Bai Mengying didn't really care whether Ye Zerui lived or died, because there was a time when she also really wanted Ye Zerui to die.

But then Consort Li continued, "Not only is the Second Prince dead, but Consort Shu has also miscarried. Now, Ming'er is the only prince left in the capital. I'm afraid it won't be long before I'm no longer able to protect you."

Bai Mengying was stunned upon hearing this.

What does Consort Li mean by this?

Is someone trying to kill all the princes?

Before Bai Mengying could recover from her surprise, Consort Li reached out and touched the iron mask on Bai Mengying's face, saying with affection in her eyes, "It must have been hard for you. Since Her Majesty the Empress used all her connections to save you, you must live well."

"I came tonight to send you out of the palace. How about I have someone take you south? You shouldn't be found by Qiao Xiuyuan there. You can live in anonymity, and I'll give you a sum of money. Keep your mouth shut; it should be enough for you to live on for the rest of your life."

At this point, the finger cot worn by Consort Li accidentally made a crisp sound when it collided with the iron mask on Bai Mengying's face.

This crisp sound instantly extinguished the glimmer of hope that Bai Mengying had finally managed to ignite in her heart because of Consort Li's words.

Even if she leaves the capital now, even if she has enough money to live on for the rest of her life, what good will it do her in this wretched state?!

She can never live in the sunlight!

People point and whisper about her whenever they see her!

Most importantly, with this iron mask on, Qiao Xiuyuan could easily find her with just a little inquiry.

She didn't even dare to think about what would await her after Qiao Xiuyuan found her!

So she's not leaving!

She wanted to stay and expose Qiao Xiuyuan's true colors to the Emperor!

"Your Highness, thank you for your kindness, but I am not planning to leave."

In my current state, I'd rather be dead.

But I hate it! I'm not willing to die like this! I want Qiao Xiuyuan to pay the price!

So I want to see the Emperor now, can you help me?

Consort Li sighed, her eyes filled with affection as she took Bai Mengying's hand. "Why did you have to do this? But since you insist, I'm willing to help you!"

Even if it weren't for you, I wouldn't want the Emperor to be deceived by the Marquis of Anyang!

At this point, Consort Li changed the subject, "However, the fact that Marquis Anyang simply swapped you out of the Ministry of Justice prison is not enough to cause him to completely lose power."

Given Marquis Anyang's vindictive nature, if he hadn't lost power, he would definitely have found a way to torment you.

Although I gave birth to a son, I am still a mother. If your mother were still alive, she would be heartbroken to see you tortured like this!

Upon hearing this, Bai Mengying couldn't hold back and burst into tears in Consort Li's arms.

Who would have thought that the person she once looked down upon would now treat her so kindly and care for her so much?

Consort Li gently patted Bai Mengying's back and softly advised, "How about I send you out of the palace? I heard that Marquis Anyang said that Prince Yong'an colluded with Prince Jing to plot a rebellion."

Judging by the time, Prince Yong'an should be returning to the capital today.

After Prince Yong'an returns to the capital, the Emperor will surely summon him to the palace.

I fear the palace will not be peaceful tonight.

Mentioning Ganzhou and Prince Jing, Bai Mengying suddenly thought of something.

She never figured out whose side Mingyan was on until the very end.

However, it was Mingyan who had instigated her to kill Prince Jing.

If we say that Mingyan is Qiao Xiuyuan's person, wouldn't that cause Qiao Xiuyuan to completely lose power?

The emperor is prone to suspicion.

Now that Qiao Xiuyuan claims that Ye Zeyu colluded with Prince Jing to rebel, if Qiao Xiuyuan can also be implicated, even if he doesn't die, he will definitely lose power!

One should always be wary of others, and she didn't want to involve the innocent Consort Li in this, so she didn't reveal the matter.

Therefore, Consort Li was genuinely unaware that she would mention Qiao Xiuyuan's attempt to entice her to kill the former Prince Jing when she was in the main hall.

She simply asked Consort Li to take her to see the Emperor.

Now that I have met the Emperor and said everything that needed to be said, it is no longer appropriate to cause any more trouble for Consort Li.

Consort Li instructed the palace servants to escort Bai Mengying back to the Cold Palace. As they parted, she couldn't help but sigh, "The princess has really changed a lot."

Bai Mengying gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Having gone through so much, I'm naturally changed a lot. Besides, I'm no longer a princess."

Watching Bai Mengying's departing figure, the loving expression on Consort Li's face gradually disappeared, while at the same time, a cold smile slowly curled up at the corner of her mouth.

He murmured, "But one thing hasn't changed: the same naivety."

In the main hall, upon seeing Ye Jingchun, Ye Zeyu immediately knelt on one knee, "Father, I have important matters to report!"

Cao Huai, who came in with Ye Zeyu, walked to Ye Jingchun's side and stood there. Looking at Ye Zeyu's preemptive move, a smile flashed in his eyes.

Ye Jingchun originally planned to arrest Ye Zeyu as soon as he met him, and then interrogate him about the rebellion.

But now, he wanted to hear what Ye Zeyu had to say to him first.

"explain."

Ye Jingchun spoke calmly, his face expressionless, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

In his memorial, Ye Zeyu only mentioned Ye Chengping's collusion with the Heavenly Immortal Sect in an attempt to rebel, but now he has revealed everything about Qiao Zixian.

As Ye Jingchun listened, his brows furrowed more and more, but then he suddenly let out a cold laugh.

That's really interesting.

Qiao Xiuyuan said that Ye Zeyu was going to rebel, but Ye Zeyu said that Qiao Xiuyuan was going to rebel.

Ye Zeyu ignored Ye Jingchun's sneer and continued, "I have brought Qiao Xiuyuan's illegitimate daughter, Qiao Zixian, back to the capital. If Father does not believe what I say, you may summon her for questioning."

"Then let it in."

After Ye Jingchun finished speaking in a deep voice, Ye Zeyu added, "Besides Qiao Zixian, Qiao Zimo also wants to see the Emperor."

Ye Jingchun asked in confusion, "Qiao Ziming? Wasn't he dead?"

Before he could finish speaking, he let out another cold laugh: "Ha! Prince Yong'an had Qiao Ziming feign death and deliberately spread false information, even I was kept in the dark!"

"Father, please forgive me. I had no choice but to do this. Qiao Xiuyuan has connections everywhere. If I hadn't spread false information, there's no guarantee he wouldn't have another opportunity to kill me to silence me!"

The phrase "having connections to the highest levels" in Ye Zeyu's words was like a spark, reigniting the anger in Ye Jingchun's heart.

However, this time the anger was not only directed at Ye Zeyu, but also spread to Qiao Xiuyuan.

"Murder to silence witnesses? I want to see just how Qiao Xiuyuan intends to silence them! He's even willing to kill his own son! What kind of earth-shattering secret does Qiao Ziming know?!"

After Ye Jingchun finished speaking in a cold voice, he ordered someone to summon Qiao Zixian and Qiao Zimo to enter the palace together.

After pausing, he ordered, "Summon the Marquis of Anyang as well! I want to see what kind of show the Qiao family will put on for me when they meet!"