Ye Ningyuan noticed her instinctive reaction, a flicker of a dark gleam in her eyes. Her expression remained unchanged, "What? Did I guess correctly?"
Zi Yuan suppressed her doubts for the moment, shaking her head, "The County Princess is joking. Dinner is not my responsibility. Luoluo will bring it up later."
She looked at the little dumpling, "Master, your subordinate is feeling a bit unwell today. I will go back and rest early. If you need someone to serve you, please find Luoluo and the others first, alright?"
Su Yunmo cupped her tea mug with both small hands to warm them, "The weather is cold, you should also take care of yourselves. Go ahead."
Zi Yuan said "Yes" and retreated.
Ye Ningyuan watched her retreating back, crossing her arms, her tone playful yet serious, "Momo, don't you think your servant is a bit strange today?"
"I think you are very strange." Su Yunmo rolled her eyes at her, "I warn you, don't get any ideas about the people in my manor."
Ye Ningyuan immediately put on an expression of "How dare I," and squeezed over to sit on the same chair with her, "I have no interest in anyone in your manor, only you~"
"Momo~ Seeing as I'm so devoted, why don't you take me into your residence as a guard or something?"
She winked and enticed, "Think about it, having a County Princess be your guard, how impressive would that sound?"
Su Yunmo looked back at her for a moment, then silently extended her little foot and kicked.
Ye Ningyuan immediately fell to the ground, groaning and unable to get up.
At the same time, within Fengqi Palace.
Luo Yun'e smashed countless tea sets, her eyes bloodshot, "Useless, utterly useless! I sent her to drive Su Yunmo out of the palace, and look at what she's done!"
Originally, Liu Lanxue had a low presence in this harem. Now, look at this.
So many people saw His Majesty jump into the ice lake to save her, and personally carried her back to the palace. Not only did he summon imperial physicians, but he even personally fed her medicine!
Wasn't this just creating an opportunity for the two of them for nothing!
Her ten years of effort were all in vain, completely in vain!
Qin Momo waved her hands, signaling the maids to sweep away the shards scattered on the ground.
"Your Majesty the Empress, please do not be angry. Perhaps His Majesty just happened to be there, and in a moment of urgency, acted like that. It doesn't necessarily mean His Majesty has changed his mind."
Luo Yun'e gritted her teeth hatefully, "What do you know? I've been with His Majesty for so many years, how could I not understand him? For all these years, he's said he's forgotten Liu Lanxue, but in his heart, he's always been thinking of her."
"If it were like before, where he couldn't see her, that would be fine. Now that a living person is right in front of him, how can he remain indifferent!"
The more Luo Yun'e thought about it, the more enraged she became, and she smashed another cup, "In the end, it's still that Cheng'er's wife who is useless. If it weren't for the fact that she's carrying Cheng'er's child, I would have already removed her title as Princess Consort!"
Qin Momo stood behind her, stroking her back to help her calm down, "Fortunately, His Majesty will be leaving the capital tomorrow morning. Your Majesty can make other preparations."
Luo Yun'e took a deep breath, clenching her fists tightly, "Preparations? If I want to stop enduring this humiliation in the future, there is only one way... Liu Lanxue must die!"
Before, she hadn't killed Liu Lanxue because various factions were watching, and the Empress Dowager was still in charge of the harem.
But now, it was imperative to kill her. When His Majesty returned to the capital in three days, he would definitely go to see Liu Lanxue again. With this looking and that looking, who knew if the two of them would get back together.
At that time, she would have no recourse!
Qin Momo was greatly alarmed, "Does Your Majesty really intend to do this? But the one in the cold palace is not what she used to be. With so many eyes watching, if anything happens, Your Majesty will be undeniably suspected."
"Eyes? Where are the eyes?" Luo Yun'e sneered, "His Majesty's princes are not here. During these three days, the Empress Dowager will surely be in seclusion, chanting scriptures and not seeing outsiders. As for Su Yunmo..."
"Hasn't she already been ordered by His Majesty to be expelled from the palace? Of course, according to His Majesty's intentions, this might also be a diversion. Since that's the case..."
A murderous glint flashed in Luo Yun'e's eyes, "Then let's just go all the way!"
The dead cannot speak!
She beckoned Qin Momo closer. Qin Momo leaned in to hear something, then retreated.
Luo Yun'e clenched her fists tighter and tighter, watching the sky gradually darken outside the window, burying the murderous intent in her eyes along with it.
The procession of the royal family leaving the capital was usually quite grand.
Especially when such a large number of imperial relatives left the capital together, it was even rarer.
Before dawn, the imperial chariot departed from the palace, heading towards the outskirts of the city in a vast procession.
The entire road was packed to the point of being impassable.
For a full half-hour, the road only then regained its calm.
At the inn.
Ye Ningyuan yawned as she pushed open a door.
Lin Yuning sat inside, her expression somewhat impatient, "You're late."
"Sorry, Momo was too soft. Sleeping while holding her was too enjoyable, I couldn't get up right away." Ye Ningyuan swaggered in and extended her hand to Lin Yuning, "Where's the thing I asked for?"
Lin Yuning waved her hand.
A maid brought a small basket from the side.
The small basket was covered with a cloth. When the cloth was pulled back, it revealed a piece of clothing, women's clothing.
Ye Ningyuan picked up the clothing with two fingers. Blood was clearly visible on the cuff.
She raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure this is it? If you're faking, I'll be able to tell."
Lin Yuning saw her directly reach out to take the clothing, a flicker of disgust in her eyes, "Why would I lie to you? She lives in Prince Lian's manor now. It's not difficult for me to send someone to get a piece of her clothing."
Ye Ningyuan smirked, "I didn't doubt the clothing was fake. I'm asking if this blood, is this blood definitely hers?"
"She accidentally cut her hand the day before yesterday during a banquet. Is this fake?" Lin Yuning's expression became even more impatient.
Although they weren't in a cooperative relationship, and yesterday this person had only impulsively helped her and made a deal with her, she was too untrusting.
"Alright then, since you say so, I'll accept it." Ye Ningyuan took the clothes, bundled them up, stuffed them into her sleeve, and threw the basket away.
Lin Yuning frowned, "I still don't understand, why do you want Mei Yan's clothes with blood on them?"
What use could such a thing have?
Ye Ningyuan smacked her lips and smirked playfully, "This thing has great uses. Perhaps it can even save my life one day."
Lin Yuning looked at her as if she were an idiot.
Ye Ningyuan then burst into laughter, "Princess Lian, you don't need to worry. In any case, this matter has nothing to do with you."
After laughing, she sat down on a chair, "Actually, I came today not only to get this thing, but also to help you again."
Lin Yuning frowned and looked at her.
She crossed her arms and rested her chin on them, a half-smile playing on her lips.
For some reason, Lin Yuning suddenly felt a chill. This person was unfathomable.
"No need, I don't need your help with anything." Lin Yuning stood up, preparing to leave.
Ye Ningyuan calmly poured herself a cup of tea, "So, Princess Lian has found a way to drive that Southern Border County Princess out of the manor? Then I must congratulate you."