Within the harem, the only one who dares to openly confront Consort Chen is Consort Yin.
Today, when Consort Chen was being praised by the other concubines during the court greetings, Consort Yin couldn't stand her inflated sense of self-importance.
Consort Yin decided that she would find a way to let Xiao Jingheng know about this incident.
However, she had to choose the right moment to speak up.
The most opportune time for a man to listen and remain calm is right after the pleasures of the bedroom, when all desires have been fulfilled and one feels momentarily enlightened, like a wise sage. It is easier for them to be receptive to advice.
So, taking advantage of this moment, Consort Yin subtly informed Xiao Jingheng about what had happened that day.
Surprisingly, Xiao Jingheng didn't seem surprised upon hearing the news. It was as if he had already known. He responded to Consort Yin, saying, "I have considered her as a noble consort, so it is only natural for others to congratulate her upon hearing the news."
His words seemed to imply that Consort Yin was being meddlesome and trying to stir up trouble.
Later, Xiao Jingheng claimed he was tired and had Consort Yin escorted back to the palace. Consort Yin couldn't continue the conversation any further.
In fact, there was no need for Consort Yin to personally inform Xiao Jingheng about the flattery from the other concubines towards Consort Chen. Someone had already detailed every little thing that happened during the court greetings and reported it to Xiao Jingheng.
Now that Consort Yin had left, Xiao Jingheng changed into regular attire and said he was going to visit Consort Chen.
Since it was nighttime, he didn't allow the palace attendants to accompany him.
He only brought Jiang Deshun and two guards, enjoying the cool evening breeze as they walked to Yonghe Palace.
At the palace gate, Kang Yubin noticed Xiao Jingheng and quickly paid his respects. He then smiled and said, "Why has Your Majesty come at this hour? This servant will go and inform her..."
"No need," Xiao Jingheng interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "I will go in by myself."
Meanwhile, inside Consort Chen's chamber.
Consort Chen had changed into her nightgown and had just finished drinking milk, intending to rest early. However, suddenly, she heard the sound of a child crying loudly.
Noble Consort Xiao's child was currently being raised by Consort Chen. These past few days, for some reason, the child cried incessantly during the night.
Consort Chen was annoyed by the crying and couldn't help but vent her frustration, saying, "Three wet nurses can't soothe a little child? Are they receiving their salaries for nothing? Liu Yue, go and have someone bring that little thing over here!"
Consort Chen urgently sent for the child, and soon, the wet nurse arrived, holding the prince in her arms.
Consort Chen impatiently glanced at him. The child's face was red and his voice was hoarse from crying. She gently massaged her temples, showing her disgust, and said, "How did you all become wet nurses? Can't you calm him down? Is it so difficult?"
The wet nurse hurriedly explained, "The little prince has dry and cracked skin. Although we apply medicine, it only provides temporary relief. He is still uncomfortable."
Due to his condition of scaly dermatitis, the prince's skin already appeared wrinkled and unappealing. Now, with his crying, his features were even more twisted, making him look even less pleasing.
Consort Chen's attention was fixed on him for a moment, and in her raised and disdainful gaze, the words "displeasure" were clearly written.
"This ugly thing is crying like this. How can I sleep peacefully? If you can't make him stop crying, I'll stuff his mouth with coarse cloth and see if he can still cry!"
"Well..." The wet nurses looked at each other, feeling extremely anxious.
But Consort Chen didn't allow them to say a word. "Still hesitating? Take him and place him on the warm seat, and all of you, get out of here!"
Being pregnant, Consort Chen had a fiery temper, and no one dared to offend her.
The wet nurses could only follow her orders and place the little prince on the warm seat, then leave with worried hearts.
To their surprise, as soon as they stepped out of the door, they ran into Xiao Jingheng standing in the corridor.
They were about to greet him when they saw Xiao Jingheng put a finger to his lips, motioning them to be silent.
Xiao Jingheng's face was clouded, and his brows were tightly furrowed, forming the shape of a river character.
After taking a deep look behind the window, he turned around and left in anger.
Jiang Deshun followed closely behind Xiao Jingheng. Just before leaving Yonghe Palace, he instructed Kang Yubin, "No one in Yonghe Palace is allowed to mention anything about the Emperor's visit tonight to Consort Chen. If this matter reaches Consort Chen's ears, you better be prepared to move your head!"
Kang Yubin smiled humbly and repeatedly replied, "I understand, Lord Kang. I will be careful!"
On the way back to the palace from Yonghe Palace, Xiao Jingheng remained silent with a stern face, walking briskly, creating a gust of wind.
It was evident that he was angry.
In the past, he thought Consort Chen insisted on keeping this snake's spawn because she loved him so much that she couldn't bear to harm any child born to him by other women.
But seeing her attitude towards that child today, he realized that Consort Chen despised the child.
It was clear that when she spared the child's life before, it was just an act she put on in front of him.
Xiao Jingheng had always known that as an emperor, it was rare to receive genuine affection.
Looking at his harem, it seemed that everyone was calculating for their own glory and favor, except for Song Zhao, who truly loved him without seeking anything else.
But how could he know what would happen in the bedchambers of Yonghe Palace after he left?
[End of the brief three updates]
