This secret letter, a thousand words long, detailed how Lady Wei forced Consort Yun to her death, and how Consort Yun was willing to die to save her son.

Emperor Hui could rescue Consort Yun, but Consort Yun wanted Emperor Hui to safeguard the country and its people.

Emperor Hui did not initially choose the Marquis of Pingyang (who was then only a fourth-rank general), but had several candidates, intending to have the twins fostered in the homes of his ministers.

Otherwise, no amount of concealment would be able to protect Gu Shaoyu effectively.

Hanako Katsu read the message aloud, choking up several times and unable to continue.

The cries of civil and military officials and common people filled the air.

Emperor Hui and Gu Shaoyu also had blurred vision.

Gu Shaoyu and dozens of victorious generals followed Emperor Hui into the palace.

Xie Anfeng was overjoyed, yet his heart was as heavy as a stone.

Emperor Hui was delighted. Upon entering the palace, he refused to ride in a sedan chair and insisted on walking himself. He asked Gu Shaoyu to support him and said, "Jingchen, tell me properly about the circumstances of Wei's death."

Gu Shaoyu told him to stand on a high point on the palace wall and look out at the sixteen prison carts outside the Meridian Gate.

The first one was Wei Jingzhong. The second prison van contained seventeen boxes chained together. Gu Shaoyu said, "Those seventeen boxes contain the names of Wei Anyuan, Wei Anhu, Wei Shixun, Wei Shikai..."

They are all descendants of Wei Jingzhong.

The remaining dozen or so prison carts were all occupied by Wei's generals and Wei Jingzhong's confidants.

Emperor Hui's eyes reddened, and he patted him on the shoulder with delight, saying, "Good!"

As the two were talking, Gao Quan came out of the palace. Upon seeing Empress Xie, he cheerfully called out, "Your Majesty, will you be having lunch with the generals in Hanyuan Hall today?"

Before Empress Xie could speak, Emperor Hui stopped and said calmly, "Take this traitor out and beat him to death."

Gao Quan was still unaware of what had happened. Hua Zisheng glanced at Wei Ziying, whose eyes were red. Without saying a word, Wei Ziying grabbed Gao Quan, pinned him to the ground, and started beating him with a large stick.

It's the kind of fighting style that completely disregards life and aims to kill with a single blow.

Gao Quan was beaten five times, and blood gushed from his mouth and nose, rendering him useless.

Nan Ke didn't dare say a word; he just wanted to help Empress Xie get to the inner palace as quickly as possible.

Empress Xie smiled and said, "You will follow me."

It is no longer "朕" (the imperial "I").

Emperor Hui was very excited and held a grand banquet for his generals in Hanyuan Hall. All the civil and military officials were invited to drink and eat with the generals.

Gu Shaoyu sat to his left. He didn't eat, but stared at Gu Shaoyu greedily, never blinking. Except for the occasional toast, he didn't say a word.

After the luncheon, he kept the officials behind to discuss the matter of Gu Shaoyu's recognition of his ancestry and to hold a grand ceremony for the prince's return to the family line.

The Ministry of Rites' etiquette was thorough, so they quickly agreed.

The Imperial Observatory Director said, "These days are all auspicious days according to the Chinese calendar. Your Majesty may arrange whichever day you prefer."

Emperor Hui said, "The sooner the better!"

The Director of the Imperial Observatory still suggested waiting three days, as the prince's robes still needed to be prepared.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Hui said, "Then let's combine it with the ceremony for establishing the crown prince, and make the crown prince's robes and crown directly."

If any of you still have questions, Emperor Hui is entrusting a major task to Grand Secretary Gu, or rather, Prince Zhou Shaoyu.

To acknowledge one's ancestors, establish a crown prince, and inherit the throne.

The generals who went with Zhou Shaoyu to the northwest to fight against the Wei were naturally extremely excited.

On that day, Emperor Hui ordered the Ministry of Rites and the imperial clan to prepare for Zhou Shaoyu's return ceremony and to draft an imperial edict establishing a crown prince.

Then an imperial edict was drafted to establish a crown princess.

He had done all of this and was panting heavily, but his spirits remained high.

Although he served in the same court as Zhou Shaoyu and saw him every day, he still couldn't get enough of looking at him.

With 300,000 troops returning from the Northwest outside the city, Emperor Hui felt reassured and invited Zhou Shaoyu to stay overnight in his palace.

"Jingchen, your father is sorry, child, I couldn't save you..." He was getting old, and for some reason, sand always got into his eyes.

Zhou Shaoyu immediately grasped his hand and said, "Father, Zhaozhao is very clever. She has already secretly taken the child out after giving birth. I will bring her to you to see at daybreak tomorrow."

"Good, good, good. Bring it here for me to see tomorrow."

That night, Emperor Hui held Zhou Shaoyu's hand tightly as he slept, and even in his sleep, he had a smile on his face.

Emperor Hui woke up several times during the night, and Zhou Shaoyu stayed by his side the whole time, feeding him water twice.

While Emperor Hui was asleep, he specifically summoned Hua Zisheng to inquire about the emperor's condition.

Hua Zisheng immediately burst into tears: "Your Highness, Your Majesty, I am already exhausted and can't hold on much longer."

He sat by the door, speaking softly while tears streamed down his face, telling Zhou Shaoyu everything that had happened recently: "Other things are alright, but the deaths of the princes were a huge blow to His Majesty. To be honest, if His Majesty hadn't wanted to see the traitor Wei die, or to see His Highness return, His Majesty would have collapsed long ago."

When Hua Zisheng spoke to him, he was also thinking about Empress Xie. Logically speaking, Empress Xie had taken advantage of His Majesty's weak health and even poisoned him, which was a capital offense. I'm afraid the entire Xie family would not have a good end.

But His Highness and Xie Zhaozhao are so loving, and Xie Zhaozhao is so intelligent. Alas!

Hanako Katsu thought for a moment and decided to keep quiet, letting His Majesty feel better for a few days!

However, what he thought of was what everyone else had thought of, including Empress Xie.

That day, Emperor Hui was present. Everyone thought she would hide in the inner palace to avoid the limelight, but who knew that things would not end well? She actually used the blank imperial edict and token that she had hidden in her possession to leave the palace.

At the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), all officials went to court.

Zhou Shaoyu left the palace to fetch Xie Zhaozhao and her child to pay respects to Emperor Hui, and also to fetch Uncle Chai and Aunt Chai to examine Emperor Hui's pulse.

As soon as the palace gates opened, the imperial guards came to tell Zhou Shaoyu: "Your Highness, the Empress has sent word that your wife is surrounded by her troops. If you want your wife to live, please go there alone."