"My lord, please spare little Chu'er. He is only two months old."

The child knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly towards the man seated at the head, his forehead bleeding bright red as it trickled down his cheeks. He looked utterly miserable.

King Xiao cradled his newborn son in his arms, the baby still asleep. His face was etched with pain and worry.

Green Sleeve rushed over and knelt before her: "Your Highness, don't worry. Young Master Chu is healthy. Even the Divine Physician said that this heart-removing procedure will be fine. But the concubine can't wait for even a moment. Your Highness, please, save the concubine."

Chu Yuning swept aside her green sleeves with a wave, lifting her head, revealing a face ashen white with streaks of blood. She resembled a Rakshasa clawing its way up from hell, fixing her gaze on King Xiao and roaring: "Take it! Use me!"

Xiao Wangsen's cold eyes narrowed slightly: "The divine physician said that only Chu'er's could be used. This king has promised you, after taking it, I will immediately decree Chu'er as the crown prince."

Chu Yuning gritted her teeth, hating Xiao Wang's coldness. He didn't even spare their two-month-old child.

During the standoff, an old man with white beard walked out of the house and said anxiously, "Your Highness, if Lady Ye's medicine is not taken in time, her life will be in danger. Please make a decision as soon as possible."

"You quack! You're full of it!" Chu Yuning jumped up, pointing at the old man and berating him.

King Xiao stopped Chu Yunning with one hand and patiently persuaded, "This king will definitely ensure his safety. Just bring him in."

"My Lord!" Chu Yuning struggled with all his might, crying out, watching as Grandma cradled Chu'er and carried him into the room.

Moments later, the sound of a baby crying echoed through the room. Chu Yuning's heart shattered into pieces. She frantically pounded on Xiao Wang.

King Xiao, with a cold face, still held onto the arm he was gripping. His other hand was clasped behind his waist, enduring the kicks and punches.

house

Rumor has it that Ye, the concubine who was about to die, is now holding a baby with great interest. Her finger as white as jade gently caresses the baby's face.

Behind the thick screen, one couldn't see inside, only hearing the child's heart-wrenching cries.

Princess Ye's beautiful face was filled with joy. She personally picked up a dagger and gently probed the cradle inside.

Only for a moment, the crying abruptly stopped.

Ye Side Concubine handed the swaddled infant to Green Sleeve, slowly wiping the blood from her hands. The pure and innocent face was full of ferocity, Hong lightly opened his mouth: "Don't forget that your family is still in my hands. No matter how you answer later, be careful with your words!"

Outside the screen, several people were shivering and muttering to themselves.

Half an hour later, Ma came out hurriedly clutching a cradle. She must have been in such a rush, she tripped on the threshold.

Chu Yun's heart jumped into his throat: "Be careful!"

Fortunately, the old nanny managed to stay on her feet and knelt directly before the King of Xiao.

"Reporting back to Your Lordship, young Master Chu... he... he has lost too much spirit." The Nanny's words were cut short by fear.

Chuyun's mind exploded with a buzz. He snatched the swaddle from the nurse's hand. The baby, Chuer, had a purplish face and the swaddle was soaked in blood.

"Chu'er?"

Chuyun Ning softly called out, the little infant was already gone quiet.

"What on earth is going on!" King Xiao roared.

He stammered and fumbled his explanation, when at that moment the white-bearded elder walked out slowly.

The King of Xiao grabbed the man, lifting him by his collar. His eyes, as black as ink, stared intently at the other person. "Wasn't it said that there would be no mistakes?"

"My Lord........" The elder was so frightened that he trembled, and he was completely different from the previous divine doctor who had an air of nobility and promised with conviction. He cried bitterly and apologized.

The grinding of King Xiao's fist suddenly returned to his senses with a piercing scream.

Chu Yuning clutched the swaddling clothes and wailed, Xiao Wang couldn't bear it, let go of the elder's collar, and turned to help Chu Yuning.

A single unsaid word can feel like a fishbone in your throat.

Chu Yuning raised her eyes, a pair of icy and bone-chilling eyes glared at King Xiao. Then, she suddenly spat out blood, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Three months later

Ye Side Concubine, who was critically ill and near death, has recovered. She is now as favored as before.

But the queen wasn't so lucky. After being sick for three months, she woke up forgetting everything.

