Reborn in the Cold Palace: The Emperor's lie

No matter how much Chiying calculated, she never anticipated that Cui Yi's exile would come six months earlier than fate had decreed, nor did she expect that the person responsible for his exile would be his own father, Emperor Jianyuan, rather than Cui Jie. Despite Cui Jie's significant role, without the emperor's approval, such a hasty decision wouldn't have been made.

The Wu fell into unprecedented depression. Servants, maids, cooks, and gatekeepers sobbed as they packed their belongings and those of their masters. With over two hundred people in the Wu, only two guest scholars—Baili Zan and Xie Yong—and one personal maid, Xiao Qiu, along with the court-appointed nanny, Nong Yue, would accompany them to Gan Prefecture. Even the wet nurse had to be found along the way.

"Madam!" Cao Qian rushed in, seeing the three carriages already packed, tears welling up as he said, "The King sent me back to tell you, flowers cannot bloom forever, and we must endure the arrogance of those with evil intentions. One day, there will be a chance for revenge."

Chiying's eyes reddened, tears threatening to fall. "Where is the King now?"

Cao Qian whispered, "The King is kneeling in the Ancestral Temple, punished by the Emperor. He must kneel for five hours. Soon, officials from the Guanglu Temple will come to inventory our food and supplies. General Dai has already spoken to his son-in-law, ensuring they won't be too strict. Madam, hurry and pack more gold and silver for the journey. We need provisions for the trip and reserves for the King's future comeback."

Chiying nodded through her tears, instructing servants to open the treasury and load more gold, silver, grain, and cloth onto several carriages.

Sure enough, officials from the Guanglu Temple soon arrived, led by a portly official with a handlebar mustache. Outside, more than a dozen carts waited, loaded with sacks and straw ropes. Chiying couldn't help but sneer—having an insider certainly helped them know exactly what the Wu王府 possessed.

The portly official stroked his mustache arrogantly, ordering, "Load everything onto the carts!"

His subordinates, acting like bandits, swarmed in, packing furniture, antiques, paintings, and even half a jar of pickled plums that Nong Yue had prepared for Chiying.

Baili Zan whispered, "Since the beginning of the year, the Wu王府's earnings have been confiscated. This time, the Crown Prince really struck gold." Chiying shared the same sentiment but could only watch helplessly as the looters emptied the palace, leaving nothing behind.

A minor official reported, "Sir, everything has been moved."

The portly official grunted, casting a suspicious glance at Chiying, "Wu Wangfei, does it seem like there's less here? Every time the King returns victorious, the Emperor bestows many rewards. Is this all?"

Chiying suppressed her anger, replying softly, "Sir, as you can see, apart from some fallen leaves, there's nothing left. The Emperor's rewards are many, but we have hundreds of mouths to feed."

A young clerk beside him chimed in, "Yes, sir. Everything has been checked thoroughly. There's truly nothing left."

The portly official chuckled, seemingly unsatisfied. Just then, another official ran from the backyard, reporting loudly, "Sir, there are several fully loaded carts outside the back gate!"

Chiying and her group were taken aback. The portly official gestured, "Lead the way!" and strode towards the backyard.

Xiao Qiu nervously asked, "Didn't General Cao say they wouldn't be too strict? How..."

Nong Yue signaled for silence, "Don't speak. Follow closely."

They followed the portly official to the backyard, where the Wu northbound convoy awaited. Seeing the carts full of provisions, the portly official became furious, shouting, "What's going on! The Emperor decreed that all possessions of the Wu be confiscated. You dare to hide money and grain, attempting to deceive the Emperor! Clearly, you're defying the imperial edict and showing contempt for the Emperor!"

He motioned to his men to seize the carts.

"No!" Xiao Qiu rushed forward, spreading her arms to block the carts, pleading, "Sir, please have mercy! The King and Madam need food and supplies for the journey. Please leave us some!"

The portly official snarled, "Leave what? Imperial edicts are final. Who will show mercy to me if I show mercy to you?"

Chiying approached, holding out a box of fifty taels of silver, smiling apologetically, "Sir, please be merciful. The Wu王府 has been stripped bare. We only brought some clothes. Please let us keep these carts, and we'll repay your kindness in the future."

