Nanny Li epted the treasure box, kneeling on the ground and bowing deeply. Xi Que, Shuang Jiang, Nanny Xiang, and others turned their heads away to wipe their tears.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Nanny Xiang, take some people to see Nanny Li off. If you meet her family members, give them my regards."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The gesture of sending regards was merely a pretense; the real intention was to provide Nanny Li with support.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Senior Concubine Xian had truly considered every aspect to ensure Nanny Li''s happiness in herter years.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nanny Xiang and Nanny Li were old friends. If anyone in the pce would miss Nanny Li the most, it would undoubtedly be Nanny Xiang.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue asked her to see Nanny Li off, giving the two old sisters onest chance to reminisce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Woof, woof, woof... whine..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even the dog frolicking under the swing in the courtyard seemed to sense the somber atmosphere, barking incessantly at Nanny Li.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Its drooping ears and eyes revealed its low spirits.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fearing she might burst into tears if she stayed any longer, Nanny Li strode out withrge steps.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Half a cup of tea''s time after Nanny Li and Nanny Xiang left, someone arrived from Yikun Pce: "Senior Concubine Xian, our Empress wishes to summon you to Yikun Pce for a chat."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress must have some coboration in mind, right?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It wouldn''t hurt to see what she wanted. Perhaps it could be beneficial.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had fallen out with Consort De, but not with the Empress. In fact, their rtionship was quite good on the surface.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With the Empress in a precarious situation, she was more likely seeking allies rather than making enemies.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the entrance of Yikun Pce, fallen leaves that had reced the green foliagey unswept at the pce gates, a sight that would have been impossible in the past.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue lifted her skirt, careful not to let the hem brush against the withered leaves, and entered Yikun Pce without a sideways nce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The pce staff was pitifully few; even at the entrance, only Fen Yun was there to announce visitors.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fen Yun should have been attending closely to the Empress. Since when did she start doing the work of second-tier pce maids?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Your Highness, Senior Concubine Xian has arrived."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Let her in!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even at such a time, the Empress didn''t bother with empty courtesies.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had a white silk bandage wrapped around her head, with fresh blood seeping through at the forehead. In just a day or two since theirst meeting, her once reasonably fit figure had shrunk to little more than a skeleton.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her face was devoid of color, her lips dry and cracked with blood. She looked as if she were on the brink of death.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue stared at her for a moment and noticed that the color of her cheeks didn''t match that behind her ears. She immediately understood that the Empress had powdered her face to appear pitiful.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She had even gone to the trouble of powdering her neck, but had overlooked one detail. Jiang Xinyue had spotted the dividing line behind her ear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"This concubine greets the Empress..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But who was Jiang Xinyue? When it came to acting, she was the true master!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Cough, cough, cough... Senior Concubine Xian... there''s no need for formalities, please rise quickly..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The cough didn''t sound quite genuine!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It should have been two coughs, followed by rapid breathing, then coughing to the point of dry heaving, with tears welling up in the eyes. Then Fen Yun should have patted her back, and after her breathing stabilized, she should have spoken in a weak voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Xinyue''s face bore an expression of disbelief and concern, her eyes constantly scanning the Empress: "Your Majesty, what has happened to you? How have you be so haggard in just a few days?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She reached out to support the Empress, who grasped her arm. The palm of her hand was ice-cold, making Jiang Xinyue realize that while half of the Empress''s illness might be an act, the other half could very well be real.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress''s breathing became more rapid, her grip on Jiang Xinyue''s hand tightening: "Senior Concubine Xian, my body has failed me. Consort De... I never imagined that after all my precautions, the most ambitious person was right by my side. Senior Concubine Xian, you must help me seek revenge!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She spoke thesest words through gritted teeth, her eyes quickly bing bloodshot, as if she might shed tears of blood at any moment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If it were merely because the olddy of the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng had injured her, or even if Consort De had framed her, it wouldn''t be enough to provoke such hatred and anger in the Empress.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress that Jiang Xinyue knew would only me herself for being outmaneuvered after a brief moment of anger.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Your Majesty..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The concern in her eyes was genuine: "What exactly happened? Consort De recently used me of poisoning the third prince, how did she suddenly change her story to say it was you? I know that if you had wanted to kill the third prince, he wouldn''t have lived until now. How could it possibly have been you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress gave a light chuckle: "If even you understand this logic, how could the Emperor not know?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As sheughed, tears began to fall: "I didn''t lose to Consort De, I lost to my own delusions. It''s the Emperor who wants me dead... the husband I''ve shared a bed with for a lifetime wants me dead!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She cried out, pounding on the bed: "I was so foolish, always thinking that as long as I devoted myself to him, he would eventually see my worth. I brought this upon myself, I... hahaha... ugh..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A mouthful of fresh blood spewed from the Empress''s mouth. Jiang Xinyue cried out in shock, supporting the falling skeleton of a woman: "Your Majesty!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How had ite to this?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If the Emperor is heartless, I should let go. If the Emperor doesn''t love me, I should love myself. Why reduce oneself to such a ghastly state?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It''s simply not worth it!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress copsed into her arms: "This is the path I chose, I don''t me anyone. But... my children... my children were innocent!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mentioning the deceased Crown Prince Duanhui and Second Prince, hatred zed in the Empress''s eyes once more: "My children, Zhan''er and Chuan''er, were killed by Consort De!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Not just my children, the reason there have been only the third prince and fourth prince born in the harem for so many years is because Consort De secretly administered drugs to pregnant concubines, preventing any children from being born in the pce."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress''s eyes were full of regret: "Back then, I trusted her too much, which gave her the opportunity to kill Zhan''er and Chuan''er."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"How does Your Majesty know it was Consort De?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After so many years of being unable to uncover the truth, how did she suddenly know it was Consort De?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Without evidence, Jiang Xinyue wouldn''t foolishly rush to conclusions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I say this because I naturally have evidence."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress nced at Fen Yun, who, with tear-rimmed eyes, took out a blood-stained handkerchief from a drawer in the dressing table.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"This is a blood letter written by Ning Feixiu, a pce maid from Consort De''s quarters, before she died here in Yikun Pce. It confesses Consort De''s crimes of harming the former Crown Prince and Second Prince, as well as numerous pregnant concubines in the harem. Before entering the pce, Consort De had studied medicine for a time and was well-versed in creating poisons. These were all things I never knew."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Her younger son had drowned after suddenly falling into the water while admiring fish by the river.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Empress suspected that Consort De had used some drug to make him lose consciousness, otherwise how could he have fallen into the water without calling for help?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little Crown Prince had died even more suspiciously, suddenly contracting smallpox.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thinking back carefully, Consort De''s shadow could be seen in every incident, but because Consort De had been her ally at the time, she had never thought to suspect her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0