If Zhu Zhengying lost face, the entire Cheng'en Mansion would lose face. Although the Zhu family had long been a laughing stock, ever since the emergence of Concubine De and the Fifth Prince in the palace, in order to enjoy a few more decades of wealth and splendor, they still consciously or unconsciously paid attention to their reputation, otherwise they would implicate the Fifth Prince, and once the Empress Dowager passed away, the Zhu family's good days would be over.

Who would have thought that the reputation built up over the years would be undone at the palace banquet.

The Zhu family was unwilling to accept this, and immediately conducted a secret investigation afterwards, but found no clues.

Defei was also unwilling to accept this. As a woman living in the palace, her mind was full of conspiracy theories. How could she believe that what happened at the palace banquet was Zhu Zhengying's ugly face being exposed?

That must be a frame-up!

Otherwise, there were hundreds of people in the court, including civil and military officials and their families. Why was it that when others got drunk, nothing happened, but Zhu Zhengying lost his composure?

This is obviously not normal!

Moreover, in Defei's view, even if Zhu Zhengying was really drunk and out of control, she would have to characterize the incident as a conspiracy. Otherwise, her and the Fifth Prince's reputation would be completely lost.

So, she went before Emperor Yongping, crying bitterly, kneeling down and begging him to investigate the matter thoroughly and clear the name of the Zhu family.

Moreover, she also hinted at the prince in her words and hinted that the scandal at the banquet was the prince's revenge. She did not mention her and the fifth prince, but kept crying that even if the prince disliked the Zhu family, he should not humiliate the Zhu family in public. He should not give face to the monk, but to the Buddha. Where would that put the Empress Dowager?

It was not known whether Emperor Yongping had listened to him or not. On the surface, he said a few words to comfort him, but privately, he did not send anyone to investigate. However, he called the crown prince and tried to test him indirectly.

Gu Xiaoyu denied it of course.

Emperor Yongping neither said he believed it nor said he did not believe it. He just said a few words expressionlessly, and the matter was over.

Afterwards, when Xu Huaiyi learned about it, he couldn't help but sneer, "De Fei is really dishonest, she is trying to deceive Xiaoyu behind his back. Emperor Yongping is also a fool. After his concubine instigated a few words, he went to test Xiaoyu. He is not afraid of disappointing the child. This is really the case that if there is a stepmother, there will be a stepfather. He is afraid that the relationship between father and son will be too good, right?

Don't say it wasn't Xiaoyu who did it. Even if it was, he would have to help cover it up. He even had the nerve to ask, is there such a father?"

Gu Huanxi said, "It seems that he really suspects you and Xiaoyu..."

"So what if he's suspicious? He just said a few words to me. I wanted to give him some face, but now it seems that he is really not worthy of it!

And there is Concubine De. The Zhu family plotted against Xiaoyu. She should have just accepted the beating obediently and the matter would have been settled. But she insisted on jumping around. Ha, she wants to show off her ability, right?

As expected, she doesn’t feel pain unless the knife is stabbed into her body, and she still has the time to stir up trouble. Don’t blame me for finding something for her to do.”

Hearing this, Gu Huanxi subconsciously reminded, "Don't always reach your hands into the palace. Emperor Yongping's tolerance is limited. If you really piss him off, it will not end well."

Xu Huaiyi sneered, "You think you'll end up like this if you piss me off? If I don't hurt them once, they won't know how to write the word fear!"

"What do you want to do?"

"you guess."

"..."

Gu Huanxi never guessed that such gossip would spread outside. By the time she found out, the gossip had already been known to everyone.

She asked Xu Huaiyi worriedly, "Did you arrange all this? Aren't you really afraid that Emperor Yongping will turn against you? You dare to make up rumors and cause trouble for anything..."

Xu Huaiyi looked wronged and said, "I didn't spread rumors. Am I that stupid? Would I use such a clumsy method to frame Concubine De? Isn't that handing him a handle?"

