Princess Consort's spirit was too battered to entertain thoughts of suicide, yet she couldn't shake off her resentment. Eventually, she begrudgingly relocated to the desolate confines of the North Court Palace.
As for her simmering animosity, the Fourth Prince and Honored Princess Mei remained indifferent.
General Sun's lingering operatives continued to wreak havoc. Night after night, fires erupted, assassinations claimed lives, and ambushes unfolded, leaving the Fourth Prince seething with rage and frustration. His loyalists, too, were stretched thin.
Within the palace walls, Empress Qi persistently stirred up trouble for Honored Princess Mei.
Empress Qi wielded considerable influence over the intermediate palace. Since the late emperor hadn't stripped her of her title, she remained the legitimate empress. Regardless of which prince ascended the throne, she'd retain her status as empress dowager.
No prince dared to defy filial piety.
