Concubine Chen shouldered her way through the crowd and walked in. When she saw the scene inside, she covered her mouth in surprise. "Lady Ji? Lord Jiang? You... What are you doing?"
All of a sudden, an uproar broke out in the entire bedroom.
The emperor lowered his eyes and looked at Concubine Chen outside the door. With a frown, he asked, "Where have you been? Why are these two people having an affair in your bedroom?"
Concubine Chen curtsied. "Your Majesty, I was invited out by a maid from Concubine Minghui's bedroom."
"Concubine De?" The emperor raised an eyebrow and spotted her in the crowd.
Concubine De quickly stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I... I didn't invite Concubine Chen. I've been in the imperial garden enjoying the flowers with the other ladies."
Some other concubines stepped forward. "Your Majesty, we can testify to this."
"Guards! Find that maid for me!"
The emperor's face darkened. "You may all return first."
Knowing that family scandals should not be made public, the others didn't dare to ask more questions. They just nodded and quickly retreated.
When almost everyone had left, the emperor noticed that Gu Ruobai hadn't left.
After asking, he learned about Su Mingyu's situation. As soon as he heard, he immediately sent people to take Su Mingyu and Gu Ruobai back.
As soon as the carriage left the palace gate, Su Mingyu woke up.
She rubbed her arm that had been bruised by the cobblestones. "It's a pity we missed the show."
"Is your arm okay?" Gu Ruobai sat next to Su Mingyu and rubbed her shoulder. "Let's just wait for the result."
Su Mingyu nodded. "The situation is out of control. Let's see how Yan Shiqi will handle it."
When they returned to the Prince Ruixian's mansion, Zhizhu had also come back.
When she saw Su Mingyu, she pouted angrily. "Miss! You're so mean!"
Su Mingyu stepped forward and pinched Zhizhu's face. "I'm doing this for you. With your hesitant personalities, if I hadn't given you a push, when would you have gotten together?"
"Moreover, grandfather said he doesn't object at all. You should just pick a date for the wedding."
Zhizhu had come to find Su Mingyu to settle the score, but unexpectedly, she was scolded by Su Mingyu instead.
Zhizhu's mouth twitched. "Miss, don't tease me. Qingfeng... Qingfeng said he wants to protect Lord Ye forever."
Su Mingyu didn't comment. "People change."
Yan Shiqi was really good at fanning the flames.
It was originally just an affair between a concubine and an official in the harem. But since many people had witnessed it, and Concubine Minghui even tried to frame Concubine Chen by sending a maid, this incident completely enraged the emperor.
The order to confiscate the family property was issued immediately. Of course, considering the previous connections of Lady Jiang's family, the emperor only spared Lady Jiang and her son.
Concubine Minghui was sent by Shi Minglong. Following this lead, Shi Minglong's misdeeds were also exposed. Although Yan Liping had been arrested, when he had amassed a fortune, he had mentioned that Shi Minglong had approved of his actions.
Previously, both Jiang He and Shi Minglong had been in the emperor's favor. Even if people had found out something during the interrogation, they didn't dare to say anything.
Now that Jiang He had been dismissed by the emperor, his former enemies all came out to step on him.
Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows. "How on earth did you make Concubine Minghui and Jiang He have an affair in your bedroom?"
Concubine Chen, who had secretly sneaked out of the palace, took a sip of tea calmly and then looked at Leng Ziyue. "It's because Leng Ziyue gave me a special powder."
Su Mingyu didn't expect Leng Ziyue to have such a trick. "Mr. Leng is quite good at using drugs."
Leng Ziyue peeled an apple for Yan Shiqi. "It's also because Jiang He trusted you. He knew you would cover for him, so he was so careless. Otherwise, such a cautious man wouldn't have given in to his desires."
Su Mingyu watched them getting along harmoniously and raised her eyebrows. "Mr. Leng, please take Concubine Chen back to the palace later. It's not good for Concubine Chen to be out of the palace for too long after such an incident."
Leng Ziyue nodded. "I'll take her back right away."
Before leaving, Concubine Chen suddenly turned back. "Ziyue, please wait for me outside first."
Leng Ziyue looked at Su Mingyu, then turned around, walked out, and closed the door behind him.
Su Mingyu looked at Yan Shiqi. "What's up, Concubine Chen?"
"You've always wanted to know who the father of my child is, right?" Yan Shiqi narrowed her long, charming eyes.
Su Mingyu felt a bit embarrassed and touched her nose. "I shouldn't be so curious about this kind of thing. If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay."
Concubine Chen waved her hand. "I can get rid of Jiang He thanks to your idea. So I think I can tell you this. In case things go wrong in the future, I'll leave my son to you."
The more Su Mingyu listened, the more she frowned. "Is the father someone from Shi Minglong's mansion?"
"No." Concubine Chen shook her head without hesitation. "The reason I often went to Shi Minglong's mansion was because of that old fox Jiang He. He hardly ever met me directly. He always conveyed messages through Shi Minglong."
Su Mingyu nodded in understanding. "Then who's the father of this child?"
"Actually, it's Leng Ziyue's, but he doesn't know it yet." There was a glint in Concubine Chen's eyes.
Su Mingyu was stunned. "Who did you just say?"
"Leng Ziyue." Concubine Chen confirmed again. "He was drunk that day and didn't remember anything. In order not to drag him into trouble, I drove him away after I found out I was pregnant."
Su Mingyu let out a long "oh" and suddenly understood. "Do you want him to know?"
"What do you think?" Although Yan Shiqi's words were a rhetorical question, there was no doubt in her tone.
Su Mingyu understood and raised her eyebrows. "Then go quickly. He's waiting."
Yan Shiqi nodded. "Sorry to trouble you with my affairs."
Su Mingyu squinted her eyes. "It's just mutual benefit."
Concubine Chen winked at her. They looked at each other, and everything was understood without words.
The position of the Minister of Revenue left by Jiang He was now vacant, so naturally, others began to recommend new candidates.
With Gu Ruobai's promotion, Ye Weiguang naturally got the position.
On the day the imperial edict was issued, Su Mingyu took Gu Ruobai to the Ye Mansion.
Ye Weiguang looked at the pastries made by Su Mingyu himself, his face full of kindness. "You didn't have to bring anything when you come."
Su Mingyu raised her eyebrows. "Grandfather has just taken office. Of course, I have to come."
Ye Weiguang led Su Mingyu into the main hall. The old lady Ye was also there.
This time, her eyes when looking at Su Mingyu were not as cold as before.
"Since you're here, come and sit down."
Su Mingyu nodded. "Thank you, grandmother."