From cute to empress

The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Zhen Youcai's words still echoed in my ears, like a stone, stirring up a thousand waves in my heart. Princess Zhou, this seemingly gentle and harmless woman, would actually take the initiative to approach Madam Wu. What exactly was they plotting?

"Mrs. Wu and Prime Minister Zhang have always been good friends. I'm afraid Princess Zhou's visit this time may have bad intentions." Minister Liu stroked his beard, frowned, and his tone was full of worry.

"What are you afraid of? If an enemy comes, we'll fight him; if a flood comes, we'll block it with earth! I want to see what tricks they can come up with!" I said as if I was being relaxed, but I felt more and more uneasy in my heart.

However, my premonition was soon confirmed. That night, Zhen Youcai rushed back, his face livid, and he knelt on the floor as soon as he entered the door: "Mengmeng, something terrible has happened!"

My heart skipped a beat, and a sense of foreboding washed over me: "What's wrong? Tell me slowly."

"Princess Zhou...she reported us to the emperor!" Zhen Youcai spoke in a hurried tone, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

"What?!" I stood up in shock, the teacup in my hand falling to the ground with a clatter. She informed on us? How dare she?!

"How did she know our plan?" I forced myself to calm down, my mind racing, trying to find a breakthrough.

"I...I don't know either." Zhen Youcai's tone was filled with self-blame and regret. "I clearly arranged for people to closely monitor her every move, but she still managed to take advantage of it."

"Now is not the time to assign blame. We must come up with a solution as soon as possible," Minister Liu said in a deep voice. "The Emperor is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation. We must find a way to prove our innocence before the Emperor uncovers the truth!"

My heart sank to the bottom. Things had unfolded far beyond my expectations. Princess Zhou's move was truly ruthless, thrusting me directly into the spotlight. All I could do now was take it one step at a time.

"Youcai, immediately find out how much evidence Princess Zhou has on us, and who else is secretly helping her." I made a quick decision and instructed Zhen Youcai, "Remember, be cautious and don't alert the enemy."

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and disappeared into the night.

"Mengmeng, what are you going to do?" Minister Liu looked at me worriedly.

"I'm going to the palace." I took a deep breath, a look of determination flashing in my eyes, "I want to see the emperor and explain everything to him face to face!"

I knew what awaited me would be an incredibly difficult battle, but I had no choice. For myself, and for those who supported me, I had to face it bravely! The night in the cold palace was suffocatingly quiet, with only the flickering shadows of the candlelight, as if mocking my presumptuousness. I took a deep breath, trying to suppress my inner uneasiness, and kept replaying my conversation with the emperor in my mind.

"Your Majesty, I am innocent! Guard Zhen and I have never done anything to offend Your Majesty or the court!" I knelt in the Golden Palace, my tone firm, but I couldn't hide the trembling in my voice.

"How dare you! There are witnesses and evidence, and you still dare to quibble!" The emperor was furious and threw the memorial presented by Princess Zhou in front of me.

I picked up the memorial with trembling hands. It clearly recorded the time and place of my private meeting with Zhen Youcai, and even the content of our conversation. Every word and sentence was like a sharp blade, piercing my heart.

"Your Majesty, these are Princess Zhou's one-sided words. Please understand!" I suppressed the grievances in my heart, raised my head, and met the emperor's scrutinizing gaze.

"Your Majesty, I believe there must be something fishy going on here!" At this moment, Minister Liu stepped forward and declared righteously, "Guard Zhen is loyal and devoted, and Miss Niu is incredibly intelligent. The two of them would never do such a heinous act!"

"General Li, what do you think?" The emperor ignored Minister Liu and turned his gaze to General Li, who had remained silent.

"Your Majesty, I have met Guard Zhen several times. He is an upright man and is definitely not a treacherous villain. As for Miss Niu, I have also heard a little about her. Although she comes from a common family, she cares about the world and is definitely not someone who covets wealth and fame. I dare to ask Your Majesty to reconsider!" General Li said with a bow, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"You..." The emperor wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by the palace maid beside Madam Wu.

"Your Majesty, Madam Wu requests an audience!"

"Xuan!"

Madam Wu walked into the hall gracefully, bowed to the emperor, and then said straight to the point, "Your Majesty, I have come here today to expose Princess Zhou's true face!"

"Oh? Tell me about it." The emperor asked with interest.

