"Your elder sister, Baili Ranran? Where is she?" Consort Mei had met the girl once before, only remembering that she was young but already possessed beauty that could overthrow kingdoms.
"She... she's passed away," Baili Rongmo's expression grew somber. He looked at Bai Sheng, "Xiao Sheng, you tell Mei Qing about our family's affairs."
Bai Sheng then recounted to Consort Mei how their third and fourth uncles were rescued by Uncle Ding, how they hid in the underground passages of the capital, how they later met Lu Yuntianya, entered the Lu residence, and were reunited with them, and a series of other events.
Consort Mei sighed emotionally after hearing it, "Fate, this must be fate! Heaven has not abandoned the Baili family!"
Lu Ye looked at Consort Mei and said, "Consort Mei, we wish to clear the Baili family's name, but we lack evidence. Does Consort Mei know about the case from back then? Was my maternal grandfather wrongly accused?"
Consort Mei's gaze was somber, and she said with grief, "Of course he was wrongly accused. But back then, not many people believed he was framed. However, Xiao Ye, Xiao Sheng, if you wish to overturn the verdict, it will likely be very difficult.
On one hand, those who impeached General Baili are now pillars of the court, with powerful and deeply entrenched forces. On the other hand, even if you find sufficient evidence, the Emperor will never allow a reversal.
This is because the final decision on this case was made by the Emperor. As the supreme ruler, he will never admit to mistakes and will never allow himself to become a laughingstock for the world.
Moreover, did the Emperor not suspect General Baili's innocence back then? He suspected, or perhaps believed, that the Baili family was framed, yet he still exterminated the nine generations of the Baili clan. Do you know why?"
"Damn Emperor! He actually wanted to get rid of my Baili family long ago!" Baili Rongmo slammed the table with a "thud."
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye were startled and immediately looked at Consort Mei. Was it appropriate for their third uncle to curse the "damn Emperor" in front of Consort Mei? Regardless, no matter how despicable the Emperor was, he was still Consort Mei's husband and Prince Yu's biological father.
However, Consort Mei seemed indifferent. She said, "That is indeed true. His achievements overshadowed the emperor's prestige. With the Baili family's influence, they could rally support from all armies and routes. The damn— Emperor naturally became fearful."
After speaking, Consort Mei coughed lightly, covering the "damn" word that had slipped out.
In fact, she often cursed the Emperor as a "damn Emperor" behind his back, so the word "damn" had slipped out accidentally.
Bai Sheng chuckled, covering her mouth, and her third uncle also grinned.
Lu Ye said resolutely, "No matter how difficult it is, I want to try. Perhaps this is the meaning behind my third and fourth uncles' survival and their coincidental reunion with us. Even if we cannot completely overturn the verdict, we must make those villains who persecuted my maternal grandfather's family pay the price."
"Good, my dear, I support you! Villains must face retribution. The lives of hundreds of the Baili family cannot be completely forgotten after twenty years," Bai Sheng clenched her fist.
Consort Mei sighed, "I am only telling you the worst-case scenario so you can be mentally prepared. If you are determined to seek revenge, I will help you with all my might."
"Thank you, Consort Mei," Bai Sheng took Consort Mei's hand. "However, we appreciate your kind intentions, but we absolutely cannot drag you and Prince Yu down with us. If you have time, Consort Mei, you just need to tell us what you know about this case."
Consort Mei chided, "What are you saying? We are friends. If you need any help, just ask. My son doesn't care about the throne, and I, Mei Qing, am not afraid of death! Eighteen years later, we'll still be heroes!"
Bai Sheng burst into laughter, "Alright, alright, we will definitely ask for the help of a hero like you, Consort Mei."
Baili Rongmo cast a deep look at Consort Mei, his eyes filled with an unyielding affection.
Lu Ye said gravely, "Regarding whether the Zhou family, the Dong family, and even General Wu's family framed the Baili family, we are still in the stage of suspicion. Therefore, I must first investigate the case from back then and find evidence of my maternal grandfather's wrongful accusation.
If these families were indeed behind the scheme, I will never let them off. Although they have vast influence and collude with each other, they are in the open, and we are in the shadows. We can use subtle tactics to sow discord among them, and then defeat them one by one."
"Yes, what my dear husband says is absolutely right," Bai Sheng praised. "This time, due to the matters involving Zhou Yanran and Dong Xuerou, the Zhou and Dong families will inevitably develop some hidden discord. We can take advantage of this opportunity."
"Mm," Lu Ye gave Bai Sheng a loving gaze.
Bai Sheng looked at her third uncle, whose spirit seemed to be lost, and tentatively asked Consort Mei, "Consort Mei, if this matter involves the Emperor—"
Consort Mei immediately replied, "You don't need to worry about this at all. That person means nothing to me anymore."
A flicker of light flashed in the third uncle's eyes, and the smile on his lips was unmistakable.
Bai Sheng smiled, "Good. Now that Consort Mei has said this, we can rest assured."
"Xiao Sheng, Xiao Ye, you should go do what you want to do, don't be like me, with my wings clipped, confined to the deep palace for a lifetime," a hint of loneliness flashed in Consort Mei's eyes.
"Consort Mei, don't worry, we will," Bai Sheng said, then stood up and tugged at Lu Ye's sleeve. "Dear, let's go prepare the items for tomorrow's relocation. Let Third Uncle and Consort Mei have some time to catch up."
Lu Ye said "Oh" and also stood up.
After they left, they closed the door.
"Rongmo, you have suffered so much all these years," Consort Mei looked at Baili Rongmo, her voice filled with sadness.
Baili Rongmo concealed the desolation in his eyes and smiled brightly, "It's not suffering. At least I am still alive. And you? Are you... alright?"
Consort Mei chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I'm fine. My disfigured face has actually been a blessing. He never summoned me again, so I am liberated."
Baili Rongmo pursed his lips and nodded, remaining silent for a moment before asking, "Do you still love him?"
Consort Mei laughed, "Love? The moment he went to find another woman after I was disfigured, it was completely gone. Thinking back now, perhaps... I didn't understand my own heart back then."
Baili Rongmo looked at her, a slight smile appearing on his lips, "Is Yu'er alright?"
Consort Mei wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and said softly, "He is very well. His personality is as stubborn as yours, but the Emperor sent him to the border regions to treat desertification and plant trees. Xiao Sheng said he's tanned like charcoal now. Heh heh..."
"It's good for him to be there, far away, so he doesn't fall victim to schemes in the capital," Baili Rongmo nodded.
"What are your plans for the future?" Consort Mei looked at Baili Rongmo, hoping he would marry and have children, and have a family.
"Me?" Baili Rongmo smiled. "I'll live with my nephew. I'm his third uncle, and he has to take care of me in my old age."
"You... you don't want to get married and have children?" Consort Mei asked.
Baili Rongmo felt a bit disappointed and shook his head, "No. If I can't marry someone I like, it's better to remain single."
Under the table, Consort Mei clenched her fingers.