Mad Queen Leaves the Palace

A graceful palace maid entered the Phoenix Palace, carrying a piece of paper with delicate, light steps. On the paper was the poem Ye Lanyi had written the day before.

Upon seeing this, Consort Ye glanced at the palace maid, signaling her to hand the poem to the emperor.

Yan Zhen smiled and took the paper, his gaze falling on it as he examined it carefully. After a moment, he nodded slightly in appreciation and said, "Excellent, excellent! This poem has profound meaning and exquisite word choice, comparable to Young Master Lan's work! My beloved concubine's niece is indeed exceptionally talented."

Upon hearing the Emperor's words, everyone present revealed their flattery and echoed, "Congratulations to Consort Ye for her excellent teaching, making your niece so outstanding!" For a time, praises were endless.

However, at this moment, Xiao Lan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, since it is such a masterpiece, why not read it aloud so that we, your humble servants, can also appreciate it?" As she spoke, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes.

Xiao Lan's lips curled slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile of contempt. She knew Ye Lanyi perfectly well; she was nothing more than a pretty face, a mere ornament. Despite her striking beauty, she lacked any real talent or ability. She preferred to resort to underhanded schemes and tricks to gain attention.

Xiao Lan thought to herself, if this poem was truly as brilliant as the emperor praised, then it was most likely plagiarized from someone else. After all, given Ye Lanyi's abilities, it was impossible for her to create such an excellent poem. She would wait until the emperor began reciting the poem, then scrutinize it closely, looking for any flaws or inconsistencies, and then mercilessly expose Ye Lanyi's hypocritical mask in front of everyone.

Just then, something unexpected happened. Before the emperor could even speak, Ye Lanyi preemptively spoke up. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Xiao Lan as she said in a sweet voice, "Miss Xiao, Young Master Lan and I are very close friends! Even he praised this poem highly. Does Miss Xiao have any questions about it?" Ye Lanyi's tone was laced with provocation, as if she completely disregarded Xiao Lan.

"You know Young Master Lan?" Xiao Lan stared directly at Ye Lanyi, inwardly sneering. She knew very well that in her past life, she had already experienced this woman's deep scheming and insidious methods—she was a complete green tea bitch! She never expected her to be so shameless now. Thinking of this, Xiao Lan could no longer suppress her anger and retorted sarcastically, "As far as I know, Miss Ye came to the capital when she was three years old and has been raised in the palace by the Imperial Concubine ever since, treated as her own daughter and showered with affection. As for Young Master Lan, he is renowned in the distant Western Wu Prefecture. The two places are so far apart, like worlds apart. How did you two meet? Did you really travel all this way to meet?"

Just then, Yan Linfeng, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak up: "Miss Xiao, please be careful with your words. My cousin returns to Xiwu Prefecture to visit her family every year during festivals, so I hope you will not make unfounded suspicions."

Surprisingly, after hearing Yan Linfeng's words, Xiao Lan showed no sign of anger. Instead, a sly smile appeared on her lips as she countered, "Oh? So, does this mean that you, Third Prince, also know this Young Master Lan?" Inwardly, Xiao Lan was screaming, "Quickly answer yes! That way we can all slap them in the face later!" But to her surprise, Yan Linfeng replied without hesitation, "This prince doesn't know any Young Master Lan. I've only heard that he's quite familiar with my cousin."

Hearing this, Xiao Lan felt a pang of regret. She had initially thought Yan Linfeng might know about Ye Lanyi's disgusting deeds, but now it seemed he knew nothing of it. After a moment's thought, Xiao Lan asked, "Ye Lanyi, that Miss Ye, I heard you know Young Master Lan! And it's said you even told him that his poems are quite exquisite, is that true?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Lanyi felt a strange sensation rise in her heart. She vaguely felt that there was something inappropriate about this conversation, but now that the words had been spoken, it was impossible to take them back. She could only bite the bullet and reply, "It is true. However, my relationship with Young Master Lan is merely that of gentlemen. Miss Xiao, please do not make wild guesses."

"Hehehe...that would be wonderful, of course." Xiao Lan chuckled a few times, then changed the subject, saying, "In that case, Your Majesty, I wonder if I might have the honor of hearing just how exquisite that poem, which even Young Master Lan praised so highly, truly is?" With that, Xiao Lan stared intently at Ye Lanyi, her eyes filled with anticipation. After all, such a request seemed impossible to refuse from any angle.

Seeing this, Yan Zhen smiled and said to Ye Lanyi, "Lanyi, why don't you read the poem aloud so that everyone here can appreciate it together?"

Originally, Ye Lanyi had no intention of reciting this poem. However, at that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind—this poem was written by Xiao Lan several years later in her previous life, so there shouldn't be any problems. After thinking this through, Ye Lanyi finally opened her lips and softly recited: "Suddenly an old friend crosses my mind, turning back, the mountains and rivers are already in winter. If we are to be drenched in snow together one day, then we can be considered to have grown old together in this life." When Ye Lanyi finished reciting, the entire scene instantly fell silent, everyone immersed in the beautiful yet slightly melancholic verses.

But at that moment, Xiao Lan suddenly clutched her stomach and burst into laughter without warning. The laughter was extremely exaggerated, as if she had heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. "Hahahaha, this is hilarious!" Xiao Lan laughed so hard she was doubled over, unable to stop. This sudden turn of events left everyone present bewildered, exchanging bewildered glances, completely unable to understand what was happening.

After a while, Xiao Lan finally managed to stop laughing, but a smile she couldn't hide still lingered on her face. She looked up, staring directly at Ye Lanyi, and asked with interest, "That's all?"

