Eunuch Wang turned his gaze toward Qingcui, who had just come out of the small kitchen.
Eunuch Wang pointed at Qingcui and said,
"Come here."
Qingcui hurried over and curtsied.
"Greetings, Eunuch Wang."
"Tell me, what exactly happened here?"
Qingcui immediately dropped to her knees, tears spilling down her face as she said,
"Eunuch Wang, please, I beg you, save the Princess Consort. If this goes on, she'll die here sooner or later."
Eunuch Wang cupped his hands toward the Imperial Palace and said,
"His Majesty sent me here. Today, we represent His Majesty himself. What exactly happened? Speak without fear!"
"Yes."
Only then did Qingcui wipe away her tears and begin to explain.
"Side Consort Jin said her chest hurt, and once she even fainted. After examining her, the manor physician said her heart condition required human blood to nourish her.
"An ordinary person's blood wouldn't do. It had to come from someone of high rank, high standing, and a good family.
"In the end, they chose the Princess Consort."
"The Princess Consort refused, so His Highness threatened her with the eldest young master's life."
"His Highness said that the Right Guard General had only this one son, and it was entirely possible that he might quietly disappear one day.
"The Right Guard General was far away at the border. The Princess Consort had no one to turn to and could only give in."
Xie Jinglou said anxiously,
"How could the Princess Consort be so foolish? She gave in just because of that threat?"
Qingcui lowered her head and said, "Yes."
Xie Jinglou had never imagined that it had all been for his sake. He staggered several steps backward, only avoiding a fall because his attendant caught him. Grief-stricken, he said,
"How could I have such a foolish sister!"