Chapter 106: Yuan Zaichun Grows Desperate

As they spoke, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside. The Empress furrowed her brow and glanced at Zhuyue. "How is it so late, and yet someone is still coming?"

Zhuyue was even more startled. She remembered locking the palace gates; at this hour, the duty maids should have already been resting.

"I will go and see," she said, setting down the tea tray and cups before hurrying off.

Opening the door, Zhuyue was momentarily stunned. "Your Highness the Crown Prince?"

Hearing it was her son, the Empress restrained the surge of emotion that had risen within her. She lowered her gaze and let out a cold snort. After all...

At this moment, who else but Yuan Zaichun would think to remember her?

"Is Mother present?"

"Yes, Your Highness. The Empress is here. Please wait in the main hall."

Yuan Zaichun appeared weary and his expression was dark, which unsettled Zhuyue deeply. She sensed something ominous was brewing. In the past, whenever the Crown Prince came, he was greeted with smiles.

Even regarding the matter of Bu Shenglian, he had never spoken ill to the Empress.

But now, why had his demeanor changed so drastically?

Yuan Zaichun waited in the main hall for quite some time before the Empress, having tidied her attire, finally appeared. Upon seeing her, he mechanically knelt and greeted, "Greetings, Mother."

"Rise. It's so late—why haven’t you returned to the Crown Prince's residence? Instead, you come here?"

The Empress spoke as she casually yawned, her tone laced with mild confusion.

"This..." Yuan Zaichun glanced around nervously. The Empress immediately caught on, waved her hand, and Zhuyue, along with the other maids, swiftly left, leaving the mother and son alone.

"Mother, I only came to ask you one thing."

"Oh?"

Seeing Yuan Zaichun’s icy demeanor, the Empress felt a pang of unease. It seemed he recalled something troubling. Though anxious, she forced herself to maintain a calm exterior.

"What is it you wish to say, my son?"

"A month ago, did Mother send someone to assassinate Qiao Qingyun?"

The Empress frowned but then burst into a soft laugh. "You must be mistaken. Qiao Qingyun was the crown princess I personally selected for you. How could there be any wrongdoing?"

"Are you sure? Does Mother not know? Father has kept quiet about why you were placed under house arrest, but I asked Qiao Qingyun and was met with silence. She said that when she was nearly killed, the assassin mercifully told her that her mother, her father, and herself were all doomed because of you meeting the King of Hell."

"But luckily, she was saved by Father's imperial guards and brought back to the palace, though severely injured. Father was furious and then confined you."

Yuan Zaichun recounted the entire sequence of events. The Empress grew angrier with each word. She never expected those men to betray her!

The security allowance was given without any reduction, even more generous than usual. But who would have thought she would unexpectedly run into Princess Qingyun?

That in itself was tolerable, but seeing Yuan Zaichun come here to confront her stirred the Empress’s patience to its limit. The gentle, benevolent expression she once wore shifted as quickly as turning a page.

"She’s merely an insignificant girl. What, are you afraid I might kill her?"

The coldness in her voice shocked Yuan Zaichun deeply. His mother had once been so gentle and kind—how had she become such a bitter woman?

"Mother, could it be that you truly wished to kill her?"

Yuan Zaichun’s fists clenched tightly, red veins visible in his eyes. Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind, quelling his rage.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. He had almost risen in anger but collapsed back into his chair.

"Sir."

Liufu, confused, reached out to steady him, but Yuan Zaichun, pale as death, waved him away and fixed his gaze on the woman on the phoenix throne.

"At that time, Mother said to use Liufu..."

"Exactly as you think, my son. We are now bound by a shared fate. Apart from you, no one can assist me. If this girl grows too influential, she may one day seek revenge against me."

The Empress’s voice grew seductive. She had long seen Yuan Zaichun’s feelings for Qiao Qingyun. No one’s hands were clean in that matter—not even Yuan Zaichun’s.

Though he did not intend it, the fact remained that he was involved.

"Mother, you..."

He had never imagined he would one day be so thoroughly used by his own mother.

Liufu was dumbfounded as well. He only knew he was tasked with a mission and never questioned who the target was. He simply wielded his blade when ordered by Yuan Zaichun.

So, he too was an accomplice?

The more he pondered, the more terrified he became. He bit his lower lip, his face turning as pale as Yuan Zaichun’s.

"My son, Mother has said that since this woman has been divorced by you, I guarantee this matter won’t be linked to you, nor will it affect your position as Crown Prince."

When Yuan Zaichun looked at the Empress now, it was as if he were staring at a venomous scorpion. His caution was palpable.

To be used by his own birth mother—there was no need to ask how it felt. The heartache that once pierced him now burned even fiercer.

"Mother, you truly have a ruthless heart."

Yuan Zaichun’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at her, leaving the Empress momentarily taken aback, a hint of fear stirring within her. She smiled lightly.

"You won’t blame me, will you, my son?"

He slowly rose and took a deep breath. "Mother, Princess Qingyun said to tell you that she will seek her revenge."

With that, he swept his sleeve and turned away.

The Empress heard those words like thunder. Everyone in the palace knew how favored Qiao Qingyun was now. The Emperor was nearly ready to grant her the highest honor.

The next morning, Qiao Qingyun groggily climbed out of bed. After much struggle, she found her wounds had mostly healed. Fortunately, her frequent consumption of herbal remedies had accelerated her recovery, sparing her from suffering.

She looked around. Such a resplendent palace—how many young women must have dreamed of such a place? Yet to her, it was nothing but a gilded cage.

"Miss, why are you up on your own? Qingluo was helping you."

Qingluo, having just finished fetching water for washing, opened the door to find Qiao Qingyun standing and heading toward the dressing table. Startled, she hurried forward to steady her.

Once Qiao Qingyun was seated, Qingluo exhaled deeply. "Miss, you are too careless. What if you strained your wound getting up?"