Baili Jing was in tears as she spoke, while Baili Cheng looked pale: "I know I can't wait any longer. It was all my own choice, and I forced my brother, the Crown Prince. I relied on my sister, so he wouldn't be wary of me. That's why I drank with him in wine laced with aphrodisiacs. I was so happy that night, and I felt happy too."
"You! You are utterly despicable!" The Empress shouted angrily upon hearing this, feeling a surge of nausea. Just thinking about the scene—her own flesh and blood rolling around on the bed—and recalling Baili Jing's lustful face when she entered, filled her with hatred.
Baili Jing was only eleven or twelve years old at the time. From then on, the two of them were together for at least five years. During those five years, they had an affair countless times. The Empress felt so angry that she was about to faint. All these years, she had been kept in the dark. As the Empress, she had always been the one in control of others. She felt like she had been played, and her lips trembled with anger.
Baili Jing suddenly laughed, a cold smile on her face: "Yes, I am lowly, but so what? At least I feel happy when I'm with my Crown Prince brother. What's the use of you saying this now, Mother? I remember ever since I was old enough to understand, you've lived in a world of power struggles with the concubines in the palace. Every word you uttered was laced with murderous intent, even the newborn baby was part of your schemes. What do you care about us? If you truly cared, perhaps you would have nipped my feelings in the bud when they first blossomed. If someone had carefully guided me back then, would I be where I am today? Now, nothing can be changed. I love my Crown Prince brother, and I would do anything for him!"
"Jing'er, stop talking." Baili Cheng's face was grim. Baili Jing bit her lip slightly, looking at Baili Cheng with some hurt in her eyes. Seeing this, Baili Cheng took her hand and looked at the Empress.
Baili Jing looked back and was startled. The Empress was staring at her with eyes wide with rage, her ferocious expression chilling Baili Jing to the bone. The Empress gritted her teeth and said, "Baili Jing, is this how you speak to your mother? You still think this way, unable to recognize your own mistakes, and instead blame me for fighting for you in the palace! You blame me, but if I hadn't fought for you, do you think you would have lived long? If I hadn't fought for you, who knows who would be on the Empress's throne now? Do you think having the Empress Dowager guarantees your safety? The Emperor is the ruler of the country, and the affairs of the harem are entirely up to him. If I hadn't fought for you, the three of us would have died long ago! Now you blame me for fighting wrongly? Fine, fine! I've worried so much for you all my life, and all I get in return is complaints. Fine, fine! What a pair of filial children! Fine, so good!"
"Pfft!" As she said this, the Empress felt a tightness in her chest, followed by an itchy throat and a churning in her heart, and then spat out a mouthful of blood.
Baili Cheng and Baili Jing were both startled and quickly came over to check. The Empress, however, sneered, "Get out of here! I don't want to see you two unfilial children right now. Set off for the palace." The Empress stood up abruptly. Lan He had already wiped the Empress's mouth and helped her leave. However, as she left, she couldn't help but give Baili Jing a disapproving look, implying that she had gone too far with her words. Lan He was the Empress's head maid, and the Empress often asked her to do many things. Even Baili Jing wouldn't offend her easily. At this moment, Baili Jing froze, standing motionless.
The Empress left without a second glance. Baili Cheng and Baili Jing remained motionless for a long time before Baili Cheng spoke first: "Second Imperial Sister, you should return to the palace."
Baili Jing was shocked: "Brother Cheng, don't you want me anymore?" As she spoke, her eyes were already filled with tears.
"Second Princess, what we did was wrong to begin with. If Mother hadn't come today, we probably would still be stubbornly clinging to our mistakes. Let's just let it go. We are still the closest siblings in the world, but that's all we are." Baili Cheng looked at Baili Jing and said with some complicated feelings.
"No, I love you, Brother Cheng. We've been together for so many years, don't you have any feelings for me at all? Do you really like Lin Yingying that much? With her, can you leave me? In bed, I'm the one who makes you feel the most comfortable, Brother Cheng." Baili Jing obviously couldn't accept it and pounced on Baili Cheng, her hand reaching down to grab him. But Baili Cheng dodged, grabbed Baili Jing's hand, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.
