In the main hall of Yonghe Palace, Yang Shuhuan was massaging Consort Chen's shoulders and back.
Since her last visit to the palace, she has sent various rare and precious treasures to Consort Chen.
Yang Shuhuan was eloquent and charming, which made Consort Chen smile from ear to ear. Later, the two of them turned their conversation to Ning Yin.
Consort Chen was very unhappy when she learned that the emperor had not punished Ning Yin. Yang Shuhuan then secretly told Consort Chen about her plan.
Upon hearing this, Consort Chen immediately sent Qiu Xiang to the slave camp to find a maid, saying that she would take good care of her relatives outside the palace.
Knowing he had no chance of advancement anyway, the man figured he might as well agree to his master's request. At least he could exchange his life for his family's lifelong wealth, which would be worthwhile.
At this time, Ningyin had already been stuffed into a sack and carried to a side hall of Yonghe Palace, where she was to be sent directly to Phoenix Terrace under the cover of darkness.
"Your Majesty, this servant has completed the task."
The palace maid knelt before Consort Chen, her face full of expectation.
"Hmm, well done. I have already sent someone to your house to deliver the money. All you need to do is shift all the blame to Princess Chongning tomorrow. You may leave now."
Consort Chen casually lifted her eyelids and continued to fiddle with her new jewelry.
Chongning and Xiao Xuan have a good relationship, and she always helps Xiao Xuan target her own son. Now she is shifting all the blame onto Chongning, causing a rift between the siblings, which is perfect.
Unexpectedly, Yang Shuhuan's suggestion was a win-win-win situation.
This not only dashed the emperor's hopes but also disrupted Xiao Xuan's faction.
Once those loyal to Xiao Xuan are alienated, he will be nothing more than an isolated and powerless crown prince in name only.
Thinking of this, Consort Chen couldn't help but smile and turn to look at Yang Shuhuan.
"Huan'er, after this matter is accomplished, I will personally request His Majesty to grant you a marriage. At that time, you and Shen Yun will be a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, and I will make sure you become the general's wife in a grand and glorious manner."
While making empty promises, Consort Chen began to win over Yang Shuhuan. After all, his father, Marquis Wuding, held an irreplaceable position in the court. By keeping these people in check, her son would have a better chance of winning.
"Once my Ling'er ascends the throne, you will be a first-rank imperial consort."
Consort Chen's words were so detailed and convincing that Yang Shuhuan became even more determined to cling to Consort Chen and Xiao Ling's coattails.
The thought that Ning Yin would be executed for attempting to seduce the Crown Prince after tonight made her extremely happy.
The Crown Prince is notorious for his aversion to women. Just now, Consort Chen had talked to her about how a palace maid once thought she was quite pretty.
Once, the Crown Prince had just come out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation when a palace maid deliberately struck a seductive pose in front of him. Then, she slipped and fell into the Crown Prince's arms.
The crown prince's face immediately turned ashen, and he shoved the man away.
After the palace maid rolled a few times on the ground, she was immediately lifted up by the Qingyu Guards.
The woman thought the crown prince had taken a liking to her beauty and wanted to take her back to the Eastern Palace, but the crown prince only coldly uttered two words.
"Beating him to death!"
The palace maid thought she had misheard, until the Qingyu Guards pressed her down on a stool and began to beat her with heavy sticks. Only then did she realize that the Crown Prince truly had no interest in women.
This wouldn't normally be considered a capital offense, but Xiao Xuan was just that ruthless.
The palace maid had only deliberately fallen into his arms, but Ning Yin's actions this time went far beyond that.
That was the anniversary of Xiao Xuan's mother's death, the Empress's palace that no one dared to enter.
Ning Yin committed the act of beheading at the wrong time and in the wrong place. Even if she had great abilities, she could not escape.
As she thought about it, Yang Shuhuan's eyes grew increasingly sinister and terrifying.
…
The moonlight was deep, the shadows of the trees were dappled, and it was the hour of Hai (9-11 PM).
Phoenix Terrace was brightly lit, and the main hall was filled with various sacrificial items.
In previous years, the emperor would personally come to offer sacrifices, and after the emperor left, Xiao Xuan would be the only one keeping vigil here at night.
By this time, the emperor had finished the ceremony, and everyone had left.
Two eunuchs carried the dazed Ningyin on their backs and then quietly slipped in through the back door.
Phoenix Terrace has one main hall and three side halls, each decorated with extreme luxury.
These two eunuchs were also setting foot on Phoenix Terrace for the first time, and were immediately attracted by its magnificence.
Every piece of furniture and household item is made from the finest materials. Even the phoenixes on the beams and pillars are carved from pure gold, soaring upwards with lifelike detail, symbolizing the status and position of the palace's mistress.
This shows how much the emperor valued and doted on Empress Yao.
The two eunuchs' eyes lit up as they watched for a long time before they realized that His Highness the Crown Prince would be arriving soon.
The Crown Prince would always go to the side hall to bathe and change clothes before going to the main hall to keep watch over Empress Yao.
As instructed by Consort Chen, Ningyin should simply be thrown into the Tianshui Pool in the side hall.
Tianshui Pool was the Crown Prince's exclusive bathing place. The pool water was kept at a constant temperature all year round, and people would feel refreshed after soaking in it.
Two eunuchs carried Ning Yin and groped around for a while before finally finding the so-called Heavenly Water Pool.
At this moment, the pool was filled with mist, and a white gauze curtain surrounded it, making it hazy and indistinct.
The candlelight and steam mingled together, making the place even more dreamlike.
Two eunuchs carefully placed Ningyin on a soft cushion beside the pool and covered her with a thin veil.
"Alright, let's go."
The two shook their arms, turned around, and ran away in a flash.
At this moment, Ning Yin's cheeks were flushed, her limbs were weak, and her half-open eyes were glazed and lifeless.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
