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

"If any oversights or improprieties are found, report them promptly."

“My sister, Consort Mei, was also present at the time and helped the Noble Consort persuade me.”

Consort Kang's additional statement dragged Consort Mei into the mess as well.

Consort Mei's face was full of panic, unable to believe that Consort Kang would betray her and her cousin at such a critical moment!

She immediately retorted, "Nonsense!"

"Your Highness Consort Kang, you are slandering me!"

"How could I... how could I have ever ordered you to do these things?!"

Consort Kang, however, adopted a helpless expression, like an honest person forced to tell the truth, and looked at Consort Mei, saying, "Sister Consort Mei, now that things have come to this, why bother to hide it anymore?"

"You and the Imperial Concubine are of the same ilk. Have you forgotten how you persuaded me that day?"

"You said that Consort Xian is aloof and difficult to get along with, and Consort Xuan has a shallow foundation. I've advised you to keep a close eye on them. If you can find their faults, Consort Gui will be able to rightfully regain control of the palace, and I will certainly benefit from that..."

"These words still echo in my ears."

Before Consort Kang could retort, she turned to Nangong Xuanyu and Shen Zhinian and earnestly said, "Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort, I... I was truly tormented at the time..."

"Your Majesty, I dare not disobey your orders, for fear of bringing disaster upon myself. But I am also unwilling to go against my conscience and frame the innocent Consort Xian and Consort Xuan."

"Therefore... therefore, although I went to Chengqian Palace and Yanxi Palace several times as instructed, I only chatted with them about trivial matters and never inquired about any palace affairs, let alone sought to cause trouble or make mistakes."

"Your Majesty, I have been trying to appease you, hoping this matter will pass by gradually..."

Many people who saw Consort Kang in this state felt that she was an honest person caught between power and conscience, torn between two options.

This explains why she frequently visited the palaces of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan.

Consort Xuan was very quick-witted and immediately seized the opportunity. She showed a look of realization and softly said "Ah" to Nangong Xuanyu, "A few days ago, Consort Kang did come to my palace a few times. She talked about the changing seasons and the flowers and plants in the garden."

"At the time, I found it a bit strange. Consort Kang is not usually a talkative person, so why did she suddenly become so close to me?"

"So...so you were sent by the Imperial Concubine to keep an eye on my mistakes!"

She spoke with a hint of grievance in her voice.

Consort Xian frowned slightly, and her clear, cold voice rang out: "Consort Kang has also visited Chengqian Palace several times."

"At the time, I also felt it was somewhat abrupt. Now, hearing it, I realize that this is the reason."

Consort Kang glanced at Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, her tone growing increasingly sorrowful: "I know that even if I was merely going through the motions for Your Highness and did not cause any harm, failing to report what I knew and being afraid of powerful figures is itself a grave crime."

The crowd's gazes shifted between Consort Zhuang and Consort Kang, each with their own thoughts.

Consort Zhuang looked at Consort Kang, her eyes filled with pain, and said in disbelief, "Sister Consort Kang, I believe I have never mistreated you."

“When you first entered the Prince’s Palace, you were timid and cowardly, and were often neglected by the servants. After His Majesty ascended the throne, it was I who brought you to the side hall of Changchun Palace to give you a place of peace.”

"Since you are sensitive to the cold in winter, I have ordered that the best charcoal be brought to you first."

"When you were promoted and moved to Chuxiu Palace, I was reluctant to let you go, but I was also genuinely happy for you."

"Over the years, I have felt sorry for your hardships in the palace, and whenever there is something good, I always remember to give you a share."

As Consort Zhuang spoke, her eyes grew redder and redder, and the sight of her about to shed tears was truly heartbreaking.

"I never imagined that I would hear such words from your mouth today..."

"What do you mean by paying attention to the mistakes of Consort Xian and Consort Xuan, and regaining control of the palace... I have never ordered you to do these things. Why are you fabricating stories and slandering me?!"

When she said these words, the heartache in her voice was almost overflowing.

In the past, Consort Zhuang was renowned for her compassion and benevolence, and anyone who heard these words would have thought Consort Kang was an ungrateful wretch.

But times have changed.

The halo of compassion surrounding Consort Zhuang has long been tarnished.

She is now a suspect in the matter concerning the Third Prince.

Consort Zhuang was also suspected of plotting to harm the imperial heir, so her act of being wronged and aggrieved greatly diminished her persuasiveness.

Human nature is so subtle.

When a person stands on high ground, pure and flawless, people will believe whatever she says.

But once a flawless surface is stained, even the most moving words will sound like sophistry.

When Consort Mei saw Consort Zhuang shed tears, her own eyes immediately reddened, and she pointed at Consort Kang, saying, "Consort Kang, how could you do this?!"

"Who in the entire palace doesn't know how the Imperial Concubine treats you?"

"I heard that when you were still living in Changchun Palace, when you were sick, the Imperial Concubine personally brought you medicine; when you were bored, the Imperial Concubine often summoned you to talk and cheer you up..."

"Now, you're smearing the Imperial Concubine! What are you if not an ingrate?!"

The lower-ranking concubines dared not utter a sound, exchanging glances filled with astonishment and suspicion.

Today's events were truly full of twists and turns, getting more and more exciting...

Faced with the accusations from Consort Zhuang and Consort Mei, Consort Kang did not back down. She kowtowed again in the direction of Nangong Xuanyu and Shen Zhinian, saying, "Your Majesty, please see the truth!"

"Every word I have said is true, not a single word is false!"

"I am not standing up today to frame anyone, but... I am simply unwilling to go against my conscience and watch someone cause unrest in the harem for their own selfish desires."

"I will never forget the kindness Your Highness has shown me. But it is precisely because of this that I feel even more heartbroken!"

"Your Highness, how glorious you were when you held power! But after losing your power to assist in managing the six palaces, you harbored resentment..."

"Your Majesty, please turn around!"

Consort Mei trembled with rage: "Shut up!"

"Consort Kang, you are slandering me!"

"When did Your Highness express any dissatisfaction with the power of the assistant? It's clearly your own ulterior motives that are being used to make baseless accusations!"

Shen Zhinian said calmly, "That's enough."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the hall.

Shen Zhinian placed one hand on her protruding belly, her brows furrowed, her face full of disappointment.

She looked at Consort Zhuang and sighed softly, "My health is deteriorating day by day, and my spirits are not as good as before. It is with His Majesty's permission to divide the affairs of the inner palace with Consort Xian and Consort Xuan."

"Firstly, it is for the sake of peace and tranquility in the palace; secondly, it is also to encourage the capable sisters to do more work and support each other."

“I am not a power-hungry person, and I have considered giving some of the palace power to the Noble Consort. However… the Noble Consort’s power to assist in managing the six palaces was taken away by His Majesty himself.”

"His Majesty's words are law, and his decrees are as solid as mountains. Although I am temporarily assuming the Phoenix Seal, how dare I disobey His Majesty's will and relinquish power without authorization?"