"Oh no! Oh no!"

A servant rushed over.

Xiao Zhenzhen looked displeased: "Didn't you see the master is here? What kind of behavior is this, all flustered and in such a state!"

Servant: "It's terrible! I heard that Consort Zhang has been sentenced to death!"

"What?!"

Xiao Zhenzhen stood up excitedly, her expression even more flustered than the servants.

"How could this be? How could this happen?"

Xiao Zhenzhen handed Jinlan, the baby in her arms, to the wet nurse, and then anxiously wrung her hands, pacing back and forth in the room.

Qi Jiating comforted her, saying, "Zhenzhen, I know you and Consort Zhang have always been on good terms. Do you know what she did wrong?"

Xiao Zhenzhen shook her head like a rattle drum.

Actually, she was more panicked than anyone else.

Consort Zhang had always been the most favored concubine in the harem and had done nothing wrong for many years. If there was anything she had done wrong, it was that Xiao Zhenzhen asked her to find an opportunity to get rid of Xu Ruyun and her few major threats.

So far, we haven't heard of anything happening to Xu Ruyun and the others, but it's Consort Zhang who's in trouble. If this matter is investigated, she won't be able to escape responsibility either.

Qi Jiating comforted Xiao Zhenzhen, who was anxious, "Zhenzhen, don't worry. The current emperor is a wise ruler. He will not wrong any good person. Since he was able to execute Consort Zhang, it means that she committed a capital offense."

This reassurance only made Xiao Zhenzhen more anxious.

No way, could it be that Consort Zhang got into trouble because of the matter she entrusted to her? Consort Zhang wouldn't have implicated her, would she?

Qi Gaoming noticed his mother's unease, took her hand, patted her back, and said, "Mother, don't be afraid! Although you are on good terms with Consort Zhang, the higher-ups haven't blamed you yet. This matter has nothing to do with us, so we must not lose our composure."

Her son's two sentences calmed Xiao Zhenzhen down.

Yes, it's precisely at times like these that we mustn't lose our composure. Since the higher-ups haven't pursued the matter yet, it means Consort Zhang hasn't exposed her. Even if that day comes, without any evidence, Xiao Zhenzhen won't be in any immediate trouble.

Xiao Zhenzhen calmed herself down and said to her servants, "Find out why Consort Zhang was given a death sentence."

servant: "Yes!"

In the palace, after finishing his official duties, the emperor went to see the Empress Dowager.

Upon arriving at the Empress Dowager's palace, they heard a burst of cheerful laughter.

The Empress Dowager and the princess were playing with Xu Ruoyun and her children.

The Emperor coughed twice: "I haven't heard such laughter in the palace for a long time."

Xu Ruyun saw that the Emperor was somewhat flustered, so she bowed.

The Emperor said, "Don't be nervous! I don't mean any harm. On the contrary, I hope my mother and sister will always be as happy as they are now!"

[His Majesty is truly wise and understanding! Having such a benevolent ruler is a blessing for the people!]

Hearing Qiuqiu's praise, the Emperor couldn't help but feel pleased.

The Emperor said, “Mother, I have ordered a thorough investigation into the matter you mentioned. It was indeed Consort Zhang who did it, and I have sent her to meet the King of Hell. From now on, I will not tolerate any disrespect towards you, Mother!”

In fact, news of Consort Zhang's execution had already spread throughout the palace.

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction: "Good! My son has not been blinded by beauty, and still has reason and clarity. Your mother is very pleased."

Your Majesty: "Your Majesty, I am the ruler of this country. How can I let beauty ruin the nation? Rest assured, Your Majesty!"

The Empress Dowager nodded.

The princess gave the emperor a thumbs-up.

The emperor looked at the chubby little chick and happily went over to it.

"I also want to hold this little baby."

The princess handed the chick to the emperor.

Chiu Chiu looked at the Emperor with a beaming smile.

The Emperor is no longer suffering from erysipelas, and his fate of dying at forty has been rewritten. If he continues to govern diligently and care for his people, longevity will not be a problem.

The emperor was very pleased to hear this.

The Emperor said, “I think this little girl is our lucky star. I like her very much, and I don’t have a daughter, so why don’t we bestow upon her the title of princess?”

Princess: "Excellent! Your Majesty's move is brilliant! Father only has one daughter, me, and you have no daughters at all. I'm so lonely being the only princess. Granting me the title of princess is wonderful! I agree!"

The Emperor looked at his mother: "Mother, what do you think?"

Empress Dowager: "Very good, very good! I also like Qiuqiu very much. However, Qiuqiu is too young and too prominent, and I'm afraid that some people will be jealous and frame her. Her mother needs to weigh the pros and cons. Whether or not to confer the title of princess is up to the First Rank Lady."

[The Empress Dowager is so thoughtful, I love you!]

Xu Ruyun: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your favor, and thank you, Empress Dowager, for your thoughtful consideration! To be bestowed the title of princess is such an honor. I have never made any contribution to the country or the people, and I am unworthy of such an honor. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"

[My dear mother, you're being far too modest! I saved the lives of three people! Isn't that a great achievement? Sigh, never mind, I'll tell you when I can speak.]

The Emperor said, “Very well! Then we’ll do as the First-Rank Lady says. We’ll reserve this position for Qiuqiu and bestow it upon her when she grows up.”

Xu Ruyun: "This humble woman kowtows to express her gratitude for Your Majesty's grace!"

Outside the palace, Xiao Zhenzhen was anxiously waiting for news from the servants. To this end, she even used the excuse of feeling unwell to kick her cousin Qi Jiating out of the house.

Because of her condition, if Qi Jiating stayed any longer, they would notice something amiss.

A servant rushed in to report.

"I found out! I found out!"

Xiao Zhenzhen: "Speak quickly!"

Servant: "It's because of... because of the Empress Dowager."

Xiao Zhenzhen let out a long breath and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.

"It's because of the Empress Dowager! Why?"

A servant said, "I heard that Consort Zhang was trying to murder the Empress Dowager, but she was caught red-handed. If it hadn't been discovered in time, if Consort Zhang hadn't been caught, the Empress Dowager would have died in the next couple of days."

Xiao Zhenzhen thought to herself: This good-for-nothing, he was just one step away, just a tiny bit away from turning the tables and taking control. How could he be so stupid!

Consort Zhang was not stupid. Even on her deathbed, she couldn't understand how such a meticulous operation had been discovered. She just never imagined that she would ultimately fall into the hands of a mere infant.