In the main hall of Fenghua Palace, Consort Xue was dressed in plain clothes, her hair loosely tied in a drooping bun without any hairpins or ornaments.

There was no cushion on the floor, only a thin layer of brown patterned felt carpet covering the icy cold golden bricks. She had been kneeling for nearly half an hour, and by now her knees were numb, but her posture remained steady, with only beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Empress Feng acted as if she didn't see Consort Xue, quietly leaning on the consort's couch with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep. Her slender wrist rested on a small round pillow, while a palace maid knelt beside her, carefully painting golden flowers on the Empress's nails.

After an unknown length of time, Empress Feng finally yawned, raised her hand to examine the exquisite nails, and smiled, saying, "Your skill is getting better and better... Look at this peony, with its layered petals, it's truly lifelike."

The palace maid repeatedly thanked the Empress for her kind words. Empress Feng waved her hand, "Go and receive your reward... Oh my, why is Consort Xue still kneeling?"

Empress Feng glanced at the water clock and shook her head in surprise, "Didn't you arrive a while ago? Oh dear... I actually fell asleep and forgot to let you stand up, making you kneel for half a day for nothing."

Consort Xue gritted her teeth hard, her face still respectful, lowering her eyes and softly saying, "Your Majesty the Empress has many daily affairs to attend to, so it's understandable to feel a bit tired and occasionally fall asleep."

Empress Feng smiled, "That's true... Now that my health has improved, the Emperor has allowed me to take charge of the affairs of the six palaces again, which is indeed very busy. You too, when I fell asleep, you didn't know to wake me up and just knelt there dumbly."

Consort Xue's face was pale as she softly laughed, "Your Majesty the Empress attends to the affairs of the six palaces every day and still has to go serve the Emperor in the front palace, truly working hard. When you finally have a moment to rest, how could I be so inconsiderate as to rashly wake you up for my own sake?"

Empress Feng shook her head and laughed, her words kind yet reproachful, "You're just too considerate... Hey, what are you waiting for? Hurry and help Consort Xue up!"

Only then did Consort Xue's palace maids dare to step forward to support their mistress. However, Consort Xue had knelt for too long and couldn't stand steadily upon rising, suddenly collapsing to the ground. The palace maids failed to support her, and they both fell to the floor in an unsightly manner.

Empress Feng burst out laughing. Just as she was about to make a few more jests, it was announced that Princess Dunsu had arrived. Empress Feng quickly composed herself and rose to greet her.

Princess Dunsu soon entered, and seeing the lingering smile on Empress Feng's face and Consort Xue kneeling on the ground with an embarrassed expression, she understood the general situation. Lowering her eyes, she calmly said, "What are you all standing there for? Does this look good?"

The people in the palace knew that Empress Feng was somewhat afraid of her formidable elder sister-in-law. Seeing this, Consort Xue's palace maid gathered her courage and softly said, "Your Highness the Princess, please quell your anger. Our mistress knelt for too long just now and couldn't stand steadily, that's why..."

The young maid spoke half-sentences, but Princess Dunsu understood perfectly. Upon hearing this, she gave Empress Feng a deep look. Empress Feng's face stiffened, and she squeezed out a smile, waving her hand, "I was careless earlier and fell asleep, not realizing Consort Xue had come to pay her respects. Please be seated, Consort Xue, sit and rest for a while."

Consort Xue gave Princess Dunsu a grateful look and sat down with a frown.

Princess Dunsu also sat down, getting straight to the point, and softly said, "I just went to see the Emperor... Judging by his condition, it's not good. Coincidentally, I heard of a good prescription for treating fevers and thought to bring it for the Empress to take a look."

The female official behind Princess Dunsu presented a prescription. Empress Feng took it and looked it over. The prescription was ordinary, with only a few proper medicinal ingredients, mostly things like rock sugar, mint leaves, snow pears, hawthorn, and such.

Empress Feng thought to herself that Princess Dunsu was still so cautious, but on the surface, she appeared grateful and repeatedly thanked her, saying that the Princess was thoughtful.

