The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 212 - Whether One Has the Ability

"Your Majesty, please don't send this servant away! I won't dare again, I won't dare again!"

Hanyan was taken aback and frightened. If she was sent back to her family, her stepmother would see that there was no profit to be made from her and might sell her off again.

Yi Xiuyuan's heart raced as well, fearing that Hanyan might say something wrong and implicate her.

She immediately instructed the people behind her, "Why aren't you quickly gagging this lowly maid and dragging her out? Don't let her pollute the Emperor's ears!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a few young eunuchs pulled out their handkerchiefs and rudely stuffed them into Hanyan's mouth, dragging her out.

In the struggle, the simple silver hairpin that Hanyan wore fell off her head and rolled right to Yi Xiuyuan's feet.

Once Hanyan was dragged out, the room suddenly fell silent.

Ning Chen sat still, his gaze fixed on Yi Xiuyuan. At this moment, the silver hairpin at her feet seemed particularly ironic.

Just a moment ago, this woman had tried to push that maid onto the dragon bed, meticulously arranging this banquet and carefully instructing the maid to dress up.

Seeing the situation was amiss, there weren't even any words of plea, and she decisively had the person tied up and taken away.

Such a stark contrast left one speechless.

It inevitably made Ning Chen think of Ye Yun.

Ye Yun's demeanor was indeed domineering, yet she was sincere, with clear likes and dislikes, never hiding her feelings—something rare in the harem.

The more he thought about it, the more he found the person before him displeasing.

Finally, he stood up.

"Your Majesty..." Yi Xiuyuan, feeling flustered, hurriedly called out.

Ning Chen turned to see her still kneeling, and with a calm expression, waved his hand dismissively. "You can get up. Take good care of the Third Prince and don't think about anything else. I have memorials to attend to, so I won't be staying tonight."

Yi Xiuyuan sighed in relief, knowing that the Emperor wasn't blaming her.

Although there was a warning in his words, thankfully he didn't say anything too harsh.

"I humbly see Your Majesty off. I will definitely take good care of the Third Prince."

Yi Xiuyuan carefully sent him off, still keeping an eye out, mentioning the Third Prince.

She understood that as long as there was a child, the Emperor would not neglect to visit her.

However, it was clear that she had miscalculated; mentioning the child in this situation seemed too deliberate, more glaringly revealing that she was using offspring to vie for favor.

In an instant, Ning Chen's impression of her worsened.

Yet, considering the Wu family and the Third Prince's sake, he refrained from saying much more.

After sending off the Emperor, Yi Xiuyuan turned around and slapped Yunxi.

"Because of the bad idea you suggested, I've lost face before the Emperor. Why is it always you? You're good for nothing, failing more than you succeed. If you can't serve well, I'll send you back to your family tomorrow!"

"Your Highness, please calm your anger. It was my mistake; I was foolish and spoke out of turn. It's all my fault. You can scold or beat me as you wish, but please don't send me away! I've followed you since I was little, and I may not have made any contributions, but I've endured hardships alongside you!"