For some unknown reason, his temper grew increasingly volatile, and he would often beat people. He frequently beat the maidservants until they were covered in wounds.

King Xiao often visited, and Chu Yuning relied on King Xiao more and more.

Privately, everyone says the Princess has gone mad.

As for the cause of death of Master Chu'er, King Xiao issued an order forbidding anyone from mentioning it. Once a maidservant gossiped about it in private and was discovered, she was publicly executed.

"The lord is going to keep the company of his wife again?" Ye Yan'er, a beautiful woman, twisted her delicate face.

The green-sleeved maidservant muttered, "In my humble opinion, the princess is deliberately feigning madness to gain the favor of the Lord. Once the princess gives birth to another child..."

Ye Yan'er's eyes flashed a flame, unable to stop Xiao Wang from seeing the princess. After all, the princess had lost her child and should be magnanimous and virtuous.

This can't go on forever, I need to figure something out. I can't keep carrying this burden alone.

Ye Yan'er beckoned to Lvxiu, whispering a few words in her ear.

Lü Xi nodded her head: "Rest assured, my lady, I will arrange it right away."

That day, at King Xiao's palace, officials were discussing matters of state. Chu Yunning sat in the pavilion, enjoying the breeze.

Ye Yan'er rushed over and called out, "Your Highness," Chu Yuning turned around, looking bewildered. Ye Yan'er suddenly smiled and whispered a few words in Chu Yuning's ear.

Chu Yun ning was stunned and disbelieving. Ye Yan'er pointed to her heart: "It's all thanks to Chu'er, otherwise I wouldn't be here today. That day, Chu'er cried so miserably that even I couldn't bear it. All I could do was watch helplessly as the blade slowly cut into his chest...."

Chuer?

Chu Yunning was stimulated, waves of memories flashed in his mind, he covered his head and cried out in pain.

Ye Yan'er saw that the time was right. She stood by the edge of the pond and shouted loudly, "Your Highness, don't!" Then, with a splash, she jumped into the water.

Two hours later

Chu Yuning was pinned to the bench by guards, the wooden board repeatedly slamming against his back.

King Xiao glared furiously at Chu Yunning, his eyes filled with such hatred that they could have scraped him alive.

"If anything were to happen to Yan'er, this King would show no mercy!"

"My lord...." Chu Yunning's forehead was slick with beads of sweat, and a sharp pain suddenly shot through his lower abdomen.

The bottom half spread along the corner, quickly soaking through her clothes. The thick smell of blood in the yard made her sick.

"Your Highness, if we continue fighting, someone will surely be killed. Please, spare the Princess," Hong'er begged, kowtowing to Xiao Wang repeatedly.

King Xiao stood above, ignoring Hong'er. His cold eyes were fixed on Chu Yuning, shifting from pity to disgust: "You put on a good show, deceiving this king for three whole months!"

At this time, a heart-wrenching scream echoed through the house. Then Lu Xiu rushed out and knelt before King Xiao, "My lord, the concubine..."

"How's the concubine doing?" Xiao Wang panicked.

The doctor said that the concubine had miscarried too many times, and she couldn't keep any of the children. The concubine immediately broke down upon hearing this.

"What!" King Xiao didn't have time to think, he rushed into the room.

Ye Yan'er nestled in Xiao Wang's arms, her face pale as she sobbed softly: "It's all my fault. It's my fault for not protecting the child. Your Majesty, that was our first child..."

King Xiao was heartbroken and kept comforting Ye Yan'er.

"My lord, the doctor said that Yan'er can never have children again. Is this true?"

Ye Yan'er raised her tear-streaked face, looking at Xiao Wang with eager anticipation.

King Xiao was speechless.

He just asked the doctor, Ye Yan'er was not in good health to begin with. This miscarriage being able to save her life is already a great fortune.

Ye Yan'er nestled in Xiao Wang's embrace, sobbing so hard she couldn't catch her breath, but she didn't mention Chu Yuning at all.

King Xiao's face was grim, he remained silent. Losing two children in a row left him deeply heartbroken.

When Ye Yanne cried herself to sleep, closing her eyes, Xiao Wang then walked out.

At the sight of Chu Yuning, his eyes were filled with undisguised coldness and disgust: "From now on, Yan'er will never be able to have children again. From today onwards, all grievances between you and Yan'er are wiped clean. Yan'er owes you nothing more."

