She knelt down before the emperor with composure. Having been empress for so many years, her calm demeanor was natural. She kowtowed upright, her tone completely unhurried: "Your Majesty, a palace maid who appeared out of nowhere is slandering the imperial concubines and spouting nonsense. The incident involving Consort Xu was nothing more than an accident. Please investigate thoroughly."

The entire room was astonished.

Consort Lan was shocked that the Empress would speak up for her, while the Emperor was shocked by the Empress's composure. He coldly asked, "Does the Empress have any other evidence?"

The Empress said, "These are old stories, mere fabrications. I have no evidence, but does she have any?"

"The evidence is that my sister died along with her unborn child, and for so many years no one has sought justice for her. I have no choice but to find a way to avenge her!" With that, she suddenly pulled the hairpin from her hair and lunged at Consort Lan, stabbing her hard!

"ah--"

When chaos erupted inside the palace, people outside were also in a frenzy.

Because she had not yet found her mother-in-law, Chang Lili was extremely anxious. Even after Meng Yuxiu left, she still could not feel at ease and wanted to go out to check on the places her mother-in-law might be.

She grew up with her mother-in-law and never dared to imagine what it would be like if her mother-in-law were not by her side. Her mother-in-law was her only relative, and subconsciously, Chang Lili felt that she could not lose her again.

It seems she has lost a lot.

A raging fire filled the sky, accompanied by screams all around...

Chang Lili suddenly felt a headache coming on. She staggered and grabbed the wall for support. Ke Shou, who was following behind, hurriedly asked, "Miss, are you alright?"

Chang Lili shook her head absentmindedly. She had always had this headache problem. When she was a child, she often had these inexplicable scenes, which would give her a headache whenever they appeared. As she grew up, she rarely had them anymore. But recently, for some reason, the same scenes kept appearing in her nightmares, blurry and terrifying, making it hard for her to feel at ease.

Thinking of this, Chang Lili became even more anxious.

Mother-in-law, you absolutely cannot be hurt.

"Whoosh!" A fan blocked her view, and when she looked up, there was indeed that devilishly handsome face. Chu Moyu looked at her with a half-smile: "What's wrong? Lost some money?"

Chu Moyu was dressed in black armor, indicating he was still on duty. Chang Lili wasn't in the mood for jokes and said, "Could I borrow a few of your men?"

"Sure, but what's in it for me? You'll have to give me one of your Light Machinery Division's treasures?"

Chang Lili gave a wry smile and said, "The Light Industry Department doesn't deliver things to outsiders. I can only treat you to a meal; my mother-in-law has disappeared."

Chu Moyu stopped joking and became serious: "When?"

“We searched the area around the forbidden zone two hours ago,” Ke Shou said.

Chu Moyu asked, "Where are you going to look for it now?"

"I want to go and see some of the places my mother-in-law might go."

"I'll send people to search separately, and I'll go with you."

After saying that, he quickly made the arrangements and led Chang Lili into the crowd.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he glanced around warily, feeling as if a pair of eyes were watching them through the crowd.

However, after looking around, no suspicious people were found.

Xiao Lingshou, who had been pressed against a wall, withdrew his gaze. Only after Chu Moyu, who had also withdrawn his gaze, left with Chang Lili did he slowly step out from behind the wall, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at the man in black in front of him.

Although he had not been back in the palace for long, he was familiar with the officials in important positions in the capital. This Chu Moyu was very young, but he was a military general with a high position. He was one of the people the Empress hoped he could win over.

However, for some reason, Xiao Lingshou didn't like this person very much, always feeling that the other party was unfathomable.

Both being military generals, Meng Yuxiu was upright and righteous, a true hero of the chaotic times. However, Chu Moyu, a man of humble origins, seemed fortunate to live in a peaceful era, otherwise he would have been another figure of bloodshed and turmoil.

This kind of person cannot be kept around.

Xiao Lingshou withdrew his gaze and said to the guard beside him, "Follow them this morning, don't alert them, and see what they're up to."

After a pause, he added, "If anything unexpected happens, protect Miss Chang."

He also wanted to follow and see what was wrong with Chang Lili, but he still needed to return to the Lu residence to see Miss Lu, whom the Empress wanted him to meet.

Thinking about it, he remembered Lu Ming's appearance, just like before, dazed and innocent.

It wasn't that he was annoying; on the contrary, it gave Xiao Lingshou more confidence.

He needed to choose a Crown Princess sooner or later, and he didn't want a woman from a prominent family. Someone like Lu Ming, who was the daughter of a military general and had no ulterior motives, was the best choice.

Xiao Lingshou was, after all, the Crown Prince, and he knew what he had to do after weighing the options. Upon returning to the Lu residence, he took a walk in the garden with Lu Ming.

Lu Ming was still thinking about Chang Lili who left without saying goodbye, and her previous concealment. She was happy to be by Xiao Lingshou's side, but she always felt a little uncomfortable. Just as she was lost in thought, a slightly cool hand pinched her chin and asked, "You don't want to be with me?"

Facing Xiao Lingshou's exceptionally handsome face, Lu Ming blushed and shook her head, saying, "No, I'm just a little surprised. I didn't expect you to be the Crown Prince."

"It was inconvenient to disclose at that time, and I have concealed much. I hope Miss Lu will forgive me."

Lu Ming quickly waved his hand: "Your Highness is too kind. How did Lili know your identity?"

She was a girl who couldn't hide her thoughts, and she actually asked the question directly. Xiao Lingshou raised his eyebrows slightly, and his expression softened a little because of the person he mentioned: "It's just a coincidence. Miss Shi... is intelligent, so she naturally guessed it. However, I told her to keep it a secret."

Lu Ming felt a little better and her face relaxed. She walked lightly beside Xiao Lingshou.

Xiao Lingshou had never spent time with such a lively girl before, and Lu Ming was no longer wearing light armor like she was in the army. She had changed into a proper silk dress, looking very elegant and graceful. She exuded a subtle fragrance as she walked, and her smile was as beautiful as a flower.

Xiao Lingshou secretly observed the innocent and romantic Lu Ming, and when Lu Ming's steps were suddenly tripped, he promptly reached out to support her slender waist.

Lu Ming stumbled into a man's embrace, her face instantly turning red, her heart pounding. She quickly stood up straight and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Xiao Lingshou smiled faintly: "Be careful."

Lu Ming nodded vigorously, secretly disgusted with her own embarrassment. She changed her previously unladylike gait and followed Xiao Lingshou with small, quick steps, thinking that she should walk a little longer.

“Your Highness! In the palace…” A guard suddenly stepped forward and whispered a few words in Xiao Lingshou’s ear. Upon hearing this, Xiao Lingshou’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly apologized to Lu Ming and said, “Miss Lu, I have to take my leave now. I will make it up to you another day if I cannot accompany you to the birthday banquet today.”