Chapter 454 - 452: The Most Urgent Matter Now (Part 2)

Chapter 454: Chapter 452: The Most Urgent Matter Now (Part 2)

Princess Consort Ling stared blankly at her son, suddenly collapsing weakly beside the table, as if only at this moment did she truly recognize him.

Beside her, Nanny Lu, tears streaming down her face, urgently cried, "Imperial Concubine..."

But Princess Consort Ling gently shook her head and softly said, "Well, you’ve grown up, have your own thoughts now, and your mother can’t control you anymore.

Silly child, you don’t even know what you gave up, that once was the freedom your mother deeply longed for..."

She had spent so many years preparing outside, providing ample money and manpower for her child.

As long as he was willing, he could live anonymously as a wealthy idle man for a lifetime.

She chuckled softly, a laugh filled with indescribable sarcasm, "How could I not know of Jiang Family’s intention to rebel? Every woman from the Jiang Family sent to the harem knows this, because their entry was no accident; it was a meticulously crafted plan from childhood by Jiang Family... pawns for future usurpation.

From the age of seven, I was selected to enter the harem, and since then, I was closely watched while other siblings were free to play outside. I, however, had to stay inside, learning all sorts of etiquette and how to win the Emperor’s favor techniques, the nanny responsible for teaching me often said that being chosen was special, not every Jiang Family woman was granted this honor, and I should feel fortunate and strive to repay the family’s expectations of me.

At first, I did believe her nonsense, enduring all loneliness and hardship. But every single day I longed to walk out of that room that held me captive, to live carefree like other children.

Later, when I was twelve years old, I... met Wu Baiyun, a year older than me, the son of a manager in Jiang Family, also working there. He saw my loneliness and pain and often sneaked over, bringing me interesting trinkets and tales of children’s wonders. I began to look forward to his visits every day, my emotions and mind deeply affected by him. I realized my feelings for him, but knew there could never be anything between us, so I never thought to share my sentiments with him, only expressing through several poems when overwhelmed.

However, I hadn’t expected that even suppressing my feelings in such a way, I was discovered by the Jiang Family just before entering the palace. They were furious, and I cried and begged them, saying it was only my unrequited love and Wu Baiyun never knew about it, promising to obey and be a good consort as long as they didn’t take it out on Wu Baiyun.

They agreed, and I naively believed they would keep their word..."

Princess Consort Ling suddenly let out a few low laughs, sounding even worse than crying, "After entering the palace, I worked hard to win the Emperor’s favor, quickly giving birth to Rang’er, and never proactively inquired about Wu Baiyun’s situation.

But I didn’t expect, the good times didn’t last long. The poems I secretly kept for remembrance were discovered by the late Emperor. Initially, my cool demeanor the late Emperor loved turned into indifference, fickleness, hahaha... The Jiang Family reacted swiftly, immediately entering the palace to plead for me, but ultimately, I lost the Emperor’s favor because of this.

When they came to visit me afterwards, I couldn’t help inquiring about Wu Baiyun’s situation, fearing his implication. Although they were angry, they patiently responded, saying the late Emperor was wise and wouldn’t blame the innocent.

But I still felt uneasy, secretly sending someone out of the palace to investigate, and it was only then I learned..."

Princess Consort Ling suddenly bit her lip, expressing deep hatred, "Wu Baiyun and his entire family were chased out by Jiang Family right after I entered the palace. I was persistent, secretly sending people to Wu Baiyun’s hometown to investigate, only to find they hadn’t returned, and even their hometown hadn’t seen them for years.

Previously, they’d return for ancestral rites annually; it was impossible for them not to appear without reason!

I was deeply unsettled, summoned the Jiang Family into the palace, and under my threats, they finally admitted Wu Baiyun and his family had been secretly dealt with long ago because of me, their family of three already disappeared from this world!"

Prince Ling stared blankly at Princess Consort Ling trembling with rage.

He only knew his mother had an unhappy youth and held an untouchable love in her heart.

Yet he hadn’t imagined the hardship she suffered was beyond his imagination.

Xu Jing looked at Princess Consort Ling and softly said, "After that, you broke off with the Jiang Family, didn’t you?"

"That’s right."

Princess Consort Ling let out a cold laugh, "I demanded they not approach me and Rang’er anymore. Naturally, they were unwilling, so I threatened that if they came any closer, I would expose Jiang Family’s long-standing plan to the world.

They called me a madwoman, but even madness was driven by them!

They assumed I didn’t know, though they agreed verbally to all my demands, many of their people remained around me and Rang’er.

I waited until Rang’er turned fifteen and could leave the Western Capital. Immediately, I replaced everyone around us, quietly cultivating my own power, paving the way for Rang’er’s future.

Indeed, those people were slain by Dongyang on my orders. Dongyang was the best tool at my disposal, staying with me since she was seven, treating me as resurrected parents, knowing nothing besides executing my commands."

Beside her, Dongyang shook her head vigorously, crying with her mouth open, unable to utter a word.

"Nanny Lu was my wet nurse, treated me more dearly than my own mother.

She was also coerced by me to assist in these matters."

Nanny Lu urgently pleaded, "Imperial Concubine, please, don’t do this..."

Princess Consort Ling continued coldly, "As for Rang’er, he’s even more innocent. Before the princess consort died, he didn’t even know who I killed.

After making Dongyang prepare to kill the princess consort and others, I disclosed everything to him, forcing him with my life to burn Shuangrui and escape.

Miss Xu was correct; from beginning to end, I was the mastermind behind all of this, unrelated to anyone else!"

Prince Ling gazed at his mother with heartache, then turned to Xu Jing, deeply bowing, "Miss Xu, my mother did all this for me. How can I claim innocence? Shuangrui... I did indeed burn her with my own hands.

My mother isn’t young anymore; I hope Miss Xu can speak favorably on her behalf when the time comes."

Xu Jing looked at the mother and son stubbornly staring at her, sighed helplessly, "I’ve already conveyed to the Consort earlier, judgment doesn’t fall under my responsibility. Upon reaching the Western Capital, I’ll report everything truthfully to the Holy Emperor.

Ultimately, everyone must bear the consequences of their actions.

For now..."

She paused, glancing towards the unsettling tightly shut doors, listening to the fighting outside, and soberly said, "First, we must find a way through this current crisis, that’s the most important thing."

After speaking, she suddenly glared at Prince Ling with a somber face, coldly said, "Regardless, I will ensure you and the Imperial Concubine return safely to the Western Capital. Don’t entertain any other thoughts, Prince Ling."

Prince Ling paused.

This woman, how did she know he considered ending himself when there were no other options?

Jiang Family’s target was him; he was the source of all evil.

As long as he died, everything would be peaceful.

Prince Ling pressed his lips together, "Miss Xu has overthought. I have my mother; naturally, I won’t easily forsake myself."

Xu Jing withdrew her gaze faintly.

The following time was particularly torturous.

The group stayed inside the hall, only hearing the seemingly endless fighting outside, unable to determine if it was already dark outside due to the tightly shut doors and windows.

No one knew how long it took before the fighting noise outside suddenly weakened.

Bodies tensed up immediately, anxiously staring at the door.

The sudden weakening of the fighting; was it because a victor was determined?

Was it victory on their side, or the enemy’s?!