Chapter 332: Chapter 332-Stand Out

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Peihuan gazed upon the scene before her, addressing Emperor Qi Ming directly, “Your Majesty, 1 shall tend to the Empress now.”

Without waiting for Emperor Qi Ming’s response, Jiang Peihuan, accompanied by Ye Xiao, entered the Empress’s chamber.

By the time Jiang Peihuan entered, the Empress had already opened her eyes, likely having heard the commotion outside.

Jiang Peihuan didn’t speak immediately but took the medicine from Ye Xiao’s hands. She then looked at the Empress and whispered, “Your Royal Highness, please take the medicine.”

Ye Xiao stepped forward, propping a pillow behind the Empress. Seeing the medicine Jiang Peihuan brought to her lips, the Empress opened her mouth to take it.

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After swallowing the medicine, the Empress said softly, “All these years I’ve been in the palace, I have never wronged them. Yet they harbor such deep hatred for me and the child within me.”

“It’s not you they despise, but the titles of Empress and Crown Prince,” Jiang Peihuan responded, even though she hadn’t wanted to. But she knew the Empress needed someone to talk to.

Hearing this, a bitter expression appeared on the Empress’s face.

“Your Royal Highness, be at ease. The Emperor will make the right decision,” Jiang Peihuan consoled, and the Empress finished the bowl of medicine.

Just as Jiang Peihuan handed the empty bowl to Ye Xiao, cries could be heard from outside.

“Your Majesty, I had nothing to do with this! 1 have no idea why the maid would accuse me. I swear 1 have never ordered her to poison the Empress.”

Inside, Jiang Peihuan noticed the fury in the Empress’s eyes upon hearing these accusations. She quickly took the Empress’s hand, saying, “Your Royal Highness, don’t be angry. Remember the child within you.”

Outside, the cries continued, “Your Majesty, you’ve known me since we were children. You know 1 could never even hurt an ant. How could I poison…”

“Your Majesty, the Empress needs rest,” someone interjected, interrupting the distressed voice.

Looking up, they saw Jiang Peihuan standing at the entrance to the Empress’s chamber.

Upon seeing Jiang Peihuan, Emperor Qi Ming quickly inquired about the well-being of the Empress and the child.

“Her Royal Majesty has just taken her medicine and needs rest. But the noise outside is disturbing her,” Jiang Peihuan said.

“Imperial brother, do not let these cries disturb the peace of my imperial sister-in-law. Conduct the inquiry by the palace gates,” said Xiao Nanye in a cold voice.

After Xiao Nanye’s statement, all the eunuchs and palace maids were led out.

Emperor Qi Ming had no choice but to follow them to the palace gates. Chairs were quickly set up for him and Xiao Nanye. Xiao Nanye took Jiang Peihuan’s hand and said, “Huan Er, come and sit.”

Now, all the side consort stood near the palace gates. Even though it wasn’t extremely cold, a chilly breeze was blowing.

A gust of cold air made the side consorts shiver involuntarily.

“Your Majesty, I am cold,” one of them voiced.

“Consort Meng, perhaps you should first explain the matter of the empress being poisoned to the emperor. Otherwise, plotting against the crown prince is a grave crime, and even the Zhao family can’t escape punishment.”

Xiao Nanye glanced at Consort Meng, a faint smile on his lips. However, there wasn’t the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes, only threats and warnings.

Meeting Xiao Nanye’s gaze, Consort Meng harbored deep resentment in her heart, but she didn’t dare to utter a word. Instead, she cried pitifully.

Inside the room.

The empress, with the help of her maid, watched this scene from a distance, mockery evident in her eyes. “After all these years, she only knows this one trick.”

“Your Royal Majesty, you should rest. Queen Cheng has instructed that you need plenty of it.”

“With Queen Cheng and her husband here, you will be fine.”

With the maid’s support, the empress laid back in bed.

Looking at the maid before her, the empress whispered, “My past kindness towards Nanye was simply because the emperor favored him. Never did 1 expect that now he would be the one to stand up for me.”

“Your Royal Majesty?”

“Forget it. Go tell the emperor that this is a misunderstanding, and he should not pursue it.”

“Your Royal Majesty, are you sure?”

“Have you ever seen the emperor truly care for her over these years? Knowing the outcome, it might be better for me to speak up.”

The maid’s eyes were filled with sympathy, but she knew the empress was right.

A moment later, the maid came out and relayed the empress’s message.

As expected, upon hearing the empress’s words, Emperor Qi Ming heaved a sigh of relief, and a smug look flashed across Consort Meng’s eyes.

The other concubines exchanged knowing glances.

Watching this, Jiang Peihuan couldn’t help but frown.

Before, she had only heard of the empress’s gentle nature. Now, she realized the reason behind it.

“Imperial Brother, 1 have something to report.”

“What is it?”

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, Emperor Qi Ming responded instinctively.

Facing the emperor, Xiao Nanye spoke calmly, “A few days ago, an official from the punishment department reported a case. A man killed a street vendor in broad daylight. That man was Zhao Guang, the legitimate son of the Zhao family.”

Zhao Guang was not only the legitimate heir of the Zhao family but also the fiance of the fourth princess and the nephew of Consort Meng.

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, fury blazed in Consort Meng’s eyes.

However, Xiao Nanye ignored her, turning to Emperor Qi Ming, “Imperial brother, there’s concrete evidence. How should we handle this?”

“Emperor, this must be a misunderstanding. Guang…”

“A misunderstanding? Are you suggesting I falsely accused him?”

Before Consort Meng could finish, Xiao Nanye interrupted her.

“King Cheng always acts justly. However, knowing the close relationship between you and the empress, and considering the timing of this news about Guang Er, I can’t help but suspect you are taking sides with the empress.”

As she uttered the last sentence, a sinister look appeared in Consort Meng’s eyes.

“I am siding with the empress. So what?”

“Your Majesty, you heard him. King Cheng has admitted it.”

“Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister-in-law is your main consort, whom you married grandly from the Xuanwu gate. Even if Consort Meng is favored, she’s still just a side consort. Would you tarnish the empress’s reputation for a mere side consort?”

“A side consort is nothing more than a plaything.”

Everyone present, except for Jiang Peihuan, were Emperor Qi Ming’s side consort. At Xiao Nanye’s words, they all wore expressions of displeasure.

However, the latter did not care at all.

“Imperial brother, if killing a vendor is not a big deal, then is secretly building a gambling house not a grave crime?”