Qi Xiao had originally prepared himself with full energy to deal with the Feng family, but the only two people with brains in the Feng household had gone on strike. Qi Xiao felt a little regretful, knowing that the more they fought with high morale, the easier it would be for Qi Xiao to take advantage and counterattack. Now that the Emperor's father-in-law and the Empress's uncle had both resigned themselves to their fate, Qi Xiao felt it was a pity.

"Afterwards, Empress Feng kept the Second Prince in the palace and talked until late into the night," Jiang Deqing reported in a low voice the information from the spy, then thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness... Old Master Feng still has some sense. Should we just be frank with him and let him persuade Empress Feng?"

"No," Qi Xiao interrupted Jiang Deqing, sneering, "I'm quite curious to see how Empress Feng will deal with me. Also, before I ascend the throne, I must send her away. If she doesn't make trouble, I'll be the one with a headache."

Jiang Deqing understood. Qi Xiao hated the Emperor and Empress to the bone, so how could he let Empress Feng become Empress Dowager steadily? Doing so would not only go along with their intentions but also lay hidden dangers for Qi Xiao's future after ascending the throne, which was not worth it.

Jiang Deqing still felt a little uneasy and said in a low voice, "There's a saying that those without shoes aren't afraid of those with shoes. The words are crude, but the reasoning isn't. What if the Empress goes all out and really does something unfavorable to Your Highness..."

Qi Xiao chuckled, "Then let's see what she's capable of."

Seeing that Jiang Deqing was still worried, Qi Xiao reassured him with a smile, "Gonggong, don't forget... we still have a chess piece in the palace."

Jiang Deqing suddenly remembered Concubine Xue and laughed, patting his hand, "Yes, yes, this old servant was muddled."

Qi Xiao said slowly, "But we can't be careless. Although Concubine Xue seems to have no ulterior motives, she also has a son and a maternal family. We can't fully trust her. Our side must also keep a close eye on things. It's the final critical moment, we absolutely can't have any mishaps."

Jiang Deqing nodded, "Your Highness can rest assured."

Just as they were talking, there was some movement in the inner room. The corners of Qi Xiao's mouth revealed a gentle smile, which made Jiang Deqing dumbfounded. Qi Xiao turned and entered the inner room. Jiang Deqing couldn't follow him in, but he was afraid that Qi Xiao might have something else to instruct, so he had to stand outside and wait.

Bairen was sleeping in the innermost room, separated from the outside by two spans and three screens. Jiang Deqing couldn't see what was going on inside at all. He only heard Bairen mumbling a few words, and His Highness coaxing him with a gentle voice and smile.

Jiang Deqing found it amusing. He was just like Emperor Wu, a fierce god on the outside, but once he returned to his own room and faced his bedmate, the tempered steel immediately became soft as silk.

Tired from the journey over the past few days and last night's indulgence, Bairen's body ached and he couldn't help whining to Qi Xiao, "My waist hurts, and my inner thighs hurt too..."

Qi Xiao reached under the covers and gently massaged Bairen, coaxing in a low voice, "I've already had someone prepare a medicinal soup for you. In a moment, pour it into the soup pool and add more safflowers. Soak in it for a while and you won't feel tired anymore."

Bairen nodded while lying on Qi Xiao's lap, then thought for a moment and asked softly, "Were you talking to Eunuch Jiang just now? What were you talking about?"

Qi Xiao paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Just now, Eunuch heard some fresh news about Kangtai. Jiang Deqing..."

Jiang Deqing understood and went inside. Separated by a screen, he paid his respects to Bairen and said with a smile, "Answering Your Highness, this morning I heard people talking about the lively events at Minister Li's manor, and this old servant found it interesting, so I told His Highness about it."

Bairen was stunned for a moment before remembering that the Li manor was Kangtai's in-laws' home. He laughed and said, "Did Kangtai cause trouble again?"

Jiang Deqing laughed and said, "The Second Princess is really capable. After coming to the capital, she first went to your Lingnan King's manor in the city. Because the manor there hadn't been repaired after last year's big fire, the old steward in charge of the house used that as an excuse to send the Second Princess away. The Second Princess didn't even get out of the sedan chair and directly went to the He manor, wanting to marry from there. After being scolded by Princess Roujia, she had no choice but to go to the Li manor obediently."

