Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

She turned to look towards the door, and the last glimmer of hope in her heart vanished completely...

Nangong Xuanyu's men arrived so quickly?!

Behind Li Changde were two expressionless eunuchs and guards holding swords.

His gaze fell on Consort Jiang, and he said, "Consort Jiang, this servant is here on His Majesty's orders to ask you to come and assist in the investigation of matters related to the fire at Yawen Garden."

Another fire at Chaya Cultural Center?

Jiang Changzai almost let out a cold laugh.

What a high-sounding excuse!

Nangong Xuanyu's true purpose is probably to find out about her and Xingchen's relationship.

For the sake of his pitiful dignity, he used this excuse again and again.

In a flash, Jiang Changzai realized that he had no way out.

Resisting will only lead to death.

The only possible way to survive is to feign ignorance.

"Yawenyuan is on fire?"

Jiang Changzai's face instantly showed a look of panic: "Eunuch Li, what...what do I have to do with this?"

"I only happened to meet Lady Jiang in the Imperial Garden that day, and we only exchanged a few words!"

"His Majesty did ask, and I have told the truth in everything I said!"

"How could this be... how could I be involved in an arson case? I'm innocent! I really didn't know anything!"

As he said this, tears streamed down Jiang Changzai's face, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

Banana also came in upon hearing the commotion. Upon seeing the scene, she was terrified and knelt down with a thud: "Eunuch Li, please understand, my young master really just happened to meet Jiang."

"Your Highness is usually very well-behaved, how could she be involved in any arson case? We beg Eunuch Li to report to His Majesty, find out the truth, and clear Your Highness's name!"

If an uninformed outsider saw this pitiful state, they would probably feel some sympathy for him.

However, who exactly was Li Changde?

Having served the emperor for many years and seen countless storms, how could he be moved by Jiang Changzai's feigned tears?

Since His Majesty has already issued the decree to arrest the person, whether Jiang Changzai cries or laughs makes no difference to him at this moment.

"Jiang Changzai, His Majesty's decree has been issued, and the reason lies in His Majesty's own heart."

"This servant is only acting on imperial orders, please do not make things difficult for me."

"If there's anything to say, you'll have a chance to say it when you get to the right place."

Having said that, he stopped wasting words, his eyes flashing sharply as he gestured to the two eunuchs behind him: "Take them away!"

"No! Eunuch Li! I'm innocent!"

"Your Majesty! This concubine wishes to see Your Majesty!"

Seeing that feigning ignorance was ineffective, Consort Jiang's heart sank, and she struggled to retreat, hoping to create a greater commotion and perhaps alert those in the neighboring palaces.

Banana rushed forward to stop him, but was ruthlessly pushed away by a eunuch, staggering and falling to the ground.

Two eunuchs, one on each side, firmly restrained Consort Jiang's arms, preventing her from breaking free.

Her sleeves were torn and disheveled, and the pearl hairpins at her temples were askew and about to fall.

Seeing that crying out for justice was useless, Jiang Changzai said in a deep voice, "Li Changde! How dare you treat me like this?! I... I am His Majesty's woman..."

Li Changde didn't even give Jiang Changzai a second glance.

His Majesty's woman?

Didn't she feel guilty when she said that?

Also.

If Jiang Changzai truly had an affair with Xingchen, then what sense of propriety, righteousness, or shame could such a person have?

Jiang Changzai was half-dragged and half-carried out of Lingyan Pavilion by two eunuchs.

Lingyan Pavilion is the right-side hall of Jingren Palace.

The principal consort of Jingren Palace is Consort Tong, who is raising the Third Prince.

"Wow--!!!"

Hearing the commotion outside, the third prince was so frightened that he started to cry.

Consort Tong was timid by nature, and even she was terrified, let alone the Third Prince: "Shuangjiang, what's going on outside?"

Shuangjiang shook her head: "Eunuch Li led a lot of people and went to Jiang Changzai's place. This servant doesn't know what happened."

"But judging from this situation, it's definitely not a good thing..."

The Third Prince was still crying, and Consort Tong couldn't care less about what was happening outside.

She quickly bent down and picked up the third prince, holding him in her arms and gently patting his back: "Ah Jing, be good, Ah Jing, don't be afraid, your mother is here..."

"It's okay, it's okay..."

Consort Tong's voice was gentle, but it couldn't hide the panic in her tone.

With something happening at Lingyan Pavilion, how could she, as the head concubine, not be terrified?

Instead of being appeased, the Third Prince cried even harder because he sensed Consort Tong's unease.

Consort Tong was flustered, patting and coaxing him, her forehead beaded with sweat.

"What exactly did Jiang Changzai do that required Eunuch Li to personally lead men to arrest him?"

"Such a commotion must be serious. Shuangjiang, go and find out more."

Shuangjiang immediately replied, "Yes!"

Consort Tong was the emperor's first woman. From the time she was a prince until now, she has seen many ups and downs and knows the importance of self-preservation.

She had no family background and was not particularly quick-witted. She only obtained the rank of concubine and raised the third prince because of her past service to the emperor.

In the harem where beauties abound, she was truly inconspicuous.

Consort Tong's greatest wish was to stay by the side of the frail Third Prince and live a peaceful life.

They don't compete or fight, and they don't cause trouble.

She just wanted to find out what was going on as quickly as possible and avoid getting involved.

The Third Prince's cries continued.

Consort Tong held him in her arms, pressing her cheek against the Third Prince's tear-streaked face: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."

"Don't be afraid, Jing, it has nothing to do with us..."

With her comforting words, the Third Prince's sobs gradually subsided, and he finally fell into a deep sleep in her arms.

His little face still bore traces of tears, and his eyelashes were wet and stuck together.

Consort Tong gently placed the Third Prince on the small bed covered with soft brocade.

Soon, the Frost's Descent solar term returned.

Consort Tong asked, "How did it go? What did you find out?"

Shuangjiang said, "Your Majesty, it is said that Consort Jiang is involved in the fire at Yawen Garden, and Eunuch Li has been ordered to detain and interrogate her."

"Yawenyuan is on fire?"

Consort Tong frowned and asked, "What does that have to do with Consort Jiang? She's just a lowly Consort, how could she have such power?"

Shuangjiang shook her head, her eyes also full of confusion: "This servant doesn't understand either, but that's what Eunuch Li said."

"The Lingyan Pavilion is now sealed off. Banana and several palace servants are under surveillance and are not allowed to move around freely."

"People in our palace have also been warned not to gossip."

Consort Tong's heart sank.

This charge can be serious or minor.

But His Majesty has decreed that Li Changde will personally take action... Jiang Changzai is likely in grave danger.

Although she, as the principal consort, did not have much contact with Consort Jiang on a daily basis, they lived in the same palace.

What if... what if Consort Jiang really committed some heinous crime? In His Majesty's rage, would he take it out on the entire Jingren Palace and think that she, as the head consort, had failed in her duty?

Consort Tong looked at Shuangjiang and asked worriedly, "Shuangjiang, do you think... do you think His Majesty will take his anger out on me?"