Chapter 93 Illusion That day, before you entered the palace, my mother summoned me...
Inside the prison, Qi Yunying walked to the door of a cell and had someone open it.
The prison houses most wanted criminals. The guards fear that the prisoners will die before being sentenced, so they generally don't use torture without the emperor's order. Their food is also never withheld. However, it is still a prison, and even the best conditions can't compare to those outside.
Although Prince Ning was not tortured, Consort Jia broke both his legs. Even though the imperial physician came to change his dressings on time, he still inevitably developed an unpleasant odor.
For the past few days, he has been interrogated day and night. At first, he tried to hide the truth or shift the blame onto the Xie family, but he couldn't hold on for more than a day and confessed everything, whether he should or shouldn't have.
His broken legs were in excruciating pain. Although the jailers didn't torture him, they were extremely rough when they took him in for interrogation, worsening his already serious injuries. The imperial physicians, perhaps acting on the emperor's orders, changed his dressings without regard for his pain, always finishing quickly and leaving immediately.
Zhuang Cheng said he was the emperor's son, and even if he committed a grave mistake, the emperor wouldn't kill him. As long as he explained everything clearly, he could leave this place soon.
Prince Ning had never suffered such hardship since childhood, and he could not bear it. He immediately confessed and accepted leniency.
He was lying on the narrow wooden bed in his cell, groaning in pain, when he suddenly heard the familiar sound of a door opening. Thinking it was the jailer taking him for interrogation again, he covered his head and cried out in fright, "I've confessed everything! I've confessed everything!"
But after a while, no one dragged him out of bed, and no footsteps approached.
Prince Ning shrank back and glanced around. He saw that the prison door had been closed again, and there were no jailers in the cell. Instead, a familiar figure appeared.
"Third Sister! Third Sister!"
Overjoyed, he reached out to grab Qi Yunying's sleeve, but the movement aggravated his wound, causing him to cry out in pain again.
But he couldn't care less about that now, and said through gritted teeth, "You've come to see me? Father sent you, hasn't he stopped being angry with me? Go tell Father I know I was wrong, and ask him to let me out. I really know I was wrong!"
Qi Yunying looked at the person on the bed, who seemed both familiar and strange.
It was clearly the same face and the same voice as before, only looking a little disheveled, but why... did it seem like two different people?
The fourth brother used to be so handsome and refined; everyone who saw him would praise him as a young talent. But now... he lies there like a madman; all his former gentle and elegant demeanor has vanished.
Qi Yunying was in a daze for a moment, but quickly came to her senses.
Yes, it was all an illusion. All the things Fourth Brother showed before... were illusions. The current him is the real him—arrogant and conceited, yet cowardly, timid, and afraid of death. This is the real him.
His previous charming demeanor was fake, even his brotherly affection for her... was fake.
Qi Yunying closed her eyes and took two steps forward: "Father Emperor allowed me to see you one last time."
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Prince Ning was stunned for a moment, then shook his head in disbelief: "No, Father won't kill me, he won't!"
Qi Yunying lowered her eyes and didn't respond to that sentence, but simply said, "Mother Consort has passed away."
On the day Prince Ning rebelled, Consort Jia was given death by imperial decree, but Prince Ning was unconscious at the time and was unaware of it.
Upon hearing this news, Prince Ning was first stunned, then his brows and eyes twisted into a grimace: "Even tigers don't eat their cubs! How cruel she is, breaking both my legs! If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here right now!"
"Where did you escape from the capital?"
Qi Yunying was initially heartbroken at the mention of her mother's death, but seeing that her brother not only showed no remorse or guilt for causing their mother's death, but also complained, a surge of anger rose in her heart, and she couldn't help but speak sarcastically.
Prince Ning, however, failed to grasp the sarcasm in her words and replied solemnly, "The day I entered the palace, I intended to take you and my mother out. I knew what I was doing was dangerous, and I was afraid of implicating you, so I thought I'd send you out first. That way, whether I succeeded or failed, you would at least have a way to survive. But my mother..."
He waved his hand, looking heartbroken and helpless, "Enough, it's no use saying more. Third sister, you seem perfectly normal to me, and you haven't been imprisoned, so it seems Father hasn't taken his anger out on you. In my current state, I can only rely on you. Go and tell Father that I truly know I was wrong, and ask him to let me go, okay?"
