So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

If Ning Yu couldn't tell that this woman was doing it on purpose, she would be a waste of her brain. She could have done anything in two hours. Just thinking about that dog emperor coming back and kissing and touching her made her feel nauseous.

The head maid couldn't see Ning Yu's expression, but she could see the provocation hidden beneath Wei Qingxue's gentle face.

She keeps saying she has nothing to do with His Majesty, yet she took off her clothes, slept for two hours, and then came out. Now she claims His Majesty wants to see her dance, but she's clearly just trying to annoy the Lady.

She was an old hand in the palace and had witnessed countless power struggles among the concubines. She felt that this girl from the Wei family was still young.

Before the official investiture, one should not openly make enemies just because one slept with His Majesty. After all, no one knows who will be the winner in the end.

If she hadn't been favored that day, she wouldn't even have the chance to step into Changxin Palace today. How could she compare to the lady who lives in the emperor's bedroom?

"Miss Wei, Madam is in poor health and needs to take her medicine soon. You should go back now."

The head maid interrupted Wei Qingxue's incessant chatter. Displeased, she glanced at Ning Yu, whose expression was unreadable, and let out a cold laugh.

How can a woman chained up like a pet be compared to a noblewoman from a prestigious family? So what if she lives in His Majesty's palace? It's just a momentary pleasure.

"Then I'll head back now. Sister Ning, please rest."

As soon as the person left, the head maid hurriedly tried to comfort Ning Yu, but apart from the disgust in her eyes, there was no other expression on her face. She paused and stopped trying to persuade her.

After leaving Changxin Palace, Wei Qingxue returned to Biyuan Courtyard and saw the unfamiliar eunuch approaching again. She listened to his words in silence.

This eunuch was a servant whom the Wei family had bribed; all the information she received in the palace came from him.

"The Xie family said that as long as Miss Wei can win His Majesty's favor, they will definitely ensure that Miss Wei ascends to the position of Empress."

Wei Qingxue stopped there, recalling the woman's face, and gave a soft "hmm".

After leaving the Jade Courtyard, the eunuch changed his clothes in the adjacent wardrobe. When he left, he was dressed as a guard and quickly left the palace and the capital, heading to a temporary palace in the suburbs.

Inside the palace, the Grand Princess was resting on the couch. Upon hearing the report, she waved her hand with her bright red nail polish and chuckled softly.

If she's bold, just hand her the knife and see if she dares to do it.

Whether Wei's daughter could live or not was no longer their concern once the affair was exposed. As long as Ning Yu was dead, the emperor's harem would be safe.

The death of a few scheming young ladies from noble families is nothing.

The most important thing is to prevent the prince from becoming estranged from her, falling out with the Xie family, and causing unnecessary conflict.

"Any news about Ayan?"

"No trace of the Crown Prince has been found."

After Xie Yan left the capital, he went to the Northwest. He searched the entire Lotus Town but couldn't find Ning Yu. He realized that Ning Yu had lied to him and was so angry that he threw a huge tantrum in his study. A Zhou didn't dare to go in.

He sent a letter by carrier pigeon to Xie Liulang, asking what Xie Xun had been doing these days and whether he had found Ning Yu. The answer he received was no.

With the Northwest in turmoil and border wars raging, he couldn't spare the time to personally search for Ning Yu, so he could only send people to search for her in secret.

"Your Highness, news has just arrived that the new leader of the Balin tribe has gone to Yanzhou."

On the city wall, hearing the general's report behind him, Xie Yan suppressed the image in his mind, turned around, and asked, "Yanzhou?"

"Yes, according to intelligence from the past two days, Chimalun secretly met someone at Yan Pass. We don't know who this person is. He came to Yanzhou two days later."

Yan Pass?! Xie Yan's narrowed eyes flashed with a strange light. "Have you found the whereabouts of Crown Prince Xie Jingchen?"

"No trace has been found yet."

"Send men to keep an eye on those generals who have gone to the southwestern front. If there is anything unusual, immediately send a message to the capital by carrier pigeon."

"Yes."

Xie Jingchen has been gone for almost a month, and Wei Qingrou has not received any more letters from him since she was sent to Ximisha.

Inside the royal court, the sorcerer examining her body was talking incoherently with the young master. She glanced at Nanfeng's cold face and felt a vague unease in her heart.

After everyone had left, she quickly asked, "Is there something wrong with my health?"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, you are in good health."

Wei Qingrou finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Is there any letter from His Highness?"

"no."

Since marrying into the Eastern Palace, the two have never been apart. During those days in the Eastern Palace, with him by her side, she didn't have to worry about anything. Now, alone in the borderlands, she is filled with anxiety and worry about his safety.

But she couldn't stop him; he had gone mad. Overwhelmed by intense emotions, she suddenly coughed up blood, soaking her handkerchief.

She froze, staring at the bloodstains on the handkerchief, her body going limp and she almost collapsed.

Inside the palace.

Two days ago, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculated an auspicious day for the Empress's investiture ceremony to be held after the New Year. The Ministry of Rites has already begun preparations. In the afternoon, the embroiderer came to take her measurements.

As Ning Yu watched the palace servants file in, and looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

After Xie Xun brought her back from Xianyang City, she was confined to this magnificent but empty palace day and night, her ankles shackled, living like a walking corpse.

But is he really going to defy public opinion and make her his empress?

After marrying Xie Xun, becoming Empress, and donning that phoenix robe, would she, like all the other women in the harem, exhaust herself in the daily palace intrigues, wither away in a forgotten corner after losing favor? She dared not imagine what she would become for the sake of power.

"Madam, Madam---"

The worried voice brought Ning Yu back to her senses. She looked at the many embroiderers surrounding her, waved her hand, and said, "I'm tired. Let's measure again another day."

Ah, you're already tired after just a short while? This noble person's health is truly frail.

The embroiderers dared not say anything more, recorded the measured dimensions in the register, and respectfully bowed as they withdrew.

Qinghe brought her a cup of tea, looking at her pale face with heartache. "Miss."

Ning Yu didn't say anything, but looked at the emerald green tea and took a big gulp.

He can't be locked up like this anymore.