From cute to empress

I never imagined I would end up in such a state. The cold rod struck me again and again, tearing me apart with such pain that I nearly fainted. I half-dazed, I thought I heard Zhen Youcai screaming at the top of his lungs, but he was soon being roughly dragged away by the guards and thrown into a dark, damp place.

When I woke up, I found myself in a dilapidated palace. It hadn't seen sunlight for years, and the air was filled with the smell of mold and dust. I struggled to stand, but I felt weak all over, and the pain in my wounds was searing.

"This is the cold palace. The emperor said that no one is allowed to visit without his order." An old voice came from the corner, with a bit of sarcasm and pity.

I looked up and saw an old woman in gray cloth sitting on a worn chair, sewing a piece of clothing with a needle and thread in her hands. Her face was covered with wrinkles, but her eyes were extremely sharp, as if she could see through people's hearts.

"Who are you?" I asked weakly.

"My last name is Yang, and I'm the head nanny of this cold palace." Nanny Yang said calmly, "Young lady, you don't have to be afraid. Although this cold palace is a bit lonely, at least you can keep your life. Those favored ladies, once they lose their power, will be beheaded."

I smiled wryly and shook my head, my heart filled with despair. I had hoped to carve out a niche for myself in the palace with my own wisdom and courage, but I never imagined I would end up a victim of the power struggle.

The days that followed felt like years in this cold palace. I lived in constant fear, unsure of my fate. My only comfort was that Zhen Youcai would secretly bring me food and daily necessities every few days and tell me about the situation outside.

"The Emperor has ordered a thorough investigation of this matter. I believe the truth will soon be revealed." Zhen Youcai whispered, "Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to get you out."

I held Zhen Youcai's hand, my heart filled with gratitude and hope. I knew I couldn't just give up. I had to live on, for myself and for those who cared about me.

Just when I was about to despair, Nanny Yang suddenly told me that the Empress wanted to see me. A glimmer of hope suddenly ignited in my heart. Perhaps this would be a turning point in my fate...

The Empress wants to see me? This news was like a bolt of lightning, splitting the heavy haze in my heart. Since being banished to the cold palace, I haven't seen anyone else except Zhen Youcai who secretly visited me a few times. Why does the Empress want to see me? Is there any hope that my grievances will be cleared?

With trepidation, I followed Madam Yang to the Empress's chambers. Unlike the dilapidated cold palace, the Empress's chambers were magnificent and filled with fragrant aromas. I lowered my head, not daring to look around, and simply followed Madam Yang silently.

"Your servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years." I knelt on the ground and saluted the Queen who was sitting on the phoenix chair.

"Get up." The queen's voice was gentle and kind, completely different from the almighty queen I had imagined.

I secretly raised my head and looked at the mistress of the harem. She looked to be about thirty years old, with a beautiful face and elegant temperament. Her every move exuded the majesty of a mother of the country.

"Miss Niu, you've suffered." The Queen sighed and motioned for me to sit on a chair nearby. "I know you've been wronged, but..."

The queen hesitated to speak, as if she had something to hide.

"My queen, do you know who framed me?" I asked anxiously.

The Queen was silent for a moment before she slowly spoke, "This matter involves a wide range of people, so I can't elaborate further. However, I can tell you that the person who framed you is highly influential. If you want to clear your name, you must find solid evidence."

"Evidence..." I muttered to myself, feeling lost. Where could I find evidence in this cold palace?

"I believe you're a clever child and will definitely find a way to clear your name." The Queen patted my hand and consoled me. "Just stay in the cold palace for the time being. Don't act rashly. Wait for my news."

After saying that, the Queen signaled to Matron Yang to send me back.

Back in the cold palace, I lay on my cold bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The Queen's words both gave me hope and made me even more uneasy. Who was it that framed me? Where could I find evidence?

For the next few days, I searched the cold palace like a possessed man, hoping to find some clues. However, the cold palace had been abandoned for a long time and there was nothing but weeds and garbage.

Just as I was about to despair, I found a loose brick in a corner of the cold palace. Curious, I moved it and discovered a wooden box hidden underneath. I opened the box and found a letter and some jewelry inside.

