After the morning court, Yan Qing also uncovered the case of Consort De's death. Consort Xian had colluded with Yang Baolin, using the Eldest Princess to poison Consort De. The Eldest Princess was taken to Yang Baolin's residence by Consort Xian's people, and the poison was found in Consort Xian's (Concubine Sun's) possession.
The Eldest Princess personally testified that Yang Baolin gave her the poison and instructed her to administer it. Yang Baolin also confessed to these acts. Last night, Consort Xian (Concubine Sun) sent people to silence witnesses, but they were caught red-handed. Yang Baolin, due to Consort Xian's actions, directly implicated her. Subsequently, Yan Qing ordered a search of Consort Xian's palace, and the poison was indeed found.
As Yu Jingchen looked at the evidence, he remained silent for a long time before finally glancing at Yan Qing, who stood below without a word.
"I understand your resentment. I am well aware of how much truth and falsehood is in this report. However, considering your relationship with Consort De, I will not hold you accountable this time. I entrust the fates of Yang Baolin and Consort Xian entirely to you. As for the Eldest Princess... I will establish a princess's manor for her, bestow upon her a silencing potion, and imprison her there forever to contemplate her sins through prayer and Buddhist chants." Ultimately, Yu Jingchen did not sentence the Eldest Princess to death.
"Your Majesty, I thank you!" Yan Qing knew that these matters could not be concealed from Yu Jingchen, and she had no intention of deliberately hiding them from the start. The current outcome was enough for her.
"I have granted you sufficient dignity. You must also remember my words. Yun'er is young, and her temperament is simple. The harem is not suitable for her, and I do not wish for her to be disturbed by such matters." Yu Jingchen never engaged in unprofitable dealings.
"Your subject understands," Yan Qing said, feeling a pang of sadness but accepting the situation.
"After Yun'er's eighteenth birthday, I will decree her establishment as Empress. She is ignorant of the palace's affairs and I have no intention of having her learn them; therefore, they will still be entrusted to you. However... she will be the Empress, my sole wife," Yu Jingchen stated clearly and unequivocally.
To be established as Empress? Although it was within her expectations, Yan Qing still felt a sting of sorrow upon hearing it. It was a pity that these matters were already set in stone. It was not that she did not want to compete, or was unwilling to compete, nor did she believe she was inferior to Nan Zhiyun. She was acutely aware that she had lost because of Yu Jingchen's heart belonging to Nan Zhiyun.
If only it had been earlier, perhaps her wish would have come true. But alas, Yu Jingchen now belonged entirely to Nan Zhiyun, not as the emperor of the world, but as Nan Zhiyun's husband.
"Your subject will wholeheartedly assist the Empress and abide by her duties, always remembering her own station," Yan Qing said, bowing her head.
Satisfied, Yu Jingchen waved his hand dismissively. "It is good that you understand. If there is nothing else, you may withdraw."
"Yes..." Yan Qing rose and left.
As she stepped out of the palace gates, Yan Qing found her eyes involuntarily welling up. How could she be so fragile? Tears flowed uncontrollably, mingling with her hair. From this day forward, she would truly be alone. Consort De was gone, the one in her heart had completely vanished, and her obsession had been fully relinquished... From this moment on, she was truly alone.
Yan Qing tilted her head to look at the sky. From now on, she would live for herself, live well... Others no longer mattered; she lived only for herself.
"Ying Yue... I could not uncover the person behind this... so I cannot avenge you. Will you blame me?" Yan Qing spoke, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes and disappearing into her hair.
Was it that she could not uncover, or that she did not want to uncover? Yan Qing smiled self-mockingly. Ultimately, she had lost to power, lost to reality.