Dongyue nodded cautiously.
"Your Majesty, this servant has discovered that our head palace maid, Bizhu, has been secretly saying many inappropriate things to other palace maids these days!" Dongyue said in a low voice, "She has played a significant role in spreading those rumors that you are jealous."
Mingwei listened silently, without even frowning.
"You go out and let Bizhu and Biyun come in to see me," Mingwei calmly instructed. "You all stay outside and keep watch."
Dongyue was one of the most intelligent and quick-witted among the old lady's maids whose names began with "Dong." The fact that she dared to say it so confidently meant that Bizhu had indeed spread the rumor.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Dongyue, whose cultivation was also quite advanced, responded obediently and tiptoed out.
When Biyun and Bizhu came in, Mingwei was holding two strands of silk thread, seemingly comparing their colors.
"Your Majesty." Biyun and Bizhu were unsure of her intentions, so they bowed and quietly served her. Bizhu, who had been reprimanded by Rong Zhen, was also extremely obedient in front of Mingwei.
Mingwei responded lightly, put down the silk thread in her hand, and asked as if it were a casual conversation, "How long have you been in the palace? What have you done? Do you still have any family members?"
Upon hearing this barrage of probing questions, Bizhu paused for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Biyun, her eyes sparkling with delight. She knew Mingwei was treacherous; sure enough, after the rumors of her jealousy spread, Mingwei, as the Crown Prince's consort, had to take action to protect her reputation.
The easiest way is to promote someone from the Crown Prince's side, which will both enhance one's own reputation and win the Crown Prince's favor.
Bizhu couldn't help but feel excited, but Biyun sensed something strange.
"Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for nine years. I served the Crown Princess before, and after her death, I served the Crown Prince." Before Biyun could speak, Bizhu interrupted, "I also have an uncle who is now helping His Highness manage the late Crown Princess's properties."
Before she could finish speaking, Biyun sensed something was amiss. The most basic duty of a servant is to be obedient and humble before their master. Bizhu's words weren't a reply; they sounded more like a blatant boast in front of Mingwei!
"Oh?" Mingwei curled her lips and raised her eyebrows, saying, "So, you are the most suitable person to serve His Highness?" At this moment, the "serving" she mentioned was naturally not the ordinary service of helping Rong Zhen change clothes and eat, but rather choosing concubines for Rong Zhen.
Unlike Bi Zhu's ecstatic expression, Bi Yun's heart sank, and she had a bad premonition.
This time, she didn't speak to Bizhu first, but hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Bizhu is clumsy. Over the years, only Laifu and a few others have served His Highness personally. I'm afraid Bizhu's stupidity might upset His Highness and disappoint Your Majesty's good intentions." After saying that, she knelt down in front of Mingwei with a "thump," disregarding the presumption in her words, and sincerely said, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
Bizhu's eyes widened in astonishment. She stamped her feet anxiously, "Sister Biyun, what are you doing?"
Mingwei understood.
Bizhu was blinded by admiration for Rong Zhen, but Biyun was quite perceptive.
“You can’t make that decision for her.” Mingwei’s smile deepened, her voice as gentle as ever. “I think this is quite appropriate. It’s better to go along with her wishes than for her to gossip about me to outsiders. Putting my dignity aside for now, Your Highness cannot bear to be implicated!”
Biyun's pupils dilated uncontrollably. She never imagined that the loyal Bizhu would be the one who spread the rumors that Mingwei was "jealous".
Under Mingwei's meaningful smile, Biyun knelt with forced composure, her mind racing. Since Mingwei had said it to her face, it proved that Bizhu was indeed involved. At first, she was shocked, but upon reflection, it made sense.
Rong Zhen had long been prepared for the question of the Crown Prince's wife. He knew that the Emperor would decide who would be the Crown Prince's wife, so he decided that while he would treat her with respect when she married into the Crown Prince's palace, he would actually be plotting to sideline her.
Bizhu already liked Rongzhen, and from then on, she had even more expectations for him.
To everyone's surprise, Rong Zhen married Mingwei, someone no one had expected. The two didn't consummate their marriage on their wedding night, much to Bizhu's secret delight. But as time went on, things became increasingly alarming. When the Crown Princess returned to her parents' home, she brought lavish gifts and had the Crown Prince's token handed to her well in advance.
