The Empress picked up a teacup and smashed it on Xu's head. Blood flowed from Xu's head, dripping onto the ground and her silk robe.
The blood was glaringly bright, but Xu dared not move.
"I thought you were obedient and smart, but I didn't expect that after all these years, you are still short-sighted. You haven't learned even a little bit of Xie Anfeng's essence."
Madam Xu pleaded desperately, "Your Majesty, spare my life! It's all my fault, it's all my fault!"
The Empress's voice was cold and filled with murderous intent: "Xu Yingrong, because of you, the Wei family's secret guard base was completely destroyed; because of you, my elder brother died young; because of you, my most promising nephew is now disabled in both legs..."
Wei Shixun was the first choice of the Wei family to succeed the Duke of Chengen and stabilize the court. He was the successor to the patriarch of the Wei clan and the most strategic descendant. And yet, his life was ruined.
"Xu Yingrong, even if you die a thousand times, it won't be enough to pay for your debt. I will not let your family go, your three biological children, your aunt, and your brothers!"
Madam Xu pleaded desperately, "Your Majesty, please spare them! Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it even at the cost of my life."
"I originally intended to kill you outright, expose your crimes of murdering Xie Anfeng's first wife and poisoning Consort Xi, and make you suffer a fate worse than death, leaving no place for your body to be buried, and ensuring that your children and descendants would not have a good end..."
However, Consort Xie is pregnant, and I do not want her to be frightened and cause the loss of the imperial grandson.
"If you complete the task I have assigned, I will spare the lives of your children. I also promise you that, after completing the task, regardless of whether Consort Xie's child is a boy or a girl, I will grant her the position of Empress."
Madam Xu wept bitterly, for if Tingting could become Empress, Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Jin would have someone to rely on.
"Your Majesty, please speak. I will go through fire and water to fulfill my mission."
"Eliminate the entire Xie family, the entire Bo family, especially Gu Shaoyu and Xie Zhaozhao! If you want people, medicine, or money, just say the word. You must take their lives!"
The Empress said through gritted teeth, "Gu Shaoyu and Xie Zhaozhao faked their deaths, deceived the Wei family, and ruined the Wei family's foundation."
Gu Boyu is dead, but Gu Shaoyu actually caused the Crown Prince to be confined to his residence, and all his trusted confidants in the Crown Prince's household were killed. Now, the Crown Prince's residence is a mixed bag, and His Majesty's spies are everywhere.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xie Anfeng and his gang massacred the court and its inhabitants, killing or replacing the trusted confidants whom the Crown Prince's father and brothers had cultivated over the years, and eliminating more than half of the Crown Prince's support.
How can such hatred go unpunished!
Madam Xu said tremblingly, "Lord Xie shouldn't kick the Crown Prince when he's down. Consort Xie is, after all, his own daughter. The Crown Prince's honor and disgrace are intertwined with the Xie family's. Your Majesty, have you misunderstood?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress threw another teacup at Xu, who endured the pain without crying out.
"Fool, you had three children with him, do you think that means you're living a perfect life together?"
Xie Anfeng is the head of the Xie clan. He only cares about the entire clan. Your three children are just a burden to him and pose no pressure to him.
He's on the same page as the Crown Prince? Every pig in the world is laughing! Only a fool like you would think he'd treat your three children and Xu Zhiyan's two children the same!
Madam Xu harbored resentment, but her face showed even more fear: "This humble woman dares not disobey Your Majesty, but just now when I left the Xie residence, my mother-in-law ordered me to return to the temple to reflect on my mistakes. I'm afraid I won't be able to do anything about it."
“You’re the perfect person to kill them! You’re Madam Xie, and Xie Zhaozhao’s stepmother. You’re in an exceptionally favorable position to do so. Go ahead and seize every opportunity to strike. I’ll send you a capable assistant later.”
When Xu came out of the palace, she had already composed herself, and the imperial physician had covered up the injury on her head.
Jin Ge brought Xie Tingting back. Xu Shi and Xie Tingting left the palace together and got into the carriage. Xie Tingting's upturned lips drooped down.
"Mother, what does the Empress want with you?"
"The Wei family is in trouble, and Your Highness is heartbroken. Please speak with your mother." Madam Xu didn't want Xie Tingting to worry, as Xie Tingting was pregnant and she was determined to protect her child.
"What happened to the scar on your forehead? It wasn't there before you entered the palace."
"Mother tripped and fell down the steps. Her Majesty the Empress has already ordered the imperial physician to treat her. She is fine."
Madam Xu smiled and said, "After you return to the Crown Prince's residence, do not tell the other concubines or mistresses that you are pregnant. Be careful about what anyone brings except Cailan and Caiwei."
Xie Tingting obediently replied, "I've noted it all down. Mother, you must tell me if you have anything to say. It's always better to have more people to consult with than to have a better chance of success."
"Your current task is to save the child and ensure the safety of both mother and child. Don't worry about anything else."
“Mother, now that I’ve become a royal consort, I have no choice but to compete. I know you’re dissatisfied with Father and Grandmother, but you must maintain good relations with them. I need the help of the Xie family and my aunt, as well as my elder sister.”
If they all support her, she has a chance of winning even if she goes up against Wei Chuchu.
Little did she know that the help she needed was all on her mother's kill list.
When Xu thought of the Empress's words, "All the pigs in the world are laughing," she suddenly felt it was very ironic. Even someone as ruthless as her and as calculating as Xie Tingting still harbored illusions.
“Tingting, your elder sister won’t help you. The Crown Prince’s confinement and the elimination of most of his confidants were all done by Gu Shaoyu.”
Xie Tingting pinched her palm with her fingers and asked, "What does Mother intend to do?"
"Just focus on your pregnancy and observe the situation. Don't count on the Xie family or Xie Zhaozhao; they've always been unfair to us, mother and children."
Xu spoke in the same tone as before, with the same extreme malice.
Xie Tingting was very uneasy. She now had a child and was the Crown Prince's concubine, so naturally she wanted to compete for power. The only people she could rely on were the Xie family, Consort Xi, and Xie Zhaozhao. Who else could help her?
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