Chapter 366: Yu Zhengqing—Not So Hypocritical
The father and daughter standing at the door were both visibly stunned by Ye Jiamei’s words.
Yu Qiuyun’s delicate features twisted into a snarl, her eyes once filled with contempt and disregard, now darkened with murderous intent.
“Lady Ye, how could you? I know your family has long since severed ties with us, but no matter what, Qiuyun is still your niece. You watched her grow up!”
Before Yu Qiuyun could speak, Yu Zhengqing, who was equally shocked, was already interrogating Ye Jiamei in disbelief.
Ye Jiamei laughed coldly.
“Hah, Yu Zhengqing, she is your daughter, not mine. You might blindly trust her, but I cannot. Look at her—she’s using me, yet she doesn’t even have the attitude of someone seeking help. This was my only option.”
She spread her hands in a mock display of helplessness, her expression filled with feigned innocence.
But to Yu Qiuyun, she had never looked more detestable.
“I didn’t expect that after just one year, you’d become so ruthless. You’d even poison your own niece! Do you think this will help you leave the capital safely? Don’t forget your status—you are still a convicted criminal, meant to be rotting away in exile!”
The barefaced threat made Ye Jiamei burst out laughing.
She leisurely swept her gaze over Yu Qiuyun, taking her in from head to toe, before clicking her tongue in mock amusement.
“Oh? So you’re just trying to remind me to recognize my reality? Haha, then let me tell you something, Yu Qiuyun. If worse comes to worst, we can both go down together. I have nothing to lose, but you—you are living in luxury, the favored concubine of the Crown Prince. If fortune favors you, you might even become one of his four consorts. And if you’re lucky enough to get rid of the Crown Princess, you might just be the future Empress. Between the two of us, let’s see who’s more willing to throw everything away.”
She spread her arms wide, then calmly shut the door in Yu Qiuyun’s face, bolting the latch as though this were her own residence, utterly disregarding the fuming woman outside.
The sudden slam of the door nearly smacked Yu Qiuyun in the nose.
Fuming, she clenched her delicate fists, her rage barely contained as she turned sharply toward Yu Zhengqing, her expression full of blame.
Their gazes met, and Yu Zhengqing sighed deeply, leading her further away from the door before speaking.
“Father, why did you bring such an uncontrollable woman here? Do you have any idea how important this is? If His Majesty dies, the Empress will immediately rally her supporters and back the First Prince’s claim to the throne. The longer the Emperor survives, the more time my husband has to strip the Empress of her power.
And yet, you brought me a woman who is completely unreliable! Has your judgment fallen apart along with your status?”
Before Yu Zhengqing could defend himself, Yu Qiuyun’s frustration erupted, her unrestrained scolding leaving her father no room for dignity.
Staring at his once obedient daughter, who now dared to openly rebuke him, Yu Zhengqing felt a deep, bitter helplessness.
But when he thought of his family suffering in exile, he swallowed his pride, turning his grievance into a long sigh.
“Qiuyun, calm down. Your second aunt and her family changed after being exiled, but I’m not exaggerating—her medical skills are truly remarkable. I told you before, didn’t I? How she managed to save our relatives during childbirth even in the harsh conditions of exile? If she could do that, then treating His Majesty’s condition shouldn’t be impossible.”
“There’s nothing to be done now,” Yu Qiuyun huffed. “I’ve already made promises to my husband—I’ll just have to take the risk.”
“Exactly. Your second aunt was probably afraid that you’d abandon her, which is why she poisoned you. But don’t worry, once she leaves the palace safely, she’ll give you the antidote. I can promise you that.”
Yu Qiuyun’s face remained cold, her eyes dark with calculation.
Ye Jiamei’s insolence would not be forgiven.
Even if she managed to leave the palace alive, Yu Qiuyun would make sure she suffered for this humiliation.
Of course, she wouldn’t tell her father this.
Even though Yu Zhengqing had lost his former power, she knew him well—he was protective of family.
No matter how insignificant Ye Jiamei’s status was, she was still his brother’s wife. Since he had brought her here, he would ensure her safe return.
*
Ye Jiamei changed into fresh clothing and discreetly prepared some life-saving remedies from her system’s storage.
Only then did she unlock the door and step out.
“Lady Ye, whatever our past grievances, please think of the greater good this time. If you can cure His Majesty, the Yu family will have a chance to reclaim our place in the capital. Xiao Luo and Haojie won’t have to suffer in exile anymore.”
Ye Jiamei chuckled, looking at Yu Zhengqing with obvious amusement.
“Oh, my family isn’t suffering at all. You’ve seen our mansion in exile, haven’t you? The ones who don’t want to suffer are you and your family. But don’t worry—I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t want to. Do you really think the Second Prince’s men could have dragged me here if I didn’t let them? Since I’m here, obviously, I intend to use this as an opportunity to clear the Yu family’s name.”
With that, she brushed past Yu Zhengqing without another glance and strode toward the courtyard gate, where Yu Qiuyun was already waiting impatiently.
“Lady Ye”
Yu Zhengqing’s voice called after her hesitantly.
She paused, turned back with mild irritation, and waited for him to speak.
“I just wanted to warn you—there are many forces in the palace that don’t want His Majesty to recover. Every step you take will be dangerous. Even if you can’t cure him, at least ensure that you leave the palace alive. Remember—Xiao Luo and Haojie are still waiting for you in exile.”
*
Inside a lavish carriage, Ye Jiamei’s mind replayed Yu Zhengqing’s warning.
She had to admit—sometimes, she really couldn’t figure this man out.
The worry in his eyes had not been fake.
The carriage traveled for an unknown amount of time, and when it finally stopped, a soft voice called out from outside.
Ye Jiamei lifted the curtain and stepped out, a medical box somehow placed into her hands without her noticing.
She turned just in time to see a guard from the Second Prince’s estate hand a thick stack of banknotes to an imperial eunuch.
“Eunuch Lin, please see to it that she is safely delivered to His Highness. This is just a small token of appreciation.”
