Kong Yu’s death was a knot in Jing Xuan’s heart that could never be untied.

Although this person who cared for her so deeply was her mother consort, whom she should respect and love, even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. Yet for Jing Yi’s sake, her own mother could actually harm someone to death, even going so far as to confine her in the palace. To prevent her from telling the Emperor the truth, she could bear to have her married off to Huyi.

With such a mother, how could she respect or love her?

Consort Xiao once again grasped her cold hand resting on the bedding, saying tearfully, “Xuan’er, Mother Consort knows you’re suffering inside, but you must understand—Kong Yu died by suicide. You can’t blame anyone else. What Mother Consort has done isn’t just for your imperial brother alone, but for you as well. The Third Prince of Huyi is deeply favored by the King of Huyi. In the future, he will certainly ascend as king, and then you will be the Queen Mother.”

Bah!

These words were nothing but those of a hypocrite.

Would she care about being a Queen Mother?

She wasn’t even interested in glancing at the position of Queen Mother of Heaven.

After a moment, a smile traced across her pale lips, so cold it sent chills through one’s heart. The next moment, she propped herself up.

Consort Xiao was about to reach out to help when she forcefully shook her off.

“Xuan’er?” Consort Xiao was startled.

“Do you think I know nothing? That I’m a fool? Since childhood, I’ve been willful and capricious. In others’ eyes, I’m also a useless, brainless princess. But that doesn’t mean I understand nothing. You want me to marry to Huyi simply to separate me from you, so that no one will ever know your and Imperial Brother’s secrets.”

Completely seen through!

Consort Xiao anxiously explained, “Xuan’er, how can you think this way?”

“Then how should I think? The facts are the facts. Isn’t this what Mother Consort is thinking in her heart?” A fierce air flowed through her eyes.

Of course she was thinking exactly that.

“Xuan’er, what must Mother Consort do so that…”

Before she could finish speaking, Jing Xuan snorted. “You schemed in every way to have Sister Yu marry First Imperial Brother, and ended up calculating away two lives. You’re truly terrifying.”

Ugh!

That last sentence was almost shouted out.

And hearing these words come from her own daughter’s mouth, how could Consort Xiao not be hurt?

Her heart was bleeding!

“How can you be so unreasonable? You are this palace’s daughter, and will be for life. For your and your imperial brother’s future, this palace is willing to do anything. Now your First Imperial Brother is already dead. Dalin will belong to your imperial brother in the future. And when you marry to Huyi and become Queen Mother in the future, you siblings can live peacefully. Then Mother Consort can die content.”

Jing Xuan met her gaze, tears welling in her eyes, saying word by word, “Even at this point, Mother Consort still won’t speak one honest word to me.”

If she still had a shred of hope before, at this moment, she was utterly in despair.

That mother consort who had doted on her since childhood was actually a demon who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.

Consort Xiao’s lips moved, but she couldn’t say a word.

Jing Xuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, laughing coldly. “You want to separate me from you, don’t you? Fine, I agree. I’ll marry. For this entire life, I will never return. Even if I die, I won’t die before your eyes.”

Her heart like dead ashes.

Her voice echoed throughout the entire inner chamber, rolling into Consort Xiao’s ears wave after wave.

Their eyes met—one carrying helplessness, the other carrying hatred.

…

After Consort Xiao emerged from the inner chamber, she seemed somewhat disoriented.

Sang Lan supported her. “Your Ladyship, are you alright?”

She remained silent!

“The words the Princess spoke just now—Your Ladyship shouldn’t take them to heart. Someday the Princess will understand Your Ladyship’s painstaking efforts.”

Yes!

Her efforts were indeed painstaking.

Consort Xiao stopped walking and stood in the corridor within the palace walls, looking at the palace path stretching before her. Her eyes narrowed bit by bit.

Then she said through gritted teeth, “As long as it’s for Yi’er, this palace can do anything.”

Even die willingly.

“Then Your Ladyship, regarding what Eunuch Li brought word of earlier—Prince Yi is in trouble?”

“His Majesty merely suspects, it’s not certain. Moreover, given Yi’er’s current position in the capital and the court, even if His Majesty knew, he would have to think thrice before acting. However…” Consort Xiao’s phoenix brows pressed downward. “What’s going on with the Ministry of Personnel?”

She was puzzled in her heart.

The Ministry of Personnel submitting a memorial, and about a prince no less—if done improperly, that was a matter of losing one’s head!

Would the newly appointed Minister of Personnel Peng Yuanhai have such audacity?

Behind this, either he was being manipulated by someone, or he had a powerful backer.

Or perhaps Jingrong was deliberately countering move with move.

Putting oneself in mortal danger to survive?

She shook her head. “No, at this time, absolutely no accidents can be permitted. It seems some plans must be moved forward.”

Sang Lan didn’t understand. “Your Ladyship’s meaning?”

Consort Xiao’s eyes curved with sinister intent…

The next day!

Fuyang Hall.

Zhang Quan bowed as he entered the hall. “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qizhen was resting with his eyes closed, supporting his head. Hearing the voice, he hummed in acknowledgment, then waved his hand, dismissing everyone attending in the hall.

He still sat there without moving, asking, “How is it?”

Zhang Quan replied, “The newly appointed Minister Peng of the Ministry of Personnel has no dealings with the Director of the Office of Transmission. One ministry and one office have no connection.”

“What else?”

“However, when the previous Minister of Personnel Qiao Zheng was in office, he maintained private contact with Prince Yi’s manor. Minister Peng previously worked under Minister Qiao, so… perhaps… there exists a connection between the Ministry of Personnel and Prince Yi’s manor. As for Director Qu of the Office of Transmission, three years ago it was Prince Yi who submitted the letter of recommendation that pushed him into the position of Director.”

So the Office of Transmission also had connections with Prince Yi’s manor?

At this point, Emperor Qizhen opened his eyes, looking at the smoking incense burner on the desk.

White smoke curled upward, circling around one’s nose. What should have been comfortable now seemed somewhat pungent and unpleasant…

Emperor Qizhen frowned, his expression extremely grave, and lightly pounded his fist on the table.

“Today, what exactly is he afraid of?”

Huh?

Who?

Zhang Quan raised his head, watching as Emperor Qizhen slowly rose. He quickly stepped forward to assist but was forcefully pushed aside by Emperor Qizhen’s wide sleeves.

Emperor Qizhen walked with a hunched back, dragging difficult steps to the sword rack in the hall.

On the rack rested a black longsword!

He had obtained it from Prince Li thirty years ago, then given it to Jing Hua. But unexpectedly, the night Jing Hua forced the palace, it was this very sword he used to try to kill him.

He took down the sword, gripping the hilt tightly. His eyes desolate and disappointed, he sighed. “Jing Hua is dead, Jing Xian is incompetent, and I also transferred Jingrong away from the capital. But was I wrong? Or have I become muddled?”

“Your Majesty?”

“The Late Emperor was right back then. As long as the Dalin empire exists for even one day, the struggle… will never cease.”

Having said this, he unsheathed the sword in his hand!

Silver light flashed suddenly, gleaming with a luster that could devour human hearts, like a wild horse held in restraint. Once it broke free from its reins, the consequences would be death or injury.