He spoke in a pleading tone by the end, his gaze towards Qi Yunying filled with sincerity.
Qi Yunying's eyes were red-rimmed, and her hands, hanging tightly at her sides, clenched tightly: "You're lying to me, you're still lying to me!"
"Do you think I don't know anything? You never intended to care about the three of us! From beginning to end, all you thought about was ascending the throne if things succeeded, and leaving the capital alone if things failed! You planned to abandon us from the start; you never considered us at all!"
“No,” Prince Ning hurriedly said, “Third Sister, don’t listen to what others are saying. They’re deliberately trying to sow discord between us siblings. I…”
"It wasn't someone else who told me; it was my mother who told me!"
Qi Yunying took another step closer and squeezed out the second half of her sentence.
She felt a pang of reluctance when she first met Prince Ning, but that reluctance had vanished completely, leaving only resentment in her eyes: "That day, before you entered the palace, my mother summoned me."
She knelt down and whispered in Prince Ning's ear, "She guessed what you were going to do and told me everything, including... the handkerchief."
Prince Ning's eyes widened suddenly, his disbelief mixed with resentment and anger towards Consort Jia.
Qi Yunying continued, "She also instructed me that if you were not killed on the spot but imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, I should not try to rescue you out of our past brother-sister relationship. I should obey Father's arrangements and do whatever Father tells me to do. Only in this way can my fourteenth brother and I safely get through this calamity."
As she spoke, she slowly stood up, her eyes still red, but her gaze was very firm.
"So, my father sent me to see you one last time, and here I am. But don't even dream of me pleading for you!"
After saying that, she turned and left, not wanting to stay in the prison for even a moment longer.
Before coming, she was still thinking about how to face her brother. She resented him for killing their mother and for giving her that handkerchief, but she couldn't ignore the brother-sister relationship they had shared for more than ten years.
She thought she would have a lot to say and many questions to ask, but when she actually met him and found that her brother felt no remorse for their mother's death and even wanted to continue deceiving her, she had nothing more to say.
Prince Ning, having been exposed and seeing her about to leave, flew into a rage: "Qi Yunying! How much trouble have you caused since you were a child? How many times have I pleaded for you before the Emperor? Now I only ask you to repay me in kind, and you won't even do that! Do you have any conscience?"
"You and your daughter are the same kind of people! Equally vicious, ruthless, and heartless! Come back! Did you hear me? Come back here!"
He clung to the bed frame and roared at the departing figure, but Qi Yunying didn't stop walking and showed no intention of turning back.
Seeing that her figure was about to disappear completely, Prince Ning panicked again and pleaded in a mournful voice, "Third sister, third sister, don't go! Fourth brother begs you, please don't go!"
Hearing the voices behind her, sometimes cursing and sometimes pleading, Qi Yunying felt as if something was blocking her chest, making it hard to breathe. She quickened her pace and walked out of the prison. Only when the warm breeze swept across her face and the bright sunlight stung her eyes did she feel that the ever-present chill had finally dissipated.
Qi Yunying looked up, closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and two tears slid down her cheeks without her noticing.
"It's really... disgusting."
She murmured softly, her voice a mixture of laughter and tears.
The palace maids waiting nearby dared not urge her forward, and only hurriedly followed after she calmed down and walked forward.
The two walked on and nearly bumped into someone when they reached a corner.
Qi Yunying frowned and stopped, looking at the somewhat flustered person in front of her: "What are you doing here?"
His brows furrowed even more as he finished speaking: "Just to see me make a fool of myself."
"No, no," Qi Yunxiu hurriedly shook her head, "I... I heard that Third Sister came to visit Fourth Brother, and I was afraid that you... I was afraid that you would be sad, so I came to see you."
She had just returned from the Prince of Jin's residence, and as expected, her seventh brother also refused to plead for her third sister. Having no other choice, she returned to the palace, only to hear that Qi Yunying had come to the imperial prison.
She and Qi Yunying grew up together and knew how much she admired her elder brother, Prince Ning. Now that Prince Ning had been demoted for treason and had his legs broken, one can only imagine how heartbroken she must be.
Qi Yunying snorted coldly, said "I don't need your pity," and strode away.