Actually, although the two of them would have two private meetings every month, Baili Jing would always sneak out for a night of pleasure before returning to the palace before the city gates opened. So, things had always been peaceful. But for some reason, Baili Jing was still not satisfied yesterday and wouldn't let go of Baili Cheng, which is why he was late for returning to the palace. And this morning, Baili Jing was still clinging to him, otherwise the Empress wouldn't have caught them red-handed.
Over the years, the Empress had never shown any displeasure towards him, but today, her cursing of Baili Cheng made him feel humiliated, and he naturally harbored some resentment towards Baili Jing.
Baili Jing cried with tears streaming down her face, looking very pitiful, but Baili Cheng, still harboring resentment, seemed not to see it: "Brother Cheng, are you really going to let go? I'm willing to do anything for you, how can you treat me like this? We've been husband and wife for so many years, don't you have any feelings for me at all!"
Baili Cheng sighed, "Jing'er, after all, our actions were wrong. No matter how much I like you, it's impossible. Although we once thought that once I became emperor, you could be with me. At that time, I would be the most powerful person in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and naturally I would have ways to shut people up. But how many people can be silenced by gossip every day? In the end, we still have to be secretive."
Baili Jing's expression suddenly changed, and he said in a low voice, "What do you mean by that? Have you been using me all these years? How many things have I done for you? How many obstacles have I secretly eliminated? Do you really think I'm inherently despicable? Would anyone else be worthy to say a word to me?!"
Baili Cheng was also angry and impatient: "If you don't want to, what can I do? It's getting late. Go back and coax your mother. She cares about you the most. Don't bring up this kind of thing again."
Seeing that Baili Cheng was determined, Baili Jing started crying again: "I won't leave, I want to stay with you, I'm your woman, you can't just give up on me like this, I don't want anyone but you, Brother Cheng, don't do this, don't do this!"
Baili Cheng pulled out his arm and said, "Jing'er, you are my imperial sister. This has been wrong from the beginning. It hasn't reached the point of no return yet, so let's just break it off like this. From now on, we will still be brother and sister."
Baili Jing's eyes widened in fury: "No, I am your woman. If you don't want me, I will cause chaos in the Crown Prince's mansion. I will make sure all the women there die without a burial place. Hmph, you think you can get rid of me so easily!"
An unbridled fire ignited in Baili Cheng's heart. Although Baili Jing was beautiful, he wasn't so desperate as to be indiscriminate. He wouldn't lay a hand on her. As Baili Jing had said, she had drugged him with aphrodisiacs to make them consummate their marriage because she admired him. Baili Cheng had indeed been against her will, but they had done it. At the time, Baili Cheng was still a novice in matters of love. Although Baili Jing hadn't fully matured, she was more skilled in that area than some of the women sent to the manor. To win Baili Cheng's heart, Baili Jing had indeed learned a lot, and after several years of intimate relations, she truly understood what Baili Cheng wanted. In this respect alone, they were inseparable, which was why they had maintained this relationship.
Of course, when Baili Jing offered herself up, Baili Cheng did struggle, but the benefits she brought him eventually led him to compromise. However, this compromise didn't mean he would let Baili Jing do as she pleased. A man's greatest taboo is being forced by a woman, especially since Baili Cheng wasn't acting voluntarily. Although it's inappropriate for Baili Jing's own sister to think this way, how was her behavior any different from the despicable acts his concubines in the household would do to please him?
Now that Baili Jing is threatening him like this, most men would find it unbearable, let alone him, who is the Crown Prince and the future Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"Bang!" With a wave of his hand, Baili Cheng knocked Baili Jing, who had been clinging to him, to the ground, her face filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"Jing'er, you need to grow up. You should think carefully about what you can do as you please. Don't go to the point where I don't even want to see you anymore." Baili Cheng said coldly. Baili Jing suddenly trembled all over, her face pale with fright. She crawled over and hugged Baili Cheng's leg tightly, even rubbing her chest against him repeatedly: "Brother Cheng, don't be angry. It's Jing'er's fault. Jing'er is just too afraid of losing you. Please don't be angry with Jing'er, okay?"
