Greetings, Ninth Uncle

Chapters 129 - 130

Ch 129 – Ruthless

Dou Xiyin didn't expect this, and thus was stunned.

She originally planned to borrow Empress Dowager Yang's hands to get rid of the child in Cheng Yujin's womb today. After all, heirs were the most important for the imperial family, and it was particularly crucial from whom the Emperor's eldest grandson was born. If Cheng Yujin's child was really a boy, he would undoubtedly become a heavy boost for the Eastern Palace. Unless Li Chengjing lost his mind and rebelled, his position as the crown prince would practically be unshakable.

Dou Xiyin deliberately leaked the news to Empress Dowager Yang, causing the latter to order the palace Mamas to touch Cheng Yujin's belly. For obvious reasons, Dou Xiyin couldn't be present on the scene, so she waited impatiently in the side halls. However, instead of receiving the good news, she was startled by the "There's fire!" cries.

Dou Xiyin was startled and quickly ran out of the hall. The Cining Palace fell into chaos, but in the end, no fire was found in any part of the palace. Dou Xiyin sensed something was wrong, but Cheng Yujin had already taken advantage of the chaos to escape. The panicked Dou Xiyin suddenly became wise, and she hurriedly ran to Kunning Palace, reporting the mess and seeking Empress Yang's aid.

It was a pity that they arrived a step too late. Or they actually weren't too late, but no matter what Empress Yang said or how she attempted to explain, the Emperor was more willing to believe in Crown Prince and Crown Princess. When Dou Xiyin saw how the Emperor sent his personal physician to diagnose Cheng Yujin's pulse, followed by the said physician publicly declaring that he had not detected twin fetuses in Cheng Yujin's belly, she felt very regretful and did not believe a word of the physician's statement.

Dou Xiyin was sure that Cheng Yujin must be pregnant with twins. Otherwise, why such a huge reaction?

But the imperial physician was personally ordered by the Emperor. Since he dared to make such a declaration, it only meant that this was the Emperor's instruction. Obviously, the Emperor wanted to cover for Cheng Yujin.

Dou Xiyin was extremely disappointed. Today's failure was nothing, because there would be more opportunities in the future — Dou Xiyin consoled herself. However, she did not expect Cheng Yujin to suddenly call her out.

Although Cheng Yujin seemed to be asking a question, the eyes staring at Dou Xiyin were full of ruthlessness and were piercing hostilely.

Of course the Emperor could see the meaning behind such thinly-veiled words. He first looked at Cheng Yujin, who was pale and fragile-looking but stood straight on her own, and then turned to look at Dou Xiyin, who was ruddy but hiding beside Empress Yang this entire time. The Emperor frowned and said with disgust, "It's you again?"

Dou Xiyin was suddenly thrown into the spotlight and was totally panicked as a result. Before she could think of a way to refute Cheng Yujin's accusation, she was hit by the Emperor's harsh words. Completely frightened, Dou Xiyin forgot everything and immediately fell to her knees with a plop, pleading without regard for her own image, "Father Emperor, please listen to this daughter-in-law. This daughter-in-law doesn't know anything. It's all misunderstanding."

When Cheng Yujin began to attack Dou Xiyin, Empress Dowager Yang originally planned to protect her grandniece, but when she was about to speak, Dou Xiyin was faster, quickly assuming innocence by claiming that she didn't know anything. Empress Dowager Yang's face instantly sank; Dou Xiyin didn't know anything, so who was at fault here? Was Dou Xiyin blaming her, the Empress Dowager, for causing the misunderstanding?

Empress Dowager Yang's expression was ugly. Dou Xiyin was of a younger generation, and her rank was lower than that of a crown princess, so Empress Dowager Yang never planned to involve her from the beginning to the end. But people's heart was so complex — it was one thing for Empress Dowager Yang to protect Dou Xiyin, but it was another thing if Dou Xiyin wanted to absolve herself with no regard for Empress Dowager Yang.