Ye Lanyi was momentarily stunned by Xiao Lan's question. She blinked her beautiful eyes and asked in confusion, "What's gone?" Clearly, Ye Lanyi had not yet grasped the true meaning behind Xiao Lan's words.

Seeing this, Xiao Lan's lips curled into a cold smile. Her once lively eyes now turned icy cold, like two beams of cold light shooting directly at Ye Lanyi, sending chills down one's spine. Then, in a chilling tone, Xiao Lan slowly said, "Miss Ye Lanyi, I would like to ask, where is the second half of this poem?"

Ye Lanyi's heart skipped a beat, a look of astonishment crossing her face. She thought to herself, "Oh no! What am I going to do?" However, a thought flashed through her mind in an instant, calming her down slightly. It turned out that this poem was written several years later in her previous life, when Xiao Lan and Yan Linfeng had a dispute. At that time, the two of them hadn't even gotten together yet, let alone in this life, where Xiao Lan had already been betrothed to someone else by the Emperor. There was absolutely no way she could have written such a poem. Thinking of this, Ye Lanyi concluded that this must be Xiao Lan's attempt to deceive her. She then calmly replied, "No, there are only those four lines. What kind of poem have you seen that has a fifth line? Miss Xiao, please don't be unreasonable and make trouble here. You often make things difficult for me in the academy, but I have always been tolerant of you because you will be the future Princess Consort of the Fifth Prince. However, you have become so demanding and unrestrained."

Just then, Consort Ye, who was standing nearby, heard this and immediately raised her eyebrows in anger, shouting, "What? How dare she be so bold, repeatedly provoking trouble! She's utterly lawless! Guards, seize Xiao Lan at once!"

Just as the guards were about to be ordered to arrest Xiao Lan, at this critical moment, Consort Tong hurriedly shouted, "Wait! Stop right now!"

"What?! Consort Tong, how dare you obstruct my decree! Do you really think that just because you're pregnant and His Majesty only has a slight, shallow favor with you, you can act so recklessly and disrespectfully?" Consort Ye glared at Consort Tong, her anger burning fiercely. She had long harbored resentment over Xiao Lan's impending marriage to Consort Tong and had planned to make things difficult for Xiao Lan to displease Consort Tong. She hadn't expected Consort Tong to be so foolish as to offer herself up, practically courting death. Since that was the case, then let's settle all our old and new scores!

However, at this moment, Consort Tong met Consort Ye's hostile gaze without fear, and said softly, "His Majesty has just conferred upon me the title of Consort. Now we are of the same status, both Consorts. Why can't I stop your decree? And how can this be considered insubordination?" These words were like a thunderclap in everyone's hearts, especially Consort Ye, who was so shocked that she was speechless for a moment.

She never expected that Consort Tong would suddenly be promoted to Imperial Consort, and that it would be announced publicly in front of so many people. Just as Imperial Consort Ye came to her senses and was about to question them, Xiao Lan suddenly knelt down in front of Emperor Yan Zhen and shouted, "Your Majesty, this subject wishes to accuse Imperial Consort Ye and Ye Lanyi of committing the heinous crime of deceiving the Emperor!"

"What?!" Upon hearing this, everyone present was greatly shocked and began to whisper among themselves. Only Consort Tong remained extremely calm. She first elegantly picked up her teacup and took a sip of tea. Then, as if noticing the surprised expressions of those around her, she quickly put down her teacup and pretended to be equally shocked.

Emperor Yanzhen frowned slightly, staring at Xiao Lan kneeling on the ground, and said in a deep voice, "Xiao girl, you say that the Imperial Concubine and Ye Lanyi have deceived the emperor. What exactly have they done? Do you have any solid evidence?"

Xiao Lan gazed firmly at Yan Zhen, and slowly spoke, each word clear and forceful as if carefully considered: "Your Majesty, this poem was indeed written by me. I don't know why Ye Lanyi stole it, but I naturally have conclusive evidence. What you have heard so far is only the first half of the poem. As for the remaining half, when I asked Ye Lanyi, she insisted that there was no follow-up, but in fact, I possess the missing half!"

Just then, Prime Minister Lin, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up. He first bowed deeply to Yan Zhen, and then said slowly, "Your Majesty, I was deeply impressed by the exquisite writing and profound artistic conception of this poem. It is truly a masterpiece! Now that Miss Xiao has mentioned that there is a second half that has not yet been shown, I cannot help but feel curious."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhen's face lit up with interest, and he nodded in acknowledgment, saying, "Well then, Xiao family girl, quickly recite the second half of this passage so that I and my beloved ministers can appreciate it together! I want to see just how wonderful it will be if there really is a second half!"

However, Xiao Lan did not immediately respond to the emperor's request. She turned to look at Ye Lanyi again and asked seriously, "Miss Ye, things have come to this point. I will ask you one last time: is there anything after this poem? I hope you can tell me the truth!"

"There is no second half. Miss Xiao has asked me a thousand times, but there is none." Ye Lanyi saw that Xiao Lan did not answer but kept asking her. She was certain that Xiao Lan did not have a second half and was probably bluffing her. So she answered Xiao Lan with certainty.

"If white hair could be replaced by snow, what need would there be for those who suffer in this world? White hair cannot be replaced by snow, meeting each other is already the best fortune. If you were by my side now, why would I need to be bathed in snow and grow old together? Even if the rest of my life is not with you, this journey in this life is enough." Xiao Lan recited each word carefully as she walked towards Ye Lanyi. Ye Lanyi was forced to retreat until she had nowhere left to go and sat down on the ground with a thud.