The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

Xie Jingyu's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.

What does Xie Ling mean?

The court officials looked at each other in bewilderment. Everyone in the capital knew that Consort Li was pregnant, but why did His Majesty specifically ask Prince Gong about it?

Previously, it was only said that Consort Qi had been in love with Prince Gong since childhood. They were childhood sweethearts and had a very deep relationship. However, because the emperor was a hopeless romantic, no one dared to make up stories about it.

Could it be that Consort Li also...?

Oh my god.

People love to daydream. In just a few breaths, their thoughts have already soared to the heavens, conjuring up countless romantic tales.

Even more audaciously, some dared to look up at the emperor.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but why does it seem like His Majesty's head is faintly green?

Xie Jingyu tried his best to remain calm, "Your Majesty, I naturally know. May I ask why you ask this?"

Under the twelve-tasseled crown, the emperor's face was not clearly visible. "On the Mid-Autumn Festival night, I went out of the palace with my two beloved concubines to enjoy the lanterns, but on the way back we encountered a mad dog."

"Upon investigation, it has been confirmed that the dog originated from your Prince Gong's Mansion and has contracted a strange disease. Anyone bitten by it will undoubtedly die."

The Emperor's voice was calm and unhurried: "Consort Li is carrying my first child since my ascension to the throne, a child of immeasurable preciousness. She is not yet three months pregnant, a time of great instability, and she nearly miscarried because of this mad dog. Prince Gong, what is your punishment?"

So that's how it is. The courtiers quickly dismissed their unreliable speculations.

But they were also shocked to discover that the mad dog came from Prince Gong's Mansion.

Other stray dogs are one thing, but this one is a rabid dog with a disease. Prince Gong... could he have done it on purpose?

Although Xie Jingyu had a good reputation outside, the court officials all knew that when they competed for the throne, Prince Gong was the most likely candidate besides Emperor Jingyuan.

If the emperor had not emerged from the cold palace, or had died there at a young age and remained unknown, the person sitting on the throne today would probably be someone else entirely.

It's inevitable to feel resentful after a defeat.

The ministers had different thoughts, but Xie Jingyu suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Xie Ling had found out something, but it turned out that he had only found out about the dog.

He knelt down with difficulty, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. This dog was kept by the servants of the household. I don't know when it went mad. It was my fault for not disciplining it properly and for failing to restrain a good person. It almost harmed the imperial heir and also implicated Consort Qi... Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"You are indeed wrong. You can't even control the animals in your own home, how can you possibly handle the tasks I have entrusted to you?"

Xie Ling: "However, you are still my elder brother, and I will not be too harsh on you. But Second Brother is about to get married and is injured. I think he will not have time to take care of the camp in the suburbs of the capital. I hereby issue an imperial decree that from today onwards, the Tianfu Guard will be under the command of Qian Hu. Second Brother, you should stay at home and recuperate."

The Tianfu Guard was bestowed by the late emperor and consisted of three thousand elite soldiers.

As a prince, he did not stay in his fiefdom for long like Xie Changqing, but instead lived in the capital and had three thousand soldiers under his command, who had always been Xie Jingyu's support.

If we lose our military power, wouldn't we be at Xie Ling's mercy?

Xie Jingyu suddenly looked up, "Your Majesty, the Heavenly Guard was personally bestowed upon me by the late Emperor, how can it be handed over to others—"

The emperor remained silent, yet an invisible pressure spread, and the court officials remained silent, daring not to speak.

Xie Jingyu's forehead bulged, and after a long while, his straight back gradually bent down, and he gritted his teeth.

"My lord, I obey your order."

……

When Yang Lanru's letter arrived in the Northwest, Qin Zhenxiong had just returned from the battlefield, covered in blood and sweat.

"General, this is a letter from your wife." The messenger presented it with both hands.

It's probably just some mundane family stuff, all over the place. Qin Zhenxiong had no patience. He took the envelope casually, his hands stained with sweat and blood, making it crumpled and bruised.

Seeing that he showed no intention of reading the letter, the messenger hurriedly said, "General, you should still take a look—Consort Li is pregnant!"

Qin Zhenxiong's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Upon opening the letter, the opening line stated that Qin Lianyue was pregnant, which greatly pleased Qin Zhenxiong.

It has to be said that while such underhanded methods are unacceptable, they are effective.

Effective is the best.

However, as he continued reading, Qin Zhenxiong's expression darkened. Finally, he crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it hard on the ground.

"Beauty is a curse? That's utterly outrageous!"

Even when beating a dog, one should consider its owner. The other party treated his daughter so badly, yet Xie Ling only confined Qi Yitang to her home. Where does that leave Qin Zhenxiong?

Is it because the throne is too secure for them?

Qin Zhenxiong entered the main tent with a livid face, his imposing presence startling Qin Jiangli, who was inside organizing his documents.

She clutched her chest, her face pale. "Father, why are you so angry? You frightened me."

Upon recognizing Qin Jiangli, Qin Zhenxiong's fierce aura subsided somewhat, and his expression softened.

"A letter has arrived from the palace, saying that your sister is pregnant."

Qin Jiangli asked, puzzled, "This is a good thing, why are you so angry?"

"The northwest is windy and dusty, and it's full of men, so it's inevitable that they'll have short tempers. You're going to be a grandfather now, so whatever you're upset about, calm down and talk to your daughter slowly."

As expected of his sweetheart, Qin Zhenxiong felt a little relieved after hearing her words.

He briefly explained the situation: "This bewitching concubine is bewitching the emperor; if this continues, the court will surely descend into chaos. I, as your father, cannot stand idly by. Li'er, grind the ink for me!"

"Having been away on campaign in the Northwest for some time, I must send a memorial to His Majesty to pay my respects."

Qin Jiangli did as instructed and looked curiously at the contents of the folded book.

Qin Zhenxiong picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a long, flowing poem that appeared to be a greeting, but in reality, it contained only six words—

"Eliminate the wicked concubine and cleanse the court of corrupt officials!"

……

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, autumn deepens. It is no longer the season for crabapple blossoms, but the garden is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.

When Qi Yitang was favored, the palace was quite lively.

Now that people are confined to their quarters, the other concubines in the harem have also retreated, closing the palace gates to live their own lives, making it as quiet as if the harem were empty.

Unlike Qi Yitang's quiet life, Qin Lianyue was the most prominent figure in the palace.

When autumn came, chrysanthemums bloomed in the Imperial Garden, and she even held a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, inviting ladies of high rank from all over the capital.

Not long ago, she was lying in bed resting during her pregnancy, and the emperor had to visit her three times a day. Now, she has the leisure to hold banquets, and everyone who comes praises the imperial physician's miraculous healing skills, saying that the effects are immediate.

Knowing that she now had an heir and had surpassed Consort Qi to become the emperor's new favorite, all the noblewomen fawned over her.

Ning Wanrong and Ning Nishang were also among those invited.