Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Her big eyes held a small curiosity.

Youlu took a leisurely sip of tea, then asked cryptically, "Do you think Consort Ling had an affair?"

Emperor Wulong, who was pondering how many secret guards and spies to send to keep an eye on Weiyang Palace, quickly perked up his ears. He had important business to attend to, but he couldn't let any gossip slip by!

After all, it concerns the color of his hair!

The Pixiu pouted, dangling from the deer's arm and swaying back and forth. "Boss, just tell the beast! The beast really wants to know!"

The deer feigned pain and scolded, "Look at your size! My little arms and legs can't take your rough handling."

The Pixiu immediately started massaging his legs and shoulders.

The deer seemed satisfied and stopped teasing it. [No, Consort Ling prides herself on her purity. Although she harbors feelings for other men, she has never overstepped her bounds, because what she desires is a soulmate.]

Pixiu was slightly disappointed: [It's over. My threat to accuse Consort Xi of adultery is useless now.]

The deer was almost amused by it; it seemed that all its enthusiasm was just for a line of dialogue?

Emperor Wulong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, Consort Ling hadn't had an affair, otherwise he would have doubted whether the brat was even his own.

If this kid really isn't his, then he'll just have to... he'll just have to accept it, even if it means holding his nose.

But then I thought, if Xiao Qi wasn't his child, Consort Ling wouldn't treat him like this. It seems this kid is definitely his.

Emperor Wulong was inexplicably pleased.

After entering the warm pavilion, Youlu was busy eating melons with Pixiu, while Emperor Wulong was busy eavesdropping. Neither of them spoke. Seeing that they didn't speak, Consort Ling didn't take the initiative to speak either. She just sat to the side and quietly drank tea, as if the father and son in front of her didn't exist.

She was truly headstrong and didn't even bother to make any effort to show it. In her opinion, Emperor Wulong loved her terribly, and no matter what her attitude was, he wouldn't blame her. He even extended his love to the children she bore, so she had no need to please anyone.

Thinking of Emperor Wulong's domineering love, Consort Ling's brows furrowed with even more sorrow, and a deep resentment rose in her eyes.

She wished she could be more ordinary, so that Emperor Wulong wouldn't be so infatuated with her, and she could break free from these shackles and bravely pursue her true love.

I can only blame myself for being too perfect!

Consort Ling wept for her lost love.

If Emperor Wulong could hear Consort Ling's innermost thoughts, he would probably be furious.

Youlu noticed Lingfei's expression and tactically leaned back: [What is she imagining now, wallowing in self-pity?]

Pixiu's comment: [A bit neurotic.]

Consort Ling, unable to bear the thought of her grief, rose and said, "Your Majesty, I am feeling unwell. I respectfully see you off."

She openly kicked people out.

Pixiu: [Wow, she's amazing! She just kicked the emperor out!]

"It's all because Father Emperor spoiled him." You Lu curled her lip, glanced at Emperor Wulong with disdain, and adopted a posture of watching a good show.

Emperor Wulong's temper flared instantly. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "You audacious Consort Ling, are you trying to drive me away?!"

Having been in the palace for nineteen years, Consort Ling had never seen Emperor Wulong angry. She stared blankly with her beautiful eyes wide open, and remained unresponsive for a long time.

Fortunately, her quick-witted attendant, Ying, pulled her down to kneel and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Her Highness has been unwell these past few days and was worried that she might spoil Your Majesty's mood, so she spoke in a moment of panic. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her this time, considering Her Highness's frail health!"

As he spoke, he tugged at Consort Ling's sleeve, trying to make her give in.

Consort Ling finally came to her senses. When she saw Emperor Wulong's dark face, her delicate body trembled, and she lowered her head with a pale face, not daring to utter a single word.

Youlu chuckled, raising her chin at the Pixiu, "See? A spineless coward too. She can't even handle this little bit of intimidation. If it weren't for the Empress in the harem and Father Emperor's constant protection, she'd be a pile of bones long ago."

