The Empress Dowager was startled and stood up, but she stood up too quickly and her vision went black for a moment, so she fell back down.

The Empress Dowager was both worried and furious, trembling with rage. "Who has the audacity to assassinate the First Prince?!"

The young eunuch prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to look at the Empress Dowager's furious expression.

Granny Zhao then asked, "Where is the First Prince now?"

The eunuch replied, "The eldest prince was rescued by Prince Ling and the heir of Prince Yanping. The heir of Duke Du was also there. The eldest prince should be on his way back to the palace right now."

Granny Zhao never expected that the eldest prince was seriously injured, and that it was actually Prince Ling who saved him.

Prince Ling is vying for the position of Crown Prince, and the First Prince will be his biggest rival.

Zhao Mama looked at the Empress Dowager, who was also surprised. But considering that the Prince of Yanping and his group did not know Du Cheng'an's identity before, and were willing to make enemies with the Prince of Maoguo for the sake of a hunter, the Empress Dowager was not surprised that they would save the eldest prince.

There are very few people in the entire capital who dare to mess with the eldest prince.

The Empress Dowager clenched her fists beneath her phoenix robes. "Someone, convey my imperial edict!"

Meanwhile, Xie Jingyan, Cheng Yi, and Du Cheng'an escorted the eldest prince back to the capital. They stopped in front of a pharmacy, where a young clerk brought over medicine, which Doctor Tao fed to the eldest prince.

After helping the eldest prince lie down, Chen Feng continued driving the carriage towards the palace.

However, he, who had always been able to enter the palace without hindrance, was stopped at the palace gate this time.

The one blocking the way was Eunuch Liu, who served the Empress Dowager.

Chen Feng tightened the reins and stopped. Eunuch Liu quickly came over and said, "Convey the Empress Dowager's oral decree."

Xie Jingyan remained seated on horseback, his brow furrowed, without dismounting. "What imperial edict?"

Cheng Yi and Du Cheng'an were about to dismount when Eunuch Liu read out the Empress Dowager's decree: "The Empress Dowager decrees that the First Prince should recuperate at the Ling Prince's residence."

Xie Jingyan's brows furrowed deeply.

The Empress Dowager was afraid that the eldest prince might encounter misfortune while recuperating in the palace or the Prince of Qin's residence, so she arranged for him to stay at the Prince of Ling's residence.

The Empress Dowager really isn't afraid of causing him trouble.

They rescued the eldest prince, which is already an interference in this matter. The Empress Dowager also sent a verbal order at the palace gate, so they have no choice but to accept it.

After relaying the Empress Dowager's decree, Eunuch Liu said, "Director Zhao and the others are already waiting at Prince Ling's residence."

Xie Jingyan glanced in the direction of the palace, then turned around and prepared to return to the Ling Prince's residence.

As he left, he turned back to Du Cheng'an and said, "Tell the Empress Dowager everything that happened today."

After saying this, Xie Jingyan rode away.

Du Cheng'an was left standing there, bewildered in the wind.

He felt awkward leaving Cheng Yi and himself, both single, so he insisted on escorting the eldest prince back to the palace for treatment. But he never thought of going to see the Empress Dowager alone.

He has been acquainted with his ancestors for so long, yet he has never met the Empress Dowager alone.

He was afraid even when he was by Princess Huyang's side, let alone when he was alone.

However, since the eldest prince is seriously injured, the Empress Dowager probably has no interest in having him mend relations with the heir of the Duke of Mao. Besides, if he doesn't go, is Cheng Yi the one to go?

Du Cheng'an reluctantly followed Eunuch Liu to Shou Kang Palace.