Princess Dunsu shook her head, "It's only natural for me to be concerned about the Emperor. Wasn't it said that he had improved a lot a few days ago? How did it suddenly become so severe? He can't even get out of bed. I haven't entered the palace for a few days, and the Emperor has already lost a lot of weight. What exactly did the imperial physicians say?!"

Empress Feng turned her head and glanced at Consort Xue, hinting, "The Princess doesn't know, but a few days ago, the Third Prince fell ill, and the Emperor was anxious, so his condition worsened again."

Princess Dunsu slightly frowned and looked at Consort Xue, "The Third Prince fell ill? I didn't know about that. How is he now?"

Consort Xue's face was deathly pale as she carefully said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. He has already recovered."

Princess Dunsu nodded and sighed, "What exactly is going on? Such incidents keep happening in the palace. Empress... The spring equinox is approaching. Why don't we invite some eminent monks to the palace to perform some rituals? Firstly, to dispel any worries, and secondly, to pray for blessings for the Emperor and the Princes. What do you think?"

Empress Feng naturally agreed, "Very well."

After talking for a while, Princess Dunsu looked at Consort Xue again and shook her head, "Consort Xue, you really need to take care of yourself. Those who don't know might think you're the one who's ill. You've always dressed plainly, but now you look even more pitiful."

Hearing Princess Dunsu mention her, Consort Xue quickly stood up and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Princess Dunsu kept shaking her head, "Among these consorts, your status is the most noble, and the Emperor favors you the most. Now that he's ill, it's time for you to serve him. Not for your own sake, but for the Emperor's, you should take better care of yourself. Don't exhaust yourself before the Emperor's illness improves."

Having endured the coldness and warmth of human relations today, Consort Xue felt comforted upon hearing these words. Her face was haggard, and tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded, "Yes."

Empress Feng couldn't stand seeing Consort Xue like that. She laughed mockingly and interjected, "Indeed, who doesn't know that the Emperor's favorite is the tremella and lotus seed soup cooked by Consort Xue? The Emperor often says that when made by others, it doesn't have the same taste."

Empress Feng deliberately emphasized the words 'tremella and lotus seed soup'. Upon hearing this, Consort Xue's frail body swayed, and she nearly couldn't sit steadily. Princess Dunsu slightly frowned, looking at Empress Feng in confusion. Empress Feng sipped her tea, as if she was just joking, and laughed again, "By the way, I heard that the Princess recently arranged another marriage?"

Princess Dunsu smiled faintly, "The Empress has heard about it too? It's not much of a marriage, just building a bridge and making a connection."

Empress Feng asked, "When will they arrive in the capital?"

"There's no need for any special arrangements. After both sides agree, people will be sent directly to receive the bride," Princess Dunsu thought for a moment and said, "Speaking of which, they might be arriving soon."

Empress Feng sneered, "I just don't understand, a perfectly good girl from a respectable family with brothers and a mother, why must she eagerly throw herself at someone to be a concubine? It's beneath her status! If you don't respect yourself, how can you expect to compete with others for status? It's truly laughable."

Only then did Consort Xue realize the two were discussing the marriage of Princess Kangtai in Lingnan. She knew Empress Feng's last few sentences were meant for her. Her heart felt indescribably bitter. Ever since entering the palace, she had always been favored. When had Empress Feng ever dared speak to her this way? Just because of one misstep, she had fallen to such a state.

Seeing Consort Xue's terrible expression, Princess Dunsu dismissed her first. Consort Xue didn't dare leave immediately and looked to Empress Feng. Empress Feng had wanted to criticize her further, but held back due to Princess Dunsu's presence.

"What exactly is going on with you two?" After Consort Xue left, Princess Dunsu frowned and said softly, "Empress, it's not my place to interfere in palace affairs, but in terms of seniority, I am the Empress' elder sister-in-law, so let me say one more thing... No matter what, Consort Xue is just a consort, she can never surpass the Empress.

