Han Lie was very weak, but he managed to speak: "A few months ago, Liang Chaozong's plan in Daxia failed, and he was captured by Emperor Mingxi. His plans in Daxia were also destroyed."

"Afterwards, Liang Chaozong escaped from prison and managed to contact me. He deceived me with his sweet words, and I, in a moment of confusion, brought him back to Dai Viet."

"Later, he changed his appearance and transformed himself into Mr. Liang, the Imperial Tutor."

Zhu Ling looked at Han Lie with a complicated expression and said, "You were the one who introduced him to me, saying that he was a scholar who had lived in seclusion for many years and was a rare talent. Why are you slandering him now?"

Han Lie's chest heaved, as if he was extremely emotional. "Your Majesty, I was deceived by his sweet words! I introduced him to you out of confusion."

"Now, I've discovered that he's actually with you, Your Majesty... I've finally realized how ambitious he is. He might be trying to use you to restore the country!"

"Also, the poison I was poisoned with was also given by him. He wanted to poison me to death and then replace me..."

When Han Lie reached this point, he was already gasping for breath and could hardly continue.

Zhu Ling frowned and looked at him, then shook her head and said, "Lord Han has been poisoned and is now unconscious and talking nonsense. Someone come quickly and send Lord Han back so that the Imperial Hospital can treat him properly."

After saying that, four young eunuchs came forward and carried Han Lie out.

Han Lie remembered that his face was flushed and his mouth was open, wanting to say something, but unfortunately his body was too weak and he couldn't utter a word.

Zhu Ling gave Mei'er another wink, and Mei'er immediately led several palace maids in the room out.

At this time, Zhu Ling called out softly, "Sir, the person has left, please come out!"

There was a sound of a pearl curtain, and Liang Chaozong, who had changed his appearance, walked over from behind.

He bowed to Zhu Ling and said softly, "Thank you for your trust and protection, Your Majesty."

Zhu Ling did not answer. She twisted her waist and walked down from the phoenix chair. She walked lightly to Liang Chaozong, stretched out a slender hand, lifted Liang Chaozong's chin, and looked at him deeply.

Liang Chaozong smiled flatteringly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I am so close to you, you can tell at a glance whether I am disguised or not. Even the best human skin mask cannot withstand close scrutiny."

"Lord Han was so jealous of me because I was favored by the Empress that he lost his mind and slandered me as Liang Chaozong."

Zhu Ling moved her hand to the corner of Liang Chaozong's jaw and gently stroked it a few times. Finding that there was indeed no flaw on his face, a smile broke out on her face.

"Sir, you have misunderstood. How could I have believed Lord Han's nonsense? He has been poisoned and his mind is confused."

Liang Chaozong's eyes flickered, and he excitedly held Zhu Ling's hand, calling out tremblingly, "Empress!"

Zhu Ling smiled sweetly, "I have someone prepare a suitable residence for you outside the palace, so you can just stay there with peace of mind. As for His Majesty, you should not go to teach for the time being. He is young and impulsive, and he must have been furious when he ran into you and me yesterday."

"After some time, when His Majesty's anger has subsided a little, I will make you a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy."

"Don't worry, as long as you are willing to follow me sincerely, I will help you become the Prime Minister."

Liang Chaozong's eyes sparkled with tears, and he said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!"

After all, this was Zhu Ling's bedroom, and it was really dangerous to secretly keep Liang Chaozong. So, after she finished speaking, Mei'er disguised Liang Chaozong as a eunuch and led her out of the palace through the corner gate.

Liang Chaozong had just left and Zhu Ling was about to take a break when she heard the sound of quarreling coming from outside.

"What's going on outside?" Zhu Ling asked.

The eunuch at the door came in with small steps and reported: "It's Your Majesty. Your Majesty wants to come in. The eunuch guarding the door said that you have instructed that you are not feeling well and cannot see anyone."

"But His Majesty refused to leave and insisted on coming in to see you."

Ever since Zhu Ling was caught by her son yesterday having an affair with Liang Chaozong in Nanyuan, she has been deliberately avoiding her son.

Although she was a loose woman by nature, she was still a woman and a mother. She was naturally ashamed when facing her son and didn't know how to face him.

In desperation, she had to take the cold approach and wanted to avoid her son for a few days, and then explain things to him when he was no longer so angry.

As for the young emperor, he was furious at his mother's promiscuity and was ready to confront her without any further ado. Yesterday, Zhu Ling had locked herself in her bedroom, so he had no choice but to vent his anger by smashing things.

Today, he heard that Han Lie took a sedan chair into the palace to meet the Empress Dowager, so he went there immediately.

Who would have thought that when they arrived at the gate of Yong'an Palace, the eunuch guarding the gate still said that the Queen Mother was not seeing anyone.

Now all his anger came out.

When Zhu Ling heard the eunuch report that the emperor had arrived, she was so frightened that she immediately wanted to hide behind him.

At this moment, the young emperor's sharp and immature voice rang out, "Mother, when do you plan to see me?!"

Zhu Ling turned around and saw a bright yellow figure standing in the main hall, so she had to stop.

"Ming'er, mother is not feeling well and just wanted to go back to her room to lie down for a while." Zhu Ling's eyes were evasive and her tone was a little awkward, but she still forced a smile on her face.

The little emperor looked at his mother mockingly and picked a chair to sit down.

Mei'er tactfully drove out all the eunuchs and palace maids in the room.

"Mother, aren't you going to explain to me?" The little emperor asked coldly after the palace servants had left and the door was closed.

Zhu Ling felt her cheeks getting hot. She had been a mother for fifteen years, but she had never been questioned by her son in such a condescending manner.

"I'll explain to you?" Zhu Ling sneered, pretending to be calm.

"I simply admire Mr. Liang's talent and am grateful for his careful instruction. Yesterday, while I was on vacation, I invited him to visit the South Garden and see the Qilin beast."

"Why? In my country, Great Yue, we do not value the distinction between men and women. Is my daily outing with my subjects considered inappropriate?"

The young emperor thought his mother would be ashamed, but he didn't expect that she would still argue even though she had clearly done something wrong. He immediately became furious.

"Mother!" the little emperor roared, "Yesterday, when you and that fellow were looking at the Qilin beast, I was on the rockery behind!"

When Zhu Ling heard this, she felt her heart beating wildly and her whole body went limp.

"You...you saw everything?" Her voice trembled.

The little emperor gritted his teeth and said, "What do you think?"

"Yesterday, I arrived before you. I saw everything you did in Nanyuan."

"Look at the Qilin Beast, you went to Yupinxuan to have sex, do you need me to explain it more clearly?"

"Mother, as the Queen Mother of Dai Viet, you committed adultery with a minister and defiled the harem. This is truly a heinous crime. You have brought shame upon the Dai Viet royal family and brought disgrace upon our father!"