The Crown Prince's concubine had a miscarriage, and it happened at the Lantern Festival banquet in the palace - such a big thing, even if the Crown Princess herself rushed over, she couldn't handle it!

  Song Yixiao had not yet finished recounting the events when Cui Guifei rushed over, followed closely by two palace maids in bright attire - Yu Guo, who served Empress Dowager, and Fang Yu, who was trusted by the Empress.

  "Aunt! Aunt! My child, my child won't make it, will they?" As soon as she saw the imperial consort arrive, Cui Xianli took a deep breath and suddenly burst into loud wailing, "Please, please save them! You must save them!"

  "Good girl, Li'er!" She was originally the imperial concubine's favorite niece and now she was pregnant with twins. The sight of her pale face, covered in cold sweat and on the verge of collapse, filled the imperial concubine's heart with pity. She didn't even bother to correct her title, but instead rushed forward to hold her hand and comfort her, "Don't worry, the imperial physician will be here soon. They'll definitely be able to save the children! I'm right here with you, so you'll be fine, okay?"

  Before she could finish speaking, tears began to flow - Guifei was a veteran, and with just one look at the blood all over the ground, how could she not know that Cui Jianli's pregnancy was in danger?

  Zheng pressed down his emotions and decided to wait until his niece's situation stabilized before asking about what happened. He heard Xiao Man say indignantly, "Your Highness, the Consort was originally fine, it was all because of Madame Yan that..."

  Although Cui Guifei was usually calm and collected, she couldn't help but burst into anger upon hearing this. She turned her head and stared coldly at Song Yiliao: "Song?!"

  "Your Highness, I'm not a three-year-old child, how could I be foolish enough to harm the Crown Prince's consort at the palace banquet?" Song Yi smiled and met her furious gaze calmly, saying, "I think this maid is very suspicious!"

  "Empress, although I haven't had a chance to ask about the situation yet, but Madame of Yan Country's words also make sense!" The Crown Princess took a step forward and gave Song Yi a subtle glance behind her back, "Madame of Yan Country is Ah Xū's wife, and we are all relatives. How could she have a conflict with Sister Cui? I think it's better to ask about the situation first!"

  She emphasized the two words "A Xū", Cui Guifei glanced at Yu Guo with the corner of her eye, and swallowed back the rebuke that had reached her lips: "Then tell me, what's going on here?"

  Song Yi Xiao was about to speak when the imperial physician finally arrived. The noble consort and the crown prince's consort hastily ordered the imperial physician to diagnose Cui Jian Lian. After a moment, both physicians expressed that the abortion medicine had taken effect deeply and it was no longer possible to keep the fetus: "Fortunately, Consort Ce is now six months pregnant, if labor is induced this time, the imperial grandson should be able to be born!"

  As for the survival rate after landing - this can only be left to fate!

  Cui Guifei and the Crown Princess heard this, both with pale faces. After a long while, the imperial physician cautiously reminded them that Cui Xian was in a critical condition, and if they didn't make a decision soon, it would be too late for the Emperor as well. Only then did the Empress nod tearfully and say: "Then let it be so!"

  In the palace, birth, old age, sickness and death all have their own rules. Especially since Cui Jianlian is not only a junior but also just a concubine, even if she's in so much pain that she's on the verge of collapse, she still has to be carried back to the East Palace before she can take labor-inducing medicine.

  Cui Guifei was worried and decided to send someone back to report to the Empress Dowager and the Queen, and personally went to take charge of the situation.

  But the crown princess reminded her: "This is Cui's first child, and it's twins, so she'll probably be delayed for a while. However, the Lantern Festival banquet can't last all night, and we can't keep Song's siblings in the palace forever? I'd like to stay behind and ask some questions, but Cui and her maid seem not to trust me either. Mother, what should we do now?"

  "She's being foolish, don't bother with her!" Cui Guifei didn't know that Cui Jianliu had just criticized the Crown Prince's consort, and upon hearing this, she couldn't help but frown secretly: This niece is really young and shallow-minded, even if she really suspects the Crown Prince's consort, she shouldn't speak out so openly!

  The empress dowager had just praised the crown prince's consort for taking care of the pregnant concubine, and as a result, she herself had lost a lot of weight!

  Chui Jianlian immediately said that the Crown Prince's consort was no good, isn't this intentionally slapping the Empress Dowager in the face!

  In that case, she didn't dare follow him to the East Palace either - otherwise, she would also become someone who suspected the Empress Dowager of being unfair and questioned the virtue of the Crown Princess!