Jiang Deqing spoke with a mocking tone and shook his head with a smile, "Speaking of which, the Second Princess was a bit too presumptuous. The Madam of the Li family had kindly sent someone to meet her outside the city, but unfortunately, she ignored them and still wanted to marry like the first wife. It's a pity that after going around the city, she had no success and finally went to the Li manor dejectedly.

"Fortunately, the Madam of the Li family wanted to use her to control the second daughter-in-law, Lady Yan, so she didn't say anything and still arranged things well, setting up a room for her, preparing several tables of wine, and even introducing her to the clan members. That night was fine, but the next morning, when paying respects to Lady Yan, there was some trouble."

"The day before, when the Second Princess was carried to the second house, Lady Yan was still fine. Everyone was secretly puzzled, but it turned out it was supposed to happen the next day. Early in the morning, Lady Yan said her chest hurt and she couldn't bear it at all. The Madam of the Li family had no choice but to invite the imperial physician. However, after checking her pulse, the imperial physician couldn't say what was wrong, but Lady Yan's pain became more and more severe, and she made a fuss for two days and nights. Lady Yan's wet nurse invited someone to take a look."

Jiang Deqing laughed, "They said... they said it was because the newlywed offended her. Lady Yan didn't say anything, but she made a fuss all day and night. Inviting imperial physicians and great immortals back and forth cost a lot of silver, but it was of no use. Lady Yan's family came to ask, and although they didn't say it explicitly, the implication was for the Li family to send the Second Princess Kangtai back."

"This time, the Second Miss was clever for once. She didn't make a fuss, she only cried to the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master's good temper had long been worn away by Lady Yan. Now that he had such a beautiful young concubine by his side, how could he care about anything else?

"He immediately retorted, saying that among the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest. Although he valued his first wife, he had to be even more filial to his parents. Lady Yan had been in the family for five years without giving birth, and she wouldn't allow him to be close to others. Could it be that she really wanted him to have no descendants?

When Lady Yan's family heard this, they were so angry they almost fainted. At this time, the Madam of the Li family came out to mediate, saying that she loved her second daughter-in-law the most, but seeing that she wasn't good at giving birth, she married a second concubine for her son. Although she valued Lady Yan in her heart, now that the wedding night had passed, she absolutely couldn't send the person back. If the daughter-in-law was always unwell... she should go back to her parents' home for a short stay. When the Second Madam gave birth to a son, she could pass him to Lady Yan's name, and it would be the same."

"The Madam of the Li family had no choice. She couldn't watch her own son have no descendants. It wasn't easy to bring in a person with a suitable status, so how could she let the person leave just like that? Lady Yan was also really fierce-tempered. After hearing these words, she made a big fuss, shouting about favoring the concubine and destroying the wife. She packed her things and went back to her parents' home.

"The Li family naturally couldn't really let Lady Yan stay at her parents' home all the time, but in order to teach Lady Yan a lesson, they waited several days before bringing her back. Lady Yan had obviously also been lectured at her parents' home. After returning, she was very obedient and never made a fuss again."

Qi Xiao sneered lightly, "It seems Kangtai got what she wanted."

Jiang Deqing smiled cryptically and shook his head, "Not really... Young Master Li favors the Second Princess, and Madam Li always takes her side. This was good at first, but the Second Princess's temper... Your Highness may not be too clear, but the Prince probably understands."

Bairen laughed, "Spoiled by favor, she can't stand even a bit of it."

Since Bairen himself said it, Jiang Deqing didn't hold back and continued, "After a few good days, the Second Princess started having other ideas. She urged Young Master Li to tell Master Li and Madam Li to divorce Lady Yan and make her the principal wife."

Qi Xiao scoffed, "Does she have a brain at all? If the Li family could really divorce Lady Yan, why bother bringing her in? They could have just written a divorce letter. What kind of lady from a prestigious family couldn't they get? The Li family just didn't want to offend the Yan family too badly, but also didn't want to lose this talent, so they came up with this method of elevating the concubine. Does she understand at all?!"

Jiang Deqing threw up his hands, "Who says she doesn't? It's something any sensible person would know, but the Second Princess doesn't understand and insists on making a fuss. Now Lady Yan has a handle on her and is making a scene again, running to Madam Li every day to beg for a divorce letter. When relatives of the Li family visit, she also complains to them, saying this household can no longer tolerate her and is discussing buying arsenic to poison her to death.

