Chapter 222: "That’s Good... That’s Good...

Chapter 222: Chapter 222: "That’s Good... That’s Good...

This was also the Emperor’s promised resolution for Xie Jinbai.

With him as the Crown Prince, Cui Lingyao would be the Crown Princess Consort.

And the Crown Princess Consort was already one of the two most honored women in Great Yue.

Especially now, with the Empress burdened by numerous crimes and even her adopted son having completely severed their mother-son relationship, it was hard to say which of the two was more honored.

Under these circumstances, anyone who dared to move against Cui Lingyao again would face severe consequences.

As for Prince Ping...

Early that morning, the Prince Ping Mansion was surrounded by the imperial guard. No one was allowed to leave, though people could enter.

They were only waiting for the Emperor’s decree to see if the hundred-odd lives within the mansion had any chance of survival.

It happened so suddenly, and the imperial guard’s actions were so blatant, that there was no attempt at concealment. News that a prominent Prince Mansion had been surrounded sent shockwaves through the Capital.

Cui Lingyao heard the news as soon as she woke up. Along with it, she learned that Xie Jinbai had not returned to the mansion last night.

He had not hidden his intention to move against Prince Ping and the Empress from her.

But Cui Lingyao hadn’t expected him to act so quickly.

Since Xie Jinbai had made his move, he certainly wouldn’t be gentle about it.

The Prince Ping Mansion was likely facing a major disaster this time.

’I just wonder if married-out daughters will be implicated.’

’Xie Anning is still struggling to prevent a miscarriage.’

’The truth—that her own father sacrificed her as a pawn—is still being kept from her. If she gets dragged into this as well, then...’

Cui Lingyao strode out of her room, glanced at the sky, and frowned as she ordered her attendants, "Prepare the carriage. I’m going to the Marquis Mansion."

Her father’s health had been poor these past few years. If something were to happen to the grandson he had awaited for so long, his condition would only worsen.

Xie Anning was a victim herself, and Cui Lingyao didn’t blame her in the slightest.

She even believed that if Xie Anning hadn’t married into the Cui Family and gained the status of her elder sister-in-law, she wouldn’t have been exploited by Prince Ping.

When it came down to it, Xie Anning was the most innocent one of all.

「Changping Marquis Mansion.」

As soon as Cui Lingyao entered, she was escorted to the main courtyard.

Inside, the atmosphere was oppressive and heavy.

Her parents and elder brother were there, along with her two paternal uncles.

The Changping Marquis, being in poor health, had long since distanced himself from court affairs. He held only a nominal post and did not attend court sessions.

As for Cui Mingrui, he had taken leave to stay home and attend to his injured wife.

The other two Cui family uncles held ranks that were not high enough for them to be granted an audience with the Emperor in the Golden Hall.

Seeing her daughter arrive, a smile broke through her mother’s worried expression.

"Come, sit,"

She pulled her daughter down to sit, first asking about her shoulder injury. When she heard everything was fine, she said, "We heard this morning that there was trouble at the Prince Ping Mansion, and the whole family has been on edge. If you hadn’t come, I was planning to make a trip to your Prince Mansion myself."

Ever since the incident at the Horse Racing Ground, the Marquis Mansion hadn’t had a moment of peace.

As the matriarch, her mother had been burdened with countless worries, and she was visibly more haggard for it.

Cui Lingyao’s heart ached at the sight. She squeezed her mother’s hand. "I came back because I was worried everyone here would be anxious."

’One’s own flesh and blood is still the most considerate.’

The Changping Marquis set down his teacup and asked, "Has His Highness revealed how he intends to deal with Prince Ping?"

"I don’t know the specifics,"

Cui Lingyao said, "but I guarantee that this matter will not implicate my sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, the tense atmosphere in the hall immediately eased.

Her mother clutched her chest in relief. "That’s good... That’s good..."

Prince Ping had committed such a grave error that he would likely not escape death. For his married-out daughter to not be implicated was already a great blessing.

Cui Mingrui, who had been silent until now, also let out a long sigh of relief.