"I've discovered that Princess Zhou has long had an affair with Prime Minister Zhang's son. She's suddenly reported Miss Niu and Guard Zhen to the Emperor. I'm afraid she has other motives!" Madam Wu said, pulling a letter from her sleeve and presenting it. "This is something I stumbled upon. It clearly describes the secret between Princess Zhou and Young Master Zhang. Please review it, Your Majesty!"

The emperor's face suddenly darkened. He took the letter and read it carefully, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter...

As soon as Madam Wu finished speaking, Prime Minister Zhang, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly knelt down and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I have failed to raise my daughter properly, allowing her to commit such a heinous act! I deserve death!"

His kneeling surprised me. Prime Minister Zhang was a man of great power and cunning, so why would he confess so easily? Was there something else going on? I secretly observed his expression, trying to find the answer in his wrinkled face.

"Prime Minister Zhang, please stand up quickly," the emperor sighed, a hint of helplessness in his tone, "This matter has nothing to do with you, what crime have you committed?"

"Your Majesty, I dare to ask you to be more discerning! Princess Zhou is very scheming. This time she suddenly reported Miss Niu and Guard Zhen. I'm afraid it was not out of public interest, but she has other intentions!" Prime Minister Zhang raised his head, stared at the emperor with burning eyes, and said word by word.

The emperor's brow furrowed slightly, clearly touched by Prime Minister Zhang's words. He was silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to me and asked, "Niu Mengmeng, do you have anything else to say?"

"Your Majesty, I know that I am of humble origin and unworthy of Your Majesty, but my feelings for You are evident to all! There is nothing between me and Guard Zhen, and there is absolutely no private relationship between us! Please understand, Your Majesty!" I knelt on the ground, raised my head, met the Emperor's gaze, and said in a firm tone.

My words were plain but full of sincerity. I knew that at this moment, any excuses would be pale and powerless, and only sincerity could move people's hearts.

"Your Majesty, I also believe that Miss Niu and Guard Zhen are innocent!" Minister Liu stepped forward again, bowing and saying, "Please give me some time, Your Majesty. I will definitely find out the truth and give them both justice!"

"Okay, I'll give you a chance!" The emperor pondered for a moment and finally spoke, "Come here, take Niu Mengmeng and Zhen Youcai away and keep them under strict supervision. No one is allowed to visit them without my permission!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

When I was taken away from the Golden Palace, I couldn't help but look back. I saw that the emperor was still sitting on the dragon throne, his brows furrowed, his face full of fatigue and helplessness.

I know this storm isn't over yet, Princess Zhou won't let it go, and the fate of Niu Mengmeng and I remains undecided...

In the cold, damp cell, only a faint light filtered through the narrow window, casting a pale shadow on the ground. I huddled in the corner, hugging my knees, my heart icy.

Three days have passed since I was imprisoned in the Sky Prison. During these three days, no one has visited me except the jailer who brought me food. Zhen Youcai and I were imprisoned separately. I have no idea how he is doing now, let alone what fate awaits us.

"Miss Niu, are you okay?"

A familiar voice came from outside the cell. I raised my head suddenly and saw the kind face of Minister Liu appear outside the iron bars.

"Master Liu!" I quickly stood up, ran to the cell door, and asked anxiously, "Why are you here? The emperor..."

"Alas, Miss Niu, this is a long story." Minister Liu sighed and lowered his voice, "Princess Zhou has found new evidence from somewhere, insisting that you and Guard Zhen are colluding with the enemy and plotting rebellion! The Emperor... although he believes you are innocent, but now everyone in the court insists you are guilty. The Emperor... is in a difficult position!"

My heart sank. Princess Zhou, Princess Zhou again! Why was this woman so insistent? What had I done to offend her that made her hate me so deeply?

"Master Liu, what should we do?" I grabbed the iron bars, a hint of despair in my tone, "Are we really just going to sit there and wait for death?"

Minister Liu was silent for a moment, then raised his head, looked at me firmly, and said, "Miss Niu, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to get you out! Although my words may not carry much weight, I believe that good will prevail over evil, and the truth will eventually come out!"

I looked at Minister Liu's old but determined face, and a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart.

However, as we were speaking, a cold voice suddenly rang out from the cell door: "Minister Liu, what are you doing? Are you trying to disobey the imperial edict?"

I was startled and looked up to see Princess Zhou, dressed in gorgeous attire, walking slowly towards us, surrounded by a group of guards. She had a sneer on her face, and her eyes gleamed with venom, like a venomous snake, ready to devour us.

My heart sank again. Princess Zhou's appearance meant a greater crisis was approaching...