Chapter 204:

Late at night.

The little Yan Ning dodged the sleeping nanny at the door and slipped out by himself.

Although only three years old, he wasn’t completely clueless.

Thinking about what they had said today, Yan Ning clenched his tiny fist.

It was all her fault, that little brat was the one who caused all the trouble.

If it weren’t for her, how could his mother have been framed? If it weren’t for her, why would his father dislike him?

Following the route he remembered, Yan Ning walked for a while. Looking around, he realized he didn’t recognize anything—he was only three after all. But he noticed two palace maids walking and chatting, and they were heading toward Fengqi Palace.

Yan Ning thought for a moment—wasn’t Fengqi Palace where that little brat lived?

So he followed the two palace maids forward.

Sure enough, they were indeed heading to Fengqi Palace. Not only that, but they also started talking with the two eunuchs guarding the entrance.

Taking advantage of their conversation, Yan Ning slipped into Fengqi Palace. Once inside, he felt somewhat familiar with the surroundings.

Because of his small stature, no one noticed him. He made his way to the brat’s sleeping quarters, where Cui Wen had been taking care of the girl these past couple of days, along with Apricot.

Earlier that day, Apricot had taken several people out when the little princess fell into the water. Apricot felt extremely guilty about it.

She had been keeping watch day and night since then.

Yan Ning saw that the two were dozing off and sneaked inside.

He lifted the quilt and pressed it over the little brat’s head.

“Ahh——”

Suddenly, the lights turned on brightly.

Emperor Jing walked out from the inner chamber with a dark expression, not at all surprised to see his son.

Earlier, when Yan Ning left his palace, the secret guards had already noticed and split into two groups—one to report back, and one to follow him.

As a result, they saw two suspicious palace maids deliberately leading him and even distracting the eunuchs guarding Fengqi Palace.

The palace maids had already been apprehended, but Emperor Jing wanted to see what exactly Yan Ning intended to do.

By his command, both Cui Wen and Apricot pretended to be asleep.

Unexpectedly, what they witnessed was a scene so horrifying it made their blood run cold.

This three-year-old child had come here to commit murder.

“Yanning, what are you doing?” Emperor Jing’s voice was icy cold.

Yan Ning looked at him, shivering slightly, but still glaring defiantly: “I… I didn’t do anything.”

“Didn’t do anything? Didn’t do anything? You were trying to smother Jiaojiao to death! Don’t you know she is your younger sister?” Emperor Jing was deeply pained by his son’s actions.

He never imagined that his own sons would turn against each other, and that his three-year-old son would try to kill his little sister.

Seeing his father’s expression, Yan Ning knew he couldn’t deny it anymore.

He burst into tears and screamed: “I don’t want this sister at all! I don’t want any sisters or brothers! Why, why does Father favor them so much? You never come to see me! Mother used to stay with me, but it’s all because of her, because of her that Mother won’t even look at me anymore. You don’t believe me, so you locked her away in the cold palace. I know, I know that once someone is sent there, they die. I won’t let my mother die there!”

Seeing him shouting with his neck stretched out, Emperor Jing felt a deep ache in his heart.

“Didn’t you think she’s your little sister? Didn’t your mother teach you to care for the young? Well then, it’s my fault too. It’s my fault for not teaching you properly.”

Emperor Jing rubbed his temples.

He was deeply disappointed in Yan Ning.

Just then, having heard the commotion, Yan Yu and Yan Jia rushed over, dressed hastily, and listened to everything that had happened.

Each of them clenched their fists in anger.

Yan Yu glared and shouted: “How could you be so wicked? She’s so small! You’re supposed to protect her as her older brother, yet you tried to harm her! How could you be so evil!”

“Stay away! I don’t want to see you! I hate you! I hate all of you! You’re always taking Father away from me! You’re all bad people! Go away! Go away!”

Yan Ning pushed past the guards and ran outside.

Because of his small size, no one expected him to do that.

In a moment of inattention, the adults actually let him escape.

“Quickly bring the third prince back!” As Emperor Jing’s words fell, a loud scream echoed from outside.

“Ahh——” It was Yan Ning’s voice.

Right at the entrance were several steps, and in his panic, Yan Ning had tripped and fallen down them. A height of about a meter meant nothing to an adult, but for a child, it was different.

Seeing Yan Ning with blood all over his head, Emperor Jing immediately called for the imperial physician.

Cui Wen no longer hesitated and quickly examined him, applying a makeshift bandage.

“The third prince has hit his head and needs to stop the bleeding immediately. I don’t have the necessary medicine here. We must wait for the imperial physician to arrive quickly, or it could be very dangerous!”

If it were adults, like the earlier incident of Princess Jiaojiao falling into water or today’s fall, everything could be handled easily. But the fact was, they were all children, fragile and vulnerable.

As soon as the imperial physician heard that the third prince had fallen down the steps, he rushed over immediately. These past few days had been filled with too many major incidents in the palace.

