Lin Yu Ning clenched her fists tightly, resentment gathering in her eyes.
She remembered Mei Yan moving into the prince's mansion not long after she herself had married. At the time, she had thought perhaps the two of them would maintain a decorous distance, but she never expected they had already gotten together.
If Ye Ning Yuan hadn't lied to her, then considering the timing, Mei Yan might indeed be pregnant!
Seeing her expression, Ye Ning Yuan continued, "I didn't lie to you. You should really think about why Ye Jing Cheng was so ruthless in eliminating your child yourself."
"Even if you made a mistake back then, don't forget that Ye Jing Cheng benefited greatly from that fetus. That kind of person squeezes every last drop of value from anything they can use."
"Keeping the fetus and gambling on being the first imperial grandchild, or aborting it and framing Mo Mo – you don't need me to tell you which option offered greater benefit."
"But why was Ye Jing Cheng so cruel at that particular time?"
There was only one explanation: he already had another replacement, and another woman giving birth to an imperial grandchild would benefit him even more.
Mei Yan, after all, was a princess from a marriage alliance.
"Heh... Hahaha..." Lin Yu Ning suddenly burst into laughter.
Her laughter was shrill and sorrowful. She had always believed that the man had aborted her child as punishment for her mistakes.
She never imagined it was all manipulation from the start, that he never intended for her child to live!
Even if she had endured it then, even if she had done nothing wrong, she would have met the same fate in the end!
It was too ridiculous, truly too ridiculous!
Ye Ning Yuan watched her laugh, tears welling in her eyes, and frowned with a complex expression.
Although she felt a bit of pity for Lin Yu Ning now, it was ultimately her own doing.
What she had said wasn't fabricated; Mei Yan was indeed pregnant, and Ye Jing Cheng had indeed aborted Lin Yu Ning's child for that reason.
Furthermore, Mei Yan had helped devise the plan.
That woman, who appeared delicate and gentle, was actually as cruel as a viper.
When Lin Yu Ning finished laughing, she clenched her fists and looked at Ye Ning Yuan, "Where are they?"
Ye Ning Yuan gestured in a direction, "At this time, he should be leaving the Empress Dowager's palace with Mei Yan."
Ye Jing Cheng, having lost his princely title, would naturally not be content. He would undoubtedly try to use Mei Yan's unborn child to repeat his past schemes and escape this predicament.
Heh, it was quite ironic.
The concept of "mother gaining status through her son" was typically a tactic used by women in the harem, and now Ye Jing Cheng was employing it.
"For the sake of being fellow women, I'll help you with one thing." Ye Ning Yuan walked over, pulled out a cloth bundle from her embrace, and stuffed it into Lin Yu Ning's hand.
"This is coated with potent poison. Whether you use it, how you use it, or on whom you use it, is entirely up to you."
After speaking, Ye Ning Yuan said no more and walked away.
After she left, Lin Yu Ning slowly unwrapped the cloth bundle. Upon seeing its contents, she tightly shut her eyes. After a long while, when she opened them again, her gaze was filled with cold indifference.
She walked step by step towards the direction of the Empress Dowager's palace.
A while later, two figures emerged from behind a withered tree.
Ye Ning Yuan leaned on Xiao Tuan Zi's shoulder, craning her head to look out, "Mo Mo, who do you think she'll make a move on?"
Su Yun Mo raised an eyebrow, "What do you think?"
Ye Ning Yuan rubbed her chin, clicking her tongue in thought, "Although Mei Yan isn't a good person, I think Ye Jing Cheng is even worse."
To use his own flesh and blood as a pawn, such scum deserved to die and save the country some grain.
Su Yun Mo narrowed her eyes, "I bet on both."
Given Lin Yu Ning's nature, she wouldn't let either of them off.
"Alright, then let's make a bet." Ye Ning Yuan excitedly pulled her along to follow.
Meanwhile, Ye Jing Cheng, holding Mei Yan's hand, had just emerged from the Empress's palace.
Lin Yu Ning walked to meet them.
She wasn't holding a dagger at the moment; it was hidden in her sleeve.
She wanted to ask Ye Jing Cheng why he had been so heartless.
She knew she was merely a pawn he used, but was his own child also just a pawn?
Lin Yu Ning's eyes were filled with resentment as she strode forward, but before she could ask, she received her answer.
On the narrow path, Ye Jing Cheng and Mei Yan were talking as if no one else were present.
Mei Yan caressed her flat abdomen, speaking with charming smiles, "In a little over eight months, this child will be born. Does Your Highness prefer a boy or a girl?"
"As long as it's born from you, I'll love it," Ye Jing Cheng said, but a subtle glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Mei Yan's belly.
Mei Yan noticed his expression and smiled lightly, "If I may say, I truly wish to give Your Highness a young heir."
She sighed, feigning worry, "I also know Your Highness has been facing difficulties recently, but fortunately, the Empress Dowager still cares for Yan'er. If Yan'er can truly give Your Highness a young heir, it could resolve Your Highness's predicament."
Seeing her consideration for him, Ye Jing Cheng immediately became pleased, "Only our Yan'er is sensible. Don't worry, as long as you give birth to a son, I will surely make you my Princess Consort, and in the future, I will make you the most honored woman in the world."
Mei Yan shook her head and sighed, "I only wish to accompany Your Highness. Speaking of Princess Consort, Your Highness, don't forget that we already have a Princess Consort in our mansion. Where could there be room for another?"
A cruel glint flashed in Ye Jing Cheng's eyes, "Just get rid of the previous Princess Consort."
After all, the Marquis's mansion had fallen, and Lin Yu Ning was of no use anymore.
If it hadn't been for the late emperor's decree, he wouldn't have become involved with the two Lin sisters.
He had initially thought Lin Nian Ge was too intelligent, so after getting rid of her, keeping a less intelligent one as a pawn would require less effort from him.
But he never expected Lin Yu Ning to be so foolish, making so many blunders that only caused him trouble and offered no assistance. It would have been better to get rid of her sooner and be done with it.
"Get rid of me? Hahaha... Your Highness truly has a heart of stone." Lin Yu Ning's desolate voice rang out.
Ye Jing Cheng was startled and looked up. The moment he saw Lin Yu Ning, a look of disgust flashed in his eyes.
"Didn't I ask you to go to the Imperial Garden to inquire about the situations of the various ministers' residences for me? What are you doing here?"
Lin Yu Ning didn't reply. She turned to look at Mei Yan. Seeing that Mei Yan showed no surprise at her appearance, she sneered, "I truly underestimated you."
She had thought Mei Yan was merely a sheep in wolf's clothing, but it turned out she was a true wolf.
Mei Yan smiled lightly, her beautiful features unperturbed, "What does Sister mean? I haven't said anything."
"Of course, you don't need to say anything; hasn't someone already spoken for you?" Lin Yu Ning clenched her fists tightly, her gaze towards Mei Yan carrying a hint of ferocity, which finally settled on Mei Yan's belly.