“I told you long ago not to impose your ideas on me. Besides, you have more than one son, Chuyang. If you really don’t want your niece to marry someone else, you can let Chuyang marry her.”
Upon hearing this, Empress Qi's face suddenly turned cold.
"You came to me begging to plead for the Luo family, that's why I'm telling you this. If you're not willing, then I have no reason to speak up for the Luo family, and I'm not familiar with them."
"Mother, Luo Zhiwan saved my life and cured the Empress Dowager's choking. Isn't it only right that you speak up for them?"
"Should? She almost killed the Empress Dowager, and you still say I should plead for them? You really overestimate your mother's magnanimity."
"Mother..."
"Stop talking."
She waved her hand impatiently.
"Unless you agree to my conditions, this matter should not be mentioned again."
Although he was eager to save the Luo family, how could he possibly agree to her conditions?
He couldn't accept marrying a woman he'd called "sister" for years, and now he was going to marry two at once—it was a complete joke.
He frowned slightly, turned around, and walked away without looking back.
A smug smile appeared on Empress Qi's lips.
No one could have guessed that she was the one who did it all.
She must have some real ability to rule the entire harem with such power; otherwise, she would have died eight hundred times over.
The Emperor has chosen tomorrow as the day for the personal trial, and Leng Zhiwan's family in the imperial prison has also received the news.
In the past ten days or so, they haven't suffered much; the food, drink, and lodging they've had are among the best in the prison.
She knew in her heart that this was all arranged by Leng Chuchen, but she did not mention it to her family.
She secretly made up her mind that as long as she could leave this place alive this time, she would never have anything to do with Leng Chuchen again.
If possible, she would keep Yiming's background a secret forever. She really wanted to never let anyone know this secret, but now, things don't seem to be going according to her plan.
Just then, the sound of a lock clicking shut came from behind her. She frowned and looked toward the door, where she saw Yue Xiaoyue, dressed in a magenta dress, smiling broadly.
When Luo Zhiwan saw her, she suddenly felt like laughing.
This woman is so jealous; I never imagined she'd end up in jail for it.
She looked at Luo Zhiwan with a smug expression.
"Physician Luo... oh, no, it's hard to say whether you'll ever become a physician, hahaha."
Her laughter was especially eerie in the quiet prison.
Zhiruo glanced at her, put her hands on her hips, and went to meet her. Through the fence, she gave a disdainful snort.
"Who are you? Are you also someone who has committed a crime and has been arrested and brought in for questioning?"
Actually, Zhiruo had met Yue Xiaoyue before, and she knew her! I was just here to watch the show, and she deliberately said that.
Yue Xiaoyue immediately rolled her eyes at her.
"You brats, still so stubborn even when you're about to die. I'm here today to remind you that cases personally tried by the Emperor are capital offenses. If you have anything to say, say it now, otherwise, you won't have another chance after tomorrow."
"You're talking nonsense."
Zhi Ruo pointed at her, "Your name is Yue Xiaoyue, right? I'll remember you. If we really get our heads chopped off, I'll become a vengeful ghost and climb up to your bedside every day to find you... Ah!"
As she said this, she made a threatening gesture, which startled Yue Xiaoyue, causing her to take several steps back. However, she still pretended to be calm and looked at Luo Zhiwan.
“I came here with good intentions to remind you, but you don’t appreciate it. Then there’s nothing I can do. How about this: you kneel down and beg me, and I’ll go to the Emperor to plead for you. Maybe then you can be spared a proper burial.”
"Yue Xiaoyue, I didn't hear what you just said. Come closer."
As she spoke, Zhiruo reached over the fence, trying to grab her, which startled her so much that she took two steps back before letting out a cold snort.
"When you are executed, I will bring you some food and drink so that you won't starve to death."
Leaving those words behind, she fled as if her life depended on it. Zhiruo pointed at her retreating figure and cursed her angrily:
"You better not let me catch you, or I'll skin you alive."
Watching Zhiruo and Yue Xiaoyue bickering, Luo Zhiwan remained seated without moving.
She understood what it meant for the Emperor to personally conduct the trial, but what could they do now?
The facts are clear: they cannot save themselves, and no one can save them.
Are they really just going to wait to die?
By this time, she had lost the stubbornness she had when she first entered. She had thought several times that if there was really no other way, when the Emperor was going to punish them, she would reveal Yiming's identity. Although she couldn't guarantee everyone's safety, at least she could protect Yiming...
Of course, this is a last resort, and it's a method she won't use unless it's absolutely necessary.
"Squeak..."
The cell door was opened again, and Xie Jiaxun walked in carrying a basket of food.
This was his fifth visit in the past ten days. The previous four times, although he had tried to bribe the jailer, the jailer dared not accept the money.
Today, he went all out, directly slipping ten taels of silver to the jailer and saying he would just bring in some food and leave, which finally made the jailer lenient.
When everyone saw him, Luo Tianhe was the first to walk over, trembling.
"Young City Lord, you've arrived?"
Seeing the Luo family in such a sorry state, Xie Jiaxun's eyes suddenly reddened.
He raised his sleeve to wipe away the tears welling in his eyes. As the jailer opened the cell door and reminded him to hurry, he stepped through the door and stood before Luo Tianhe and the others.
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