At first, no one knew, but later, when Concubine Xian Zhou was selected to enter the palace and attempted to elope with her lover, Chonghua finally revealed his identity to her—though he only admitted to being an advisor to the Third Prince.

"The palace is as deep as the sea. How did a foreigner with such an awkward status even enter the palace to carry out such an affair with Concubine Xian? Surely they didn’t consummate their relationship outside the palace? Are the inspections for palace concubines really that lax?"

This single remark nearly made the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the palace’s chief inspector, Qian Gui, drop to their knees in terror.

They cast pleading glances at Emperor Mingxi, silently begging Yue Fuguang, the little celestial envoy, to show mercy—this matter fell under their jurisdiction.

If their negligence had truly led to this scandal, they would be guilty of a crime punishable by death ten thousand times over!

Emperor Mingxi’s face darkened with fury, his murderous intent barely restrained as he forced himself to listen further. When he noticed their pleading looks, he shot them a deathly glare, causing the officials and Qian Gui to immediately lower their heads in fear.

If not for the fear of appearing too abrupt, they would have already prostrated themselves on the ground.

[Before entering the palace, the two had indeed done everything except the final step. Initially, Concubine Xian Zhou had intended to marry Chonghua, and to avoid being looked down upon, she maintained a semblance of propriety in their interactions.

But after learning she was to enter the palace and that Chonghua was from Beili—meaning this separation might be permanent—she cast aside all restraint.

Fearing that a loss of virginity would cost her life during the palace inspection, they refrained only from the final act.

Seven years ago, when Beiyue left to inspect several spy outposts under Xu Changyue’s control, he couldn’t take Chonghua with him. During those days, Chonghua stayed overnight at the Zhou residence, sleeping in Concubine Xian’s bed.]

Thud!

The Zhou father and son—especially Zhou Yan—could no longer bear the shock and fainted on the spot. Fortunately, Zhou Yan stood near the back, partially shielded by a pillar, allowing Yue Fuguang to pretend she hadn’t noticed, too engrossed in the scandalous revelations.

Emperor Mingxi: That wretched woman had already placed the cuckold’s hat on my head before even entering the palace! She truly deserves death!

The Crown Prince, seeing his father’s rage, felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Recalling the years of Concubine Xian’s favor and the subtle humiliations his mother, the Empress, had suffered at her hands, the Crown Prince gritted his teeth. If only I had investigated her past more thoroughly!

Over the years, Concubine Xian’s influence in the palace had soared, making her the most favored among the imperial consorts. Were it not for the schemes of other concubines keeping her in check, she might have already risen to the rank of Noble Consort.

The Second, Third, and Fifth Princes shared their eldest brother’s sentiments.

Emperor Mingxi had doted excessively on Concubine Xian and her son. If not for the Crown Prince’s maturity and the Ninth Prince’s tender age of six, the Crown Prince’s position would not have remained so secure.

Court officials also broke into cold sweats, relieved they hadn’t yet aligned themselves with the Ninth Prince. Though everyone knew of the young prince’s favor—his privileges second only to the Crown Prince’s—his youth had deterred them from openly supporting him.

They had planned to wait, to gauge whether his favor would endure before throwing their lot in with him.

"So, the Ninth Prince was conceived right under the Emperor’s nose in the palace?"

Yue Fuguang flashed a sweet smile at Emperor Mingxi, who happened to glance her way, while inwardly thinking, How pitiable—raising another man’s son while neglecting his own, nearly handing the throne to an outsider.

System: Host, you truly know how to twist the knife and rub salt in the wound!

Aloud, Yue Fuguang continued, [Indeed. Seven years ago, Chonghua accompanied Beiyue into the palace for the Emperor’s birthday banquet, where he reunited with Zhou Yunxin, who had just entered the palace and, due to her beauty, had already been favored and granted the rank of Noble Lady.

At the time, she wasn’t yet Concubine Xian—for a newcomer to attend such an event spoke volumes of the Emperor’s favor.

The two consummated their affair in a side palace just two halls away from the banquet.

In their passion, they made enough noise to attract a palace maid, who stumbled upon them. That very night, the unfortunate maid was silenced.]

"Concubine Xian did it? A mere Noble Lady had that kind of power?"

[No, it was a palace guard who adored her—he took care of it.]

"An ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍admirer? He helped the woman he loved—who had married the Emperor and was now cheating with another man? What kind of hopeless romantic fool is he?"

[The absolute pinnacle of foolish devotion! Zhou Yunxin had never cared for this distant cousin, Zhuo Fei, despite knowing of his feelings.

But when her affair was exposed, she tearfully begged him for help. Though Zhuo Fei was tall and handsome, his martial demeanor wasn’t to her taste.

Yet, seeing his beloved in distress, he acted without hesitation—knocking the maid unconscious and drowning her in the lotus pond.]

"Zhuo Fei is both stupid and ruthless. Is he still a palace guard? I don’t like him—he has to die."

[He’s still around. Thanks to Concubine Xian’s influence, Emperor Mingxi, swayed by her pillow talk, trusts him implicitly. He’s now the deputy commander of the palace guards.

Killing him would be too easy. Exposing his crimes to the world would be far more fitting.]

Expose it to the world?

Would the imperial family’s dignity survive such a scandal?

Emperor Mingxi shot a glance at the petrified Qian Gui, who immediately slipped away to apprehend Zhuo Fei.

[Zhuo Fei has always believed the Ninth Prince was his own son, which is why he’s repeatedly schemed against the Crown Prince. He shares the blame for the Crown Prince’s death.]

Gasps!

Many officials shuddered inwardly. Zhuo Fei’s entire clan was already doomed, but now it seemed even their ancestors’ graves wouldn’t be spared.

Zhou Qingyu also collapsed, joining his father in a dazed heap against a pillar.

Their colleagues hurried to revive them—such a sensational scandal couldn’t be missed by the key players!

They were nothing if not supportive comrades.

"Concubine Xian slept with Zhuo Fei too? She certainly didn’t deprive herself—quite the connoisseur!"

One had to admire her—even as a favored concubine, she bedded man after man.

[Exactly. She indulged freely, taking three men besides the Emperor. I’ll save the last for another time.

After her tryst with Chonghua during the birthday banquet, she seduced the Emperor that same night to cover any potential pregnancy.

And to thank her cousin for his help, she slept with Zhuo Fei three days later—on the same bed she’d shared with Chonghua.

Thus, all three men believed the Ninth Prince was theirs. But I can confirm—the child was Chonghua’s. The next one was his too.

The man’s potency is undeniable. Two encounters, two pregnancies—impressive!]

Indeed, setting aside the scandal, the men present couldn’t help but marvel. Once might be luck, but twice?

Secretly, many wondered—did he have some fertility-boosting secret?

The desire for heirs ran deep, and in this regard, men were far more desperate than women.