"In the past, the Emperor doted on her and the Empress saw it. Now that the Emperor is unwell and can't attend to her, for the Empress to act this way... Those in the know will say the Empress is instructing Consort Xue, but others will think the Empress is taking advantage of the Emperor's poor health to torment his former favorite. You'll get a bad reputation, and when the Emperor recovers, I'm afraid he'll come looking for trouble with you. Why bother?"

If this was before, Empress Feng would have stayed silent. But now that she had the upper hand, she was arrogant. Hearing this, she gave a cold laugh, "Rest assured Princess, even if the Emperor finds out, he won't blame me. Consort Xue knows what she did."

Princess Dunsu was puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Empress Feng smiled, "It's nothing. By the way... Princess hasn't been to the palace in a while. Why don't you stay for lunch, I'll have them..."

Princess Dunsu shook her head, "No, my eldest daughter hasn't been feeling well lately. I'll go check on her on my way out of the palace later."

Empress Feng was curious, "What's wrong with Fen'er?"

Princess Dunsu's eyes twinkled with a smile as she paused before saying, "She's pregnant again."

Empress Feng smiled, "This is wonderful news. The young couple is quite harmonious. Fen'er is impressive, having had several boys already. I'm afraid this pregnancy will be another one."

Princess Dunsu smiled and shook her head, "She and her husband are hoping for a girl this time. Let them be."

Empress Feng offered a few more pleasantries, then had someone go to the palace stores to fetch two bolts of soft satin for Princess Dunsu to take with her. Princess Dunsu didn't linger long after chatting a bit more before taking her leave.

"Is everything arranged?" After leaving Fenghua Palace, Princess Dunsu leaned on her trusted palace maid as they slowly walked along the Floating Light Pond in the Imperial Garden. She lowered her voice, "Be sure not to alarm anyone else."

The maid lowered her eyes, "Rest assured, Princess."

Princess Dunsu gave a mocking laugh, "Look at her smug appearance just now... Let her be pleased with herself for a few days."

The maid smiled, "Princess, watch your step... Past that corridor, Consort Xue is right there under the pavilion."

Princess Dunsu nodded, "Help me over there."

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, Qi Xiao welcomed Princess Dunsu into the warm chamber and smiled, "The weather is poor, I should have gone to pay my respects. Instead, I've troubled Aunt to make repeated trips here."

Princess Dunsu handed her gold-embroidered phoenix feather hand muff to the elderly maid following her. Sitting down, she took the hand warmer Qi Xiao offered, patted it and pouted, "Indeed, who knows what treasures are hidden in this residence. The past few times I wanted to visit, you stopped me, insisting your illness might be contagious. How about now? When you need me, you invite me over again."

Jiang Deqing's face stiffened upon hearing this, nearly losing his composure. Treasures? It was indeed a precious one, but that precious one had returned to Lingnan a couple days ago. Only then did his master dare to have Princess Dunsu visit.

Qi Xiao's smile remained unchanged, "Aunt is joking again. It's just that I caught a cold recently and didn't dare have Aunt come over."

Princess Dunsu teased him a couple more times before turning to her entourage, "I have matters to discuss with the Crown Prince. You all wait outside and don't let anyone else in."

The people in the room filed out one by one. Princess Dunsu sipped her tea and said softly, "As you instructed, I relayed everything to Consort Xue word for word. But... how much she took to heart, I don't know."

Qi Xiao gave a faint smile, "No matter, it's good that Aunt passed along the message. I have my own arrangements for the rest."

Princess Dunsu frowned slightly, her voice grave, "What exactly is going on? Consort Xue isn't a reckless person. Although she's a bit restless and likes to compete with Empress Feng for status, she's never done anything outrageous. This time she actually thought of using such a self-harming scheme. Does she really think the Emperor is so easily fooled?"

Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "There's one thing I forgot to tell Aunt... It was me who hinted to Consort Xue through someone else that the Emperor has tuberculosis."

