Hearing that the palace grounds were to be searched, everyone’s expressions varied—some were calm, some even pleased, but none seemed guilty or anxious.
Among them, one person appeared to be watching the spectacle with excitement.
Prince Xuan noticed all of this but said nothing.
For a moment, silence hung over the hall, heavy and tense enough to almost suffocate.
Then, suddenly, a very out-of-place sound broke the tension—“Gurgle.”
In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward the source.
Shen Jingyi’s face flushed crimson. She pressed a hand to her stomach, embarrassed to the point of wishing she could crawl into a hole and disappear.
She forced a smile, stammering an explanation:“Um… I… I didn’t have breakfast this morning… I’m a little hungry.”
Prince Xuan looked at her and almost smiled. This small interruption eased some of the heaviness that had been hanging over him.
Seeing that it was already past the lunch hour, he spoke:“All right, everyone may disperse.”
Leading the way, he walked past Shen Jingyi and, without hesitation, took her along with him.
Once everyone had left, the spacious hall was left with only Chu Mengyao and Su Wan.
Su Wan, still glaring, mocked from her place:“Really, who would’ve thought after all these years of rivalry, we’d be undone by an insignificant concubine!”
“Hmph. She’s always so quiet that people tend to underestimate her. Indeed, it’s the quiet ones that are the fiercest.”
Chu Mengyao spoke while rising to her full height, casting a haughty glance at Su Wan.
Then she sneered:“No matter what, I am still the Queen Consort. Even if I’m temporarily out of favor, it’s only temporary. As long as I live, you will remain merely concubines.”
With that, she swung her sleeve and strode out, followed by her retinue.
Su Wan’s gaze followed Chu Mengyao’s retreating figure, eyes glinting with a nearly maniacal hatred.
Her family background was strong—why should she be relegated to the rank of a concubine?
She was the eldest legitimate daughter, raised with the expectation of becoming the matriarch.
Why, in the end, had she become a concubine she despised?
A bitter snort escaped her lips as she muttered to herself:“No matter how elegant the title ‘Side Consort,’ it’s still just a concubine!”
She stood there, dazed and lost in thought.
Behind her, Nanny Xia, who had raised the proud young lady from childhood, approached tenderly.“Master, try to think positively. Life isn’t always fair, but many envy your position. Your current restrictions are only temporary. Think of the Second Young Master and the Little Princess—let’s go back.”
Su Wan disliked being called “Side Consort,” so those close to her always addressed her as “Master.”
Zijuan, standing nearby, added in agreement:“Yes, Master. The Little Princess hasn’t seen you all morning. She must be searching for you right now.”
Hearing this, Su Wan took a deep breath and slowly calmed herself.“All right, let’s go.”
..
Yulan Courtyard
Shen Jingyi ate her lunch quickly yet gracefully. Watching her enjoy her meal so heartily, Prince Xuan helped himself to an extra bowl.
After the meal, Chuju entered.“Your Highness, I’ve searched every courtyard. Nothing was found.”
Prince Xuan nodded.“Understood. You may leave.”
Then, glancing at Shen Jingyi, he asked,“A little disappointed, perhaps?”
Shen Jingyi blinked in surprise. Disappointed? I wasn’t thinking anything at all.Still, she replied,“No, not at all. I figured we wouldn’t find anything.”
“Then why were you so excited when you heard they were searching the grounds?”
Shen Jingyi quickly shook her head.“Not at all.”
She wouldn’t admit she had been watching the show unfold, but seeing the reactions of the other women confirmed there was nothing to be found.
She hastily changed the subject:“Your Highness, do you still have other matters to attend to?”
Prince Xuan raised an eyebrow.“Do you?”
Shen Jingyi lowered her gaze and spoke softly:“I was only thinking, Your Highness, that now that the Queen Consort and Side Consort Su have been restricted, they may be dissatisfied. Since the Young Prince and Xiao Zi Mo are their children, it may be better for you to speak with them, so no rift forms between father and sons.”
Prince Xuan studied her for a moment, then said gravely:“Understood.”
He paused, then asked,“Anything else?”
Shen Jingyi quickly shook her head:“No… nothing else.”
“Very well. I shall go to the outer courtyards then,” he said.
Shen Jingyi stood and accompanied him to the door.“Your Highness, allow me to see you off.”
Once he departed, she finally relaxed, stifling a yawn. With nothing else to do, she returned to her room for a nap.
..
Unexpectedly, that afternoon, Prince Xuan summoned Xiao Zihong and Xiao Zi Mo to the study.
What he said to them was unknown, but when the two emerged, their eyes were red-rimmed.
Xiao Zihong immediately dashed to the back garden.
The atmosphere in the main courtyard was tense; the servants trembled as he ran toward them.
Seeing the young prince return, they breathed a sigh of relief. With him and the Queen Consort speaking to comfort the Queen, all would be well.
They quickly reported:“Your Highness, the Young Prince has returned.”
Chu Mengyao, seated in the main hall, was delighted to hear of her son’s return. She had just fixed a smile when she heard:“Mother, why did you do this?”
Seeing his mother, Xiao Zihong couldn’t hold back, demanding an explanation.
The Queen Consort’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by confusion.“Hong’er, what are you saying? Mind your manners.”
Xiao Zihong inhaled deeply and bowed:“Yes, son greets Mother.”
Chu Mengyao frowned, but her eyes were still full of love.“Stand up. Why have you returned at this time?”
Xiao Zihong straightened and grit his teeth:“Mother, Father already told me everything about what you have done these past years.”
Chu Mengyao stiffened, forcing calm into her voice.“Hong’er, Mother has been wronged. Mother did nothing.”
Xiao Zihong pressed his lips together, then said firmly:“Mother, Father showed me evidence and witnesses.”
Chu Mengyao’s face paled further, her voice trembling slightly:“And now… are you here to judge me?”
Xiao Zihong quickly shook his head.“No, Mother, I do not mean that.”
He held her hands tightly, eyes sincere and resolute:“Mother, please promise me—you will never act like this again. I will work hard, become strong, and be your support, your pride.”
Tears welled up in Chu Mengyao’s eyes.“All right, Mother will rely on you from now on.”
Hearing her promise, the young boy’s face finally lit up with a brilliant smile.“Mother, rest assured. I will petition Father to lift your restrictions, and return your authority over the steward as well.”
“All right~” Chu Mengyao nodded, heart full of relief and hope.