Honored Consort Ya’s carriage entered the Lord Guardian’s Manor right after Prince Yi’s carriage. One could assume that she was deliberately tailing him. The Emperor had sent her here to keep an eye on him and Honored Consort Xia. He said that Honored Consort Xia, apparently Prince Yi’s spy, might pass him a message at the manor.

Honored Consort Ya had always been wary of Honored Consort Xia. On the day she, Honored Consort Shu, and the Empress questioned Honored Consort Xia, the latter kept her veil on even in front of the Empress. This made them feel provoked.

However, she had already received the Emperor’s order. She couldn’t very well bring up the incident again.

Honored Consort Xia was able to keep her veil on, revealing only a pair of eyes, in front of the Empress. She also enjoyed the Emperor’s protection. Truth to be told, Honored Consort Ya was jealous of her.

Thus, the Emperor’s order to visit the Lord Guardian’s Manor and catch the adulterous pair in action was a welcome surprise. The Emperor even told her about their crimes. She was more than happy to execute his order. Just the fact that Honored Consort Xia was the Emperor’s beloved consort was enough to make her feel danger. For her and her son, she must nip the problem in the bud. Honored Consort Xia being Prince Yi’s spy just made her all that more eager.

Honored Consort Xia and Prince Yi had some nerve to exchange information in secret!

If she could catch them red-handed, that would be the end of them. Seducing and having an affair with the Emperor’s consort, as well as secretly trading information to harm the Emperor, were crimes heavy enough to abolish the late Emperor’s will of passing the throne to Prince Yi. These crimes were akin to rebellion.

Once Ao Chenyi was out of picture, she was almost entirely sure that her son would become the Crown Prince. Ao Mingwan was no match for her son at all. This meant that her father and she would fulfill their long-time wish.

She knew very well how many men she and her father had dispatched, how much effort they had put in, and how many schemes they had put together to make her son the Crown Prince. Honored Consort Shu’s family wasn’t as good as hers and without a strong backing, Honored Consort Shu couldn’t fight against her at all.

After her carriage stopped, she waited until Ao Chenyi was gone before stepping out.

Then, she made a beeline for the Chuihua Gate. She failed to notice that, although Ao Chenyi had gone in, he left a guard near the gate. Seeing her come out of the carriage, the guard immediately ran off to find Ao Chenyi.

Worse still, she didn’t realize how popular the birthday banquet at the Lord Guardian’s Manor was. Many old ministers who used to stay away from banquets were present. The first thing Ao Chenyi did at the Lord Guardian’s Manor was chatting with them. Some of them were no longer working in court, but they still trusted Ao Chenyi. Naturally, they also remembered the late Emperor’s decree to make him the Crown Prince.

Somewhere down the line, Ao Chenyi disappeared. When a few old ministers began looking for him, a maid of the Lord Guardian’s Manor led them to a secluded corner of the manor, saying that someone had invited Prince Yi to a meeting at Weiran Pavilion. The Prince said that he welcomed anyone who wanted to see him to find him there.

The maid was enthusiastic and even went as far as to explain that Weiran Pavilion was beside the late Lord Guardian’s weapon depository. She said that perhaps someone had invited Prince Yi to check out those weapons. Her words piqued the interest of the old ministers even more, and they left with her.

They entered the courtyard from a different door. The moment they stepped in, they heard a woman speaking. The ministers were surprised and wanted to leave. It wouldn’t be convenient for them to stay and listen to Prince Yi speaking to who they assumed to be his woman.

However, the maid said something that managed to keep them from leaving and even made them actively hide behind a wall and listen to the entire conversation.

The maid sounded more as if she was speaking to herself. “The woman who is speaking called herself Honored Consort Xia. Why haven’t I heard that someone like her exists in the palace?”

The ministers didn’t hear what the woman was saying earlier; all they knew was that a woman was speaking. They were alarmed after hearing the maid’s words. The maid might not know about Honored Consort Xia, but they knew! Honored Consort Xia was the Emperor’s mysterious beloved consort, one that no one could meet. What was she saying to Prince Yi?

She even sneakily invited Prince Yi here!

Why did they believe that Honored Consort Xia had invited Prince Yi here? Well, it was obvious. The maid said that the Prince had provided his whereabouts because he was worried that other guests wouldn’t be able to find him. He had likely come here on someone’s invitation to explore the late Lord Guardian’s weapon depository. Honored Consort Xia, who had appeared out of nowhere, was likely the mastermind behind the invitation.

The ministers didn’t think the Emperor’s beloved consort had any business meeting a Prince. They felt the need to listen to their conversation carefully, especially when the Emperor was being so vague about the Crown Prince appointment. Was this a plot against Prince Yi? They must know, for they were the late Emperor’s loyal officials.

Thus, they sent the maid away. They stopped at the courtyard wall nearest to Weiran Pavilion to eavesdrop.

Honored Consort Ya wasn’t aware of this. When she brought the gifts from the palace to the Madam Dowager of the Lord Guardian’s Manor, she learned that another palace consort had done the same. The Madam Dowager didn’t look all that happy and was even frowning. Her expression didn’t look normal, to say the least.

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The Madam Dowager, leading a group of married women, walked up to the gate. When she saw a beaming Honored Consort Ya, she immediately stepped forward and saluted her.

