The Virtuous Concubine

Malu and the Fourth Prince sat facing each other like this, looking at each other in silence. The two were very close, yet it seemed as if there was an invisible barrier between them.

Malu's fingers subconsciously rubbed the warm tea bowl in her hand, waiting for the Fourth Prince to speak. But the Fourth Prince was very calm. After all, it was not him who was anxious about the prince.

In this silent contest, whoever speaks first will expose his or her inner eagerness and anxiety, and will lose in this psychological game.

Malu looked at the Fourth Prince with complicated eyes. After a moment of silence, she seemed to muster up great courage and said softly in an almost pleading tone: "Fourth Prince, now there are only the two of us here, mother and son. If you have anything to say, just say it directly. Don't be so secretive. Do we still need to test and be on guard against each other like this?"

The Fourth Prince laughed sarcastically and said coldly: "Such a dirty thing, instead of covering it up, should it be brought out in the open for everyone to know?!"

Malu's heart tightened, for she knew that the "dirty things" the Fourth Prince was talking about were referring to the complicated relationship between her and the Crown Prince.

She stopped talking, but the Fourth Prince's eyes were fixed on Malu, as if he wanted to find a trace of guilt and regret on her face.

But he failed.

She was nervous and worried, but she didn't regret it at all!

When the Fourth Prince noticed this, he suddenly felt an overwhelming rage and could not control his heartache and contempt:

"Mother, at this point, are you still going to play dumb in front of me? How can those items on the prince's body and your private dealings with him be explained by ordinary 'care'?! Have you ever thought that your absurd behavior will not only bring shame to the emperor, but also bring disaster to the entire Yonghe Palace! Once others know about it, you will be ruined, do you know that? Your six children will all be suspected, do you know that?!"

What a stern rebuke.

Malu's body trembled slightly, she knew she could no longer hide it. She lowered her head, avoiding the Fourth Prince's sharp gaze.

Seeing Malu remain silent and duck his head, the anger in the Fourth Prince's heart subsided a little, and his tone softened. There was pain, helplessness, and a subtle concern, and he asked softly:

"Mother, what sweet words did he use to deceive you, making you fall for his trick so easily? If he made any promises to you, why didn't he come to discuss it with me? I have my own abilities and means. What he can give you, I can do the same. The position of Queen Mother, endless wealth and glory for a lifetime, and even support for the Wuya clan, can't I do all these for you? Why... why do you have to do this?"

Malu suddenly raised his head and looked straight at the Fourth Prince, but the words he uttered made him despair.

"No. He didn't coax me, nor did he threaten or bribe me. We were in love with each other."

When the Fourth Prince heard this, the color on his face instantly faded. He widened his eyes and stared at Malu, as if he couldn't believe his ears. After a long time, he came to his senses and said in a hoarse voice:

"Mother, how can you say such a thing?"

There was a hint of crying in the Fourth Prince's voice.

Malu turned her head slightly to avoid the Fourth Prince's painful and reproachful gaze. She bit her lips lightly, as if she was hesitating whether to continue.

The Fourth Prince looked at Malu and said, "Mother, you are confused! You are confused! Do you know what you are doing? I beg you, I really beg you to wake up! The prince is in danger now, I beg you to stay away from him!"

As he spoke, the Fourth Prince bent his legs and knelt down, his eyes bloodshot: "Mother, I don't care what you thought before, but from now on, you must cut off all contact with the Crown Prince and completely draw a line. Otherwise, don't blame me for not considering the relationship between mother and son. He will be deposed soon, and I also hope that Mother, don't interfere in anything related to the Crown Prince!"

Malu stared at the Fourth Prince with her eyes wide open in disbelief. After a moment, she suddenly came to her senses, grabbed the Fourth Prince by the collar, and asked him, "What did you do during the Spring Festival? What did you do?"

Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince couldn't help but reveal a cold and cruel smile: "Yes, my son has been working on this recently. By the evening, everything should be settled. It's a two-birds-with-one-stone plan. Mother, you will definitely be very happy."

Ma Lu could not help but shake the Fourth Prince's body vigorously, and said in a trembling voice: "Fourth Prince, how can you be so cruel? The Crown Prince is your elder brother, how can you do such a cruel thing to him? Aren't you afraid of being punished by God for doing this?"

The Fourth Prince gently broke free from Malu's hands, straightened his tangled collar, and a hint of barely perceptible pain flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

He said coldly: "Mother, you are the one who should be afraid of God's punishment for doing such a thing. I am only doing this for you to set things right! Everything I have done is for the Yonghe Palace and for the country of the Qing Dynasty. I have absolutely no selfish thoughts."

Malu snorted coldly, the anger in his eyes not diminishing at all: "You speak in a high-sounding manner, but how can I not know what you are thinking? Do you want to take advantage of the prince's loss of power and replace him yourself? Don't forget, he is your brother, the prince appointed by your father!"

The smile on the Fourth Prince's face deepened: "Mother, you misunderstood me. I have never had the intention to replace the Crown Prince. I just hope that you can see the Crown Prince's true face, so that my country will not fall into the hands of treacherous people. The Crown Prince did something so unethical, and a virtuous person should replace him."

Having said that, the Fourth Prince stood up.

Malu took a step back in shock, looking at him defensively.

The Fourth Prince felt a sudden pain in his heart. He took a step forward and tried to grab Malu, but Malu dodged him like a snake or scorpion.

"Mother, everything I did was to protect you and everyone in Yonghe Palace."

Malu did not speak, but turned around silently, with her back to the Fourth Prince. Her shoulders were trembling slightly, and she was obviously in great pain.

After a long while, she slowly said, "You can go now. I want to be alone for a while. If anything happens to the prince, I will no longer have a son like you, and you don't have to come to Yonghe Palace anymore."

The Fourth Prince opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but finally closed it silently.

He looked at Malu deeply, then turned and left, leaving Malu standing alone in the empty palace, crying loudly.