The princess regretted it.

Chapter 295: Reactions to the Flood

Zuo Quan's words caused a brief silence in the hall. Changsun Hongze didn't speak immediately. He slowly stood up, the hem of his dragon robe swaying gently with his movements, making a subtle rustling sound, but it was like a hammer hitting the heart. He walked down the stairs step by step with steady and powerful steps.

He stopped when he reached Zuo Quan. "My children, I believe they had nothing to do with this sordid affair." Changsun Hongze finally spoke again, his voice deep and powerful. "How dare you set fire to the harem? This act is truly audacious. If I don't investigate thoroughly, how can I explain this to our ancestors?"

He raised his head slightly and looked at the morning light outside the hall, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he looked at Zuo Quan again and said, "Stand up and tell me what you think."

Zuo Quan thanked the emperor calmly and rose, but bowed his head respectfully, avoiding the emperor's gaze. "I am deeply troubled. In my humble opinion, even if Your Highnesses wish to investigate the palace, you must proceed with extreme caution and avoid publicizing it. Of course, you should also start with the attendants and those who come and go, conducting a covert investigation. Perhaps we can find some clues without over-publicizing them." Zuo Quan spoke clearly and at a leisurely pace.

Changsun Hongze nodded slightly, as if acknowledging Zuo Quan's explanation. He walked back to the throne and settled back down. He rested his hands on the armrests, tapping his fingers gently, creating a rhythmic tapping sound. Each tap seemed to strike at the hearts of the people, determining their fate. "As you say, we will investigate secretly. But remember, the deadline is three days. If you still have no clue, don't blame me for being ruthless." The emperor spoke slowly and quietly, but the majesty of the emperor permeated his words.

Zuo Quan hurriedly accepted the order, then bowed and withdrew. He hurried to arrange the next round of investigation; time was of the essence. The longer he waited, the harder it would be to find clues. Meanwhile, Changsun Hongze also rose from his seat and steadily walked towards the Golden Throne Hall, ready to face a new round of verbal battles in the court.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the news of the fire in the harem and Concubine Chun's pregnancy, Second Prince Changsun Yunji's face froze for a moment, like a small pebble disturbing the surface of a calm lake, creating a subtle ripple. But that brief moment of astonishment was fleeting, and soon, his expression returned to its usual calm, as if everything was within his expectations, and he let out a gentle smile of relief.

In his view, since his father had regained favor in the harem, the concubine's pregnancy was inevitable, so there was no need to make a fuss. He had never considered whether the fire was man-made. He firmly believed that in his father's harem, how could anyone dare to act so recklessly? It would undoubtedly be a crime, seeking death.

Therefore, when Yundou claimed to be unwell and unable to come to serve him today, he simply waved his hand casually, not paying too much attention, and only nonchalantly instructed the attendants beside him to keep an eye on him. In his eyes, these were just daily trivialities, not worth wasting his time.

As for the Third Prince, Changsun Wuwang, upon hearing about the fire, he summoned Xiao Songzi and whispered to her to investigate the matter secretly. After returning to his own residence after the palace banquet, he learned from Xiao Songzi that Concubine Chun was pregnant. He seemed to be instantly enveloped by a layer of gloom, emitting a cold and extremely angry aura.

He pondered inwardly, judging by the unusual reactions of his father and Jin'an at the banquet, they clearly knew the truth. They must have deliberately concealed Concubine Chun's pregnancy. It seemed his father had long been wary of the others in the palace.

Initially, upon learning that his father had once again favored a concubine in the harem, he had harbored these concerns. However, considering that Concubine Zhang had already been punished, Concubine Cen was frail and sickly, and the other concubines were getting older, their chances of conceiving were already low. Furthermore, he had secretly ordered his men to tamper with the concubines' meals, believing his plan to be flawless. This made it practically impossible for these concubines to conceive.

However, he never expected that his father would resort to such a cunning scheme. No one knew when he had gone to that remote courtyard, or when he had favored Concubine Chun.

According to Xiao Songzi's meticulous investigation, the baby seemed to be over six months pregnant. However, considering their father's lavish favors to the harem, they realized it had only been over five months. This comparison made their father's intentions clear.

The Third Prince, Changsun Wuwang, sat alone in a dimly lit inner chamber, the candlelight flickering, the light and shadows dancing across his moody face. He frowned, his mind replaying the terrifying harem fire of the previous night. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he felt. This was clearly not a natural disaster. What time of year was it? A heavy rain had just fallen two days ago, and the air was still thick with dampness. The grass, trees, and soil had been washed and saturated by the rain. In such conditions, it was impossible for a fire to ignite so suddenly and without cause.

His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he mentally examined each member of the harem, carefully considering them. Each seemed suspicious, but upon closer inspection, none seemed like the kind of rash individual who would rashly set fire. This tangled web of relationships and clues was like a tangled mess, leaving him clueless and consumed with anxiety.

He felt a complex mix of anger and a subtle gratitude towards the person behind the scenes. His anger stemmed from their reckless actions and lack of thorough planning, which not only failed to achieve their goal but also alerted the enemy. His father's side must be on high alert now, and their defenses must be even tighter, which would undoubtedly create numerous obstacles for their future actions.

But at the same time, a sense of relief and gratitude welled up within him. Although last night's attempt had failed, it had revealed this shocking secret, previously hidden in the shadows. He knew full well that within the harem, many people did not want to see Concubine Chun's unborn child safely born. After all, each additional prince posed a threat to the throne. As long as these people existed, they would find it impossible to hold back and would strike again sooner or later. All he had to do was lie low in the shadows, skillfully leveraging their power and patiently bide his time, and there was no shortage of opportunities for success.

He tossed and turned on his couch all night, unable to sleep. As the sky brightened, he composed himself. While washing, he gazed in the bronze mirror, reflecting the dark, dark hues beneath his eyes, the telltale signs of exhaustion. Helplessly, he summoned Xiao Songzi for rouge and powder, which he hastily applied to his face. Once he was done, he hurried to the imperial court.