She cried uncontrollably, but dared not speak loudly, lest she wake her.

She reached out and patted Xie Zhaozhao's head, whispering comfortingly, "You should rest well. Your aunt will definitely repay you many times over."

Emperor Hui had already been taken back to his palace. Before leaving, Emperor Hui said in front of everyone, "You are all responsible for the loss of the Grand Secretary's child. The head maid of Xingning Palace and the chief eunuch will all be beaten to death."

Immediately, everyone in Xingning Palace burst into tears.

At daybreak, Liuli was the first to be gagged and beaten to death.

The chief eunuch was also beaten to death.

Empress Xie pleaded with Emperor Hui to spare Liuli, who was her most trusted confidante.

Emperor Hui said, "Empress, we have all wronged Xie. She will find out sooner or later. Do you want her to hate you for the rest of her life?"

Empress Xie had no reason to plead for leniency. Someone had to take responsibility for this major incident and bear the wrath of Emperor Hui and Xie Zhaozhao!

Yuanyuan and Lu Feiyan watched as Liuli and the steward were beaten to death. The two of them sat listlessly on the steps outside Wenhui Hall and cried silently.

The palace sent them food twice, but they refused to eat and kept crying.

The entire Xingning Palace was shrouded in gloom and despair.

Empress Xie roused herself and instructed another head palace maid, Nan Ke, to gather everyone in Xingning Palace, including Yuan Yuan and Lu Feiyan.

"When the Grand Secretary's wife wakes up, no one is allowed to mention that the child is gone. Everyone should keep the same story and say that the young master has been sent to the Qianwu Palace by the Empress. The young master will be able to see the madam after she finishes her postpartum confinement."

"Anyone who leaks this information to the Madam will be beaten to death!"

The Fifth Palace was a place where royal infants were collectively fed by wet nurses.

Here, all the wet nurses are selected through a rigorous process to feed the princes.

Safe and reliable!