The imperial edict shocked the entire nation.

What is Emperor Hui trying to do?

After the imperial edict of reprisal was read aloud, Emperor Hui was still not satisfied. He then posted an edict listing Xie Zhaozhao's seductive charms and her collusion with the Xie family in their perverse and tyrannical actions.

The world was shocked. What happened?

Emperor Hui conducted all of Empress Xie's interrogations in secret. Of those who participated in the interrogation that day, Empress Xie committed suicide, Dong Qin and Marquis Dingbei, one committed suicide by poisoning, the other was interrogated about the situation at Huiyue Manor and then taken out and executed immediately, and the remaining three members of the Xie family were imprisoned.

Therefore, this sudden change in the wind left not only the people in the Imperial Clan Court but also the court officials feeling bewildered.

Why was the grand ceremony to worship Heaven on the 18th day of the lunar calendar canceled?

Why would the royal family suddenly divorce Xie Zhaozhao?

Once the proclamation was issued, both the Xie residence and Qingpu Garden became off-limits areas.

No official in the court could understand how the Xie family, which was at the height of its power yesterday, and Xie Zhaozhao, who was the most popular candidate for Crown Princess, had suddenly fallen to the depths of despair.

Zhang Yanyan, already married and heavily pregnant, arrived at Qingpu Garden accompanied by her maid Chenxiang, who had come with her as part of her dowry.

Nanxing knew that Zhang Yanyan and Xie Zhaozhao were good friends, and since his wife was feeling extremely distressed, he took it upon himself to bring them in.

Nanxing led her into the courtyard. When Zhang Yanyan saw her, she didn't say a word, but held her hand and cried until her eyes were blurred with tears.

Seeing how heavy her body was, Xie Zhaozhao wiped away her tears and said with a smile, "Don't cry. You're pregnant, but I'm perfectly fine."

"How could this happen?" Zhang Yanyan cried. "How could this happen?"

how so?

Xie Zhaozhao smiled. Getting to where she is now is a long story, and she really doesn't know where to begin.

Since she couldn't say, she wouldn't say it!

"Yanyan, how are you doing?" Zhang Yanyan married Liu Mingxuan, the eldest son of the prestigious Liu family.

Liu Mingxuan currently works in the Transportation Department and was the third-ranked student in the previous year's Ling Xun competition; he has a bright future ahead of him.

Originally, Liu Mingxuan had been promoted by Zhang Yanyan's father, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Personnel. However, a few days ago, when Empress Xie was in power, she directly issued an imperial edict to dismiss Minister Zhang and imprison him along with Grand Secretary Liu.

Zhou Shaoyu's identity as a prince was revealed to the world, Emperor Hui regained power, and Grand Secretary Liu and Minister Zhang were released from prison, but Emperor Hui did not reinstate them to their official positions for a long time.

Now His Majesty has canceled the ceremony for Zhou Shaoyu's investiture as Crown Prince, showing a strong inclination to abandon Zhou Shaoyu as Crown Prince. To make matters worse, the Xie family has been imprisoned, and Xie Zhaozhao has been divorced.

These things were fatal for Zhang Yanyan, who had always been on good terms with Xie Zhaozhao.

It's easy to imagine that Zhang Yanyan's life must be difficult.

When Zhang Yanyan heard Xie Zhaozhao ask this question, she knew what Xie Zhaozhao was thinking. How could she let her friend worry about her again?

Wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes, she said, "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Liu Mingxuan treats me very well."

Xie Zhaozhao didn't say anything, just smiled slightly and patted her hand.

How can it get better?

If things were good, she wouldn't have come alone with her big belly, only accompanied by her original personal maid, Chenxiang.

The two entered the house, and before they could exchange more than a few words, Yuanyuan came to report that Madam Liu had come to take Zhang Yanyan back to the mansion, saying that the old lady of the mansion was ill.

The old nanny who was with Madam Liu followed Yuanyuan in and said to Zhang Yanyan respectfully, "Young Madam, the Old Madam is not feeling well. Madam wants you to go back quickly."

