There were countless servants who had served Empress Xiaogongren; did Hongli have to give them all face? "Those who have served my grandmother should know the rules even better, yet she knowingly broke the law, which is an even greater crime and she should be severely punished!"
Seeing that Hongli refused to budge, Yuying had no choice but to turn to Su Yushan, "Sister Su, I know you have been wronged today. I promise you that such a thing will never happen again. Calm down and persuade the Fourth Prince to be lenient and just send Granny Cui out."
If she were driven out of the manor, there was no guarantee that Granny Cui wouldn't hold a grudge and seek revenge. Su Yushan wouldn't be foolish enough to let a tiger return to the mountains.
"Which mother would be willing to plead for the person who hurt her child? The princess's actions are somewhat unreasonable."
“She had ill intentions, but Yan Yan escaped unharmed. Besides, Yan Yan is still so young. If we were to commit mass killings because of him, wouldn’t that be creating bad karma for him? It would be better to show leniency and at least accumulate some good karma for him.”
The words of the Fujin were truly unexpected for Su Yushan! She couldn't even understand how the Fujin had convinced herself to utter such strange and absurd statements.
“Granny Cui secretly plotted to harm Yan Yan. She’s not afraid of going to hell. How am I creating karma by avenging my child?”
Previously, Hongli only thought his wife was kind, but now he suddenly realized that kindness taken to the extreme is foolishness! Favoritism, in the end, is merely a manifestation of selfishness.
"You call yourself a lady raised in a noble family? How could you utter such hypocritical and distorted words! According to you, those who tried to assassinate me failed to kill me, and I should thank them for showing mercy?"
Yu Ying knew in her heart that she should not interfere anymore, but that affection always lingered around her. If she remained indifferent, how could she be worthy of the years of master-servant relationship?
"That's not what I meant. After all, Granny Cui has been with me for so many years, and I really can't bear to see her die a tragic death! I didn't say that Fourth Master shouldn't punish her, I just hope that Fourth Master can have mercy and spare her life!"
Hongli, abandoning his cold demeanor, suddenly smiled and looked at his wife with gentle eyes, saying, "Who said I wanted her dead? She herself said that the divine water was a sacred object, and if the little prince could drink it, then naturally she could drink it too, right, Granny Cui?"
The Fourth Prince said these words with a smile, but Granny Cui clearly saw the sharp edge hidden in his eyes!
He was determined to kill her, showing no mercy to the Fujin (principal wife). Granny Cui had nowhere to escape. Realizing the situation, Granny Cui gave up all hope, knelt before the Fujin, and solemnly kowtowed.
“My lady, it was my fault. I’m so sorry for dragging you into this mess. This matter started because of me, and it should be resolved by me.”
Then, Granny Cui turned to the Fourth Prince and kowtowed again, "I am willing to bear all the blame, but the Princess Consort really didn't know anything. I only have one wish: that the Fourth Prince will not become estranged from the Princess Consort because of this matter. The Princess Consort is kind and benevolent, and she is wholeheartedly devoted to you. She is innocent!"
Yu Ying's heart was in her throat. Clinging to her last hope, she pleaded with Su Yushan again, "Sister Su, please say something! If you speak up, Fourth Master will definitely listen to you."
But Su Yushan was unwilling to speak!
Don't advise others to be kind if you haven't experienced their suffering. On what basis does the princess consort expect her to forgive her enemy?
Hongli, unwilling to see her make things difficult for Yushan, coldly stated, "No matter who pleads for me today, I will not change my mind!"
Hongli narrowed his dark eyes and looked at Granny Cui. "Will you drink it yourself, or wait for someone to pour it for you?"
With no way out, Granny Cui did not hesitate any longer. She took the holy water, closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and drank it all. After the bowl went down, she felt as if her stomach was on fire, which was very uncomfortable, but she dared not complain. She could only grit her teeth and thank her in pain.
"Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Master."
After seeing her drink the medicine, Hongli got up and left with Su Yushan.
Yu Ying hurriedly went to help Granny Cui and ordered someone to fetch a doctor. However, after examining her, the doctor shook his head and said that Granny Cui would not survive the night and that they should prepare for her funeral.
Yu Ying was heartbroken but helpless. She didn't sleep that night. She went to see the little princess first, and then came to keep Cui Mama company. There was nothing she could do but spend a little more time with Cui Mama in her final moments.
She couldn't sleep soundly, and Su Yushan couldn't sleep either. She had nightmares all night, dreaming that someone was going to force-feed Yan Yan medicine, but she was too late, and the medicine had already been forced down her throat, and blood immediately flowed from the corner of Yan Yan's lips!
In her dream, she was heartbroken and cried uncontrollably. Hongli heard a noise beside her pillow and saw that she looked distressed, so he immediately reached out and shook her shoulder.
"Yushan, Yushan! Wake up!"
When Su Yushan was awakened, she opened her eyes, her long eyelashes already wet with tears. It turned out that when she was too sad in her dream, she would cry in reality.
Seeing her face streaked with tears, her expression one of utter grief, Hongli picked up a handkerchief from beside his pillow and gently wiped her face, tenderly pulling her into his arms.
"Having another nightmare? Don't be afraid, it's over. Yan Yan will be fine."
She nestled in his arms and sobbed for a long time before gradually calming down. After tossing and turning for a while, she finally drifted off to sleep again with his gentle coaxing.
The next morning, news came that Granny Cui had passed away during the night.
At that moment, Su Yushan was holding and playing with Yan Yan. Upon hearing this, she paused for a moment, overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Back then, Jin Minjing had harmed her so many times, yet Su Yushan never even considered killing him. But this Granny Cui wanted to harm her child, so she couldn't blame her for being ruthless and refusing to plead for mercy!
She gave a soft "hmm" and didn't say anything more, continuing to coax the child without a trace of guilt in her heart.
The so-called cause and effect, retribution, is roughly like this. This was Cui Mama's own doing, what does it have to do with her?
Yu Chan's wedding is in three days. She has many things to do and no time to meddle in other people's business.
Master Hongyi was indeed a high monk. With his guidance, the little princess stopped having a fever and her symptoms gradually subsided. Yu Ying was finally relieved. However, Yu Ying was not used to the departure of Granny Cui and felt depressed. Her daughter was better, but Yu Ying fell ill again.
The Lanzhao Academy had sent reports several times, but Hongli remained unmoved and unwilling to go. However, they came two or three more times, always loitering in front of Yushan, disturbing her peace. Yushan could only offer a perfunctory remark.
"The Princess Consort is not feeling well, Fourth Prince, you should go and see her!"
Hongli was extremely annoyed. He was reluctant to go, but there were some things that needed to be said, so he finally decided to go to Lanzhao Academy.
Upon entering the inner room, Hongli lifted his robe and sat down. The woman before him was his wife, who lay ill in the tent, her face haggard. He should have felt sorry for her, but his heart remained unmoved.
Because after Cui Mama's affair was exposed, the Fujin acted unreasonably and without any sense of reason. Her foolish behavior exhausted the last bit of patience that Hongli had for her.
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