Jiang Qingyao recounted what had happened.

Emperor Jinde stared at her for a while, his expression changing subtly.

"Let me make the decision for you?"

Jiang Qingyao blurted out: "This world belongs to your Majesty. There is nothing in the world that your Majesty cannot decide."

"When encountering problems in the palace, the first person I would naturally think of is to seek help from Your Majesty. Furthermore... before leaving on his mission, the Marquis specifically instructed me to seek help from Your Majesty if I encountered any difficulties I couldn't resolve."

Emperor Jinde's eyes flickered, "Did Qi Yun really say that?"

Jiang Qingyao said firmly, "Yes, Your Majesty is wise and decisive, loves the people like his own children, and has a bright and virtuous character. He commands respect and trust."

After receiving this compliment, Emperor Jinde smiled slightly.

Others' flattery sounded like fawning, but her eyes were filled with sincerity, and every word she said seemed to be from the heart.

Since both he and his wife felt that he was trustworthy as the emperor, why not just follow her lead?

It's not a big deal after all.

Emperor Jinde said gently, "I grant your request."

Hearing this, Jiang Qingyao was naturally happy. The grievance on her face disappeared and she smiled sweetly, as if she had no ulterior motives at all, and her joy was fully revealed on her face.

It is meaningless to pretend to be calm, neither sad nor happy, and composed in front of the emperor.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty is very kind."

The eunuch was surprised that this man really spoke his mind to the emperor without holding back.

Emperor Jinde paused, then waved to the others, "Everyone, leave."

Eunuch Cao bowed and left. He had been with His Majesty the longest and began to notice that His Majesty treated this person differently.

Seeing everyone leave, Jiang Qingyao wondered, what was she doing here? Just staring at His Majesty? Or was His Majesty addicted to her sweet talk?

Emperor Jinde walked back to the table, holding a red brush, and asked, "Can you grind ink?"

“…”

"Yes."

Jiang Qingyao immediately understood and went over to grind ink for Emperor Jinde. She didn't dare to look around and only focused on the task at hand.

Emperor Jinde asked, "Do you know who wants to deal with you? Do you have any ideas in mind?"

Jiang Qingyao shook her head. "I have no idea, so I dare not speculate."

Emperor Jinde glanced at her sideways, not caring whether she really didn't know or was pretending not to know.

His expression was calm. "Your temperament is similar to that of an old friend of mine."

Huh? Are the palace secrets coming out?

Jiang Qingyao pricked up her ears.

Even if she didn't want to listen, if His Majesty insisted, she still had to listen, so she might as well cheer up and listen carefully.

Emperor Jinde continued reviewing the memorials: "She is not as lucky as you. Her sincerity did not win her kindness. Those she loved all left her, and in the end, she was left alone."

She was the only one left in the huge imperial city, and later when she arrived in Yong State, she was also the only one there.

How could she bear it at that time?

At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was not good.

It seemed as if an unspeakable emotion was venting, so heavy that it almost penetrated a corner of the years and revealed the people and events of that time.

Jiang Qingyao was only one step away from the secret, and caught a glimpse of the emperor's emotions in just a few words.

It's sad.

Is he sad?

Soon, the emotions on Emperor Jinde's face disappeared like the tide.

Jiang Qingyao didn't say anything, but her hands paused for a moment. Fortunately, she only froze for a moment and then started moving again.

Only after leaving Ziji Palace did Jiang Qingyao let go of her thoughts.

Just for a moment, from her perspective, she was surprised to find that Marquis Anguo and Emperor Jinde looked a bit similar.

She whispered, "Are you dazzled?"

Yingri Palace.

Concubine Qiao was tortured to death, and just when the imperial doctors were helpless, she miraculously recovered.

After a while, Concubine Qiao recovered and regained her senses. "Who on earth dared to harm me?"

When she was not in a clear mind, she doubted the queen.

But it was obviously impossible. The Queen would not attack her at her birthday banquet because she was afraid that others would not find out.

"If it's not the Queen, then it must be Concubine Li?"

"No, no." Concubine Qiao shook her head weakly, "It can't be her. She has just been restored to favor. She won't make any big moves now."

The only ones left were Concubine Wei, Concubine Yin... Concubine Qiao didn't take the other concubines seriously.

After a while, the nanny reported to her, "Your Majesty, today Jiang came to the palace to see the emperor. She must have come to complain to His Majesty and begged him to make a decision on her behalf."

Concubine Qiao narrowed her eyes, a little disdainful. "Does she think she's a princess? She comes to His Majesty for the smallest matter. His Majesty is only willing to see her because of the Marquis of Anguo. Does she really think she's a big shot?"

The nanny sneered, "Exactly. Don't say she's fine. Even if she was harmed, it's her own fault. Your Majesty is so busy with all sorts of affairs that he doesn't have time to bother with her trivial matters."

Concubine Qiao felt relieved after hearing this and said, "Never mind, continue to keep an eye on it. If you have any news, please report back. I need to rest now."

Jiang Qingyao thought she was different, but Concubine Qiao knew His Majesty's temper very well. His Majesty never interfered too much in the affairs of the harem. Jiang Qingyao's case involved people in the palace, and every palace was a suspect. It would be a big deal to investigate.

Why would Emperor Jinde bother with this much thought for her?

"Absolutely not."

Concubine Qiao muttered something and fell into a deep sleep.

However, when Concubine Qiao woke up, she found that the entire harem had changed.

Emperor Jinde wants to investigate this matter!

When she suddenly fell ill, Emperor Jinde did not come to show concern, but now he is making the decision on behalf of Jiang Qingyao. It really makes Jiang Qingyao move.

"How could your majesty be like this?! How could it be?"

He couldn't do this to her!

Concubine Qiao sat on the couch with disheveled hair, knocking over the medicine handed to her by the nanny, her eyes full of sinister intent.

The nanny was also very panicked. "My Lady, do you think His Majesty's people will find out about us?"

Concubine Qiao's lips trembled, and her face turned even paler, but she said, "No, this is done in secret."

If the clues were really discovered... Concubine Qiao looked at the nanny who had served her loyally for many years.

…

"The weather is getting cold, so I made some ginseng soup for Your Majesty." The queen walked in holding the ginseng soup, her tone gentle.

Seeing Emperor Jinde holding his forehead, the Empress took the initiative to press his head and said, "Your Majesty is busy with government affairs. You should also pay attention to rest more and take care of your health."

Emperor Jinde said, "Well, the Queen has always been considerate."

The queen showed a gentle smile on her face, "This is what I should do."

Upon learning that Emperor Jinde wanted to investigate the Jiang family, the Queen naturally told Emperor Jinde everything the Crown Prince had found out.

The Queen said softly, "Your Majesty is quite protective of the Jiang family."

Emperor Jinde slowly closed his eyes. "Jiang doesn't have many thoughts, but at least she puts them all on the surface. She reveals all her joys and grievances to you, without hiding anything, unlike those self-righteous people."

The Queen thought to herself, “That’s right, Your Majesty hates people who are smart as they are.”

Emperor Jinde: "She knows how to use the opponent's force to counter the opponent's force."

The Queen naturally continued, "Jiang borrowed the right person."

Emperor Jinde smiled. "Since she took the initiative to borrow it, what's wrong with me agreeing to let her borrow it? After all, she is a little girl, and it's rare for Qi Yun to meet someone he likes. I can't let her suffer in vain."