Zhang Yanyan said angrily, "I've only been out for a short while, and the old lady is already terminally ill? If she's sick, she should go find a doctor. I'm not a doctor."

Seeing that she was stubbornly refusing to leave, the old nanny said forcefully, "Madam is waiting outside. Young Madam, please don't keep her waiting any longer."

Xie Zhaozhao stood up, helped Zhang Yanyan up, and said, "Let's go, I'm fine, don't worry. You're carrying a heavy load, don't worry too much, take good care of yourself, we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future!"

Zhang Yanyan had too many things to do and too little time to say anything. She only said to the old nanny, "You go back first. I'll say a few words to Zhaozhao and then leave right away."

The old nanny bowed and withdrew. Zhang Yanyan immediately told Chenxiang to hand over a stack of silver notes hidden in her bosom to Xie Zhaozhao.

He said urgently, "Zhaozhao, there's nothing I can do to help you. Since His Majesty has ordered you to divorce Zhou Shaoyu, you probably won't be able to stay in this courtyard for long. I don't have anything else, but you can take these silver notes and buy a courtyard. We women won't necessarily starve if we leave men."

She then took out a command token: "Zhao Zhao, I don't have any other skills. These are my own secret guards, only four of them. If you take this, they will naturally recognize you as their master, and you can order them around as you please. They are very loyal."

They're not secret guards, they're assassins!

However, raising assassins violates the regulations of the imperial court; she can only be described as a secret guard, which Zhao Zhao should understand.

Xie Zhaozhao finally let her tears flow. True feelings are revealed in critical moments. These loyal soldiers are probably the key to Zhang Yanyan's survival.

How could she accept it?

He handed it back to Zhang Yanyan: "Yanyan, don't come to Qingpuyuan anymore, and don't associate with me. I'll be at ease as long as you're doing well."

Zhang Yanyan shook her head and cried, "Zhaozhao, you have to take these, otherwise how can I leave in peace?"

She pushed the silver notes and tokens back, saying, "These are all my dowry. I didn't take a single penny from the Liu family. You can take them as you like. Don't worry about me. My sister and I grew up together since childhood. You know that neither Princess Changping nor I are spineless. Even if we are devoted to our husbands and children, we will not lose our true nature."

Xie Zhaozhao took her things and personally escorted her to the door.

Madam Liu did not get out of the car. Only when Zhang Yanyan went out did she angrily scold her, "Grandmother is seriously ill. You'd better not stay outside."

Xie Zhaozhao watched Zhang Yanyan get into the carriage, then turned and went back to her courtyard.

Before they could even sit down, Nanxing came to report again: "Lord Qin, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, and his wife have come to visit."

Qin Lang, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, was married to Liu Yiyi.

Xie Zhaozhao listened to Nanxing's report but did not invite them in. Under these circumstances, she decided it was better not to see them.

The fact that Qin Lang personally accompanied her shows that both Qin Lang and Liu Yiyi wanted to be good to Xie Zhaozhao.

Xie Zhaozhao appreciated the kindness, but did not want to implicate her friend.

In fact, if she had known that Zhang Yanyan was coming to visit her and that the Liu family was so opposed to it, she wouldn't have even met with Zhang Yanyan.

Xie Zhaozhao did not meet Qin Lang and his wife, and Zhou Shaoyu did not intend to meet them either.

At this time, Qin Lang and his wife came to visit. Zhou Shaoyu naturally knew their intentions, but like Xie Zhaozhao, he did not want to implicate them.

So he told Nanxing and Yuanyuan, "Write down the names of all visitors, but don't let them in."

Nanxing and Yuanyuan agreed, but at noon, Nanxing came in and reported to Xie Zhaozhao: "General Gu Chongjin is visiting, and the great hero Lin Hansu is visiting. I really couldn't stop them!"

Gu Chongjin is a military general, and Lin Hansu is a martial arts master. Nanxing really can't stop them unless the two sides fight each other at the door.

But the other party meant well, so you really can't hit them!

Xie Zhaozhao sighed and said, "Let them in!"

After thinking for a moment, he said to Hongying, "Go to the manor and summon all the military officers with the character 'Yun' in their ranks."