Xie Zhaozhao shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, I am recuperating and do not wish to concern myself with matters of state. I do not wish to hear about state affairs."

“You silly child, your aunt was just worried that you would get bored.”

Empress Xie smiled broadly and pleaded, "Your Majesty, why don't you bring the young master over? He can keep the lady company every day and keep her from getting bored!"

Empress Xie smiled and said, "Your wife needs to rest and recuperate after childbirth. It's best not to worry about the baby."

"Your Majesty, this servant will take good care of the young master and will not tire the lady out."

"Let's talk about it after Zhaozhao finishes her postpartum confinement."

She looked at Xie Zhaozhao, who, though not pleading with her, had eyes full of longing.

Empress Xie suddenly found herself unable to speak.

Yuanyuan and Lu Feiyan were both in the outer room, their expressions somewhat blank.

Empress Xie said kindly, "Giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell for a woman. You must rest well, avoid getting angry, sad, or overworking yourself. You must all follow the imperial physician's advice."

Yuanyuan and Lu Feiyan knew that this was a warning not to tell Xie Zhaozhao about the child's death, lest she cry herself sick during her postpartum period.

Lu Feiyan was reading medical books at the door. She borrowed some paper and cinnabar from the palace and was practicing drawing talismans.

Empress Xie always felt that Lu Feiyan was somewhat wicked.

After leaving Xingning Palace, Empress Xie said to Nan Ke, "Send someone to keep an eye on Lu Feiyan. She is a poison doctor. If she makes a move, immediately lock her up in the death row."

**

Xie Anfeng obtained the "Five Locations of the Male at Midnight" from Lingxun and immediately used his resources and connections to investigate!

No newborns were sent to the Fifth Cadre School.

He then asked someone to check Xie Zhaozhao's medical records left in the palace, but found nothing.

He tried to contact the palace's informants, but they were unable to reach Xie Zhaozhao.

They didn't even know where Xie Zhaozhao's child was.

They didn't even know whether Xie Zhaozhao had given birth or not.

The news was strictly censored.

In the end, all they learned was that the head maid and the chief eunuch of Xingning Palace had offended His Majesty and were beaten to death.

After gathering information from various sources, Xie Anfeng sat in his study for a long time before summoning the clan elders.

After discussing it in secret, he went to see Madam Xie.

He summoned Princess Changping to the Wutong Garden and sent all the servants away.

Xie Anfeng knelt down before Madam Xie: "Mother, I fear the Xie family is facing a great calamity."

"Eldest brother, what happened? Tell me slowly, Mother will handle it!"

Since Xie Zhaozhao was left in the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Madam Xie had sensed that something was amiss.

That day, Xie Anfeng took her to the palace to pick up Xie Zhaozhao to return to her residence for childbirth, but they were refused. Her eyelids kept twitching.

"Zhao Zhao should have given birth to a son at midnight on the first day of the month, but the Empress took him away."

After Xie Anfeng finished speaking, Madam Xie and Princess Changping almost fainted. The Empress had taken Zhaozhao's child?

Can't have children of her own, yet she wants to raise Zhaozhao's child?

Or is she trying to control Zhao Zhao's child?

The old lady immediately thought of a possibility: "Could it be His Majesty's intention? His Majesty is worried that Grand Secretary Gu is becoming too powerful with his troops, so he has detained his wife and children in the palace?"

"Mother, I cannot be certain whether it was His Majesty's intention, but it was certainly the Empress's doing!"

"Does Her Majesty the Empress intend to use Zhaozhao to demonstrate her loyalty?"

The old lady meant that Xie Chunxi, having become a royal consort, was not entirely wrong in that she was loyal to Emperor Hui, wary of Grand Secretary Gu, and even wary of the Xie family.

Moreover, Madam Xie felt that what Empress Xie did was understandable.

Placing the child in the princes' quarters puts the emperor at ease. Zhaozhao endured the pain of separation from her child for a time, ensuring the safety of both households; she was quite sensible.

The Xie family will not rebel, nor will Gu Shaoyu. Once Gu Shaoyu returns and hands over the military seal, Zhaozhao and the child will return home safely.

Xie Anfeng shook his head: "Mother, it was Steward Hua who delivered a message to Lord Ling Xun about Zhao Zhao's childbirth, and Lord Ling Xun then told his son."

Steward Hua didn't even dare to speak to Xie Anfeng, but secretly sent a message to Ling Xun, who had a close relationship with Xie Zhaozhao.

"Mother, your son suspects that the Empress herself ordered the imprisonment of Zhaozhao..."

His Majesty fell seriously ill and suddenly appointed an Empress. More recently, the Empress has been involved in court affairs and has gradually taken control of the government.

She detained Zhaozhao, perhaps to force the Xie family and Gu Shaoyu to take sides and support her.

Xie Anfeng felt that Empress Xie had grand ambitions!

Madam Xie and Princess Changping's expressions also changed.

Could it be that she wants to become an empress? To use the emperor to command the feudal lords?

"His Majesty has not made any major mistakes; he is a wise and virtuous ruler. If the Empress has committed any wrongdoings, the descendants of the Xie family must absolutely not be implicated."

Madam Xie resolutely declared, "Not only will the Xie family not support us, but we will also clearly distance ourselves from her."

Princess Changping asked worriedly, "Wouldn't that put Zhaozhao and the child in great danger?"

The old lady said with tears in her eyes, "Xie is loyal to the emperor first and foremost. If the empress insists on her own way, Xie can only pretend that she has no daughter. We must do everything we can to rescue Zhaozhao and the child."

Xie Anfeng was the clan leader and had already made his decision.

“Father, I’m going back to the Prince’s residence to ask you to go to the palace and find out what’s going on,” Princess Changping said. “We shouldn’t make wild guesses or panic.”

The Xie family and the Prince's family share the same fate, their fortunes intertwined.

Xie Anfeng shook his head: "His Majesty is probably already suspicious of us. I have submitted several memorials to the palace to inquire about his health, but they have all been rejected by His Majesty."

He submitted a memorial to His Majesty requesting permission to visit the ailing emperor in the palace, but was refused!

He requested to visit Xie Zhaozhao, but was refused!

Princess Changping took the twins to the Prince's Mansion and begged Prince Jing to go to the palace to visit His Majesty.

Prince Jing naturally wouldn't think she was just doing nothing and interfering in court affairs; the only explanation is that it was Xie Anfeng's idea.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!