Chapter 210: That Naturally Means Execution

Virtuous Consort flatly denied it, and the look in Xiao Youlan's eyes grew even colder and deeper.

It could be said that everyone has a reverse scale in their heart that must not be touched; Xiao Youlan's reverse scale was his mother, the Empress.

Before he met Nan Xueyin, most of the warmth in his life had come from his mother; with her passing, his life had plunged into an abyss.

He had once wanted to gain his father the Emperor's approval, thinking that perhaps the missing maternal love could be filled by his father, but he soon realized that it was not the same.

His father might have liked him, but that was based on his status being sufficiently legitimate, his being sufficiently intelligent, and his being sufficiently diligent, unlike his mother.

His mother loved him simply because he was himself.

Xiao Youlan was always in pain, desperately missing his mother.

He recalled many details from the past; for instance, during that period, Xiao Youlan had caught a cold that was neither large nor small. He had been quite pampered by his mother when he was young, and feeling that the medicinal broth was too bitter, he refused to drink it obediently. His mother coaxed him, but he was preoccupied with wanting to go see the birds, and thus he was somewhat impatient.

He said to his mother, "Mother, actually, sometimes you are really long-winded. It's one thing with me, but if you are like this in front of Father, Father really won't like you."

At that time, his mother was stunned for a moment.

Xiao Youlan added, "What does it matter if I drink the medicine later? I'll be back later, Mother, you go busy yourself with your own affairs first!"

After speaking, he ran off without looking back.

He could not recall his mother's expression at that time, nor could he remember if she had said anything.

In short, that day he was in the back garden, watching all kinds of exquisite and beautiful birds taking flight and landing, his heart filled with boundless joy and happiness.

Suddenly, a Momo hurried over and called to him, "Your Highness the Crown Prince! Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence!"

Xiao Youlan thought his mother was still dwelling on the trivial matter of making him drink medicine; although he followed her back, he was still a little unhappy inside.

When he returned to his mother's bedchamber, he only saw blood sprayed all over the floor and his mother on the bed, hovering between life and death.

Xiao Youlan was instantly thrown into a panic.

He threw himself before his mother's bed, clutching her fingers, calling out to her over and over again.

His mother could not speak; she only looked at him, shedding tears incessantly.

At that time, Xiao Youlan did not understand why his mother was crying; later, he gradually came to understand that his mother was not afraid of death—for her, death was more like a swift release.

She was crying for Xiao Youlan; she knew that after she was gone, in this vast imperial palace, there would only be Xiao Youlan left alone.

Having a stepmother meant having a stepfather.

The other Concubines in the inner palace were all Xiao Youlan's stepmothers.

He was still young and there were many things he did not understand; his mother worried that he would suffer.

Later, facts proved that this was indeed the case.

If not for his sufficiently noble birth, Xiao Youlan would likely have already died in some corner.

Perhaps there was also a possibility that his mother had taught him many ways of the world, raising him to be sufficiently intelligent, so he was able to survive in the palace, gain his father's favor, be entrusted with important tasks, and silently discover the truth of his mother's death.

Originally, Xiao Youlan had wanted to wait until after his ascension to deal with Virtuous Consort; he knew that after his father grew old, he actually began to cherish old ties, and he wanted to give his father face and not move against the people in the inner palace for the time being.

However, it was Virtuous Consort's son, Xiao Mingyu, who insisted on rebelling, so Xiao Youlan did not mind moving up the plan to dispose of Virtuous Consort a little.

But how did Virtuous Consort dare?

While speaking of misunderstandings, she clearly remembered the many favors his mother had shown her back then, and she knew that if not for his mother, she would certainly have died without a burial place long ago.

How then did she dare, how could she, harm someone who had saved her?

To make Virtuous Consort repent, to make her pay the price—in an instant, Xiao Youlan thought of a thousand ways to torture Virtuous Consort...

"Ahem."

While Xiao Youlan was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a light cough.

He raised his eyes and met Nan Xueyin's bright and beautiful face.

She was winking and gesturing, the meaning clearly saying: She won't admit it and is still quibbling; shall we take action?

Xiao Youlan understood her meaning; looking at her vivid expression, the sorrow and anger in his heart were gradually replaced by tenderness.

He smiled and shook his head.

Nan Xueyin was a little disappointed.

Xiao Youlan smiled again and turned to signal, "Someone, bring chairs."

The attendant observed their expressions and tactfully brought over two chairs, one for Xiao Youlan and the other for Nan Xueyin.

Virtuous Consort's gaze fell upon the two of them; watching them sit side by side, she revealed a trace of worry, but not knowing what she thought of, she adjusted her sitting posture and regained her composure.

She prepared herself to face Xiao Youlan's questioning at any time; no matter what he said, she had a way to deal with it.

But to her surprise, after sitting down, Xiao Youlan did not ask her anything else.

On the contrary, he actually turned his head and spoke to Nan Xueyin.

They did not lower their voices, and Virtuous Consort could hear them clearly.

Xiao Youlan asked, "After we are married, which palace would you like to live in?"

Nan Xueyin replied, "I don't even know what palaces there are."

This was, of course, a lie.

Nan Xueyin had once entered the palace for a period of time while impersonating Doukou; she was aware of the layout of the palace and which palaces existed.

Xiao Youlan nodded, "You are indeed not clear about it; after all, you have only been here from Qingzhou for a few days, and you have only entered the palace a handful of times."

Nan Xueyin glanced sideways and saw Virtuous Consort over there picking up the bowl of medicine again to feed the Emperor, but her mind was clearly not on the medicine bowl; instead, she had pricked up her ears, eavesdropping on what they were saying.

She therefore deliberately asked with curiosity, "Speaking of which, which palace does Virtuous Consort live in?"

Xiao Youlan knew she was a little fox and wanted to make mischief again.

But he always played along with her, "If you like living there, I will have it cleared out for you when the time comes."

Nan Xueyin seemed to have just remembered something and asked again, "Then where will Virtuous Consort live at that time?"

Xiao Youlan said calmly, "If she is fortunate enough to become a Dowager Consort, she will move to the Beigong to live."

"Besides becoming a Dowager Consort, are there any other possibilities?"

"There is," Xiao Youlan smiled slightly, "if one becomes a disgraced consort, then naturally, one must be put to death."

It was clearly a magnetic, pleasant voice, and the tone was slow and calm, carrying no aggression whatsoever, but to the ears of certain people with ulterior motives, it clearly carried a thick sense of intimidation and threat.

Virtuous Consort's hand trembled uncontrollably once more, and a few drops of medicinal broth spilled onto her fingers.

She forced herself to appear composed, set down the medicine bowl, and took out a handkerchief to wipe them.

"Crown Prince!"

A guard hurried in from outside the door.

"Prince Duan is leading troops and has attacked through the Beimen!"

Once these words were spoken, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded inside the palace hall.

Virtuous Consort's fingers trembled faintly.

Xiao Youlan, however, was very calm and even turned his head to look at her, "Virtuous Consort, Father Emperor is still on the throne, yet Fifth Brother has actually led troops to attack... he is attempting to rebel."

Virtuous Consort freed her other hand to press down on the back of her trembling hand, took a deep breath, and stood up.

She stood facing the candlelight, which illuminated her face extremely brightly.

She furrowed her brows tightly, stared fixedly at Xiao Youlan, and said through gritted teeth, "The Crown Prince arrives in the dead of night to insult this palace and assassinate the Emperor... someone come quickly, seize the Crown Prince at once!"