It has been many years since she last saw Emperor Yuanfeng like this. Concubine Pang's heart moved. She had been with Emperor Yuanfeng for so many years, so she naturally knew that Emperor Yuanfeng was now extremely angry.
She didn't dare to say anything more and just responded quietly with "yes". After seeing off Emperor Yuanfeng, she stood outside the palace and silently looked at Concubine Li's Jiqing Palace.
What does Concubine Li want to do
But although she felt uneasy, she did not dare to act rashly as she had no clue what was going on. In the past few years, Prince Zhuang had been very ambitious and had been making frequent moves. No one knew what he was up to this time. If he was targeting her and the fifth prince specifically, then the more she did, the more mistakes she would make.
Anyway, at least her Fengzao Palace is airtight. As for the matter of Princess Zhuang this time, they stayed out of it from beginning to end and did not take any action. It would not be easy for Prince Zhuang to frame her in the palace.
After taking a deep breath, she rubbed her brows tiredly and asked the anxious Sun Yuanpan: "How is Concubine Li now?"
Judge Sun was very respectful, with a bitter face, pursed his lips and answered carefully: "It's not a big deal since it was discovered early. I have already prescribed an antidote for the queen. Drinking it should be fine."
Concubine Pang nodded, went into the inner room, looked at Concubine Li once, and then came out with a serious expression.
Emperor Yuanfeng also acted very quickly. After summoning Gao Ping into the palace, he summoned Prince Zhuang into the palace.
Prince Zhuang looked depressed, haggard, and with an untidy beard. Emperor Yuanfeng frowned as soon as he saw him: "What do you look like?!"
It was extremely impolite to behave like this in an audience with the Emperor. If a court official did this, he would certainly be reported to the emperor.
Prince Zhuang was now in a daze. He reacted belatedly after hearing Emperor Yuanfeng's scolding. He then knelt on the ground in fear.
Having already lost three sons, Emperor Yuanfeng's eyebrows twitched when he thought of Tie Cong saying that he was too suspicious and forced his sons to death. He suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "You are useless! Hurry up and get up!"
King Zhuang responded in panic, and hurriedly got up, saying somewhat frustratedly: "Father, please forgive me. It is because my son is not blessed enough that I cannot give birth to a grandson for you..."
It is a terrible thing for the royal family to have no heir.
In the past, because Emperor Yuanfeng was decisive and arbitrary in killing, and Prince Zhuang was determined to have a legitimate son, he held the righteous position, and the court officials could not say anything.
But now, the second prince is a commoner and no longer a member of the royal family. Although he has a son, that does not count. Naturally, Prince Zhuang became the most promising one.
That is why the court officials were so enthusiastic about King Zhuang.
But this time, the child that Princess Zhuang had finally conceived, was gone.
This could not help but make the court officials anxious. Emperor Yuanfeng was already quite old, but he didn't even have a grandchild, and Prince Zhuang was about to turn thirty...
This pregnancy was not saved, and coupled with Tie Cong's words, although people in the court and the country did not dare to say it out loud, they were probably wondering in their hearts whether the curse of the deposed emperor had really worked.
Under such circumstances, even Prince Zhuang mentioned that he did not have enough virtue. Emperor Yuanfeng was touched by the situation and he reached out to grab a memorial on the table and slammed it on Prince Zhuang's forehead, knocking him to his knees. Then he looked at him with a gloomy face: "What do you mean by not having enough virtue? How can you not have enough virtue?!"
Prince Zhuang was stunned. He covered his head and looked up at Emperor Yuanfeng in horror. He opened his eyes and called out "Father" in fear.
Gao Ping, who was standing beside him, knelt down immediately: "Your Majesty, please calm down!"
Emperor Yuanfeng looked indifferent. He raised his hand to stop Gao Ping from speaking and looked at Prince Zhuang coldly: "How many years have you been running the government? What have you learned in all these years?"
Before Prince Zhuang could react, he heard Emperor Yuanfeng sneer coldly, "Your mother went to your palace and fell into a coma. Court Judge Sun said she was poisoned. You, the head of the family, actually know nothing and keep saying that you are not blessed enough. How could I give birth to a son like you?!"
Gao Ping already had a vague idea in his mind, and he glanced at King Zhuang when he heard it.
Prince Zhuang was obviously surprised, and he called out "Father" in disbelief. Then he thought of something and his face turned pale: "Someone wants to harm me!"
Emperor Yuanfeng snorted coldly and turned his head to look at Gao Ping: "I will leave this matter to you. You must investigate it thoroughly for me, otherwise I will punish you for incompetence!"
Gao Ping hurriedly accepted the order.
Prince Zhuang was in a trance, and then he realized what was happening. He knelt down in shock and asked Emperor Yuanfeng: "Father, what about my mother..."
He choked up and said, "Father, I want to go see my mother. She has been looking forward to having this child for many years, but now... I am sorry to her and to my father..."
Thinking of Prince Zhuang standing in front of him at the palace banquet, Emperor Yuanfeng's expression softened. He waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. No need to say more to her. You should know the affairs of your own palace. You are such an adult. Are you going to live in a muddleheaded way like this from now on?"
King Zhuang was choked with sobs and could not speak: "As long as my father is here, he will always protect me. I just don't know who is so bold as to do such a treasonous thing..."
Emperor Yuanfeng's gaze suddenly deepened, and his voice also lowered: "Oh? In your opinion, who is it?"
Yeah, who would do such a thing
To do such a thing, there must be a purpose. The other party's intention is so obvious, it is clearly targeting King Zhuang. So, who will benefit from doing such a thing
This was a test. King Zhuang knew what was going on. He looked even more confused and gnashed his teeth: "I don't know... I think I am a very cautious person and I never make things difficult for others... I don't even know who I have offended..."
Emperor Yuanfeng stared at him for a moment before saying, "Go and see your mother. Gao Ping will come to your house later. We will find out who it is after we check."
King Zhuang agreed and hurried to Jiqing Palace.
When he arrived, Concubine Li had not yet woken up after taking the medicine and Concubine Pang was about to leave, so he hurriedly bowed.
Concubine Pang's gaze lingered on him for a moment, and she quickly said, "No need to be polite. Your mother has already taken the medicine. Sun Yuanpan and several imperial doctors are watching over her. They said that she will be fine as long as she wakes up. You don't have to worry."
King Zhuang wiped the sweat from his head and thanked him sincerely.
Just looking at the surface, who would have thought that this loyal, filial and kind King Zhuang could do so many things? Concubine Pang's heart sank, and she did not feel relieved at all. She nodded calmly, said a few words and left.
After walking for a while, she subconsciously looked back and saw only the back of King Zhuang running up the stairs.