Yun Chu shook her head.

Xie Ping’s move appeared to be an escape from the wolf’s den of the imperial mausoleum, but in reality, she had entered the tiger’s den of the Eastern Palace.

Once her identity was exposed, the Empress would absolutely not allow Xie Ping to live.

However, since Xie Ping could persuade the Crown Prince to bring her here, it showed that Xie Ping held a certain weight in the Crown Prince’s heart.

Yun Chu spoke: “Your identity means you cannot remain by the Crown Prince’s side, unless you have value that would make the Empress take a step back.”

Xie Ping raised her head, her face full of confusion: “What do you mean?”

“It means you must make yourself useful.” Yun Chu looked into her eyes. “Think about it—what is most urgent for the Empress and the Eastern Palace right now?”

Kneeling on the ground, Xie Ping thought for a moment, then tentatively said: “To stabilize the Crown Prince’s position?”

Yun Chu nodded: “Now that the princes from various palaces have grown up, especially Prince Gongxi and Prince Pingxi, their influence is gradually increasing, clearly threatening the Crown Prince’s position. The Empress cannot help but be wary.”

Xie Ping raised her head: “Then what can I do? I beg Mother to speak plainly.”

Yun Chu picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea: “You and I have different positions. This is all I can say. Someone, see the guest out.”

Tingxue stood up and escorted Xie Ping out.

Walking outside, a gust of wind hit her face, and she instantly became much more clearheaded.

She seemed to vaguely understand what her mother meant.

Waiting in front for a while, she saw the Crown Prince come out dejected. She knew that Prince Pingxi must have refused to join forces.

“Your Highness, this concubine already has a solution.” Xie Ping nestled in the Crown Prince’s embrace. “After we return to the palace, please take this concubine to see the Empress.”

The Crown Prince grasped her hand, disagreeing: “Mother Empress has always wanted you dead. You should stay safely in the Eastern Palace.”

“Only by placing oneself in mortal danger can one find life.” Xie Ping’s voice carried determination. “Your Highness, please trust this concubine.”

The carriage headed toward the capital. Not until dusk fell did they finally arrive at the imperial palace.

Xie Ping changed her clothes and followed the Crown Prince to Kunning Palace. Palace lanterns illuminated the hall as bright as day.

The Empress lay on the couch with her eyes closed, while a palace maid beside her gently waved a fan.

“Paying respects to Mother Empress.”

The Crown Prince entered the hall with Xie Ping.

Xie Ping knelt directly on the ground, her head touching the floor in obeisance: “This lowly concubine greets the Empress.”

The Empress’s eyes suddenly flew open. She hadn’t expected this little wretch would dare come to Kunning Palace!

“All of you, leave.” The Crown Prince spoke to dismiss the servants. “Mother Empress, Linglong has something to say.”

Although he knew Xie Ping’s true identity, the Crown Prince was still accustomed to calling her by the name Linglong.

The Empress’s face was full of cold severity. She wanted to hear what could possibly be said.

“This concubine knows her crimes are unforgivable and wishes to atone through meritorious service.” Xie Ping prostrated on the ground. “This concubine’s full blood brother serves as an adviser in Prince Gongxi’s residence. This concubine can persuade him to become the Eastern Palace’s informant by Prince Gongxi’s side.”

Xie Shi’an wanted her to become Prince Gongxi’s informant.

Similarly, she could also make Xie Shi’an become the Eastern Palace’s informant.

This way, wouldn’t it demonstrate her value?

“Ha.” The Empress laughed coldly. “That full blood brother of yours could even drive his own birth mother to death. This Palace does not believe he would sacrifice himself for you, his elder sister.”

Xie Ping bit her lip: “Then what must this concubine do for Your Majesty to trust this concubine?”

The Empress’s fingers casually toyed with her nails.

Originally, she had not taken Xie Ping’s words seriously. Whether Xie Ping or Xie Shi’an, they were both too lowly. She did not believe lowly people could accomplish great things.

But, on second thought, throughout history many great events were often brought about by lowly people… Perhaps…

The Empress’s fingers paused. She gave Nanny Er a look.

Nanny Er turned and walked out of the hall. Before long, she returned with a small paper packet.

“If you have the ability to make Prince Gongxi ingest this powder, this Palace will spare your life.”

The paper packet was thrown in front of Xie Ping. Her fingers trembled violently.

The meals of imperial family members were monitored by many people during preparation, and after being served to the table, there would be at least two people to taste-test them.

Poisoning Prince Gongxi would not be easy.

But she knew she had to accept this task. This was the only thing that could demonstrate her value.

“Three days. This Palace gives you only three days.” The Empress said slowly. “After the deed is done, this Palace will also show sincerity and release Xie Yuan Shi.”

Xie Ping prostrated herself in gratitude.

The pitch-black night passed, and dawn arrived.

That night, Xie Ping did not sleep well. Dark circles shadowed her eyelids.

She attended to the Crown Prince’s dressing and washing. After the Crown Prince left for morning court, she changed her clothes to prepare to leave the palace.

“Concubine Wu, halt!” The Crown Princess’s voice rang out behind her. “Dressed like this, where are you going?”

Women of the inner palace could not easily leave the palace. Even the Empress and the four imperial consorts had to obtain the Emperor’s permission to leave the palace. As a mere Eastern Palace secondary consort, it was even harder for her to leave.

Yesterday she had disguised herself as the Crown Prince’s manservant. Today she wore palace maid’s clothing.

“You are a Crown Prince’s secondary consort, yet you dress as a palace maid—what kind of propriety is this!” The Crown Princess was furious. “Kneel down and kneel for four full hours before we speak again!”

These past days, this Concubine Wu had been staying in the Crown Prince’s main hall, completely disregarding all rules.

She had repeatedly admonished the Crown Prince, only to be lectured by him each time, saying she meddled too much.

This time, she had finally found an opportunity to punish this little wretch.

“This concubine cannot kneel.” Xie Ping pulled out a Kunning Palace waist token from her sleeve. “This concubine is following the Empress’s orders to leave the palace on business. Time is pressing, so this concubine takes her leave first.”

She turned and walked out of the Eastern Palace.

The Crown Princess was so angry her head spun.

Xie Ping took a carriage directly to the Xie Family residence. She did not go in, but instead sat down to wait at a nearby teahouse.

After waiting for who knows how long, she finally saw Xie Shi’an return. She quickly went over, pulled Xie Shi’an into a private room on the teahouse’s second floor.

“You…” Xie Shi’an was shocked. “How could you appear here?”

A secondary consort of the inner palace basically could never leave the palace again for her entire life. How could Xie Ping still freely return to the Xie family?

Xie Ping had limited time, so she went straight to the point, explaining her purpose. When finished, she placed the powder packet in Xie Shi’an’s palm: “An’ge, whether I can survive, whether Grandmother can leave the imperial palace, depends entirely on you.”

Xie Shi’an’s hand drew back, and the powder fell to the ground.

He said coldly: “I finally became Prince Gongxi’s most trusted adviser. Why should I dig my own grave for you?”

“Because—” Xie Ping revealed a sinister smile. “If I cannot live, you shouldn’t think of living either. If we must die, we’ll die together! Don’t forget, we are full blood siblings. If I assassinate the Crown Prince, tell me, do you think you can remain uninvolved?”

“You!”

Xie Shi’an directly grabbed her by the throat.

Xie Ping struggled to breathe, then slowly spoke: “Three days, Xie Shi’an. You only have three days. The offer expires after that!”

Xie Shi’an flung her away forcefully.