Chapter 206:

Even after fainting, Bai Youran had never seen the emperor. Not only was she unable to meet the emperor, she couldn’t even see her beloved child, Ning’er.

At this point, she had completely lost her composure.

In her eyes, she was the victim, the one who had been framed. Previously, whenever Shen Layue had been wronged by others, the emperor would always compensate her repeatedly. Now, however, it was different for her. Not only was there no support, the emperor had even taken her child away.

Yan Yu and Yan Jia had already shown their allegiance to Shen Layue. Her son, her son belonged to her alone.

Thinking of this, Bai Youran could truly no longer bear it.

The tightly wound string she had held onto for years finally snapped.

She didn’t like Shen Layue, no, she truly disliked her. Indeed, Shen Layue had never harmed her, and the two had never had any actual conflict.

Yet she hated Shen Layue, deeply and intensely.

Why? Why was it that Shen Layue could always have everything go smoothly? Why did the emperor love and dote on her so much? Even when both had been pregnant, she had suffered such a terrible fate, while Shen Layue had been carefully protected.

Everyone protected her—Empress Dowager, the emperor—everyone protected her.

Even the Sixth Prince, who had a strained relationship with the emperor, had supported Shen Layue’s ascension to the position of empress. Why?

Now, now she had harmed her own child. Bai Youran could not let her get away with it.

Thinking thus, Bai Youran’s face hardened.

If this Southern Qi had no empress, would everything be different?

“Meilan, help me get ready.”

Bai Youran tidied herself up carefully, stepping out in elegant attire.

She had only rested for half a day, yet she appeared composed again. Others thought her truly resilient. Considering how much she had always valued the Third Prince, they found her recovery natural.

This time, however, Consort Bai did not go to see the emperor. Instead, she went to Fengxi Palace to request an audience with the empress.

Layue was pruning flowers when she heard of Bai Youran’s visit, but she was not surprised.

If the emperor was unreachable, coming to her was only logical.

“Let her in.”

The emperor could avoid seeing her, but she, as empress, could not do the same.

“Your Majesty, this concubine greets you.” Bai Youran wore a faint smile, seemingly no different from usual. If there was any difference, it was the faint trace of weariness.

“Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Bai Youran smiled, a hint of sadness in her expression.

“Why didn’t you rest a few more days? You’ve been through much these days.”

Bai Youran silently wept and knelt abruptly: “Your Majesty, please help me. I only wish to see my Ning’er. Just once. You also have children; you must understand a mother’s heart.”

Seeing her like this, Layue quickly signaled Jin Xin to help her up.

“The emperor has already issued an order. I cannot possibly defy his will. Why must you suffer like this, Consort Bai? Perhaps after some time, the emperor’s heart will soften. Then I will plead for you again. Would that be acceptable?”

Bai Youran gazed at Layue with pain: “Your Majesty, I know you are kind-hearted. Thank you for your help.”

Bai did not argue further. Hearing Layue’s words, she remained kneeling, tears still streaming down her face.

“Your Majesty, this concubine can never repay your kindness, no matter how hard I try. I only beg you to help me more.”

Layue nodded: “Consort Bai, there’s no need for such formality. As long as I have the ability, I will surely help you. I also have children; I understand your feelings.”

Though she also deeply felt that Bai Youran had not raised her child well—how could a child so young be so cruel to her own younger sister—there were some things she could not say at this moment.

After all, she was the empress.

“Your Majesty, thank you.”

After sitting for a while, Bai spoke again: “I heard that Your Majesty is with child. I offer my congratulations. These past days I have been too absorbed in my own grief to remember to congratulate you. Please forgive me.”

Layue gently touched her abdomen and smiled: “It’s nothing. It’s natural to be concerned about one’s own child.”

“Why not let me accompany Your Majesty for a walk outside? When I was pregnant, the imperial physician said walking more would make childbirth easier. Looking at today’s weather, it seems quite pleasant.”

Layue glanced outside and shook her head: “No, I have been rather weak lately and seldom go out.”

Bai persuaded: “Precisely because you seldom go out, you should walk more. Even while in the womb, the child needs more sunshine to grow healthy and strong.”

Indeed, since discovering her pregnancy, Layue had not left the palace much. After a moment of hesitation, she thought she would be accompanied by many attendants.

She nodded: “Alright, then I’ll trouble you.”

“Your Majesty mustn’t be so polite. It’s my duty.”

When Bai tried to assist Layue, she declined.

After all, there were already senior palace maids around; she certainly didn’t need a concubine to help her walk.

It was a pleasant season, and since it had rained the day before, the air was especially fresh.

“I especially love the scent after the rain—everywhere filled with the fragrance of earth and grass,” Layue smiled.

