Yuan Ceng was rendered speechless by Yan Qing's words, unable to retort.
Princess Changle was the first to speak, "Yan Qing! What right do you have to speak like that?"
"What right do I not have? I am a noble consort personally enfeoffed by His Majesty, with the authority to oversee the six palaces. Am I not allowed to speak? On the contrary, Princess Changle, your household servants are ill-disciplined, and you are too? Where is this place? How dare you bring such a person here?" Yan Qing seemed to have been provoked, scolding anyone in sight without restraint.
"You... Yan Qing, you are merely an illegitimate daughter. Even if you are now a noble consort, you are still base at heart!" Princess Changle retorted.
"Illegitimate daughter? Heh, is this not thanks to Princess Changle?" Yan Qing's emotions were slightly out of control.
"What does it have to do with me? It was clearly your mother's promiscuity and unchaste behavior!" Princess Changle shot back.
"It's not just your mother; some people are the same." As she spoke, Princess Changle glanced at Nan Zhiyun. Though she did not name anyone, her gaze was clear in its implication.
Yan Qing understood Princess Changle's look and responded, "Does Princess Changle dare to disrespect Her Majesty the Empress?"
"Your Highness the Noble Consort misunderstands. The Princess did not mean that; perhaps she was mistaken," Yuan Ceng interjected.
"Mistaken? What is there to misunderstand?" Yan Qing asked, her face full of sarcasm.
"Perhaps the Princess accidentally saw that His Highness the Heir Apparent specifically prepared a room filled entirely with portraits of Her Majesty the Empress, and the storeroom was full of gifts prepared for her. That is why she mistakenly thought..." Yuan Ceng's words shocked everyone present, even Nan Zhiyun was taken aback by this sudden statement.
"What did you say? His Highness the Heir Apparent's room is filled with portraits of Her Majesty the Empress?" Consort Xu immediately jumped out.
"Yes... no, please don't misunderstand. His Highness the Heir Apparent just..." Yuan Ceng seemed flustered and did not explain clearly.
"Enough!" Yu Jingchen roared.
Everyone immediately fell silent; no one dared to speak.
"Consort Yuan is stripped of her consort title, banished to the cold palace, and shall never leave."
He then looked at Yuan Ceng on the ground. He remembered that it was because of this Yuan Ceng that he had learned of Luo Yuncheng's feelings for Nan Zhiyun in his second life.
At that time, having learned of the relationship between Luo Yuncheng and Nan Zhiyun, and the paintings filling the room, his feelings for Nan Zhiyun... Now that she had fallen into his hands, old debts and new debts would be settled together.
"Slander and damage to the Empress's reputation. Be put to death..." Yu Jingchen's casual words sealed Yuan Ceng's fate.
Yuan Ceng had not expected such a turn of events. Did His Majesty not care? And why was she accused of speaking nonsense? It was a pity that before she could refute, her mouth was covered and she was taken away.
Princess Changle was immediately displeased, "Your Majesty! She is carrying a child; how can you do this?"
"What does her child have to do with me? Guards, Princess Changle has repeatedly refused to amend her ways and has angered the dragon's might. Effective today, her title is revoked, and she is sent to Qingguan Temple to shave her head and cultivate. She shall not leave without imperial decree." Yu Jingchen's patience was at its limit.