Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

An hour was about to pass when Consort Xi returned to Consort Li's palace, demanding that she hand over the item. However, Consort Li kept the palace gates tightly shut, claiming that she was devoutly praying and would not see any guests.

Consort Xi was worried about Jiang Huaiyu's health, since she was already forty years old. So she hurriedly went to invite the Emperor, only to find that the Emperor was meeting with important officials and could not spare the time immediately.

Consort Xi was extremely anxious and had no choice but to turn to Consort Chao for help. However, even with Consort Chao's arrival, the problem could not be solved immediately, and Consort Xi could only wait patiently for the Emperor to have some free time.

Consort Xi shuttled anxiously between Shuiyun Pavilion and Qinzheng Palace, exhausted from her efforts. She knew in her heart that she was still powerless in the face of Consort Li's stubbornness and could only place her hopes on the Emperor's wise decision.

As the sun set, the afterglow illuminated the upturned eaves of the palace. After a long wait, Consort Xi finally saw the ministers hurrying out of the Hall of Diligent Governance. Anxious and uneasy, she followed closely behind, hastily entering the Hall of Diligent Governance and immediately kneeling before the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, I humbly beg you to seek justice for the Lady of Jiaxing."

Upon hearing the words "Marquis of Jiaxing," Emperor Erkang immediately composed himself and asked with concern, "What exactly happened?"

Consort Xi recounted in detail, without reservation, how Jiang Huaiyu entered the palace to ask for medicine, how Consort Li deliberately made things difficult for her, and how Jiang Huaiyu had been kneeling and begging for three hours.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's face turned ashen, and he was furious. "Outrageous! Come with me to Shuiyun Pavilion!"

The gate to Shuiyun Pavilion was tightly shut, like a closed heart. The Emperor ordered the guards to shout loudly to open the gate, but Consort Xi anxiously said that she had been shouting all afternoon without any response. She suspected that the people inside Shuiyun Pavilion might have met with misfortune and suggested that they simply break down the gate.

Inside the Shuiyun Pavilion, Consort Li's maid was awakened by the commotion outside and hurriedly informed Consort Li, who was resting in bed.

"My Lady, something terrible has happened!"

Consort Li, still half asleep, asked what had happened. She assumed that Jiang Huaiyu had fainted from kneeling for too long, so she said impatiently, "If she faints, splash her with a bucket of water to wake her up and make her continue kneeling."

The maid said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, no, it's the Emperor who has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li instantly sobered up and panicked, ordering, "Quickly, quickly help Jiang Huaiyu up!" She hurriedly straightened her clothes and rushed out of the palace, only to find the gate had been violently kicked open, and Emperor Erkang strode in with an angry expression.

As soon as the emperor stepped across the threshold, he saw Jiang Huaiyu kneeling motionless in the courtyard, and Consort Li looking flustered.

He angrily rebuked, "Consort Li, how dare you be so bold!"

Consort Xi rushed forward to help Jiang Huaiyu up, but the moment she touched her, Jiang Huaiyu collapsed like a kite with a broken string. Consort Xi cried out in alarm, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Several palace maids rushed forward and together carried Jiang Huaiyu into the east side hall of Shuiyun Pavilion, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the imperial physician in hopes of a miracle.

Consort Li, witnessing the Emperor's furious face, was filled with panic, knowing she had committed an irreparable mistake. Trembling, she knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, her appearance as poignant and moving as a pear blossom in the rain. She began to embellish the story of her nephew Liao Yuli and Wei Fenghui, detailing how Jiang Huaiyu first mocked the Jing'an Marquis's prominent family, and then how he relentlessly ridiculed and insulted Liao Yuli in the marketplace.

"But this can never be a reason for you to mistreat the wife of the Marquis of Jiaxing. The Marquis of Jiaxing died for the country, and you have allowed his widow to suffer such unbearable treatment. If anything unfortunate happens to the wife of the Marquis of Jiaxing, you will no longer need to serve as Consort Li."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li involuntarily knelt on the ground. Shocked, she had never imagined that even though the Marquis of Jiaxing had heroically sacrificed himself, he still held a crucial place in the Emperor's heart. Even she, the Consort Li who had borne the Emperor's child, seemed insignificant in his eyes.

The Emperor ignored Consort Li, who was slumped on the ground, and stepped straight into the Water Cloud Pavilion. Consort Xi followed closely behind. When she passed Consort Li, she stopped and said sneer, "I warned you long ago, but unfortunately you are still a foolish fellow."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li glared angrily, then resolutely stood up and followed the others into the Water Cloud Pavilion.

Emperor Erkang sat silently in the main seat, with Consort Xi standing beside him, while Consort Li knelt on the ground. After the imperial physician finished treating Jiang Huaiyu, he came to report to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Lady of Jiaxing has fainted due to overexertion from kneeling for a long time. She will recover after a period of rest."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Erkang responded softly, then turned to look at Consort Li, who was kneeling on the ground. "Consort Li, of the Liao clan, is narrow-minded and vicious. She disregards the greater good of the nation and mistreats the widow of a general. To quell the anger of the soldiers and to demonstrate the imperial family's care for the heroes guarding the border, Consort Li is demoted to the rank of Liao Pin and imprisoned in the Cold Palace for one year."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li's body went completely limp. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, "Your Majesty, you can't treat me like this! Your Majesty, I raised the Fifth Prince for you! Your Majesty..." Her voice was filled with despair and helplessness, like a little animal abandoned, letting out a mournful wail in the dead of night.

In the depths of the palace, Emperor Erkang's gaze, as cold as ice, fell upon Consort Li. With each word she uttered, the emperor's anger flared. "How dare you even mention it! What kind of person has Prince Rui become under your tutelage? How can he possibly shoulder any great responsibility in the future!" Consort Li shook her head involuntarily, unwilling to accept this cruel judgment. The emperor's unspoken message was clearly implying that Prince Rui was unqualified to inherit the throne, and that she herself would be ineligible for the title of Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, Rui'er is diligent and inquisitive, studying the classics and history day and night. How can you say he won't amount to something great? Your Majesty, I beg you to give Rui'er another chance. After all, he is your blood relative." Consort Li's tone was full of pleading and despair. For her, the demotion was far less painful than the pain of her son being neglected. As long as Prince Rui could gain the Emperor's favor, she would one day regain her former glory.

"Enough." Emperor Erkang's voice was deep and majestic like thunder. "Send Consort Liao to the Cold Palace immediately. Unless I issue a decree myself, no one is allowed to set foot in or visit her."

Two eunuchs came out upon hearing the commotion and forcibly took Consort Liao away. No matter how much she struggled or cried out, no one paid any attention.

Consort Xi, who was standing nearby, witnessed this scene and a smug sneer flashed across her face. She turned to Emperor Erkang and reported softly, "Your Majesty, the Lady of Jiaxing Marquis has come to the palace to request medicine." Emperor Erkang nodded slightly and ordered someone to find the White Jade Bone-Mending Ointment from Consort Li's palace and give it to Jiang Huaiyu. He also bestowed gold and silver jewelry as a token of his appreciation.

When Jiang Huaiyu woke up, the emperor had already left, and only Consort Xi was by her side.

"Huaiyu, the medicine has arrived. You have suffered so much since entering the palace, all because I failed to protect you properly." Consort Xi's tone was full of guilt and comfort.