural, their expressions frank, perfectly maintaining their previous pretense.

Crown Prince Gao Heng frowned, his tone firm: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, this matter is no accident! Consort Shu is ambitious and has always wanted to support the First Prince and weaken my power. This attempt to murder my fifth brother is the best evidence of this, and she must not be let off lightly! I beg Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress to severely punish Consort Shu and the First Prince as a warning to others, so that no one will dare to harm a prince in the future!" He had always protected Gao Jin, and now he was even more furious. He would not allow anyone to harm his brother, and he would not allow Consort Shu and the First Prince to be so presumptuous and plot rebellion.

Emperor Gao Qian waved his hand, his tone authoritative: "I will make my own decision on this matter. Consort Shu has been confined to her quarters, and the eldest prince has been punished. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, and it is not appropriate to spoil the mood with trivial matters. Let this matter rest for now, and we will investigate it further later." "Your subjects obey the decree!" Everyone responded in unison. The eldest prince also quickly stood up, bowed, and stepped aside, his expression respectful, daring not to say another word.

Emperor Gao Qian's expression gradually softened. He looked at Xiao Jingjing, a hint of doting in his eyes, and said gently, "Jingjing, I'm sorry you had to go through with this today. It was unintentional, and you were frightened. I will make it up to you!"

As he spoke, he turned to the eunuch beside him, his tone authoritative: "Guards, bestow upon Princess Jianing two hundred taels of gold, one hundred bolts of brocade, a pair of red gold and red jade bracelets, a white jade brocade screen, and all sorts of pastries and fruits. Send them all to Prince Jing's residence!"

The Empress added with a smile, "I will also bestow upon Princess Jianing a set of red gold and kingfisher feather headdress, a pair of mutton fat jade bracelets, and a pair of ruby ​​eight-treasure hairpins."

Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress! You are so kind to me, bestowing upon me so many gifts!

Little Jingjing quickly curtsied, her voice clear and respectful: "Thank you for the Emperor's gift! Thank you for the Empress's gift! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

Her tone was full of joy, and her face showed an innocent and lovely smile. She looked well-behaved and lovable.

Emperor Gao Qian smiled and nodded, then looked at Gao Jin and said in a gentle tone, "Jin'er, we owe a lot to Jingjing today."

Gao Jin quickly bowed and said respectfully, "Your subject understands. I will send some gifts to Jianing as soon as I get back."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Xiao Jingjing, his eyes filled with doting affection and gratitude, and said gently, "Jingjing, thank you. Your little uncle will definitely protect you well from now on."

【No need to thank me, Little Imperial Uncle. Protecting you is what Jingjing should do! As long as Little Imperial Uncle stays healthy and never gets sick again, Jingjing will be happy!】

Little Jingjing shook her head, gave a sweet smile, and whispered, "Uncle, no need to thank me. I just accidentally broke the jade pendant. I didn't help you at all."

She continued to pretend it was just an unintentional mistake, without revealing her true thoughts or mentioning that she could sense the malevolent energy.

Crown Prince Gao Heng walked up to Xiao Jingjing, patted her head, and said gently, "Jingjing, thank you. I owe you a lot for saving my brother today. From now on, your brother will protect you, and no one will dare to bully you."

Thank you, Crown Prince! You're so kind. You'll protect me and my little uncle. No one will dare to harm us anymore!

Little Jingjing tilted her head back, a sweet smile on her face, and whispered, "Thank you, Prince Brother!"

Xiao Chengyan silently rubbed his forehead; the generational hierarchy was getting more and more confusing.

Lu Wenshu looked at this scene with a gentle smile and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the Crown Prince, it was all Jingjing's good luck that she accidentally broke the strange jade pendant. I dare not accept Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, and Your Highness the Crown Prince's thanks."

She continued to pretend she didn't know Xiao Jingjing's true thoughts, speaking naturally and looking frank, perfectly maintaining her facade.

Xiao Mingzhu and her three brothers also showed gentle smiles. They didn't say much, but looked at Xiao Jingjing with tacit understanding, their eyes full of love and approval. They were all proud of Xiao Jingjing and continued to pretend not to know, protecting her little secret.

Emperor Gao Qian waved his hand and said in a gentle tone, "Whether it was luck or unintentional, Jingjing has indeed rendered a service today and deserves a reward. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and it is not appropriate to spoil the mood with trivial matters. Everyone, please sit down, continue to enjoy the food and drink, and let's not mention today's events again."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress!"

Everyone responded in unison and took their seats. The atmosphere gradually returned to its previous liveliness. However, everyone felt a sense of apprehension and curiosity towards Princess Jianing, who was only a few years old and seemed well-behaved but had unexpectedly helped the Fifth Prince get rid of the strange jade pendant. They also secretly sighed at Consort Shu's arrogance and eventual punishment.

Everyone present was no fool. The jade pendant, Consort Shu, the First Prince, the Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Empress—they all knew perfectly well what the jade pendant could do.

I just don't know why the Fifth Prince would wear the jade pendant given to him by Consort Shu.

Just then, Zhou Rui glanced at Gu Feng and gave him a subtle look, suggesting that since the atmosphere was a bit somber, it would be better to have Gu Feng step forward and brandish his spear to break the tension and make him feel guilty in front of the Emperor.

It can also help Xiao Jingjing shift her attention and relax.

Gu Feng clearly received Zhou Rui's signal and understood his thoughts. He nodded slightly, rose imperceptibly, and bowed respectfully to the Emperor and Empress.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. It is an auspicious occasion. Your Majesty, I wish to step forward and perform a spear dance to entertain Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress, and to add color to the lives of all the officials and ladies. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission."