She had been living a carefree and comfortable life all these years, and had completely forgotten about that incident until now.
When the Empress heard that she had also gone to the Eastern Palace to meet with other men in secret, she was furious. "Shameless, filthy thing!"
This was the first time she had ever cursed Ye Wantang, or rather, the first time she had ever cursed a woman.
From a young age, she was treated as a pawn to pave the way for her family, and she had no say in her future or marriage, which caused her a lot of suffering.
The world is harsh on women, so she has been much more tolerant of them. But today she simply can't stand it anymore.
"The reason you are betrothed to the Crown Prince is because of Ye Jinghong's merits. If it were just because of you, I wouldn't even look at you."
My son is an upright and honorable man; how could he possibly associate with such a despicable person as you? Guards, rip out her tongue!
The Empress felt that for Ye Wantang to utter the words "Crown Prince" was a disgrace to her son.
Ye Wantang was surprised that the Empress was going to lay a hand on her, and shouted, "Your Majesty, how can you do this? You are abusing your power to oppress people. Think about my mother's achievements. If you treat me like this, it will make the whole world feel disheartened."
“If I don’t punish you, my son will be disheartened.”
The Empress glared at the palace servants and ordered, "Make your move."
Two eunuchs stepped forward and restrained Ye Wantang. Another eunuch bent his finger and pinched Ye Wantang's tongue. With a forceful thrust of the dagger, Ye Wantang's tongue was severed, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.
She glared resentfully at the Empress, always believing that the Emperor and Empress were able to maintain their rule entirely thanks to Ye Jinghong's help back then.
Therefore, while outwardly respectful, they always harbored the mentality of a benefactor towards the emperor and empress. It was for this reason that they dared to fabricate those flawed reasons, thinking they could fool the emperor and empress as before.
But she didn't know that the Empress already felt indebted to the Crown Prince, and her actions had touched the Empress's sore spot.
The Empress did not miss the hatred in her eyes and said coldly, "Ye Wantang colluded with Prince Liang and became pregnant. In order to exonerate Prince Liang, she did not hesitate to hold me hostage."
Out of consideration for General Ye, I will cripple her hands and feet, leaving her to die an old and cold death in the palace.
Without a tongue to speak and without hands and feet to write, she can forget about uttering a single word against the Crown Prince.
Upon hearing this, the eunuch immediately used a dagger to sever Ye Wantang's tendons in his hands and feet.
Before Ye Wantang fainted, the hatred in her eyes was so intense it could have turned into a weapon, piercing through the Empress and Ye Zhen.
The Empress felt that all her previous leniency towards her had been for nothing, and ordered, "Send her to the West Courtyard."
The west courtyard was dilapidated and overgrown with weeds. In summer, it was infested with mosquitoes, snakes, and ants, and in winter, it offered little shelter from the wind and rain. Ye Wantang would find his days unbearable and his life worse than death.
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