At this moment, the king was fuming so much that he didn’t even mention the one-month limit again.

  Consequently, by making Consort Zheng continuously reflect on herself inside Sophora Flower Palace, it was just like he was throwing Consort Zheng into the Cold Palace.

  When Nanny Su realized the king’s implication, she jolted in alarm and quickly groveled before him. She hastily covered up Consort Zheng’s mouth while dissuading her insistently in a whisper, “Your Highness, don’t say anymore, Your Highness! Quickly kowtow in thanks, Your Highness!”


  Ultimately, Consort Zheng ended up fainting.

  By the time the news travelled to the queen’s Central Palace, it was already 10 o’clock at night.

  The queen hurriedly got up to change clothes, intending to visit the crown prince over at the Eastern Palace, but in the end, she was dissuaded against it by her personal nanny.

  “Noble Consort Zheng has been demoted to Consort Zheng, Your Majesty.” Her personal nanny, Huaxuan, pursed her lips in a slight smile.

  “This crown prince consort truly is extraordinary.”


  “Sigh, I don’t know what to say about my royal son, that child. From where did he find this wife of his? That stoic face really agonizes me to death.” The queen sighed. “Originally, my child is willful and unbridled in front of his father. It’s great now! The wife he’s marrying is even more unruly and reckless than him. My my, these future days are going to be very lively.”


  Her personal royal maid, Hexiang, giggled before consoling the queen. “The king definitely understands that the crown prince and crown prince consort are both candid people.”


  The queen also started laughing as she pointed at Hexiang. “Nanny, look at what He is saying. They’re clearly unruly and reckless, but it turns into praise coming out of her mouth. What do you mean by candid people, hahaha. Sigh.”


  “Your Majesty, the younger generations will do all right on their own. This old servant thinks that you shouldn’t get involved tonight.” The old nanny said, “The king will definitely still be in a temper right now. This servant also heard that the king had summoned the second prince to the royal study earlier tonight.”


  The old nanny’s voice lowered as she muttered something right against Queen Zhao’s ear.

  The queen nodded. “This Consort Zheng is indeed strange. Why was she in such a hurry to make a move against the crown prince consort’s mother and sister at Dongshun Gate? This doesn’t really match up with her usual cautious manner from the past.”


  “This servant heard that His Highness the Crown Prince even very intimately called the crown prince consort’s mother ‘Mom.’ His Highness and the crown prince consort escorted them out the door, but for some reason, they got ambushed when they got to Dongshun Gate.”


  Yet when the queen heard this, she immediately humphed. “I don’t see that child being so intimate with me normally.”


  The maidservants covered their mouths as they laughed up their sleeves.

  Afterwards, the queen pushed aside the jewelry on the dressing table and turned around in a huff. “I’m going to bed.”


  The news that the crown prince consort had furiously pulverized the Classics Reverence Chamber and shot down Sophora Flower Palace in frost had seemingly grown wings as it spread all over the entire royal court within a night.

  Some of the more well-informed high officials had naturally received the news, and they exclaimed in admiration while tutting in amazement.

  Based on their knowledge, Noble Consort Zheng’s favor with the king hadn’t diminished for years. Yet who would’ve expected that she would be so unfortunate when confronting the crown prince consort tonight, even being stripped of her status as a noble consort.

  Suddenly realizing that developments had taken a new turn, the officials sent letters home to their sons, admonishing them not to speak of the matter.

  Although Qiao Mu didn’t show anything on her face after returning to the Eastern Palace, Mo Lian knew that she was still fuming.

  Mo Lian raised his hand and called, “Xiao’ye[1].”


  “This subordinate is present!”


  “Didn’t you mention that Courtesan Zheng summoned her Zheng Estate’s Second Manager today? Go investigate the reason,” the crown prince commanded.

  “Yes! This subordinate will leave right now.”


  “Darling, don’t be angry, we’ll take revenge in secret!” Mo Lian immediately hugged his wifey and stroked her back in order to pacify her.

  ——


  [1] Xiao’ye means late-night snack