After the mind-reading and gossip-eating incident, officials in the imperial city were demoted one a

Consort Liu was originally a woman selected from various localities and sent to the palace.

Because of her close relationship with Consort Mei, many people believed that Consort Liu had secretly developed feelings for the Second Prince.

Not long after, the maids in Consort Liu's palace were interrogated and confessed that the Second Prince and Consort Liu had indeed had private dealings and had caught the two behaving intimately on several occasions.

The Second Prince's "crime" was instantly confirmed. At the same time, news of the Empress Dowager's discovery of the Second Prince's affair and subsequent execution swept through the entire palace like a whirlwind and quickly spread beyond the palace walls.

The second prince was known for his womanizing ways, and the news spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys outside the palace. The people were filled with righteous indignation, and curses rose and fell.

Some people cursed the Second Prince for violating moral principles, while others denounced Consort Liu as a seductive vixen. The two became objects of public scorn.

Qin Jinyue, imprisoned in Dali Temple, looked haggard and was filled with anxiety.

"time to eat."

With a cold, harsh shout, the jailer came over carrying a meager meal.

Gone was the respectful attitude the prince had shown when he first entered; his eyes now held a hint of disdain.

"What's going on outside?"

Qin Jinyue noticed the change in the jailer's attitude and inwardly cursed, fearing that the situation outside was extremely unfavorable to him.

The jailer gave a mocking sneer and said slowly:

"Second Prince, you don't know yet, but the news of your 'good deed' with Consort Liu has spread far and wide. The people are clamoring for you to be severely punished, saying that you have violated moral principles and tarnished the royal family's reputation."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jinyue clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white, and anger flashed in his eyes. Using him to kill the Empress Dowager and ruin his reputation, how could they get rid of him like this? It was truly insidious.

Do you know how my mother is doing?

"I know nothing about what happens in the palace."

The jailer snorted and left, putting down the food.

Ignoring the jailer's attitude, Qin Jinyue suppressed his anger, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down and think of a solution.

The prison has been heavily guarded since he entered, so it's definitely not easy for his men to get in.

Suddenly, footsteps approached, and it was Eunuch Cao, who was by the Empress's side, leading a group of eunuchs.

With a slightly hunched back and a fawning yet malicious smile on his face, Eunuch Cao said in a shrill voice:

"The Second Prince killed the Empress Dowager, and Her Majesty the Empress has sent us to send you on your way."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jinyue abruptly stood up and angrily rebuked:

"Absurd! I did not kill my grandmother. If I did, the case should be handled by the three judicial departments. The Empress is trying to silence me."

With his arms crossed, Eunuch Cao swept his gaze over Qin Jinyue, snorted coldly, and looked at him with disdain.

"Second Prince, stop making excuses. Now that there are witnesses and physical evidence, you have committed such a heinous crime. What else can you say?"

Her Majesty the Empress is kind and doesn't want you to suffer too much, so she sent our family to see you off, as a way of preserving your dignity."

"Hurry up and get to work, we still need to go back and report to the Empress!"

If he hadn't been so cautious and hadn't left the food untouched after coming in, he wouldn't have had to make this trip.

At Eunuch Cao's command, the group of eunuchs unlocked the door and rushed in, only to be knocked away by Qin Jinyue.

Upon seeing this, Eunuch Cao's face changed drastically, and he shouted at the top of his lungs:

"How dare you defy the Empress's decree! Guards!"

A group of imperial guards rushed in from outside. They were dressed in black armor, carrying long swords, and had cold eyes.

"Take down the Second Prince."

Despite their preparedness, Qin Jinyue remained vigilant in dealing with them.

However, after being locked up, he had not eaten and was already weak. He gradually felt powerless and his movements became sluggish.

Soon, Qin Jinyue was defeated and was firmly suppressed by the imperial guards, unable to move.

A smug smile returned to Eunuch Cao's face as he walked up to Qin Jinyue and took the bowl of medicine that had been prepared beforehand.

"Second Prince, you should not resist, so you can suffer less. This servant will personally escort you on your way."

A wave of sorrow washed over Qin Jinyue. He closed his eyes and thought to himself, "My life is over!"

"what!"

Suddenly, Eunuch Cao screamed, and the medicine bowl in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter as he clutched his hand, which was bleeding profusely from the dart wound.

Qin Jinyue opened his eyes and saw that Zheng Tianxing had brought people in to rescue him.

Eunuch Cao clutched his injured hand, enduring the pain. A flicker of fear flashed in his eyes, but it quickly returned to its fierce edge as he gritted his teeth.

"Zheng Tianxing, how dare you defy your superiors and obstruct the Empress's decree? Are you plotting a rebellion?"

As he spoke, he took a few steps back and hid behind the imperial guards.

Zheng Tianxing pointed his long sword directly at Eunuch Cao.

"Who is committing insubordination and who is plotting a rebellion? Eunuch Cao knows best."

If I hadn't come today, the Second Prince would likely have died unjustly.

The imperial guards and Zheng Tianxing's men were fighting, and the sounds of clashing swords filled the prison.

Zheng Tianxing rushed to Qin Jinyue's side and helped him up, asking, "How is the Second Prince?"

Qin Jinyue was breathing heavily, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Thank goodness you're not going to die. What brings you here to break into prison?"

"Don't worry, the palace is in chaos now. The Emperor was awakened by Prince Jing's men. It was the Empress who drugged him."

Consort Liu was placed there by the Empress. When the Emperor learned of the Empress Dowager's murder, he was furious and wanted to depose the Empress and the Crown Prince.

The empress, cornered, might be resorting to force; she could be staging a coup.

Soon, everyone in the prison was killed.

"Hurry into the palace, Mother Consort has probably suffered a lot these past few days."

A few days ago, Ye Yaoyao was brought before the Empress.

The Empress leaned lazily against the phoenix chair, gently fiddling with her nail guards, her hawk-like gaze sweeping over Ye Yaoyao.

"Miss Ye, your Ye family could have been on the same side as me, but unfortunately you are too ignorant of the times."

"Your Majesty is probably joking. You just want to use the Ye family."

Ye Yaoyao raised her head without fear and looked directly at the Empress.

[That sounds nice, but your plan is nothing more than using the Ye family and then discarding them. Anyone who goes along with you will surely suffer a miserable end.]

The empress was not annoyed that her thoughts had been exposed; instead, she smiled gently.

"I heard you know that I killed Ajiao. You know quite a lot. Do you know why I arrested you?"

"Your Majesty, you don't want to see the Ye family and Prince Jing united by marriage. You've captured me to threaten Prince Jing."

"You're quite clever. If you sever ties with Qin Jingyu, I'll make you the Crown Princess, and the future Empress. How about that?"

A hint of appreciation flashed in the Empress's eyes. Ye Yaoyao was somewhat strange, and it would be best if she could be used by her.

Ye Yaoyao's lips twitched. The Crown Prince only had eyes for Chen Jiaojiao, and he didn't even look at the most talented woman in the capital. Even she, his mother, was resented.

She was so focused on controlling the Crown Prince that she didn't even realize she was being led around by him. Where did she get the confidence to negotiate with him?

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I am unworthy to accept it."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's face instantly darkened, and anger flashed in her eyes.

"You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences. I've been too good to you these past two days. Guards, drag her away and teach her a lesson."