Emperor Jing was immediately filled with panic.

"Could everything he said be true?"

"So, besides the remnants of the Dongning Kingdom and the King of Qin, could the suspicious people inside and outside the city also include the Queen Mother and that man surnamed Long's people?"

"If that's the case, then wouldn't I be in a dire situation, surrounded by enemies on all sides?"

Upon realizing this, the anger that had been hidden in his heart for many days welled up spontaneously, and he strode into the hall.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager was so angry that she was trembling all over. She dismissed everyone in the hall and stood alone, holding her forehead, which was so painful that it felt like it was about to split open, muttering to herself.

"What on earth is going on?"

Who exactly is it?

"Who dares to let that wretched child go?"

"Why?"

"Why did he back down at this crucial juncture?"

"I have been alone in this deep palace, enduring hardship and humiliation, and have been painstakingly planning for this day for so many years."

"This rebellious son is truly an incapable ruler; in the end, I have lost!"

"My life, in the end, has turned out to be so worthless."

She paused, recalling the past, and said with great melancholy.

"Husband, did Hui Niang really do something wrong?"

"Back then, my husband returned home depressed and unhappy because he failed the imperial examination. Hui Niang couldn't bear to see him so disappointed and sad, so she went to them to ask for an explanation."

“They said they could help Hui Niang get back the academic honors that had been stolen from her husband, and Hui Niang believed them. But when Hui Niang really did get back the honors for you, you had already died in despair at home, and our child had also disappeared.”

"In the vast sea of ​​people, Huiniang searched everywhere she could, but still found no trace of the child. It was as if the child had vanished into thin air, and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since."

"After such a misfortune befell her family, Hui Niang, a frail woman, had nowhere to go and had no choice but to follow them. Later she learned that they were going to send Hui Niang to the palace to be presented to the emperor."

"Back then, Hui Niang..."

"She really felt like dying. As the saying goes, a good woman doesn't marry twice. Even if that man is the emperor, so what? Hui Niang has no desire to be the emperor's woman."

“But they said that as long as we listened to them, they would definitely help Hui Niang find our child.”

"At that time, we will also help our child ascend to the throne."

"And so, Hui Niang..."

"My husband, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"If I had known this would happen, I should have gone with my husband back then."

"Now, Hui Niang is left all alone in this deep palace. The nights are long, and the years are wasting away. Hui Niang really can't hold on any longer..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

The Empress Dowager picked up her handkerchief and wiped away her tears. Suddenly, she looked up and saw that Emperor Jing had entered at some point and was standing not far from her, staring straight at her.

Then, looking somewhat nervous, she asked, "Why is the Emperor here at this hour?"

From childhood to adulthood, all these years, it turns out that she is neither mother nor son.

At this moment, Emperor Jing, who already knew everything, looked at her deeply and said, "If I hadn't come now, how would I have known that my mother had hidden such a touching experience all these years!"

The Empress Dowager was startled, but soon seemed to finally feel relieved and raised her head slightly to speak.

"Since you already know, I have nothing more to say. I believe I have treated you well over the years, and I have a clear conscience."

“In this deep palace, it is common for a mother to gain status through her son, which is understandable. It is just a pity that before I entered the palace, I suffered a serious injury to my body in order to give birth to my husband’s only child, and I am no longer able to have children.”

"And then, you happened to appear."

“Your mother was originally just a palace maid by my side. She was caught having an affair with a guard, and in order to save his own life, the guard said that your mother had seduced him. In a fit of anger, your mother planned to commit suicide with that unfaithful man after giving birth to you. If I hadn’t taken you in, you would have been dead long ago.”

"I can no longer bear children, and I have nothing left, yet I still want to live in this palace, and you also want to live. Since we both want to live, we can only assist you in ascending to that position. Shouldn't you be grateful for my life-saving grace?!"

Emperor Jing chuckled and asked, "What would have happened if Long En hadn't left today, and I hadn't been able to come and hear all of this with my own ears?"

After a pause, seeing that the Empress Dowager was truly at a loss for words, he continued, "Now, can I still trust you as I did in the past? Or, could I perhaps assume that the sudden departure of Long En and Eunuch Shou was part of a scheme by you and your own son?"

"You..." At this moment, the Empress Dowager truly did not expect that Emperor Jing would think this way.

But so many years have passed, and having watched him grow up, how could she not know Emperor Jing's suspicious nature? So after thinking for a moment, she gave up arguing and asked, "Then how does Your Majesty intend to deal with me?"

Emperor Jing then gave a cold laugh, and said with a firm gaze, "Now, everything in this world, even the guardians, belongs to me alone. No one dares to try to take even a fraction of it from my hands."

The Empress Dowager exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say? The Guardian? You've found the Guardian?"

Emperor Jing looked into the Empress Dowager's eyes and said contemptuously, "By the way, I suppose Mother doesn't know yet, but there is a mysterious power in the long-lost legend that is said to be the guardian of the world whoever possesses this power. She is none other than the eldest daughter of the Yi family in the west of the city, the Princess Consort of Qin, and now the Empress of Dongning Kingdom, Yi Shangyun!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was instantly stunned, her face filled with astonishment.