The clerk added, "Sir, everything worth confiscating has been taken. A little extra won't make a difference. Perhaps you could do us a favor. After all, the King is still the Emperor's son. Who knows, maybe he'll rise again someday..."

The portly official grunted, taking the silver, reluctantly agreeing, "Alright, I'm not heartless. You can take six carts, but leave two behind."

Eight carts reduced to six, meaning this greedy official intended to pocket the difference. Chiying seethed with anger but feigned gratitude, "Thank you, sir. May I ask your name?"

The portly official stroked his mustache, looking down at her, "I am Lu Xiaohé, the Chief of the Guanglu Temple. Remember my name well."

Chiying smiled insincerely, "Of course, sir. I will remember your kindness."

In her heart, she vowed, "When I return to Purple Chapter City, I'll make sure your entire family suffers the same fate."

Finally rid of the Guanglu Temple officials, Chiying and her companions stood outside the Wu, guarding six remaining carts, hearts heavy with sorrow. Xie Yong sighed, "Madam, what are your plans?"

Chiying, holding her daughter, whispered, "What plans? We'll take it one step at a time. With this amount of provisions, we can barely make it to Gan Prefecture."

Xie Yong hesitantly suggested, "Why not pass through Xuancheng? My father might still support the King and lend a hand."

His words surprised everyone. Given Cui Yi's clear rejection of the marriage alliance and the Emperor's denial of the betrothal, why would the Xie family still support them? Unless...

Unless Cui Yi changed his mind and married Xie Yuchan.

Chiying gently patted her daughter, her eyes dimming, "Let's leave the city first. Once the King returns, we'll decide."

Besides the six cargo carts, the steward, Wang Bo, had prepared two carriages for the royal consorts. Baili Zan and Xie Yong would share one, while Chiying, Nong Yue, and Xiao Qiu would ride in the other. Leaving them behind would result in confiscation, so they decided to depart in style, hoping to sell them later for some money.

Thinking the Guanglu Temple's confiscation was the worst, they were stopped again at the city gates by none other than Changsun Tai.

Seeing her father, Chiying felt a glimmer of hope, stepping out to greet him, "Father."

Changsun Tai looked distressed, scolding her, "Ying'er, how could you be so cruel? That's your own sister. How could you bear to do such a terrible thing to her?"

"I..." Chiying tried to explain, but Changsun Tai waved dismissively, "Don't say anything. I know you're resentful of my insistence on aborting the pregnancy. What good did it do to insist on having her? A daughter, what use is she?"

"Father!" Chiying exploded with anger, "What's wrong with a daughter? Isn't she human? Doesn't she deserve to be born?"

Changsun Tai pointed at the baby in Nong Yue's arms, "You fought with your parents and your sister for her sake. What has she brought you? Will the Emperor make you the Wu Wangfei because you gave birth to a daughter?"

Chiying felt as if she'd been struck by lightning, unable to speak. Bai Li Zan leaned out of the carriage, sternly addressing Changsun Tai, "Lord Changsun, does Lady Chiying lose her right to be your daughter just because she didn't become the Crown Princess?"

Changsun Tai, unfamiliar with Bai Li Zan, couldn't retort. Seeing his daughter's red-rimmed eyes, he knew he shouldn't continue. Officially, he said, "The Emperor decrees that the Wu王府's exit carriages shall not exceed three."

Three! Even Xie Yong was stunned. Three carriages meant one for the scholars, one for the ladies, and only one for supplies. Ridiculous!

"Must Father be so ruthless?" Chiying wiped away her tears, her tone harsh.

"My duty requires me to enforce the Emperor's decree," Changsun Tai replied, avoiding her gaze.

Chiying's heart turned cold. She stepped back, "Fine, I understand. Xiao Qiu, Nong Yue, get out and walk. Gentlemen, you'll have to ride horses."

Bai Li Zan wordlessly got out, carrying the baby. Xie Yong sighed and followed. Xiao Qiu tugged at Chiying's sleeve, "Madam, what about you?"

"I'll walk too," Chiying declared, giving her father one last look before turning to select three of the remaining six carts. The guards allowed them to pass, and the drivers unhitched the horses, saddling them for Bai Li Zan and Xie Yong. They silently left the city.

"After this farewell, there is no longer a Changsun Chiying in this world. Father, take care. Farewell."