Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs," and the Crown Prince of Yanping didn't even have a witness.

It's impossible for anyone from Princess Huyang's residence to testify for Prince Yanping. Prince Yanping doesn't want to involve those who could testify for him. Without any witnesses to support his words, coupled with pressure from the Empress Dowager, and without a pardon, he can hardly escape death.

The Emperor's face turned cold as he said, "Are you determined to get involved in this mess?"

Xie Jingyan's attitude was resolute: "Father knows my temperament. Since I said those things in the Ministry of Justice and have already been reprimanded by Father, it is not enough for the Empress Dowager to take the life of the Prince of Yanping. She also wants to torture him. I will definitely impeach her."

Although impeachment wouldn't do anything to the Empress Dowager, it would certainly be a loss of face.

After saying this, Xie Jingyan turned and left, leaving the emperor furious.

Eunuch Yuan stood guard outside the door, his ears perked up as high as they could, but unfortunately he couldn't hear anything.

Seeing Xie Jingyan come out, Eunuch Yuan quickly went up to him and said, "Your Highness has angered the Empress Dowager because of the Prince of Yanping's son. This is really irrational."

"His Majesty has issued a gag order to the Duke of Du, forbidding this matter from reaching the Empress Dowager's ears..."

Xie Jingyan frowned and asked, "Have any rumors been circulating in the palace these past two days?"

Eunuch Yuan shook his head, "I haven't heard any rumors."

Little Xizi, the eunuch standing nearby, chimed in, "This servant overheard a few words. The palace maids of Fengyi Palace said that the Right Chancellor had a sharp eye for talent. Luckily, he didn't agree to the Empress Dowager's matchmaking proposal and betrothed his daughter to the son of Princess Huyang..."

Eunuch Yuan asked in surprise, "When did this happen?"

Xiao Xizi said, "It was just a few days ago."

Yuan Gonggong remembered that the Empress Dowager had met with the Right Chancellor a few days ago, but there was no news in the palace that the Empress Dowager intended to have the son of Princess Huyang marry the Right Chancellor's daughter.

However, it's normal that the news didn't spread. The Right Chancellor refused the marriage proposal, which was such a shameful thing that the Empress Dowager would definitely issue a gag order.

Now that Princess Huyang's son has died, the matter can no longer be suppressed, and some information has leaked out.

However, neither Eunuch Yuan nor Xie Jingyan paid any attention to these rumors.