Granny Qin saw her mistress was angry and reprimanded the palace maids, "What do you know? Why are you still standing here? All of you, get out and don't annoy the Empress."
"Yes, your maids take our leave." The palace maids quickly bowed and exited.
Granny Qin went behind Luo Yun'e to massage her back, "The case of Prince Lian is still unresolved, and His Highness is confined to his residence. What is to be done?"
If what the Empress said was true, that His Majesty had thoughts of reconciliation, this was no small matter.
Luo Yun'e clenched her fists and said word by word, "I have sacrificed so much and finally reached this point. No matter what, I cannot let those mother and son trample on me and Cheng'er again!"
Granny Qin sighed, "Your Highness is punished with confinement for reflection and cannot leave the palace to see His Highness. What is to be done?"
Luo Yun'e lowered her eyebrows, a glint of darkness flashing in her eyes, "Although I cannot go out, there are those who can."
"Hasn't the daughter of Prince Yunyi just been conferred the title of County Princess? Since His Majesty favors her, I must also show my regard. Go and send someone to invite her here."
"This old servant understands. This old servant will go now." Granny Qin bowed and left.
At this time, Ye Ningyuan had not yet returned to the palace. Granny Qin found her and conveyed Luo Yun'e's message.
Ye Ningyuan then followed her to Fengqi Palace.
Fengqi Palace had been tidied up, with tea and pastries prepared.
Luo Yun'e sat in the main seat, her face a picture of maternal kindness, "Yuan'er has arrived? Quickly, sit down. I have prepared some pastries. I wonder if you will like them?"
Ye Ningyuan bowed and took a seat, "Thank you for your kindness, Empress. Yuan'er likes them."
"It's good that you like them." Luo Yun'e gave Granny Qin a signal.
Granny Qin then dismissed the servants.
Luo Yun'e, "I heard that His Majesty conferred the title of County Princess upon you today?"
Ye Ningyuan nodded and said, "Yes."
"This is a good thing. I am also happy for you. In fact, I had heard about you before you even entered the capital. Your cousin, Prince Lian, has also been thinking of you. Have you gone to see him?"
Ye Ningyuan was stunned for a moment, surprised, "Yuan'er did not see Prince Lian at the palace banquet today."
Granny Qin brought in a food box.
Luo Yun'e waved her hand, "Your cousin Prince Lian is busy with matters and did not attend the palace banquet today. Why don't you go to his residence to see him? Coincidentally, I made some pastries. Please take them to him on my behalf."
Granny Qin placed the food box in front of Ye Ningyuan.
Luo Yun'e added, "I like you very much. You must visit Fengqi Palace often in the future. Your cousin Prince Lian will also have to rely on your father in the future."
Ye Ningyuan picked up the food box, acting very obediently, "Yuan'er will listen to the Empress."
"Good child. I will have the palace servants escort you out later. It's getting late, you should go now." Luo Yun'e was satisfied in her heart. This child was much easier to handle than Su Yunmo.
"Okay~ Yuan'er will go now." Ye Ningyuan hopped out of the hall, her face a picture of innocent ignorance.
Granny Qin escorted her to the outside of Fengqi Palace.
Ye Ningyuan, holding the pastry box, waved her hand, "Granny, you can go back. Yuan'er can go out of the palace by herself and will convey the Empress's regards to Prince Lian."
"Then I entrust it to you, County Princess." Granny Qin bowed and returned.
Ye Ningyuan stood still, watching Granny Qin walk away, the innocent smile on her face gradually fading.
She picked up the food box, examined it up and down, then pressed a button in the lowest groove. The bottom of the food box popped open to reveal a hidden compartment.
"Heh, the mechanisms in the palace are still the same old way, very unoriginal."
There was a slip of paper in the hidden compartment.
Ye Ningyuan opened it and scanned it. A dark glint flashed in her eyes, "Wu Ze."
A dark shadow flashed, and a man knelt on one knee.
Ye Ningyuan handed him the food box and the note, "Make an exact copy. Put the copy back in the hidden compartment, and deliver the food box to Prince Lian's residence."
Wu Ze did not reply, only accepted the items as commanded.
The food box was soon delivered to Prince Lian's residence.
In the study of Prince Lian's residence.
Lin Yuning stood below, nervously clutching her handkerchief, "Why has Your Highness summoned me?"
"I heard that the Princess Consort went to Yuqin Tower today?" Ye Jingcheng clasped his hands together on the table.
Lin Yuning's body stiffened, her legs instinctively trembling, "Your Highness, the Ningji Pill was snatched away by Su Yunmo at that time, and I had no choice but to act. Moreover..."
Ye Jingcheng raised his hand to stop her words, his expression gentle, "I am not blaming the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort wanted to seize the Ningji Pill for my sake. How could I not understand?"
Lin Yuning was stunned for a moment, somewhat surprised.
She had initially thought he would be angry about this, but unexpectedly, he said such words.
Did he perhaps like her a little now?
Lin Yuning tightened her fingers, her heart stirred.
Perhaps she had indeed married the right person. As long as Su Yunmo was not around, she could also be the one in his heart.
"I have been entwined with you during this period, and the Princess Consort has rarely gone out. It is time for you to return to your father's home and visit."
Lin Yuning was confused, "What does Your Highness mean..."
"Your face has recovered seven to eight tenths, which is good news. You should inform your father-in-law."
Lin Yuning finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. Then I will return tomorrow."
She had not visited her father since returning home three days after her marriage. She should indeed go and see her father.
Ye Jingcheng's eyes flickered, "I am currently under house arrest and cannot accompany you. You can convey my greetings to your father-in-law and tell him that I remember his words and will treat you well."
Lin Yuning's face flushed, and she thanked him again before bowing and leaving.
After she left, Ye Jingcheng glanced at the note in his hand.
It read: His Majesty intends to bestow a marriage between Prince Yu and Su Yunmo. One of the two must be eliminated.
It was Luo Yun'e's handwriting.
Ye Jingcheng burned the note, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes, "Since action must be taken, we must see who wields the knife."
The note turned to ash. The wind, blowing through the window, swept it away cleanly.
It was already late November, and the weather had completely turned cold.
Lin Yuning naturally needed to prepare some things for her return to her maiden home.
She gave instructions, and Linlang went to prepare.
Linlang had now become a personal maid, handling all matters within the inner courtyard.
By the time everything was prepared, it was completely dark.
Linlang entered the room to report to Lin Yuning that the items were ready and they could depart for home early tomorrow morning.
"I know. You may withdraw." Lin Yuning's expression was not good as she said this.
She was blaming Linlang for the incident at Yuqin Tower.
Linlang was accustomed to it and bowed before withdrawing.
After closing the door, Linlang left Prince Lian's residence and made her way into the General's mansion.
She was familiar with the way and arrived at the inner courtyard where Su Yunmo resided. The east wing still had lights on, and voices could be heard from within, interspersed with the sound of water.
Ziyuan wiped the little bun's hair dry with a towel, "Does Master think that County Princess is deliberately targeting Master?"
Su Yunmo yawned as she leaned on the bathtub, "I can't say. Anyway, she is quite secretive."
"Then it's strange. Master has never met the County Princess before. Logically, there should be no enmity between them. Why is she fixated on Master?" Ziyuan was perplexed.