Baili Jing's figure had already developed; she was no longer the naive woman who had seduced him into bed. Baili Cheng's heart stirred, and he knelt down to hug Baili Jing, advising, "Jing'er, today's action is just a temporary measure. The Empress Dowager has returned to the palace in anger, and we can't just leave without any response. Let's not see each other for a while; we have to put on a show for the Empress Dowager. You little vixen, do you really think I can bear to part with you?" Baili Cheng smiled and slipped his hand inside Baili Jing's clothes.
Baili Jing's body went limp immediately: "Brother Cheng, I knew you were the best to me. Don't worry, Brother Cheng, I will definitely persuade Mother when I get back."
Baili Cheng responded, but said, "This time I failed to make Ouyang Yue miscarry, so next time I'll just take care of her. Making her give birth to the child will always be a big problem for me."
Baili Jing nodded repeatedly: "Brother Cheng, don't worry, I've already made arrangements."
"Yes, you are the best. Of all my women, only you truly understand my heart. I have already planned for our future. When I become emperor, I will change your status. I will never mistreat you."
Baili Jing beamed, "Yeah, I've been looking forward to that time too. Ah... Brother Cheng..." Suddenly, Baili Jing's expression changed, and she looked at Baili Cheng seductively. Baili Cheng grinned lewdly, "What, feeling something again?"
Baili Jing blushed and remained silent, but Baili Cheng reached out from under her clothes. Baili Jing immediately grabbed him and tried to push him back, but Baili Cheng patted her bottom and said, "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. How could you be so wanton last night? Go back and persuade your mother. Although she won't expose these things, there are always variables. We must not let her know about our affair, understand?"
Baili Jing twisted her waist in dissatisfaction, but knowing that things couldn't wait, she got up, changed her clothes, and left the Crown Prince's residence through the underground passage back to the palace. However, while sitting in the carriage, Baili Jing couldn't help but groan. She wondered why her desires had been so intense these past few days, as if she wanted to be constantly bound to Cheng-ge. She figured it was probably because that bitch Lin Yingying was becoming increasingly clingy to Cheng-ge, making her jealous.
Baili Cheng then summoned the head steward: "Take care of the room and change all the sheets." Without a trace of reluctance, he suddenly turned to the head steward and asked, "Is Consort Lin causing trouble?"
"Your Highness, it is true that you were not feeling well when you suddenly left Consort Lin last night. This morning, you were subtly mocked by a concubine, and the two of you had a few words." The head steward answered honestly.
Baili Cheng snorted coldly: "Dispose of that concubine. By the way, I heard that Yanxue Pavilion has another courtesan named Yange."
The steward hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I heard that this Yan Ge was originally the daughter of an official, but her family committed a crime and was therefore demoted. After several twists and turns, she was sold into a brothel, but she has always insisted on not taking customers. She is very talented and has an exceptionally beautiful appearance, which I heard is comparable to that of the Princess Consort of Chen."
Baili Cheng said "Oh" and said, "There is such a woman? Then I should see her for myself. I will secretly bring her to the Crown Prince's residence and have my way with her for a few days."
The steward readily agreed, but Baili Cheng smirked: "A courtesan, huh? If we could win her over, we'd get a lot of information from our customers every day. If Yan Ge really has the beauty of Xuan Yuan Yue, she'd be quite a good pawn."
After returning to the palace, Baili Jing, as requested by Baili Cheng, first went to apologize to the Empress. However, the Empress was in a fit of anger and refused to see Baili Jing. Baili Jing had no choice but to go to the inner palace. She was also afraid that something might have really happened and that if this got out, it would be bad for Baili Cheng. So, Baili Jing went to the inner palace and knelt there all night. In the end, she fainted and was taken away. Only then did the Empress finally see her.
