The Empress Dowager's face darkened at the thought of this possibility.

Prince Cheng said, "Mother, rest assured, no one would dare to poison the Emperor. Besides, the Emperor is vigilant, so even if someone dared, they would not succeed."

That's true.

The Empress Dowager instructed Chief Physician Zhao to be extra careful when taking the Emperor's pulse, and Chief Physician Zhao then withdrew with his medicine box.

After Zhao Yuanzheng left, King Cheng stayed for a quarter of an hour before taking his leave.

As King Cheng left, a palace maid entered and informed the Empress Dowager that the city patrol had arrested Princess Nanyi.

The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup and said, "The dignity that my Great Chu princess lost has been half restored by the Xi Liang princess."

Well, the happiest person to hear this news was none other than Empress Song. Princess Shouchun was arrested and imprisoned in the city patrol office, which brought shame to the royal family. Unexpectedly, Princess Xiliang traveled a long distance to celebrate the emperor's birthday and even helped her daughter.

Princess Xiliang felt that Princess Dachu had also been arrested and imprisoned by the city patrol, so it wasn't so shameful.

Princess Shouchun felt that since Princess Xiliang had also been arrested and imprisoned by the city patrol, she was no longer so ashamed.

The two princesses helped each other cover up half of their shaky faces.

However, Empress Song's joy was short-lived. The Empress Dowager sent a palace maid to deliver a message, saying, "The Empress Dowager has instructed the Empress to urge Princess Shouchun to practice dancing. In a few days, at the palace banquet, she will compete with Princess Nanyi. We must not disgrace the Great Chu."

Empress Song smiled and agreed, but almost as soon as the palace maid turned around, her face darkened.

She knew her daughter's true worth; no matter how much she urged her, she couldn't beat Princess Nanyi.

Seeing that Empress Song was troubled by the dance competition, Du Mama said, "This servant has a plan that can not only exempt the princess from the competition with Princess Nanyi, but also make Princess Ling shoot herself in the foot."

Empress Song looked at Granny Du.

Granny Du leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, Empress Song smiled with pleasure, as if she had already succeeded.