After Xu Yin left, the door was closed again.
Footsteps could be heard from outside, indicating that the eunuchs responsible for guarding Yongping had returned.
For the next three years, she would be confined to this courtyard. Apart from her parents, Xu Yin, and the child, no one else was allowed to see her.
Even when they wanted to visit, they couldn't come freely; they had to report and follow the procedures.
Yongping collapsed into a chair, sweeping all the cups and plates off the tea table beside her onto the floor.
Her heart was both heavy and hollow. Initially, when she heard that Xu Yin had entered the palace to plead for her, she still held a glimmer of hope. She thought perhaps she had misunderstood him, perhaps he didn't appear because he couldn't find a better way to save her.
But after his plea, the emperor's second decree quickly followed. She couldn't understand whether Xu Yin was trying to save her or harm her.
