The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

The Third Prince was startled by the Duke of Wen's sudden voice. He looked up and felt something was off. The Duke of Wen also felt that his reaction seemed a bit inappropriate, and reached out to stroke his beard.

"Hurry, Fumin is coming out."

"It is Consort Wang."

Duke Wen nodded and stepped back under the eaves. Just then, Fu Ming came out and invited Duke Wen inside.

"Fuming, would His Majesty be willing to see me?"

"Your Highness, the Emperor says that if you no longer wish to hold this position, then you shall continue to kneel here." Fu Ming was unwilling to say anything more and went inside to greet Duke Wen.

Consort Yu was at a loss. If she continued to kneel, she would lose her hard-won title of Consort. But the Third Prince was still alive... She thought for a moment and realized it didn't matter. Her father had already gone in, and he would definitely protect the Third Prince.

Consort Yu stood up and, supported by palace maids, went to Xiao Yuheng's side: "Heng'er, your... Duke Wen will definitely find a way, I..."

"Mother, please go back first. As long as your position remains unchanged, your son will be fine."

Although Consort Yu was worried, she had no better solution. However, she was intercepted by the Empress's men on her way back.

"By imperial decree of the Empress, the Consort has caused a disturbance in the Imperial Study and in front of the palace without being summoned. She is hereby ordered to remain in her quarters to reflect on her actions and to copy the 'Admonitions for Women' one hundred times as a warning to others."

Consort Yu asked through gritted teeth, "Did Her Majesty the Empress say how long I would be confined to this palace?"

"Our Empress has always been kind and benevolent. She said that the Consort can leave whenever she finishes copying these hundred times. This servant is thinking that perhaps the Consort can finish copying them tonight? Then she can leave first thing tomorrow morning, right?"

"presumptuous!"

"This servant dares not. This servant must return to Her Majesty the Empress to perform her duties, so I will not disturb Your Highness the Noble Consort any further."

Consort Yu was so angry that her face turned black, but there was nothing she could do. Yes, there was nothing she could do. This was the difference between a wife and a concubine. Once Heng'er sat on that supreme position, the first thing she would do was to deal with the Empress!

Not long after the Duke of Wen left, the Emperor issued an edict to execute Consort Wang, which was carried out personally by Fuming.

Xiao Yuheng knelt outside until dark but did not receive a summons from the Emperor. Instead, the Crown Prince rushed in from outside, apparently summoned by the Emperor for matters concerning the west of the city.

Gu Qingwan was both surprised and unsurprised to learn that Consort Wang had been sentenced to death.

The Emperor was always aware of the affair between Consort Wang and Prince Buffy. As for whether the Emperor had ever favored Consort Wang, he probably knew it himself, which is why he allowed Consort Wang to have such a smooth miscarriage.

According to the Emperor's personality, he would definitely have made Consort Wang die along with that bastard child. However, with Prince Buffy willing to exchange two cities for Consort Wang's life, the Emperor had calculated this deal very clearly.

The emperor was pondering how to gain two cities without damaging his reputation when Duke Wen sent him a shortcut.

Duke Wen himself hadn't expected that just by mentioning that "Consort Wang's previous pregnancy seemed to have some abnormalities, such rumors were circulating in the palace. This shows that it was not good for the Emperor and damaged his imperial prestige. I hope the Emperor can have the Empress thoroughly investigate this matter."

Unexpectedly, the emperor didn't even investigate and directly ordered his execution.

Gu Qingwan sent someone to find Prince Buffy's men to meet him outside the palace. Since Fuming was personally carrying out the order, it meant that the Emperor wanted to fulfill his agreement with Prince Buffy, handing over the man and the contract at the same time.

This can be considered a win-win situation for both sides, getting what they wanted. However, the thorn in the Emperor's side, Consort Wang, will make him uncomfortable for a long time. Although he has never favored her, she is still his nominal empress, and she became pregnant out of nowhere...

The Emperor neither wanted to nor was willing to investigate. He was well aware of the sordid affairs in the harem, and a little investigation would implicate many more people. However, these were turbulent times, and he would wait until later... later. When the time was right, he would eventually find out who had made him wear a green hat.

Before Xiao Yuheng and Duke Wen could figure out their plan, the Emperor already knew that the explosion site belonged to the Third Prince. In a fit of rage, the Emperor smashed the Third Prince's head open.

"Tell me! What exactly are you trying to do! You blew up the west side of the city today, are you planning to raze my palace to the ground one day too!"

"Father, please calm down. I really didn't know at first that the shops were in my household. I'm not afraid to tell you, but I didn't even know I had several shops. They were all managed by my wife and concubines."

“Third brother, what you’re saying doesn’t make sense. How could you not know your own things?” the Crown Prince questioned.

"Your Highness, I truly knew nothing about this matter!" Xiao Yuheng disregarded the blood flowing from his head, thinking only of clearing himself of any involvement.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were arguing about who was responsible for the bombing in the west of the city. The Emperor remained silent for a long time, waiting for the Prince of Chu.

Xiao Jingchen arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study and happened to run into Consort Xi, who was there to deliver soup to the Emperor.

Consort Xi saw that the King of Chu was clearly stunned, and his eyes shone with an indescribable complex light. With the reminder of the palace servants around her, Consort Xi quickly walked up to the King of Chu and bowed.

Xiao Jingchen simply nodded, glanced at Consort Xi a few more times, but said nothing, and went straight to the Imperial Study.

"Oh, Consort Xi, it's unfortunate that the Emperor is busy with other matters and is probably unable to see you."

Consort Xi waved her hand to indicate that it was alright, and then had someone hand the soup to Fuming, and did not forget to give Fuming a small bag of silver coins.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Once His Majesty has rested, this old servant will certainly present it to him."

Consort Xi nodded upon hearing this, and then took out a brocade box containing a pill and handed it over as well.

Fuming, who served the emperor closely, naturally knew what this meant. Although he was a servant, his greatest wish was for his master to live a long life.

This Consort Xi was born unable to speak, but because of her appearance, she unexpectedly gained the Emperor's favor, and recently she has been accompanying the Emperor in taking elixirs.

It's worth noting that there were emperors in history who pursued immortality. He once secretly showed the ingredients of the elixir to the Imperial Medical Academy, who only said that it could nourish the body and have a calming effect, and that it would not cause any harm to the emperor.

Therefore, Fuming felt at ease allowing the emperor to continue taking the medication.

"Thank you, Consort Xi. His Majesty's sleep has indeed improved a lot recently. This servant will definitely remind His Majesty to take the medicine on time."

Consort Xi smiled and nodded. She didn't know how to speak and there was no need for her to say more. She then left with her maid.