Yu Mingyue's tone was calm, as if she were merely chatting casually.
Luo Lingyi smiled and stepped forward, affectionately linking arms with Yu Mingyue. "Sixth Sister, may I borrow you for a moment to speak privately?"
Yu Mingyue spotted a pavilion not far away, offering a clear view of the surroundings, so anyone approaching would be immediately noticed.
"Let's go to that pavilion over there."
Luo Lingyi nodded. "Excellent."
Although she was the Crown Prince's consort, this palace was rife with unseen dangers, and it was best to be cautious.
"Sixth Sister, I do indeed have a request for you today, but I will first tell you a secret. You can decide whether to help me after you hear it," Luo Lingyi stated frankly.
Yu Mingyue did not interrupt Luo Lingyi, appearing ready to listen attentively.
"I know you are fond of Xie Hanlin, but do you know why he is willing to go through fire and water for you yet refuses to accept your affections?" Luo Lingyi did not play coy. After glancing around to ensure they were alone, she said, "Because he is the legitimate son of the Empress, the Crown Prince!"
Luo Lingyi's words indeed shocked Yu Mingyue. For a moment, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her gaze gradually shifting from bewilderment to calm.
That's right. No wonder she felt a sense of familiarity and closeness the first time she met the Empress; it was for this reason.
Now, everything seemed to make sense.
Why was he so insistent on resolving the conflict between the Emperor and the Five Great Clans? Why did he protect the members of the Five Great Clans? Why did he vigorously promote the imperial examinations?
It turned out he carried the blood of the Xiao and Wang families. He could not betray the aristocratic families, nor could he betray the Xiao family.
His repeated rejections were out of fear of implicating her should his identity be exposed later.
In the storybooks, he toiled tirelessly and died young, without a wife, children, or personal fortune. It was all because of this.
No, could it be that he didn't die of illness, but rather...
Yu Mingyue's eyes widened abruptly as she looked at Luo Lingyi. "Does His Highness the Crown Prince know?"
"Not yet, but the Emperor knows, and he will tell him sooner or later," Luo Lingyi stated with certainty.
The Emperor was suspicious. If he intended to support Xiao Che, he would not allow a legitimate son of the Empress with aristocratic blood to live.
"He and I are both people the Emperor cannot tolerate. We share the same plight. He is my cousin and owes me a life-saving debt. I do not wish for him to die, Sixth Sister, please believe me," Luo Lingyi said, her gaze pleading.
Yu Mingyue remained silent for a long time before asking, "What do you want me to do?"
"Sixth Sister, from the moment you said Mo Yuxi's death had nothing to do with me, I knew you were still the same Sixth Sister as before. Only you can help me."
Although the poison in her body had been resolved, its potency was too severe, making it extremely difficult for her to conceive. She would never have her own children in this lifetime.
Now, with the current situation, having Mo Yuxi's child registered under her name would be beneficial for both her and the Mo family.
The Mo family's intention in sending Mo Yuxi into the palace was ultimately to have the future Emperor's bloodline carry the Mo family's influence. She could provide the imperial grandson with a legitimate birthright, thereby securing her position as Crown Prince's consort through her son.
In truth, she wasn't necessarily set on raising Mo Yuxi's child. The Crown Prince's harem was numerous, and imperial grandchildren would eventually be born.
However, her cooperation with the Mo family could prevent further complications and be mutually beneficial.
Furthermore, if she were to eventually secure the position of Empress, she could also spare Xie Jia'an's life.
"You want me to persuade the Mo family?"
Currently, the Mo family suspected her of being involved in Yuxi's death and wished to see her, the Crown Prince's consort, overthrown.
The Emperor's intentions were unfathomable, and the Crown Prince was sentimental and soft-hearted. In such circumstances, the Mo family's stance was crucial.
"My sister is intelligent."
"Sister Lingyi, may I address you as such now?"
Luo Lingyi was overjoyed. "Of course! I still hope to be lifelong sisters with you! Rest assured, I will treat the imperial grandson as my own child, protect him completely, and I will also spare Xie Jia'an's life. If I break this oath, may heaven and earth punish me!"
"Very well. Then Sixth Sister will also tell Sister clearly today: I will truthfully tell the Mo family the cause of Yuxi's death and clear your name of suspicion. However, I cannot agree to the matter of the imperial grandson. Yuxi treated me like a sister; I cannot use her child as a bargaining chip for my own gain."
"As for Brother Jia'an, I will marry no one but him in this life. As long as he remains unmarried, I will accompany him. If he never marries, I will accompany him for my entire life. If there truly comes a day when the Emperor cannot tolerate his identity, I will follow him to the ends of the earth."
Yu Mingyue rose and bowed deeply to Luo Lingyi. "Sixth Sister takes her leave."
As the sun set, its colorful clouds were swallowed by dark clouds, casting a lonely and desolate scene. Luo Lingyi remained seated in the pavilion for a long time.
A sarcastic smile curled her lips. "It seems I was the one being foolish. If I could, why would I not be straightforward? But alas, no one gives me the opportunity."