“That girl…”

"The guardian...it's actually her?"

"No wonder I always felt that the woman in that portrait looked quite familiar."

"It's her!"

While the Empress Dowager was still immersed in her unbelievable memories, Emperor Jing added, "Now, Empress Dowager, Consort Chun, Prince Qin and his mother, and your guardians, you have all been imprisoned in this palace by me. To catch the thief, first catch the king. So what do I have to fear? Even if the army is at the gates, even if we are surrounded by enemies, as long as you are firmly trapped, let's see who can defeat me?"

After saying that, he got up and left angrily.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he resolutely ordered, "Guards, confine the Empress Dowager to Yong'an Palace from now on, leave her to fend for herself, and forbid anyone to serve her. Anyone who disobeys will be punished as an equal, and none of them will be allowed to leave without death!"

Upon hearing this...

In the vast palace, a loud "thump" was heard as the Empress Dowager slumped down heavily.

On the other side...

Physician Yue and Zhang Zhiyuan each took turns examining Yi Shangyun's pulse, and each conducted a rather thorough and careful examination.

They finally looked at each other and shook their heads.

Seeing the two finally emerge with heavy steps, Xuan Yuanhan, who had been anxiously waiting outside the screen, couldn't wait to step forward and ask, "How is it? Has Yun'er's condition improved?"

Imperial Physician Yue frowned and shook his head: "Your Highness, please accept my condolences. The Princess Consort..."

He paused, still feeling a deep sense of reluctance, yet forced to confront reality: "The Princess Consort has passed away, her breath gone!"

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan looked towards the screen and was so shocked that he took two steps back. He then stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhiyuan quickly rushed over and helped him up, saying with great concern, "Your Highness, be careful!"

As if struck by lightning, Xuan Yuanhan slowly pushed his hand away, refusing incredulously.

"Impossible, this is impossible!"

"Yun'er wouldn't..."

"She won't just abandon me like this!"

“She made an agreement with me that even if she were to leave, she would have to say goodbye to me in person.”

"She hasn't even said goodbye to me yet, how could she just leave this world like this!"

"I still have so much to say to her."

"There are still many things that I haven't done with her."

"She can't just leave like this..."

"Take another look at her."

"Take another look."

"She's not dead!"

"She's definitely not dead!"

"She was just too tired and fell asleep."

"Or perhaps, back in the Yi family mansion in the west of the city, didn't she also lie in a coma for a whole year?"

"She'll definitely do the same thing as last time."

"That must be it."

"You must have made a mistake."

"There must be a mistake."

"I beg you, I beg you both, please take another good look at Yun'er. She can't just leave without a word."

"cannot……"

In his entire life, Xuanyuan Han had never looked at anyone with such pleading eyes.

At this moment, he looked helplessly at Physician Le and Zhang Zhiyuan, his gaze shifting back and forth between them.

Both Physician Yue and Zhang Zhiyuan felt heavy-hearted, but they were completely helpless.

Unable to bear it any longer, Imperial Physician Yue advised, "Your Highness, please calm down. The Princess Consort has already passed away. Your Highness must face reality."

Zhang Zhiyuan was also extremely worried and shocked: "Your Highness, the poison in your body also needs to be treated as soon as possible, otherwise you will be in danger as well. Your Highness must not be so emotional."

No matter how the two tried to persuade him, Xuanyuan Han kept shaking his head and refusing to accept it, completely ignoring their advice.

He suddenly flew into a rage: "Who told you to care about me? I told you to examine Yun'er carefully again. She's not dead. Didn't you hear me?"

Just then.

Emperor Jing returned again, and upon entering, he saw that the three of them were all extremely agitated. He asked, "What are you doing?"

Seeing the strange expressions on the three people's faces, Emperor Jing seemed to suddenly realize something.

"Oh no, could it be her..."

Just as Emperor Jing was about to bypass the three people and go behind the screen to check on Yi Shangyun's condition himself.

But Xuan Yuanhan stretched out a hand to block him, coldly saying, "You're not allowed to go in!"

Emperor Jing then questioned him: "Who are you talking to? This entire palace belongs to me. Whom are you forbidding?"

Xuanyuan Han tried hard to suppress the grief in his heart and said, "Who did this palace belong to from beginning to end? Don't you know the answer in your heart? I suppose you have just been to Yong'an Palace. What, you already know the truth, but you still want to continue to occupy this place?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing finally lost his temper: "Xuanyuan Han, stop spouting nonsense here! Believe me or not, I will immediately order your execution..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xuanyuan Han let out a roar as if he had gone mad.

Come on!

"I'll be right here waiting. Come on, come on!"

At this moment, Emperor Jing was so angry that he gritted his teeth.

"They've rebelled!"

"They've rebelled!"

"Someone come here!"

"Bring me men!"