The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 88 - The Slave's Clever Argument

"Are you alright?"

This sudden concern surprised the Second Prince.

He thought his father would severely punish him.

After all, given his health, sneaking out could have caused a commotion in the palace if he hadn't run into Xiao Luzi and Qiu Ming.

Feeling guilty and a bit self-reproachful, he said, "I'm fine. I met Xiao Luzi from Lin Changzai's side on the way, and he took me back to Huifang Courtyard. Lin Changzai had someone make food for me, and I liked it very much."

The Second Prince, usually quiet, suddenly said so much.

The Emperor was a bit surprised.

But then he thought of Lin Wanyi's ability to make people open up and feel at ease.

"Next time you want to go, just tell Dong Yuzhong to arrange it. No more sneaking around, understand?"

"I understand!"

The Second Prince looked at the Emperor in surprise. He thought the Emperor didn't like him interacting with the concubines, especially Lin Changzai, who was currently in favor.

But being able to go was good.

Not to mention, the food there was excellent, even the water tasted sweeter.

As they talked, the aroma of the chicken soup and cabbage wafted into their noses.

The food box contained two pairs of chopsticks. The Emperor picked up a pair and asked, "What did you eat at Huifang Courtyard?"

"Father, I had a bowl of chicken soup noodles, a plate of shrimp stir-fried with eggs, and a plate of spicy and sour tripe."

It sounded good, but the food in her courtyard was always simple yet delicious.

Thinking this, the Emperor's appetite was whetted again.

Just as he was considering visiting in the evening, the momo responsible for the Second Prince arrived.

She was slightly plump, following behind Dong Yuzhong.

She looked a bit nervous, especially when she saw the Second Prince's cold expression, feeling a deep hatred in her heart.

But she had to act as if nothing was wrong.

"Your servant Chai Baoping greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well. Greetings to the Second Prince. May the Second Prince be well."

She prostrated herself on the ground, her fingers trembling slightly.

The Emperor, sharp-eyed, immediately saw her guilt.

His anger flared up.

He scolded, "The Second Prince was missing for so long, and none of you reported it. Was it negligence or dereliction of duty?"

"Please spare me, Your Majesty."

It was the first time the Second Prince saw Chai Momo so humiliated, and he felt a lot of pent-up anger dissipate.

Dong Yuzhong didn't give her a chance to defend herself and immediately reported.

"Your Majesty, when I found the Second Prince's courtyard, only two palace servants were sweeping outside. This momo, who was supposed to be attending to the Second Prince, was enjoying herself. When I broke down the door, she was sleeping soundly."

Hearing this, Chai Momo broke out in a cold sweat.

How could she have known that the Second Prince would run out while she took a nap?

Running out was one thing, but coming back to complain to the Emperor was another.

She had been too lenient with him, making him so bold.

She immediately cried out.

"Your Majesty, I am wronged. It is true that Eunuch Dong saw me napping, but I had a reason."

She then pointed at the Second Prince.

"The Second Prince suffers in the summer, tossing and turning at night. I was afraid the cool breeze from the open window would make him sick, so I stayed by his side every night, fanning him. That's why I napped during the day."

"If I had known the Second Prince would sneak out, I wouldn't have dared. Please, Your Majesty, understand!"

Upon hearing such deceitful words, the Second Prince became furious.

His originally pale yellow face turned bright red with anger. Pointing at Chai Momo, he lashed out furiously.

"When have you ever stayed by my side fanning me? 'Summer fatigue'? Ha! I didn't even know I had such an illness!"

The Second Prince had been dissatisfied with Chai Momo for a long time, but with no one to take charge, he had no choice but to endure it. However, today presented such a good opportunity, and if he didn't seize it to completely bring her down, life under her would only become harder in the future. Therefore, there was no room for concession in his tone.

Chai Momo, having served in the palace for many years, naturally had her own methods. She immediately put on a look of being grievously wronged, as if she was about to die, and cried out: "This servant knows I am clumsy and not as good at serving the Second Prince as others, but my loyalty is genuine. If the Second Prince does not suffer from summer fatigue, then why is it that he always sleeps restlessly in the summer? Every time, I have to brew calming medicine for him to drink before bed—why is that?"

"Why? You know very well yourself!"

Though young, the Second Prince spoke clearly and was not the least bit afraid to confront her in front of the Emperor. Hearing his firm tone, the Emperor detected something suspicious and immediately summoned Imperial Physician Cheng.

He then turned to the Second Prince and asked,

"How long have you been taking the calming medicine?"

The Second Prince's eyes darkened, and after a moment, he replied,

"From as far back as I can remember, I've been taking it. However, half a year ago, after a big quarrel with Chai Momo, I stopped taking the medicine she brought me."

Hearing this, the Emperor's gaze toward Chai Momo turned harsh.

He didn't have many children, so each one was raised with great care. Princess Mingruo was under Lin Guifei's care, and the Third Prince was under Yi Fei's care, both being taught meticulously. However, the Second Prince, raised by Lan Fei, was often sick. Since he had been born with a weak constitution, everyone thought it was normal for him to rely on medicine constantly, so no one ever looked into it.

But with such a young child, what would happen if he were overmedicated?

As these thoughts crossed his mind, the Emperor's fury surged. Looking at the Second Prince's pale face and perpetually frail body, for the first time, the Emperor felt that sending the child to be raised by Lan Fei was a mistake.

He then stared at Chai Momo and said, word by word,

"You better pray there's nothing wrong with that medicine, or I'll have your entire family buried with you!"

Chai Momo, hearing this, trembled in fear. She had never imagined the Emperor would suddenly investigate this matter, leaving her completely unprepared. Her teeth chattered with fear, and the sly look from earlier was gone.

When Imperial Physician Cheng arrived, Imperial Physician Dou was with him. The Emperor glanced at Dong Yuzhong, who immediately replied,

"Both Imperial Physicians were on duty, so I thought it best to have them both come and take a look to ensure nothing is missed."

It had to be said, there was a reason why Dong Yuzhong had served before the Emperor for so long without making a mistake. His thoroughness and attention to detail were unmatched.

Dong Yuzhong had long noticed how much the Second Prince resented that calming medicine.