Chapter 8: The Inner Palace, Part Three

As for the noble consort Cheng, who was demoted by the Emperor to Yilan Hall, Cui’er said it was she who accused Yu Qingyan of causing Consort Jing’s miscarriage.

Yu Qingyan chose the simplest dress and put it on, then looked at herself in the mirror. The bangs in front covered the wound on her forehead well enough that it was barely noticeable. Only the injuries on her face looked rather severe.

"Miss, where are you going?"

"Come with me to Yilan Hall."

"Miss!"

"What is it?"

"Yilan Hall is where palace maids who have committed crimes are sent." Cui’er glanced at Yu Qingyan. "If you want to see Noble Consort Cheng, you’d better not go."

"Why?" Yu Qingyan stopped in her tracks as expected.

"Noble Consort Cheng is already dead."

"When did this happen? How did she die?"

"She died less than a month after entering Yilan Hall. Most palace maids sent there don’t survive long."

Yilan Hall. The name sounded elegant, but it turned out to be such a place.

Since Noble Consort Cheng had died, then it must be Noble Consort Li.

"Miss, the magpie just brought your dinner. Please eat quickly."

"Sit down and eat with me."

…

"Yes."

The next day, the swelling on her face had subsided considerably. After breakfast, she intended to seek out Noble Consort Li, but unexpectedly, Li came to her instead.

Yu Qingyan looked at the brightly dressed woman opposite her, and Noble Consort Li was also scrutinizing her.

"Long time no see. Sister seems different."

"If you were me, you would be different too."

Li seemed taken aback by Yu Qingyan’s words and paused. "That’s true."

Yu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. "Did you come just to make small talk?"

Li gave a subtle signal to her attendant nearby. Yu Qingyan also glanced at Cui’er. "You may leave now."

"Yes."

With only the two of them left in the room, Yu Qingyan grew curious about the purpose of Li’s visit.

"Congratulations, sister. You might still have a chance to leave this palace."

Watching Li’s expression, Yu Qingyan sensed no sarcasm; rather, there was genuine longing.

"It’s just moving to another place. What’s the difference?"

"Yes, in the royal palace, there’s no shortage of scheming and rivalry. If you’re not careful, you might hurt yourself before knowing who dealt the blow."

Yu Qingyan listened silently, not revealing she understood the hidden meaning.

"Not everyone is as clever as you, Noble Consort Li."

"Heh, to survive in this palace, one must be smart. So… I came to find you."

"I, a deposed Empress, marrying Prince Xian, don’t think it’s wise for you to come to me now."

Li smiled. "Consort Jing’s father is General Lin Gao of the Zhen Kingdom. I truly pity Consort Jing; she probably will never have children again. Sister, you have done the Emperor a great favor."

Yu Qingyan’s heart stirred. So this was Li’s intention.

"Then it can only be said that she was unfortunate to be born the daughter of General Lin."

Li’s smile faded. "The Emperor treated your family that way. Don’t you resent him?"

"In the Emperor’s eyes, I am just a woman who is neither here nor there."

"That’s because the Emperor doesn’t know that when a woman becomes ruthless, she can be very formidable."

Yu Qingyan lowered her gaze and smiled. "In a few days, I will be Princess Consort of Prince Xian. I can’t quite address you as sister yet."

"Sister means it sincerely when little sister calls me that." Li stood up. "Little sister, I take my leave."

No wonder Consort Jing hated her so bitterly. The truth was, she would never have children again. She probably never dreamed that the one who harmed her would be her own bedmate.

"Cui’er."

"Yes."