I picked up the letter with trembling hands, opened it, and immediately broke out in a cold sweat. This letter was actually written by Concubine Hua to someone else. It detailed the entire process of framing me, even specifying my favorite foods and clothes. At the end of the letter, Concubine Hua gloated, "...Once Niu Mengmeng is eliminated, I will be the most honored woman in the harem, hahahaha..."

This letter is irrefutable proof! I clutched the letter tightly, a flame of revenge igniting in my heart. Hua Fei, you should never, ever, ever push me into this desperate situation! I must make this letter public, so that everyone will know your true face!

I clutched the letter tightly, my palms sweating. "Hua Fei, you're such a vicious person! You've hurt me so badly! I will never let you go! I want everyone to know your true colors. I want the Emperor to make the decision for me!"

But how do I make this letter public? Take it directly to the Emperor? No, Concubine Hua is so powerful. What if she turns against me and accuses me of fabricating the evidence? I need a foolproof plan...

That's right! Tomorrow morning, the Emperor will summon all the ministers to the Golden Palace. When the time comes, I will rush into the Golden Palace and expose Hua Fei's crimes in front of all the civil and military officials!

Thinking of this, I seemed to see a glimmer of hope. I carefully hid the letter inside my clothes, wrapped it tightly, fearing it would get lost. This letter was my hope for survival, and I absolutely could not lose it!

The night seemed endless. I lay in the cold bed, unable to sleep. I recalled the letter over and over again, reenacting the scene of tomorrow's court session. I told myself, Niu Mengmeng, you must be brave. You will definitely be able to clear your name!

Just then, I heard a sudden sound of footsteps outside the door, and my heart sank. Oh no, someone's coming! Who is it? Could it be that Concubine Hua has sent someone to silence me?

I quickly hid behind the door, holding my breath, nervously listening to the noise outside. I only heard a slight "creak" sound, the door was slowly pushed open, and a dark figure flashed in.

My heart was in my throat and my palms were covered in cold sweat.

I held my breath, not daring to breathe, staring intently at the dark figure, my heart almost jumping out of my throat. The shadow gradually approached, and in the faint moonlight, I finally saw his face clearly. It was Zhen Youcai!

"Brother Zhen?!" I shouted in surprise, and all my fear disappeared in an instant, replaced by infinite hope and warmth.

"Shh!" Zhen Youcai covered my mouth and said in a low voice, "Keep your voice down and follow me!"

Before I could react, he had already grabbed my hand and quietly slipped out of the back door of the cold palace. In the night, the roads of the palace were winding and I followed Zhen Youcai like a blind man, afraid that I would be left behind.

"Brother Zhen, why are you here? How did you know I was here?" I asked curiously while panting.

"I heard that Concubine Hua had you imprisoned in the cold palace, so I guessed you would find a way to expose her crimes. So, I have been observing you in secret, and finally waited until you got the evidence." Zhen Youcai explained, "I couldn't let you take the risk alone, so I sneaked into the cold palace to pick you up."

A warm feeling welled up in my heart, and I said with emotion: "Brother Zhen, thank you! If it weren't for you, I might have..."

"Don't be silly. Do we even need to thank each other?" Zhen Youcai interrupted me. "The most important thing now is that you deliver the evidence to the emperor before the morning court session."

I nodded and clenched the letter in my arms, as if it held all my hopes. We dodged and ducked all the way until we finally arrived at the only way to the Golden Throne Hall.

"Mengmeng, just wait for me here, I'll be back soon." Zhen Youcai said as he turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" I grabbed him and asked anxiously.

"I'll buy you some time." Zhen Youcai's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll go find Eunuch Li and hold him back, preventing him from reporting to the Golden Palace."

"But..." I looked at him worriedly, hesitant to speak.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Zhen Youcai patted my hand, gave me a reassuring look, then turned and disappeared into the night.

I watched him leave, my heart filled with gratitude and worry. I knew Zhen Youcai was taking a huge risk by doing this, but he didn't hesitate, just to give me a chance to survive.

I took a deep breath, calmed my nervous mood, and then walked towards the Golden Palace resolutely.

The sky is already turning pale, a new day is about to come, and my fate will also face the final judgment.