The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Consort Xian hurriedly took two steps forward, her voice trembling with sorrow.

"Your Highness, please understand! Yu'er would never dare to be tainted by such filth. She doesn't have the guts. This must be a frame-up!"

If it weren't for her social status and propriety, she would have knelt down and begged him.

That's witchcraft.

Even a tiny bit of it will lead to utter ruin.

Now that the items were found in their palace, it's wishful thinking to escape unscathed.

At this moment, Consort Xian only hoped to save the lives of both mother and daughter, which was already a great blessing.

Xie Yanzhao sat high on the throne, looking down coldly at the two bewildered people below.

From their terrified yet undeniably aggrieved expressions, he had already concluded that the real mastermind behind it all was not them.

He had no patience to listen to their pleas and coldly gave the order.

"Consort Xian and Princess Rou'an are suspected of practicing witchcraft and sorcery. They are confined to Ninghui Palace from today until the truth is found, at which point they will be dealt with."

The guards immediately stepped forward and lifted Consort Xian and Xie Jiayu up from the left and right.

Ninghui Hall was practically the cold palace within the imperial palace.

Xie Jiayu, her face streaked with tears, struggled to turn around: "It wasn't me! Your Majesty, please investigate! I really didn't."

Consort Xian secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Confinement is a good thing.

The confinement meant that the crown prince was not entirely guilty, and there was still room for maneuver.

With the Crown Prince's abilities, he will surely be able to find the real culprit.

After the two were led away, the hall returned to silence.

Xie Yanzhao ordered Yuan Chi to take away the cloth doll covered in silver needles.

"Burn it clean," he said in a chilling tone.

"Scatter the ashes into the deep ravine behind the mountain. Go to Jinghui Temple again and ask the abbot to come to the palace in person."

He then looked at Jing Cang: "Investigate. From who handled it, who entered and exited, who recently had dealings with Yuxiu Palace, not a single blade of grass or tree should be overlooked."

If anyone dares to set their sights on Yuan Yuan, he will make sure that person suffers a fate worse than death.

Xie Yanzhao never believed in witchcraft or superstition.

But since it involved Shen Tinghe, he dared not take any risks.

He could only find some peace after relying on the power of Buddhism to purify all darkness.

After giving his instructions, he turned and walked into the inner room.

Shen Tinghe was still asleep, her slender figure and serene face beneath the brocade quilt.

Xie Yanzhao gazed at her for a moment, and the anger in his heart was gradually replaced by a tender tenderness.

He sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down to place a few light kisses on her forehead and cheeks.

Shen Tinghe let out two unconscious moans, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Xie Yanzhao chuckled softly, his fingertips tracing the tips of her slightly furrowed brows: "Yuan Yuan, why do you hum like a little kitten?"

As Shen Tinghe was asleep, she naturally couldn't answer him.

He murmured softly, as if speaking to himself, "My poor Yuan Yuan, it's your brother's fault for not protecting you."

Xie Yanzhao always thought he had her under his wing and that everything was under his control, and that no one could harm her in the slightest.

But within these palace walls, the darkness of human nature and the depth of scheming are ultimately impossible to guard against.

Xie Yanzhao's eyes darkened.

Perhaps it's time to take that position sooner rather than later.

Once the palace is in his grasp, and all those who should not exist are eliminated, only he and she remain.

At that time, no one will be able to disturb her peace.

Xie Yanzhao took off his outer robe, lifted the quilt and lay down, gently pulling her into his arms.

Shen Tinghe sensed the familiar scent and body temperature and instinctively snuggled closer to him.

Her eyelashes opened slightly, and she softly murmured in a dreamlike voice, "Brother..."

Xie Yanzhao gently stroked her back with his palm: "Sleep well, Yuan Yuan."

He only closed his eyes when her breathing became long and steady again.

The lingering coldness and scheming were temporarily suppressed within a warm atmosphere.

Inside the Lanchi Palace, Consort An sat by the window embroidering a silk handkerchief, her stitches fine and even.

Xie Jiaran stood beside her, her eyes gleaming with undisguised brightness.

The news that the palace servants had just reported has now spread throughout the palace.

Princess Rou'an was caught red-handed after she used witchcraft to murder the Crown Princess.

The crown prince was furious and ordered a thorough investigation.

"Mother," Xie Jiaran said in a low voice, but she couldn't hide her joy.

"This is truly a case of the snipe and the clam fighting."

Without raising her head, An Cai Ren gently pulled the silk thread: "Disaster comes from the mouth, Ran'er."

Even so, a very faint smile appeared on her lips.

Xie Jia Ran naturally noticed it and smiled knowingly.

Is there anything more satisfying than the two people she hates most falling into the mud together?

Moreover, Xie Jiayu is now embroiled in a major witchcraft case. Let alone marrying Guan Yi, it would be a miracle if she could even save her life.

Then her opportunity has arrived, hasn't it?

"Mother,"

She leaned closer, her voice soft and gentle like a young woman's: "Shouldn't you be preparing Ran'er's wedding dress?"

An Cairen then looked up, his gaze sweeping over her flushed cheeks, and said gently, "What's the rush? We have to wait until things calm down."

Xie Jiaran rested on her lap, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the tassels of the handkerchief.

Amidst the joy, a tinge of gloom quietly crept into my heart.

"Mother," she suddenly straightened up.

"What if the Crown Prince finds out that Xie Jiayu wasn't the one who did it?"

She wished this matter could be permanently pinned on Xie Jiayu.

That older sister who always bullies and overpowers her should be completely buried in the mud.

Xie Jiaran, as if trying to convince herself, became urgent: "It must have been her! She's always resented Shen Tinghe for stealing her limelight and robbing her of the title of 'Pearl of the Capital,' she must have cursed her countless times in her heart..."

An Cai Ren put down her embroidery frame and gently held her daughter's hand.

"We can't say for sure about this; the Crown Prince will investigate it himself."

Her voice was calm and composed, revealing no emotion, yet her mind was perfectly clear.

It cannot be found.

All traces that needed to be erased have already been erased, and there is not a single piece of evidence pointing to her.

When the crown prince relentlessly pursued the matter to no avail, someone would have to pay the price for this witchcraft scandal.

At that time, it could only be Consort Xian and her daughter.

An Cairen leaned against the soft couch by the window, a very faint, almost indistinct smile on her lips.

Having been in the palace for over twenty years, I have never felt such a profound sense of joy as I do now.

It not only cleared the obstacles for Ran'er but also reclaimed the marriage that was rightfully hers.

He even personally pushed Consort Xian and her daughter into an abyss of no return.

Over the years, how many times have I suffered from the harassment and contempt of that mother and daughter, both openly and secretly?

Now, it's finally over.

She calmly reviewed each step of the process.

The key to Shen Tinghe's discomfort lay in a strange fragrance called "Quiet".

This incense is colorless and odorless when used alone, and is not particularly special. However, once it is mixed with Yunmeng incense, it can subtly disturb the mind and body, causing many discomforts.

Whether it's a headache, abdominal pain, or fainting, it all depends on individual constitution.

Yunmengxiang is a precious treasure that the vassal state of Yun relies on for its survival, and it has the remarkable effect of calming the mind and nourishing the heart.

Extremely precious, the amount offered as tribute each year was extremely limited, and only the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince could enjoy it.

Currently, the only people in the entire palace who can use this incense are His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess.

It was this uniqueness and preciousness that made it the perfect and unsuspecting starting point for her plan.

She had used up all the hard-won "Quiet" incense in her hand.