"Then how did you escape from Qiao Xiuyuan's clutches?"
Ye Jingchun wasn't going to let go of anyone who managed to rescue someone right under Qiao Xiuyuan's nose.
Thinking of this, Ye Jingchun's gaze towards Consort Li became sharper.
But then Bai Mengying said, "It was my aunt who rescued me."
"Bai Qian? She's already been banished to the cold palace, so how did she manage to save you?!"
How could a deposed empress, who could barely protect herself, possibly have the ability to save others, especially a niece with whom she had only a slight blood relation?
Bai Mengying cried, "My aunt has been the empress for many years, and there are still some people who are willing to serve her. After those people rescued me, they brought me into the palace."
Because Qiao Xiuyuan wields immense power in the capital, only under the Emperor's protection can I be safe.
So these days, I've been hiding in the Cold Palace, staying with my aunt.
Just now, Consort Li went to the Cold Palace to visit her aunt, but accidentally discovered me. After learning what had happened to me, Consort Li advised me to explain the matter to the Emperor in person, so I came here.
"Bang bang bang!"
As Bai Mengying spoke, she kowtowed three more times to Ye Jingchun.
"Yingying dares to beg Your Majesty to do justice for Yingying!"
Just by looking at the iron mask on Bai Mengying's face, Ye Jingchun could imagine the pain Bai Mengying felt when she put it on.
Qiao Xiu appeared gentle and refined at the time, but it was unexpected that he was so ruthless.
but…
"Consort Li, what are you doing in the Cold Palace so late?"
Consort Li noticed the displeasure on Ye Jingchun's face and quickly knelt down.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I only thought of going to see the former Empress after hearing the news of Ye Zerui's murder."
As a mother myself, I understand the pain of losing a son. Since I couldn't do anything for her, I prepared some food and personally delivered it to her.
Ye Jingchun looked at Consort Li's innocent face and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The Third Prince, Ye Zemin, was his most valued child and the only one who could inherit the throne. He did not want Ming'er's mother to be a scheming and manipulative person.
Thinking about how Consort Li had never fought or competed for anything over the past ten years, Ye Jingchun realized that he was overthinking things.
Perhaps many things just happen to come together by chance.
Ye Jingchun was about to speak when he saw Bai Mengying hesitate and say, "Your Majesty, there is something else I don't know whether I should say it or not. I'm afraid that if I say it now, you will think that I am trying to exonerate myself."
Upon hearing this, Consort Li looked puzzled and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, shall I take my leave?"
Bai Mengying told Consort Li about what just happened, and Consort Li knew about it, so she didn't leave.
But judging from Consort Li's appearance, she was unaware of what would happen next, so she decided to leave and not get involved.
Ye Jingchun softened his expression. "It's alright, my beloved concubine, please stay."
After he finished speaking, he realized that Consort Li was still kneeling, so he quickly told her to get up.
After Consort Li stood up, Bai Mengying hesitated before speaking again.
"Your Majesty, I did not intend to kill the former Prince Jing. I have thought about this a lot these days and I feel that someone is inducing me to kill the former Prince Jing."
Upon hearing this, Ye Jingchun immediately thought of Ye Zeyu.
"Who induced you?"
But then Bai Mengying said, "It's Qiao Xiuyuan."
Ye Jingchun frowned. "Qiao Xiuyuan? What makes you so sure it's him?"
Bai Mengying said decisively, "I have a maid named Mingyan, whom I always considered a confidante. I never imagined she was Qiao Xiuyuan's person! And the one who induced me to kill the former Prince Jing was Mingyan!"
Just then, a eunuch came to report that Ye Zeyu had arrived.
Ye Jingchun did not invite anyone in, but instead frowned and fell into deep thought.
Qiao Xiuyuan said that Ye Zeyu intended to rebel, while Bai Mengying said that Qiao Xiuyuan induced her to kill the former Prince Jing.
This made Ye Jingchun think more deeply.
Why did Qiao Xiuyuan order Bai Mengying to kill the former Prince Jing?
The only explanation is to support Ye Chengping to become the new Prince Jing.
Qiao Xiuyuan himself said that he had an illegitimate daughter who caught Ye Chengping's eye, so the person who actually wanted to instigate Ye Chengping to rebel was Qiao Xiuyuan.
But how do you explain the letter that Qiao Xiuyuan presented to him?
He compared the handwriting and confirmed that it was indeed Ye Zeyu's handwriting, so the one who was going to rebel was Ye Zeyu!
But what role does Qiao Xiuyuan play in all of this?
"Father, I have something important to report!"
Ye Ziyu's voice came from outside the door, sounding impatient as if he couldn't wait to see Ye Jingchun.
Hearing Ye Ziyu's voice, Ye Jingchun came back to his senses.
He waved for Consort Li and Bai Mengying to leave first, and then summoned Ye Zeyu into the palace.
Standing at the palace gate, Ye Ziyu respectfully cupped his hands in greeting when he saw Consort Li.
Consort Li returned his smile.
Ye Zeyu didn't even glance at Bai Mengying, who was wearing an iron mask.
Bai Mengying gave a bitter smile.
When she was beautiful and had status, Ye Zeyu wouldn't even glance at her. Now that she's become like this, Ye Zeyu is even less likely to look at her.
As Ye Zeyu entered the hall, Consort Li gently asked, "Will you leave with me, or shall I have someone escort you back to the Cold Palace?"
Bai Mengying smiled gratefully at Consort Li, "I'll go back to the Cold Palace first and wait for the Emperor's decision."
After saying this, he bowed deeply to Consort Li and said, "Your Highness Consort Li, I was ignorant before. You have helped me so much without holding a grudge. I really don't know how to thank you enough!"
In the past, she didn't take either Consort Li or Ye Zemin seriously.
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