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Chun Xi listened and felt anxious. Not to mention delivering medicine to Qin Xiao, she couldn’t even leave the place.

"What should we do now, young master?" Chun Xi said, her tears welling up again.

Shen Chuwei thought of Xiao Jinyu, "Let’s wait a bit longer, perhaps Xiao Jinyu will come. Xiao Jinyu is, after all, Prince Yu, and the Emperor favors him. It should be easy for him to see Qin Xiao. He can take the medicine and give it to him."

Upon hearing this, Chun Xi saw a glimmer of hope and wiped away her tears, "Then we can only entrust our hopes to Prince Yu."

Chun Xi’s worry for Qin Xiao was not only because she feared he would be forced into making a false confession that could harm the young master.

She felt that Qin Xiao was a good person who had truly been struck by a sudden disaster.

Word that Lady Shen was suspected of having an affair with a guard spread quickly throughout the palace.

Inside the East Palace, there was much gossip and discussion.

Initially, when Shen Chuwei found favor, it made others jealous. Now that she had come to this pass, those who were envious reveled in her misfortune all the more.

Lady Li hadn’t seen His Highness for half a year. Upon hearing the news, she sighed incessantly.

"Lady Shen truly let His Highness down. If His Highness treated me the same way, I would be willing to lay down my life and follow him to death."

"Exactly, His Highness doted on her so much, and she actually has an affair with His Highness’s personal guard? Putting a green hat on His Highness? I really don’t understand what Lady Shen is thinking in her head."

Xu Chenghui turned his head towards Lady Chang with a flattering smile, "It’s indeed Lady Chang who has the discerning eye, promptly uncovering Lady Shen’s disgraceful affair."

Lady Chang was holding a teacup, sipping tea gracefully, "I’m just distressed for His Highness, how heartbroken must he be when his true feelings are so misplaced?"

Xu Chenghui agreed repeatedly, "Lady Chang is right, Lady Shen is completely finished this time."

When Concubine Xu heard about this, she was so angry that she smashed the bowl in her hand, "Lady Chang is truly disgusting, to actually frame Lady Shen?"

Cai Xia, while picking up the broken pieces from the floor, tried to calm her down, "Young master, please, don’t be angry."

Concubine Xu snorted, "How can I not be angry? I was about to become a godmother, and Lady Chang just never changes. Once the Empress and His Highness return, she must be dealt with properly."

Cai Xia nodded in agreement, "Let’s wait for the Empress and His Highness to return."

"No, I have to go see Lady Shen," said Concubine Xu, tossing her handkerchief and heading out.

Cai Xia had no choice but to put down the broken pieces and instructed the palace maid to clean up, as she hurriedly followed behind.

Upon leaving, they met Lady Tao. Concubine Xu approached her, "Lady Tao, have you heard?"

Lady Tao’s face showed concern, "I just heard the news and wanted to go and see Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

Concubine Xu flicked her handkerchief, "Then let’s go together. I’m so angry that I could almost get a heart attack."

Arm in arm, the two headed towards Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Concubine Xu said with indignant injustice, "Wasn’t Lady Shen’s pregnancy very well-concealed? How did Lady Chang uncover it?"

"Lady Shen was cherished by His Highness and adored by the Empress. Lady Chang is the Empress’s niece.

Seeing her own aunt care so much for someone else, she must have been jealous.

She probably had her eye on Lady Shen for a while and plotted to frame her after finding some trail," Lady Tao spoke gloomily.

Concubine Xu was rubbing her hands eagerly, "Lady Chang, that crafty woman is too wicked, I really want to strangle her to death."

Lady Tao patted Concubine Xu, signaling her to calm down, "Alright, let’s see Lady Shen first."

Concubine Xu nodded, "Hmm."

At the entrance of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, guards usually stood watch, and this time was no exception. The only difference was that the Pavilion’s grand doors were locked with an old bronze lock.

Just as Concubine Xu and Lady Tao entered, they were stopped by two guards.

"The Emperor has ordered that no one is to visit Lady Shen."

Their tone was cold and emotionless, like that of a robot without feelings.

Concubine Xu said discontentedly, "Lady Shen hasn’t been convicted yet. Can’t we even take a look?"

The guard said coldly, "No."

Lady Tao discreetly took a bag of silver from her sleeve and slipped it into the guard’s hand, "I just want to speak a few words with Lady Shen, then I will leave. Is that possible?"

The two guards looked at each other and then nodded, "Say a few words and then you must leave."

"Thank you." Lady Tao pulled Concubine Xu to the door, noting the lock on it.

Concubine Xu turned to the guards and said, "Then open the door for us."

"Not possible, speak from outside if you need to speak." The guards still spoke in a cold tone.

Lady Tao pulled Concubine Xu aside, "Concubine Xu, let’s just talk from out here."

Concubine Xu was somewhat dissatisfied, having given money and yet not even the door would be opened, but she was powerless to change the situation.

Chun Xi happened to come out from the room, noticing through the crack of the door there were people outside, the fine silk clothing making it obvious they were not guards.

As she walked over, she heard Concubine Xu shouting, "Chun Xi, quickly call Lady Shen over."

Seeing Concubine Xu, Chun Xi nodded repeatedly with joy, "I’ll go and call my young mistress right away."

After saying this, she turned and ran back inside.

At that moment, Shen Chuwei was sleeping soundly, only to be shaken awake by Chun Xi.

"Mistress, Concubine Xu and Lady Tao have come to see you."

Shen Chuwei snapped awake instantly and, with Chun Xi’s support, got out of bed to go to the door.

From afar, she could see a hand reaching through the crack in the door, waving a small, green handkerchief in mid-air.

Who else could it be but Concubine Xu?

As Shen Chuwei approached, she heard Concubine Xu’s anxious inquiry, "Lady Shen, how are you holding up?"

Shen Chuwei shook her head, "I’m fine, I’m just being confined, don’t worry about me."

"Lady Shen, take care of your pregnancy, the Emperor will surely clear your name by identifying the truth. The Empress and Your Highness will be back soon; don’t worry," Lady Tao comforted.

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, "Yes, don’t worry, I’m doing fine."

Lady Tao took out a bag of silver from her person and stuffed it into Shen Chuwei’s hand, "I’m giving you some cash, use it as needed."

Money talks, Shen Chuwei was not about to stand on ceremony.

"Alright, then I’ll accept it."

Concubine Xu still wanted to say a few words, but the guard’s cold voice rose from behind her, "Alright, it’s time to go."

"Then we’re leaving, take good care of yourself."

Concubine Xu and Lady Tao left the Xiaoxiang Pavilion under the chilly gaze of the guards.

Chun Xi looked at the silver in Shen Chuwei’s hand; she had seen plenty in the palace of kicking someone when they’re down, reveling in others’ misfortune, and turning against each other.

She couldn’t help but sigh, "They say true feelings are seen in hard times, and this saying isn’t wrong at all, Concubine Xu and Lady Tao truly care for the young mistress."

Shen Chuwei chuckled, "That’s what I think too."

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study Room

The Emperor was reviewing memorials, but eventually, he simply put down the document in his hand and looked up at his son standing before the imperial desk.

"Yuyu, if you keep this up, I’ll get angry."

Clutching a brush, Xiao Jinyu complained pitifully, "But, Father, if you go on like this, your son will be too distressed to sleep at night."

The Emperor asked thoughtfully, "Is that so?"

"Of course, my nephew is still suffering, should the Emperor not..."

ps: Third update.

Spoiler: The Crown Prince will be back soon!

Another Chapter of three thousand words, to be updated before dinner.