Fortunately, the physician arrived in time. Yan Ning soon stabilized, but since he had hit his head, the physician dared not make any promises. Observation was still necessary.

Emperor Jing sighed and sat down, while Layue gently placed her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

Earlier, Emperor Jing had deliberately kept Layue away to prevent any unfavorable rumors from spreading.

“Your Majesty, please don’t be too distressed. The child is still young; he can be taught gradually.” Although she said this, Layue couldn’t truly bring herself to like this child. She lacked the capacity to respond to malice with kindness. Thinking about how he had tried to harm someone at such a young age, she felt a chill run down her spine.

“It couldn’t have been Ning’er alone. He doesn’t have the strength to do this by himself.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

They hadn’t come away empty-handed this time. Since Yan Ning had come here to do such a thing, Emperor Jing had already ordered all the servants in his quarters arrested and sent to the Ministry of Justice.

Combined with the two palace maids who had deliberately led him, Emperor Jing was certain that this time, he could find the real culprit.

Whoever it was not only wanted to harm Bai Youran but also intended to harm Yan Ning.

A mere child like Yan Ning could never have succeeded in committing murder. Yet regardless of whether he succeeded or not, Emperor Jing would never again treat this child with kindness.

What kind of hatred could lead someone to such extremes?

In Emperor Jing’s heart, he already had a vague suspect.

But without evidence, he would not speak further.

Both Emperor Jing and Layue waited here. They understood that this time would not be in vain—arresting so many people would surely lead to finding the true perpetrator.

Layue also hated this person with all her heart.

Leaving aside everything else, someone who repeatedly tried to harm Princess Jiaojiao just to bring down Bai Youran and Yan Ning—just this one reason alone meant she could never forgive them.

Hastened footsteps approached, and Layue straightened her posture. It must be Laifu.

They weren’t mistaken; it was indeed him.

Laifu knelt: “Your Majesty, the suspect has confessed. The one who gave the orders was indeed Consort De.”

As expected.

Emperor Jing’s eyes darkened.

Layue, however, was puzzled. Consort De used to be Concubine An.

Why would she do such a thing?

“Your Majesty?”

“Bring her to Fengqi Palace immediately, and notify all the consorts to come as well.”

By now, dawn was approaching. Yet no one in the palace could sleep peacefully. The Fengqi Palace was bustling with imperial physicians, and everyone was waiting anxiously for the latest developments.

Once everyone had gathered,

Emperor Jing looked at Consort An De.

At this moment, Consort An De understood that since Emperor Jing had taken such actions in front of everyone, he must already know all her deeds. Thinking that she hadn’t yet avenged her child fully, she lifted her chin slightly, showing no remorse.

Seeing her expression, Emperor Jing grew even more furious: “You harmed the princess, framed the consorts, and even incited the third prince to commit murder. Do you admit your guilt?”

Consort An De looked at Emperor Jing and sneered: “So be it, death is all I deserve. I only regret that I couldn’t see the Bai family executed entirely before I die.”

Her words caused an uproar among the crowd.

Emperor Jing suddenly understood her intentions. She could have secretly killed Bai Youran, but instead she made such a big scene—clearly aiming for a more shocking effect.

Just as she had said, she wanted the entire Bai family executed.

“So deeply do you hate Bai Youran?”

Consort An De looked at Emperor Jing with pain and hatred: “Why shouldn’t I hate her? She killed my child. My child was murdered before even being born because of her. Can’t I avenge my only child? You don’t care—you have many children. But I’m different. That was my only child! Do you know how many years I longed for this child? And yet, all of it was destroyed.”

Emperor Jing snorted coldly: “Everyone knows your child was lost due to your own actions back then. Now you blame Bai Youran? This matter will never end?”

“She was the one who did it. My child was killed by Bai Youran. But you don’t care, I know. You don’t care!” Consort An De muttered.

“If you had evidence, you could have brought it to me or to Empress. But you didn’t. Instead, you harmed the little princess and deliberately had someone whisper misleading words to the third prince, leading him to kill the princess. That way, you could catch him red-handed. How could you be so wicked as to scheme against these innocent children?”

“They are all your children. You hesitate to act. What about me? What about my child? Was he meant to die? Emperor, since I entered the palace, I ask you honestly—have I ever caused you even a moment’s worry? Yet when have you ever cared about me? When have you ever considered my feelings? Now that it has come to this, I have nothing more to say. Even if I die, I have nothing more to say. I only regret that I couldn’t truly destroy the Bai family.”

Emperor Jing looked at Consort An De, knowing further words were useless.

He waved his hand: “Take her away. Consort An De and all members of the An family shall be executed in autumn.”

Consort An De laughed, unbothered: “Die then. The An family is rotten anyway. Everyone who deserves death shall die! Bai Youran, I only regret that you didn’t die…”

With that, Consort An De collapsed weakly.

Laifu quickly approached to check on her and reported: “Your Majesty, Consort An De has passed away.”

It seemed she had anticipated this outcome and had poison ready.

Looking at her slightly blue face, everyone present sighed in amazement.