  Not only can't you go, but also have to show trust in the crown princess, "Who doesn't know that you've always treated her like a younger sister? If she's got something going on and doesn't expect you to make arrangements for her, who else would she rely on? Good child, give your mother some face, this time let her off easy, later when she's better, if she doesn't offer you three kneels and nine knocks of serving tea as an apology, your mother will never forgive her!"

  Cui Guifei was suspicious and said, "This matter is indeed sudden, I'm afraid you can't handle it! Also, bring one or two people in front of me to help out!"

  The crown prince's consort respectfully assented, ordered someone to bring a screen and place it in front of the bed, had the sedan chair carried in, personally helped Cui Jianliang into the sedan chair, and only then withdrew.

  Cui Guifei watched the soft sedan chair disappear into the distance, then turned to look at Song Yi and suddenly calmed down: "Today was originally a good day, I was chatting with Xian Fei and the others, but unexpectedly heard this, and my mind is all messed up! Just now if there was any misunderstanding towards you, child, please consider the relationship between the Emperor and Ah Xu's uncle and nephew, and be more tolerant!"

  "What did the Imperial Concubine say?" Song Yi smiled and hastily humbled herself, saying, "Just now when blood suddenly dripped from the hem of the Consort's skirt, I was also greatly shocked! Comparing hearts, Your Ladyship only called me once, isn't that reasonable? What's there to talk about being tolerant or not?"

  Cui Guifei looked at her with an expressionless face, a hint of solemnity flashing in her eyes, and said: "This house is dirty, let's change places to talk!"

  "If we are to change places, I have one request for Your Highness!" Song Yi smiled upon hearing this but didn't budge, saying "Please summon one or more imperial physicians to examine the personal belongings of myself and my maid! See if there's anything in them that could be detrimental to Consort Ce!"

  The Empress Cui seemed to want to speak, but she spoke first, "I am not guilty in my heart! But at present, there is no evidence, let alone the fact that Concubine's pregnancy is of great importance. If we don't investigate thoroughly, how can we convince others?"

  Cui Guifei originally wasn't opposed to such a search, and upon hearing this, she went along with it: "This palace isn't suspicious of you, it's just that when Liang'er had an accident, the only ones in the house besides the masters and servants were you and your maid. If we don't get to the bottom of this, it will be hard to explain to outsiders!"

  She said so, and Yu Guo and Fang Yu had no objection. So the imperial concubine sent someone to the Taiyi Hospital again to ask for people. Song Yi Xiao then went with Jin Xun behind the screen, in front of Yu Guo, Fang Yu, and the palace maid, took off all her clothes, decorations, hairpins, and rings, put them in a lacquer plate, and let the palace maid take them out to be checked by the doctor.

  When only her undergarments were left, Song Yi Xiao pressed the corner of her clothes with her hand and looked around as if she was looking for something to cover herself. Seeing this, Yu Guo slightly furrowed his brow, signaling her to slow down, and walked out to say to the Empress: "Your Majesty, since Yan Guo Furen's crime has not been established yet, after all, she is a first-rank noblewoman. Is it suitable for the imperial physician to examine this personal item of hers?"

  She also said, "There are several old aunts in front of the Empress Dowager who also understand medicine. If the Consort trusts them, I can order someone to invite them over!"

  Choi Gui Fei dared not say she didn't believe Empress Dowager's people?

  It wasn't until half a day later that both the imperial physician and Old Lady Yu confirmed that neither Song Yiliao nor Jin Xun had anything on them that could harm pregnant women.

  Song Yi laughed and dressed neatly, then came out and said: "Just now it was the concubine who entered first. If she hid something harmful in the house, it's not impossible! Please ask the noble consort to take charge and search this house thoroughly!"

  "What's going on here?" But with just this much effort, the Princess of Jin and the Princess of Qingjiang had both arrived in person. Upon hearing this, the Princess of Jin coldly sneered, "This is a dressing room for everyone to use, not a place reserved solely for you! You only arrived one step ahead of Concubine Cui, who knows how many people came before you? The things found in the house, regardless of good or bad, why should they be counted on your head?"

  Some of the old ladies who had been invited by Yu Guo also said, "This is not necessary. The lady of Yan does not know that if such things could quietly harm Cui Ce Fei, your clothes and jewelry would have some marks! Since none of them are there, it can be seen that this house is fine."

  He also said, "If the imperial concubine does not believe it, she can go to the Taiyi Hospital to ask. Even if it's the hospital director, he will surely say the same thing."

  Cui Guifei smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Auntie is joking! How could I not believe? I originally said that it's not that I suspect the Yan State Madame, but rather this child fears being misunderstood by others and must investigate to clear her name. Am I also afraid of people misunderstanding her?"

  Yu Guo suggested inviting Song Yi Xiao to explain what had happened: "No matter who was right or wrong, we must know how the concubine came about!"

