Concubine De was still kneeling outside. The midsummer weather was so hot that it was hard to breathe. She had been kneeling for too long. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead and her face was pale. When she saw Emperor Longqing and Empress Fang coming out, she quickly prostrated herself on the ground.
There were more and more voices in the court saying that she was disrespectful to the Empress. Although this was the Emperor's family affair, it was no small matter as it concerned the royal descendants. She had previously received ladies of honor on behalf of Empress Fang and given up rewards, which had already caused a lot of dissatisfaction. This time, the little prince's serious illness was also blamed on her.
She happened to be in charge of palace affairs, so she had no way of defending herself. As soon as she saw Queen Fang, she tearfully admitted her fault: "It was all my fault for not managing the place properly, and I let someone disturb the little prince. I deserve to die!"
She was so frightened that she was shaking like a leaf in the autumn wind. Her face turned pale with fear, and even the color of her lips faded. She looked extremely pitiful.
The anger in Queen Fang's heart surged uncontrollably.
She laughed coldly and shook her head indifferently: "Sister, what are you talking about? I'm afraid we are the ones who deserve to die..."
De Fei was already on the verge of collapse. After hearing her words, she immediately shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I dare not have such thoughts... If I have such thoughts, I will be struck by lightning..."
She knew that the little prince's illness was now blamed on her. Who outside didn't say that she was too ambitious? Even the chief minister of the cabinet, Xia Song, advised Emperor Longqing to respect the empress to avoid disaster.
At this time, she must not leave any handle for the Queen to take advantage of.
Queen Fang was extremely angry and scolded with a cold face: "What do you look like?! What do you think you are thinking? Is it worth it for you to swear like this?"
It was common for her to have cold wars and quarrels with Emperor Longqing in the past, but no matter what happened in the past, Emperor Longqing would always humble himself and try to make her happy as he did in the past.
Only this time, Emperor Longqing killed her cousin Fang Zhengrong and uprooted the Fang family, stripping away all the reputation of her mother's family. Their Fang family had no dignity left.
She was angry, but Emperor Longqing was so cruel that he didn't come to see her in Fengyi Palace for more than ten days.
In the end, the matter was settled, and the Fang family was doomed. Emperor Longqing began to go to Fengyi Palace again, but would she want to see him when he came
He didn't care about her face or the little prince's face, and insisted on raiding the Fang family. He was so excessive, could it be that she couldn't even be angry
In the past, even if she was willful, Emperor Longqing would have been patient with her.
But this time it was different, Concubine De tripped him tightly.
Defei was even more frightened and just kept shaking her head, but did not dare to argue.
Empress Fang couldn't stand her look. She sneered and asked someone to bring up the maid who was burning paper money. She rubbed her brows and didn't look at Concubine De. She only faced Emperor Longqing: "This maid used to work in Concubine Feng's palace. If she wanted to burn paper, she should have gone to Concubine Feng's Fengzao Palace, but she came to Fengyi Palace instead..."
Empress Fang was a little unable to continue, her throat choked with sobs: "She said that someone told her that Concubine Feng died in an unclear manner. If she wanted to enjoy the incense of the world, she had to find the palace of a person with good fortune, draw a circle outside, write Concubine Feng's name in the circle, and then burn paper money..."
Defei clutched the hem of her clothes, feeling cold in her heart.
Although this move by Queen Fang was nothing new, she was still a person who had a deep affection for Emperor Longqing, and the little prince was the apple of his eye...
That little maid must have been bribed a long time ago...
Before she could come up with an idea, Emperor Longqing said "oh" and looked at the little maid calmly, asking expressionlessly, "Who told you?"
The little maid was so frightened that her face turned pale and her voice was shaking. She finally managed to utter a complete sentence: "It was... it was Eunuch Deshun from the palace of Concubine De who told me... He said that it would be the best time to burn paper in the evening..."
Queen Fang sneered heavily: "It can be seen that she has made great progress after taking charge of palace affairs. She even knows when the nurse in my palace carries the little prince back to the side hall from my palace..."
These words were so heartbreaking that they almost directly pointed out that Concubine De was harming others.
Concubine De was in tears and almost gnashed her teeth at Empress Fang, but she had no other choice.
Queen Fang's scheme was so shabby and full of loopholes, but she just couldn't say anything. How could she prove that De Shun didn't say anything just by opening and closing her lips
What's more, since Queen Fang was so sure, the little palace maid must really have some connection with Deshun.
She was startled and felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. Soon she could not bear it anymore and held her stomach and cried out in pain.
Emperor Longqing stood up hurriedly, his previous anger instantly disappeared - the child in Concubine De's belly was also very important. If Concubine De also gave birth to a son, then his heirs would be secure.
He held Queen Fang's hand, and seeing her biting her lip and sneering, he let go of her hand after hesitating for a moment and immediately asked Eunuch An to find the imperial physician.
After the imperial physician examined her, he said that Concubine De was overly excited and was about to give birth.
Emperor Longqing immediately had Consort De sent back to Lanyue Palace, and frowned at Empress Fang: "After all, it is my child... I know you feel wronged. If you have anything to say, it won't be too late to talk about it after she gives birth."
It was such a hot day, but Empress Fang's hands were still cold. Not only were her hands cold, but her heart was cold too, all the way to the bottom of her heart. She looked at Emperor Longqing, and seemed very indignant, but she finally suppressed it, and after a while she hummed softly: "I know..."
Emperor Longqing was a little afraid to look at her.
If she had made a scene like she did before, he would have felt better, but when Queen Fang looked at him with such grievance, he felt extremely guilty.
He sighed after a long time, shook Queen Fang's hand, and decided to go to Lanyue Palace to take a look.
Empress Fang wanted to go with him: "I am the Empress of the Central Palace after all. When a concubine gives birth, it is my duty as the Empress to be present."
Emperor Longqing was a little hesitant: "But I don't know how Aman is doing yet. I'm afraid he will have a relapse. You don't have to go there. Just stay in the palace and take good care of Aman."
Queen Fang thought about it and finally agreed.
After seeing off Emperor Longqing, he went straight back to the bedroom without stopping for a moment. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at his son's profile. His throat felt sore and painful. He closed his eyes and it took a long time before a sneer came out of his throat.