Chapter 571: 571 Ridiculous that you miss your sister-in-law_1

Unlike the indifference of King Rui Residence towards the recent event, the entirety of Capital City was deeply shaken.

Lady Qi had died, even faster than Qi Yansong.

Qi Yansong had been imprisoned in the Sky Prison and was executed only after a trial.

But Lady Qi had taken her own life with a three-foot-long silk scarf as soon as the dawn broke.

With her death, the Queen lost her chance for self-defense.

No matter how much she insisted on her innocence in causing harm to Empress Xu, the Emperor chose not to believe her, demoting her and confining her to her quarters.

There was even speculation that the Emperor’s decision not to banish her to the Cold Palace outright was likely out of consideration for Chu Lan.

The Emperor had just reprimanded the Qi Family the previous year and stability in the royal court had only just been re-established, making it difficult to act against King Jing at this time.

Despite being the Emperor, he often found his options limited and could not always do as he pleased. It had been difficult enough to dispose of the Qi Family last year.

So this time, he only punished Lady Qi, showing leniency towards the Queen.

The incident had caused turmoil in the previously clear and stable royal court.

People across Capital City were becoming restless once again.

It was commonly believed that the downfall of the Qi family had secured King Jing’s position as Crown Prince, but it now seemed that matters were far from settled.

Since Lady Qi and the Queen had both harmed Empress Xu, King Jing and King Yu were the same to the Emperor. Neither one could be said to have his favor.

While there were signs of King Qin being favored by the Emperor, his talent was relatively inferior, making it difficult to surpass King Yu and King Jing.

###

Sky Prison.

The surroundings were dark and cold, especially on this winter day. The cold made one shiver involuntarily.

Zuo Lingyue was crouched in a corner.

Footsteps approached, and a tall figure appeared outside the cell.

Through the cold iron prison door, Zuo Lingyue recognized the visitor. She somehow found the strength she was lacking and rushed to the door.

Gazing at the man she had been yearning for so long, Zuo Lingyue trembled, unable to utter the words she wanted to say.

Chu Lan looked coldly at Zuo Lingyue, who had lost her usually refined and graceful bearing, leaving only wretchedness and paleness.

Chu Lan asked, “Why did you do this? You have no grudge against Queen Rui, and your interactions are limited. You have met only a few times”.

“True, we’ve just seen each other a couple of times from afar. The only time we had a conversation was during the Lantern Festival,” Zuo Lingyue admitted.

“So why? What made you harbor such malicious intentions against her?”

“How dare you ask me why? Don’t you know why? Ask yourself, where were you on our wedding night?” Zuo Lingyue sneered bitterly, tears in her eyes and a smile sadder than crying on her lips.

Chu Lan frowned, “You know?”

“I wish I hadn’t found out! But I did! On our wedding night, my husband abandoned me to see his brother’s wife! What a joke!”

Zuo Lingyue spoke, her tone filled with mockery.

She was ridiculing Chu Lan, but she was also mocking herself.

Chu Lan’s frown deepened.

Zuo Lingyue continued, “If it had been only on our wedding night, I may have accepted it. But I remain untouched to this day! Can anyone believe that I’m still a virgin after being married for so long? My husband never once spent a night in my room!”

“You refuse to touch me, not because you are sick, but because your heart is filled with another woman. You’re willing to stay chaste for a woman you can’t possibly have! I would rather you be impotent than you giving all your love to someone else!”

Her eyes were full of resentment and anger.

All because she loved Chu Lan.

She had fallen in love with him a long time ago.

Even before she was appointed as the Queen Jing, her heart and eyes were filled with him.

She was so elated to become his wife.

She had been looking forward to their wedding with such anticipation.

But because her expectations were so high, her eventual disappointment was more painful.

Zuo Lingyue questioned Chu Lan, “Your Highness, don’t you find yourself ridiculous? Night after night in your study, longing for your sister-in-law, do you believe yourself to be preserving your chastity for her?”

Chu Lan didn’t respond directly to Zuo Lingyue’s question, instead, he said, “You should never have done this. Your resentment stemming from me, you should hate me, not her.”

“But the person I love is you! What I want is your love, not your life!”

She loved him.

That was the root of it all.

Since she couldn’t sever this root, she could only cut off his affection for the other woman!

Facing Zuo Lingyue’s sudden confession, Chen Lan furrowed his eyebrows and said solemnly, “You should not have done this.”

“What should or shouldn’t be done? To you, I am nothing but a trivial person. Yet, aren’t you the same to Queen Rui? You can’t possibly think you are of any importance to her? She would rather choose a dying man over you!” Zuo Lingyue yelled at Chu Lan.

Chu Lan did not retort. Perhaps he did know that what Zuo Lingyue said was the truth. To Wei Qingruo, he was nothing but an inconsequential character. She had saved him once, but she had also saved countless common folk. Her compassion was not only for him, it was for anyone she encountered, even a random refugee on the road.

Chu Lan did not stay any longer, he turned and left.

“Chu Lan, you won’t have it your way! What I can’t have, you also won’t have! You will also suffer a miserable ending like me!” Zuo Lingyue cried out at Chu Lan’s retreating figure.

Chu Lan’s footsteps halted for a moment.

Zuo Lingyue thought he was about to say something to her, but he didn’t. He resumed walking, his footsteps getting lighter and lighter until he completely disappeared from her view.

Zuo Lingyue slumped feebly to the ground, staring blankly at the dark and empty prison cell.

###

Inside King Yu Residence.

Upon hearing the news from the palace, Wei Qingwan couldn’t help but feel elated.

Lady Qi’s death gave a glimmer of hope to King Yu.

Moreover, with the death of Lady Qi, King Yu, while unable to openly express his grief due to the etiquette, would have to mourn in private to prevent others from accusing him of callousness. At least for the next half a year, there would be no chance for him to favor any other woman.

This was well timed since she was currently pregnant and unable to serve the King.

Moreover, it also meant that in the near future no one else in the King Yu Residence would become pregnant.

However, Wei Qingwan dared only to harbor this joy in her heart without revealing the slightest hint of it.

Previously, she could trust two confidants, but now she could trust no one but herself.

All she needed to do now was to take care of herself and safely give birth to the child in her womb.

Having finished the bird’s nest soup brought by her maid, Wei Qingwan was about to return to her bed for a rest.

The maid outside announced, “My Lady, Lady Cuihe is here.”