Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

His Majesty's questioning of his Empress was, in truth, a ploy to glean words unfavorable to Consort Yao and the Third Prince. He knew perfectly well that over the years, the Consort and the Third Prince had repeatedly caused trouble and obstacles for the Empress; the power struggles within the palace had never ceased.

However, the Empress remained silent, only casually suggesting that His Majesty personally go to the Consort to ask for clarification.

His Majesty pondered to himself, what could he possibly ask? What results could he get from questioning the Consort? Thinking of the Consort's usual ability to distort the truth and her silver tongue, His Majesty couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He feared he wouldn't get any answers from her.

But driven by his doubts and dissatisfaction, His Majesty finally spoke, "Someone, go and invite Consort Yao to the Phoenix Palace." At this moment, His Majesty was utterly disgusted with that Miss Su.

Both are daughters of the Su family, but one is far away at the border, yet she manages the Prince Rui's mansion very well.

The rumors circulating in the streets and alleys about Prince Rui's mansion, such as his wife asking for money from her parents' home and his maidservants climbing into his bed, were utterly insignificant in the eyes of His Majesty, the ruler of the country.

However, this young lady from the Su family, who has not yet stepped into the Third Prince's household, has been repeatedly caught having problems with her private morality, which is a disgrace to the royal family.

Before long, Consort Yao gracefully arrived at Fengyi Palace. She moved with light steps, bowed respectfully to His Majesty and the Empress, her eyes filled with doubt and unease, and softly asked, "Your Majesty, is there something important you need to discuss with me before the Empress?"

After all, being summoned to the Empress's palace was a first for her, so how could she not feel uneasy? Her tone unconsciously became somewhat cautious.

Now, she is no longer the arrogant person she once was. Firstly, His Majesty has become increasingly indifferent to her, and his favor has dwindled; secondly, she has also learned to feign pitifulness, hoping to gain some of His Majesty's attention in the process.

However, faced with her pitiful appearance, the emperor felt only disgust.

His Majesty, his face cold, ignored her show of weakness and asked directly, "Are you aware of the matter of the Prince Rui's residence hosting the students today?" A sense of foreboding suddenly rose in the Consort's heart. Could it be that her precious daughter had caused some great disaster? She dared not conceal the truth and could only reply truthfully, "Your Majesty, I am aware of this matter."

After all, his daughter had also gone to Prince Rui's residence and had been forcibly taken back to the palace by his son. This matter could not be kept secret.

His Majesty snorted coldly and continued to question, "Then do you know that the daughter-in-law you favor has once again caused a laughing stock in the Prince Rui's residence?"

"Ah?" The Imperial Concubine originally thought that something had happened to her daughter Yu'er, but upon hearing His Majesty's words, the blame was actually directed at that girl Su Lianyi.

She looked surprised and said truthfully, "Your Majesty, I know nothing." This time, she truly had no idea.

I thought I could find out some news about the Prince Rui's mansion through that servant Lin Zhi, but that damned servant never sent a single message.

Thinking of this, the Imperial Concubine was filled with rage. She thought to herself that if she didn't teach her a lesson, she would really think she had grown up. Even though she had lost favor, she could still easily deal with a little servant.

When His Majesty saw that the Consort said she didn't know, he stopped dwelling on the matter and instead instructed Eunuch Lu to explain the whole story in detail.

After hearing this, Consort Yao was dumbfounded. She thought to herself, "How could this Miss Su be so indecent?" But when she thought of her son coveting her rich dowry, she had to grit her teeth and defend her: "Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding. When Yao'er returns, I will ask him carefully."

Regardless, she had to save face for her future daughter-in-law, which was also a way of protecting the Third Prince's reputation.

Hearing the Consort's perfunctory explanation, the Emperor felt a deep weariness wash over him. He knew that arguing with her further would be futile; she would only ever find excuses to shirk responsibility. The Emperor's expression was cold; he waved his hand, dismissing her.

······

"That damned Su Lianxue, she deserves to die!" Su Lianyi returned to the Su residence from the Prince Rui's mansion in a fit of rage, her face contorted with anger. She was convinced that Su Lianxue was behind everything. Recalling the scene at the Prince Rui's mansion, she was filled with resentment and anger.

At that time, she tried her best to explain in front of everyone, but no one around her believed her.

The Third Prince's gaze towards her was filled with suspicion and distance. She was frantic with worry and knelt before him, crying and begging him to do her bidding. But all she received in return was his cold reply: "Guards, take your young lady back to her residence. She may be ill today."

Her tone made it sound as if she were an unreasonable madwoman.

No matter how desperately she argued, she couldn't change the established situation. She angrily turned her gaze to Su Lianxue, only to see Su Lianxue deliberately feigning a weak and frightened appearance, leaning against Prince Rui's arms like a little bird.

What's even more infuriating is that, nestled in Prince Rui's arms, she gave him a sarcastic smile, a smile that pierced Su Lianyi's heart like a sharp blade. She knew in her heart that this was all Su Lianxue's conspiracy, but no matter how much she shouted or struggled, it was all in vain, and she was ultimately forced to return to the Su residence.

Once back in her room, Su Lianyi completely lost her temper.

"Are you all dead?" she roared hoarsely, grabbing a whip and lashing it indiscriminately at the maids and servants around her.

Each lash was filled with her deep resentment and unwillingness. In an instant, cries and pleas for mercy mingled together in the room, the shrill sounds carrying far and wide, disturbing the peace of the entire Su residence.

The old lady of the Su family was already quite old and preferred quiet.

The sudden noise gave her a terrible headache. Having no other choice, she sent Granny Xu to personally bring Su Lianyi to her room. Li Ruolan, worried that her daughter might do something foolish again, could only follow behind anxiously.

The old lady sat upright in the room, her cold gaze seemingly capable of freezing anyone. She remained silent, and no one else in the room dared to utter a sound; for a moment, the atmosphere in the room was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe. A short while later, Minister Su also hurriedly arrived.

The old woman looked at her son and daughter-in-law and finally couldn't help but speak, her tone full of exhaustion and helplessness: "Now that I'm getting older, my energy is not what it used to be, and I don't have the mind to deal with these trivial matters. Look at your own daughter, where is the slightest bit of a proper lady she has now?" After saying that, she coughed violently from anger.