Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 387: Intensifying the Conflict

Mu Yan walked in the front, followed closely by Si Jun and Prince Xian at his sides.

After a round of searching, the three found the Crown Prince.

In the western annex of Fanghua Palace, the Crown Prince’s cheeks were flushed, as if he had consumed a large amount of alcohol.

In his embrace was a disheveled and beautiful palace maid. At a glance, one could easily surmise what had transpired between them the previous night.

"Take the Crown Prince away!" Mu Yan’s expression was icy and severe.

Si Jun stared at the scene before him in disbelief. How could this be?

He had witnessed the way the Crown Prince looked at Consort Li during palace banquets—that gaze filled with desire. He couldn’t have been mistaken.

His informants had also reported: every time the Crown Prince passed Fanghua Palace, he would intentionally glance at Consort Li.

Last night, after the Crown Prince drank at the Empress’s quarters, his men had cleverly drugged the Crown Prince with a powder that would cloud his mind as he passed Fanghua Palace.

His plan had been so meticulous—how could it have gone wrong!

His men had clearly informed him that once the Crown Prince entered Fanghua Palace, he never came out thereafter.

Consort Li was still in her twenties, while the Crown Prince, too, was of an impulsive and vigorous age. How could he have ended up indulging himself with a mere palace maid!

But the facts were laid bare before him, and he had no choice but to accept them!

Still, if the Crown Prince were convicted of having an illicit affair with the Emperor’s consort, thus corrupting the inner palace, he would undoubtedly lose his claim to succession!

However, if it was merely an affair with a palace maid, the offense would be far less severe!

The Crown Prince, dazed and incoherent, was propped up by others. Mu Yan ordered coldly, "Take the Crown Prince back to the Crown Prince Mansion. We’ll deal with this after he sobers up. As for the palace maid, bring her to the Xingtian Department for a thorough interrogation."

"Yes!" Vermilion Bird nodded.

"Imperial Uncle, should we investigate further? How did the Crown Prince end up at Fanghua Palace? Could it really have been just for a palace maid? Where is Consort Li?" Si Jun’s eyes darkened as he bowed and inquired.

Prince Xian chimed in nonchalantly, "Indeed, Imperial Uncle, this matter concerns the Crown Prince’s reputation—it warrants a proper investigation."

Consort Li emerged from within the quarters, her demeanor calm and her attire impeccably proper.

Her voice was soft and frosty as she said, "King Wei, Prince Xian, what are you suspecting? Last night, I took a calming medicine and went to bed early owing to a recurring headache. As for the Crown Prince’s situation, I’ve only just heard about it myself. Should anyone be blamed, blame my failure to manage my staff properly!"

Si Jun’s pupils shrank sharply as he looked at Consort Li—his scheme had failed!

Prince Xian tugged gently at Si Jun’s sleeve, signaling him not to reveal his intentions. This matter would require a more calculated approach.

"Enough. Everyone leave. I will personally get to the bottom of this matter!" Mu Yan’s voice lowered with authority.

No one said another word as they quietly departed Fanghua Palace.

Once everyone was gone, Consort Li’s legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the floor. The Crown Prince had, in fact, spent the night in her bedchamber.

Had it not been for the Regent King’s men coming in time to move him, her affair with the Crown Prince would have been exposed.

After entering the palace, Emperor Xuanwu had visited her only a few times before ceasing all contact. He hadn’t set foot in Fanghua Palace again.

Now, with the Emperor bedridden and possibly near death, Consort Li knew full well what fate awaited the imperial consorts. She didn’t want to die.

Thus, she had to hold tightly onto the Crown Prince—her lone lifeline—to ensure she wouldn’t be dragged to accompany Emperor Xuanwu in death.

Moreover, after Emperor Xuanwu had devoted himself to spiritual pursuits, the harem had become like a Cold Palace. Years of loneliness had grown unbearable for her.

Three years ago, at a palace banquet, she had exchanged flirtatious glances with the Crown Prince. Later, the Crown Prince had privately gifted her many presents.

If she still didn’t understand his intentions, she would truly be a fool.

Last night, his fiery passion met her premeditated seduction, and in the heat of the moment, they lost control.

