Rong Fei is not honored

Princess didn't betray the Tong family or want to be their enemy. If she's keeping it from her family, then so be it.

On the other side, a worried Ji Nai repeatedly pondered his words and actions throughout the day, only breathing a sigh of relief after confirming that there had been no mistakes. But even so, his heart remained uneasy.

Emperors are suspicious creatures. Even if Kangxi had investigated the matter thoroughly, he would still be suspicious and would definitely investigate Nara clan behind her back.

Otherwise, why bother to have the Crown Prince's servant beaten to death in the courtyard of Changchun Palace?

First, it was to punish the Crown Prince and let him know the consequences of his mistakes; second, it was to warn her, Consort Tong, and Consort Shen whether they could withstand the Emperor's wrath if they said anything they shouldn't have; and third, it was to intimidate Consort Xi, showing her that both thunder and rain were imperial favors, and that she had to endure even if she felt wronged.

But at the same time, it was also a warning to Consort Nara. If she hadn't been suspicious, why would she have done such a bloody thing outside her palace when Consort Nara and her son were not yet out of danger?

What nonsense about not knowing she was pregnant, or how she could use a child to scheme against someone else? It's all rubbish. As long as the benefits are there, nothing is worth giving up.

However, lacking concrete evidence and with Consort Nara being the apparent victim, Kangxi couldn't directly express his suspicions. Furthermore, given that the matter concerned the Crown Prince, he could only try to quell the situation as quickly as possible.

As for Lady Nara, we can investigate her later. As long as we find even the slightest clue, even if the matter is officially closed, Kangxi will find an excuse to punish her.

Even without leaving any evidence, mere suspicion was enough to cause Nara to completely fall out of favor.

"Is Your Highness worried about Consort Nara?" Granny Li looked at her depressed mistress with a pang of sympathy.

"I'm too busy taking care of my own affairs to have time to meddle in other people's business."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Too close, the two things happened too close together. I was injured not long ago, and then Consort Nara... The palace has been quite turbulent lately."

Of course, Ji Nai was not worried about the unrest in the palace, but about herself.

Geese leave traces as they fly by, and the wind leaves its sound as it passes. From the very beginning, Ji Nai knew that there was no such thing as a flawless scheme. If he wanted to keep his hands clean, he had to do nothing at all.

However, in her eagerness to save the eldest princess's life, hoping that fate would follow the path of her previous life and that they could be mother and son again in another life, she acted carelessly and left traces.

To prevent others from using this matter to scheme against her again, the only way is to eliminate the root cause.

"Could it be that His Majesty... has become suspicious?"

Normally, if Consort Nara encountered the Crown Prince, she would avoid him even if she was resentful. Her unusual behavior of actively seeking him out was indeed unusual and could not be explained by a simple "moment of anger".

If Consort Nara were the kind of person who is easily swayed by emotions, she would never have survived to this day, let alone become pregnant with the imperial heir and give birth to Prince Wanfu so soon after Empress Hesheli's death.

At that time, Empress Niohuru had not yet entered the palace as empress, and the palace was not as peaceful as it is now.

Therefore, it is quite normal for His Majesty to suspect Noble Lady Nara. But if Noble Lady Nara's incident might be a ruse, what about the incident that happened to his own master not long ago?

Even though the circumstances were not quite the same, there were too many coincidences and accidents when the master got into trouble, and the little eunuch who "made a mistake" disappeared afterwards.

Although that person was not clean to begin with, and his accidental slip was a deliberate act under orders to cause Wuya's miscarriage, they were just going along with it.

But the person didn't die; they simply disappeared, which is always a potential problem. The worst-case scenario is that the Emperor himself took them away, and they might spread rumors and slander the Emperor…

"Just wait and see. If His Majesty comes to Zhongcui Palace again today," then it will prove that he has indeed become suspicious.

Granny Li reminded him, "If the Crown Prince is in trouble, will His Majesty still come to Zhongcui Palace?" The worst thing is that he might have suspicions, but he would just keep them to himself.

"He will come." Whether he asks directly or probes indirectly, Kangxi will definitely come once he has suspicions.

After all, Ji Nai had always been seen as a positive figure in Kangxi's mind. The fact that he was just a servant was not enough to shatter the trust that they had worked so hard to build.

If someone completely dismisses Ji Nai based on a few words from others, then it can only mean that she has misjudged him in both her lives.

Clearly, Ji Nai was right; Kangxi kept him around for the sake of the crown prince.

He didn't even set foot in the right hall where Consort Nara was; he simply waited quietly. When he heard the imperial physician report that Consort Nara's child had been saved, Kangxi breathed a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Liang Jiugong, who had just returned from completing his mission, saw the flickering light in his emperor's eyes and knew that he had not yet made up his mind.

Indeed, His Majesty's single-minded protection of the Crown Prince has already caused Consort Nara to suffer. If he were to also silence all the servants around her... even a clay figure has some temper.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department is outside."

Feeling the Emperor's gaze upon him, Liang Jiugong dared not take credit and explained:

"It was Consort Rong's order. Although Xiao Anzi had made a trip to Jingyang Palace earlier and had the servants send over the commonly used items, there were still too many missing. Considering that the servants around Noble Lady Nara need to guard their mistress, the order was sent to the steward of the Imperial Household Department."

As for why they were waiting outside, it was because Liang Jiugong had brought all the imperial guards who had been left behind by His Majesty, and they were now guarding the entrance to Changchun Palace.

The head of the Imperial Household Department was a shrewd man. Upon seeing such a scene, he knew something was wrong. He didn't bother to approach and simply stood at the door waiting to be summoned.

"Consort Rong's idea?"

"Yes, Consort Rong is very considerate. She was worried that Consort Nara might not have enough servants and might neglect Prince Wanfu, so she consulted Her Majesty the Empress. With the help of people from Kunning Palace to watch over the prince, Consort Nara can feel more at ease."

Kangxi couldn't help but smile. He knew that Ji Nai was thinking of him wholeheartedly. Otherwise, why would she go to such lengths for Hesheli's child, taking care of everything?

"Consort Rong is the kindest of all," Emperor Kangxi remarked.

Hearing this, the old nanny beside Consort Nara felt extremely frustrated. Kind-hearted? If Consort Rong were truly kind-hearted, why would she immediately take control of everyone around the victim, even the servants left behind in Jingyang Palace?

Her mistress had foreseen everything, but she misjudged Consort Rong's intentions. Consort Rong did show goodwill towards Jingyang Palace, but she treated the Crown Prince the same way.

Unfortunately, the Crown Prince's actions were not publicized during the chaos, and there was no chance afterward. Who would dare to speak out against the pressure from His Majesty?

Consort Xi's ability to hide the Crown Prince at the first opportunity, whether willingly or not, clearly shows that she put her family first.