Just as Prince Ling told the Emperor that Prince Cheng was secretly colluding with Xiliang, Xiliang assassins kidnapped Prince Cheng and took him out of the city...

This was so blatant that they were trying to fool the emperor like a fool.

What kind of place is the Prince Cheng's mansion? A few assassins broke in so easily and even captured the Prince Cheng. Are the guards of the Prince Cheng's mansion all incompetent idiots?

Seeing the Emperor's ashen face, Eunuch Yuan didn't know what to say.

Apart from a very few people, no one knew about the affair between Prince Cheng and Empress Song.

The crimes of Prince Cheng were not made public. He was still the emperor's younger brother, born of the same mother. He was held hostage by assassins from Xiliang. No one dared to take his life or death lightly, not even the heir of Prince Yanping and his companions.

Du Chengxu's death caused the Crown Prince of Yanping great suffering. Since Prince Cheng was the Empress Dowager's own son, the Crown Prince of Yanping and his allies were even more hesitant to act rashly.

Lu Cheng almost died at the hands of the Xiliang assassins, and they couldn't just stand by and watch Prince Cheng help the Xiliang assassins escape.

Prince Yanping and his men dared not make a move, but they were also unwilling to let them go, resulting in a stalemate.

Xie Jingyan turned to leave, but after taking two steps, he remembered that he still had something to say. This was why he came to the palace without even having breakfast when Shen Wan pushed him in.

Xie Jingyan turned to look at the Emperor and said, "I don't care about the others, but spare the Empress's life for now."

After saying this, Xie Jingyan hurriedly left.

Watching Xie Jingyan's departing figure, the Emperor's brows furrowed deeply. Even after Xie Jingyan left the palace, the Emperor's gaze remained fixed on him.

Eunuch Yuan called out softly, "Your Majesty...?"

The Emperor looked at him and asked, "How should I reward you?"

Thump.

Eunuch Yuan's knees buckled, and he knelt down. "This servant has deceived His Majesty and committed a capital offense. If His Majesty spares this servant's life, this servant will be content and dare not accept any reward..."

Xiao Xizi was also in the bedroom. When Eunuch Yuan knelt down, he quickly followed suit.

The Emperor said, "Get up. I did not mean to blame you."

Even if he had known back then, let alone now, he wouldn't have blamed him.

Xiao Xizi got up and then helped Eunuch Yuan up.

Poor Eunuch Yuan had just stood up when the Emperor asked again, "Is there anything else you're hiding from me?"

Thump.

Eunuch Yuan knelt down again, repeatedly expressing his loyalty, "No, because I was afraid of incurring the Empress's wrath and that Prince Cheng would kill me and Xiao Xizi to silence us, so I didn't dare tell Your Majesty. As for other matters, as long as I know them, I would never dare to hide a single word from Your Majesty."

"Alright, get up."

Even with Xiao Xizi supporting him, Grandpa Yuan had difficulty standing up after hitting his knee twice.

Shen Wan is pregnant with the eldest grandson of the emperor. Xiao Xizi saved the eldest grandson's life by changing his medicine, so the emperor will definitely reward him, and a very generous one at that.

Xiao Xizi was still confused and didn't know why the emperor was rewarding him, but he was so happy to receive such a generous reward that he couldn't stop smiling.

Shou Kang Palace.

The Empress Dowager also didn't sleep a wink last night.

When I woke up this morning, my head was dizzy and felt like it was about to explode.

He looked haggard, as if he had aged more than ten years overnight, which made Zhao Mama feel sorry for him.

Granny Zhao helped the Empress Dowager lean against the large pillow and said, "May I summon the imperial physician for Your Majesty?"

The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes and said, "The imperial physicians cannot cure my illness..."

Before she could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager began to cough.

Just as she was coughing uncontrollably, a palace maid rushed in and said, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Assassins from Xiliang have taken Prince Cheng hostage in an attempt to escape the city..."

The Empress Dowager's expression changed, and her cough became even more violent.

Granny Zhao hurriedly helped the Empress Dowager catch her breath, but the Empress Dowager couldn't care less. "Quickly, go find the Emperor. I don't care how he deals with Prince Cheng, but I absolutely cannot let Prince Cheng die at the hands of the Western Liang assassins!"

The Empress Dowager helped Zhao Mama to her feet.

Granny Zhao dared not speak her mind.

Can the Empress Dowager truly remain indifferent to how the Emperor deals with Prince Cheng?

Even she didn't believe it, let alone the Emperor.

Prince Cheng and the Empress have been having an affair and Princess Huanzhu is pregnant. It's impossible for the Emperor and Prince Cheng to have a good relationship. If the Empress Dowager still wants to protect Prince Cheng, she will only hurt the Emperor's feelings.

The Emperor was furious, yet the Empress Dowager was still worried that the assassins from Xiliang would harm Prince Cheng. Wasn't this like stabbing the Emperor in the heart with a knife?

But she dared not disobey the Empress Dowager's orders, so Zhao Mama had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Hanyuan Hall.

However, once she arrived at Hanyuan Hall, Granny Zhao realized that her worries were unnecessary, because she couldn't get into Hanyuan Hall at all.

The Emperor refused to see her, and Eunuch Yuan also prevented her from entering.

The Empress Dowager's words never reached the Emperor's ears.

As for Xie Jingyan, after leaving Hanyuan Hall, he rode his horse directly out of the palace.

Prince Yanping and the others knew that the Xiliang assassins and Prince Cheng were secretly colluding and would not actually kill Prince Cheng. So even though Prince Cheng's neck was slashed by the Xiliang assassins and blood was flowing, Prince Yanping and the others did not back down much. By the time Xie Jingyan received the news and left the palace, the Xiliang assassins and Prince Cheng had not yet left the city.

Seeing Xie Jingyan riding over, the Xiliang assassin grabbed Prince Cheng and pointed him at Xie Jingyan. Xie Jingyan glanced at Prince Cheng's face and rode forward.

When the Prince of Yanping saw Xie Jingyan, he said, "You've finally arrived."

If he doesn't come soon, he really won't be able to hold on any longer.

Although they knew the Xiliang assassins wouldn't actually kill King Cheng, the others didn't, and by doing so, they were practically disregarding King Cheng's life or death.

Xie Jingyan said, "Let them go."

The Crown Prince of Yanping's eyes widened, thinking he had misheard. "Are you sure you want to let them go?"

Xie Jingyan said, "If we push the Western Liang assassins too far and they really hurt Prince Cheng, no one will be able to explain it to the Empress Dowager."

"But……"

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