After hesitating for a long time, Xi Xizhi still couldn't make a decision...

For some reason, looking at the little ferret's hesitant expression, An Honghan could tell at a glance why it was troubled.

“Since I have bestowed the Flowing Jade Phoenix Basin upon you, I will not take it back.” An Honghan coaxed the little sable step by step into the trap he had set. “Answer my questions.”

With such a good deal, Xi Xizhi naturally chose... the bed! Her claws pointed to the dragon bed made of golden silk.

An Honghan's lips gradually curled into a smile, "From now on, you will sleep with me."

Sleeping in the same bed...

Xi Xizhi didn't find anything wrong with it; the area was very soft, and she slept extremely comfortably. Besides, she had gotten used to being a mink recently, and there was no longer any awkwardness between a man and a woman.

Xi Xizhi nodded happily, her smile spreading across her face.

Little did it know that this nod would lead to its even more tragic fate...

Half a day later, a eunuch rushed into the outer hall. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, a eunuch from Fengxiang Palace has sent word that the Empress Dowager is critically ill and requests that Your Majesty move to another palace."

Critically ill?

An Honghan then remembered that the medicine's expiration date had come. He picked up the brewed Longjing tea, took a slow sip, and asked, "How is the Empress Dowager's condition?"

The eunuch broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing the emperor's calm demeanor, he dared not urge him. "The imperial physicians all say that the Empress Dowager will not make it through the night."

The pastry that Xi Xizhi was about to put in her mouth fell to the ground with a thud. Only three or four days had passed, and the Empress Dowager had already succumbed to the poison. Wasn't that too fast? However, she had heard An Honghan say that the medicine was extremely potent; perhaps death would be a relief for her.

"Go to Fengxiang Palace and tell them that I have other matters to attend to and will go later." An Honghan put down his Longjing tea, glanced at the eunuch indifferently, and dismissed him.

Xi Xizhi turned her head blankly and watched An Honghan play chess, wielding two different chess pieces and playing two roles at once.

Is this what you call 'government affairs'?

Despite the many heinous things the Empress Dowager has done, she is still your mother who gave you life and raised you. From beginning to end, she showed not a single expression; she was truly cold-blooded to the extreme.

Since An Honghan wasn't in a hurry, Xi Xizhi had even less reason to be anxious. She was just thinking that if she went to Fengxiang Palace quickly, she might still be able to see the Empress Dowager one last time.

"What good would it do if I went? She might not even want to see you." An Honghan stared intently at the little mink, a strange emotion flickering in his eyes.

That makes sense. You and your son are like enemies. Even if you were to leave, the Empress Dowager might not be happy to see them. It would be better to let her leave this world peacefully.

As the white piece landed on the chessboard, An Honghan's icy voice rang out again, "Checkmate."

Having captured the black pieces' 'general', An Honghan instructed Lin En to clean up the chessboard. After straightening his clothes, An Honghan picked up the little ferret and wiped the crumbs of pastry from its mouth.

"You sit improperly, and you eat improperly." An Honghan frowned and rubbed the little sable's forehead.

Xi Xizhi's gaze remained fixed on the chessboard. What was the point of playing chess alone? Why not find someone to play against? However, An Honghan was indeed good at killing time; just one game of chess took him almost an hour.

"Set up the carriage at Fengxiang Palace."

As night fell, news of the Empress Dowager's impending death spread like wildfire, filling the entire palace with unease. Many eunuchs and palace maids discussed the matter privately.

As soon as Xi Xizhi stepped into Fengxiang Palace, her little ears perked up slightly as she heard faint, lingering sobs.

There were women, men, and the high-pitched voice of a eunuch.

"His Majesty has arrived!" Lynn shouted at the top of his lungs, and the weeping in the hall gradually subsided.

Many ministers and princesses had already arrived, and tears streamed down their faces.

The sixth princess walked to the front of the crowd, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager..." she began, but then stopped, her words turning into sobs. "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

Xi Xizhi craned her neck to look around; a somber mood hung over Fengxiang Palace, and tears streamed down everyone's face...

However, whether the tears were genuine or not, Xi Xizhi did not know.

"Has the Empress Dowager gone?" An Honghan asked in a deep voice, still without any expression, as if the matter was of no concern to him.

An old imperial physician stepped forward with his head bowed. "I am afraid I am powerless to help. I cannot find the cause of the Empress Dowager's illness. Her life is in danger, but I am helpless. The Empress Dowager has just passed away. Would Your Majesty like to go in and take a look?"

Because the Empress Dowager's appearance before her death was extremely horrifying, they dared not show her body to the public without permission.

This matter concerns the royal family's reputation, and the imperial physicians, having served in the palace for many years, had given it considerable thought. Before An Honghan arrived, they had been awaiting His Majesty's decision.

"Your Majesty, although the Empress Dowager is not Yan'er's biological mother, Yan'er still wants to go in and see her." In an attempt to impress, An Ruoyan tearfully grabbed An Honghan's arm, two lines of tears hanging on her cheeks, which did not diminish her charm, but instead gave people a feeling of pity.

An Honghan's eyes turned cold instantly, and he subtly withdrew his arm as usual. "Since you want to go in and take a look, then go in. But don't come crying to me if you have a nightmare tonight."

An Ruoyan recalled the rumors circulating in the palace, her heart pounding with anxiety. Could those rumors be true? It was said that in recent days, the Empress Dowager's skin had become increasingly ulcerated, and apart from the imperial physicians, no one dared to approach her.

An Ruoyan felt a little hesitant, but then she remembered that the Empress Dowager was her brother's biological mother. If she showed too much resistance, her brother might distance himself from her in the future.

To bolster her courage, An Ruoyan said, "Yan'er is not afraid."

A weak, timid voice came from behind, and eleven or twelve-year-old An Yunyi asked, "Can I go too?"

She glanced timidly at An Honghan, her eyes darting away, her head tilted as she looked at the floor.

Why did Xi Xizhi sense a slight change in the little girl this time? At least she no longer cowered in her corner and dared to make demands of others, especially the ruthless An Honghan.

Is this change good or bad?

An Honghan slowly turned his gaze, scrutinizing the little girl as if she were an object, his eyes flashing slightly as if he were plotting something. "Both of you come in with me."

As they entered the main hall, the imperial physician suddenly handed them several handkerchiefs. "Your Majesty, the corpse is already emitting a foul stench. Please cover your mouth and nose with these handkerchiefs when you go in."

The moment An Ruoyan received the handkerchief, she was extremely shocked and remained stunned for a long time. Only after being reminded by the imperial physician did she cover her mouth and nose and follow the others.

Xi Xizhi was a ferret, so unfortunately she wasn't assigned a handkerchief. With her keen sense of smell, she immediately detected the stench of decay. Her stomach churned, and she swiftly grabbed An Honghan's clothes, using her paws to block her nose.

In some ways, having a great sense of smell is not a good thing.