Qi Yunxiu wanted to say that she didn't mean it that way, but knowing that her daughter wouldn't listen to anything right now, she simply kept quiet and followed behind her silently as usual.
She thought Qi Yunying was going back to the inner palace, but to her surprise, she went straight through Xuanping Gate and headed towards the emperor's study.
Qi Yunxiu was puzzled and, fearing that her going there now would displease her father, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Third Sister, where are you going? Has Father summoned you?"
Qi Yunying was utterly disdainful of her feigned question and ignored her, continuing to walk forward.
Qi Yunxiu had no choice but to look at the palace maid beside her. The maid was also pale-faced and shook her head in a panic, indicating that the emperor had not summoned her.
If they went directly there without being summoned, the emperor might simply refuse to see them, but if he was displeased and punished them, the servants would be the first to suffer.
After Prince Ning's rebellion, all the servants in Yongning Palace were implicated. The palace maids who served the Third Princess and the Fourteenth Prince were all replaced without exception. This palace maid has only been in office for three days.
She knew that the Third Princess had always had a bad temper, and she had already experienced it over the past three days, but now that she had barged into the Imperial Study, it was still beyond the palace maids' comprehension.
As they drew closer to the Imperial Study, the Fifth Princess could no longer dissuade the Third Princess. The palace maid could only run a few steps faster and arrive at the Imperial Study before the Third Princess, informing the palace servants waiting outside that the Third Princess requested an audience with His Majesty.
If His Majesty is willing to see her, that's fine; if not, she will take the Third Princess away no matter what.
The palace maids were prepared to forcibly drag the Third Princess away, but unexpectedly, a message came from the Imperial Study that the Third Princess was to be allowed to enter.
The palace maid breathed a sigh of relief, and stepped aside as the Third Princess approached, saying, "Princess, His Majesty invites you in."
Qi Yunying walked past the palace maids without glancing to the side and went straight into the imperial study.
Qi Yunxiu had been following behind her the whole way, and now she subconsciously followed as well. It wasn't until she was stopped by a eunuch at the door of the Imperial Study that she realized that her father had only summoned her third sister and not her.
She hurriedly tried to retreat, but then heard Qi Yunying, who had just entered, say, "Father, your son is willing to go to the Tatars for a marriage alliance."
Qi Yunxiu was stunned. Before her mind could process what was happening, her body had already reacted.
She pushed aside the eunuch and stepped into the hall, calling out, "Third Sister!"
The eunuch had just seen her back down and was about to lower his raised hand. But unexpectedly, she suddenly rushed back and pushed him so hard.
The eunuch was caught off guard and actually let her barge in. He hurriedly followed her in, apologizing to the emperor while trying to take the Fifth Princess away.
The emperor waved his hand dismissively, and the eunuch understood, so he didn't forcibly pull the Fifth Princess away, and bowed as he withdrew.
Qi Yunying paid no attention to Qi Yunxiu's arrival and continued speaking as if nothing had happened: "Your subject is a princess of the Great Zhou, deeply favored by the Emperor, and it is my duty to share the burdens of the Great Zhou. The Tatars frequently harass the border, causing constant warfare. If a marriage alliance can stop the fighting between the two countries, your subject is willing to go!"
She kowtowed deeply as she spoke, her expression resolute.
Qi Yunxiu had rushed in impulsively, and was in a panic. But now, seeing Qi Yunying volunteer for a marriage alliance, she didn't know where she got the courage, so she crawled forward a few steps and said, "Father, let me go. My third sister... she is not a suitable candidate."
These words came out off the cuff; she hadn't even thought about how to persuade the emperor. But once you get started, the rest of the thinking seems to naturally become clear.
Qi Yunxiu's mind, which had been somewhat muddled from the panic, gradually cleared. For the first time in more than ten years, she looked up and stared directly at the emperor, saying in a calm voice, "Third Sister has a bad temper and is also Fourth Brother's younger sister. Even if Father Emperor is broad-minded and does not hold a grudge against her because of Fourth Brother, the Tatars will probably doubt the sincerity of our Great Zhou's marriage alliance once they know her identity."
"If they think you're giving them a princess you were already planning to abandon, how can they willingly cease hostilities?"
"Father, let me go! I am more suitable than Third Sister!"
