CHAPTER 74: THE HAREM’S SCHEME

As he was dragged away, he left behind a trail of filth on the ground.

The stench was so strong that many of the people inside Tianxin Hall covered their noses.

"Is this way of handling things satisfactory to the Fifth Prince?"

The Emperor sat at the highest seat, his gaze on Yue Mingxuan gentle on the surface, but filled with a hint of probing curiosity.

Satisfactory your ass, Yue Mingxuan cursed silently in his heart.

Anyone with eyes could see it was the Emperor’s little wife who wanted him dead.

Now the most important witness had been beaten to death by imperial order.

There was no one left to testify, yet the Emperor still dared to ask if he was satisfied.

Who would be satisfied with this?

Although his heart was full of complaints, Yue Mingxuan still kept a respectful expression and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Mingxuan is very satisfied."

"And what about Concubine Hua?"

The Emperor suddenly changed the direction of the conversation and asked the pale-faced woman beside him.

Concubine Hua clearly had not expected that the Emperor would question her.

A flash of panic crossed her face, but she quickly forced herself to calm down.

"This concubine was only too anxious," she said softly.

"After all, the Fifth Prince was once Rong’er’s fiancée..."

While speaking, Concubine Hua slipped off a bracelet from her wrist.

"This concubine acted too hastily this time," she continued, her voice showing false remorse.

"I have a small gift here. I will give it to the Fifth Prince to help calm her nerves."

Yue Mingxuan looked at the expression Concubine Hua carefully crafted. It was guilt, gentleness, and the kindness of a caring mother.

He felt a sigh rise in his heart.

Women in the imperial harem were all born actresses.

Even the best modern award winning actresses could not compare to them.

He accepted the bracelet handed over by the eunuch and forced himself to say,

"Thank you, Concubine Hua, for your reward."

"Sister Hua, you are truly polite."

Consort Zhou covered her mouth and let out a few soft laughs.

"That bracelet... I remember you planned to give it to Prince Rong future wife. Now you give it to Fifth Prince, what an interesting coincidence."

Although Concubine Hua knew Consort Zhou was mocking her, she also understood that arguing in front of the Emperor was pointless.

She merely let out a small cold "hmph" and turned her head away, refusing to take the bait.

At this moment, the Emperor stood up and said, "After all this trouble today, I am tired. Rong’er, stay with your mother tonight and talk with her. There is no need for you to follow me around."

If the Emperor left, Concubine Hua would once again be the most powerful person in Tianxin Hall.

She had lost such a big face today, who knew what trouble she might cause once the Emperor was gone?

Thinking of this, Yue Mingxuan followed the principle of "leaving while things are still good."

He quickly bowed and said, "Mingxuan will also take his leave."

A large group of people left Tianxin Hall together.

Once they were gone, the entire hall felt empty.

Concubine Hua gave a small signal and the eunuch beside her led everyone out.

Soon, only Rong Tieshan and Concubine Hua remained inside.

"Rong’er, why did you help that monster today?"

Now that she was alone with her son, Concubine Hua no longer bothered to hide her disgust toward Yue Mingxuan.

Someone who is not a man nor woman? Just thinking of it enough to make her vomit.

Rong Tieshan bowed to her.

Although he already knew that his mother had likely planned today’s trap, hearing her practically admit it with her own mouth still brought him disappointment.

"Mother, your son has already broken the engagement with the Fifth Prince. Why must you still..."

"Rong’er, you don’t understand."

Concubine Hua sighed heavily.

"As long as that monster is alive, it will always be a stain on your name. Only when she is gone will people forget it. You must remember, when you aim for that position and being high above others, there is no room for even the smallest mistake."

Seeing her son’s resistance made Concubine Hua feel tired.

She had raised him with so much effort, but when had he started drifting away from her?

She picked up a cup of ginseng tea, took a slow sip, then continued, "If Yuelin and Lianhua hadn’t slipped up, I would never have known how close you were getting to that monster in private. Tell me, Rong’er... do you want that position or not?"

"Of course your son wants it, but—"

Rong Tieshan had barely begun to speak when Concubine Hua cut him off.

Her tone turned harsh and her expression even a bit twisted.

"If you want it, then good. You must understand, everything I do is for your sake. Since ancient times, winners become kings and losers become nothing. Your brothers, none of them are easy to deal with. If you are not alert at every moment, then in the end, even you and I may not have a place to be buried."

Faced with his mother’s fierce tone, Rong Tieshan could only take a step back.

"Yes... Mother is right to teach me."

"I know you are soft hearted,"

Seeing her son yield, Concubine Hua’s voice softened again.

"In this palace, whose hands are not covered in blood? If blame must be placed, then blame that monster for being born into the wrong family."

Rong Tieshan knew that saying more would be useless.

He did not speak again.

He only bowed his head quietly and then stood beside Concubine Hua, playing the role of an obedient and respectful son.

Meanwhile, Yue Mingxuan, the one whom Concubine Hua claimed had been "born into the wrong family" was now leaning against a soft couch.

He ate fruit while he and Minglan admired the jade bracelet that Concubine Hua had given him.