Chapter 166 A war can be fought, but it cannot be started because of her.
The anger in my heart was shattered by this sudden news.
Huyan Zheng...
Not only did they successfully usurp the throne, but they also immediately turned their attention back to her?
That madman!
The hall was deathly silent; for a moment, only the heavy breathing of the messenger could be heard.
After a long while, Emperor Jiaqing slowly withdrew his hand and leaned heavily back into his wheelchair.
He glanced at Yun Si, took a deep breath, and spoke again, his voice hoarse and tired, carrying an unprecedented heaviness: "...Crown Princess, you should return to the East Palace first."
This time, it wasn't a reprimand, but more like a helpless avoidance.
Looking at the emperor, who seemed to have aged considerably in an instant, Yun Si was filled with mixed emotions.
She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. She simply bowed as instructed, turned around, and silently withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The cold wind outside the hall blew on her face, carrying a biting chill.
The disappearance of A-Wu, the death of Consort Yu, the madness of Huyan Zheng...
All of this was like a giant whirlpool, tightly entangling her.
But this time, she didn't want to hide behind others and let them protect her anymore.
It all started with her, so let her end it too.
"Slight difference."
Back at the East Palace, Yun Si casually called out to Xiao Yi.
It always appears very quickly on ordinary days.
Today, I don't know where it went. Yun Si has been looking for it for a long time but can't find it.
Unable to find Xiao Yi, she slowly packed her things and made preparations.
Try to reach the border town before the war starts and stop this farce.
Right now, Qin Ye is still in Xiangcheng...
Yun Si wondered if she should discuss it with Qin Ye first.
But if it were a matter of discussion, he would definitely not agree.
Yun Si reached out and touched her slightly protruding belly.
This child did not weaken her body; on the contrary, she became even more agile than before.
Otherwise, she wouldn't dare to have such a thought; after all, the child should always come first.
After thinking it over, Yun Si decided that she should go to Xiangcheng to meet up with Qin Ye first.
We'll discuss how to resolve Huyan Zheng's situation once we meet.
Having made her decision, Yun Si no longer hesitated and quickly packed her things.
Just then, a slight rustling sound came from outside the window.
She looked up and saw the small, enormous body nimbly slip inside.
It seemed to be holding something in its mouth, and its amber-colored beastly eyes gleamed with an unusually sharp light in the night.
"Xiao Yi, where did you go?"
It walked up to Yun Si and put down what it was holding in its mouth.
Yun Si glanced at it and found it was a torn piece of clothing with some dark stains on it.
Xiao Yi rubbed her nose against Yun Si's hand and bit the hem of her skirt, eagerly trying to drag her away.
Yun Si's heart skipped a beat: "Xiao Yi, have you found A Wu? Or... discovered something?"
Xiao Yi growled and its tail thrashed impatiently, pulling her even harder.
Where are you taking me?
The little monster is extremely perceptive; its unusual behavior must mean it has made some discovery.
She immediately put down what she was holding and whispered, "Okay, take me there."
Xiao Yi let go of her and turned to walk out first.
Yun Si followed it.
After leaving the East Palace, we headed south.
After walking for a while, Yun Si realized that Xiao Yi was leading her not out of the palace or to a remote place, but to the Empress's residence, Yong'an Palace.
Where are we going and what are we doing?
Yun Si suppressed her doubts and quickened her pace slightly to follow Xiao Yi.
Finally, Xiao Yi indeed stopped outside the tall palace walls of Yong'an Palace.
It lowered its body, making low gurgling sounds in its throat, its sharp eyes fixed on the palace gate.
Yun Si gazed at the gates of Yong'an Palace and slowly fell into deep thought.
Xiao Yi wouldn't have brought her here for no reason.
Could the death of Consort Yu and the disappearance of A-Wu be related to the Empress?
Since we're here, let's go in and take a look.
The night was dark, and although the Yong'an Palace was heavily guarded, Xiao Yi provided cover for her, allowing her to easily sneak into the palace.
Finally, they arrived silently at the door of Jiang Xinyu's bedroom.
The lights were still on in the bedroom, and hushed voices could be faintly heard.
The atmosphere did not seem harmonious.
Yun Si held her breath and, using the pillars and shadows as cover, pressed herself against the window frame.
Jiang Xinyu's angry voice came from inside, a stark contrast to her usual gentle demeanor.
"Who gave you permission to act without consulting me beforehand? Now that someone has died, His Majesty is furious. Do you know the enormity of the disaster you've caused?!"
Immediately afterwards, another voice rang out.
“Aunt, given the circumstances at the time, it was a rare opportunity, and there was no time to discuss it. Consort Yu was foolish enough to walk right into the line of fire, and I was just going with the flow.”
