In Yongxin Palace, upon learning that Yingpin was not dead and had been personally sent back to the Qin Mansion by the Emperor, Noble Princess Consort Rong flew into a great rage.
Jin Mei was full of worry and anxiety at the moment: "Your Highness, Princess Consort Ying is not dead. The Emperor has already ordered a thorough investigation into the attempted assassination of Princess Consort Ying. With Mr. Sun’s capabilities, he will soon discover it was us. If the Emperor blames you by then..." At this point, Jin Mei’s eyes were filled with terror.
However, Noble Princess Consort Rong showed no signs of worry; her expression remained extremely calm.
"If I were afraid, I wouldn’t have done it."
"Your Highness, aren’t you worried that the Emperor will be angry?" Jin Mei had strongly opposed Noble Princess Consort Rong’s decision to have Yingpin assassinated at first, but Noble Princess Consort Rong insisted on seeing Yingpin dead.
Noble Princess Consort Rong suddenly raised her mouth into a very brilliant smile: "No, I’m not afraid. I believe my cousin won’t be angry with me."
Jin Mei, looking at Noble Princess Consort Rong , felt inexplicably afraid.
"Your Highness, that is Princess Consort Ying who enjoys the Emperor’s deep affection."
Upon hearing Jin Mei’s words, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s face turned extremely cold, and her tone became sinister: "She’s nothing but a substitute."
Jin Mei, intimidated by Noble Princess Consort Rong’s icy glare, shrank back a little, and she gritted her teeth to say, "But the Emperor dotes on her..."
She hadn’t finished her sentence when Noble Princess Consort Rong’s cold, chilling gaze froze her to the core, scaring her too much to continue.
Noble Princess Consort Rong looked at Jin Mei with a sinister smile: "Do you think she can be more favored than me?"
Jin Mei hurriedly shook her head and said, "No, definitely not. Your Highness is the most favored woman by the Emperor. No one can compare to you."
When Noble Princess Consort Rong heard this, her expression instantly returned to normal, and she radiated brilliance.
"No one can compare to me."
Jin Mei did not dare to say anything more and stood quietly aside, but her heart was filled with anxiety.
Noble Princess Consort Rong, wearing exquisite makeup and beautiful, luxurious clothes, quietly waited for the Emperor to send someone to summon her.
"I am just waiting for my cousin to send Sun Kui to invite me."
In the Imperial Study at Chengguang Hall, Sun Kui was reporting the truth about the attempted assassination on Princess Consort Ying to the Emperor.
After Sun Kui finished his report, he saw that the Emperor’s expression was indifferent, revealing no signs of joy or anger. It made his scalp tingle with fear, and he subconsciously stood silently at the side, lightening his breathing.
The Emperor was not at all surprised by this outcome.
Seeing the Emperor remain silent, Sun Kui cautiously called out, "Your Majesty?"
The Emperor raised his eyes to look at Sun Kui and spoke in a flat tone: "Yes?"
Sun Kui could not discern the Emperor’s attitude at the moment, so he tentatively asked, "What should we do next, Your Majesty?"
The Emperor replied indifferently, "Do nothing."
Upon hearing this, Sun Kui understood what it meant and said no more.
After a while, the Emperor said, "Draft an imperial decree to promote Princess Consort Ying to Princess Consort Ying."
"Ah?" Sun Kui was stunned, "Promote to Princess Consort Ying?"
"Yes, promote to Princess Consort Ying," the Emperor said calmly. "Rearrange Changle Palace."
Suppressing his surprise, Sun Kui spoke respectfully: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Instead of Sun Kui arriving with an invitation for Noble Princess Consort Rong at Yongxin Palace, an imperial decree promoting Yingpin to Princess Consort Ying arrived instead.
In Zhao Yang Palace, Empress Xie was initially incredulous upon learning of the decree, then jealousy surged through her heart, followed by an unexpected burst of laughter.
Jiang Chuan, who was waiting nearby, saw Empress Xie’s face turn from green to red to white and was preparing to console her, only to have her burst out laughing.
It was the first time Jiang Chuan had seen Empress Xie laugh so joyously.
"Your Majesty, what’s the matter with you?" How could Empress feel so much joy with Yingpin’s sudden promotion to Princess Consort Ying?
Empress Xie laughed until tears flowed: "It’s too funny, it’s really too funny, hahaha..."
Jiang Chuan was baffled, having no idea what Empress Xie found so humorous.
Empress Xie laughed until her stomach hurt, clutching her belly with both hands.
She laughed for a long time before she finally stopped.
"It’s really too funny." Empress Xie took a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "I’ve never seen such a funny joke."
"Joke?" Jiang Chuan didn’t fully understand Empress Xie’s words at all.
"I haven’t laughed so heartily in ages." Empress Xie wore a joyful smile on her face, "Today is the happiest I’ve been since entering the palace."
"Your Majesty, you were furious just now; how did you become so happy?" Jiang Chuan asked cautiously, "Aren’t you bothered by Yingpin’s promotion to Princess Consort Ying?"
"Not bothered, not one bit." Empress Xie laughed, "The Emperor’s decision to promote Yingpin to Princess Consort Ying was absolutely right."