He asked you to serve him in bed and become his concubine, how did you manage to win his heart and s

Yunxi knew how important she was.

It is clearer now who is most worried about their own safety.

Granny Gui was the first to realize that Yunxi was likely to be summoned by the Empress Dowager's people. Just after Yunxi was asked a few questions by Granny Li, she asked Li Ruolan to pretend to be unwell and ask Yunxi to go back and light incense for her.

"Your Majesty, you may not know this, but Yunxi knows how to light incense. Ever since my lady fell, she has been easily startled, and only Yunxi can calm her down."

Even if the Empress Dowager threatened her with the promise of offspring, she wouldn't dare to imprison Yunxi in Shou Kang Palace.

Yunxi has returned; she was personally escorted back by the Empress Dowager's people.

Richard certainly felt there was a problem, but he didn't think Yunxi was the one in charge. Given his relationship with Yunxi, there was nothing he couldn't say.

The Emperor is now on Consort Lan's side; aren't their masters in the same camp?

Unfortunately, Yunxi didn't reveal anything.

"Eunuch Richard, Yunxi is just a lowly palace maid. She told the truth that day, and the Empress Dowager was merciful and spared her life. She should be grateful."

Yunxi spoke calmly and clearly, "Your Highness's fall is a serious matter. I have served Your Highness for many years, how could I do anything to harm Your Highness? Please don't frighten me."

After saying that, she looked up at Richard with concern, appearing somewhat pitiful.

Palace maids didn't have much of a vision; most were cautious and timid, afraid of getting into trouble.

Richard saw that Yunxi was much like the other palace maids, carefully doing her duty. Was that wrong?

That's certainly true, but Richard still has the Emperor's mission on his hands, and he won't let it slide so easily.

"Then let me ask you another question: have you ever seen a cat in that garden on a regular basis?"

"It's not very often, but it does happen occasionally. I can hear a few meows when I pass by, but I don't know anyone in the palace and don't dare to ask. I did hear from Xiaozhu that the cats in this garden are actually raised by the Dowager Consort Yu, and they've always been very well-behaved."

Yunxi obediently agreed, resolutely refusing to say a word more or less.

Richard frowned and asked her again who Xiaozhu was.

"Xiaozhu used to be a palace maid who sprinkled water outside Yaoguang Palace. After she committed a crime, she left, and I don't know where she went."

"What did you do wrong?"

"this……"

Yunxi gritted her teeth, pretending that she couldn't say it, glanced around, and then lowered her head to tell him in a low voice.

"Does Eunuch Richard still remember those two chrysanthemums of different colors? Actually, those chrysanthemums were brought into the palace by our Lady, who originally intended to give them to the Empress Dowager. Unfortunately, Xiao Zhu accidentally exposed them, and Consort Wan discovered them and took them away. Consort Wan later gave the chrysanthemums to Consort Su, and that day's banquet became Consort Su's birthday gift to the Empress Dowager, deliberately trying to anger our Lady."

Yunxi knows what should be said and what shouldn't be said.

The story was briefly glossed over in just a few words, with Richard only given the most important information.

Li Ruolan and Consort Wan had a grudge that existed before the Empress Dowager returned to the palace.

This matter is probably related to Consort Su. If not, why did Consort Wan think of giving the chrysanthemums to Consort Su instead of sending them herself?

She was originally the Empress Dowager's cousin. Although the Empress Dowager had been avoiding suspicion since she entered the palace, they could still be on good terms in private.

We're all family, so this whole thing seems rather strange.

Consort Su kept this matter a secret. Although the Emperor knew that Li Ruolan and Consort Wan had quarreled, he only thought it was because the concubines in the palace didn't like each other. He didn't know that there was so much information hidden in it.

Consort Su could have remained uninvolved, but now, the answer seems rather obvious.

Fish paste is easy to trace, but Richard ultimately didn't intend to deal with Consort Su.

He was aware of the Emperor's and Consort Su's relationship, and now it seemed he had no choice but to bring it up.

However, even if he spoke, it would be useless. Consort Su's brother is currently guarding the Northwest, and the Emperor will not touch the Su family no matter what, nor will he take away Consort Su's position.

Is this matter really just going to be left like this?

Yunxi could actually foresee this step. The reason she made things complicated was to see how far these people would go in order to seize power.

Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Li Ruolan is a madwoman, but what about the other concubines?

Who would actually harm the child before her baby is born?

Now there are several tails ready to be caught. Now I not only have to protect my own life, but also the life of my child.

As for Mu Xiaoci, she would also make him stand up and protect his child.

This father can't always hide in the shadows.

Richard was the messenger, and upon receiving the news from Yunxi, he immediately reported it to Mu Xiaoci.

Li Ruolan was still reluctant to let Mu Xiao leave, but being able to see the Emperor every day was already a great favor. She knew she couldn't push her luck any further, but she couldn't help but hug him every time she saw him about to leave.

"Your Majesty, I will be waiting for you tomorrow as well."

