The Phoenix Palace was much quieter than before; even in spring, it offered little warmth and felt as cold as an ice cellar.
One scream after another rang out, accompanied by a faint smell of blood in the air. Bai, dressed in a white palace dress, was still being held firmly to the ground. The cold touch spread from her knees to her whole body, and her teeth were chattering involuntarily, whether from the cold or fear, it was hard to tell.
"Your Majesty, I did not! I am the Empress, why would you send someone to kill a concubine?" Her forehead was covered in sweat, and Bai Yiran cried with tears and snot streaming down her face, repeatedly protesting her innocence.
He's too busy taking care of himself to have the mind to send someone to assassinate Su Yun. He hasn't even entertained such a thought, so why would he send someone to kill her? Besides, how could she possibly have the ability to find an assassin?
"Your Majesty, I never imagined you could be so vicious. Killing my child wasn't enough; you also wanted my life. What did I ever do to offend you so much?"
Dressed in a bright pink palace gown and heavily made up, Su Yun was sobbing and wailing, her eyes filled with resentment. In a corner unnoticed by others, her red lips curled into a cruel smile.
"You're talking nonsense! It was clearly you who framed me! It was you who coveted my position as Empress! Your Majesty, you mustn't be bewitched by this vile woman!" Bai Yiran was filled with hatred that almost bled. If only he had killed this vile woman back then, how could he have allowed her to live until now?
"Enough! Empress, I have already forgiven you once for framing Consort Su. I never expected that you would not admit your mistake and would actually dare to hire someone to commit murder. I will never tolerate you."
Emperor Liang Yuan was enraged. His affection for Bai Yiran had long since vanished, replaced only by disgust. The thought of such a woman holding the empress's position kept him awake day and night. Today, he was determined to depose her. How dare she harm his beloved concubine! Her crime was unforgivable.
"Your Majesty, I'm innocent! I'm innocent!" Bai Yiran waved her hands, trying to grab Emperor Liang Yuan's robes, but was firmly pressed to the ground by palace servants, her cheek hitting the ground. Rough stones cut her cheek, a sharp pain emanating from it, accompanied by specks of blood.
"Your Majesty, if the Empress continues like this, I dare not serve you any longer. Perhaps one day Your Majesty will find my corpse. Please, Your Majesty, send me away from the palace!"
Su Yunjiao began to cry weakly, her voice sounding like it had gone through nine twists and turns, and she threw herself into Emperor Liang Yuan's arms, her shoulders shaking.
Since regaining favor, he has meticulously maintained his appearance, and his face and figure have recovered remarkably well, making Emperor Liang Yuan utterly enamored with him. His slender waist is so delicate it could be encircled with one hand, and his movements are even more captivating. He often exudes a rich fragrance that intoxicates and mesmerizes all who smell it.
"My beloved concubine, don't cry. Your tears are breaking my heart. I will definitely stand up for you." Emperor Liang Yuan held her tightly in his arms, his hands moving restlessly. His heart felt as if it were being soaked in strong liquor, and he was in a daze.
"Empress, you have been Empress for over ten years, yet you have never acted as a virtuous empress. You are always jealous and domineering, and now you dare to kill people at will. With such character, you are unworthy to be the Empress of a nation." Emperor Liang Yuan went to great lengths to avenge his beloved concubine. With a wave of his hand, he smashed the teacup beside him to the ground. The porcelain shattered, splashing tea and porcelain shards all over Bai Yiran's face, cutting her cheeks and making the smell of blood even stronger.
"Your Majesty, I have served you for over ten years. Is this how you treat me? Have you forgotten the vows we made? I may not have rendered any great service, but I have certainly worked hard. How can I face you if you simply dismiss me like this?"
Bai Yiran's cheeks stung, his voice hoarse and unpleasant as he screamed for mercy. He never imagined things would turn out this way. If he had known, he would never have seduced his brother-in-law, nor would he have stepped into this deep palace. Now, he was stuck in a quagmire, unable to extricate himself.
"Look at yourself now, do you deserve the vows I made to you?" Emperor Liang Yuan felt nothing about it. It was common for men to be fickle. He felt that he had given Bai so much and still enjoyed her favor for more than ten years, which was more than enough. He could only blame the other party for not appreciating it.
"If Your Majesty hadn't taken a liking to me, I wouldn't have entered the palace, my mother wouldn't have died, my sister wouldn't have been born into my family, and even the Empress Dowager would have always cared for me. Why am I in this predicament? Don't you bear any responsibility, Your Majesty?"
Bai Yiran understood Emperor Liang Yuan. His words had completely severed their relationship, and Bai Yiran feared that she was doomed. Since she was going to die anyway, she might as well say it outright.
"How dare you speak to me like that? Do you have a death wish?" Emperor Liang Yuan was furious. She overturned the table next to her and slammed it to the ground.
"Hurry up and gag it, lest you anger the Emperor and make it too tight." A smug glint flashed in Su Yun's eyes. "Don't you care most about your position as Empress? Today I will cast you into the abyss, so you can never rise again. Once you're in the Cold Palace, see how I torture you."
Before Bai Yiran could even speak, a smelly white cloth strip was stuffed into her mouth, instantly stretching it wide, leaving her stammering and unable to utter a single word.
"Empress Bai Yiran is unkind and unloving. By imperial decree, Bai Yiran is hereby deposed from her position as Empress and banished to the Cold Palace for the rest of her life."
Si Xi immediately accepted the decree, looking at Bai Yiran with sympathy. Anyone with eyes could see who was behind it all, but the Emperor was always one to listen to only one side and naturally wouldn't care about such things.
"Your Majesty, you must be a little tired. Leave the rest to me, and I will make sure you are satisfied." Su Yun smiled sweetly, resting her head on Emperor Liang Yuan's chest, instantly concealing the malice in her eyes.
He hated Bai Yiran, and even more so the Emperor. If it weren't for Emperor Liang Yuan's heartlessness and ingratitude, he wouldn't have ended up like this. All he did was to hold onto power and wait for the right moment to kill the other party.
Bai Yiran has already collapsed, and he has plenty of time to torment him. The rest is Emperor Liang Yuan. As long as he kills the other party, he will be the master of this world. He can have any man he wants, so why hang himself on this crooked tree?
"My beloved consort, please take care of yourself. Don't let such a lowly person tarnish your eyes. I'll be heading back now." Emperor Liang Yuan patted Su Yun's shoulder, his tone gentle, his eyes filled with love and infatuation, as if an invisible thread held his heart tightly, and the other end of the thread was in Su Yun's hand.
Bai, pinned to the ground, still had tears in her eyes, her heart overflowing with remorse, immersing her in waves of regret.
"Bai Yiran, you're finished." After Emperor Liang Yuan walked away, Su Yun stood up gracefully, looking down at Bai Yiran. She stomped on his back and crushed him hard, causing Bai Yiran to almost vomit blood from the pain. Her voice was soft and charming, but it was filled with murderous intent.
A scream suddenly rang out, and a black object shot into the courtyard like a cannonball, crashing heavily to the ground and raising a cloud of dust.
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