Chapter 634: Sang Zhi’s Killing Intent

The matron laughed and slapped her again. "Consort Yuan, you used to be so high and mighty. That was only because of the Emperor’s favor. Now that you’ve lost it, you’re lower than the most wretched palace maid."

"Even without the Emperor’s favor, my son is the Crown Prince! How dare you treat me this way? I’ll have your head!" Consort Yuan’s face stung fiercely, a towering rage burning within her.

Hearing this, the matron turned, a trace of fear in her eyes, and looked toward the Empress.

"A child who has lost his mother... how far do you think he can go?" the Empress scoffed.

Consort Yuan’s eyes blazed with fury. "If you dare touch the Crown Prince, I will never forgive you."

"No, no, no, sister. Don’t mistake your enemy," the Empress said. "I only wanted to remind you that while Noble Princess Consort Zhan fell down the steps, her child was thankfully unharmed. If she gives birth to a boy, the Emperor will be overjoyed to have a son in his later years." The Empress knew exactly how to twist the knife.

For a moment, Consort Yuan’s mind went blank. Snapping out of it, she threw off the matron holding her down and ran toward the courtyard entrance. "I want to see the Emperor! I want to see the Emperor!"

The Imperial Guards saw this and hurried to block her path. "Your Ladyship, you are not permitted to leave this courtyard until the men from the Ministry of Justice arrive to escort you."

"Impossible. He couldn’t be this cruel. Impossible." Consort Yuan still couldn’t bring herself to believe it.

"Don’t waste your energy, sister." The Empress couldn’t suppress her smile.

"Impossible... impossible..." Consort Yuan murmured.

’The man who was just doting on me yesterday... how could he change overnight?’

Seeing her in such a state, the Empress couldn’t resist saying, "Sister, from the moment you entered the palace, you received immense favor. When your son was born, the Emperor ignored the objections of all his officials to make him Crown Prince. I’m afraid that by drowning in all that power and affection, you’ve forgotten one thing: the man who shares your bed is an emperor. Even if he feels affection for you, it means nothing when weighed against his power and the empire."

In that moment, it was as if Consort Yuan had finally woken up. ’Emperors are heartless. She never used to believe it, but now... She had overestimated her place in the Emperor’s heart.’

"To grow so arrogant from being favored, only to be so utterly defeated. How pitiful." The Empress had been waiting for this day for a long time; she just never expected it to come so soon.

Consort Yuan lifted her gaze to the Empress. ’So she saw through it all long ago.’

"Who gave you the nerve to treat my mother this way?" Sang Qi’s furious voice rang out as he strode into the courtyard.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Qi’er! Qi’er!" Consort Yuan turned, her eyes landing on the newcomer as if he were her last hope.

Sang Qi rushed to Consort Yuan’s side. His nose tingled as he fought back tears. "Mother, your face..."

"Qi’er." Consort Yuan frantically grabbed Sang Qi’s hand. "Qi’er, go and bring your Imperial Father here. I need to see him."

"Mother, Imperial Father will be here soon."

"Really?"

"Yes. Imperial Father sent me to check on you. He’ll be right behind me."

"Good, good. I’ll wait."

After comforting Consort Yuan, Sang Qi turned to the Empress. "Your Majesty the Empress, why are you here?"

The Empress’s face was a mask of benevolence as she smiled. "I heard conditions on the frontier are harsh, so I took the liberty of having some items prepared for her."

As she spoke, several palace maids from behind her stepped forward. Each held a tray laden with gold, silver, and other valuables, as well as some daily necessities.

"You’ve gone to too much trouble, Your Majesty," Sang Qi said. "As for my mother, I will make the arrangements myself. You may leave." Sang Qi had never liked the Empress.

Seeing the red handprint on his mother’s face, he knew exactly what had happened.

"In that case, I will take my leave." The Empress maintained her smile.

"Eighth Prince, you can’t go in—"

"Get out of my way."