The news of Consort Chen's exoneration spread like wildfire throughout the capital, and everyone in the streets, alleys, teahouses, and taverns was talking about it.

Everyone felt a pang of sorrow and sympathy.

Consort Chen had enjoyed the Emperor's exclusive favor since entering the palace. It was under this great favor that she committed the crime, falling from grace and implicating the entire Yan family. Back then, many people said behind her back that Consort Chen betrayed the Emperor because she was spoiled by him and had no desire for more. Now that they know she was framed, they just feel that Consort Chen was extremely unlucky.

But what I didn't expect was that someone from the Yan family was still alive, and that it was the Empress Dowager who saved them.

Some people think the Empress Dowager was kind, while others think she was threatened...

Various speculations came one after another.

As usual, Prince Yanping and his entourage went to the city patrol office to report for duty and prepare for their patrol. The news of Consort Chen's reversal of the case reached the city patrol office.

Everyone was happy for Xie Jingyan.

Lu Cheng exclaimed, "I never imagined that the Wang family girl was actually Brother Jingyan's cousin."

Prince Yanping looked at Du Cheng'an and smiled, "So this is why the Wang family and the Minister of Justice refused to agree to the marriage. Now that the Wang family's daughter has been recognized by her ancestors, you can go and propose marriage again, and this matter will surely be settled."

After two unsuccessful marriage proposals, Du Cheng'an was starting to get scared.

Tang Ze patted Du Cheng'an on the shoulder and said, "It seems you not only have Xu Ji as a cousin-in-law, but also Prince Ling, who is also your cousin-in-law."

Du Cheng'an, "..."

These aren't just two cousins; they're practically two mountains.

For some reason, the image of Xu Chuan wearing a mask flashed through Du Cheng'an's mind...

He stiffened.

Xu Chuan and the Yan family shouldn't have any connection, right?

While the Prince of Yanping and his entourage were chatting and laughing, the Duke of Mao and the eldest prince went to Shou Kang Palace to see the Empress Dowager after the morning court session.

The Empress Dowager has fallen ill again.

I leaned against the large pillow, feeling dizzy and unable to muster any energy.

The Imperial Medical Academy delivered the medicine, but the Empress Dowager refused to drink it. Granny Zhao urged, "Your Majesty, please drink the medicine..."

Normally, if the Empress Dowager refused to take her medicine, she could report it to the Emperor. But now, Granny Zhao didn't even dare to report it to the Emperor.

The Empress Dowager protected Prince Cheng. Back then, even though she knew that Consort Chen had been plotted against, she still kept it from the Emperor. The Emperor didn't say anything, but how could he not hate the Empress Dowager in his heart?

Previously, when Prince Cheng and Empress Song were having an affair, the Emperor did not visit the Empress Dowager at Shou Kang Palace even once during her illness. Now, this matter concerns Consort Chen.

Fearing a falling out between the Emperor and Prince Cheng, the Empress Dowager deceived and covered up for Prince Cheng, cleaning up his messes. In the end, not only did she fail to stop it, but the Emperor also came to hate her.

The Empress Dowager refused to drink the medicine, so Zhao Mama could only persuade her again and again. A palace maid came in and said, "Empress Dowager, the First Prince and the Duke of Maoguo have arrived."

Granny Zhao frowned slightly, guessing why the eldest prince and the Duke of Mao had come. The Empress Dowager was already in a bad mood, and seeing them would probably make her even angrier.

The Empress Dowager knew why they had come and had considered not refusing to see them, but she knew she would have to see them tomorrow or the day after.

That's all.

"Let them in."

Granny Zhao placed the medicine bowl on the small table beside the bed.

The palace maids withdrew, and shortly afterward, the eldest prince and the Duke of Maoguo entered.

Granny Zhao waved her hand, dismissing all the palace maids serving in the bedchamber.

The Empress Dowager had barely slept a wink all night, and her face was haggard. Upon seeing her, the eldest prince said, "I saw the Empress Dowager the other day and she seemed to be in much better shape. Why does she look so unwell? What did the imperial physician say?"

The eldest prince looked at Granny Zhao.

Zhao Mama said, "The imperial physician has been seen. He said the Empress Dowager needs to rest quietly and should avoid worrying."

How easy is it to put the Empress Dowager at ease?

Prince Cheng was a piece of flesh from the Empress Dowager's body.

A mother worries when her son travels a thousand miles, let alone when King Cheng is fleeing from punishment.

Having served the Empress Dowager for decades, Zhao Mama knew her temperament better than anyone else; it seemed the Empress Dowager's illness was incurable.

Mao Guogong said, "Empress Dowager, you must take good care of your health."

After a pause, Duke Maoguo said, "At the morning court, His Majesty already exonerated Consort Chen and returned the Yan family mansion to the Yan family..."

"Was it really the Empress Dowager who instructed the Minister of Justice to protect the Yan family bloodline back then?"

In fact, Duke Mao already knew what was going on, since it was his men who burned down the study of the Minister of Justice.

The Empress Dowager ordered him to retrieve an imperial edict from the Ministry of Justice, but did not specify what it contained. The Duke of Mao did not inquire further, knowing that he would understand once he had the edict in hand.

Later, the study of the Minister of Justice was burned down. The Duke of Maoguo wanted to inquire about it, but the Empress Dowager was very dissatisfied with the incompetence of his people. The Duke of Maoguo wanted to ask but dared not.

Even though he already knew in his heart, he still couldn't believe it until he heard the Empress Dowager admit it to him personally.

The Empress Dowager said, "It was I who asked the Minister of Justice to save her."

"Why?!" Duke Mao's voice suddenly rose.

The Empress Dowager glared at him coldly, "You still have the nerve to ask?"

"Isn't this all the mess you two siblings made?!"

"When you do things behind my back, why don't you ask for my consent first?!"

The Empress Dowager's chest heaved with anger. She dared not raise her voice when she cursed, for fear of being overheard. But the more she did this, the less she could vent her anger, and her eyes stung.

The Duke of Maoguo didn't dare utter a single word after being reprimanded.

He came to question the Empress Dowager, but instead received a scolding from her.

However, this wasn't the first or second time he'd been scolded by the Empress Dowager, and the Duke of Mao was used to it. He said, "To begin with, Prince Ling's influence in the court was no less than that of the First Prince. Now that Consort Chen has overturned the verdict, the position of Crown Prince..."

The Empress Dowager looked exhausted.

Even now, he's still thinking about the position of crown prince.

We should be thankful that Consort Chen's case doesn't involve the Duke of Mao's mansion.

The Emperor already favored Prince Ling, and coupled with his guilt towards Consort Chen and the Yan family, the position of Crown Prince had no chance for any other prince from the moment Consort Chen's case was overturned.

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