Yu Yun Zhai.

Tu Haiping sat on the stone bridge under the warm sun; her body was warm, but her heart was ice-cold.

This was originally Yuan Yun's residence. Tu Haiping lived here after entering the palace. Later, Yuan Yun moved to the newly built Zhao Mansion, and Tu Haiping became the Empress Dowager, so she was required to move out as well.

Tu Haiping insisted on living here, even though it was no better than the Empress Dowager's palace. However, Yuan Xiu had deliberately given Yuan Yun the Yu Yun Zhai, which was closer to the Emperor's palace, so that it would be easier for him to meet with his sister.

Tu Haiping didn't move away because she wanted to be closer to her nephew.

None of the palace maids or eunuchs went up the bridge. Tu Haiping wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, grieving alone.

Tu Wei's death was a huge blow to her.

Originally, Tu Haiping did not want Tu Wei to join the army, but Tu Wei insisted, and with Zhao Cheng's help, she thought it wasn't the worst option.

But unexpectedly...

Man proposes, God disposes.

Tu Wei did not die in battle, but was beheaded by Zhao Yan.

What kind of nonsense is this!

I am, after all, the Empress Dowager!

Tu Haiping couldn't help but cry softly again. At this moment, her personal maid, who had accompanied her to the palace, quickly walked onto the bridge and said excitedly, "Empress Dowager, great joy!"

Tu Haiping glared at the maidservant, slightly annoyed, and said, "I'm in the midst of a recent death, what is there to be happy about?!"

Realizing her mistake, the maid immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! I know you are very sad, but His Majesty..."

"What's wrong with Your Majesty?" Tu Haiping gripped the maid's hand tightly, unable to bear any more blows.

The maid looked up and said, "Today, Wei You died. The Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat proposed to separate the Imperial New Hall and have the Minister of Works rearrange it, allocating it to ministers whose offices are too crowded. His Majesty asked the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat for his opinion, and the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat told His Majesty to make the decision himself."

Tu Haiping asked, "Speak quickly, has His Majesty said anything inappropriate?"

"No, Your Majesty's words are very apt!"

A smile unconsciously crept onto the maid's face as she continued, "His Majesty approved the suggestion from the Directorate of State Affairs and appointed Marquis Qingdong and Minister He to cooperate with the Ministry of Works in conducting on-site inspections of the relevant departments. His Majesty strictly ordered them to draft a plan within a month, forbidding any falsification and prohibiting those of high rank from receiving the decree. I heard from the ladies present that when the officials received the decree, they shouted 'Long live the Emperor!' His Majesty was so majestic!"

"Is this really the case? His Majesty has not yet assumed personal rule. In the past, the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat and the Marquis of Qingdong made the decisions. Why is the Directorate of the Imperial Secretariat asking His Majesty to make the decision himself today?"

Tu Haiping suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Did your sister notice what the Minister of Works' expression was like when all the officials shouted 'Long live the Emperor'?"

The maidservant smiled and said, "The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat also shows great respect to His Majesty, saying that the world is wise and that it is a blessing for all officials and the people!"

Tu Haiping, however, was not so happy. She said, "Go and tell His Majesty to come to my place tonight."

"Empress Dowager, why are you unhappy?"

"well……"

Tu Haiping sighed and said, "His Majesty is becoming more and more capable, and of course I, as his aunt, am happy. But His Majesty is young and impetuous. Once he enjoys the flattery and love of the officials, I am afraid that he will not know how to restrain his sharpness and will bring trouble upon himself."

"The Empress Dowager means..."

"Shut up and get off."

Tu Haiping glared at the maid, just then a sound came from the bridgehead.

"The Princess has arrived!"

Tu Haiping concealed her worry and went to greet her, saying, "Sister Ayun is here."

"Empress Dowager."

Yuan Yun grabbed Tu Haiping's hand and helped her to the bridge. She carefully examined Tu Haiping's face and said, "Sister, you look so haggard. You must take care of yourself!"

Tu Haiping shook her head and said, "How could I not want inner peace? But... I really didn't expect that our parting in the rain last time would be forever."

"Ah Yun, I don't have a younger brother anymore, I don't have many relatives left, sob sob sob..."

Yuan Yun hugged Tu Haiping and let her cry for a while before whispering, "I don't have a younger brother either."

Two women who no longer have younger brothers embraced each other, bewildered in the wind.

Tu Haiping paused for a moment, then realized what was happening. She quickly got up, wiped away her tears, and said, "I lost my composure."

"But I..."

"I really didn't expect Tu Wei to die in this way."

Yuan Yun asked, "You blame Zhao Cheng and Zhao Yan, don't you?"

Tu Haiping was silent for a while, then said, "Tu Wei did disobey military orders, but he is still my brother. Do you believe me if I say I won't blame him?"

Yuan Yun said, "Sister, let me ask you, what would happen if Tu Wei disobeyed military orders in the army of the Imperial Uncle and Yuan Qi?"

Tu Haiping said, "I don't know..."

"Dongjing has already suffered two consecutive defeats in the Battle of Yunjing. Before Zhao Cheng's southern expedition, he wasn't very confident. To improve combat effectiveness, strict military discipline is the most basic requirement. From a personal point of view, I also think that the brothers were a bit harsh, but from the perspective of national affairs, they did nothing wrong."

Yuan Yun turned to the side and looked at the lake under the stone bridge, saying, "Sister, Tu Wei wasn't the only one who disobeyed military orders, and Zhao Yan didn't just execute Tu Wei. The other one executed was Zhao Yan's second sister-in-law's younger brother, General Pu's own nephew. If it weren't for the fact that execution was absolutely necessary, do you think the two brothers would have done that?"

"Since Park Yoo-hee entered the Zhao family, she has been diligent and virtuous, respecting her parents and treating my son as her own. She has also taken meticulous care of Zhao Yang. Tell me, how will Zhao Yan face his second sister-in-law after the two brothers return? And how will Zhao Cheng face this good sister-in-law?"

"Sister, we cannot control national affairs or wars."

Tu Haiping raised her head, letting the tears that were about to fall flow back into her eyes, and said, "I understand what you mean. Harmony between the ruler and his subjects is the most important thing. I will not dwell on this matter anymore."

"Thank you, sister."

Yuan Yun grasped Tu Haiping's hand and said, "I can't do anything about Tu Wei's matter, but I promise you, no matter what Jing Palace becomes in the future, I will ensure Wushang and Wuyou's safety and prevent them from being harmed."

Tu Haiping grasped Yuan Yun's hand and said emotionally, "Ah Yun, I'm not worried about Wuyou since he's not in that position. But Wushang... although he's my nephew, he's been by my side ever since his parents passed away. I've long regarded him as my own son. You must take good care of him for me."

Yuan Yun said, "I heard that Wushang performed well today. His arrangements won the congratulations of all the officials, which is a good thing. In the future, you should urge him to study hard and work harder so that he can take charge of the government as soon as possible."

"Taking charge?" Tu Haiping looked somewhat flustered.

"The emperor of the Jing people will always be surnamed Yuan. If he doesn't rule personally, does he have to stay a child forever? When Yuan Xiu was his age, he was already firmly seated on that chair."

Yuan Yun's expression turned serious, and she said sternly, "Power and authority are never bestowed by others, but by one's own abilities."

"Intrigue, strategy, personnel management..."

"Only when you become strong will others not dare to covet your position. But if you cannot become strong, you can only watch helplessly as others take away what once belonged to you!"

"You may not understand this."

"But he needs to understand."

"He is now the emperor of the Jing people!"