Chapter 450 Kneeling and Waiting for the Emperor to Arrive

Chapter 450 Kneeling and Waiting for the Emperor to Arrive

She had long known that Consort Shu was abusing the Crown Prince, even provoking him several times to anger her further.

This was a war between adults, yet the one suffering was the child.

Finally, the Crown Prince reacted, struggling to force a smile, "Aunt, it's alright, it doesn't hurt."

This response brought tears to the Long Princess's eyes.

Finally, she seemed to make up her mind, took a deep breath, and said to Zheng Jinyu, "Have the imperial physician come to examine the Crown Prince's injuries."

Examine his injuries? Zheng Jinyu was still in a daze.

The Crown Prince's face changed dramatically, "Aunt, no."

Zheng Jinyu quickly understood something, which only shocked her more.

After agreeing, she went out to summon the imperial physician.

Soon, the imperial physician arrived, and the Long Princess instructed, "Take the Crown Prince to the side room, remove his clothes, and examine his entire body for injuries."

The imperial physicians looked at each other in surprise.

Despite their shock and suspicion, they could do nothing but comply.

"Crown Prince, please come this way."

The Crown Prince looked at the Long Princess, his eyes filled with pleading.

The Long Princess smiled gently, "Xu'er, go. She shouldn't take her anger out on you; she is not worthy of being your mother."

In the end, the Crown Prince followed them.

Zheng Jinyu approached the Long Princess, "Mother, Consort Shu..."

"I know. I've always said that woman has issues."

Initially, Zheng Jinyu thought the Long Princess was deliberately antagonizing Consort Shu due to their discord, but now she realized it was true.

After examining the Crown Prince, the imperial physician came to report to the Long Princess.

The Long Princess immediately interrupted him, "Write it down."

The imperial physician looked stunned but nodded in agreement.

"Yes."

The Crown Prince had an incredible ability to recover emotionally. When Zheng Jinyu saw him again, he managed to force another sunny smile.

"Sister-in-law, let's go make some pastries."

Zheng Jinyu glanced at his ears and silently nodded.

They continued to the kitchen to make pastries. While they were busy, the Princess suddenly arrived.

"Jinyu, Xu'er, what happened? Why is Empress Consort Shu kneeling in the courtyard?"

Both Zheng Jinyu and the Crown Prince were startled.

Zheng Jinyu asked, "Empress Consort Shu is kneeling in the courtyard?"

"Yes, I asked her, but she wouldn't say anything. I also asked Consort Li, but she didn't tell me either. What's going on?"

Zheng Jinyu turned to look at the Crown Prince's ear.

Following her gaze, the Princess exclaimed, "What happened to Xu'er's ear? And his face..."

His face was also slightly swollen.

The Crown Prince shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing, Sister. We baked a lot of bread today."

The Princess remained silent, watching the busy Crown Prince with a complex expression.

Today, they made a lot of bread and cakes. Zheng Jinyu asked Chunmei to deliver some to the Zheng family, but unexpectedly, she was stopped by the Emperor's guards, who even took the bread and cakes.

Chunmei returned crying, complaining, "How outrageous! They are guests at the Princess's residence, how can they steal from the host? Princess, you must complain to the Long Princess later."

Zheng Jinyu couldn't help but smile, thinking that the Emperor had been monitoring them for days without finding any evidence. She also heard that things weren't going well in Yu City, and suspected that he might think Xie Peiyu was secretly causing trouble.

However, these days, Xie Peiyu had only done two things: sleep during the day and keep watch at night.

Unable to find any evidence against him, the Emperor might assume he was sending messages outside.

The first time she delivered cakes to the Zheng family, the Emperor hadn't reacted. But when she did it again, he wondered if there might be messages hidden in the cakes.

"Let them take it. Consider it a reward for them."

Let them search as they wish.

She had nothing to hide, and she had involved the Crown Prince in the entire cake-making process.

Chunmei was indignant, muttering, "What royal guards, they're just a bunch of bandits."

"Hush, be careful someone hears you."

Upon hearing this, Chunmei shrank her neck and did not dare to say anything more.

Zheng Jinyu glanced at the sky; the emperor would be arriving soon, and Xie Peiyu would also be getting up shortly.

She instructed Chunmei, "Go prepare dinner for the Prince."

"Yes."

Soon, Xie Peiyu got up. Although he worked the night shift, he slept soundly during the day due to Zheng Jinyu's insistence, and his spirits were quite good.

"Was there anything interesting today?"

Tomorrow was the last day, and Xie Peiyu seemed much more relaxed.

Zheng Jinyu sat by his side and told him about Concubine Shu.

After listening, Xie Peiyu was somewhat surprised but did not say anything, only quickly washed up.

After all, the emperor was coming soon, and he was not at ease leaving that old man alone in front of the Princess.

Once he finished washing up, the food arrived. Zheng Jinyu sat by his side, chatting with him as they ate.

During these days when the Princess was ill, meals in the mansion were scheduled at fixed times as before. They took turns caring for the Princess, eating and resting whenever they had free time. The County Lady said she could take care of herself.

This arrangement was quite good; otherwise, they would have to dine with the Emperor and his two concubines, which would be quite uncomfortable.

"Is the Crown Prince really Concubine Shu's biological son?"

Even though she knew the probability was low, she still couldn't help asking.

"Of course," Xie Peiyu thought for a moment and said, "Concubine Shu has too high expectations for the Crown Prince, plus she is proud and arrogant. It's possible that she might abuse him."

"It's not just possible; it's true. I saw it with my own eyes. Half of the Crown Prince's ear was torn off, and his face was swollen from beating. When she goes crazy, she acts like a different person. Moreover, the imperial physician examined the Crown Prince's body."

Xie Peiyu suddenly sneered and said, "Then she's finished."

Zheng Jinyu knew some people with extreme personalities who usually suppressed their natural tendencies. Once they lost control, it was terrifying. Concubine Shu was likely one of those people.

Being her child was truly unfortunate.

The Emperor arrived and, upon entering the Princess's residence, saw Concubine Shu kneeling in the courtyard.

He stopped in front of her, looking down with a grim expression.

"Concubine Shu, what are you doing?"

Concubine Shu cried, "Your Majesty, your subject made a mistake. Your subject knows it was wrong. Please forgive me."

At this moment, a guard ran up to the Emperor and whispered a few words to him.

The Emperor's face turned dark.

He turned to look at Consort Li beside him and asked, "Tell me, why is Concubine Shu kneeling here?"

Consort Li was a bit scared but still spoke honestly, "Her Highness was angry that the Crown Prince wasn't studying and lost control, accidentally tearing his ear. She feels guilty and responsible for injuring him, so she has been kneeling here waiting for Your Majesty."

The Emperor tightly pursed his lips, staring at Concubine Shu with an unfriendly gaze.

Consort Li hurriedly added, "Your Majesty, Her Highness didn't mean to do it. The Crown Prince is also her son, and she feels heartbroken seeing him hurt."

"Hmph." The Emperor suddenly sneered, "You two are indeed close sisters."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked away without looking back.

Consort Li and Concubine Shu exchanged bewildered glances.

"Her Highness, please get up. Let me help you."

Concubine Shu nodded and got up with her assistance.

"Sister Li, what do you think the Emperor meant? He wouldn't blame me because of Xu'er, would he?"