"So? The gossips are all true?" Gu Huanxi's eyes widened in shock. "Before Concubine De entered the palace, she really had a childhood sweetheart? The two of them were very in love with each other. Even after Concubine De entered the palace, they were still in love with each other? One was in the palace, and the other was outside. How could they have the opportunity to be intimate?"

Xu Huaiyi said, "It's 70% true and 30% false. Anyway, Concubine De is not wronged. She and the man named Zhao Mingde did have feelings for each other and met privately several times. There is evidence for this. As long as Emperor Yongping investigates, he will definitely find out..."

Gu Huanxi said, "Even if they find out, they can't punish Concubine De, right? At most, Emperor Yongping will be annoyed, which is not a big deal!"

Xu Huaiyi smiled, "Wife, you don't understand men. How many men can tolerate their women having a relationship before marriage? What they think of as pure and chaste is not just physical, but also emotional. Having other men in your heart is considered unfaithful and unclean in their eyes. Moreover, Defei and Zhao Mingde had a secret affair, and it was publicized with great fanfare. As an emperor, how could he tolerate it?"

To him, this was nothing short of a humiliation, with a green patch on his head. He felt disgusted, and would feel sick whenever he saw Concubine De from then on. Concubine De's favor had come to an end.

The most terrible thing is the Fifth Prince's background. Not long after Defei entered the palace, she relied on the influence of the Grand Empress Dowager to return to her parents' home in a high-profile manner and stayed for a few days. This was an honor only the Queen had. She was very proud of it at the time. After returning to the palace, she was found to be pregnant a few days later. You calculated the date. Isn't this pregnancy too coincidental?"

Gu Huanxi's expression changed. "Is there any basis for this? It's not good to use this kind of thing to make a fuss. It's too insidious..."

Xu Huaiyi said, "There is indeed evidence. During the days when Concubine De returned to the Zhu family for a short stay, someone saw Zhao Mingde entering and leaving the Zhu family. As for whether the two had met privately, it is difficult to judge, but there is indeed a doubt."

"I don't think Concubine De is that stupid, nor does she have the guts to confuse the royal bloodline. That's a serious crime that will punish all nine generations of the family. How stupid does she have to be to dare to cheat on Emperor Yongping?"

"I don't think so either, but what happened is enough to ruin her forever. Wife, don't say I'm cruel. I'm using a woman's reputation and children to make a fuss. Concubine De is not innocent. Xiaoyu was plotted against by the Zhu family. She is definitely an insider. Maybe she was the one who instigated it. As for the fifth prince, he is still young and did not participate, but as a vested interest, his identity is the original sin."

Hearing this, Gu Huanxi was speechless for a moment. After a while, he nodded and said, "You are right. There is no such thing as pure right or wrong in political struggles. I am just being too soft-hearted. As for this matter..."

She paused for a moment before asking in a complicated tone, "Are you trying to stir up Emperor Yongping's suspicion and completely kill Concubine De and her son?"

Xu Huaiyi shook his head. "It's a little difficult to completely kill him. Don't forget, there's still the Grand Empress Dowager. She won't let Defei's reputation be tarnished, and she won't let the Fifth Prince's life experience be unclear. She will definitely find enough evidence to convince Emperor Yongping.

But the emperor was suspicious. As long as he had suspicion and felt uncomfortable, even if Defei was deposed, it would be extremely difficult for her to regain favor. There was no shortage of women in the harem. How depressed must Emperor Yongping be to still be thinking about her?

Next year is the year of general election, and a new batch of young and beautiful women will enter the harem. Who will still remember Concubine De by then?

As for the fifth prince, with such a discredited mother and a questionable background, he is doomed to have no chance of becoming emperor."

Gu Huanxi nodded, "How did you find out these things?"

Xu Huaiyi said, "Han Jun told me, and I asked Li Yunting to check and confirm the news before spreading it. Don't worry, every step has been considered and there will be no loopholes. Even if Emperor Yongping suspects me, he won't be able to find any evidence against me."

Gu Huanxi sighed, "He probably doesn't have the time to bother you now..."