Chapter 877: Chapter 877: Everything Is a False Facade
The old Emperor’s move was actually within Ye Jiu’s expectations.
During her few visits to the palace, she invariably encountered the Emperor’s presence. If it were just a coincidence, she absolutely didn’t believe it.
The Empress might indeed harbor some affection for her, as Ye Jiu could feel, but as for the old Emperor, though he showed apparent love for her, Ye Jiu always felt uneasy behind his back.
She was merely a minor Commandery Princess, yet she was granted Jingyang as her fief, which was enough to make many envy her.
However, precisely because of the old Emperor’s unusual favor, Ye Jiu became increasingly cautious at heart.
She truly hoped that she was overthinking. Otherwise, if the old Emperor had any designs on her, it would indeed be a major problem, much more troublesome than the Crown Prince.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, she had already arrived at the Empress’s palace.
Before Ye Jiu could enter, the Empress’s personal nanny had already come out to greet her, "Commandery Princess, you have arrived. Her Majesty is already waiting inside. Please go in quickly."
"Thank you for the trouble of coming out to meet me." Ye Jiu said politely, and behind her, Liang Xia immediately took out a pouch and handed it over.
Ye Jiu was known in the palace for her generosity. Besides her outstanding business acumen, she also had the yearly tax revenue support from her fief, Jingyang.
Of course, Ye Jiu also had many enterprises running secretly, unbeknownst to others.
Otherwise, like the former Liu Family, a slight misstep would lead to complete ruin.
One must always keep a backup plan, or else they might not even know when they would perish.
After Ye Jiu went in, the Empress was sitting at the head. Ye Jiu performed her salute meticulously and, after rising, was beckoned by the Empress to sit next to her.
"You little girl, I’ve told you to come to the palace more often to accompany your imperial grandmother, yet you barely come once in ten or fifteen days. Could it be that you dislike this old lady?"
Ye Jiu smiled and sat next to the Empress, "Of course not, your granddaughter misses you too dearly, how could I dislike you? But you know my unrestrained nature, if I frequently came to the palace, I fear you might get annoyed with me!"
"Such a sweet talker you are, always saying the right things to make people like you." The Empress was immediately amused, her face breaking into a wide smile.
"Only you indulge me, perhaps others wouldn’t." Ye Jiu’s face suddenly turned sullen.
Seeing her aggrieved manner, the Empress was momentarily taken aback.
However, she quickly returned to normal, "I was curious why this girl came to the palace today. So, you were feeling wronged. Do tell me who dared to wrong our beloved Princess Changfu? Whoever dares to offend my dear granddaughter, I shall punish them severely without mercy!"
"Imperial grandmother, today on the street, I saw the Crown Princess Consort."
With just one sentence, Ye Jiu made the Empress understand her intent.
"I see." The Empress, with a look of sudden understanding, said, "In the blink of an eye, both the Crown Princess Consort and the Princess Consort of Jing have been praying at the temple for nearly four years. You, this girl, have been back for three and a half years, right? I heard recently that you brought your mother back with your father and you?"
At the mention of the Princess Consort of Jing, Ye Jiu understood the Empress’s meaning.
Both were punished to go to the temple back then. Now that the Princess Consort of Jing was back, the Crown Princess Consort naturally couldn’t be left alone there.
Just as she thought, the affection they showed her over the years were merely false fronts after all.
Yet, Ye Jiu still didn’t understand what exactly they wanted from her.