“Indeed. I imagine the imperial garden would smell even more wonderful. Shall we go take a look?”

They were accompanied by many servants, and soon they reached the imperial garden. Seeing the pond where Jiaojiao had her accident not far away, Layue refused to approach it.

Her mood turned somber.

Seeing Shen Layue’s expression, Bai naturally knew the reason but did not show it on her face.

She said: “I heard this is where the little princess had her accident. Would Your Majesty like to take a look?”

Layue frowned.

Bai continued: “Actually, there’s nothing to fear. I’ve heard that some children who fall into water as toddlers grow up to fear water. But in my opinion, if adults make a big deal out of it, how would the child know any better? We should act as if nothing happened, bring her here to play normally, and she would probably not think much of it.”

Hearing Bai’s words, Layue thought there was some truth in them.

Though a vague sense of unease lingered in her heart, she thought she had Jin Xin and Guo Er by her side. Bai couldn’t possibly do anything reckless. She wasn’t mad, after all.

Moreover, Layue thought, Bai had just begged her to see Yan Ning. Probably harmless.

Perhaps she was just trying to please her.

Still, Layue remained cautious.

Watching Shen Layue step closer to the pond, Bai Youran smiled a gentle smile.

“See, this pond isn’t really scary, is it? Oh, I almost forgot, Your Majesty once fell into water yourself. Just like the little princess.”

There was something off in her tone.

Layue looked at her warily: “Come to think of it, many people suspected you were the real culprit back then!”

Bai’s face stiffened for a moment as she shook her head: “It wasn’t me.”

Layue nodded: “I believe you.”

Standing by the pond, Bai looked at Layue and suddenly smiled: “Though it wasn’t me, I did guide them intentionally. If not for Your Majesty’s fall into water, how could I have been the only one accompanying the emperor on his outing?”

Taking advantage of the brief moment of shock from everyone present,

Bai suddenly leaned backward. Before anyone could react, she fiercely grabbed Layue’s clothes. Although Guo Er quickly grabbed Layue’s hand, she couldn’t counter the force of Bai’s backward pull. Thus, Layue was dragged toward the pond.

“Plunk—”

All three fell into the water.

Jin Xin screamed, instantly drawing many guards.

Although Guo Er was momentarily disoriented upon entering the water, she quickly grabbed Layue and tried to pull her up. But Bai clung tightly to her arm, refusing to let go.

In the water, it became momentarily chaotic, especially since the empress’s pregnancy had already been unstable.

Guo Er dared not delay. She quickly pressed specific acupoints on Bai to force her to release her grip, then pulled Shen Layue to the surface.

In an instant, the imperial garden was thrown into chaos.

…

When Emperor Jing saw Layue again, she had already been swiftly carried by Guo Er back to Fengxi Palace.

Although the water had been expelled from her lungs, she had started bleeding.

Thinking of the empress’s condition, Guo Er didn’t dare waste a moment.

Emperor Jing followed closely behind, watching as she was carried indoors and the imperial physicians rushed in and out.

A coldness filled his heart.

At this moment, he couldn’t help but think how much suffering his most precious girl had endured.

Bai Youran.

Had she gone mad!

Anxiously pacing back and forth, he soon saw Cui Wen come out, her face filled with sorrow.

Kneeling, Cui Wen spoke in a mournful tone: “Your Majesty, the empress has lost the child.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing staggered a few steps, his eyes closing painfully.

“What about the empress?”

“The empress is extremely weak and requires rest.”

“Has she woken up?” the emperor asked urgently.

Cui Wen nodded: “The empress has awakened. However, she refuses to speak a single word.”

Ignoring all taboos, Emperor Jing rushed into the room. He saw Layue lying there, pale-faced, her hair scattered around her, appearing as if she might vanish at any moment.

For some reason, Emperor Jing suddenly recalled that dream—the one where Layue knelt in the rain. She had looked just as fragile then.

“Yue’er—”

The emperor quickly stepped forward and grasped her hand.

Layue lay silently, saying nothing.

He brushed the strands of hair from her face and gently kissed her lips.

“It’s alright. I know you’re heartbroken over the child. But we’ll have more children. Many more children, Yue’er…” His kisses rained softly on her face.

But Layue just stared silently at the canopy above, saying nothing.

“Yue’er…”

“Yue’er, please say something. Don’t scare me like this, Yue’er…”

“Yue’er, please, don’t be like this. Talk to me, Yue’er…”

For a long time, the emperor kept murmuring, but Layue remained silent.

Just when Emperor Jing thought Layue would say nothing at all, she finally spoke.

Perhaps due to the drowning, her voice was hoarse.

“It’s my fault. I failed to protect the child. I wasn’t careful enough…”