Chu Yun's face was pale and sickly, he lay slumped on the stool, unable to tell if it was sweat or tears soaking his clothes.

"Raising her head with difficulty, she said, "Your Highness, I didn't push Consort Ye. I have been wrongly accused."

"Enough!" King Xiao didn't want to hear Chu Yuning explain any further: "Back then when I extracted the heart, Yan'er was unaware of it. It was a deed done by this king alone. Today you have harmed Yan'er and yet act as if nothing is amiss. This king cannot tolerate those with malicious intentions under his very nose."

"Summon the guards! Throw Lady Chu into Leng Xiang Garden and keep her locked up. No one is to leave without my permission!"

Chu Yuning clutched Xiao Wang's robes tightly, saying with difficulty, "Whether Your Highness believes it or not, I didn't push Ye Consort."

"Under everyone's watchful eyes, you dare to deny it!" Xiao Wang suddenly yanked back his hem and left with a dismissive, "Take care of yourself."

Chu Yun's vision gradually blurred, watching Xiao Wang's figure slowly disappear in the distance.

Cold Fragrance Garden

Chu Yuning didn't remember how long he had been unconscious. There were sobs coming from the maidservant beside his ear, and he strained to open his eyelids.

It's so noisy!

Oh, it hurts!

The pain was like my bones were scattered, especially the lower half. Even a slight touch sent agonizing pain that almost made me faint.

"Hiss!" She gasped in surprise.

Hong'er heard Jing lift her head in surprise and exclaimed, "Princess Consort, you're awake."

Queen?

Chu Yu calmed his mind, and a wave of messy memories came crashing in.

Chu Jun's only daughter, because she had admired King Xiao for many years, begged Chu Jun to ask the emperor to give her in marriage.

The Emperor, taking into account General Chu's impressive military achievements, agreed to the proposal and bestowed upon him the title of Mrs. Xiao.

But King Xiao did not like her, he only had feelings for Ye Shi's eldest daughter.

The third month after King Xiao married his first wife, he married Ye Yan'er as well. Out of fear that she would be wronged, he gave her the power to manage the household.

Although Ye Yan'er is a concubine, her treatment is much better than that of the official wife.

Before Ye Yan'er entered the palace, Xiao Wang had never been intimate with any other woman. He waited for his heart's desire, the empress, before he was intimate with his concubines.

She became pregnant with Chu'er after just one encounter. After a long ten months of pregnancy, Ye Yan'er unexpectedly fell ill with a strange disease when she finally gave birth.

She often fell into a coma, and many doctors were helpless. Later, a divine doctor claimed to be able to cure Ye Yan'er's illness.

This illness requires a single-minded focus as medicine. Because both Ye Yan'er and Xiao Wang have ingested the Heavenly Silkworm Gu, the medicinal lead must come from Xiao Wang's family.

Before, King Xiao had suffered from a head ailment and couldn't be chosen as the medicinal reference person. In the world, only three people could do it: one was King Xiao's elder brother, the current emperor; the other was the Empress Dowager; and the last one was little Chuer, who was just two months old.

The Emperor and Empress were ruled out directly, leaving only Chuer.

Chu Yunning roared in anger, this was a trap at once, deliberately targeting Chu'er.

Xiao Wangxin, the treacherous bastard, believed them and ended up killing Chuer.

The original owner suffered a blow to the head and lost his memory, and then Ye Yan'er ruthlessly plotted against him. It just so happened that Ye Yan'er became pregnant for more than a month.

Ye Yan'er had a cold, and despite being showered with affection every day, this was her first pregnancy. King Xiao couldn't bear to let anything happen to her, he wanted to keep her safe from harm, but an accident still happened.

It's unclear whether <<< pushed Ye Yan'er or not, but it seems that Ye Yan'er instigated the conflict. During their struggle, Ye Yan'er fell into the river.

But this bill was inexplicably charged to the original owner, what a shame!

Chu Yuning gritted his teeth, secretly vowing to avenge this revenge. After sorting out his memory, seeing Hong'er crying so pitifully, he endured the pain and patted her shoulder: "Don't cry first, I'm not dead, am I?"

Hong'er suddenly stopped crying and sniffed her nose.

"Find a way to get some medicine, or your master will really die."

Hong'er was stunned. Where could she possibly get medicine from in Lengxiang Garden?

