Consort Qiao's mind reeled. Everyone in the palace knew what kind of man the emperor was—tyrannical, possessive, obsessed. If he discovered that the woman he loved carried another man's child, he would never allow it to live.
He would destroy the child and cage the woman beside him forever. And the fact that she was carrying another man's child meant one undeniable truth.
That woman did not love the emperor.
Consort Qiao's hands trembled. "But… the emperor," she whispered fearfully. "If he finds out we were involved, he'll kill us."
Consort Lian let out a cold snort. "What choice do we have?"
She moved closer, her gaze piercing. "Sister Qiao, listen to me. If that woman stays in this palace, we will all die here—alone, childless, forgotten."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Is that the future you want?"
Consort Qiao's lips parted. Slowly, she shook her head.
Consort Lian held her gaze. "So," she asked quietly, "are you going to help me or not?"
