Previously, for certain reasons, she had only wanted to prevent Han Yan from becoming Princess Xuan Qing and make her live humbly under her watch. Now she wanted her life! Fu Yun Xi had already grown wary of her, and with Han Yan added to the mix… Two wolf cubs, indeed. She should never have let them live.

After some thought, she said, “To the imperial prison.”

In just one day, Imperial Consort Chen had become a different person – disheveled, haggard, emanating a foul odor. The Emperor had forbidden anyone from the Chen family to visit her. She had endured all manner of filth and degradation here – this was her lowest, most humiliating moment.

Upon seeing the Empress Dowager, she thought she saw hope and almost threw herself at the prison bars: “Empress Dowager, save me!”

The Empress Dowager crouched before her: “How can I save you?”

Like a drowning person grasping at the last straw, Imperial Consort Chen abandoned all dignity and frantically kowtowed: “Save me, Empress Dowager! I was framed by that little harlot Zhuang Han Yan! Empress Dowager, you must have a way to save me, you must, right?”

The Empress Dowager silently watched her frenzy until shallow bloodstains appeared on the stone floor before speaking: “I came only to tell you that the Emperor has decreed, in consideration of your marital bond, to spare your life. You’ll be confined to the Cold Palace, never to step outside the palace walls again.” Was it consideration for their marital bond? A cold smile played on the Empress Dowager’s lips. Minister Chen had developed considerable influence in court over the years – his foundation wasn’t easily shaken. There were still some concerns, and the Emperor’s decision was reasonable.

Imperial Consort Chen froze, shaking her head: “I don’t believe it. Once in the Cold Palace, I’ll never get out. Empress Dowager, didn’t you say you could ruin Zhuang Han Yan’s reputation and free me? Empress Dowager!”

“I would like to save you,” the Empress Dowager looked at her serenely. “After all, you’ve done many things for me, but… it’s not your fate.”

Imperial Consort Chen stared in disbelief, shaking her head, understanding that the Empress Dowager was abandoning her. Trembling, she said, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll reveal your secrets…”

The Empress Dowager smiled gently: “Go ahead and speak if anyone believes you.” She glanced at Imperial Consort Chen: “I came only to see you one last time. When you’re on the path to the underworld, don’t blame the wrong person.”

Imperial Consort Chen watched the Empress Dowager’s retreating figure and screamed hysterically: “Let me out! It wasn’t me! Empress Dowager, Zhuang Han Yan, you’ve ruined me! I won’t let you go even as a ghost!”

Outside the prison, the palace maid quickly raised her lantern. The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief – she had tested the waters, and Imperial Consort Chen seemed unaware of that matter. Good.

Imperial Consort Chen collapsed to the ground, covered in mud and blood. Now even the lecherous guards avoided her. She never imagined she would come to this – becoming the lowest of the low, with nothing, not even a chance to rise again. Thinking of the Emperor sending her to the Cold Palace made her whole body tremble uncontrollably. She had enjoyed the Emperor’s favor, been the most favored in the Six Palaces for years, schemed for everything, and climbed step by step to her position, only to be brought so low by Zhuang Han Yan. She hated Fu Yun Xi, hated Zhuang Han Yan, and hated the Empress Dowager even more. The Empress Dowager had orchestrated everything but pushed her to the front, abandoning her when she was imprisoned. Sacrificing a pawn to protect the king!

The true nature of human relationships is revealed in times of misfortune. Imperial Consort Chen sat there numbly, her mind blank.

“Royal Mother!” a voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Imperial Consort Chen turned in disbelief to see the Seventh Prince’s face, bright in the gloomy prison. Tears instantly welled up: “Little Seven!”

The Seventh Prince passed a food basket through the feeding slot: “Royal Mother, you’ve suffered!”

Imperial Consort Chen stared at his face intently: “Little Seven, how did you get in?”

The Seventh Prince looked at her: “I’m sorry, Royal Mother. I caused your downfall.”

The initial plot against Han Yan had been the Seventh Prince’s idea, and it was that failed attempt that led to Imperial Consort Chen being targeted and falling to her current state.

Imperial Consort Chen shook her head: “It’s not your fault. It’s Zhuang Han Yan, Fu Yun Xi, and the Empress Dowager.” Her eyes filled with hatred and resentment: “Little Seven, you must avenge me!”

“I understand,” the Seventh Prince said, looking at her. “Royal Mother must be starving. These guards are always bullies. Try what I’ve brought – all your favorites.”

When the exquisite food basket was opened, a delicious aroma wafted out. Various refined dishes and delicacies filled it. Imperial Consort Chen had spent a miserable day and night here, refusing the coarse prison food, and not eating a single grain of rice. Now, seeing these dishes she would have scorned before, they seemed delicious. She began eating ravenously.

Watching her eat, the Seventh Prince’s eyes filled with tears: “Royal Mother, I’m sorry…”

Between mouthfuls, Imperial Consort Chen mumbled: “Only a Little Seven cares for me. Only a Little Seven loves me most in this world…”

The Seventh Prince cried harder, choking on his sobs. This filial son, praised by all at court, now looked so pitiful that anyone would feel sorry for him.

Imperial Consort Chen finished every dish in the basket and drank every drop of sweet wine, feeling utterly satisfied. She turned to see the Seventh Prince watching her through the iron bars face streaked with tears, repeatedly saying, “Royal Mother, I’m sorry.”

Imperial Consort Chen felt heartbroken and quickly went to wipe his tears through the prison bars: “Little Seven, don’t apologize. This wasn’t your fault. Everything Mother does for you is right. Don’t cry.”

The Seventh Prince looked up, his expression suddenly becoming strange: “Then, would Royal Mother be willing to die for Little Seven?”

Imperial Consort Chen froze: “What?”

“Royal Mother, I’m sorry. I poisoned your food.”

Imperial Consort Chen stared, thinking she had misheard, her lips trembling: “What did you say?”

“I said,” the Seventh Prince’s expression remained sorrowful, but his gaze was as cold as a snake’s, devoid of emotion, “I poisoned the food you ate.”

Just as Imperial Consort Chen tried to speak, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. An excruciating pain struck her, making her breathing rapid. She collapsed, clutching her stomach, looking at the Seventh Prince with desperate disbelief: “Why…”

“Royal Mother,” the Seventh Prince said, “You’ve offended Uncle Wang, and he will surely find a way to kill you to avenge his Princess Consort. Rather than dying meaninglessly at his hands, it better to die here.” A strange smile curved his lips: “Royal Mother suddenly taking poison in prison – the only explanation will be that you couldn’t bear to implicate me.” His hand reached through the bars to caress her face: “The Emperor will surely understand Royal Mother’s intention. Not only will he not blame me, but he’ll treat me even better.”