Chu Yunning casually brushed his hair and pulled out a few golden hairpins. He put a pair of jade earrings into Hong'er's hands: "Take these, and ask the mamas at the gate to buy some medicine."

Money makes the world go round, and people believe that everywhere.

He is a top medical professor from the 21st century, proficient in both Western and Eastern medicine. He checked your pulse right after you woke up.

Weak, and showing signs of miscarriage, must be medicated.

Chu Yuning became pregnant because a month ago, at the palace banquet, King Xiao was tricked and had to sleep with his concubine out of necessity.

It's such a coincidence, I'm pregnant again.

As expected, Hong'er soon bought the necessary items, several doses of medicine and a packet of silver needles.

To deceive others, the medicinal herbs were deliberately ground up. On the surface, some of it appeared to be for treating wounds and stopping bleeding. The abortion pills had to be carefully picked out little by little from the mixture.

He opened the silver needle and, without hesitation, took out a pill wrapped in several layers. Holding his breath, he carefully selected the medicine for Hong'er.

Hong'er quietly hid in the corner and boiled the medicine. After half an hour, she came over. Chu Yuning didn't care about being polite and took a gulp of it while it was still hot. The bitterness caused his brows to furrow into knots.

The remaining medicine should be simmered once every two hours.

Okay!

Hong'er hesitated, wanting to ask but not knowing how to begin. Chu Yuning explained: "I usually read medical books, I don't know if it's feasible or not, right now, I can only give it a try."

Hong'er was innocent and immediately believed it.

Chuyunning lay on the bed, her fingertips resting lightly on her abdomen. She wasn't sure if she could keep this child.

But we will make every effort to keep it.

Five years later

To celebrate Ye Yan'er's twentieth birthday, King Xiao held a grand banquet.

Ye Yan'er was dressed in a bright red gown, with hairpins adorned with pearls framing her temples. She moved gracefully with every step, appearing slowly in the spotlight of all eyes.

Xiao Wang looked at Ye Yan'er with affection: "Yan'er, you are truly beautiful today."

Ye Yan'er's little face flushed.

The Empress Dowager has arrived!

With a loud shout, everyone bowed.

"I/My wife pay respects to the Empress Dowager, May Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and wellbeing."

A lady remarked with envy, "King Xiao truly favors Concubine Ye. Even the Empress Dowager was astonished by the birthday banquet he arranged."

When this word reached Ye Yan'er's ears, she felt that things were not as simple as they seemed, but rather ominous.

The Empress Dowager, dressed in a dark purple robe, walked all the way and sat at the highest position. She raised her hand across the air: "You don't have to be polite, stand up."

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!"

All rise.

King Xiao sat to the empress dowager's right and below, with a respectful attitude: "Your Majesty, how did you come here? It should be this son who goes to your palace to pay respects."

The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed, and she coldly snorted: "I haven't been here for five years. You've been running wild for these five years, and the compensation you've given is almost enough. When will you release Yuning?"

"Mother, today is Yan'er's birthday banquet. Why bring up the Chu clan out of the blue?" Xiao Wang looked at Ye Yan'er's frail figure with heartache. Yan'er had sacrificed so much for him.

Back then, if it hadn't been for Yan'er saving him in the icy snow, he wouldn't have been injured, and his lineage would have been easy.

"This poisonous woman caused Yan'er to miscarry..."

"Have you witnessed it with your own eyes?" the Empress Dowager asked.

King Xiao choked. He had never seen it with his own eyes.

But Yan'er would never lie, so it must have been Chu Yuning who did it.

"Concubine Ye knows she can't conceive, yet she occupies the Prince's time day after day. How did Lord Ye teach his daughter?"

The Empress Dowager suddenly flew into a rage, and Ye Shi and Madam Ye among the crowd trembled and stepped forward to apologize.

Ye Yan'er, seeing this, hurriedly knelt down: "Empress Dowager, it is all my fault. Please punish me, Empress Dowager."

"Mother!" Xiao Wang saw Ye Yan'er being wronged and immediately stood up to plead. However, the Empress Dowager was impatient: "After all, she's just a concubine, only thinking about how to gain favor and not considering the future of the Prince's Manor. Xiao'er, it's time you brought out the Princess."

King Xiao had to compromise and agree to the Empress Dowager's request in order to protect Ye Yan'er.