CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165: WORSE COMES TO WORST

Who is truly innocent in the Imperial Palace?

Isn’t everyone coerced and forced to move forward?

Unfortunately, Bai Pin’s cries did not arouse the Emperor’s pity at all.

Soon, Dong Yuzhong ordered Bai Pin to be dragged away.

Along the way, her wretched cries were filled with the desire to rush up and bite Ming Changzai to death when she saw her!

"It’s you! You must have been the one to speak ill of me before the Emperor, right? Ming Changzai, you’ll die a miserable death!"

Such resentful words left Ming Changzai’s face pale with fright.

She listened to Consort Ye’s advice and never mentioned the matter again.

She hadn’t even seen the Emperor’s face, so how could she talk about complaints?

But right now, these words were stuck in her throat, unable to be uttered.

The punishment of Bai Pin ended up being unjustly pinned on Ming Changzai.

Du Changzai and Lady He looked at her unwillingly but did not dare provoke her further.

Especially Du Changzai.

If Bai Pin had been dragged down by her, what about herself?

Recalling the mockery from a few days ago made her feel unsteady.

If the Emperor wasn’t in the room, she might have fled.

Lin Wanyi thought that Bai Pin’s inexplicable punishment was more about intimidating Princess Consort Yi!

On the surface, it was to punish Bai Pin, but in reality, it was a slap to Princess Consort Yi’s face.

Especially since Bai Pin was sent to Changning Palace to join Chu Daying, it was a clear message meant for Princess Consort Yi.

It was also a warning that if there were more excessive actions, Princess Consort Yi might be the next to move palaces.

Through the curtain, she couldn’t see what was happening inside.

Yet at this moment, Princess Consort Yi’s thoughts were aligned with Lin Wanyi’s.

Outwardly calm, but inwardly panicked.

The step-shaking dangling from her hair was even swaying slightly.

She dared not look directly into the Emperor’s eyes.

To be honest, having been in the palace for years, she couldn’t grasp the Emperor’s thoughts.

Initially, he was the open-minded young Emperor she first met, but now he was an unfathomable, unyielding ruler.

Even with the Liu Family backing her, so what?

She saw how Duke Xu’s family crumbled, despite being one of the four major advisors. How couldn’t the Liu Family be next?

Her cousin hadn’t made a move yet, which left her fearful.

Moments later, she heard the Emperor’s cold voice return.

He spoke indifferently to the crowd.

"The Princess is ill, once the Empress Dowager returns to the palace, she must be sent to Cining Palace for nurturing. As for Princess Consort Yi, she must understand the philosophy that extreme softness leads to decay and extreme rigidity leads to breaking. Spend more time in Jinghan Palace to recite scriptures and calm your thoughts.

Despite not being severely punished, these words cut off their paths.

One made it clear that the Princess could no longer be raised under Lin Guifei’s supervision.

The other had to examine her own character issues.

Neither dared to object, only agreeing submissively.

Meanwhile, everyone in the courtyard, except for Lin Wanyi, was deeply frightened.

Afraid that they might be the next to be implicated.

"Dong Yuzhong."

"Servant present."

"Return Ming Ruo to Yao Tai Pavilion and inform the guards there, if it happens again, I’ll take their heads!"

"Servant obeys."

Princess Ming Ruo, already frightened, covered her mouth tightly.

She was spoiled and wilful, but knew what the harem depended on.

If she lost her father’s affection, she wouldn’t make much of a fuss as a Princess.

Knowing she had angered her father, it was better to cut back on the fuss; Bai Pin’s fate was enough to terrify her.

After dealing with the matters here, the Emperor stood up and left Menghua House.

Seeing everyone trembling in the courtyard, his anger subsided considerably.

He glanced sideways at Lin Wanyi kneeling beneath the corridor.

Recalling his harsh words earlier, he felt some regret for taking it out on her.

So, he softened his tone and said.

"Lin Changzai."

"Servant present."

"You just mentioned the Second Prince seemed unwell. Let’s go, I’ll take a look."

Lin Wanyi appeared reluctant but knew the Emperor was giving them all a way out.

No matter how difficult, she replied bravely.

"Yes."

As the Emperor led Lin Wanyi away, the crowd’s eyes lacked envy.

Instead, there was sympathy in hoping she would heed caution.

Who knew if the Emperor’s wrath might affect her?

The rank she barely managed to achieve might vanish as quickly.

After Princess Consort Yi left Menghua House, her face was full of displeasure.

Lady He didn’t dare provoke her and hid in the shadows.

Once she left, she, along with Du Changzai and Ming Changzai, returned laughing awkwardly to their respective courtyards.

This incident lasted all afternoon, and none escaped unscathed.

When Princess Ming Ruo was sent back, Lin Guifei was shocked.

Already a precarious position, now even more precarious.

The Princess was to be sent to the Empress Dowager for upbringing, signifying her incompetence as a mother.

Her sole surviving child seemed to be lost.

She couldn’t accept this.

Reluctantly, the outcome couldn’t be changed, she could only weep with Princess Ming Ruo.

At this moment, regret enveloped Princess Ming Ruo.

Had she known her father would be so angered, she wouldn’t have dared leave!

Over misplaced pride, she sacrificed her future.

She truly was Second Madam Mrs. Wang’s granddaughter, acting identically!

Compared to the "aftermath" in East Garden, back on the road to Huifang Courtyard.

The Emperor and Lin Wanyi remained relatively calm.

Treading an old path, yet with differing attitudes.

The Emperor’s words under the moon on the night of the Qixi Festival echoed; however, Lin Wanyi found his silhouette increasingly elusive.

Lin Guifei, Princess Consort Yi, and Princess Ming Ruo all had support, thus even when erring, they faced minor reproofs.

Bai Pin, lacking support, found all her paths easily blocked.

Using her to slap others and involving Ming Changzai as a scapegoat.

This strategy and foresight, in moments he could respond so calmly and meticulously.

Lin Wanyi couldn’t help but admire.

Alongside admiration, came fear.

Compared to them, she was alone, without backing.

For now, she could speak in the imperial court, solely relying on the Emperor’s affections.

Should favor wane, would she be the next Bai Pin?

A once beloved figure becoming the executioner of her path.

Lin Wanyi didn’t know Bai Pin’s feelings at this moment.