"This... has caused a huge commotion. Madam Li had no choice but to scold the Second Princess in front of everyone, forbidding her from sticking to Young Master Li with these nonsensical things and telling her to just focus on serving him and quickly giving birth to a son. The Second Princess was scolded by everyone and had no choice but to give up. Just as she was thinking of settling down to have a child, Lady Yan came up with another plan."

Jiang Deqing shook his head and laughed, "Lady Yan suddenly changed from her previous jealous wife behavior and brought in several pretty maids for Young Master Li. Young Master Li had been strictly controlled by Lady Yan for many years, so how could he have seen such a scene? For a while, he couldn't even pay attention to the Second Princess... Of course, if the Second Princess could settle down and work hard, it wouldn't be difficult to conceive a son in the future."

Bairen inwardly shook his head. Others may not be clear, but he understood. Kangtai settling down? Dream on. She chose the Li family just wanting to learn from her own birth mother, but Lady Yan wasn't like the Imperial Noble Consort. How could she tolerate it? Most likely... Kangtai would spend the second half of her life mired in the struggles of concubines...

Seeing Bairen's expression was calm, Qi Xiao was afraid he was upset and said to Jiang Deqing, "Let her be. Have them send in breakfast first so he can eat something before going to soak in the hot springs."

Jiang Deqing quickly agreed. Bairen suddenly asked, "Wait... With Kangtai making such a fuss, did she... did she go plead with Roujia again?"

Jiang Deqing smiled reassuringly, "Rest assured, Prince. Second Princess is now just a concubine and can't go out normally. She has no way to see the Princess. Besides... the Princess is now the lady of the house, very different from when she was a young girl. She can handle her own affairs well. The Prince can relax."

Bairen thought of how Roujia had previously stopped Kangtai from entering the manor and smiled, nodding his head, completely at ease.

Seeing Bairen lazy, Qi Xiao had the breakfast sent in and placed on the small bed table. He ate affectionately with Bairen. The more uncomfortable Bairen felt, the more he liked to cling to Qi Xiao, subconsciously wanting Qi Xiao to coax him. Qi Xiao laughed inwardly and said softly, "I know you're not feeling well. I'll give you a massage later, okay?"

Bairen hummed twice in satisfaction and diligently placed the spring rolls Qi Xiao liked on the small plate in front of him. As the two were being intimate, a senior maid came in from outside and bowed, "Your Highness, Princess Dunsu has arrived."

Bairen choked on a mouthful of cheese, coughing his heart and lungs out. Qi Xiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry and quickly patted his back, laughing, "What are you afraid of..."

Qi Xiao turned his head and said to the outside, "Invite the Princess to the flower hall and tell her I just got a few pots of excellent orchids. Ask the Princess to take a look and pick two pots to take back later."

The senior maid bowed again and left. Qi Xiao took a cup of tea and fed it to Bairen, laughing, "Anyone who doesn't know would think the Emperor woke up and came to catch us in the act. You're too much..."

It took a while for Bairen to catch his breath. He panted, "You... be careful. Don't let her come in. Alright, I'm fine. You go quickly. Don't let the Princess get suspicious..."

How could Qi Xiao feel at ease? He sat with him for a while longer. Seeing he was really okay, he tidied his clothes and took people to the flower hall.

The Princess Dunsu was meticulous and not easily fooled. Qi Xiao was just thinking about how to explain when the Princess Dunsu saw him and forgot about everything else. She urgently dismissed the crowd and lowered her voice, "Today when I entered the palace, Concubine Xue secretly gave me a piece of news. It's an urgent matter, so I came directly..."

Qi Xiao paused, "What happened?"

A cold glint flashed in the Princess Dunsu's eyes. She gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Concubine Xue said Empress Feng secretly had someone make a batch of chopsticks. Concubine Xue was careful and had someone secretly keep a pair. When she took a look... the silver inlay on the chopsticks was fake! She had someone examine them and said they were made of well-refined iron mixed with something else. They look no different from silver chopsticks, but..."

Qi Xiao smiled faintly, "But they can't be used to test for poison."