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

The young eunuch nodded repeatedly and withdrew.

Wei Fengyun and Wei Fenghui left the Duke of Wei's residence and split up to search for Jiang Xinrui. They searched the entire palace, but still couldn't find her. Wei Fengyun couldn't help but feel worried, so he quickened his pace and arrived at Rongfu Garden.

Rongfu Garden was silent. Wei Fengyun had just entered the garden when he saw the young eunuch. He immediately realized that Jiang Xinrui was likely here. Without hesitation, he rushed over and grabbed the young eunuch: "Where did you take Jiang Xinrui?"

The young eunuch turned pale with fright and stammered, "I...I don't know, I was just ordered to bring her to Rongfuyuan."

Wei Fengyun sneered: "Do you think I'd believe you? Tell me, where is Jiang Xinrui?"

Just then, Wei Fenghui arrived at Rongfu Garden. He saw Wei Fengyun grabbing the young eunuch and immediately understood what was going on. He walked over to Wei Fengyun and said, "Fengyun, don't waste your breath on him, let's go find him together."

Wei Fengyun nodded, and the two brothers, escorting the young eunuch, searched Rongfu Garden. Finally, they found Jiang Xinrui in a patch of grass. She was already pale with fright, and when she saw Wei Fengyun and Wei Fenghui, she couldn't help but cry out, "Brother, brother, you've finally come!"

Wei Fengyun and Wei Fenghui quickly helped Jiang Xinrui up and asked her what had happened. Jiang Xinrui sobbed as she told them what had happened. Upon hearing this, Wei Fengyun and Wei Fenghui's faces immediately turned ashen.

They took Jiang Xinrui back to the Duke of Wei's mansion and told Jiang Huaiyu what had happened. Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu trembled with rage: "That Consort Chao, how dare she target our Wei family! She's really asking for trouble!"

Wei Fengyun and Wei Fenghui both expressed their determination to seek justice for Jiang Xinrui. Jiang Huaiyu looked at them, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Alright, let's work together to find a way to make Consort Chao pay the price."

Consort Chao's scream successfully drew the attention of Emperor Erkang and the others. Everyone looked up at Consort Chao, who was pale and looked flustered. Emperor Erkang frowned and slowly asked, "Consort, what has happened?"

Consort Chao bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly said, "Your Majesty, I just saw Miss Jiang Xinrui from the Duke of Wei's mansion seducing Prince Duan at Rongfu Garden."

These words shocked everyone. Emperor Erkang's expression also turned serious. He glanced sharply at Jiang Huaiyu, who was ashen-faced and trembling slightly.

"Imperial Consort, is this true?" Emperor Erkang's voice was cold, carrying a hint of barely perceptible anger.

Consort Chao nodded, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling: "I saw it with my own eyes, I would never dare to speak falsely."

Emperor Erkang was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Jiang Huaiyu: "Huaiyu, are you aware of this matter?"

Jiang Huaiyu hurriedly knelt down, her head bowed, her voice weak: "Your Majesty, I truly do not know. Please investigate thoroughly."

Emperor Erkang snorted coldly and said, "As the wife of the Duke of Wei, you are unaware of your cousin's outrageous behavior in the palace. It is truly disappointing."

Jiang Huaiyu was filled with fear and unease. She clenched her teeth and tried to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I truly do not know. If I am guilty, please punish me."

At this moment, Consort Chao spoke up again: "Your Majesty, I feel there must be something fishy about this matter. Jiang Xinrui is a famous talented woman in our country, how could she do such a thing?"

Emperor Erkang pondered for a moment and said, "The Consort's words are reasonable, and this matter still needs to be investigated thoroughly. However, Jiang Xinrui's behavior has violated the palace rules, and I have decided to send her to the Cold Palace as a warning to others."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu felt as if her heart was being torn apart. She couldn't help but cry out, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! Jiang Xinrui is not that kind of person. I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

Emperor Erkang frowned and said, "Huaiyu, are you questioning my judgment?"

Jiang Huaiyu quickly shook her head: "Your Majesty, I dare not, but I simply find it hard to accept."

Emperor Erkang gave her a cold look and said, "Since that's the case, go to the Cold Palace to see her and find out the truth of the matter. If she is really wronged, I will naturally clear her name."

Jiang Huaiyu was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed in agreement: "Your Majesty, I obey."

After saying this, Jiang Huaiyu hurriedly left. She was both anxious and expectant; she wanted to find out the truth as soon as possible and clear Jiang Xinrui's name.

In the cold palace, Jiang Xinrui looked haggard. When she saw Jiang Huaiyu, she couldn't help but burst into tears: "Cousin, what did I do wrong? Why am I being treated like this?"

Jiang Huaiyu gently patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry, your cousin will definitely find out the truth for you. Tell me first, what exactly happened at Rongfuyuan?"

Jiang Xinrui sobbed for a moment before slowly revealing the truth. It turned out that she had been admiring the flowers at Rongfu Garden that day when she happened to meet Prince Duan. Prince Duan, seeing her beauty and talent, struck up a conversation with her. The two chatted amiably, but Consort Chao misunderstood this as an attempt to seduce her.

After hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu had already made up her mind. She decided to go to Prince Duan first to find out his opinion.

When Prince Duan learned of this, he was greatly surprised. He explained, "Your Highness has misunderstood. Jiang Xinrui and I were just having a normal conversation, and I had no intention of seducing her."

Jiang Huaiyu was overjoyed and quickly said, "Prince Duan, this matter concerns Jiang Xinrui's reputation. Please help clarify it."

Prince Duan nodded and said, "I will explain the truth to the Emperor myself. However, what about the Consort..."

Jiang Huaiyu sighed: "The Imperial Concubine has misunderstood deeply. This matter needs to be discussed carefully."

Jiang Huaiyu, filled with resentment, immediately stood up and pointed at Consort Chao, saying, "Consort Chao, what do you mean by this? By deliberately shouting loudly and kneeling to beg for mercy, are you trying to escalate the matter and damage Jiang Xinrui's reputation?"

Consort Chao slowly rose, a cold smile playing on her lips. Just as she was about to retort, Emperor Erkang's voice rang out: "Consort Chao, rise. This is not a place for us to speak freely. Let the banquet continue."

Emperor Erkang, dressed in a dragon robe, sat on the high platform, his expression solemn. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he said in a calm tone, "I know what I'm doing today, no need to say more."

Eunuch Ying immediately announced loudly, "By imperial decree, the banquet shall continue, and the music and dance shall continue!"

Upon hearing this, the musicians began to play. The melodious music echoed throughout the Yongle Hall, and the officials once again immersed themselves in the banquet.

Jiang Huaiyu stared wide-eyed at Emperor Erkang, her eyes filled with disappointment. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Your Majesty, are you really going to be so biased towards Consort Chao?"

Emperor Erkang did not answer, but merely nodded slightly, gesturing for Jiang Huaiyu to sit down. Jiang Huaiyu had no choice but to return to her seat.

At this moment, the officials of the Duke of Wei's mansion gathered together, whispering among themselves. One of the officials said, "Madam Jiang, do you think Consort Chao did this on purpose?"

Another official shook his head: "That's hard to say. However, judging from the emperor's opinion, it's best if we don't get involved in this matter."

"Yes, after all, this is the palace, not a place where we can just interrupt as we please." The officials nodded in agreement.

On the high platform, Consort Chao's smile widened. She glanced at Jiang Huaiyu and thought to herself, "Jiang Huaiyu, what can you do to me?"