"You, how can I put you?"
When Baili Jing slowly woke up on the bed, she opened her eyes and saw the Empress's distressed expression and helpless look. Baili Jing's eyes immediately reddened: "Mother, Jing'er knows she was wrong and will not do it again. Please forgive me, Mother. I was young and ignorant, and I admired the Crown Prince very much. After you left, the Crown Prince tried to persuade me and even scolded me awake. We are still young, and as a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, even if I don't think about myself, I have to think about the Crown Prince. It's not that I can't love him, but I can't do anything to harm him. Please rest assured, Mother, Jing'er will never do such a thing again."
Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression relaxed, and she gently stroked Baili Jing's face: "It's good that you know. It seems that I need to hurry up and find you a husband, so that you can put an end to your hopes."
Upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashed in Baili Jing's eyes. Although she quickly concealed it, the Empress still noticed it. The Empress's eyes turned slightly cold, but she quickly changed her expression: "Alright, you should rest now. Your mother will come to see you later."
Baili Jing watched the Empress leave with gratitude and respect. However, as soon as she stepped into Anle Palace, the Empress's expression suddenly darkened. She said to Lan He beside her, "Send someone to keep an eye on the Second Princess. If the Second Princess makes any unusual moves, notify me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Empress sat on the edge of the bed, her face darkening: "These two little beasts! If they weren't my own children, if the Crown Prince weren't the safety of the Guanlin family, if I weren't going to sit on the Empress Dowager's throne, if he weren't my future patron, I would have spared them. Beasts!"
The Empress wouldn't say these things to Baili Cheng and Baili Jing, but she was already furious. Her two children, on whom she had placed so much hope, had done something so utterly foolish. Just thinking about it made her heart tremble with rage, and she felt like killing someone!
After that, Baili Jing really behaved herself a lot, and the Empress gradually felt more at ease. She also started looking for a husband for Baili Jing. Although Baili Jing had lost her virginity, as a royal princess, the Empress had many ways to prevent people from discovering that Baili Jing had lost her virginity. Therefore, she was not worried at all about the princess's marriage.
Upon hearing this, Baili Jing became somewhat anxious. If this matter were to be settled, wouldn't she really have to get married? This would greatly hinder her from being with Cheng Ge in the future. Naturally, Baili Jing was unwilling to do so. While the Empress was secretly looking for several noblewomen for her, Baili Jing finally couldn't resist leaving the palace again. The Empress was furious upon hearing this, but she was even more focused on finding a husband for Baili Jing.
Inside the Prince Chen's residence, Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue listened to the news about Leng Sha, and strange thoughts churned in their hearts. Ouyang Yue couldn't help but say, "It feels like a storm is brewing."
Baili Chen ordered Leng Sha, "Keep an eye on things, and report any unusual activity immediately."
Leng Sha obeyed and withdrew. Baili Chen casually pulled Ouyang Yue's arm and said, "It's really laughable. The royal family, which has always prided itself on justice and dignity, has actually been involved in such an immoral scandal. It's utterly ridiculous." He then looked at Ouyang Yue and said, "I didn't expect that the Empress could remain so calm after knowing about this. I originally thought that as soon as she slipped up, this matter would be impossible to keep a secret, and at least the news would spread within the royal family."
Ouyang Yue shook her head: "That's not good. If this matter really blows up, it won't be good for anyone in the royal family. Third Prince, you, and Grandmother, if you are used by those with ulterior motives, turmoil in the court will be inevitable. Moreover, I have a feeling that this matter won't just end like this. You said it yourself, we're not the only ones who know about this. At least I know that Baili Jing, who has brought chaos and defiled the royal family, is doomed to die!"
Baili Chen rubbed Ouyang Yue's hand: "To die is too easy for her. If she hadn't been in the palace, I would have torn her to pieces for daring to hurt you!"