[I don't know what she's so arrogant about.] Pixiu shrugged.

Emperor Wulong ignored the groveling and begging for mercy of Granny Ying, his tiger-like eyes coldly fixed on Consort Ling. Years ago, he had acted out of pity and saved Consort Ling, taking her back to the palace only because she had nowhere else to go. Later, he used Consort Ling to provoke the Empress, and because of his guilt, he was extremely lenient with her, never imagining that he would be so despicable in her eyes. Most importantly, Consort Ling was also involved in the downfall of the Dayong Dynasty; he had essentially let a wolf into the house.

If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have meddled in other people's business and brought such a troublemaker upon himself.

But without her, there would be no Xiao Qi...

The thought of the deer calmed Emperor Wulong's anger considerably, but this time he did not intend to let Consort Ling off the hook.

Emperor Wulong glanced coldly at Consort Ling's kneeling servant and said in a deep voice, "Consort Ling is ignorant of etiquette and lacks virtue. From this day forward, she shall be confined to Weiyang Palace and shall not leave without an imperial edict."

He didn't have the rank of Consort Jiang Ling, but as Xiao Qi's birth mother, he still had to retain some dignity.

Consort Ling looked bewildered and collapsed to the ground in a daze.

Why? Why was the Emperor suddenly so harsh with her? She had done similar things many times before, but the Emperor had never blamed her. Why was he not only angry today, but also punished her so severely? What was the reason?

Thinking of something, Lingfei suddenly looked up and glared at Youlu opposite her.

It must be this unfilial son who implicated her! It must be because this unfilial son offended the Third Prince and offended Consort Yi that the Emperor came to reprimand her. Otherwise, given the Emperor's favor towards her, how could he bear to punish her!

What a bastard child! He harmed her as soon as he came back!

Thinking she had found the reason, Consort Ling was so angry that her chest heaved, and her fair face turned red and white in turns.

Youlu saw the resentful look in Lingfei's eyes and knew that she blamed everything on him. He smiled indifferently, and his arrogant attitude only fueled Lingfei's anger.

Emperor Wulong had completely given up on the idea of ​​letting Youlu and Consort Ling develop a relationship; he even felt it was unlucky to look at Consort Ling. He walked past Consort Ling, who was sitting on the ground, and said, "Prepare the carriage to return to the palace."

Eunuch Kang completely ignored Consort Ling's servants, flicked his whisk, and shouted, "Your Majesty, prepare the carriage!"

Before leaving Weiyang Palace, Granny Ying tugged at Youlu's sleeve and whispered a warning: "Seventh Prince, you and Consort Ling are mother and son. You share the same fate, and you share the same fate. I don't need to explain this to you. If I may be so bold, you owe everything you have today to Consort Ling. If she loses her favor, you will not have a good end either."

Worried that her words might be too harsh and backfire, she added gently, "If you could say a few good words for Her Majesty and help her regain favor soon, she would surely remember your kindness. This would be the best opportunity to improve your relationship with your son."

She attempted to use the bond between mother and son to manipulate Youlu.

The Pixiu spat twice, ["The Consort Ling is stupid, and this old nanny is wicked; the evil thoughts emanating from her are almost suffocating beasts!"]

The deer raised its eyebrows; the Pixiu is very sensitive to auras, so this old woman is probably no ordinary person.

He immediately checked Granny Ying's fate, but unfortunately found nothing. Granny Ying's fate was also obscured, so she seemed to be a key figure.

Ahead, Emperor Wulong had already mounted his imperial carriage. Seeing that Youlu hadn't come over yet, he waved and said, "Little Seven, let's go."

Youlu grinned at Granny Ying and said, "Old hag, you should see clearly whether I need to rely on your master or not."

He brushed aside Ying Mama's hand, swaggered onto the imperial carriage, and sat directly next to Emperor Wulong, who even reached out to help him up.

Granny Ying was utterly astonished.

As the imperial carriage passed by, she met Youlu's mocking and teasing gaze, and stunned, she slumped down on the threshold of Weiyang Palace.