The Noble Consort is the most favored in the harem

Chapter 144 - Turmoil in the Prince's Mansion

For years, he had known about Prince Zhan's ever-growing ambition. Yet, with so many ties within the family, making a clean break would be risky; it would be like sacrificing a child without trapping the wolf. Instead, he chose to use the domestic affairs of the household to gradually cut ties. This approach wouldn't draw attention, allowing him to accomplish his goal peacefully.

With this thought, a glint of shrewd calculation appeared in the seasoned eyes of the Prime Minister. The man standing beside him had long grown accustomed to Prime Minister Lin's schemes and remained silent, waiting patiently.

"Go make the arrangements. Have our people withdraw quickly. We want no part in the grudges between Prince Zhan's household and the Fourth Prince."

"Yes, understood," came the subordinate's reply.

Meanwhile, in her carriage heading to her family's residence, Princess Rongkang had no idea that her husband was merely waiting to watch her take each step toward her demise. She was fully absorbed in her intent to share her suspicions with her younger brother.

At Prince Zhan's mansion, a servant at the gate recognized the carriage from the Prime Minister's residence and knew it was Princess Rongkang returning. He quickly sent someone inside to announce her arrival while approaching to greet her.

"Greetings to the Princess. Wishing you peace and well-being."

"Hmm. Is the Prince home?"

"Yes, Princess. He's here."

"Good. Lead the way."

"Certainly."

Their exchange was brief, and the servant led her inside. The Prince's mansion was no ordinary estate; it consisted of multiple courtyards, totaling over four hundred rooms and occupying a large section of Shengjing City. Filled with pavilions, towers, and winding corridors, the estate was easy to get lost in for a first-time visitor.

In the central residence, Rui'an Pavilion, where Prince Zhan resided, Princess Rongkang stepped into the courtyard. Inside, Prince Zhan was admiring flowers with his consort, Lady Wei. He looked up in surprise upon seeing Princess Rongkang arrive.

"Elder Sister, what brings you here? You didn't even send word. Come, have a seat," he said, gesturing to a chair beside him.

In front of them lay a lotus pond at the back of the courtyard, with countless lotuses blooming across its surface.

It was indeed that time of year when the lotus leaves spread endlessly green to meet the sky, and the sunlit lotus flowers bloomed with a unique brilliance.

When Lady Wei met Princess Rongkang, she was not unfamiliar. She rose and paid her respects with proper decorum, saying, "This concubine greets the Princess."

In terms of status, Lady Wei was only a side consort in the prince's manor and could not compare to Princess Rongkang. Thus, she always maintained a respectful and polite demeanor before her, which made the princess quite fond of her brother's side consort. She found her to be sensible and considerate.

After a few greetings, Lady Wei smiled and said, "The small kitchen has recently made some fine pastries; I shall bring some for Your Highness to try." With that, she promptly excused herself, leaving without any unnecessary delay, which also pleased the princess.

Prince Zhan, only two years younger than Princess Rongkang, did not appear as youthful as his elder sister. As women of the inner residence were skilled in maintaining their appearance, he, as her younger brother, seemed more like the elder. After they were seated and attendants dismissed, Prince Zhan's earlier playful demeanor faded as he noted his sister's serious expression.

"What's wrong, elder sister? Has something happened in the Prime Minister's residence?"

"Indeed. A message just came from the palace saying that the Qiqiao Palace Banquet will be hosted by Yi Fei."

"A palace banquet hosted by Yi fei? Where is Lin Guifei, then? Why isn't she in charge?"

"Supposedly, she had a recurrence of her headache and is recovering in Yao Tai Pavilion. But I know that girl Zhou'er has never suffered from such an ailment before. Where could this sudden illness have come from?"

The princess's nostrils flared slightly as she mentioned this, clearly dissatisfied with the news but restrained by royal propriety.

"So, you think Her Highness has encountered some difficulty in the palace?"

"Yes. And no doubt those meddling relatives of the main Lin family are involved."

"Those of the main branch?" Prince Zhan scoffed. "That spineless lot? I can't believe they would stir up such trouble. From what I've heard, they are easily manipulated, much like the family of my own princess consort. They're weak and incapable. If they truly have the backbone to pull something like this, then maybe I should reevaluate them."

Seeing her brother's disbelief, the princess recounted recent events. At first, Prince Zhan seemed as though he were listening to a far-fetched tale, but as she continued, his expression grew steadily darker.

"So you think the main branch dared to act boldly this time because they have the Fourth Prince's backing?"

The princess nodded. As the emperor's paternal uncle, the Fourth Prince's influence rivaled only that of the Empress Dowager. Prince Zhan Manor owed its position partly to the old Prince Zhan, who had once saved the previous emperor's life, and partly to the current Prince Zhan's own achievements in the administration. However, the emperor's attitude towards their family had grown increasingly indifferent over the past two years.

In the imperial court, there was no room for two tigers on one mountain. If Prince Zhan hoped to secure Zhan Manor's fortune and peace, the Fourth Prince was the first obstacle to remove. Besides, who wouldn't covet the power held by the Fourth Prince? Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent his eldest son to be trained under his father-in-law, General Zhennan.

Moments earlier, Prince Zhan may have seemed like a leisurely nobleman enjoying his garden with a favored concubine. Now, however, he was a powerful prince capable of shaping the tides of court politics.

"Don't worry, elder sister. I have a plan. By the Mid-Autumn family banquet, I will find a way for Her Highness to regain her power."

Satisfied, the princess nodded. She had never doubted her brother's capability. After chatting a while longer, she left Prince Zhan Manor without once mentioning the ailing Princess Consort Zhan, a testament to the stifling life the princess consort led in the manor.

After the princess had left, Lady Wei finally returned with a tray of pastries, smiling as she noted, "The princess certainly left in a hurry. Such a pity—she didn't get to taste these pastries."

"No matter; I'll enjoy them." Prince Zhan laughed, pulling her and the tray into his arms, letting her feed him the pastries herself before discussing serious matters.

"My sister just told me about recent events in the palace. It seems Lin Guifei is currently trapped in Yao Tai Pavilion, her authority diminished due to the main Lin family causing a stir. My sister suspects they have the Fourth Prince's backing."

Prince Zhan had no secrets from Lady Wei, the woman he'd loved since their youth. She was as dear to him as his own heart, and he held nothing back from her.