Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

Shen Jiayu did not notice anything unusual about him until the end of the dinner.

Pei Yanxin's heart sank slightly, and his expression turned cold. "I still have some official business to attend to, so I'll return to Xuanzheng Hall first."

It could have been handled smoothly.

As a result of the incident at the Imperial Study, there were still about ten memorials that had not been approved.

Actually, it's not in a rush.

If Shen Jiayu simply asked him not to make the trip, he could easily leave it until tomorrow or have someone bring it over for review.

But Shen Jiayu didn't say that.

Her mind was still on Qi Yuan. At that moment, she picked up a porcelain white jade bottle, took out some ointment, and applied it to Qi Yuan to prevent scarring. "Your Majesty, please leave."

She readily agreed.

They even forgot to mention the usual advice to take care of their health.

Pei Yan's eyes were filled with melancholy as he turned and left Yihua Palace.

After returning to Xuanzheng Hall.

He did not review the memorials, but sat coldly behind his desk, falling into a long silence.

Qing'an didn't dare to disturb them, so he served tea and then left.

Under the bright light, Pei Yan stared at the tiger's mouth for a very long time.

Actually, this wasn't the first time; she had neglected him because of Qi Yuan. It had happened frequently over the past two or three years.

However, he hadn't taken it to heart before, or rather, he didn't think it was necessary to argue with his daughter about it.

Tonight was the first time I truly realized this problem.

Pei Yan felt something was off.

Would a woman really neglect her loved one because of maternal love?

He didn't know what Shen Jiayu was really thinking, but he knew his own feelings.

Will not.

For him, he would not neglect his loved ones because of his children.

Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?

He loves her because he loves her, and that's why he loves the child she has.

How can you neglect the people you love because of your child?

Pei Yan had never thought much about love and romance before, but now that he was thinking about these things, his temples were starting to ache slightly.

He raised his hand and pressed it.

After sitting there for a while, he realized that he was overthinking things.

Qi Yuan is still young, so it's only natural that Shen Jiayu would pay more attention to him. Once Qi Yuan grows up, he naturally won't be neglected.

He had promised her that he wouldn't doubt her.

How can you think like that now?

How heartbroken and upset she must be to find out?

Pei Yan scoffed, thinking to himself that he was really getting more and more childish. He was being really immature tonight, even getting jealous of his own daughter.

How foolish...

He must have had some free time lately, which is why he's been overthinking things. He'll be fine once he calms down.

Pei Yan shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and focused on handling the remaining official business.

*

Early the next morning.

When the other concubines paid their respects, Consort Wen asked with a worried expression, "I heard that the princess was injured. I am very concerned about her. I wonder how her injury is?"

The other concubines, having heard about this matter in the Imperial Study, couldn't help but look at Consort Lan and Consort Hui.

Both of them had dark circles under their eyes, clearly indicating that they hadn't slept well all night.

Shen Jiayu coldly swept her gaze across the hall: "I was injured by some blind fool, but I applied some medicine, and I'm fine now."

Consort Wen was quite indignant: "Even so, Your Highness should take care of the princess's injury. Girls love beauty, and scars won't look good. This troublemaker is also reckless, daring to injure the princess; he must not be let off lightly!"

"Hmm." Shen Jiayu responded, then slowly looked down at the crowd. "Consort Lan, what's your opinion on this matter?"

Consort Lan looked somewhat embarrassed and tried to smooth things over, saying, "A bunch of ignorant children, it must have been unintentional. Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort, you are very magnanimous..."

Just like back then, they wanted to downplay the incident and appease everyone.

Shen Jiayu interrupted her, her voice tinged with impatience: "Speaking of which, it was the Crown Prince's study companion who injured Qiyuan. Could it be that Consort Lan has some grudge against me and is deliberately targeting my daughter and me?"

Her tone wasn't harsh, but her words were sharp and uncompromising.

All eyes in the hall turned to Consort Lan.

Consort Wen's voice was strange, and her eyes held a scrutinizing gaze: "Consort Lan, could it be as the Imperial Noble Consort said, that you harbor some dissatisfaction towards Her Highness and the Princess?"

Consort Lan's face turned pale instantly.

A thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead as she forced a smile and said, "As you all know, I have always been respectful to Your Majesty. And the princess, I like girls, and I adore the princess. How could I possibly have any dissatisfaction with her? This matter is truly a misunderstanding, and I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Consort Wen looked at her, her words somewhat impolite: "It would be best if it were a misunderstanding, but I'm afraid some people have ulterior motives."

This statement was clearly a veiled attack, almost naming names.

Consort Lan's face stiffened, but she said nothing.

Seeing that she didn't retort, Consort Wen snorted coldly and changed the subject.

Sitting in the main seat, Shen Jiayu looked at the silent Consort Lan, her expression growing increasingly cold.

After the greetings had ended, she left Lü'e behind and said, "Have you still not found the source of the drug we gave Consort Lan?"

Green Calyx lowered her voice: "Your Majesty, not yet. The medicine was administered very discreetly; even though Consort Lan noticed it, she couldn't find a single clue."

A chilling glint appeared in Shen Jiayu's eyes: "Then from today onwards, let's increase the dosage."

For the past three years, Consort Lan has remained under her control.

To be fair, Consort Lan was quite tolerant. Despite all the schemes and underhanded attacks she had made, she never took any action.

Now that Shen Jiayu has had enough fun, she no longer wants to "tease" this rat in the gutter.

She wanted Consort Lan to disappear from the palace.

*

We left Yihua Palace.

Consort Lan did not get into the sedan chair, but instead stopped Consort Wen.

Her face was gentle, and having not slept all night, her eyes were dark and bluish, making her look haggard and pitiful, which aroused pity.

"Sister Wen, I have some things I'd like to discuss with you. Would you be willing?"

Consort Wen stopped in her tracks, showing no sympathy for the woman's appearance, but rather a sense of unease: "Consort Lan, please speak here. I have matters to attend to upon returning to the palace."

Consort Lan glanced around and, seeing that most of the other concubines had dispersed, stepped forward. After a moment's thought, she softly asked, "Sister Wen, did I do something wrong? Did I offend you?"

Her face was filled with confusion and grievance.

Consort Wen narrowed her eyes: "What do you mean by that, Consort Lan?"

Consort Lan spoke sincerely, with utmost earnestness: "I've noticed that you seem to have some prejudice against me lately, which is why I dared to ask this question. I hope you won't take offense, Sister Wen. If you have offended me in any way, please speak frankly, and I will certainly apologize to you."

Consort Wen didn't fall for her act at all.

They've all been working their way up in the palace for years, so who doesn't know what the other is thinking?

Her targeting of Consort Lan wasn't due to any prejudice.

Her position as a Noble Consort was bestowed upon her by the Imperial Noble Consort. Naturally, she wouldn't like someone the Imperial Noble Consort disliked either.

That's just my stance, nothing more.

Consort Wen spoke slowly, her words a direct counter to Consort Lan's words, which felt like punching cotton: "Your Highness Consort Lan is too kind. There is no prejudice between us. It's just that I spoke a bit too bluntly. If anything I said was unpleasant, please don't take it to heart."

After saying this, Consort Wen bowed slightly and left with her palace servants.