Ouyang Yue patted his hand with a smile: "Killing without bloodshed isn't necessarily the best method. I think using someone else to do the dirty work is the real trick. Let them fight like dogs, we'll just watch the show." Seeing the mischievous smile on Ouyang Yue's face, Baili Chen also laughed. He had been particularly careful these past few days, afraid that his wife might harbor some resentment because of this matter, or misunderstand him, and also worried that her pregnancy might have some impact on her health. But now it seemed that nothing was wrong, and Baili Chen was finally relieved.
Inside the palace, everything remained the same.
Early that morning, the concubines in the Empress's palace all came to pay their respects. The Empress sat on the high seat, occasionally chatting with someone. Dressed in a golden peony dress, she appeared dignified and magnificent, naturally more elegant than the other concubines, which immediately drew praise from many people.
The fragrant fruit served every morning was also brought out and distributed to the concubines as they sat down. Suddenly, a strange noise came from the hall. Everyone was stunned. At this moment, they saw Baili Jing with a pale face, covering her mouth with her hand and waving her hand, saying, "Take it away quickly, what smells so bad."
Everyone was puzzled, and one of the concubines couldn't help but ask, "Is the Second Princess feeling unwell? She usually likes this fruit very much. Is she having a poor appetite?"
"Yes, I have a recipe to stimulate the appetite. Why don't we give it to the Second Princess now and see how it works?"
The concubines were all concerned, but their faces showed confusion. Baili Jing usually loved fruit, but today she looked distressed at the sight of it. This change was quite strange. The Empress noticed this and her expression changed drastically. She said, "The Second Princess was poisoned by a snake and has been very weak ever since, so her appetite has been poor lately. I'm sorry to have worried you all. I have already prepared a prescription. She should get better after taking two doses. Thank you all for your concern."
"Sister, what are you saying? Isn't this what I should do?"
"That's right. The Empress treats her concubines with boundless kindness every day. What is this compared to that?"
"Well, since the Second Princess is not feeling well, I will not keep you any longer. It is getting late, so you may all go your separate ways."
"Yes, this concubine takes her leave..." Everyone left one after another, but as Fenyan left, she glanced thoughtfully at Baili Jing. At this moment, the Empress suddenly glanced at her, and Fenyan turned her head away, her expression somewhat complicated.
The Empress looked at Baili Jing, her face now completely frosty: "Take the Second Princess to her bedchamber."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Upon entering the palace, servants helped Baili Jing to bed. The Empress whispered a few words to Lan He, who was greatly alarmed. However, she immediately obeyed and ordered all the palace maids to leave. Several strong palace maids were then brought in. Lan He took out a paper packet, opened it, placed it in the tea, and walked to the bedside: "Second Princess, if you are not feeling well, drink some tea to soothe your throat."
Baili Jing looked surprised: "Lan He, what did you put in the tea? Don't think I didn't see it."
Lan He looked at Baili Jing expressionlessly: "Of course it's good stuff, Princess, please have some tea first."
"No! Mother, Lanhe is trying to harm me! Mother, save me!" Baili Jing exclaimed in alarm, her face filled with anxiety as she spoke to the Empress. However, when she saw the Empress's expression, she was shocked.
The Empress's face was extremely cold at this moment, but this was not the first time Baili Jing had seen it. She always had this expression when the Empress was about to harm someone. However, she was her own daughter: "Mother! No, why are you trying to harm Jing'er? Jing'er is your own daughter! Mother, no!"
The Empress coldly ordered, "Hold her down and force her to drink it!"
"No! No! Mother, how cruel you are! How could you harm your own daughter like this? You deserve to be cut into a thousand pieces! You can even do this to your own flesh and blood! You deserve to die a horrible death! You heartless wretch, you deserve to die a horrible death! Ugh, gulp, cough cough cough..." As the burly palace maids pressed down on her, Baili Jing's mouth was forced open. Lan He shoved the cup in her hand directly into her mouth. Baili Jing spat out half of the tea, but the other half was forcibly fed down. However, as soon as it was fed down, Baili Jing felt a trembling pain in her stomach, twisting violently as if her internal organs were being crushed. She rolled around on the bed in pain, and soon blood flowed from the corner of her mouth.
