Yu Linglong attempted suicide by hanging, and the Empress Dowager rushed to comfort her.
Chu Qianli was apprehended by Nanny Yao in the Empress Dowager's Yongshou Palace and was now being escorted by guards.
This was Chu Qianli's first time setting foot in Yu Linglong's residence in the palace, Qingyang Palace.
The courtyard's decor was ancient and elegant, yet also exuded opulence at every turn.
Every brick and tile had been meticulously chosen.
While it lacked the gilded paint of the Emperor and Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters, it featured numerous jade inlays.
To put it bluntly, in Yu Linglong's Qingyang Palace, a single jade tile plucked at random would suffice to support an ordinary family for several years.
It was the epitome of extravagance.
One could also tell how much the Emperor and Empress Dowager doted on this girl.
"Linglong, Linglong, why are you so foolish?"
The Empress Dowager, whose health was already poor, had rushed over in her haste. She was still breathing heavily.
Seeing Yu Linglong lying on the bed, looking frail and sickly, the Empress Dowager's heart shattered.
"Linglong, what sorrow has befallen you that makes you so despondent! Tell me, and I will see justice done for you!"
Yu Linglong looked up, her eyes filled with sorrow, but she refused to utter a single word.
The palace maid beside her, Yun'er, said in a choked voice, "Prince Xuan unjustly accused our young lady. Your Majesty knows how our young lady feels about the Prince..."
She sniffled, sobbing, "How can our young lady bear to live after this?"
Yu Linglong remained silent, but tears traced paths down her cheeks.
The Empress Dowager's heart was breaking!
She too wished for Yu Linglong and Xuan'er to be together. How deeply she cherished this girl who had cared for her for so many years!
But fate had it that the seventh daughter of the Duke's mansion had orchestrated a scheme, forcing Xuan'er to marry her.
This matter had become a thorn in the Empress Dowager's heart.
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly, "Linglong, I know your heart aches, but now, Xuan'er seems to have taken a liking to Chu Qianli. Things have come to this..."
"Does Your Majesty believe Ye Xuan truly likes her, which is why he treats me this way?"
Yu Linglong finally spoke, her voice still hoarse.
The Empress Dowager was confused, "I thought Xuan'er was very protective of her..."
"That's because Chu Qianli's mother, Long Qianyue, once saved Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan is good to her merely out of gratitude."
Yu Linglong's tears fell like raindrops, "Chu Qianli herself knows this."
"She is simply leveraging Long Qianyue's kindness to Ye Xuan, not even respecting Ye Xuan. Your Majesty has no idea how wronged Ye Xuan has been."
"What? You mean, Xuan'er doesn't truly like her?"
The Empress Dowager's heart immediately felt uneasy.
How could her beloved fourth imperial grandson subject himself to such hardship?
Even if it was to repay a debt of gratitude, he shouldn't sacrifice his lifelong happiness!
The Empress Dowager's dislike for Chu Qianli intensified.
Just then, Nanny Yao arrived, escorting Chu Qianli.
Nanny Jin, observing the situation, immediately exclaimed angrily, "Kneel!"
The guards attempted to force Chu Qianli to her knees, but Chu Qianli remained standing tall.
"May I ask Your Majesty, for what crime is this consort accused?"
Yu Linglong said hoarsely, "Your Majesty, please do not make things difficult for the Princess Xuan. If you make things difficult for her, then Ye Xuan and I will not have an easy time."
She lowered her gaze, her expression one of despair.
"Even if Ye Xuan and I are in love, there is no hope for us in this life. Your Majesty, please leave! I have no will to live, I beg you, do not concern yourself with me anymore!"
"Young lady, the Prince loves you so dearly, you cannot give up like this!"
Yun'er fell to her knees before the Empress Dowager with a thud, weeping,
"Your Majesty, please save our young lady! If she cannot be with Prince Xuan, our young lady would rather die than live! Our young lady will surely try to take her own life again!"
"Your Majesty, you must seek justice for our young lady!"