The following morning, before the sun had a chance to rise, a solemn assembly congregated before the Main Palace Hall within the royal palace. Their purpose was to bear witness to the ultimate departure of Yang Lingxin, who had been accused of treason and conclusively shown to have attempted the assassination of His Majesty.
Not only was Yang Lingxin proven guilty of administering slow poison over an extended period, but it was also established that he continued to do so while His Majesty lay sick and on the verge of death.
To offer their final farewell to the Empress of the Empire, who had shamefully transitioned from a revered figure to a traitor, the Crown Prince and all the royal ministers gathered for the somber assembly. Upon receiving the unexpected news of Yang Lingxin's abrupt departure, Yang Ning too felt compelled to attend, motivated by a blend of curiosity and a sense of duty.
Donning a simple and subdued attire, Yang Ning stood alongside the Crown Prince, while her maid Xiaowei faithfully positioned herself behind her. At that moment, a complex tapestry of emotions began to weave its way within Yang Ning's heart.
Her gaze fixed upon the carriage that had been readied to transport Yang Lingxin to the desolate confines of the cold palace in the mountains. No longer adorned with extravagance and opulence, it now stood as a humble wooden box, its purpose to confine her and prevent any escape.
With only small holes in the wooden box to allow for breath, it served as a stark reminder of the imminent isolation and potential suffocation that awaited her within.
She watched Yang Lingxin being forcefully dragged by the female guards, her hands tightly bound by a thick rope, and her feet secured by a restraining metal chain. These measures were taken to ensure her captivity and prevent any chance of escape from slipping through their grasp.
Stripped of her once elegant silk and artistically embroidered garments, Yang Lingxin now wore a ragged, soiled dress that left her vulnerable to the biting cold. Her face bore a deeper complexion, tarnished by layers of dirt and an unmistakable stench. It was evident that she had not had the luxury of a bath for the past week.
Yang Ning pursed her lips, her gaze fixed upon Yang Lingxin—the fallen Empress of the Empire, sinking into the depths of despair. It was the inevitable consequence of the treacherous actions she had attempted and brought upon herself.
In a peculiar manner, Yang Lingxin's current circumstances bore a resemblance, albeit with notable differences, to Yang Ning's own past. Both had fallen from positions of glory to the depths of darkness in the eyes of the people. However, unlike Yang Lingxin, Yang Ning remained innocent and truthful in her actions, yet she found herself victimized by fabricated allegations.
Despite her genuine account, no one placed their trust in her.
In the case of Yang Lingxin, even though she may not have personally procured the poison, her intentions to harm His Majesty and her support for Yang Luoyang were clear. The retribution she faced was a consequence of her own actions.
After Yang Ning's marriage to the Zheng Family, Yang Lingxin approached her, hoping for her assistance in carrying out their malicious deeds. However, Yang Ning deliberately avoided meeting with Yang Lingxin or Yang Luoyang, aware of their sinister intentions. She didn't want to give Zheng Liang any reason to be suspicious of her.
By refusing to silently cooperate with them, their evil plans ultimately failed, leading to the current situation they found themselves in.
Instead of His Majesty's demise and Zheng Liang's struggle for the throne, the nefarious actions of Yang Lingxin were exposed for all to see. Consequently, she faced punishment for her wicked deeds.
Having read the novel and foreseeing the impending tragedy that was supposed to cast a shadow over her life in the coming months, Yang Ning made every effort to alter the pivotal event that would seal her doom. Curiosity filled her as she wondered what consequences this bold step might bring, and whether she would ever find a way back to her world.
Yang Ning cast a brief glance at Yang Luoyang, who had also arrived to bid farewell to Yang Lingxin and stood there, seemingly frozen like a statue. His face displayed an indifferent expression, leaving Yang Ning perplexed as to what might be going on in his mind. The enigmatic demeanor of this man left her unable to comprehend his true intentions or thoughts.
It weighed heavily on Yang Ning's heart to witness the unjust situation where both Yang Lingxin and Yang Luoyang were involved in the conspiracy, yet only one faced punishment while the other still reveled in glory.
She couldn't help but feel sorry for the real Yang Ning. Despite not being inherently malicious herself, she was painted as the villainess in the novel and had to bear the burden of people's hatred. She had been used as a pawn by the truly vicious individuals.
In her eyes, it was Yang Luoyang who truly deserved the ultimate retribution. He was the mastermind behind all the heinous acts that unfolded in the novel. It seemed unjust that Yang Ning, who did not deserve such a tragic fate, was destined to meet her end while the true culprit escaped unscathed.
Yang Ning pursed her lips and a frown formed on her face. 'I will make sure you pay for your actions,' she declared firmly. 'It is you who deserves to die in the end, not Yang Ning.' With a resolute determination, she vowed in her heart to hold Yang Luoyang accountable for his deeds.
Zheng Liang, standing beside Yang Ning, observed her pale complexion and the sense of disorientation that seemed to envelop her. Concerned, he lowered his head and whispered softly into her ear, "Are you feeling cold? You should have worn a shawl. Your clothes seem thin." His words conveyed both care and worry for her well-being.
With the changing seasons, the mornings grew colder, and Zheng Liang became worried about Yang Ning's well-being. He noticed her frailty and knew that standing in the cold could be harmful to her.
Concerned for her health, he whispered to her, suggesting that she should have worn a shawl to keep warm in the chilly morning air.
Yang Ning was taken aback by Zheng Liang's unexpected concern and turned to look at him in surprise. However, as she turned her head, her nose accidentally collided with Zheng Liang's chin. He had lowered himself to speak to her, resulting in the unexpected encounter.
The sudden proximity between them triggered a flood of memories from the previous night. If only Gu Lan had not interrupted them-
Her face turned crimson at the very thought, causing her to immediately avert her gaze in embarrassment. She coughed, trying to regain her composure. "I'm fine, really. I will soon leave after the royal carriage departs, so there was no need for the shawl," she managed to say, feeling a sudden warmth creeping up her neck.
Zheng Liang couldn't help but take pleasure in Yang Ning's embarrassed reaction and, in a hushed tone, remarked, "Judging by your blushing face, it seems you'll be alright for a little longer." He teased her, his intention evident in his words.
Yang Ning shot a sidelong glare at Zheng Liang, who was mockingly teasing her, and pouted, overwhelmed by embarrassment and humiliation at that moment.
Thinking about last night, she never anticipated being left in such a predicament last night. Due to his actions, she had to resort to drinking two glasses of cold water just to quench her thirst.
So humiliating! Yang Ning huffed with annoyance and redirected her focus toward the arrangements for Yang Lingxin's departure.
Xiaowei, who stood behind Yang Ning and inadvertently overheard the couple's conversation, felt her ears burn with embarrassment. She had accompanied Yang Ning to bid farewell to Yang Lingxin, never expecting to be exposed to such an intimate exchange between Yang Ning and Zheng Liang.
For a young maiden like Xiaowei, the intensity of the conversation was overwhelming, almost unbearable for her to witness.
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