"Impossible, it's impossible... Qingqing wouldn't. She truly loves me. She loves me."
Ye Yubei stumbled back two steps, shaking his head desperately, like a caged beast unable to break out of its prison.
"Your Majesty, she was smiling when she drank that bowl of safflower. She must have been happy, because she would never have another child with you. Shen Qingqing will never forgive you as long as she lives."
With that, the Empress burst into crazed laughter. She had survived so cautiously in the imperial harem for so long, only to fall short at the final hurdle. Since she would suffer, no one else would have peace either!
Ye Yubei!
He wasn't worthy!
"She wouldn't. Qingqing... she wouldn't."
Ye Yubei staggered out of the palace. Eunuch Wang immediately stepped forward to support him, only to be shoved away. Utterly distraught, he muttered to himself, "She wouldn't. Qingqing loves me..."
As the Empress watched Ye Yubei leave, a tear fell to the floor. After all, he was the person she had loved most in her youth.
Since she couldn't have him, no one else could either.
Shen Qingqing... was a lowborn woman like her even worthy?
Ye Muxue returned just in time to witness the scene. The entire palace was a wreck, and she threw herself into the Empress's arms, crying.
"Mother, what's wrong? Mother, please don't frighten me."
With a cold expression, the Empress wiped away Ye Muxue's tears. "Xue'er, don't cry. I will no longer be mistress of this harem. You must act carefully from now on. After all, you used to be his most beloved daughter. I probably won't drag you down with me."
"No! My mother is the most exalted Empress, and I am a legitimate-born princess!"
Unable to accept this reality, Ye Muxue collapsed against