Lin Yu Ning was slapped to the ground, covering her face and weeping softly, "Your Highness, this matter is truly not my fault. It was the Princess who..."
"Silence, I have no mood to listen to your explanations!" Ye Jing Cheng, enraged, raised his hand and slapped her again.
Lin Yu Ning's vision went black from the blow, but her heart grew even more resentful.
It was all Su Yun Mo's doing. This time, both she and her child had been used.
Su Yun Mo had known all along that as soon as she felt the strain of her pregnancy, she would definitely tell the Prince about it.
She had done this deliberately, wanting people from Prince Lian's manor to report back, thereby summoning His Majesty from the capital.
"Father~" Lin Yu Ning called out timidly, her pleading gaze turning to another person.
Lin Ze Qu stood on the other side, his expression also quite grim.
Regardless of anything, Ye Jing Cheng slapping Lin Yu Ning in front of him, her father, was equivalent to slapping him as well.
"Your Highness, this matter has already happened. No amount of anger will help. The urgent priority now is to quickly think of a solution."
Ye Jing Cheng let out a cold snort and returned to his seat with a flick of his sleeve.
"The Consort is making a mountain out of a molehill and cannot share my worries. From today onwards, hand over the management of the household. From now on, you will stay in your room and rest peacefully, and try not to cause me trouble by coming out!"
Lin Yu Ning's face changed drastically, "Your Highness, please don't!"
That vixen Mei Yan had already moved into the manor. As the Consort, she could still suppress Mei Yan. But if she lost control of the household, wouldn't she become meat on a chopping block?
"My mind is made up. Are you still not going to withdraw!" Ye Jing Cheng slammed the table heavily.
Lin Yu Ning's eyes welled up with tears. Biting her lower lip tightly, she uttered a 'yes' and staggered to her feet, leaving.
The palace doors closed, and silence descended within.
Ye Jing Cheng turned his gaze to Lin Ze Qu, "My father is determined to depose the Empress this time. Since the imperial decree has been issued, there is no turning back. How does Marquis Lin view this matter?"
Lin Ze Qu pondered for a moment, "Although this matter was orchestrated by Su Yun Mo, the Empress must have been caught by His Majesty on the spot. It is likely impossible to escape. Your Highness can only protect yourself."
Ye Jing Cheng naturally understood this, but he was still somewhat unwilling.
"Speaking of Su Yun Mo, Marquis Lin promised me last time to get rid of her as soon as possible. So many days have passed, and Su Yun Mo is still alive and well. How do you explain this?"
Lin Ze Qu frowned, his expression also somewhat troubled, "The plan was supposed to be foolproof. I didn't expect that girl to interfere with the matter of the treasure map."
Now that the treasure map was in her hands, it was indeed difficult for him to make a move.
He looked at Ye Jing Cheng, "Hasn't the Princess of Southern Xinjiang, whom Your Highness recently received, already made a move against that girl?"
Ye Jing Cheng narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Is Marquis Lin trying to pass the buck to me?"
Lin Ze Qu lowered his gaze and remained silent.
Ye Jing Cheng let out a cold laugh, "Marquis Lin, don't forget your promise to me. What I do is my business. Su Yun Mo is your daughter, and you must take responsibility for eliminating her!"
Lin Yu Ning was already useless enough. He didn't want his efforts over the years to be ruined by these two women from the Lin family!
Lin Ze Qu's gaze deepened for a moment, and he replied, "Your Highness, please wait another two days. This time, I will make proper arrangements."
Ye Jing Cheng sneered, "I hope so."
If he proved useless, then he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless!
The sky gradually darkened, as if a hidden threat was brewing in the darkness, but it was silent.
By the next morning, the snow had settled on the branches, burying everything.
A lively stir began within the General's manor.
Su Qing Tian had sent a letter, a message delivered by carrier pigeon.
Little Tuo Zi was dug out of bed by A Cai early in the morning.
Zhou Wan You held Little Tuo Zi in the main hall, reading Su Qing Tian's letter.
The letter had four pages, with more than three pages filled with his longing for Zhou Wan You.
The remaining page inquired if Little Tuo Zi had been obedient recently, if she had eaten well, and if she had grown a little taller.
He also specifically mentioned that he would send some special deer meat from the border in a few days, which could strengthen the body and help with growth.
Little Tuo Zi huffed, "Father is really something. I'm still young, I'll grow taller later."
Father always asked like this, as if she were so small now.
She had clearly gained some weight since entering the manor.
"Your father just likes to worry. Mo Mo is right, our treasure is still young, and she will definitely grow taller," Zhou Wan You kissed Little Tuo Zi's face.
It was rare for Su Qing Tian to send a letter back, and she was also very happy.
Little Tuo Zi, seeing her happy, asked a few more questions about Su Qing Tian's situation, "Mother, will Father come home for the Spring Festival this year?"
Zhou Wan You's smile faltered slightly. She stroked her little head, "Your father said he won't be back this year. He promised he can return next year to celebrate the festival with us."
"Is that so?" Su Yun Mo's eyes darkened slightly.
It seemed the Emperor was still displeased.
"Mother, don't be sad. Even though Father isn't coming back, Mo Mo is here. Mo Mo will always be with Mother," Little Tuo Zi reached out and hugged Zhou Wan You's neck, nuzzling into her embrace.
A smile flickered in Zhou Wan You's eyes. She kissed her forehead, "Our Mo Mo is so sensible, unlike your three brothers."
They were nowhere to be found every day; she didn't know where they had gone.
"Mother~" Su Si Qi entered from outside, his face beaming with joy.
"Look who's here when we mention him." Zhou Wan You looked up at him, putting on a stern face, "Where have you come from? Didn't Mother tell you that Father sent a letter today and you're not allowed to run around?"
Su Si Qi chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "Because I had something to attend to, I'm a bit late. Mother, please don't be angry."
He rushed over and lay in Zhou Wan You's arms, acting cute to appease her.
Zhou Wan You, unable to do anything about him, flicked his forehead and handed him the letter, "This is Father's letter. Read it carefully."
Su Si Qi took the letter, scanned it quickly, and then pouted helplessly, "Father is really something. Despite this thick paper, he didn't mention me at all."
"Second Brother, Father did mention you. He's right here, and he asked how you were," Little Tuo Zi pointed with her little finger at the last page of the letter.
On the very bottom line, a sentence was written: Are the other three little brats doing well? If they make you angry, beat them; don't feel sorry for them.
Su Si Qi's mouth twitched, "..."
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it at all.
"Father is just not good at expressing himself, but he still loves you," Zhou Wan You stroked his tense little face and put the letter away.
Su Si Qi pouted, shrugged, "Mother is right. Father still loves the three of us."
If he didn't love them, what else could he do? He had given birth to them, so he couldn't just throw them away, could he?
"Mother is going to put away Father's letter. When Si Zhuo and Si Yuan come back, tell them to find me," Zhou Wan You got up to put the letter away.
Su Si Qi nodded and said, "Okay."
After Zhou Wan You left the room, Su Si Qi grabbed Little Tuo Zi, who was about to leave, and pulled her back, "Mo Mo, don't go yet. Second Brother has something to tell you."