In the early morning, as the Cold King and his wife emerged from the spatial realm, they heard the babbling of voices outside the palace gates.
"Your master still won't let us in to see Fifth Brother?" Consort Ping asked Ye Ying, her eyes swollen and red.
"Yes, Consort Ping!" Ye Ying replied with a cupped fist salute.
"Then has Second Brother's Consort said when we can go in and see Fifth Brother?"
Prince Ji frowned suddenly, asking with a hint of curiosity.
"Replying to His Highness Prince Ji, this subordinate does not know!" Ye Ying answered truthfully.
At that moment, the Empress, supported by Xiao Anzi, also arrived at the entrance of Yiran Hall.
Upon seeing the Empress arrive, Consort Ping and Prince Ji, despite their dislike for the wicked-hearted Empress, had no choice but to pay their respects due to her status.
Consort Ping: "This concubine pays her respects to Her Majesty the Empress!"
Prince Ji: "This son greets Her Majesty the Empress!"
The Empress glanced indifferently at Consort Ping and Prince Ji, not immediately telling them to rise. She murmured, "This Second Prince's Consort is truly something. Whether Fifth Prince lives or dies inside, she won't even let us know, leaving us to worry outside."
Hearing the Empress's words, Consort Ping had just opened her mouth to say something when another voice came from behind them.
"Her Majesty the Empress is right. This Cold King's Consort won't let us go in and see Fifth Brother, and our hearts are constantly hanging in suspense," Consort Jing said in a sarcastic tone.
Accompanying her was the mother of Prince Xian, Consort Shu, but she remained silent.
After they walked over, they also paid their respects to the Empress. It was then that the Empress allowed Consort Ping and Prince Ji, along with Consort Jing and Consort Shu, to rise together.
"Her Majesty the Empress, Consort Jing, the Cold King's Consort's medical skills are well-known throughout the palace. She even cured the Empress Dowager's lung disease and has treated many difficult and complex illnesses of the imperial consorts. We should trust that she can save Fifth Brother. Furthermore, the Cold King's Consort's medical skills have been recognized by His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."
Consort Ping was not foolish. After hearing the words of the Empress and Consort Jing, she naturally understood the schemes of these two women. She would not fall into their trap and barge into the hall, thereby causing her son's death.
"But Consort Ping, even the most skilled doctors have illnesses they cannot treat, let alone Fifth Brother last night..."
At that moment, the Cold King and his wife, who were inside the hall, could no longer listen. They immediately opened the hall doors and stopped Consort Jing from speaking.
"Consort Jing, you don't need to worry too much. Prince An is still alive and well. You will be able to see him in three days," Leng Ruo Li said directly.
"Second Daughter-in-law, only allowing us to see him after three days, that is too long," Consort Jing exclaimed, her eyes flickering.
"Oh, is that so? If Consort Jing has a way to treat Prince An, or can make Prince An jump and run within a day, this Consort will immediately let you in to save Prince An," Leng Ruo Li said ruthlessly.
"Luo Li, what you said is right. If you, Consort Jing, can make Fifth Brother as lively as a leaping frog within a day, I will hand Fifth Brother over to you for treatment," the Emperor suddenly said, interjecting as he walked over from a corner after finishing his court session.
"Your Majesty, this concubine, this concubine..."
Consort Jing looked at the Emperor's sudden appearance and felt a surge of panic. She stammered for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Consort Ping and Consort Shu, seeing the Emperor approaching them, immediately knelt down to pay their respects. Consort Jing, realizing her oversight, also knelt down to greet the Emperor.
"This concubine (this subject) greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live forever and ever!"
Everyone knelt and shouted "Long live Your Majesty," except for the Empress, who was unable to walk easily and remained seated as she paid her respects.
The Emperor glanced indifferently at the conspicuously seated Empress, a cold smile playing on his lips. This woman would no longer be able to act so presumptuously.
"Everyone, please rise. I have come to check on Fifth Brother's condition."
"Luo Li, what is Fifth Brother's condition now?" the Emperor asked, also a little anxious.
"Replying to Father Emperor, Prince An's physical condition is gradually improving. Please bear with us a little longer. In three days, everyone will be able to see him."
Leng Ruo Li replied gently. Her voice was pleasant, magnetic, and steady, exuding a strong sense of security that easily inspired trust.
"Since that is the case, I will come to see Fifth Brother again in three days. Everyone else should return to your respective palaces. No one is allowed to stay here and affect Luo Li's treatment."
After hearing Leng Ruo Li's words, the Emperor's stern gaze swept over everyone.
Sensing the Emperor's gaze, the imperial consorts felt a chill run down their spines and immediately led the way in bidding farewell to the Emperor and leaving.
A moment later, the entrance of Yiran Hall fell silent.
Afterward, Leng Ruo Li let out a long sigh of relief. If she had to deal with these women every day, she would have gone mad within a few days.
Seeing Leng Ruo Li's relieved expression, the Emperor found it amusing.
"You're already scared? Think about it, Father has to deal with these women every day. He's been dealing with them for over a decade or two. Sigh, you have no idea how much of a headache Father has."
"Serves you right! You brought this upon yourself!" Jun Mohan said with an unfeeling retort.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was so angered that he kicked Jun Mohan on the spot, but Jun Mohan easily dodged it, causing the Emperor to miss and stumble.
"You scoundrel! You're asking for a beating! How dare you criticize your father!"
"Did I say something wrong? Did these imperial consorts who stood before you enter the palace without your consent?"
Jun Mohan retorted with disdain. Leng Ruo Li, standing by, raised her hand and touched her nose.
She decided not to join this father-son spat and chose to be a spectator. However, she strongly agreed with Jun Mohan's words.
Then, the Emperor explained helplessly, "That's right, these women were indeed brought into the palace with my consent. But the main reason I brought these women into the palace was to balance the power of the court officials."
"Heh heh! Your words are so pleasant to hear. As far as I know, you brought these women into the palace to anger my mother, right? Back then, when my mother was brought back to the prince's manor, she discovered you already had a principal wife. Consequently, she wanted to leave the manor that very night and return to the Purple Eye Clan. However, you forbade her from returning and even sent people to guard her, preventing her escape.
"It wasn't until she discovered she was pregnant that she stayed in the prince's manor with grief. Later, my mother carried me for ten months and gave birth to me.
"One day, she took advantage of the lax guard at the prince's manor and escaped with me. She finally returned to the Purple Eye Clan. In your anger, you took the daughters of all the ministers who supported your ascension, or their younger sisters, as secondary consorts and concubines. Then, you spent your nights indulging in pleasure with those women, and deliberately had people spread such news to the Purple Eye Clan, hoping to make my mother jealous. You expected her to return to the prince's manor to settle scores with you. But you were mistaken. My mother didn't become jealous; we lived very well. Am I correct, Father!"
Jun Mohan spoke coldly, his tone bloodthirsty. His originally handsome face instantly turned as cold as frost, and his beautiful purple eyes narrowed slightly, shooting out sharp glints of cold light.
His demeanor sent shivers down the spines of both the Emperor and Leng Ruo Li.
"Han'er, Father has wronged your mother!"
The Emperor spoke, his eyes turning slightly red. He then turned and left with a few palace maids and eunuchs, his figure appearing desolate.