Chapter 79

Initially, Empress Qin arranged for Consort Li to enter the Eastern Palace, partly out of consideration for family ties and partly to monitor the situation in the harem of the Eastern Palace.

Unexpectedly, Consort Li turned out to be so foolish.

Just to deal with a mere concubine, she ended up plotting against the Crown Prince.

She deserved to be punished!

Empress Qin had a keen eye for detail and, given her nature, should have directly dealt with Consort Li to prevent her from making any more foolish mistakes in the future.

However, since she was still a relative, Empress Qin ultimately couldn't bring herself to be too harsh. She only issued an edict ordering Consort Li to go to Ziyun Nunnery for a month of seclusion to reflect on her actions.

When Consort Li received this imperial edict, she was struck as if by lightning, almost fainting.

She had written to Empress Qin, her aunt, with great hope, seeking her help. Not only did she not receive any assistance, but her aunt also sent her to a nunnery!

Consort Li felt a deep sorrow welling up inside her, and she could no longer hold back her tears, crying out loud.

Caiyun wanted to comfort her but didn't know how to start.

Honestly, she also felt like crying.

Although Ziyun Nunnery was built with imperial funds and was not far from Shengjing City, with a relatively good environment and no worries about food and clothing,

it was still a nunnery. How could it compare to the comfort of the palace?

More importantly, there were so many women in the harem of the Eastern Palace, all trying to get closer to the Crown Prince. As the saying goes, "New faces laugh, old faces weep." Consort Li would be away for a month, and when she returned, the Crown Prince might have already forgotten what she looked like!

If Consort Li were completely forgotten, the palace maids and eunuchs in Jinfeng Hall would likely have a hard time in the future.

Caiyun felt more and more sad and couldn't help but cry along.

...

That afternoon, Consort Li was packed into a carriage and sent to Ziyun Nunnery outside the city.

There were only two concubines in the Eastern Palace, and now that Consort Li was sent away, only Concubine Bai remained.

When this news reached Yulian Hall, everyone there was overjoyed.

In the past, Consort Li had deliberately made things difficult for them. Now that she had been punished by Empress Qin, they finally felt a sense of vindication.

Concubine Bai also felt a great deal of the oppression in her heart lift, and she felt more spirited.

This was probably the only good news she had heard in a long time.

However, before she could enjoy her happiness for long, she was frightened back to bed by the next piece of news.

Lying on her bed, Concubine Bai asked weakly,

"Did you hear clearly? Is it true that His Highness the Crown Prince is really going to leave the palace and travel south?"

Liu Xu consoled her, "We didn't hear wrong. This news has spread throughout the palace, and even the Emperor has approved it. It's absolutely true. My lady, you mustn't be too anxious. If you worry too much, it will make the Crown Prince sad."

Concubine Bai said weakly, "How can I not be anxious? The Crown Prince is so precious, how can he go to such a remote place? They say that poor and remote areas are full of troublemakers. If anything happens to the Crown Prince, I... I..."

The more she spoke, the more she felt heartbroken, and she clutched her chest, feeling unwell again.

Liu Xu hurriedly said, "Don't say any more. I'll go get the imperial physician for you."

"No, I don't want to see the physician. Help me up, I need to see the Crown Prince. I need to persuade him to change his mind."

As she spoke, Concubine Bai struggled to get out of bed.

Liu Xu tried to dissuade her, but to no avail. Concubine Bai was determined, and Liu Xu had no choice but to help her get dressed and support her as she went to see the Crown Prince.