“You’re right!”
The Empress’s eyes lit up as the idea took shape in her mind.
“Her pair of little bastards died because of me. How could she possibly repay evil with kindness?”
“If Gu Xiyan dies in Su Qing’s palace, then everyone will naturally think Su Qing acted out of hatred, seeking revenge for the deaths of her children.”
The more the Empress thought about it, the more brilliant the plan seemed.
A sinister smile slowly spread across her face.
Her eerie laughter echoed through the empty hall, sending chills down the spine.
Meanwhile…
After returning to her palace with Gu Xiyan and the others, Su Qing warmly arranged living quarters for her and assigned several maids to attend to her.
She treated Gu Xiyan with remarkable kindness, speaking gently and showing genuine concern.
Gradually, Gu Xiyan let down her guard.
Only after reassuring her did Su Qing have someone escort her away to rest.
The moment Gu Xiyan left…
…the smile vanished from Su Qing’s face.
Her eyes turned icy.
The speed of that change left even Tang Wan speechless.
Every woman in this palace could win an award for acting if they lived in modern times.
Being stuck in the imperial harem is such a waste of talent.
While Tang Wan was silently complaining to herself, Su Qing turned to Ling Yu.
“Yu’er, will the Empress really fall for it?”
The plan had been Ling Yu’s idea.
A few days before she acted, Ling Yu had secretly sent her a message.
She had agreed without hesitation.
Although she hadn’t fully understood his intentions, she knew he would never harm her.
Ling Yu nodded.
“The Empress will never let Gu Xiyan live.”
“She’ll definitely send someone to kill her.”
“As long as Godmother remains vigilant over the next few days, she’ll be able to catch the Empress in the act and obtain evidence against her.”
Su Qing frowned.
“I still don’t understand.”
“If the Empress truly cared about Huangfu Xiao, shouldn’t she be doing everything possible to make this marriage happen?”
“So why does she hate Gu Xiyan so much?”
“I’ve never heard of any direct conflict between her and Prime Minister Gu.”
“The biggest disagreement between them is simply which side they support.”
“That alone doesn’t seem enough to explain such intense hostility.”
Ling Yu raised an eyebrow instead of answering immediately.
His gaze swept across the palace servants standing nearby.
Su Qing understood at once.
“You may all leave.”
“I wish to have a private conversation with Wan-niang.”
Tang Wan: “…”
Using me as an excuse again.
Only after everyone had withdrawn did Su Qing look at Ling Yu expectantly.
Lowering his voice, Ling Yu quietly said,
“Huangfu Xiao is actually the child of the Empress and Gu Hengcang.”
What?!
Su Qing: ∑(°口°)
Tang Wan: Σ(°Д°|||)
What did you just say?
Say that again?
Ling Yu then slowly explained everything he knew.
Back then, the late Empress and the woman who was then Noble Consort Xian—the current Empress—had both been pregnant.
They gave birth on the very same night.
However…
The child born to the late Empress was secretly switched by Noble Consort Xian.
Yes.
The late Empress had not given birth to a son…
…but to a daughter.
Noble Consort Xian, on the other hand, had not given birth to a daughter…
…but to a son.
The late Empress died from postpartum hemorrhaging shortly after giving birth.
The Empress Dowager then decreed that the infant should be raised by Noble Consort Xian.
As for why Noble Consort Xian had done such a thing…
Ling Yu smiled faintly.
“I suspect she knew the late Empress wouldn’t survive.”
“In the hearts of the living, the place occupied by the dead can never be replaced.”
“Godmother should understand that better than I do.”
“So…”
“Wouldn’t the child left behind by the late Empress naturally become the Emperor’s most treasured possession?”
“It’s far more than just being treasured.”
Su Qing slowly sat down, muttering absentmindedly,
“As the legitimate child of the Empress… and the eldest child at that…”
“Such a child would possess the highest status and be the rightful heir to the throne.”
She remained stunned for a long while before speaking again.
“The Empress…”
“…she truly has unbelievable courage.”
“Even in my wildest dreams…”
“…I never imagined she would dare…”
“…dare to do something like this.”
The woman was far more formidable than Su Qing had ever imagined.
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