As they approached the Imperial Study, the young man in brocade robes stopped his steps across the long stone steps.

"That's the Imperial Study. I have other matters to attend to and it's inconvenient for me to escort you any further. Please make yourself at home, young lady."

He nodded slightly and then turned and left.

Jiang Qingwan had a good impression of him. She took out a blank talisman paper from her purse, carved a talisman on it, folded it into a triangle, and chased after him for a few steps before calling him back.

"I'm giving you this amulet as a way of repaying the favor I did for you today."

The young man in brocade glanced at it and reached out to take it.

Thank you.

After settling the score, Jiang Qingwan didn't say anything more and quickly stepped onto the stone steps.

The young man in brocade robes stood in a deserted corner, watching her negotiate with the eunuch guarding the imperial study while holding the dragon token. A slow smile appeared on his lips as he rubbed the amulet with his fingers for a moment before tucking it into his waistband.

Just then, someone came running up from behind, panting heavily.

"Your Highness, you disappeared in the blink of an eye. It's been so hard for me to find you. Let's hurry to Kunning Palace. If we're the last ones there, we'll be punished again."

Although the news of the attack on the Empress Dowager last night has not been spread outside the royal family, all the members of the royal family are aware of it.

Those princes who live nearby and are favored by the emperor entered the palace last night to pay their respects.

In such a situation, whoever falls behind will definitely be labeled as unfilial.

Mo Shaoze gave a soft snort.

“I was sent by my father to live out my days in a separate residence, so I naturally learned of the news late. It also took time for me to come from the separate residence. If the Empress Dowager really wants to punish me, even if I am the first to pay my respects, I will still be punished.”

"Your Highness, this is the imperial palace; you must not speak recklessly."

Xiao Jiangzi, who had served him for many years, stamped his feet in frustration.

Mo Shaoze didn't take it seriously and strode towards Kunning Palace.

...

The eunuchs guarding the Imperial Study were mostly spies from various palaces.

By the time the Emperor saw Jiang Qingwan after court, the news had already spread.

The Empress Dowager was attacked, and the Ninth Prince's residence was sealed off. No one dared to speculate or speak out about the reasons behind it.

At this moment, Jiang Qingwan was already standing in the Imperial Study.

Mo Yunzhao's voice was indifferent, "So you're the Jiang woman that Xiao Jiu insisted on marrying? Raise your head and let me see you."

Jiang Qingwan disliked the stark distinctions of social status and rank within the imperial court.

But given the urgency of the situation, she had no choice but to follow the rules.

Mo Yunzhao sat at his desk and scrutinized her from head to toe for a while before raising his hand.

"Get up and speak."

Jiang Qingwan stood up, her clear eyes looking upwards.

"Thank you for your compassion, Your Majesty. I have come here rashly to find out what crime Mo Yunhan has committed and why Your Majesty has sealed off the Prince's residence."

Mo Yunzhao raised his hand and dismissed all the eunuchs.

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table, and the emperor's imposing presence made the atmosphere in the hall unusually oppressive.

His gaze fell on Jiang Qingwan's waist.

“If it weren’t for that dragon token, based on what you just said, I could have made you die a hundred times over.”

Jiang Qingwan's expression grew cold.

"Mo Yunhan is my husband. The imperial decree that bestowed our marriage was personally drafted by the Emperor and stamped with the jade seal of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Since that's the case, now that my husband has run into trouble, I, as his wife, have come to inquire about his crime. I wonder what crime he committed that warrants him being executed a hundred times over?"

Mo Yunzhao's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly surprised.

A merchant woman who had been divorced and abandoned had such a mindset when she first met the emperor.

They do have some exceptional qualities.

His tone softened slightly.

“I am not a tyrant. Xiao Jiu is my most beloved younger brother, but this time, he really went too far. A few days ago, I ordered him to secretly investigate the remnants of the Sui Dynasty. The report he submitted did not mention the traitors entering the capital and the Empress Dowager being attacked at Huguo Temple. I just thought it was his oversight and did not think of punishing him.”

"But the imperial tomb guards entered the palace overnight and reported that the remnants of the Sui Dynasty had broken into the imperial tomb to steal treasures. Furthermore, a commander personally witnessed Xiao Jiu's guards appearing at Xuanling Mountain. After pretending to fight the enemy, the group withdrew. Such a coincidence makes me suspect that he is colluding with traitors, trying to sabotage the imperial fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and even trying to use the traitors to get rid of the Empress Dowager to avenge his deceased mother."

Jiang Qingwan was utterly speechless.

"Everyone does everything with ulterior motives. You say Mo Yunhan colluded with traitors, but what was his purpose? As a prince of the Great Zhou, he ruined the Great Zhou's destiny; wasn't he courting his own destruction? As for the matter of the Protectorate Temple..."

After hearing that the Empress Dowager had been attacked at Huguo Temple and rescued by Qin Minglang, she knew that it was all Qin Minglang's doing.

But she has no evidence right now.

"Is there any evidence to prove that it's related to Mo Yunhan? As for why Ye Qi appeared at the imperial mausoleum, it's because they went to the back of Xuanling Mountain and happened to see someone trespassing into the imperial mausoleum..."

"Smack!"

Mo Yunzhao slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with rage and his murderous aura surging.

"Xiao Jiu went to Xuanling Mountain? No wonder those thieves were able to break into the imperial mausoleum; it turns out he was the one who destroyed the protective array first! It is a grave taboo for a prince to enter Xuanling Mountain without permission. Xiao Jiu knowingly violated this rule; his intentions are despicable. Jiang, the truth is out; what excuse do you have for him now?"

Jiang Qingwan had no idea that the prince's unauthorized entry into Xuanling Mountain would be such a serious crime.

She didn't even have a chance to ask Ye Qi why Mo Yunhan wanted to go to Xuanling Mountain.

But right now, everything points to Mo Yunhan.

She knew that no amount of arguing would be as effective as finding Mo Yunhan in person and asking him directly to prove her innocence.

She composed herself, raised her eyes, and said, "If you ask me to go to Xuanling Mountain, I will definitely restore the mountain-protecting formation to its original state. Before that, please do not target anyone in the Prince's Mansion. As for the crimes you mentioned, wait until Mo Yunhan returns and let him explain to you."

A flicker of suspicion crossed Mo Yunzhao's eyes.

"Can you repair the mountain-protecting formation?"

"able!"

Jiang Qingwan's resolute answer sent a shiver down Mo Yunzhao's spine.

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