Honored Consort Ya reached out to support the Madam Dowager’s arm. “You’re being too courteous, Madam Dowager. His Majesty sent his gifts along with Honored Consort Xia, but after she left, he thought he should send you more. That’s why he sent me here. Well, I also wanted to come here and bask in your happiness,” she explained politely.

Both women had come from the palace, bearing the Emperor’s gifts. Yet, they came one after another. It was strange indeed. Even though Honored Consort Ya’s explanation was reasonable, a few of the married women couldn’t help but find it strange. The married women accompanying the Madam Dowager were older than most, and of high status too.

Mrs. Ming’s status was comparatively weak, but her identity in the previous dynasty would have put her above them.

Of course, no one would bring up the previous dynasty at this moment. No one was tactless enough to discuss it. They were well-mannered enough to maintain basic courtesy toward Mrs. Ming.

After handing the Emperor’s gifts to the Madam Dowager, Honored Consort Ya looked around and chuckled. “Madam Dowager, do you know where Honored Consort Xia has gone?”

Honored Consort Xia excused herself to take a walk earlier, so the Madam Dowager had no idea where she had gone at this point. She summoned a maid and asked her about it. It seemed that Honored Consort Xia had strayed off the beaten path, making her way northeast.

Honored Consort Ya expressed her intention to find her fellow consort. The Madam Dowager, being the host, had to keep her company and the group of married women also found it inconvenient to excuse themselves. Besides, a few of them were late to the party earlier. They decided to tag along out of curiosity about the mysterious Honored Consort Xia.

To their surprise, someone pointed them toward Weiran Pavilion, saying that they had seen Honored Consort Xia heading that way. Honored Consort Ya led everyone to Weiran Pavilion in a grandiose manner.

The moment they turned a corner and saw Weiran Pavilion, they noticed Honored Consort Xia standing outside the pavilion and holding something in her hands. Ao Chenyi was sitting in the pavilion, looking carefree. More importantly, they caught the tail of Honored Consort Xia’s last sentence, claiming that Ao Mingyu had tried to harm Ao Chenyi. These words immediately blew up Honored Consort Ya’s temper.

“Nonsense! Bitch, you have some nerve rendezvousing with Prince Yi here and relaying information out of the palace… You even dare… You even dare to say such things.”

Honored Consort Ya was so angry that nothing seemed capable of calming her. She strode up to the pavilion and slapped Honored Consort Xia hard across the face. She took advantage of the moment to snatch the thing in Honored Consort Xia’s hands. Honored Consort Xia had committed a great crime just by saying those words earlier.

“Prince Yi, His Majesty has always treated you well. How could you plant a spy in the palace? Not only did you send this woman to the palace, but you even let her secretly attack His Majesty.”

This time, her angry rebuke was targeted at the man in the pavilion, Ao Chenyi. She had a look of righteous anger as she shook the parcel that she got from Honored Consort Xia. Immediately, several letters and a small paper packet fell out. The paper packet looked like a medicine packet. Her eyes turned red. “No wonder the Emperor’s health has always been poor! You’ve been drugging him, you wench!”

Her words were so loud and shocking that they threatened to shatter the earth. Everyone present was stunned.

Regardless of who it was, trying to murder the Emperor was a deadly crime!

With so many witnesses and irrefutable evidence in hand, Honored Consort Ya felt confident enough to speak self-righteously. Still, she couldn’t help but feel her courage deflate after meeting those beautiful but cold eyes. Feeling as if she had fallen into a bottomless pond of icy water, she immediately looked away from Ao Chenyi’s eyes.

“Do you mean to say that I sent this woman to the palace, Honored Consort Ya?” Ao Chenyi asked, his voice cold.

“Are you denying it? Prince Yi, the evidence is undeniable. Look at this medicine. This wench must have used this to poison His Majesty. You gave her these things, didn’t you?” Honored Consort Ya was certain that the paper packet contained the medicine powder that the Emperor told her about. She picked up the medicine packet from the floor and opened it. Sure enough, there was fine white powder inside.

The Madam Dowager of the Lord Guardian’s Manor looked gloomy as well, but she didn’t say anything. She stood aside, watching everything calmly.

Meanwhile, the other married women were shocked to hear such a shocking inside story. Some began to whisper among themselves. The attempted murder of the Emperor was no small matter. No matter how powerful and influential Prince Yi was, he would still be beheaded for daring to kill the Emperor.

“What about the letters?” Ao Chenyi asked coldly.

“Secret letters between you and this wench, of course. Speaking of which, does Princess Yi know that you’re rendezvousing with this wench here?” Honored Consort Ya wrapped up the packet of white powder in her hand and handed it to her maid. Then, she looked at Honored Consort Xia with a sneer. Honored Consort Xia was being restrained and her mouth was stuffed with a handkerchief, preventing her from saying anything.

The Emperor had repeatedly warned her to gag Honored Consort Xia the moment the latter was captured. Honored Consort Xia must not be allowed to say any nonsense.

She wouldn’t usually dare to do anything to Prince Yi, but the evidence was undeniable this time. There was no way that he could reverse the situation. That was why she spoke her mind freely.

“Are you referring to me, Honored Consort Ya?” Suddenly, a gentle voice resounded and captured everyone’s attention. Everyone saw Ning Xueyan walking out from behind a rockery with two maids, smiling sweetly at Honored Consort Ya and the rest. “Honored Consort Ya, do you think that His Highness will bring me along on a rendezvous?”