Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1165: Bizarre

Xue Han signaled for all the maids to leave before she spoke of the day’s events in the Palace, "Today, the Crown Princess Consort came to the Palace with two concubines. Everything appeared to be fine, but then they found blood on the hem of Consort Ran’s skirt. The Imperial Physician took her pulse and discovered that her very young child was gone. They also smelled the scent of musk on Consort Ran’s handkerchief."

Zhulan, "...."

Sure enough, this was a grand drama. Even before the Emperor had passed the throne, the Crown Prince’s harem was already a stage for constant uproar.

Xue Han’s face turned pale as she continued, "There were also several wives present. What should have been internal strife within the harem, embarrassingly came to light in front of others. The Empress was immediately furious."

Zhulan understood. How could she not be angry? The Crown Prince’s harem had always been stable, and yet, trouble arose as the crucial moment approached. The Empress must have been livid. A troubled harem reflects poorly on the Crown Prince, especially since, although fights were incessant in the Palace, few managed to disgrace themselves publicly like the other Princes’ harems have.

In a soft voice, Xue Han said, "After all the other wives had left, the Empress lashed out at the Crown Princess Consort on the spot. It was the Crown Princess Consort’s duty to manage the harem, and she was punished."

Zhulan remarked, "The punishment was not light, was it?"

Xue Han, "How does Mother know?"

"To safeguard the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess Consort’s punishment would not be light. But I think, the Crown Prince’s harem wouldn’t be so foolish."

But regardless of whether they were foolish or not, someone had to take the blame, and the Crown Princess Consort was the perfect candidate. One must bear the weight of the crown if they wish to wear it.

Between Xue Han and Rongchuan, just the two of them, and Marquis Ning’s various concubines could not reach Xue Han, she had seen her share of indecency but not much. However, Xue Han had a mind of her own and, after calming down, said, "It is indeed strange. The Crown Prince’s harem is full of children, and Consort Ran is not favored. Who would be foolish enough to target Consort Ran, particularly at such a critical time?"

Zhulan had some thoughts in mind, "You can tell me, but don’t discuss this with the likes of Mrs. Ran."

Xue Han responded, "Mother, your daughter knows what she’s doing. I can only speak to you about it."

Yet she wondered, why, when all the duchesses and the wives of lords had left, the Empress did not ask her to leave as well. Truthfully, she did not want to stay.

In the Palace, the Emperor and the Crown Prince sat facing each other. The Crown Prince spoke to his father with a stoic face, "Since the last incident, I have severely dealt with the harem. This matter is most peculiar."

The Emperor knew his son was ruthless. When the son said he had dealt with them severely, it means he certainly had. "You go back and carefully investigate the harem."

The Emperor also dispatched Hidden Guards to investigate. The Crown Prince’s harem was too provocative for his taste. He thought he had cleared it out, but something was missed. He was unsure why they had suddenly acted.

The Empress, playing with Lin Xi, sighed at the still kneeling Crown Princess Consort, "This Palace is not only punishing you for failing to control the Crown Prince’s harem but also because you have lost your composure. Return, and calm your mind properly."

The Crown Princess Consort was smart and realized the Empress was using the incident to give her a lesson, "This child thanks Mother for the admonition."

As the Empress watched the Crown Princess Consort slowly leave, she couldn’t help but say more, "I understand my son. Once you cross his line, he is not one to show mercy."

The Emperor had raised the Crown Prince well, perhaps too well. The more perfect a person, the less tolerant they are of mistakes by their own people, especially serious ones.

The Crown Princess Consort etched each word into her heart. Indeed, her heart was in turmoil, lacking the usual calm composure. She had listened to her family too much. With the Crown Prince overseeing state affairs, she felt like the mistress of the world, receiving the greetings and flattery of married women.

The Crown Princess Consort thought, having once touched the taste of power, the experience of its intoxicating allure was too splendid to let go of willingly.

Holding her granddaughter, the Empress kissed Lin Xi and said, "Little Lin Xi, in the future, you must find a husband who is wholly devoted to you, the very best."

For the Crown Princess Consort, the Empress no longer wished to dwell on it, she too was exhausted and simply awaiting her elevation to Empress Dowager. The Emperor had said he would take her to roam and see the world, to fulfill his initial promise.

A burst of cheerful laughter drew the Empress’s gaze to the male child cradled by a Female Officer, followed by another sigh.

The following day, Zhulan met with the ladies of the Qi Clan. Their eyes red with weeping, it was evident they had not cried little the night before. Zhulan asked, "You didn’t go to the Crown Prince’s estate today?"

With a nasal voice, a lady from the Qi Clan replied, "No, the Consort sent out a message that everything was fine."

Zhulan understood; this meant the Crown Prince’s estate was no longer permitting entry. "Don’t worry, Consort Ran has always been sensible."

The lady from the Qi Clan lamented, "I’ve had good days these past two years. Who would have thought such a thing could happen?"

Prince Chu had become quiet, and indeed, the Qi Clan had been living well. Zhulan didn’t know how to offer comfort, especially considering the lost child might have been a boy. A prince was significant for the Ran family, even without ambitions — having a prince to back them gave the Ran family roots.

The Qi lady continued, "The Consort is just too kind-hearted. I had nightmares all last night."

She dreamed of her daughter being plotted against in the harem and sent to the cold palace; terrified, she hadn’t dared to sleep the rest of the night. She mentioned it to her husband, who said she was worrying over nothing. They wanted to visit the daughter but couldn’t enter the Crown Prince’s estate, ending up only being able to talk to Mrs. Yang — and even then, they dared not say much.

Zhulan reassured her, "Try to be at ease; your worrying will only make the Consort worry about you."

The Qi lady wasn’t in high spirits, and her own husband was also upset. If the child were still alive, but it was no use dwelling on it now.

After talking with Zhulan for a while longer, the Qi lady felt much calmer. "Mingyun is also reaching the age for marriage. When do you plan on setting the date?"

Zhulan thought about her grandson’s age, only fifteen this year. "He is still too young, there’s no rush to decide in two years."

The Qi lady thought of her granddaughter and was overjoyed. Zhou Mingyun was not only extraordinary in character, but he was also destined for a title. "He is not that young; when my husband..."

She stopped speaking, recalling that her husband was not young when they married.

Zhulan smiled, "Indeed, there is no rush. We’ll wait until our family’s residence is repaired. We’ll need to move, and when we do, I’ll come to you to discuss, alright?"

The Qi lady brightened up, "Right, you have to move as well, okay, I’ll listen to you."

Some more days passed, and talk about the Crown Prince’s estate, already forbidden, ceased altogether. Even the Ran family stopped dwelling on the sadness of the lost child.

Back in Zhou village, the Zhou family’s ancestral rites had concluded, and Lady Li was now preparing to pack for her return to the capital.

Lady Li was sorting through her luggage when she heard the maid report the arrival of her sister-in-law’s sister. She hurriedly invited her in, bustling with warmth, "Please make yourself comfortable, Sister. Things are a bit chaotic at the moment, I’ll ask them to tidy up quickly."

Dong Yiyi eyed the luggage, "Uncle Li must have prepared these for you, right?"

Lady Li replied with a smile, "Yes, my parents were worried I wouldn’t get the best delicacies in the capital, so they packed some extra for me."

This trip home had been the happiest for Lady Li. She had long since moved past flaunting her hometown visit, now simply enjoying the familial atmosphere. Her days at her family home were quite joyful.

With the help of the maids, the luggage was swiftly packed up and taken out of the hall. Lady Li asked, "Sister, is there anything in particular you need me to bring to my sister-in-law?"