Each day continued as before — coarse tea and plain food, trapped within this small confined world, unable to move about freely.

Even so, with Bai Yu’s company, the days in the imperial prison were not quite so unbearable.

Cui Liu came every day to deliver meals. Sometimes she would bring one or two leisure books; sometimes she would bring needlework and handkerchiefs. She said nothing extra, simply setting things down and leaving.

Ling Jingshu likewise said nothing extra, silently accepting whatever Cui Liu brought. When there was nothing to do, she could chat idly with Bai Yu, read a book, or take up her needlework. Except for not being able to go out and walk about, it was not all that different from her former days in the inner chambers.

The second letter from Wei Yan arrived five days later.

Ling Jingshu made no effort to hide it from Bai Yu, breaking the seal right in her presence.

Bai Yu had long anticipated something of this kind and felt no particular surprise. Deep inside, she quietly rejoiced on Ling Jingshu’s behalf.

At a time like this, when such calamity had befallen her mistress, most people would likely be scrambling to keep their distance. Yet Wei Yan had not kept his distance at all. On the contrary, he had been quietly watching over and caring for Ling Jingshu all this while.

Such tender consideration was truly moving.

Ling Jingshu read the letter with care. The corners of her lips curved gently upward, and a glimmer of happiness lit up her eyes. She then held the paper close to the candle flame. The flame consumed the letter swiftly, leaving behind only a thin layer of ash.

Only then did Bai Yu step closer, asking in a low voice, “My Lady, did Imperial Physician Wei mention anything in the letter about the Empress?”

Ling Jingshu gave a soft sound of assent and said quietly, “Yesterday the Emperor issued the imperial edict of deposition. The Empress has been demoted to the rank of Consort Xu and has been moved from Jiaofang Hall back to Jingyang Palace.”

The Emperor had, after all, preserved some measure of dignity for the Empress. For one, he had concealed the scandal of her and the palace attendant; for another, he had left her the rank of consort.

But that was the extent of his mercy.

After being administered the medicine by force, the Empress had lost all strength throughout her body. She could only lie limp and prostrate in her bed, unable to rise and move about, and those attending her at her bedside had all been personally “arranged” by the Emperor. Like a bird with its wings perpetually clipped, she was locked inside a cage, no longer capable of breaking free.

Such an Empress posed no threat to anyone any longer.

She had once lorded over the imperial palace — and now, fallen from power in an instant, her fate could well be imagined.

The resentment and hatred that had been accumulating in Bai Yu’s heart had already largely dissipated with the good news of the Empress’s deposition and Princess Changping being sent to Ciyun Convent.

Although Bai Yu did not know the many secrets surrounding Ling Jingshu, seeing her mistress so heartened and pleased brought Bai Yu her own quiet happiness. Then, thinking of the future ahead for mistress and maid, she could not help but feel a creeping anxiety. “My Lady, now that the Empress has been stripped of her position, what are we to do going forward? Will the Emperor take it out on us and keep us locked in the imperial prison forever?”

Ling Jingshu rallied her spirits and gave a small smile. “It should not come to that. Let us wait a little longer. We may well be able to leave the imperial prison quite soon.”

Bai Yu smiled and nodded.

The deposition of the Empress — whether within the imperial palace or throughout the court and the wider realm — was a shockingly momentous event.

The reasons cited in the Emperor’s edict of deposition were high-sounding enough on the surface. Yet there are no walls in the world without cracks. The true reason and the full details of what had happened quietly made their way among the powerful nobles and senior officials who held the reins of authority.

The Xu Family, over the matter of Xu Qian’s murder, had effectively severed ties with the Empress and become estranged.

Among the officials at court who had formerly leaned toward Prince Yan, there was no shortage of those who could “distinguish right from wrong.” They quickly shifted allegiance and crossed over to the Crown Prince’s side.

Prince Yan’s situation very soon grew awkward and uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, Prince Yan conducted himself with remarkable composure. Each day after attending morning court, he went to Zichen Hall to keep vigil at the Emperor’s bedside during his illness.