  Song Yixiao glanced at the little servant who had just been left behind and said, "From the time the concubine's incident occurred, whether it was the Crown Princess who rushed over first or the Noble Consort who arrived later, this maidservant has been saying that I harmed Concubine! In fact, I really can't say that I have no responsibility at all!"

  Upon hearing this, Princess Chang of Jin State, Princess Qingjiang, and Consort Cui all furrowed their brows slightly.

  "A few of you, including Yu Guo and Fang Yu sisters, did you all hear that? She..." Xiaoman said indignantly halfway through, but was interrupted by Song Yi's gentle tone: "However, as the Empress just said, today is a great day. I came to the palace with joy, and before the banquet, I received the kindness of the Empress Dowager... At that moment, Cui Ce Fei asked me to leave, I...I..."

  She didn't wail or make a passionate complaint, but the sight of her choking back tears with her head hung low was filled with deep resentment and sorrow!

  Xiao Man was stunned, but the mother and daughter of the Jin State's Princess were both annoyed: "What is going on?! Imperial Concubine Gui, how dare you! My daughter-in-law has never been spoken ill of by even the Empress, when did it become your turn to take charge?!"

  Cui Guifei was also shocked and furious, sternly questioning Xiao Man: "Is what the Yan State lady said true?! Have you all gone mad?!"

  "Absolutely not!" Xiao Man hurriedly said, "The concubine and the lady from Yan State just chatted casually! It's all because of the lady from Yan State being unreasonable..."

  "Your Ladyship, please look at the leftover tea on the table. I just ordered someone not to pour it away." Song Yi smiled coldly and pointed to a nearby teacup, saying, "Just by looking at this tea, you can tell that I had a long conversation with Concubine Ce! Who doesn't know that Concubine Ce and I aren't close? Tonight is the Lantern Festival banquet, if we didn't discuss anything important, why would we ignore the music and dance in the main hall and shut ourselves in here for a heart-to-heart talk?"

  "It doesn't matter whether the leftover tea is left or not!" Qingjiang County Master coldly interrupted, "When you and Cui Ce Fei left your seats, it's impossible that no one saw you, just ask and they can confirm! Coincidentally, we asked when we came over, and you both have indeed been out for quite some time!"

  Cui Guifei raised her hand and personally gave Xiaoman a loud slap on the face: "You clever and deceitful slave! You almost wronged Ben Gong and framed Yan Guo Furen! Come, take her away!"

  "Your Highness, please spare her life!" Fang Yu suddenly spoke up, "But just now it wasn't just Xiaoman who was questioning the Crown Princess, even Cui Ce Fei also repeatedly asked why she wanted to help Yan Guo Furen harm her. I thought that maybe we should temporarily spare this maid's life and get to the bottom of things? Otherwise, if Ce Fei harbors any doubts..."

  "She's young and ignorant, that's why she dares to deceive her!" Cui Guifei said with a forced smile. "I'll deal with her myself when I turn back, and I won't let Madame Yan suffer anymore!"

  But the Princess of Jin State coldly said: "Fang Yu is right, the horizontal and vertical are already in question, let this humble servant live for a while longer, if not to investigate thoroughly, how can I give my daughter-in-law justice?!"

  "Speak up, what's going on! If it's really your fault, I won't let you off easily! But if you're innocent, as your mother-in-law, I'm not so useless that I can't even protect my own daughter-in-law!"

  Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Cui gazed deeply at Fang Yu, pursing her lips in silence.

  Song Yi smiled and gently wiped the corner of her eye with her fingertips, then thanked her mother-in-law and said: "I just received a message from the maid in front of my mother's house, saying that my mother asked me to come over and talk about something, so I came - this fifth sister also heard it! As a result, I waited here for a while, but my mother didn't come, and Concubine Cui arrived first!"

  "I didn't think much of it either and just exchanged a few pleasantries with the imperial concubine."

  "Who would have known that the Consort actually said the person who made an appointment with me was her — and then she went on to tell me..."

  She hesitated for a moment before continuing in an unwilling tone, "As for the Fourth Young Mistress of the Hengshan Wangfu, she has always... admired... your husband!"

  "I was so shocked by her words that I didn't know how to respond, and then the concubine said, 'I have received the kindness of the King of Hengshan's household, how can I not repay it? But with the honor of the king's household, I am not qualified to repay anything. It would be better to follow the will of the Fourth Young Mistress and give...give my husband to her!"

  As soon as the words fell, Song Yi's legs softened and she knelt to the ground, kowtowing several times before rushing into Princess Jin's arms and bursting into tears. "If it were anything else, I would never be an ungrateful or disloyal person! But Mother, I really can't bear to part with my husband!!!!!"