"You were just saying that Yaoguang Palace was too small and you couldn't wait to move to Jingyang Palace, but you've already forgotten about it?"

Mu Xiaoci shook his head helplessly and slowly separated himself from Li Ruolan. "That place was also repaired in the last two days. It's a big place, so you and the child can rest and recuperate there. You should also pay attention to your diet. I will arrange a chef to take care of your three meals a day."

"Your Majesty, your concubine..."

"Alright, I have a lot to do these days. The autumn examinations are coming soon, and I need to see those students. I can't set a bad example for them."

This was the first time Mu Xiaoci had given such a long explanation in front of Li Ruolan.

He rarely showed patience; thinking of the child, his heart softened for some reason, and he didn't blame Li Ruolan for being so clingy.

Now, as long as the mother and child are safe, that's all that matters. As for those troublemakers in the harem, he'll handle them.

Three days have passed since Li Ruolan's wrestling match, and the Empress Dowager has not given a reply or said anything during these three days. Mu Xiaoci felt that he had given her enough time.

He desperately needed to know the truth, and even more so, he wanted to know what role the Empress Dowager had played in all of this.

Was he protecting Consort Wan? Participating in the conspiracy? Or sabotaging the affair?

The affairs of the imperial harem are always complicated, and even more intense than the power struggles among the ministers in the imperial court.

Ministers would argue heatedly in front of him, while the women in the harem would only cry and threaten him with their tears.

Even the Empress Dowager, who never interfered in trivial matters before, was involved, which shows just how serious this matter was.

But on his way there, he heard Richard's report and turned back to Zhaoyang Palace.

After Consort Su returned, she threw a huge tantrum.

As a lady from a prestigious family, even when she was angry, she didn't break the jar or start cursing. Instead, she picked up a brush and began practicing calligraphy.

Write again and again, tear up sheet after sheet of paper.

She didn't stop until it was completely dark, and then had people clean up the things.

When she reappeared, she was still one of the four concubines in the harem, the emperor's childhood sweetheart, and the dearest sister of General Su, who guarded the northwest.

This is something no one can take away. Even if Li Ruolan is pregnant and gives birth to a prince, it will not shake her position!

But to her surprise, the Emperor actually came...

Mu Xiaoci went over with a sullen face, but when he saw Consort Su looking at him with red eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh. He just glanced away and sat in his usual seat.

"Your Majesty, it's chilly at night. Let me pour you a cup of hot tea."

Consort Su's voice trembled slightly as she forced back her tears of grievance and personally picked up the teapot to pour him a cup of hot tea.

Mu Xiaoci hummed in response, without saying anything more.

He mentally organized his thoughts, trying to figure out the best way to start the conversation.

The two were so familiar with each other that even if they sat there without saying a word, the other knew what they were thinking.

Consort Su knew why the Emperor had come and why he was angry.

Perhaps it was something that the wicked Li Ruolan said that made the Emperor develop a dislike for her.

No, it should be said that it was that vile woman who sowed discord, which distracted her and the Emperor.

"Your Majesty has come to my humble abode, I suppose, to ask me something."

Since the other party didn't speak, she spoke up.

Her tone was unusually docile, and her face no longer showed any signs of wanting to cry, but instead displayed a calm expression.

Pride wouldn't allow Consort Su to break down, nor would it allow her to show that pitiful pity in front of the Emperor.

"I only have one question: are you aware of Consort Lan's fall?"

Mu Xiaoci's voice was also calm; he didn't intend to beat around the bush with Consort Su, but rather to speak frankly.

They were so familiar with each other that there was no need for suspicion; they could tell whether something was true or false simply by the other's answer.

Consort Su smiled.

"Your Majesty, do you think I would harm a prince out of jealousy?"

"I had the people investigate, and the fish paste was made from crucian carp. A few days ago, you had the imperial kitchen send over crucian carp; is that a lie?"

"Indeed, I missed Mother's crucian carp soup, so I had someone ask for some crucian carp. But Consort Wan was also there, and she said the crucian carp was sweet and delicious, so I had someone make fish soup and send it to Yaoguang Palace for her."

"So, Consort Wan also tried it?"

"Your Majesty, do you really think I would resort to such despicable means to deal with Consort Lan? Just because she got pregnant with your child?"

Consort Su clenched her sleeves, the grievances she had been suppressing surfaced, and her eyes instantly reddened.

"I've known you since I was eight years old. If I had to say who understands me best in this world, it would be you, Aci. Is that really how you see me?"

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Consort Su disregarded everything else and directly used her former title.

She did have a collaboration with Consort Wan, but such a collaboration was second only to giving her the key to the palace of Consort Yu.

Consort Su might have guessed what Consort Wan was planning, but she didn't stop her; she simply offered help.

From beginning to end, she was only a suspect, but she never laid a hand on him.

Now they say these things without fear or hesitation, even feeling that they can absolve themselves of all responsibility.

But the man in front of her made her feel somewhat disheartened.

It turns out, even he can doubt himself.