Worried about his wife, he immediately stood up upon hearing the news. He bowed deeply to his mother and said, "An Ning doesn’t know about this yet. She is unwell and must not become agitated. I must ask you, Mother, to please ensure the servants are restrained and do not speak recklessly within the mansion."

Her mother nodded. "You can rest assured. I know what’s at stake."

Cui Mingrui bowed again, excusing himself to the elders. "An Ning should be waking up. I will take my leave now."

Xie Anning had suffered internal injuries and was in constant pain. Moreover, she was carrying a child that could be lost at any moment.

Her spirits were extremely low, and she could not be left alone.

She especially needed her husband’s company.

Her mother waved her hand, dismissing her son.

The moment he was gone, the atmosphere in the hall changed.

The two uncles, in particular, had peculiar expressions on their faces.

Cui Lingyao sensed something was amiss and asked in a low voice, "What is it? Is there another problem with my sister-in-law? The baby..."

Her mother slowly shook her head and glanced at her two brothers-in-law.

The two men immediately understood, rose, and took their leave.

Cui Lingyao froze.

These were her own paternal uncles.

The family had not yet formally divided its assets, so all three branches still lived together in the Marquis Mansion.

They shared in all fortunes and misfortunes, and their relationship was very close.

’What could they possibly need to discuss that required her uncles to leave?’

Only the three of them—father, mother, and daughter—remained in the hall.

The Changping Marquis lifted his teacup, took a small sip, and remained silent.

Her mother glanced at her husband, then took her daughter’s hand and sighed faintly. "Your sister-in-law’s baby... I’m afraid it can’t be saved."

Cui Lingyao was taken aback. "Is there nothing that can be done?"

It had been nearly ten days since the incident at the Horse Racing Ground. They had been trying to save the pregnancy for so long that she had assumed things were improving.

When mentioning her unborn grandchild, her mother’s face lacked the sorrow it had shown on previous occasions. "I won’t hide this from you. Given the current situation, your father and I both feel that it might not be a bad thing if An Ning’s baby can’t be saved."

With the disaster at the Prince Ping Mansion, even if the punishment doesn’t extend to married-out daughters...

...But overnight, Xie Anning has gone from being a celebrated Princess of the Imperial Family to the daughter of a criminal.

The Cui Family doesn’t care whether or not she is a Commandery Princess.

But the Cui Family’s eldest grandson and heir, who is destined to inherit the marquisate, cannot have a criminal’s daughter for a mother.

And the Heir’s wife of the Changping Marquis Mansion cannot be the daughter of a criminal.

Cui Lingyao’s eyes widened. "Mother, you must not do anything foolish!" she said urgently. "My brother is deeply in love with his wife. If something happens to her and he finds out you were involved, your relationship as mother and son..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Her mother patted her hand, chiding her. "What foolish thing could I possibly do? Your mother is not some vicious shrew who would harm her own daughter-in-law and heir’s son."

She was merely entertaining the thought.

She wasn’t cruel enough to actually take action and cause the deaths of both her daughter-in-law and the baby.

Having married into the Royal Family and witnessed so much treachery, Cui Lingyao’s first reaction upon hearing this was to suspect her own mother might...

She gave a slightly ashamed smile and turned to look at her father.

She saw that his expression was dark and unreadable.

Cui Lingyao’s heart leaped back into her throat.

"...Father?"

The Changping Marquis said nothing, merely lowering his eyes to glance at his daughter.

That single glance made Cui Lingyao’s heart pound in terror. "Father!"

"Don’t make ’daughter of a criminal’ out to be such a serious matter," she said. "It won’t have any real impact. As long as I am here, how could any talented sons or nephews of our family possibly be held back?"

As long as Xie Jinbai successfully ascended the throne, she was guaranteed to become the Empress.

With the Cui Family as the Empress’s maternal family, would they need to worry about the future prospects of their descendants?

Conversely, if Xie Jinbai failed to ascend the throne, the Cui Family would certainly be purged by the new Emperor.

In Cui Lingyao’s opinion, her parents’ concerns were entirely unnecessary.