MCSCPM -Chapter 144 Placing Her Under House Arrest

“Consort De, we apologize.” A few guards locked the doors behind her.

A cold smile curved on Consort De’s lips. “You fools.”

“We are only following His Majesty’s orders. Please forgive us, Consort De,” the guards said with forced smiles. They didn’t want to offend her, but royal commands could not be disobeyed.

“Enough. You may leave. I have no desire to see you,” she said.

Even though Nangong Lin had placed her under house arrest, she would not give in so easily. After struggling in the palace for so many years, could one obstacle defeat her?

Outside her chambers, a familiar voice called out.

“Consort De, are you there?” The elderly maid peered through the window.

“Have those guards left?” Consort De hurried over. Now, she could only rely on her trusted maid to relay messages.

“They’ve gone, but they’ll be on duty again soon. If you have orders, please instruct quickly,” the maid whispered.

“What is the situation now?” Wan Mo gazed out the window, deep in thought. She had to find a solution quickly, or Nangong chen’s fate would be sealed.

“Your Highness, in Jiangnan, His Majesty has sent extra troops and ordered each county to immediately dispatch aid and open the granaries. As for the Third Prince, the Emperor is resolute in keeping him in Jiangnan,” the maid said cautiously, constantly scanning their surroundings to avoid being discovered.

“The Emperor is truly heartless,” Consort De muttered. She had thought that a show of suffering before the Emperor would move him to change his mind—who would have expected this outcome?

“What should we do now, Your Highness?” the maid asked worriedly.

“You leave for now. His Majesty will not let me escape. For the moment, go observe the situation outside and see how the Emperor plans to handle this matter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Consort De furrowed her brows. “Wait. Tonight, come to this window—I will have a message for you to deliver.”

“Who is it?” A few guards approached the window.

“Your Highness, I shall take my leave—the guards are coming,” the maid said, nodding at Consort De.

Consort De quickly closed the window. If the guards saw her or reported her actions to the Emperor, it would no longer be house arrest—she might even lose her head.

“Consort De, please open the window,” the guards knocked.

“What is it? I am resting in my chambers—must you disturb me?” Consort De said angrily. She refused to be bullied.

“We merely heard voices outside and wish for your cooperation. This is His Majesty’s order,” the guards smiled, hoping to gain some favor.

“I heard nothing,” she said, her eyes flashing with anger. She knew exactly what they were up to.

“But we really did hear something. Disobeying His Majesty’s order has a bad outcome,” the guards said with obsequious smiles, rubbing their hands together.

“Listen carefully. When I say no, it means no. Must I repeat myself?”

At this, Wan Mo’s anger flared. If the guards pushed any further, she would not hold back.

“Your Highness, we were only joking. Since you say no, it is no. Please rest, Your Highness—we will take our leave,” the guards said, quickly retreating.

Once they left, Consort De slowly closed the window.

“Why didn’t you scare her? Someone was clearly speaking at the window,” one guard whispered.

“So what? She’s only under house arrest. If she gets out later and we’ve angered her, we’re finished!”

In the deep palace, no one’s position was permanent.

“You’re right. It’s better not to stir up trouble.”

The guards nodded and fell silent.

Inside her chambers, Consort De sat at the table, tightly clutching her teacup, deep in thought.

No, she had to act quickly. Relying on her alone would not save the Third Prince.

Taking a brush, she wrote swiftly on the paper, her movements precise and urgent.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Nangong Lin sat on the dragon throne, brows furrowed.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Eunuch Li approached with a cup of tea.

Even now, he was still shaken. It had been a long time since such a scene had occurred. If Consort De had not crossed the line, she likely would not have ended up in this situation.

“I am fine,” Nangong Lin said. After all, they had been married many years; there was some lingering affection. This was merely a warning—Consort De had ignored his intentions.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If Consort De could understand your intentions, she would not have acted so,” Eunuch Li quickly said, flattering him. After all, Consort De had given him many benefits. When her house arrest ended, he would surely gain more.

Nangong Lin sipped his tea. “This tea is good.”

“Of course, it was tribute from Jiangnan. Rare and precious,” Eunuch Li said, realizing Jiangnan was a sensitive topic in front of the Emperor and refraining from elaborating further.

“If the Third Prince cannot resolve the Jiangnan situation, he need not return,” Nangong Lin said, lips pressed, eyes half-closed.

He had already prepared for the worst. If the plague was not contained, Nangong chen would have no chance of returning.

“Your Majesty, please consider carefully.”

“I have considered. This is the only way to resolve it,” Nangong Lin said helplessly. Perhaps this was Xize’s fate.

“And the diviner?”

“Your Majesty, the diviner is not in the capital. He will return to the palace in a few days,” Eunuch Li said, head bowed.

So many emergencies had occurred recently that Nangong Lin’s anger flared without reason. Even Eunuch Li, who had served him for years, was unsure how to handle it.

“Very well.” He closed his eyes, hoping everything would turn out well.

Nangong Lin sighed deeply. How to resolve these problems still troubled him.

Meanwhile, Consort De continued writing, clutching her final hope.

“Your Highness? Your Highness…” The maid’s voice came from outside.

Consort De slowly set down her brush and went to the window.

“Maid, take this letter outside the palace and deliver it to my father. This is the only way to save the Third Prince,” she said, handing the letter to the maid. No matter what happened, she had a plan.

“I have some pigeons in the rear courtyard—they may be useful,” she thought. The pigeons could carry the message if the maid could not leave the palace by other means.

“Yes, Your Highness,” the maid said, feeling a spark of hope.

“Do not worry. Everything will be fine. When the Third Prince returns, your suffering will end. Though under house arrest, your basic needs will be provided,” the maid said with a smile, seeing an opportunity for future gain.

“Go quickly—the guards will be back soon.”

In an instant, the maid disappeared into the night.

In the vast chamber, Consort De was alone, placing all her hope in her father.

Although she disliked conflict, her natal family still held influence. For decades they had remained in the shadows; now it was time for them to act.

Consort De lifted her teacup, a warm stream sliding down her throat, calming her mind.

“Very well. I can only wait,” she sighed deeply.