Ye Nu was Zhang Xiuyi's personal palace maid, having followed her since the past.
The mistress and servant had a very deep bond. Ye Nu helped her mistress analyze the situation. At this moment, the only option was to beg Lou Sijing. Although the hope was slim, they had to try. They couldn't just sit and wait, as that would drive anyone mad.
"Yes, mistress. This servant will accompany you to beg Consort De. If Her Ladyship is willing to help you, perhaps she can help the Zhang family get through this."
Although they knew it was unlikely to be useful, it was their last resort. Otherwise, what could they do?
Zhang Xiuyi was so despairing that she wished she could die. If her father and brothers were in trouble, she would become a sinner to the Zhang family. Thinking of her entire clan being imprisoned made her feel as if she would faint.
The two left Guangyang Palace. The guards at the gate saw that only Zhang Xiuyi and her maid were present, and Yu Lou was not with them. Because the Empress had decreed that Prince Yu Lou was not allowed to leave Guangyang Palace, but she had not forbidden Zhang Xiuyi from leaving the palace, they let them pass.
Inside Changxin Palace, Lou Sijing was sighing with longing for her son. She didn't know how her son was doing. She couldn't see him and hadn't seen him for several days. It was all the wicked Empress's doing.
She never expected that woman to be so vicious as to barge into the Jinluan Hall and kill someone. It seemed she still needed to warn her father to be careful and never to provoke that woman.
Now that the Emperor doted on that woman, wasn't she relying on the Crown Prince?
A mother's status rose with her son's. If she didn't have the Crown Prince, what influence would she have? Lou Sijing's complexion was a mix of pale and red, and she gnashed her teeth in resentment, her silk handkerchief almost shredded in her hand.
A young eunuch walked in from outside the hall and respectfully announced, "Reporting to Her Ladyship, Consort Xiuyi requests an audience."
Lou Sijing's eyes suddenly brightened. Good, the person who should make a move had arrived. Why wouldn't she be willing? She immediately nodded and waved her hand, "Let her in."
"Yes, mistress." The young eunuch withdrew, and a moment later, Zhang Xiuyi entered.
Her hair was disheveled, tear stains still visible on her face, and her steps were unsteady. She looked utterly devastated as she staggered in. Lou Sijing watched her coldly, but when Zhang Xiuyi looked over, she stood up with a face full of sympathy and went to greet her.
"Sister, why have you come?"
"Sister, I've come to beg you?" Before Zhang Xiuyi could finish speaking, she was already sobbing uncontrollably and knelt down. A flicker of impatience flashed in Lou Sijing's eyes, but she ultimately restrained herself and reached out to help Zhang Xiuyi up.
"Please get up quickly. Speak slowly. This way, you're not disrespecting yourself. We sisters have always gotten along well."
Zhang Xiuyi didn't know how much truth there was in Lou Sijing's words. She knew that this woman didn't like her and was using her. However, at this moment, she was her only lifeline.
She could only cling tightly to this straw, fantasizing about saving her father and brothers.
Lou Sijing pulled Zhang Xiuyi up, and the two women walked to the side. Immediately, palace maids brought tea. Lou Sijing waved her hand, dismissing everyone. In an instant, the vast hall became silent, with no one present.
Lou Sijing took Zhang Xiuyi's hand and spoke with utmost sympathy.
"Sister, I've heard the news. Please don't be sad. Who knew that Her Majesty the Empress would be so heartless and cruel, determined to eliminate all traces? Sister, you should be careful. Perhaps she is looking for trouble with you."
At this moment, Zhang Xiuyi wished she could suffer in place of her father and brothers. How could she care about the hidden meanings in this woman's words? She immediately spoke sadly,
"If there were a way to save my father and brothers, I would gladly die to save the lives of the nine generations of the Zhang family, rather than live a life of苟且偷生."
Upon hearing Zhang Xiuyi's words, Lou Sijing smiled sinisterly, her eyes full of ferocity. She looked coldly at Zhang Xiuyi. This woman had dared to make her son kneel, so she wouldn't be blamed for showing no mercy.
"If Your Highness truly wants to save Lord Zhang, it's not impossible. Why is the Empress so arrogant now? It's all because the Emperor dotes on her. And the reason the Emperor dotes on her is because she gave birth to a clever Crown Prince. Without His Highness the Crown Prince, who do you think would be the most favored?"
It is the mark of a wise person not to state things explicitly. Lou Sijing stopped speaking and looked at Zhang Xiuyi. Zhang Xiuyi's eyes widened in surprise. What did this woman want?
Her intentions were clear. She never expected that the woman who had always been the empress of the world, gentle and dignified, would actually be so vicious, perhaps even more so than the Empress. But if she didn't ask her for help, where else could she turn?
"Sister, I understand what you mean. Sister has no demands. I only hope that Sister remembers today's words, and then Sister can rest assured. I have no regrets about dying, as long as my family can live."
"If Yu Lou can truly become the Crown Prince, then Sister should have some influence, shouldn't she?"
Lou Sijing spoke unhurriedly, picking up the tea cup from the low table beside her and drinking her tea gracefully, like a noble lady. One would doubt if the venomous words had truly come from this woman's mouth. However, her words were spoken. To save her family, Zhang Xiuyi had no choice but to take a risk.
"Alright, it's a deal. I hope Sister remembers today's words."
Zhang Xiuyi stood up and quickly left. She didn't want to stay with this woman, whom she had treated with sincerity, for another moment.
Now she knew that everything she had was ruined by this woman. The person who destroyed the Zhang family was neither the Empress nor the Emperor, but this always gentle woman. Her intentions were too terrifying.
From her initial entry into the palace, from the moment she called her sister, her schemes had begun. They were so deeply hidden that she, the Emperor, and everyone else had been deceived.
This was too terrifying. She even suspected that she was responsible for everything that had happened to Consort Jin Shu, and that even Wan Rong, the palace maid by Consort Jin Shu's side, had eventually served her.
Zhang Xiuyi left Changxin Palace, deep in thought.
In Changxin Palace, Lou Sijing's eyes were as ferocious as a predator's. No one would dare to snatch Yu Lou from her.
Everything in this world belonged to Yu Lou, belonged to them. She thought fiercely, clenching her fingers tightly, then loosening them, and continued to drink her tea as if nothing had happened.
In the grand hall of Weiyang Palace, the atmosphere was harmonious. The Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince were dining in the hall, and laughter occasionally could be heard. The attending eunuchs and palace maids all wore pleased expressions.
When the masters were happy, it was a blessing for the servants. They also had fewer worries.
"Come, Muxing, try this river eel. It tastes quite good?"
Feng Xie personally served his son a dish. The little fellow had been giving him the cold shoulder. He hadn't expected him to be so resentful, still holding onto the reprimand. Feng Xie looked at his son with a doting smile.
Fortunately, Muxing saw his mother's hint, let out a sigh, and didn't give him a cold shoulder. Feng Xie pressed on, "Muxing, don't be angry. Father was anxious that day and spoke a little sharply. I promise I won't yell at Muxing anymore."
Muxing originally didn't want to pay attention to his father, but upon hearing his words, he couldn't help but defend himself.
"Muxing isn't angry about that matter. Muxing doesn't like living with other people. Muxing thought Father was living alone in the palace and felt lonely, so he drugged Mother, hoping the family could be together. Who would have known there were other people in the palace, so Muxing felt sad."