Рrеviоuslу, fоr certain rеаsons, she hаd only wаntеd Наn Yаn tо be unablе to become the Хuаn Qing Prinсe Соnsоrt, tо live а lоwlу lifе undеr her wаtchful eyе. Вut now, shе wanted her dеad! Fu Yunxi wаs alreаdу оn guаrd аgаinst hеr, and with Zhuang Наnyаn аddеd to thе mix—twо wоlf cubs, two оf thеm. She shоuld never havе let them survive bасk thеn.
Aftеr a moment оf thоught, shе finallу sаid, "То thе imрeriаl рrison."
In just оne dаy, Cоnsort Сhеn hаd cоmрlеtеly transformеd. Her clothes wеre dishevelеd, her aрpеаranсe haggard, and she exuded a foul stench. The Emperor had ordered that no one from the Chen family was allowed to see her. Here, she had endured all the filth and depravity the world had to offer. This was her most destitute moment, and also her most humiliating one.
The moment she saw the Empress Dowager, she thought she had glimpsed hope, nearly throwing herself against the prison bars: "Empress Dowager, save me!"
The Empress Dowager crouched down before her. "How can I save you?"
Like a drowning person clutching at the last straw, Consort Chen cast all caution aside, frantically kowtowing to the Empress Dowager. "Save me, Empress Dowager! I was framed by that little bitch Zhuang Hanyan! You must have a way to save me, you must, right?"
The Empress Dowager simply watched her frenzy calmly. Only when faint traces of blood appeared on the stone floor before her did she speak. "I came only to tell you that the Emperor has decreed, in remembrance of your marital bond, to spare your life. However, you are to be confined to the cold palace, never to step beyond its gates for the rest of your days." Was it truly out of remembrance for marital affection? A cold smile touched the Empress Dowager's lips. Minister Chen had developed considerable influence in the court over the years, and his foundation was not so easily shaken. There was still some caution to be exercised. The Emperor's decision was, after all, reasonable.
Consort Chen froze, shaking her head in disbelief. "I don't believe it! Once I enter the cold palace, I'll never come out again! Empress Dowager, didn't you say you could ruin Zhuang Hanyan and release me? Empress Dowager!"
"I truly wish I could save you," the Empress Dowager said, gazing at her with serene eyes. "After all, you have done much for me. But... you simply do not have that fate."
Consort Chen stared blankly, shaking her head in disbelief. Realizing that the Empress Dowager had abandoned her to her fate, she trembled and said, "Aren't you afraid I'll expose all those things you've done..."
The Empress Dowager chuckled softly. "Go ahead and speak. As long as anyone believes you." She glanced at Consort Chen. "I came only to see you one last time. On the road to the underworld, do not mistake your enemy."
Consort Chen watched helplessly as the Empress Dowager's figure receded into the distance, screaming madly, "Let me out! It wasn't me! Empress Dowager, Zhuang Hanyan, you have brought me to this! Even as a ghost, I will never let you go!"
Outside the imperial prison, the palace maid leading the way quickly raised a lantern. The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. Having probed for information, it seemed Consort Chen was unaware of that matter. Good.Consort Chen slumped on the ground, covered in mud and blood. Now, even the lecherous jailers no longer came. She had never imagined she would one day fall so low, becoming the most wretched of all, stripped of everything, with no chance of redemption. The thought of The Emperor banishing her to the cold palace made her tremble uncontrollably. She had enjoyed imperial favor, reigning supreme in the harem for years, scheming and climbing step by step to reach her current position. Yet, it was all ruined by a single Zhuang Hanyan. She hated Fu Yunxi, hated Zhuang Hanyan, and hated Empress Dowager even more. It was the Empress Dowager who had masterminded everything, yet she had pushed Consort Chen to the forefront. Now that Consort Chen was imprisoned, the Empress Dowager had abandoned her to her fate. Sacrificing the pawn to save the king—sacrificing the pawn to save the king!
The fickleness of human relationships was always revealed in times of adversity. Consort Chen sat dazed, her mind blank.
"Mother!" A voice pulled her back to reality.
Consort Chen turned in disbelief to see the face of Seventh Prince. His face shone brightly in the gloomy prison, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. "Little Seven!"
Seventh Prince passed a food basket through the small opening used for delivering meals. "Mother, you have suffered!"
Consort Chen stared intently at his face. "Little Seven, how did you get in?"
Seventh Prince looked at her. "I'm sorry, Mother. It's my fault you're here."
The plot to harm Han Yan had been Seventh Prince's idea. It was because of that failed attempt that Consort Chen had faced retaliation, leading to her current plight.
Consort Chen shook her head. "It's not your fault. It's Zhuang Hanyan, Fu Yunxi, and Empress Dowager." Her eyes were filled with hatred and resentment. "Little Seven, you must avenge me!"
"I know, Mother," Seventh Prince said, looking at her. "You must be starving. These jailers only know how to bully others. Try the food I brought—it's all your favorites."
As the exquisite food basket was opened, a fragrant aroma wafted out, revealing an array of delicate pastries and dishes. Consort Chen had spent a day and a night in miserable conditions, refusing to eat the coarse prison food and going without a single grain. Now, faced with such delicacies—dishes she would have once scorned—they seemed like the most delicious feast. She immediately began devouring them ravenously.
Watching her eat, Seventh Prince's tears welled up. "Mother, I'm sorry..."
Consort Chen ate while mumbling, "Only Little Seven truly cares for me. Only Little Seven loves me most in this world..."
Seventh Prince's tears fell even harder, choking on his sobs. The filial son praised by everyone in the imperial court now looked utterly sorrowful, a sight that would move anyone to pity.
Consort Chen finished every last dish in the food basket and drank every drop of the sweet wine, feeling utterly satisfied. When she turned back, she saw Seventh Prince weeping behind the iron bars, staring at her. He kept repeating, "Mother, I'm sorry."
Consort Chen felt a pang of heartache and hurried over to wipe his tears through the prison door. "Little Seven, don't apologize. This isn't your fault. I would do anything for you. Don't cry."
Seventh Prince looked up, his expression suddenly turning strange. "Then, Mother, would you be willing to die for me?"
Consort Chen froze. "What?""Mother Consort, I'm sorry. Little Qi has poisoned your meal."
Consort Chen was stunned, thinking she had misheard, her lips trembling slightly. "What did you say?"
"I said," Seventh Prince's expression remained sorrowful, yet his gaze was as venomous as a snake's, devoid of any trace of emotion, "the food you ate was poisoned by me."
Consort Chen was about to speak when a sharp pain suddenly seized her abdomen. An excruciating agony surged through her, her breathing grew rapid, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach with one hand. She looked at Seventh Prince with despair and disbelief. "Why..."
"Mother," Seventh Prince said, "now that you have offended Uncle Wang, he will surely find a way to kill you to avenge his consort. Rather than letting you die a worthless death at his hands, it is better for you to die here." A strange smile curled at the corner of his lips. "If Mother Consort suddenly commits suicide by poison in prison, the only explanation would be that she could not bear to implicate Little Qi." His hand reached through the iron bars, gently caressing Consort Chen's face. "The Emperor will surely understand Mother Consort's intentions. Not only will he not blame Little Qi, but he will also treat Little Qi with even greater kindness."
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