Chapter 402: Throwing Him Out the Door
From the moment Shen Ruolan entered the room, she sensed something was amiss, especially from the several concubines who secretly distrusted her. They were all whispering amongst themselves in the shadows, their smug smiles barely concealed by their handkerchiefs.
She felt a little flustered, but she tried her best to calm herself down.
The only thing she's worried about right now is Xi Yue's matter.
As long as Xi Yue's body remains a secret...
"Consort, you've finally returned. Please come in." Upon seeing her, the elderly woman turned her back and snorted coldly.
Upon hearing the sound, Shen Ruolan looked up at the old woman, smiled sweetly, and asked, "Why are you here, Granny Jiang?"
Granny Jiang was also sent by the Empress to serve the Crown Prince, so Shen Ruolan restrained her temper in front of her.
"The Crown Prince is waiting for you at Qiwu Courtyard, Consort."
The old woman emphasized the last two words, seemingly somewhat indignant.
Qiwu Courtyard is the prince's private residence, fortunately not her small courtyard.
"Then...did Your Highness say what important matter you have to discuss?" Shen Ruolan cautiously continued to probe.
"Why ask so many questions? Besides, I am just a servant; how would I know?"
After answering impatiently, Granny Jiang turned and left without waiting for her at all.
Shen Ruolan felt a little annoyed, but she was also nervous about whether Yu Yuanchao had discovered anything, so she had no choice but to suppress her resentment and follow the old woman to Qiwu Courtyard.
"Your Highness, the concubine has arrived."
Granny Jiang stopped in front of the door, then raised her hand and knocked. Her voice was old and hoarse, devoid of any extra emotion.
"Let her in."
Having received instructions, Granny Jiang immediately pushed open the door and shoved Shen Ruolan inside. Before she could even stand up straight, she was met with another loud slap.
Shen Ruolan's ears rang from the sudden slap, and she covered her face, unable to recover for a long time. Moreover, Yu Yuanchao did not give her a chance to recover. He reached out and pinched her chin, his smile cold and bloodthirsty: "Where is my bloodline?"
As he spoke, his fingers tightened, making Shen Ruolan gasp. "It was all Ruolan's negligence. Your Highness, please give Ruolan another chance. Ruolan will definitely protect the child..."
"I'm asking about Xi Yue! Speak! Was it you who did this!"
Yu Yuanchao grabbed her hair and dragged her into the inner room. He pointed menacingly at Xi Yue, who was lying lifeless on the couch, and then turned to yell at her.
Shen Ruolan hadn't cried when Yu Yuanchao had physically abused her, but now, after being questioned like this, her eyes reddened. "Your Highness doubts me?"
"It was you who wouldn't let Xiyue step out of the door. Everyone in the manor witnessed it. What else do you have to say?"
"Ruolan has never done anything to wrong Your Highness. Is Your Highness now unwilling to listen to a single explanation from Ruolan?"
Yu Yuanchao frowned and hesitated for a moment, then remembered the whispers his concubines had been making in his ear. His expression, which had just calmed down, instantly turned cold again. "Isn't it because you failed to protect the child in your womb that you were worried that Xiyue would compete with you for favor that you resorted to such ruthless methods?"
Shen Ruolan lowered her head and remained silent, tears streaming down her face. But this appearance could no longer evoke Yu Yuanchao's pity as it had before.
Seeing that she remained silent, Yu Yuanchao snorted coldly, "Confine yourself and reflect on your actions behind closed doors."
"Your Highness!" Granny Jiang called out from outside the door.
"Her Majesty said that the concubine is unworthy of her position and should be expelled if she has made any mistakes."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