Princess Dunsu was stunned for a moment before she understood everything. She said in a daze, "No wonder... She was so anxious to have Qi Hua killed. She's afraid the Emperor will pass away and first topple you, then pass the throne to Qi Hua. If Qi Hua takes the throne... there will be no path forward for her and her son."

Qi Xiao nodded, "I told her in a rush, so she schemed in a rush too, making a rash move that the Emperor saw through immediately. Fortunately, she still has some courage and insight. No matter how suspicious the Emperor was or how much Empress Feng interrogated her, she insisted she knew nothing and even completely extricated Qi Qi. But so what... The Emperor doesn't believe her. She understands in her heart that this time she has deeply offended Empress Feng's faction. When Qi Hua takes the throne in the future, there will be even less of a path forward for her."

"Pah!" Princess Dunsu gave a cold laugh, "What Qi Hua taking the throne! Don't make me laugh. It's only because the Emperor truly has no one else to use that he's letting her handle affairs again. Have you ever seen someone so short-sighted? Just this little bit and she gets so excited. You didn't see how Empress Feng looks now like a petty person who has gained the upper hand, and she still dreams of being the mother of the nation, of being Empress Dowager. Don't even dream about it..."

Qi Xiao chuckled, "Let her keep dreaming for now. Regardless of the reason, Consort Xue did indeed try to poison someone. The Emperor is deeply suspicious and naturally won't bother with her anymore. Right now, he's suppressing this matter to preserve the imperial family's reputation, but has secretly instructed his close confidants in the cabinet to quietly purge the Xue family members. In the coming months, the Xues in the court will dwindle. Consort Xue... will come to her senses."

Princess Dunsu smiled and nodded, "Of course, as long as she's not stupid, she should understand that helping you is the right path. At the very least... you can spare her and her son's lives." Princess Dunsu shook her head and laughed, "I didn't expect you to be able to tolerate the mother and son."

Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "There's nothing to tolerate or not. When the incident happened back then, Consort Xue was still unmarried. She wasn't involved at all, so I won't hold a grudge against her. In the past dozen years, she only dared to fight with Empress Feng and Qi Xiao, but never dared to scheme against me...

"Whether it's because she truly didn't dare or because she was waiting for me and Qi Xiao to destroy each other, in the end she didn't do anything. If she can obediently listen from now on, sparing her and her son's lives is not a big deal."

"However..." Qi Xiao paused, "That's the limit."

Princess Dunsu sighed, "Flesh and blood under the heavens... Forget it, let's not talk about this. I'll leave first. I told your uncle that I was going out to visit your cousin, but I haven't gone after all this time."

Qi Xiao smiled, "It's not convenient for me to go. Aunt, please congratulate my cousin for me. Jiang Deqing..."

Outside, Jiang Deqing quickly responded. Qi Xiao said, "Open the treasury, take out a box of gold-threaded swallow cups, two jars of gui ling paste, two white jade ruyi, and twelve bolts each of the best silk fabrics of all colors for the four seasons. Notify the southern villa to send a few black-bone chickens to my cousin every few days without delay."

Princess Dunsu laughed, "Oh my... What great fortune has she received to make you think of her so much."

Qi Xiao chuckled, "She's my only cousin, like my own sister. How can I not think of her?"

Princess Dunsu felt reassured in her heart. If Qi Xiao could successfully ascend the throne in the future, not only would he avenge the past grievance, but with his understanding of gratitude, he would naturally treat her children even better.

Princess Dunsu put on her cloak and whispered with a smile, "Alright, I'm going. If there's any more news from Consort Xue, I'll immediately send someone to tell you."

Qi Xiao nodded, "Thank you for the trouble, Aunt."

After properly seeing Princess Dunsu out, Jiang Deqing couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness... Could it be that when you first had Physician Liu deliberately reveal the matter of the tuberculosis to Consort Xue, you already thought of using her in the future?"

Qi Xiao smiled without saying a word.