Chapter 278: The Eve of the Second Storm (Part II)

Chapter 278: The Eve of the Second Storm (Part II)

"It has nothing to do with Uncle Prince, it was all Ling'er who overheard."

Xianmu Yaling finally lifted her head, meeting Empress Rong's gaze. Her face burned, but compared to the pain in her heart, this physical pain seemed insignificant.

"Mother, why? Why did Mother poison and control Father Emperor? Why did Mother threaten Uncle Prince? You and Father Emperor were so loving, yet it was all fake. Is Mother’s love for Father Emperor and for Ling'er also fake?"

On her round, innocent face, the dimples that usually graced her cheeks were nowhere to be seen. Her beautiful eyes were filled with tears.

The years of maternal love from Empress Rong were now questioned.

"I am your biological daughter! How could Mother..."

"Xian... mu... Ya... ling..."

Empress Rong's hand rose again.

"What is so good about Emperor Yun Langyu?"

Xianmu Yaling asked once more.

Empress Rong's raised arm suddenly froze.

"What is so good about him, good enough for Mother to destroy our family? Mother, tell me why?"

Tears slid down her cheeks as Xianmu Yaling questioned her mother.

Knowing her mother's nature, Xianmu Yaling still couldn't help but ask 'why?'

She discarded everything Prince Yi Chishao had taught her over the years, and even the protection he had provided recently.

She needed to know why.

Why had their happy home turned into this? Why had the loving Father Emperor and Mother become enemies, strangers who frightened her so much.

"Zhu Xian is your family's country, not mine, Xianmu Yaling. You ask me why? If you weren't a piece of flesh from my body, do you think you would have the audacity to question me like this?"

Empress Rong lowered her arm, her expression completely cold, the pain hidden away.

Her voice was entirely icy and beautiful.

"Very well, Xianmu Yaling. Since you have chosen your father and your Uncle Prince, from today on, you will no longer be my daughter."

Rising, she turned and fiercely flicked her wide sleeves.

"Ronggu, take her away and keep a close watch. Without my permission, she must not step out of her princess palace."

Empress Rong had regained her pride and cold beauty, showing no mercy to her daughter who had betrayed her.

"Mother..."

Xianmu Yaling's eyes widened in disbelief.

Ronggu stepped forward, bowed, and motioned for her to follow, but said nothing.

However, Xianmu Yaling refused to go, refusing to leave. She couldn't believe her mother would be so cruel to her.

Ronggu waved her hand, and two strong women immediately came forward to forcibly take Xianmu Yaling away.

Only after they were far from Empress Rong's chambers did Ronggu speak:

"Princess, the Lady is just angry now. In time, things will be fine. For now, don't upset the Lady further. These are matters between adults; stay out of it and be a good princess."

"Ronggu..."

Xianmu Yaling's voice was heavy.

These were her father and mother. How could she stand by and watch them destroy each other, watch her mother kill her father?

"Princess, you know the Lady's temperament. Today, she only confined you because she loves you. But how did you treat her? By choosing Prince Yi over her, you are tearing out her heart. If you really find the elixir formula, do you think the Lady will have any way out?"

Ronggu was deeply disappointed in Xianmu Yaling's actions.

"Prince Yi is your Uncle Prince, and there is nothing wrong with that. The Emperor is your father, and there is nothing wrong with that either. But the Lady is also your mother! She carried you for ten months and gave birth to you.

Do you want the Lady to fall into an endless abyss? Do you really trust that Prince Yi won't harm her? Princess, this is the palace, where killings happen without a trace. It's not an ordinary residence."

Shaking her head and sighing, Ronggu left one final word:

"Nurse knows it's hard for you to accept that everything between your mother and father was a lie, but you shouldn't act like this..."

She didn't finish, returning to report.

Xianmu Yaling stood there, stunned.

A palace where killings happen without a trace...

"Princess, please, don't make it difficult for us."

Compared to Ronggu's disappointment, the two strong women were very respectful to Xianmu Yaling, not daring to treat her poorly despite Empress Rong's order to confine her.

Xianmu Yaling looked at the Central Palace, her eyes red and swollen, dark circles under her eyes more pronounced. Her tightly clenched hands suddenly relaxed, as if she were lost in thought. After a moment, she turned and returned to her princess palace.

Unaware of Xianmu Yaling's confinement, Prince Yi Chishao was thoroughly enraged by Empress Rong's actions the previous day. After sending Su Rao back, he made preparations and then strode into the palace, heading straight for the Central Palace.

"Do not be angry, Your Majesty. Princess was merely deceived by Prince Yi, which led her to... She loves you deeply, and it must have been unintentional..."

Ronggu returned and saw Empress Rong still standing in the same posture, her back to the palace door. Ronggu stepped forward to comfort her.

"Yesterday's events, though costly, have achieved our goal. Prince Yi is likely on his way to this Inner Palace. Ronggu, see to it that Ling'er is kept under close watch."

Only then did Empress Rong turn around and sit down properly, her hands resting on her knees, once again assuming her regal demeanor as she waited for Prince Yi and Shao to arrive. She showed no further sign of distress over Xianmu Yaling’s actions.

Her instructions to Ronggu to keep a close eye on Xianmu Yaling suggested that she had plans to use her again, perhaps to counter Prince Yi and Shao.

She could be so ruthless with her own daughter, loving her yet using her repeatedly to threaten the brothers of Zhu Xian, leaving them with no room to maneuver.

"As for Xiao Mubai, Ronggu, inform my sister-in-law. After all these years, I’m sure she will be surprised to learn that the mysterious person opposing her has been right beside her all along..."

A cold smile played on her lips, her eyes filled with calculation.

Ronggu, about to speak, saw Empress Rong’s reaction and decided to remain silent, instead going to carry out her orders.

Scarcely had Empress Rong finished speaking when Prince Yi and Shao arrived, their intent to kill evident and unhidden.

"Wishing me dead, planning to expose the ledger to the public, Shao wants to take me down with him..."

Prince Yi’s eyes blazed with murderous intent, but Empress Rong remained as calm as ever.

"Shao has returned, and it seems Lady Ronghua is safe. Shao, you’ve truly blossomed like an iron tree!"

Without waiting for Prince Yi to respond, she continued:

"But my Ling'er is truly foolish. I’ve told her time and again that the royal family knows no affection, that she must learn to be cruel, to be cruel to everyone.

I’ve taught her for so many years, yet she still fails to understand. Now, the little prince she trusts may not care for her at all..."

"Rong... Yu... er... You dare to threaten me with Changle..."

Prince Yi’s voice was icy, his sword pointed directly at Empress Rong, the blade drawn and sharp.

The air stirred, lifting Empress Rong’s hair and causing her ornaments to sway.

Despite the intense hostility, Empress Rong remained unperturbed.

She rose, stepped down from her dais, and allowed the tip of the sword to press against her throat.

"My life can be accompanied by my husband and daughter; we will not be lonely on the path to the netherworld. And with Lady Ronghua joining us, it will be perfect..."