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The cheeks of Concubine Xue swelled up instantly with a "smack smack."

Xiao Jinyan clenched his fists, his eyes filled with icy lethality, "You don’t even deserve to be human."

Concubine Xue covered her face, seething with hatred, "I don’t deserve to be human?

What about Your Highness? Ever since I married into the East Palace, I have never been granted the honor to share Your Highness’s bed.

I, too, wish to bear children, to experience the joy of having offspring.

But has Your Highness ever given me the opportunity? "

Xiao Jinyan snorted coldly, "Before you married into the East Palace, I made it clear to you that even if you did marry in, I would never favor you. If there is no affection, why would I lay a hand on you?"

Concubine Xue was stunned.

The Empress Dowager had just arrived at the entrance of Hehuan Hall when she overheard the Crown Prince’s words, her brows furrowed.

Wanxin supported the Empress Dowager, her gaze turning towards the Crown Prince standing under the corridor. Even from such a distance, she could feel the cold-blooded aura emanating from him.

She averted her gaze and said softly, "Empress Dowager, let me help you inside."

The Empress Dowager nodded.

Having not seen Taotao and Susu yesterday, the Empress Dowager came over today, only to witness this scene.

"The Empress Dowager graces us with her presence." As the eunuch announced her arrival, everyone’s gaze turned towards them.

Seeing the Empress Dowager arrive, Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to greet her, "Your grandson greets Your Imperial Highness."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Concubine Xue kneeling on the ground and asked the Crown Prince, "What happened here?"

Xiao Jinyan responded, "Your Imperial Highness, Concubine Xue has repeatedly attempted to poison the heir, and the evidence is irrefutable. She is arrogant and refuses to admit her wrongdoing."

Having lived to such an age, the Empress Dowager had seen plenty of scheming and fighting for favor in the palace, "How foolish of you to do such a thing."

She looked at the Crown Prince, "Does the Emperor know about this?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "Your Imperial Highness, Father does not yet know. I will inform him immediately."

He turned and ordered Liu Xi to inform the Emperor.

News from the Emperor in the Imperial Study Room came swiftly.

In the Study Room

The Emperor sat on the throne with the Empress Dowager beside him.

Xiao Jinyan recounted the events, "Father, Concubine Xue has a heart like a venomous snake. Had your son not noticed something amiss, the consequences would have been unthinkable."

Upon learning how Concubine Xue tried to poison Taotao and Susu, fury blazed in the Emperor, "Concubine Xue, you are a princess of a nation. How could you be so malicious? I finally had a granddaughter, and she nearly lost her life because of your jealousy. I should never have agreed to have you come for a marriage alliance. Instead of promoting peace, you’ve come for vengeance. "

Seeing the Emperor equally enraged, Concubine Xue realized she had truly caused a disaster this time.

"Your Majesty, I was foolish for a moment. I will reform and do better in the future. I beg for your mercy."

Xiao Jinyan, fearing the Emperor might be lenient due to concerns with Xueyue Country, suggested, "Father, such a conniving and malevolent person cannot be kept."

Concubine Xue realized then that Xiao Jinyan was intent on sealing her fate. She was, after all, a princess!

"Your Highness, how can you be so cold-hearted and ruthless? Are you not afraid of angering Xueyue Country?"

Xiao Jinyan laughed coldly, "Is that just Xueyue Country? If Daxia could defeat Xueyue once, it can do so again. When the time comes, I shall personally lead the troops into battle. Our vast Daxia, afraid of Xueyue Country? Hardly."

The Emperor also found the Crown Prince’s words to be sensible, and he glared at Concubine Xue, "Concubine Xue, the crime of poisoning the heir is unforgivable. You are demoted to Zhao Shun and sent to the Cold Palace, never to leave without my command."

Concubine Xue collapsed to the ground.

For Xiao Jinyan, sending her to the Cold Palace was too lenient for Concubine Xue, but he said nothing more. Once in the Cold Palace, he had ways of making her wish for death.

This was the consequence of provoking his wrath!

Princess Xueyan was dragged away by the guards and locked in the Cold Palace.

Seeing the Princess locked away in the Cold Palace, Shuiyao cried and pleaded to be released from the palace.

"Your Highness, this servant has said everything, please let this servant leave the palace," Shuiyao said while knocking her head on the ground non-stop.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Shuiyao. The saying, "Like master, like servant," held true. She was just as venomous-hearted.

"I never agreed to let you out of the palace. Letting you live is already a rare act of mercy."

Seeing that she couldn’t leave the palace, Shuiyao begged for an alternative, "Then Your Highness, where should this servant serve?"

Xiao Jinyan said coldly, "You were originally Princess Xueyan’s personal maid, so naturally, you should continue to serve her. With your malicious heart, who else would dare to keep you close?"

Shuiyao realized that going to the Cold Palace to serve the Princess meant having no way out; she wouldn’t die of old age without being tortured to death first.

"Your Highness, this servant does not wish to go to the Cold Palace, please assign me to another duty."

Xiao Jinyan ignored Shuiyao, "Qin Xiao, take her away."

"As commanded," Qin Xiao called two guards, and they took Shuiyao away to the Cold Palace.

In the golden autumn of October, the weather was still somewhat hot and dry.

However, the Cold Palace was located in a secluded area, with towering trees that blocked out the sun, creating a cool but somewhat eerie environment.

The palace lamps along the road were old and failing, and the palace walls were overrun with greenery.

Qin Xiao brought Shuiyao to the entrance of the Cold Palace and pushed her inside.

Shuiyao picked herself up from the ground, crying in fear as she looked at the ominous rear palace.

The guard shouted angrily, "What are you doing standing there? Go and see your princess now!"

Driven by the guard, Shuiyao approached the residence where Princess Xueyan was kept. To call it a palace was generous; it was already in disrepair, with spiderwebs visible everywhere.

Concubine Xue in the room was venting her rage, smashing the only teacup to pieces.

"Xiao Jinyan, how dare you treat me like this? I am a princess! My father will not let you off," she fumed.

Just then, the door creaked open.

Concubine Xue raised her head to see Shuiyao, her eyes filled with fury, "You wretched servant, you still have the face to show up?"

"Given the deep bond you share with your servant, your master has specially arranged for Shuiyao to serve you. You need not thank her for the kindness. You and your servant can catch up on old times," said Qin Xiao before leaving with his men.

Shuiyao took a step back reflexively upon seeing the angry gaze of Princess Xueyan, "Princess, this servant had no choice."

ps: Second update