"You have to believe me. If you want to get rid of that bitch Yun Si completely, you have to clip her wings first. That A Wu and that beast will cause endless trouble if they are left alive."
Yun Si's pupils suddenly contracted.
That voice belongs to Jiang Wanning!
She was kidnapped by bandits and her reputation was ruined. She has been recuperating in her mansion. I heard that her mental state is very bad and she has become crazy.
But when Yun Si heard her voice, it was clear and logical, with a sinister tone, and she didn't seem crazy at all.
Jiang Wanning continued excitedly, "Also, Aunt, don't count on Qin Ye anymore. Do you think he truly loves you and is willing to accept you as his mother? He's just using you and our Prime Minister's residence. When he ascends the throne, the first family he'll eliminate will be our Jiang family!"
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
The Empress's voice was filled with surprise and disbelief: "He is now my son. When he inherits the throne, I will be the rightful Empress Dowager!"
"Empress Dowager?"
Jiang Wanning sneered, her voice sharp and venomous: "Aunt, wake up! You've all been fooled by him. Do you know how I was ruined back then? It wasn't some bandit seeking revenge at all!"
His voice trembled slightly from the intense hatred in him.
"It's Qin Ye!"
"He personally took me away from the Prime Minister's residence! He personally threw me into that filthy bandit's den! He ruined my life!"
"All of this is for that bitch Yun Si. She'd do anything to break off our engagement!"
"Do you really think such a ruthless and vindictive person would let the Jiang family off the hook after he ascends the throne?!"
"Wh...what?"
Jiang Xinyu gasped, filled with shock and fear: "Wan Ning, you...you really mean this? Are you mistaken? How could this be..."
"Absolutely true!"
Jiang Wanning's eyes widened in fury: "It's him!"
"Why? Why is he so cruel to you?"
"Because I drugged Yun Si and found some beggars to try and seduce her, but Yun Si saw through my plan. So he drugged me and threw me into a bandit's den. That man is a devil!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Si understood everything.
It turns out that Qin Ye was indeed behind that incident.
She never imagined that Qin Ye would use such extreme methods to ruin Jiang Wanning for her sake...
So, Jiang Wanning wasn't actually crazy; she was just conserving her energy, looking for an opportunity to take revenge on her and Qin Ye.
"aunt."
Jiang Wanning's voice continued, filled with insane hatred and ruthlessness: "We can't just sit here and wait to die. Yesterday I saw Consort Yu being dragged away by that lowly maid, and I knew the opportunity had come. I killed Consort Yu and framed A-Wu. Without A-Wu and that beast by Yun Si's side, dealing with her will be much easier!"
Yun Si heard the whole truth.
However, she did not expose them immediately, and in order to avoid alerting them, she quickly left Yong'an Palace.
Now is not the time to settle these scores.
The most urgent task at hand is to deal with Huyan Zheng.
This battle can be fought, but it must not be started because of her.
She couldn't just stand by and watch the soldiers and civilians on the border suffer because of this inexplicable struggle.
After returning to the East Palace, Yun Si packed her things overnight.
The next day, she went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
When Emperor Jiaqing saw her arrive, his brows furrowed and his face showed impatience.
Yun Si didn't say anything more, she just presented the piece of clothing with stains that Xiao Yi had brought back.
"Your Majesty, this item was brought back from somewhere by Xiao Yi. I find it rather strange, and it may be related to the death of Consort Yu. I am but a lowly person and cannot investigate it. I beg Your Majesty to make a wise judgment."
Emperor Jiaqing became even more agitated after hearing this.
Even with war approaching, she's still thinking about Ah Wu?
He stared at the piece of cloth for a moment, his eyes unreadable.
"What can such a piece of cloth prove?"
Emperor Jiaqing turned his gaze to Yun Si, meeting her cold and stubborn stare, and finally waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, I know, you can go back now."
Yun Si bowed and withdrew without looking back.
She believed that as long as the old emperor was willing to investigate, there was no truth that could not be uncovered.
If he doesn't investigate, then she'll wait until she returns from the border and personally expose Jiang Wanning.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, she left a letter for the Jiaqing Emperor.
The letter stated directly that the calamity in Northern Yan was caused by her, and that she did not want to see the people of both countries suffer, so she was determined to go there personally to resolve the situation.
Afterwards, he left another letter for Awu, which contained only a few words, explaining the situation and telling her to go to the border to find her when she returned.
Yun Si wasn't too worried about A Wu's disappearance.
Ah Wu must have had some special reason for leaving suddenly, but it definitely wasn't because she encountered any danger.
Perhaps it's related to her memories.
...
That night, an ordinary-looking green-canopied carriage sped away from the north gate.
Yun Si, dressed in simple riding attire, sat inside the carriage, while Xiao Yi followed behind like the most loyal guard, neither too close nor too far.
