The Crown Prince had also received news of Wang Qingyao's restored sight long ago. More than anyone else's shock, he was enraged by Wei Yu's incompetence.
In his opinion, Wang Qingyao's recovery of vision was entirely due to the insufficient dosage of poison Wei Yu had administered.
"More likely to fail than succeed," the Crown Prince thought to himself.
With resentment in his heart, the Crown Prince went to Changning Palace with a displeased expression.
Wei Yu, completely oblivious, rushed up to him upon seeing the Crown Prince and grabbed his arm. "Cousin, my grandfather is ill. Have you visited him? Have any imperial physicians been there? How is he?"
The Crown Prince looked at her indifferently and slowly pulled her hand away.
"Your father the Emperor has punished you with confinement in the cold palace for you to cultivate your character and reflect on your mistakes. You need not concern yourself with matters outside."
Wei Yu froze, looking at the Crown Prince as if she didn't know him. "My grandfather is your maternal grandfather. Don't you feel anything when he is critically ill?"
The Crown Prince remained indifferent. "My maternal grandfather is gravely ill, and physicians are attending to him. I have already sent people to check on him. Consort Wei need not worry."
The Crown Prince emphasized the words "Consort Wei" with particular weight.
"Since Consort Wei has entered my Eastern Palace, according to the rules, you should address me as Your Highness. You must not call me cousin or cousin anymore. If others hear it, they will think Consort is not, knowledgeable, about, etiquette, and is, overstepping, her, bounds."
Wei Yu stared at the Crown Prince in shock.
She had always known this youngest cousin of hers was deep-minded and heartless, yet facing their common interests, just a few days ago he had spoken to her gently, calling her "cousin" and saying she was the only empress he would ever have.
Ha, had he forgotten his lies so quickly?
Wei Yu felt an overwhelming sense of irony.
It seemed that the Wei family's belief that they were on the same side as the Crown Prince was wishful thinking.
As soon as Grand Tutor Wei fell ill, the Crown Prince couldn't wait to reveal his true colors. For Wei Yu, who had no further use, he couldn't even be bothered to pretend.
"Your Highness," Wei Yu gazed at him heartbrokenly, "The Wei family is your strongest backing. Grandfather cannot be allowed to perish."
The Crown Prince let out a cold snort.
He didn't need a backing; he needed obedient subordinates.
Grand Tutor Wei already held a higher position than him. For years, relying on his elder status, he had repeatedly gone against the Crown Prince's wishes, always lecturing him and commanding him on what to do.
The Crown Prince had had enough.
"As I said, Consort need not concern herself with these matters."
"You!" Wei Yu, stimulated by his indifferent attitude, impulsively blurted out, "Your Highness, do not forget how Prince Rong's leg was broken?"
The Crown Prince turned abruptly and met her gaze.
Wei Yu showed no fear, her eyes fixed on him with a dark intensity.
As their eyes met, sparks seemed to fly, and an atmosphere of extreme tension was about to erupt.
Ying Hua had already been so frightened that she had collapsed to her knees.
After a long moment, the Crown Prince snorted, his head held high. "Are you threatening me?"
"This concubine dares not. This concubine is merely reminding Your Highness not to forget our past affections."
Their past affections involved more than just plotting against Prince Rong, but this incident was certainly the most fatal.
Prince Rong, due to the fall from his horse, was even rendered unable to have children thereafter.
If the Emperor were to discover that this was orchestrated by the Crown Prince and Wei Yu, could the Crown Prince still hold onto his position?
The Crown Prince's expression shifted several times, finally settling into one of gentleness.
"Cousin, you jest," the Crown Prince offered a soft smile, though it did not reach his eyes. "We grew up together, and our bond is naturally incomparable to others. Rest assured, I will definitely send the best imperial physicians from the palace to treat Grandfather. Grandfather is blessed by heaven and will be fine."
Wei Yu also smiled gently, as if they had not just been locked in a tense confrontation.
"Cousin has taken great pains."
The Crown Prince continued, "Cousin has always been well-mannered. It was Father Emperor's idea to demote you to Consort. If Cousin wishes to gain Father Emperor's forgiveness as soon as possible, you should restrain your temper and not provoke others."
This was a veiled reference to her scuffle with He Rufang, implying she had overstepped her bounds.
Wei Yu did not push her luck and nodded slightly. "Yes, Cousin's admonishment is correct."
As soon as the Crown Prince left Changning Palace, the smile on his face froze, and layers of killing intent flared in his eyes.
"Find someone to keep a close watch on Changning Palace," he ordered the eunuch beside him. "No one is allowed to enter, except for those delivering meals."
"Yes."
As soon as the Crown Prince left, Ying Hua stood up and said to Wei Yu with relief, "Miss, His Highness truly still remembers our past affections. As long as we endure until His Highness ascends the throne, with the Wei family and Noble Consort by your side, Miss, you will surely make a comeback."
Wei Yu sneered, "Our Highness is no benevolent soul. He was merely acting for my benefit!"
She paused, then beckoned Ying Hua to follow her into the sleeping quarters.
The sleeping quarters were vast, but the furniture was dilapidated, and there was no trace of warmth, making the place exceptionally cold and desolate.
She retrieved a letter from under her pillow and handed it to Ying Hua.
"If something happens to me, find a way to deliver these letters to Princess Rong or Prince Rong," she thought for a moment, "Princess Ding'an would also do."
This letter contained a record of all the wicked deeds she and the Crown Prince had committed over the years.
She had seen the look in the Crown Prince's eyes as he left just now. He had already harbored murderous intent towards her.