After the edict of deposition was formally issued, Prince Yan wept before the Emperor on several occasions, pleading in anguished tones, “Imperial Mother has committed a grave wrong. Imperial Father has deposed her as Empress and reduced her to the rank of consort. This son has not the slightest grievance or resentment. This son asks only that Imperial Father graciously permit this son to go to Jingyang Palace to pay his respects to Imperial Mother-Consort.”

Seeing Prince Yan weep so sorrowfully and pitifully, the Emperor himself felt a pang of discomfort.

He had grown weary of and disgusted with the Empress, and would neither wish nor deign to look upon her again. Yet toward Prince Yan, this son he had doted upon since childhood, he still held a measure of partiality.

Watching the Prince Yan who had always been proud and willful now kneeling at the edge of his bed, weeping in grief, the Emperor at last softened just slightly, and sighed, “Stop crying first. Rise and speak.”

Prince Yan detected the yielding in the Emperor’s tone and felt a quiet surge of quiet elation. “Yes. This son obeys the imperial command.”

After wiping his tears, Prince Yan stood, his eyes still red-rimmed.

In truth, whether or not he visited the Empress was of little consequence. What mattered was to use this gesture to demonstrate that he had been entirely unaware of the truth behind the Empress’s deposition, while at the same time displaying his own filial piety.

As events proved, Prince Yan’s approach was the correct one.

The Emperor considered briefly, then said, “With what happened to Changping, your Imperial Mother-Consort was already unwell, and now her illness will likely worsen further as she lies confined to bed. Your heart is filial, and you wish to visit her — We cannot stand in your way. Very well — We shall permit you two visits per month. On the first and the fifteenth of each month, you may go to Jingyang Palace.”

Prince Yan expressed his gratitude with tears streaming down his face. He accompanied the Emperor for the midday meal, then waited until the Emperor had settled into sleep before taking his leave from Zichen Hall.

After leaving the palace, Prince Yan did not return to Prince Yan’s manor but instead went to the Xu Family estate.

With Prince Yan arriving in person, the Xu Family could hardly turn him away at the gate regardless of how they felt.

Duke Xu led the entire household out personally to receive him, performing every propriety of a welcoming ceremony with great thoroughness.

That manner of reception was itself already an expression of distance. In former days, Prince Yan had come and gone from the Xu estate as though it were his own home — what need was there for such empty ceremonial formalities?

After entering the Xu estate, Prince Yan and Duke Xu each took a seat.

Duke Xu respectfully broke the silence. “Your Highness Prince Yan has come to the Xu estate — this old servant wonders what brings you here?”

Prince Yan looked at Duke Xu and gave a bitter smile. “Since Imperial Mother-Consort was deposed, officials at court who see me behave as though they have spotted a plague — they would sooner walk a detour than cross my path. Surely Uncle does not also find this nephew beneath his regard and has no wish to associate with me henceforth?”

Duke Xu was left at a loss for words.

Xu Qian’s death had become a thorn lodged in the hearts of every member of the Xu Family.

To say that Duke Xu harbored no resentment whatsoever would be impossible.

The Xu Family had established themselves in the capital in the first place only through the Empress’s backing. The Empress’s deposition was undoubtedly a severe blow to the Xu Family. Going forward, they could only lower their heads, tuck their tails, and carry on with as little visibility as possible.

The thought of using this occasion to sever all ties with Prince Yan entirely had not been absent from Duke Xu’s mind — if only to avoid being implicated by Prince Yan again in the future. Yet he had not anticipated that Prince Yan would come knocking quite so quickly.

Prince Yan then spoke with utmost sincerity, “Elder Sister made a grave mistake and has already received the punishment she deserved. I also bear no wish to hold a grudge against Uncle. I came to the Xu estate today expressly to demonstrate my sincerity and resolve. I hope that Uncle will set the past aside and continue to stand on my side going forward.”

Duke Xu was silent for a long while before finally lifting his head to regard Prince Yan. His eyes were full of grief. “Your Highness speaks too gravely. This old servant is aged and of little use now — what can I possibly do for Your Highness?”