She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

After leaving Chengqian Palace, Chu Zhiyi suddenly wondered how Cui Jintang would react when he learned that he had become the Crown Prince.

So he led a group of guards along the winding and secluded paths of the palace towards the Cold Palace.

The towering palace walls cast long shadows, enveloping his figure and making him appear even more mysterious and unpredictable.

Along the way, when the palace maids and eunuchs saw him, they all knelt down and bowed from a distance, not daring to utter a sound.

The Cold Palace was always a forgotten corner. He had come here countless times, just to see his mother once.

Now, the person imprisoned inside is no longer his mother, but that scheming woman who used despicable means to take away everything that originally belonged to his mother.

Standing at the entrance of the Cold Palace, Chu Zhiyi looked at the mottled and dilapidated vermilion gate and the copper rings covered with green rust, and a complex sense of pleasure welled up in his heart.

He slightly raised his hand, and the guards behind him understood, stepping forward to forcefully push open the heavy door. With a creak, the door slowly opened, raising a cloud of dust and a stench of decay wafting out.

"Your Highness Cui, I've come to see you." Chu Zhiyi walked steadily into the main hall, her voice echoing in the empty space.

The hall was dimly lit and filled with a faint musty smell.

Cui Jintang sat on the edge of the bed, his face haggard and his eyes vacant.

Upon hearing the voice, she slowly raised her head, her gaze falling on Chu Zhiyi. A complex expression flashed in her eyes, a mixture of surprise and a hint of resentment.

"Chu Zhiyi, what are you doing here?" Cui Jintang's voice was hoarse, revealing deep exhaustion.

Chu Zhiyi's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. "Your Majesty, I have come today to tell you some good news. I have been made Crown Prince by my father and am now acting as regent."

As he spoke, he walked to the window, gently pushed it open, and let in some of the faint light.

Upon hearing this, Cui Jintang's body trembled violently, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. "No, this is impossible! How could the Emperor appoint you as Crown Prince... Unless, you have rebelled!"

Chu Zhiyi turned around, his smile instantly turning into icy frost. "Consort Cui, have you lost your mind while you're in this cold palace? My father made me the crown prince, which is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people. How can this be considered treason? As for you, have you ever reflected on the sins you've committed over the years while you're in this cold palace?"

Cui Jintang gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms. She forced herself to stand up, and although she staggered, she still tried not to lose in terms of momentum.

"Hmph, don't be too smug. You might lose the position of Crown Prince one day. Do you think you can control everything just because you're the Crown Prince? There are many variables in this palace."

Chu Zhiyi snorted coldly, took a few steps to stand in front of Cui Jintang, and looked down at her. "Variables? The current situation is entirely under my control. Do you think you still have a chance to turn things around?"

Back then, you disregarded all shame and took advantage of my mother's trust in you, plotting to seduce my father and steal her husband away.

Later, in order to become empress, she conspired with your father and brothers to frame my maternal grandfather's family, causing them to be exiled and my mother to be thrown into the cold palace and suffer endless hardships.

I have come today to let you know that in this world, cause and effect are cyclical, and retribution is inevitable.

A flicker of panic crossed Cui Jintang's eyes, but it was instantly replaced by ruthlessness. She raised her head and stared directly at Chu Zhiyi without fear, a twisted smile playing on her lips.

"Hmph! Your mother is a fool. She doesn't know how to fight for power in this harem. Even if it weren't for me, someone else would have! Blame me? What a joke!"

She paused, then her laughter grew even more unrestrained and arrogant, "Chu Zhiyi, so what if you become the Crown Prince? Your mother and your maternal grandfather's family are probably long dead, maybe even reincarnated by now, hahaha..."

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, but not only is my mother still alive and well, my maternal grandfather's family is also living a good life."

By the way, my uncle, Li Mufeng, got married last year, and his wife is currently six months pregnant. In another month or two, he'll be a father for the first time.

Upon hearing Chu Zhiyi's words, Cui Jintang's smile froze instantly, as if struck by lightning, her eyes filled with disbelief, "What did you say? This is impossible! How could Li Mufeng possibly..."

She swayed, almost losing her balance, and instinctively gripped the edge of the bed, her fingernails digging deep into the rotten wood.

Looking at her disheveled appearance, Chu Zhiyi felt a surge of pleasure mixed with a trace of pity. "What, can't accept it? Back then, you used such despicable means to get revenge on your uncle for not marrying you. Not only did you ruin my mother's life, but you also made yourself an abandoned woman in this harem."

But your uncle was never discouraged by what you did. He made a name for himself through his own abilities and now lives a happy life, spending his days with the woman he loves.

Your meticulously planned revenge will ultimately come to nothing.

Cui Jintang let out a low sob. She slowly squatted down, covering her head with her hands, as if this would shut out the cruel reality.

"No, I don't believe it. How could he be doing well? He should be suffering, he should be living a life worse than death, just like me..."

Her voice, choked with sobs, echoed in the dimly lit, desolate palace, sounding especially mournful.

Chu Zhiyi frowned slightly, looking at the woman in front of him whose eyes were blinded by hatred. "Look at yourself now. Is it worth it? If you could have let go of your obsession back then, you wouldn't have ended up like this."

Now, you shall stay here in this cold palace and repent for the sins you have committed.” With that, he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Cui Jintang suddenly stood up, her eyes flashing with a crazed light. "I want to see him. I want to ask him myself why he did this to me!"

She rushed towards Chu Zhiyi without regard for her manners, but fell to the ground due to unsteady steps.

Chu Zhiyi stopped and turned back to look at her coldly. "Do you think you still have the right to see him? Your presence will only add to his troubles. Stay here and don't try to cause any more trouble. This is the best punishment for you."

After saying this, he strode out of the palace gate, followed closely by the guards who slammed the dilapidated door shut, shutting out Cui Jintang's cries in this cold palace.

As Chu Zhiyi's footsteps faded away, Cui Jintang collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down her face.

But in the blink of an eye, her expression suddenly became blank, and then she let out a strange laugh. The laugh was sharp and long, echoing back and forth between the walls of the cold palace, sending chills down one's spine.

"Hahaha, I could have... I could have..."

She laughed maniacally and muttered to herself, scratching wildly at the ground with her hands, as if trying to grasp at the shattered happiness of the past from the cold earth.

After an unknown amount of time, she suddenly got up from the ground, her eyes filled with chaos and madness, completely devoid of her former shrewdness.

She stumbled and ran through the cramped, dimly lit room of the cold palace, calling out Li Mufeng's name in a voice as mournful as a lone wolf in the cold night.

"Li Mufeng! Come back! Come back!"