The Crown Prince had been insatiable, keeping her engaged until dawn, causing both of them to oversleep and miss the morning court session.

If not for the Regent King, she might now be imprisoned alongside the Crown Prince in the Heavenly Prison. She didn’t even dare to think about what her fate might have been then.

Consort Li was petrified and could only hope the Regent King would cover up this matter entirely.

Mu Yan walked ahead of Prince Xian and Si Jun, his expression as calm as ever. He was fully aware of everything that had occurred but chose not to intervene.

Mu Yan didn’t allow Si Jun’s sinister plot to succeed. If the Crown Prince were deposed, Si Jun would be the most delighted of all. Naturally, Mu Yan couldn’t let that happen!

However, he hadn’t spared the Crown Prince entirely, either. Instead, he had secured leverage that could bring down the Crown Prince with a single strike.

It seemed like he was helping the Crown Prince cover up the scandal, but in truth, he was fueling the enmity between the Crown Prince and Si Jun.

This incident would only deepen the Crown Prince’s hatred toward Si Jun, pushing their animosity to a life-or-death breaking point!

...

Mu Yan returned to the court and brought up the matter of the Crown Prince’s drunkenness.

Seizing the opportunity, Si Jun accused the Crown Prince of having taken liberties with a palace maid.

Prince Xian, ever pleased to see such chaos, claimed that he, too, had witnessed the Crown Prince’s improper behavior.

The ministers erupted in shock, especially Lu Zhong, the Grand Secretariat member, whose expression turned exceedingly grim.

In the imperial harem, whether one was Empress or palace maid, all were considered the Emperor’s women.

Even palace maids who hadn’t been favored by the Emperor were still part of his extensive inner court.

The Crown Prince’s lack of decorum—staying overnight in the palace and indulging himself with a maid—was utterly scandalous, especially during a time when the Emperor was gravely ill and the Crown Prince was acting as regent.

Preposterous!

The other ministers exchanged troubled glances, shaking their heads. Minister of War Zhu Zhilang seized the moment to say, "The Crown Prince’s corruption of the harem, this matter..."

Lu Zhong immediately stepped forward, cutting Zhu Zhilang off. "This matter has yet to be adequately investigated. Furthermore, it involves only a palace maid. Why, Mr. Zhu, are you so eager to frame the Crown Prince for corrupting the harem?"

"The Crown Prince’s reckless conduct proves he cannot lead by example. How can he act as regent?" Zhu Zhilang retorted sharply.

Lu Zhong responded calmly, "Nonsense. The matter is still unclear—how dare you speak so carelessly!"

Ministers aligned with the Crown Prince Faction, King Wei’s supporters, and Prince Xian’s faction all made veiled statements expressing their respective stances, resulting in heated disputes.

When the arguments finally subsided, Mu Yan spoke in a steady tone, "What you all say is not without reason. Given everyone’s doubts, let this matter be investigated thoroughly. The Crown Prince shall resume his regency afterward!"

A hushed silence fell over the assembly hall.

Everyone understood clearly: the battle for succession had grown fiercer than ever before.

Prince Qi’s mysterious leg injury, the Crown Prince’s inexplicable dalliance with a palace maid, and the involvement of King Wei and Prince Xian in fanning the flames—all hinted at murky undercurrents beneath the surface.

The seemingly calm waters hid a surging tide of intrigue!

...

Upon hearing of these events, the Empress immediately stormed into Fanghua Palace. When she saw Consort Li, she grabbed her throat with her clawed, ornamented hand.

Consort Li looked at the Empress with aggrieved eyes, tears brimming as she asked, "Your Majesty... why are you doing this?"

The Empress released Consort Li’s throat and warned grimly, "If you dare plot against the Crown Prince, I will kill you!"

Consort Li timidly replied, "Your Majesty, I wouldn’t dare."

"Good. Keep yourself and your people in line. If anyone dares spread wild rumors, I’ll make sure all of you pay with your lives!"

With those words, the Empress left, her face a mask of cold fury.

Beneath her calm exterior raged a murderous intent.

She was certain that from the moment people began calling the Crown Prince a useless figurehead to the current allegations involving the maid, someone was behind it all, scheming to drag her son into the mire!