Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 427: Entering the Palace in Armor

It’s a pity that Imperial Concubine Yi didn’t notice.

"The attire Imperial Concubine Yi is wearing today looks quite nice. I presume the Inner Court Department spent quite some effort on it."

The Empress Dowager spoke, her tone indifferent.

Imperial Concubine Yi didn’t perceive anything in particular.

She spoke rather proudly.

"The Inner Court Department recently hired a batch of embroideresses, their skills are quite good. If the Empress Dowager likes it, I’ll have the Inner Court Department make one for you another day to pay my respects."

"No need, I live a plain life and worship Buddha. I’ve grown accustomed to simplicity and won’t entangle with these glamorous outfits."

Imperial Concubine Yi still wanted to say something, but saw the Emperor wave his hand.

He then said.

"Alright, let’s start the feast."

Obviously, he didn’t want to spend more words on this matter.

Seeing this, Imperial Concubine Yi refrained from saying more and bowed.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She then glanced at Chief Quan Fu, and the palace feast began.

Everyone took their seats as music and dance performances commenced.

Fine wines and delicacies, cups exchanged and toasts made.

Everything that should be present at the New Year’s Eve feast was proceeding in an orderly manner.

The imperial family was bustling, and the courtiers wore smiles on their faces.

Only the Emperor watched coldly, remaining silent.

One dance performance after another was brilliantly spectacular.

Especially the tune "Water Melody", sung with euphonious and touching notes.

The songstress was exceedingly beautiful, clearly dressed with great thought.

It’s a pity, falling before the Emperor, there was no ripple of emotion.

"Good, truly well sung! Such a lovely voice, haven’t heard in quite some time."

The speaker was an old Prince, somewhat overweight.

Appearing a bit tipsy, his gaze toward the songstress revealed lust.

Alas, the Goddess dreams without interest from the Prince.

Seeing that the Emperor gave not a glance.

The songstress, with a hint of sadness in her brow and eyes, unwilling as she was, had to exit.

Missing a great opportunity to rise in status.

With the songstress gone, naturally, it was time for the dance.

But before the dancers came out, the Fourth Prince arrived late.

He wore military attire today, not looking like he was attending the New Year’s Eve banquet, rather as though he came to stir trouble.

Upon seeing him enter like this, some frowned, others worried.

The Marquis of Northwest, as usual, feigned illness and did not attend.

Therefore, all the military generals in the court were under the Fourth Prince’s lead.

Imperial Concubine Yi noticed and felt displeased.

Clearly, the Fourth Prince stood with the Fifth Prince’s faction. Why enter, demonstrating power?

Her eyes instantly grew colder.

Immediately questioned.

"Fourth Prince, today is the New Year’s Eve banquet. Your tardiness might be excusable, but why wear military attire? It’s obvious you’re disregarding His Majesty!"

If it were someone else being accused and intimidated like this by Imperial Concubine Yi, they might feel weak-kneed.

Unfortunately, the person was the Fourth Prince.

He strode forwards confidently to the throne.

Entirely ignoring Imperial Concubine Yi, saluting the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

"I greet the Emperor, I greet the Empress Dowager."

"Please rise, Fourth Prince Uncle."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Seeing the Fourth Prince disregarding her, Imperial Concubine Yi felt increasingly stifled.

"On this New Year’s Eve banquet, I was not deliberately late. Though I left my residence, an incident halted me. As for Imperial Concubine Yi’s remark about wearing military attire and disregarding the Emperor, it’s a malicious slander."

The Fourth Prince then shifted his focus directly onto Imperial Concubine Yi.

"Your Highness, I am not so befuddled as to act one way publicly and another privately. You want to ask why I wear military attire and come late? Because I caught someone maliciously framing others, failed in poisoning and then attempting to burn the Charitable Hall residents, thus delaying me."

Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Yi’s heart missed a beat.

Recalling Yingshuang’s words before leaving the residence.

Could this misfortune be, the person caught by the Fourth Prince is Ruan Ming?

She couldn’t help but swallow lightly, immediately darkened her expression, attempting to suppress the matter.

"Fourth Prince, today is an auspicious day, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the Emperor’s ascension. You want to ruin the atmosphere? Talking of thieves makes it frightful. Even if there’s an issue, couldn’t it be postponed until after the Lantern Festival?"

Her words naturally had reason.

However, the Fourth Prince didn’t play to conventional logic.

With a smirk, he loudly refuted.

"I know what day follows this night. So, I hurried to resolve the matter, ensuring all malicious forces stop today, not spoil the next year."

These words left Imperial Concubine Yi speechless.

Lin Wanyi listened behind, inevitably worried for the Fourth Prince and her grandfather’s family.

At the current stage, if things escalate, Imperial Concubine Yi will naturally be incriminated.

But if it includes the Marquis of Northwest and the Liu Family who remain inactive, the result is unpredictable.

If they indeed clash openly, wouldn’t even the royal authority be potentially challenged?

Thinking thus, she couldn’t help but look at the Emperor, worried.

The Emperor, feeling the gaze from Lin Wanyi.

He wanted to turn, offer her some comfort.

But the current situation wouldn’t allow his affection to take precedence.

Instead, faced forward, he spoke with dignity.

"Fourth Prince Uncle, what villain do you speak of? I’m curious to see, after ruling Da Wei for years, there exists such audacious individuals daring to harm the people? Present them immediately."

Upon the Emperor’s command, Imperial Concubine Yi’s heart chilled nearly entirely.

Seeing the person brought forth bloodied and jaw broken, she lost strength even to swallow. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Because it was her most competent person—Ruan Ming.

Some sharp-eyed ones recognized him instantly.

Hence, a chill rose from behind.

Could this entire circle have led to today?

Those unaligned felt immensely relieved.

Those aligned, now sweating profusely.

Before they could react, the Fourth Prince already spoke.

"Your Majesty, months ago the Dong Family delivered some grains and supplies along with herbal medicines to the Charitable Hall, prompting many ministers’ families to follow suit. Who would think just less than two months would pass before an issue arose."

"As for the matter, those present likely know more than the Prince. After the residents used the Dong Family’s supplies, problems appeared successively. The Emperor dispatched an Imperial Physician, requiring great effort to prevent the illness from spreading."

"Initially, everyone thought there might be some error with the supplies, rumors circulated widely in the capital. But surprisingly, someone had tampered, mixing a deadly poison called Aconite Gold into the medicine distributed by the Dong Family."