Chapter 320: Pleading for a Way Out
With matters having reached this point, the Empress could only focus on silencing others first.
She ordered someone to deliver thirty thousand taels in silver notes to the Gongxi Royal Mansion, but she knew this was merely the beginning.
If she didn’t resolve this matter thoroughly, she would forever be threatened by Chu Mo.
Additionally, she needed to strategize regarding Guogong Furen (Madam of the Duke)...
“Go and investigate the Gui family’s affairs carefully,” the Empress coldly commanded. The Gui family was Chu Mo’s maternal relatives; if she could uncover a major transgression by the Gui family, Chu Mo wouldn’t dare act recklessly again.
“Furthermore, arrange for two assassins to infiltrate the Eastern Palace. Wait until the Crown Prince lets his guard down, then take that little wench’s life.”
“Yes!” Granny Yin hesitated before asking, “What about Xie Yuanshi?”
The Empress tapped her finger lightly. “Keep her confined securely until after that little wench is executed.”
The subordinates accepted the orders and departed.
Xie Ping had moved out of her original bedchamber to reside with the Crown Prince. However, as the Crown Prince had to attend court and handle affairs, she often found herself alone.
Whenever she was by herself, she felt surrounded by the Empress’s people, each seemingly intent on killing her.
She knew the Crown Prince’s protection was only temporary—sooner or later, she would die at the Empress’s hands.
What could she do? What could she possibly do...
In her anxious state, she saw the Crown Prince finally return from court and hurried to greet him. “Your Highness, you’re back at last...”
The Crown Prince patted her hair and sighed. “At court today, the Second Prince accused me of mistreating the palace servants before Father Emperor. I’ve always been lenient with subordinates, so I defended myself. But that despicable Second Prince brought up the Xie family’s affairs... Alas, I had no choice but to admit fault.”
Tears streamed down Xie Ping’s face. “It’s all my fault for burdening Your Highness. The Empress is right—I shouldn’t be alive. Please let me end my life.”
The Crown Prince quickly responded, “It’s not your fault. The Second Prince is simply too cunning and vicious. Next, I plan to seek out the Third Prince and join forces with him to teach the Second Prince a lesson. You stay safely in the Eastern Palace and don’t leave the main hall. Don’t worry—Mother won’t make a move within the main hall.”
Originally, he wouldn’t have needed to worry about these matters, as his mother would have handled them.
But his determination to protect Linglong had angered the Empress, who had refused to see him for several days. Left with no choice, he had to manage the situation himself.
Xie Ping paused briefly. “Could Your Highness take me along to the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor?”
The Crown Prince frowned. “Why would you go?”
“The Princess Consort of the Pacifying West was my former legal mother,” Xie Ping explained. “With me mediating, Your Highness and the Prince of Pacifying the West might collaborate more effectively.”
Only then did the Crown Prince recall this connection.
He nodded. “Very well, we’ll go together.”
In the suburbs, a two-hour carriage ride from the capital, there was a scenic estate under Chu Yi’s name.
It was summer, with lush vegetation, blooming flowers, and birds flitting about. Being there provided immense mental relaxation.
Yun Chu and Chu Yi had brought the children for a couple of days. Chu Yi’s injuries were healing rapidly—at least, walking and sitting were no longer issues.
“Mother, come quickly! Look, there are so many ants here.” Chu Hongyu led Yun Chu to crouch in the grass. “What are they doing?”
Dense lines of ants crawled in single file toward one direction, resembling a black thread from afar.
Yun Chu smiled. “This must be an ant migration. It might rain soon, which is why the ants are behaving this way.”Chu Changsheng looked up at the bright sun in the sky: "It's not raining. The ants are really foolish."
"The clouds are thickening, it's indeed going to rain," Chu Yi remarked from the side.
Neither of the little ones believed the weather was about to change and began arguing with Chu Yi.
"If it doesn't rain, then Father will grant you one request each," Chu Yi proposed. "But if it does rain, each of you must compose a poem about the rain. How about that?"
Chu Hongyu's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes! It's a deal!"
His father had been forcing him to sleep alone in a separate room every day, and he had been unhappy about it for a long time. Later, he would make that his request.
Just as the family settled the agreement, clouds gradually obscured the sun, and the sky darkened abruptly. The corners of the little ones' mouths drooped.
At that moment, a servant came to report: "Your Highness, Princess Consort, the Crown Prince has arrived."
Chu Yi went to meet the Crown Prince, while Yun Chu stayed with the children, continuing to observe the ants.
"Third Brother." The Crown Prince smiled and patted Chu Yi's shoulder. "I'm relieved to see you're well."
Chu Yi had tea served and spoke calmly, "Eldest Brother, you've come all this way—there must be something important, right?"
It was a two-hour journey from the capital, nearly a full day's trip. No one would make such a trip without good reason.
"I know the miscarriage of Consort Fang has nothing to do with your Princess Consort," the Crown Prince's gaze sharpened. "After much thought, I believe it was Second Brother's doing. He used this incident to drive a wedge between us, hoping to profit from our conflict."
Chu Yi took a sip of tea.
As expected, the Crown Prince remained this naive. After so many days, he still hadn't realized that this matter was actually connected to Guogong Furen.
"He wants to sit back and reap the rewards, but we can't let him have his way," the Crown Prince said emphatically. "Third Brother, why don't we join forces?"
Chu Yi shook his head. "Since distancing myself from the capital and court, I've found this carefree, rustic life quite agreeable. I don't wish to involve myself in court affairs anymore."
The Crown Prince grew anxious. "Do you think staying out of it will make Second Brother leave you alone?"
"Eldest Brother, there's no need to say more," Chu Yi replied indifferently. "Soon, I will take my wife and children south. From then on, these matters will have nothing to do with me."
While they were talking, Xie Ping, disguised as a young servant, slowly made her way to the back of the estate. As someone brought by the Crown Prince, she was free to wander without being stopped.
From a distance, she saw Yun Chu playing with the two children in the grass. She started to approach but was halted by a servant.
She pulled out a letter she had prepared earlier from her sleeve and said to the matron, "Please deliver this to the Princess Consort of the Pacifying West."
The matron obeyed and delivered the letter.
Upon reading the letter, Yun Chu immediately looked up and saw Xie Ping, dressed in men's clothing, standing outside the gate to the rear courtyard.
She couldn't help but admire Xie Ping's audacity—managing to escape the Empress's grasp and come here.
Yun Chu entrusted the children to Nanny Zheng and had someone escort Xie Ping to the reception hall.
Once inside the room, with servants still in attendance, Xie Ping knelt directly before Yun Chu, her voice hoarse as she pleaded, "Mother, save me!"
A sword hung over her head, threatening her life at any moment. She didn't know how long the Crown Prince could protect her; she had to find her own way out.
But she truly didn't know if there was any hope left on this desperate path.
She could only come and beg her mother.In her heart, her mother was intelligent and composed, capable of handling any situation with thoroughness. She firmly believed her mother would never stand by and watch her die like this.
"The Empress wants me dead!" Xie Ping's voice trembled. "The Crown Prince favors me now and is willing to protect me, but a man's affection can vanish at any moment. I dare not gamble on it... You're the only one I can turn to now, Mother. Please, have pity on me—help me... Show me a clear path! I will repay your great kindness in the future, I beg you, Mother!"
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