Chapter 687 A Couple Who Can't Stand Each Other

Xie Yang released Zhang Yurou and stared at her with a cold gaze. "When have you ever seen Consort Su? She was imprisoned in the Cold Palace by the Emperor and never came out again. Later, it was rumored that she died when the Su family rebelled and entered the palace."

Zhang Yurou was startled by his gaze and said in detail, "Actually, I know that Consort Su is not dead and has escaped from the palace. It was my mother who helped her escape from the palace."

Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhang Yurou asked again, "Your Highness, why do you think my mother helped her?"

Xie Yang wanted to say that he would fight against Empress Dowager Cheng, but unfortunately the Su family was defeated. The Jiang family's power gradually grew, and Empress Jiang took control of the harem. Xie Shang trusted her and the Jiang family very much.

Based on his understanding of Xie Shang, even if Jiang Fenghua was exceptionally beautiful, he wouldn't have allowed a family's power to grow infinitely; there must be some reason behind it.

Xie Yang knew all of what Zhang Yurou said, and he also knew that Zhang Yurou had met with Consort Su.

Consort Su had Su Tingwan seduce Xie Shang because she knew Xie Shang was the prince with the best chance of becoming emperor, and that proved to be true.

The main reason Xie Shang was able to become emperor was his father, and another reason was Empress Dowager Cheng. She was arguably the most kind and benevolent matriarch. No matter how strained her relationship with her father was, she was always the most tolerant towards the princes.

Xie Yang sneered. Look at what kind of children the princes have become. This is exactly what Empress Dowager Cheng wanted. If his mother hadn't seen through Empress Dowager Cheng's intentions early on and moved to the West Palace, he and Xie Yu would probably be no different.

"Your Highness," Zhang Yurou called out to him several times.

Xie Yang realized what was happening and said, "Since Consort Su is dead, let's just let this matter go. Don't mention meeting Consort Su again."

Zhang Yurou said, "Could what I just saw really be the ghost of Consort Su?"

Xie Yang's eyes flashed with a cold light. "There are no ghosts in this world. If there were, she would have sought out Empress Jiang first, not you."

Zhang Yurou felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and now she was even more terrified: "Your Highness, if it's not a ghost, then what could it be?"

Xie Yang looked at her coldly, "What did you say?"

Zhang Yurou said, "Someone impersonated Consort Su to frighten me, but why? Who is it that wants to frighten me?"

Xie Yang sneered, "Who killed Consort Su? Do you really think she could have escaped Shengjing so easily without any help? Whoever wanted to kill Consort Su the most is the one who most wanted to find out who helped her."

Zhang Yurou exclaimed in surprise, "It's Jiang Fenghua! Consort Su said that her only enemy was Jiang Fenghua, and it was Jiang Fenghua who harmed the entire Su family. But with the power of the Su family, how could Jiang Fenghua possibly wipe out the Su family, or even eradicate them completely? Is she really that powerful and ruthless?"

Xie Yang hadn't expected Jiang Fenghua to be so powerful. "She killed Su Xuan, the young general of the Su family. With Su Xuan dead, the entire Su family is finished."

"How did Your Highness know? How could she possibly have killed General Su?" Zhang Yurou's expression was one of shock, as if she had discovered a new continent.

Xie Yang knew this, of course, and he also felt it was impossible for a weak woman to know martial arts.

"Your Highness, Jiang Fenghua now knows that I helped Consort Su. What should I do? Will she kill me?" Zhang Yurou only now realized she was afraid.

"When you framed Jiang Jinyan, you weren't afraid at all. Now you're scared?" Xie Yang said sarcastically.

Zhang Yurou was surprised again, and stammered, "How...how did Your Highness know?"

"On the day Zhang Yumo went to celebrate your father's birthday, you had Shu Xue gossip about Jiang Jinyan in her ear. You also had people go to the Bai family and say that their niece was being kept by Jiang Jinyan. You even had them say that Jiang Jinyan had killed her, all to force Bai Yuhan to prove that she was the emperor's concubine, and then have people accuse the Jiang family of faking their deaths to leave the palace."

Xie Yang continued, "It's a pity that your tricks have already been seen through. The moment she appeared, it proved that Bai Yuhan was not Consort Han at all. Your subsequent plans could not be implemented. Fortunately, they could not be implemented, otherwise my Fourth Prince's Mansion would really be ruined by you."

Zhang Yurou's eyes darted around. How did Xie Yang know so much? Could it be that there was a mole among her who betrayed her?

She lowered her stance, "Your Majesty is only speaking up for Yu Mo. Does Your Highness not know that Jiang Jin Yan is really always seen with Bai Yu Han? Isn't he bullying Yu Mo?"

"That's not the reason, is it?" Xie Yang said coldly.

Zhang Yurou's face turned pale. What did Xie Yang know? Did he know that she disapproved of Jiang Fenghua marrying Xie Shang?

Xie Yang softened his tone and said gently, "Fortunately, the Princess and I are of one mind. Although what the Princess did was not successful, it was also something I wanted to do."

Zhang Yurou said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, I am of one mind with you. But what does Your Majesty want to do?" Could it be that what Su Qingqing said was true, and Xie Yang also wanted to compete for the throne?

"What conditions did you offer Master Bai that made his family even harm their own niece?" Xie Yang asked.

Zhang Yurou paused.

"Is there anything I cannot know?" Xie Yang said in a deep voice. "I don't care if you usually take small amounts of money from merchants, but if you make too much of a fuss, you may not be able to get past the Emperor."

Zhang Yurou quickly said, "The Bai family is in the business of cosmetics, face powder, perfumes and incense. I guarantee I can introduce some business opportunities to Second Master Bai."

"Just a little business, is that all?"

"Actually, Master Bai wanted to establish his own business. The Bai family's main business is in Jiangzhou, not Shengjing. Master Bai's branch was arranged to open a branch in Shengjing. Madam Bai is close to the powerful families in Shengjing, and their business is thriving. They don't want the family to share the profits. Sigh! What people say is true. They are the ones who work hard, but the family has to check the detailed accounts every month. All the money goes into the public account. Anyone would feel resentful! Why is it that the eldest branch is in charge when we are all family?" Zhang Yurou chatted about the Bai family. "They heard that the eldest branch's daughter entered the palace and became a concubine. They thought they could rise to prominence along with her, but in the end, it was all for nothing."

Hearing this, Xie Yang fell into deep thought again. They were both princes, so why was one the emperor and the other a groveling subject?

"Your Highness, could you please help Master Bai? I've already agreed. Your position makes it very convenient; you only need to say a word..."

"How much did they give you to make the princess speak up for them like this?"

Zhang Yurou was stunned. "Not many."

"Alright, let's discuss these matters back at the manor. The banquet should be over by now. When you go out to see Empress Jiang and the Emperor, I hope you'll put away those self-pitying eyes. With your talent and looks, you can't compare to Jiang Fenghua, much less impress certain people." Xie Yang showed her absolutely no mercy.

This was the first time Zhang Yurou had been ridiculed by Xie Yang.