Its massive form blended perfectly into the night.
The carriage sped along, heading straight for Xiangcheng.
The next day.
Granny Qian delivered the letter to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and handed it to Eunuch Xu.
Qian Mama, Lanxin, and Lu Yu were unaware that Yun Si's ultimate goal was the border; otherwise, they would have desperately tried to stop her.
By the time they found out, Yun Si had already gone far away.
When Eunuch Xu presented the letter to Emperor Jiaqing, the emperor opened it and was so angry that he almost overturned the table.
"Nonsense! Utter nonsense!"
He roared, his chest heaving violently: "She's a pregnant woman, how dare she... how dare she leave the palace without permission and go to the border! Who does she think she is?"
When Eunuch Xu heard this, he was also terrified.
What was the Crown Princess thinking? She's far too audacious!
Emperor Jiaqing immediately ordered: "You treacherous one, immediately send the Shadow Guards to pursue her. No matter what, you must bring the Crown Princess back to me safely."
Otherwise, how will he explain it when the Crown Prince returns?
Knowing that kid's personality, he might just quit on his own.
Emperor Jiaqing gave himself a very good reason.
Everything was for the Crown Prince.
So that the Crown Prince can be the heir apparent with peace of mind.
Otherwise, he wouldn't meddle in other people's business.
It's just a woman. If she dies, she dies. You can have another woman's child.
What's more, she's an ungrateful woman with a foul and stubborn personality. I really don't know what the Crown Prince likes about her!
You're overestimating yourself!
trouble!
Emperor Jiaqing was truly full of resentment.
However, Yun Si's carriage had already left the capital and was speeding towards Xiangcheng.
She anticipated that the Jiaqing Emperor would send people to pursue her, so she deliberately took a back road and had the coachman change carriages twice along the way, greatly slowing down the pursuers.
The news of the Crown Princess leaving the palace was kept strictly confidential.
However, Yong'an Palace has been closely monitoring the Eastern Palace.
Upon receiving the news, Jiang Wanning revealed a crazy and triumphant smile: "Aunt, the opportunity has come! That bitch actually ran away on her own. It's truly heaven's help!"
Although Jiang Xinyu was shocked by Yun Si's boldness, he was persuaded by Jiang Wanning.
Yun Si leaving the palace was undoubtedly the best time to strike.
If we could make her "accidentally" die outside the palace, we could not only get rid of this major threat, but also completely absolve ourselves of any responsibility.
The future empress must be a daughter of the Jiang family.
Otherwise, once Qin Ye becomes emperor, the Jiang family will truly be of no use to him.
Although Wan Ning had no chance, the Jiang family had other daughters, and surely one of them would catch his eye.
"Okay, this time, your aunt will listen to you."
Jiang Xinyu agreed.
Although they were unsure of Yun Si's exact whereabouts, they guessed that she was likely going to Xiangcheng to find the Crown Prince.
Therefore, a group of carefully trained assassins were quickly dispatched to ambush on several key roads leading to Xiangcheng.
Three days later.
Yun Si traveled slowly, taking mostly winding, side roads, which added considerable distance to her journey.
She should have been able to reach Xiangcheng in three days, but she hasn't even reached the turning point yet.
It will take at least another day to arrive.
Fortunately, whenever she feels tired, a good night's sleep helps her recover.
The little one in my belly is practically here to repay a debt of gratitude.
Since becoming pregnant, apart from vomiting a few times at the beginning, I haven't had any other discomfort symptoms. In fact, my agility and reflexes are faster and more sensitive than before.
It seemed that all of this was brought to her by this child.
It's truly amazing.
"Young lady, the mountain path ahead is rather remote and the road is a bit difficult to walk. Please hold on tight."
The driver's voice came from outside, reminding them.
The carriage moved slowly.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi let out a low, warning growl.
Yun Si felt a chill run down her spine and lifted a corner of the carriage curtain.
Suddenly, the road ahead was blocked by rolling logs, and more than ten masked assassins dressed in black emerged from the forests on both sides, rushing straight at the carriage!
"Young lady, there's an assassin. Please be careful."
Upon seeing this, the coachman was so frightened that he jumped off the carriage and fled.
However, the assassins were numerous and ruthless, and the coachman was instantly in danger.
A massive figure plunged into the battle like lightning.
Xiao Yi let out a deafening roar, and with a swift swing of his claws, tore one of the assassins to pieces in an instant.
Its massive body became the most terrifying weapon, charging and tearing like a ferocious beast, moving with ghostly speed and ferocity, quickly disrupting the assassin's formation.
Yun Si lifted the carriage curtain and went out.
Her gaze fell upon Xiao Yi, watching her frantically tear at the assassin, and only then did she realize...
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