If Consort De, relying on the status of the crown prince’s mother, thought herself secure and untouchable, then the easiest way for Empress Zhu to counter her would be to kill the child before he could grow into a threat.
Consort De had already suffered the consequences of her father’s death.
She knew that if Empress Zhu wanted to see something through, she would go to the extreme.
Consort De could not afford to gamble.
And she certainly could not wager with her own child’s life.
At this moment, when Consort De looked at Lady Jia Zhen, she felt an uncharacteristic sense of trust.
Clutching her son tightly, she was like a lost bird whose nest had been destroyed.
“Sister Jia Zhen, I swear, I never said those words. Truly!”
Ruan Rensui lay in his mother’s arms, looking at her bloodless face.
A strange feeling welled up in his heart.
A child never despises his mother.
Consort De had countless flaws, yet she was still his mother.
She was the one who had brought him into this world, the one who had cared for him with unwavering devotion.
He struggled slightly in her arms, then looked up at Lady Jia Zhen with pleading eyes.
Consort De was stunningly beautiful.
When she smiled, she was like a blooming rose, or a ripe red apple—one could almost taste her sweetness just by looking at her.
Now, stripped of her former arrogance and trembling in fear, she appeared pitiful.
And the newborn child—what crime had he committed?
Lady Jia Zhen sighed as she met the gaze of mother and son.
Remembering His Majesty’s instructions, she forced herself to be patient and said, “Your Highness, you must learn to control your tongue.”
She spoke plainly, making sure Consort De understood: “Yes, you did not say those words. You know you didn’t. But do others believe that?
In the palace, there is no such thing as a baseless rumor. Such foolish and cruel words—don’t they sound exactly like something you might say?”
The most crucial issue is that, based on your behavior since entering the palace, if the imperial prince were to ascend one day, you very well might seek revenge on the House of Duke Dingguo.”
She fixed her gaze on Consort De, a trace of pity in her eyes.
“To Empress Zhu, whether or not you actually said those words doesn’t matter. What matters is that you might act on them.”
Empress Zhu was a shrewd and decisive woman.
To protect her family, she would undoubtedly take preemptive measures.
Consort De scrambled down from the bed in a panic and ordered her attendants, “Prepare my garments. I must go to the Empress at once and plead for forgiveness…”
Lady Jia Zhen sighed inwardly.
What was this?
She thought bitterly, The truly pitiful always have themselves to blame.
Where was all this remorse before?
Madam Xiahou, equally distraught, fought back tears and hurriedly helped dress her daughter.
The mother and daughter exchanged anxious glances before turning to Lady Jia Zhen and bowing deeply.
Lady Jia Zhen, overwhelmed, stepped forward to stop them—especially Consort De.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed.
Consort De cried as she apologized earnestly, “I’m sorry, Sister Jia Zhen. In fact, just yesterday, I was still speaking ill of you in front of His Majesty, and these past few months, I haven’t stopped complaining about you…”
Lady Jia Zhen: “…..”
She was so angry that she actually laughed.
But then again, this was exactly in line with Consort De’s personality.
Consort De clung tightly to her sleeve, sobbing as she continued, “You’ve been so good to me, even helping me handle things when I was in trouble, yet I was still thinking about getting rid of you.
I’m such a terrible person! Stay by my side from now on. I’ll treat you like my own sister, and I swear I’ll never speak ill of you in front of His Majesty again…”
Lady Jia Zhen: “…..”
Lady Jia Zhen’s expression changed dramatically.
She hastily pulled her sleeve free from Consort De’s grip and replied, “That won’t be necessary. There is no feast that doesn’t come to an end…”
Consort De’s eyes were red from crying, her face delicate and pitiful like a pear blossom in the rain.
She sniffled and asked in a choked voice, “Sister Jia Zhen, do you dislike me? I know I can be a bit reckless, and I’m not as smart as Virtuous Consort…”
Lady Jia Zhen snapped, “At least you know that much!”
Consort De’s sobs came to an abrupt halt.
She stared at Lady Jia Zhen in shock and disbelief.
“Sister… I was just being polite when I said that!”
Lady Jia Zhen remained expressionless.
“I wasn’t. I was speaking from the heart! You really are reckless and not very smart.”
Consort De: “…..”
She shrank her neck, looking aggrieved.
Lady Jia Zhen went on, her voice sharp, “Your Highness, words can bring disaster! Must someone still teach you something this simple? You already have a child, yet you still haven’t learned to use your brain?!”
Consort De: “…..”
She shrank her neck even further, looking even more pitiful.
Lady Jia Zhen continued to unleash her frustration, “Empress Zhu is your mistress, not your mother! She has no reason to tolerate your stupidity and reckless behavior. If you truly want to raise your child properly, then you better keep your head down and act accordingly!”
Consort De: “…..”
She instinctively lowered her head.
Lady Jia Zhen’s fury only grew, “His Majesty is the Emperor, not just your husband! Right now, he likes you and favors you, so he tolerates you.
But if you take his affection for granted and think it’s limitless, then one day, when that affection wears out—do you have any idea how miserable your life will be?!”
Consort De: “…..”
She cautiously peeked at Lady Jia Zhen and sniffled weakly.
“Sister Jia Zhen… it’s not that bad, is it?”
Lady Jia Zhen pointed a finger at her, suddenly furious.
“You idiot! Do not contradict me!”
Consort De: “…..”
Her lips moved slightly, and her natural personality threatened to emerge once again.
She couldn’t help but argue, “Sister Jia Zhen, how can you talk to me like this? I am a first-rank Consort De, after all—”
Lady Jia Zhen didn’t hesitate.
She immediately bent her knees, performed a full ceremonial bow, and decisively quit.
“Wishing Consort De eternal happiness and prosperity! Wishing Consort De a long and peaceful life! Wishing Consort De good health! I take my leave immediately!”
The little voice in Consort De’s head that had been clamoring for dominance instantly deflated.
She lunged forward, grabbing onto Lady Jia Zhen in a panic, bowing and scraping.
“Sister Jia Zhen, it was my fault! I’ll listen to you, just don’t leave!”
Seeing that Lady Jia Zhen remained unmoved, her face as cold as frost, Consort De let out another two pitiful tears.
“Please, Sister!”
Lady Jia Zhen sighed and, unable to help herself, reached out to poke Consort De’s tear-streaked, beautiful face.
She scolded angrily, “Now you know how to beg me? When I was speaking kindly to you before, why wouldn’t you listen?!”
Consort De humbly lowered her head.
“It was all my fault. Sister, you are so magnanimous, please don’t be angry with me.”
“You have no idea how long I’ve been tolerating you, do you?! You idiot!”
Lady Jia Zhen was still fuming, her voice filled with frustration.
“I’ve been living in your palace for just two months, and I’ve already stopped menstruating! The Imperial Physician said it’s due to excessive stress and anger! Do you even know how much medicine I had to take to fix it?!”
Consort De: “…..”
Ruan Rensui: “…..”