Qi Yunxiu spoke earnestly, hoping the emperor would consider her proposal.
Qi Yunying never expected her to say such a thing. She was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses and scolded, "What are you doing here causing trouble? With your cowardly nature, how can you intimidate those barbarians when you go to Tatars?"
She then looked at the emperor and said, "Father, please do not listen to my fifth sister's nonsense. Her mother is of lowly birth and she is weak by nature. If she goes to the Tatars, she will only be subservient to others and will not be able to uphold the prestige of our Great Zhou. I am the most suitable candidate. Please grant my request, Father!"
"You're not suitable!"
Qi Yunxiu, who usually lacks assertiveness, surprisingly insisted on her own opinion this time. She even revealed to the emperor how Qi Yunying was usually short-tempered and often punished palace servants, making Qi Yunying blush with embarrassment.
After arguing for a long time, the emperor, seated on the throne, finally spoke in a deep voice: "Where did you hear that I was going to send a princess to the Tatars for a political marriage?"
The two who were arguing paused, and Qi Yunying replied, "I've heard that in the court..."
She only managed to say four words before shutting up, quickly lowering her head and daring not to speak again.
The emperor's face darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly: "You dare to pry into the affairs of the court while residing in the inner palace?"
"Your Majesty, I only heard about it by chance and did not intend to inquire about it. Please forgive me."
Qi Yunying hurriedly kowtowed and confessed her sins, and Qi Yunxiu was so frightened that she also bowed her head and kowtowed, not daring to say anything more.
After an unknown amount of time, the two felt their backs stiffening before the person on the throne said, "I had no such intention. None of you need to go to the Tatars. Get up."
The two kneeling on the ground were startled again. They looked at each other for a long time before slowly raising their heads.
"The news of the marriage alliance... is false."
Qi Yunying asked tentatively.
The emperor looked at her coldly: "Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, we have never granted any request for a marriage alliance with a foreign power. Do you think I would set such a precedent?"
Qi Yunying hurriedly shook her head: "Your subject did not mean that, it's just... it's just..."
She had only heard the news and thought that instead of waiting for her father's decree, she should take the initiative to express her opinion, which might win her father's favor. In that case, her dowry during the marriage might be more generous, and her fourteenth brother's situation in the capital might be better.
She didn't know how to make up for her brother's mistakes. She only remembered her mother's repeated instructions before she left, telling her to listen to her father and do whatever he asked of her, and never to disobey him.
Her mother wouldn't harm her, so she did as her mother said. But now… she seemed to have misunderstood. Her father had no intention of sending her on a political marriage. So how did those palace servants spread such detailed rumors?
Qi Yunying was quite puzzled, but the emperor was already impatient and frowned, asking, "What else is there?"
Qi Yunying quickly shook his head: "No, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
He stood up, bowed, took a few steps back, and turned to walk out. As he passed Qi Yunxiu, he pulled her along forcefully.
Qi Yunxiu snapped out of her daze and hurriedly bowed and took her leave.
After the two left, the emperor's gloomy expression faded. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "I thought she would be unwilling, but I didn't expect her to volunteer."
Fu Shun chuckled from the side, “Although the Third Princess has a fiery temper, after this incident, she must know her own situation and dare not act recklessly anymore.”
The emperor put down his teacup and gave a faint "hmm": "Not bad, you're quite sensible."
The marriage proposal was obviously fake, but he had the news leaked out to see Qi Yunying's reaction.
If Qi Yunying were to comply, that would be fine, but if she continued to be willful and unreasonable as before, even if the emperor did not ultimately marry her off to the Tatars, he had no intention of arranging a good outcome for her.
The fourteenth prince is still young, and he trusts and relies on this older sister the most. If Qi Yunying is not honest and instills bad ideas in him, it will have a negative impact on both the fourteenth prince and the court in the future.
To eliminate this influence, the simplest way is to have Qi Yunying serve Consort Jia.
But Consort Jia tried everything to protect the two children. The emperor was not so heartless as to kill his own offspring without hesitation, so he decided to test her.
If Qi Yunying is sensible, then he will keep her. If she is not sensible, then he will have no choice but to make her sensible.
It seems that there's no need to rush to send her to see the Imperial Concubine; we can observe her further.
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