Baili Jing's eyes were bloodshot with pain as she glared at the Empress standing quietly to the side, her eyes filled with hatred: "I am your own daughter! How could you be so cruel? You heartless woman, I curse you to die a horrible death!"
"Shut up! You unfilial son! If I hadn't had people watching you recently, I wouldn't have known you were pregnant. If this belly grows bigger, nothing will be able to be hidden. Do you think those women in the palace are pushovers? Today, countless people will suspect you. Jing'er, this is what you brought on yourself. You're all grown up now, not a seven or eight-year-old child. To do such a immoral and unethical thing, you truly deserve to die. Do you think your mother can bear it? Can you understand how much pain I felt when I did this? I carried her for ten months and gave birth to her. What could be more painful than forcing my own daughter to her death? You really don't understand anything! You don't understand anything at all!" The Empress cried out in anguish.
Baili Jing couldn't comprehend the Empress's pain. She only felt the deepest pain and pitifulness in her own heart. She was pregnant? Pregnant with Cheng Ge's child? But before she could even find out, someone had aborted the child, and she herself was about to die. She was so unwilling. She hadn't seen Cheng Ge ascend the throne yet, and she hadn't become Cheng Ge's rightful woman. She was so unwilling!
"Don't put on such a high-sounding facade! You're only doing this for yourself. You're selfish; I've never seen anyone more selfish than you. You'd do anything for yourself, you'd make any sacrifice! You don't even deserve to be a mother, you shameless woman! What right do you have to talk about me? Didn't you take advantage of Father's insanity to climb into his bed? How much more noble are you? I am your biological daughter, and I learned all this from you, except I climbed into my brother's bed. Now you're talking to me about morality? Do you even deserve it! You can even kill your own daughter! You poisonous woman, you deserve to die a horrible death! Even in death, I curse you to go to the eighteenth level of hell, you deserve to die a horrible death!" Baili Jing's face was contorted with pain, and her words were extremely vicious!
Upon hearing this, Lan He looked at the swaying, pale-faced empress and suddenly shouted, "Shut up!" She slapped Baili Jing hard across the face. The slap was so forceful that Baili Jing's head hit the wall, and blood gushed out immediately.
Upon seeing this, the Empress exclaimed in surprise, "No, Jing'er!"
However, as soon as she rushed over, Baili Jing suddenly looked up, her ferocious expression startling the Empress. She hurriedly tried to retreat, but Baili Jing had already pounced on her and viciously bit her!
☆、214、The Death of Baili Jing, Threatening the Empress!
The Empress was stunned when Baili Jing rushed over, which caught her completely off guard. Baili Jing looked at the Empress with a sinister gaze, then raised her head and shoved her.
"Bang!"
Shoved heavily to the ground, the Empress felt as if the bones in her back were about to crack, and she convulsed in pain. Lan He, realizing what was happening, rushed over and stopped Baili Jing just as she was about to kick the Empress in the stomach again: "Stop!"
"Slap!" Another slap landed, and Baili Jing's face swelled up, with bloody scratches from her fingernails on her cheeks. But Baili Jing went berserk, ignoring the injuries on her face. Instead of kicking the Empress, she kicked Lan He instead.
"Bang!" Lan He was kicked and slammed onto the table, causing the entire table to overturn. She fell and screamed in pain.
Baili Jing's face was contorted as she looked at the Empress lying on the ground, unable to get up from the pain, and cried out angrily, "You killed my child! You killed my child! I want you dead too! I want you dead!"
