The Emperor truly has a knack for infuriating people.
The disparity between Su Pin’s origins and hers was like night and day, yet now Su Pin could stand on equal footing with her!
Bringing up a dead person to disgust her, it seems he was truly affected by the matter of the Third Prince.
The irritation in her heart intensified.
Then she heard Bai Pin speak dismissively.
"It’s a real stroke of luck for that sickly Second Prince; his adversity became his blessing, and he became the Han King! If you ask me, he’s not even fit to carry the sandals for our Third Prince!"
Princess Consort Yi blurted out, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Bai Pin was very surprised, glanced at Ru Huan, who was serving beside her, and saw her also frowning.
In her heart, she secretly blamed them.
How are these people passing on information, for such big news, and Princess Consort Yi didn’t even know!
Having her play the role of the gossip brought nothing but bad luck to her.
But now, she could only brace herself and step forward to speak.
"Yes, the Second Prince was made Han King, and the Emperor also bestowed Yunzhou to him as his fief. Although Yunzhou is in the Northern Land and not a rich place, he nonetheless seized the opportunity first; I truly pity the Third Prince."
With a crash, Princess Consort Yi smashed the teacup in her hand.
Just as Ruyi was entering the door, she was startled.
Then Princess Consort Yi looked reproachfully at Ruyi and Ru Huan, startling them to kneel immediately.
"How could such a big matter not be reported to me!"
"It was all our mistake, thinking you were troubled, Madam, and dealing with family affairs, so we concealed it. Please forgive us, Madam!"
The two of them banged their heads on the floor loudly.
Princess Consort Yi was so angry her teeth itched, but she didn’t want outsiders to see the Liu Family’s joke.
"Go receive ten strikes, and if you dare make decisions on your own again, I’ll have your hides!"
"Yes, thank you for your mercy, Madam."
Ruyi and Ru Huan both left with pale faces, closing the door as they exited.
Bai Pin, seeing the result of these two, broke out in a cold sweat.
All she felt was absolute fear, and her eyes darted towards Lady He for help.
Hoping Lady He, kind by nature, would step in to help.
Though she too feared Princess Consort Yi, Lady He liked being of service to Princess Consort Yi, hoping for more favor in return.
Otherwise, given her status and looks, it would be hard to stand out in the palace.
"Madam, please ease your mind. Although the Second Prince being made king is disadvantageous to us, from another angle, it’s a great opportunity!"
Princess Consort Yi cast a sidelong glance at Lady He, seemingly suspicious of her words.
"Think about it, Madam. The Second Prince was raised by Lady Lan for so many years and was always anonymous, but after just a few days at Huifang Courtyard, he was posthumously ennobled for his birth mother and was promoted to king. Imagine Lady Lan’s reaction; she’d be furious."
She lowered her voice as she spoke.
"Moreover, there’s also Lin Guifei. To be disgraced by the Second Prince and Lin Chang , I’m afraid there will be quite a fight!"
After Lady He spoke, Princess Consort Yi’s previously chaotic mood calmed down significantly.
Her words made sense.
Indeed, the anger from Lady Lan and Lin Guifei could likely simmer beneath the surface.
If she couldn’t have it easy, then the entirety of the Six Palaces should suffer alongside her.
With this thought, her lips curled into a smile, her eyes filled with calculation.
"Enough, I’m not feeling well today; you may both return for now. I’ll invite you two another day."
Princess Consort Yi, having suddenly devised a plan to save her cousin, had no mind to deal with Bai Pin and Lady He.
So she ordered them to leave.
Bai Pin, though slightly affronted, would rather not risk Princess Consort Yi losing her temper and implicating her.
She immediately got up to leave.
Lady He did the same, offering their respects to Princess Consort Yi before departing.
As they exited, they happened upon Ruyi and Ru Huan, who had already received their punishment.
Faces pale, foreheads glistening with sweat.
Bai Pin was frightened, grabbed Lady He, and hurried away.
It wasn’t until they’d walked quite some distance that Bai Pin patted her chest and said.
"That scared me to death; luckily, Princess Consort Yi didn’t implicate us. Otherwise, both of us would have suffered for delivering the message."
Bai Pin was sincerely expressing her feelings.
Lady He wasn’t foolish.
"Sister Bai, rest assured, Princess Consort Yi isn’t someone who can’t distinguish between loyalty and betrayal. We are always loyal to her."
"That’s true, but you’re new to the palace and don’t know many things. Anything involving the future of the Third Prince is something Princess Consort Yi cannot tolerate in the slightest."
Lady He’s eyes rolled around, but she believed Bai Pin’s words.
Mentioning the Third Prince, Bai Pin couldn’t help but sigh.
"Speaking of which, Lin Wanyi is quite smart. Though her pregnancy is difficult, she still carved a path for herself, unlike us, fearing our beauty will fade before the favor is gone."
She had tried repeatedly to see the Emperor, hoping to regain past favor.
But no matter how she tried, it seemed all in vain.
She couldn’t even see him, so how could she dwell on the past?
At the palace banquet in Shengjing Building last time, it was supposed to be her perfect comeback, yet it was ruined by Lin Wanyi.
The poisoner was truly detestable.
It could have been any other time, but it had to be then!
Truly, the heavens offer no favor!
"Sister Bai, don’t lose heart; it’s too early to say such things. When I was at home, my parents often said, ’It’s not over until the last moment; no one knows who will win or lose.’
After Lady He said this, she smiled brightly.
Bai Pin was also encouraged, and she realized she was indeed speaking too early.
She’d only been out for a few days, speaking such demoralizing words was premature.
So she smiled and said to Lady He.
"Just assist me well in regaining the Emperor’s favor, and inviting you to Zhongcui Palace will be just a word, saving you from mingling with those ladies and wasting valuable time."
"Thank you for your understanding, Sister Bai. I will do my utmost!"
The two of them laughed and talked, heading towards the nearby garden.
Meanwhile, in Princess Consort Yi’s courtyard stood Chief Eunuch Ruan Ming.
"Go, deliver this letter to Grandmother. Tell her, if she wants the Third Prince to be saved, she should follow the instructions in my letter."
"Yes, at your command, Madam!"
After saying this, Ruan Ming quietly slipped out.
Inside, the serving maids from the traveling palace appeared obedient.
But compared to the regular service of Ruyi and Ru Huan, they were lacking.
For instance, the tea they brewed was not up to Princess Consort Yi’s usual taste or temperature.
Thus, scolding was scolding, punishment was punishment, but she still sent them some ointment.