After my whole family overheard my thoughts, they went berserk.

"What illness does Consort Jing have?" the Empress asked.

Jin Shu gave a wink, dismissed all the palace maids, and then reported to the Empress.

“This servant bribed a palace maid and said that Consort Jing had miscarried today. Imperial Physician Zhao went there, but left in a panic shortly afterward.”

"Does His Majesty know about this?" the Empress asked again.

It seems that she guessed correctly.

"I heard that His Majesty seems unaware of this matter," Jin Shu said.

The empress wore a cold smile.

Consort Jing wasn't hiding it from her, but from the Emperor.

If it weren't for Princess Sangnan's death, which brought Consort Jing to her attention, she probably wouldn't have known about Consort Jing's pregnancy.

But she was pregnant. Why would she hide it from the Emperor? Isn't carrying the Emperor's child something that all the concubines in the harem longed for?

Could it be...

"Oh, by the way, when I came back, I ran into His Highness the Crown Prince at the palace gate," Jin Shu said.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed drastically.

The crown prince is becoming increasingly disobedient.

It seems that her reprimand of him had no effect whatsoever.

He won't stop until he angers the emperor.

If things continue like this, his position as crown prince will be in jeopardy sooner or later, and it may even implicate her.

“However, I persuaded him to go back,” Jin Shu said.

The Empress sighed, "The Crown Prince doesn't even listen to me anymore. I'm really worried about what outrageous things he might do in the future."

Jin Shu whispered, "Back then, Consort Yu competed for your favor for more than ten years, but she is no longer here. Now, Consort Jing has come along. Your Majesty, you might as well make some plans as well."

Upon hearing Jin Shu's words, the Empress was suddenly moved.

Jin Shu meant that she should have another child to suppress Consort Jing.

The Empress was exhausted by the Crown Prince's increasingly disobedient behavior. She worried that he would become even more disobedient after he ascended the throne.

If another dragon son is born, then there will be a way out.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived."

The Empress was somewhat surprised by Emperor Tianqi's sudden visit to Chang Le Palace, but she knew he wouldn't just be looking at her.

"Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects." The Empress rose and bowed to him.

Emperor Tianqi looked at the Empress and said with simple concern, "Princess Sangnan's matter needs to be investigated, but don't overwork yourself. The affairs of the harem all depend on you."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Such a serious incident in the harem is due to my dereliction of duty. I should do my best to help you."

The Tianqi Emperor spoke calmly, "How has the Crown Prince been lately?"

"I have received Your Majesty's concern. The Crown Prince has been acting somewhat rashly lately. I will certainly teach him well and will not cause Your Majesty any more worry."

Emperor Tianqi said, "Yes, I also feel that the Crown Prince has been a bit impatient lately. Recently, he confronted the envoy from Sangnan in public. I know his intentions were good, but as the Crown Prince, he should prioritize the overall situation."

"Your Majesty is right," the Empress said respectfully.

She could have said these words to the Crown Prince, but hearing them from the Emperor's mouth inevitably made the Empress somewhat worried.

She worried that the Crown Prince might be too hasty one day and speak without thinking, thus angering the Emperor.

The position of crown prince is something many princes dream of, because she is the empress, and it is within easy reach for the crown prince.

But because it came too easily, the crown prince did not cherish it, always thinking that as the crown prince, he could do whatever he wanted.

As the crown prince, he had to be even more careful than others.

Today, the Emperor has come to tell her to discipline the Crown Prince properly, indicating that he hopes the Crown Prince can change.

If the emperor were to personally discipline him in the future, it would mean he had no hope for him.

"I heard that the Crown Prince is injured?" Emperor Tianqi asked bluntly.

After the forensic doctor told him about the prince's condition, he began to have some doubts about the prince.

The Crown Prince has been acting very recklessly lately, and he thinks it's not impossible.

However, before this, he had suspected the Empress, but never the Crown Prince.

This really surprised him.

Especially after seeing the Crown Prince's recent words and actions, he felt that the Crown Prince was capable of doing such things.

"It was just a minor cut on my hand that happened while you were bandaging my wound. Who was so inconsiderate as to disturb Your Majesty like this? I'll have a good talk with them later."

The Empress was surprised that the forensic doctor would tell the Emperor about it so quickly.

The fact that the Emperor made a special trip to Chang Le Palace for this matter shows that they all suspect the Crown Prince.

Right now, the Empress is really getting anxious. If it turns out to be the Crown Prince, it will be a huge problem.

"It wasn't someone from your palace who told me; it was the forensic doctor who told me," Emperor Tianqi said, glancing at the Empress.

He wanted to see how the Empress would react, but he quickly looked away.

Because he knew the Empress well; she was a composed person who wouldn't show her true feelings on her face.

He wanted to see what kind of explanation the Empress would give him.

“The forensic doctor did come recently, and the Crown Prince’s hand injury was examined. On the way, I noticed that they seemed to have some issues, so I asked the Crown Prince to go with them to the forensic hospital for a detailed examination.”

"How is it?" Emperor Tianqi asked.

The Empress said, "Later, the forensic doctors said that the Crown Prince was fine and left. However, I did not know that they would come to see you. I wonder if there is any inconvenience? Perhaps I could ask the Crown Prince to go to the forensic hospital?"

"Yes, that's what I think too," said Emperor Tianqi.

The Empress paused, wondering if the Emperor was serious.

Could it be that he's willing to sacrifice his own son for the sake of Sangnan Kingdom?

The crown prince is his own son. Shouldn't people usually turn a blind eye to this kind of situation?

Why did he have to give the order personally?

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will have someone inform the Crown Prince immediately," the Empress replied.

Emperor Tianqi was somewhat surprised to see that the Empress was so straightforward and did not refuse at all.

If the Crown Prince really has a problem, she will definitely protect him immediately and prevent him from undergoing medical examination.

But her current enthusiasm puzzled him. Could it be that the Crown Prince's injury was really just an accident?

However, to determine whether it was an accident, a forensic examination is required.

"There's no need to rush. It's so late now, let's not make a fuss." Emperor Tianqi stood up and said, "Let him go tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly send someone to inform the Crown Prince." The Empress respectfully saw Emperor Tianqi off.

Jin Shu said, "Your Majesty, how can His Majesty believe the forensic doctor's words and doubt His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Besides, His Highness the Crown Prince has no grudge against those princesses of Sangnan, so why would he possibly kill them?"

Most importantly, the crown prince is only thirteen years old.

How could someone his age be so cruel as to kill five adults?

"What if I say that it was the Crown Prince who did it?" The Empress looked at Jin Shu.

When she learned about this, she reacted the same way as Jin Shu.

They thought the crown prince was too young to do such a thing, but it turned out that it was the crown prince who did it.

The Emperor now suspects him and will have the forensic doctor examine his injuries tomorrow.

She was worried that she couldn't keep it a secret, so she told Jin Shu not only because she trusted her, but also mainly because she had another idea.