Rong Zhen's gaze towards Ming Wei was full of tenderness and affection. This was not an act; he had clearly fallen in love with Ming Wei!
Furthermore, the first time Bizhu was reprimanded by Rong Zhen a few days ago was because of her disrespect towards Mingwei, so it's understandable that Bizhu harbored resentment. Biyun understands Bizhu; she certainly had no intention of harming Rong Zhen, but she did hate Mingwei. Mingwei is jealous, and Biyun would definitely believe that this would only damage Mingwei's reputation, not Rong Zhen's.
"Your Majesty, you can't just frame someone like that!" Bizhu was anxious. She knew that Mingwei was now Rong Zhen's most cherished person, and if things escalated, Rong Zhen would side with Mingwei. "This servant has served in the Eastern Palace since childhood and has received the favor of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. How could I do anything detrimental to the Eastern Palace?"
"Oh?" Mingwei lifted her eyelids, her faint smile carrying a profound meaning. "You think that spreading rumors of my jealousy will at most tarnish my reputation and damage the reputation of the Marquis of Chengping's mansion, while Your Highness will be completely unaffected?"
Bizhu remained silent, her neck stiff, clearly understanding that Mingwei had voiced her thoughts. She even felt she was helping Rong Zhen, who had been biding his time, while Mingwei's sudden marriage to the Crown Prince was of unclear intentions. What kind of person was Mingwei? What if she, relying on Rong Zhen's favor, ruined his plans? Wouldn't he then regret it deeply?
"Do you know that since I married the Crown Prince, we are bound together by fate, for better or for worse?" Mingwei's gaze was calm, yet exceptionally serious. "My marriage was bestowed by the Emperor, so it naturally represents his judgment. Now that a reputation for jealousy has spread, are you trying to pin the blame for misjudging people on the Emperor?"
"You who have served in the Eastern Palace for so long should know better than I what the Crown Prince's situation is! If we really make a scene before the Emperor, will the Crown Prince have any dignity? Will the Emperor value him even a little?"
Her voice was soft, but every word struck their hearts.
"I will not punish you for now; you'd better watch yourself."
Before Bizhu and Biyun could even breathe a sigh of relief, footsteps were heard, and a moment later the ginger-yellow brocade curtain on the door was lifted, revealing a handsome face.
Rong Zhen, dressed in a bright yellow court robe, stood coldly at the door.
******
Qingliang Hall.
After leaving the council hall, Rong Zhen was immediately led to a side hall of the Qingliang Palace.
Rong Hao and the others who were traveling with him were secretly gloating. They all had their own ways of finding out what Rong Duo wanted to ask Rong Zhen.
"Grandson greets His Majesty the Emperor!"
Rong Zhen knelt down and bowed swiftly, his expression serene and his voice clear. The bright yellow imperial robes embroidered with dragons, worn by the Crown Prince, did not appear imposing on him at all; instead, they made him look even more gentle and elegant.
However, Rong Duo, sitting high on the dragon throne, looked at his sixteen-year-old grandson with a complicated expression.
After a long silence, Rong Duo slowly spoke, "Do you know why I summoned you here today?"
Rong Zhen already knew what was going on. Rong Duo didn't let him get up, so he remained in the bowing posture and respectfully replied, "Grandson knows. It's because someone has been spreading rumors recently that the Crown Prince's wife, Ming, is jealous."
“You know what’s good for you.” Rong Duo’s attitude was slightly cold, and he said with a hint of reproach in his tone, “Such rumors are really damaging to the reputation of the royal family.”
Rong Zhen's attitude became increasingly docile, and he hurriedly replied, "It is your unfilial grandson who has troubled His Majesty with such a trivial matter. Your grandson will certainly resolve this matter as soon as possible!"
Looking at Rong Zhen, whose gentle nature bordered on weakness, Rong Duo's eyes flickered slightly. He sighed almost imperceptibly and said calmly, "Tell me the truth, what do you think of the Crown Prince Consort I chose for you?"
"The Crown Prince's wife is virtuous, gentle, and chaste. It is my good fortune to marry Ming Shi." Unable to fathom Rong Duo's thoughts, Rong Zhen could only give a proper and conventional answer.