In the cold winds of December, a few icy tendrils still lingered, slapping against people's faces like tiny knives slicing through flesh, making them shiver uncontrollably.
Hexi Palace stood tall, its warm candlelight glowing softly, offering a harmonious warmth amidst the biting chill.
Consort De's teeth were clenched so hard they almost shattered.
She had already followed Jiang Xinyue's wishes and nobly sacrificed herself, so why was Jiang Xinyue still sending Xuan'er to the Ancestral Temple?
What was the Ancestral Temple?
It was no different from a cold palace. How could the Emperor possibly remember Xuan'er once he grew up?
How could she ever wait for Xuan'er to be granted a fief and return to the palace to reclaim their rightful place?
"Why did Her Highness make us all come out?"
"Probably to surprise the Emperor! Didn't Her Highness practice a new song today?"
"Our Highness and the Emperor are truly in love. I think Fourth Prince's wish for a little sister will soon come true."
A few palace maids, carrying Jiang Xinyue's discarded garments, hurried past the spot where Consort De was hiding.
"Sister Lan, now that we're here, I wonder if it's a trap. Should we..."
"I can't wait any longer. My father thinks I don't know about the two mistresses he's keeping outside. My 'corpse' hasn't even cooled, and he's already brought them into the Duke's Mansion. He really doesn't want those illegitimate sons of his to suffer a moment of discomfort."
She had long known that the Duke of Cheng was keeping a courtesan outside, but she didn't realize the woman had given birth to two brothers for him.
It was the Emperor who had revealed this to her.
How long ago was that?
It seemed like it was before the Emperor took Jiang Xinyue to the summer palace to escape the heat.
Consort De thought back carefully and realized she had already fallen into the Emperor's trap, though she hadn't realized it at the time. She had thought the Emperor was showing her sympathy and pity by revealing this to her.
Only now did she understand that the Emperor had foreseen this day long ago. That is, before they went to the summer palace, the Emperor already knew she was the true murderer of the Former Crown Prince and the Second Prince, and had confirmed that the dozen lives in Yanqing Palace were also her doing.
As she knew, Jiang Xinyue had "accidentally" discovered the porcelain bottle from the pond during their stay at the summer palace.
The Former Crown Prince had not died from poisoning but was drowned by her men. Now, that porcelain bottle had been used as evidence to convict her.
There was no real evidence, no witnesses, yet the Emperor had fabricated it all.
The Emperor's purpose in doing all this was to ensure she wouldn't go quietly to her death. He knew she would drag the Duke of Cheng down with her.
Because she wanted revenge. Revenge against the Duke of Cheng for choosing to sacrifice her to pave the way for his two illegitimate sons.
So, before her fake death, Consort De had deliberately said those words, claiming it had nothing to do with the Duke's Mansion, to make the Duke of Cheng let his guard down and bring the courtesan and her two sons into the mansion.
But she had also said...
Without Jiang Xinyue, the Emperor would have been poisoned by her. Such treasonous words about assassinating the Emperor—how could the Duke's Mansion escape blame?
Not just the Duke's Mansion, but anyone related to it would be implicated.
Yes, Consort De wanted the Duke of Cheng to become a sinner condemned by history, cursed by his entire clan, even in the afterlife, unable to face his ancestors.
With her intelligence, how could she not know what to say and what not to say?
Who asked her father... to kill her beloved grandmother?
Now, she wanted to kill Jiang Xinyue and then pin everything on the Duke of Cheng. That way... the Emperor would be utterly enraged, and the entire Duke's Mansion, all nine clans, would have to pay for the life of the Imperial Noble Consort.
She had been cast aside, so no one should live. They would all die together.
From Hexi Palace came the beautiful sound of a zither, indeed matching what the maids had said—that the Imperial Noble Consort was preparing a surprise for the Emperor.
"Ding!"
A soft sound of footsteps landing echoed. Low Level Consort Yu, dressed in Jiang Xinyue's clothes and wearing her hair ornaments, sat with her back to the main hall's entrance, her fingers trembling slightly as she plucked at the zither strings.
She was terrified!
Consort De, this murderous demon, wouldn't just stab her to death in one go, would she?
Just moments ago, when she suggested she take the lead, she thought she was quite brave. Now, she felt more like a coward.
The two guards who followed Consort De inside were her cousins from her family. They owed their positions in the palace guard to Consort De's patronage, and they always obeyed her commands, even if it meant their own deaths.
Consort De gave them a signal, and the two men stepped forward, drawing their swords and attacking without hesitation.
"Zheng!"
"Ah!"
Low Level Consort Yu's psychological fortitude was weak. The clash of blades above her head made her scream and close her eyes tightly.
"Low Level Consort Yu, run!"
Jiang Xinyue emerged from the inner hot spring room. Four guards were entangled in battle, while Consort De had silently moved behind Low Level Consort Yu, raising a dagger to strike.
Jiang Xinyue's shout startled Low Level Consort Yu, whose body reacted before her mind could. She rolled off the table, landing on the zither and knocking it against Consort De's raised hand and head, causing her to pause for a moment.
But soon, Consort De grabbed Low Level Consort Yu by the hair and pulled her up from the ground, pressing the dagger against her neck: "If you don't want Low Level Consort Yu to die, order them to stop."
The Emperor raised his hand, and the two highly skilled guards kicked Consort De's cousins away.
Consort De gripped Low Level Consort Yu's neck: "Low Level Consort Yu, we've known each other for over a decade. I never expected you'd be willing to trade your life for Jiang Xinyue's. I doubt even the Former Empress could make you do that!"
Low Level Consort Yu was surprised herself. She had willingly risked her life for Jiang Xinyue.
"You vile woman, there are still many virtues of mine you haven't discovered!"
Low Level Consort Yu retorted stubbornly: "If you know what's good for you, release me now. I might still put in a good word for you with the Emperor and the Imperial Noble Consort. Otherwise, you won't leave here alive."
Consort De laughed wildly, tears streaming down her face: "Do you think I'll leave here alive if I let you go? Save your breath! Do you think they care about your life?"
"Who says I don't care?"
Jiang Xinyue stepped out, protected by the Emperor: "Low Level Consort Yu is my friend. Please release her."
"Friend? Hahaha..."
Consort De laughed again: "How can there be real friends in this palace? Jiang Xinyue, you fool, don't you remember when Low Level Consort Yu envied you and tried to harm your unborn child? Don't you remember when she sided with the Former Empress and mocked you?"
Without Consort De needing to elaborate, Low Level Consort Yu's past mistakes were enough to make her own head spin.
She shrank back, afraid that Jiang Xinyue would say: Just stab her and be done with it!
"Isn't it all because you were manipulating her?"
A shadow flickered outside the window. Jiang Xinyue's eyes darted, and she moved toward the door. The two guards also watched her warily, turning with Consort De to face the door, their backs to the window.