The Empress's face turned pale, and she shook her head repeatedly: "Jing'er, calm down. Listen to your mother. Yes, I did drug you and make you abort the child, but that child cannot be kept. You and the Crown Prince are not accepted by the world. If your affair gets out, not only you, but what will happen to the Crown Prince? From childhood to adulthood, he has been striving for the throne. Do you want to ruin his future because of your affair? He had the potential to become a high and mighty figure. Do you want him to end up in a miserable state? Don't you love him? How can you be so heartless? This child was born, and what explanation can you give? Who is the father of the child? Do you think no one will ask? Those who are our enemies will seize this opportunity. What else can I do but do this? Can you understand my heartache? You don't understand at all!" As she spoke, the Empress also broke down in tears.
The Empress truly had feelings for Baili Jing, feelings even stronger than those for Baili Cheng. In the inner palace, finding someone genuinely kind was rare; everywhere was rife with intrigue and scheming. Even the closest of friends could turn on each other in an instant, making true affection incredibly difficult to find. This is why the harem was so rife with scheming, sometimes even involving blood relatives. However, this wasn't absolute. At least in their interactions over the past decade, Baili Jing had been obedient and sensible before the Empress, who cherished her deeply. It was precisely because of this that the Empress genuinely loved her.
Unfortunately, Baili Jing and Baili Cheng committed an irreparable mistake. If Baili Jing had simply stopped seeing Baili Cheng after the Empress's warning, the matter would have been resolved. However, the Empress, secretly monitoring her, discovered that Baili Jing not only couldn't resist but was also pregnant. This panicked the Empress, who spent several sleepless nights agonizing over the matter. She feared that if things continued this way, everything would be ruined. She even worried that she herself might lose her position as Empress, let alone Baili Cheng. For the future ruler to commit such incestuous acts directly destroyed any chance of his ascension to the throne.
The Empress was in turmoil. She knew she had to act swiftly and decisively, before things spiraled out of control. She had to stop it, she had to make a decision. No matter how reluctant she was, for the sake of Baili Cheng's future, she had to choose between Baili Cheng and Baili Jing. This didn't just represent her; it represented the future of the Lin family. If Baili Cheng couldn't become emperor, the Lin family would suffer. Even if it wasn't Baili Cheng, and the new emperor spared the Lin family, their glory would likely be ruined. Even if this was just a worry, she couldn't gamble with the Lin family's fate. One was her beloved daughter, the other was her son, whose future was tied to hers and the Lin family's. In the end, the Empress could only sacrifice Baili Jing.
Actually, there are ways to cover this up. You could send Baili Jing out of the capital under some pretext, find a place to have an abortion, let her recover properly, and then find a family of moderate status to marry her off quickly. Even if there are any mistakes that make the family aware that Baili Jing has already lost her virginity, they would never dare to oppose the Empress and the others.
However, that's only if Baili Jing can let go of it. Judging from the fact that she couldn't help but leave the palace again to find Baili Cheng, there's no room for maneuver in this matter. If Baili Jing gets married and continues to associate with Baili Cheng like this, it will only cause an even bigger scandal. The Empress can't afford to gamble anymore.
But this was her own daughter. No matter how hard-hearted the Empress was, she would feel pain and be hurt. Moreover, her daughter couldn't understand anything she had done and even hit her. The Empress felt endless grievances.
Baili Jing's face was cold, though tears streamed down her cheeks: "Your excuse is really good. Everything is for us, but I think it's all for you. You've always been good to Cheng-ge and me. We're your own children. Do you think we wouldn't betray you? That's a hundred times better than you bothering to raise these lowly servants. Maybe I really feel sorry for you, but have you ever thought about me? Do you know why Cheng-ge and I are together? It's all because of you!" As she spoke, Baili Jing's face was filled with hatred. "From childhood to adulthood, all you've ever known is..." "You're always scheming and plotting against those women in the harem. Have you ever truly cared about me and my brother? When you meet him, you talk about the throne and the prime minister's studies all the time. And me? You always tell me to act like a lady, always criticize my naivety, saying I'll become increasingly ruthless—all because of your teaching. It's a pity we haven't seen any affection from you. All I see is an ambitious woman, wanting to truly rule the harem. I've even wondered, if you become Empress Dowager, will you become that ambitious ruler behind the curtain?"