As the sun gradually set, Ye Zeyu had just taken over the Cavalry Tiger Battalion, and given the near mutiny that had occurred the previous night, he needed to get back as soon as possible.

Standing in front of the Su family's gate, he looked at Su Muxi with reluctance, wishing he could take her away with him.

"Alright, you should go back now, or it will get dark soon."

Su Muxi urged with a smile.

Actually, she was also reluctant to part with Ye Zeyu, but she wouldn't interfere with Ye Zeyu's important business.

Su Xing coughed lightly, using the excuse of checking if dinner was ready, to give Su Muxi and Ye Zeyu some private space.

Ye Zeyu didn't stand on ceremony and directly wrapped his arms around Su Muxi's slender waist, accurately kissing her red lips.

"Wait for me to come back, wait for me to marry you."

"Also, stay away from those men. If anything happens, have McQueen contact me immediately, and I'll be back as soon as possible."

Su Muxi nodded, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Ye Zeyu sent twenty-four guards in one go, all of them strong and healthy, and they were all his trusted confidants in the Northern Frontier.

Meanwhile, McQueen, who was originally responsible for protecting her, was brought into the open and became the head of the guards.

With so many people protecting her, what could possibly happen if she just stays home and doesn't go out?

However, to Su Muxi's surprise, at dusk, an imperial edict arrived, ordering her to go to the Marquis of Anyang's residence to treat Qiao Xiuyuan.

Yes.

Just as the Empress had decreed, a single sentence was enough to compel her to attend the literary gathering.

This time, it was an imperial edict that forced her to go to the Marquis of Anyang's residence.

Before imperial power, any preparation or precaution is futile.

Even in matters of life and death.

McQueen asked in a deep voice, "Your Highness, may I go to see the Prince?"

Su Muxi thought for a moment, then slowly shook her head.

Perhaps Qiao Xiuyuan has other plans at the Tiger Riding Camp, waiting for Ye Zeyu to return.

So it's best not to tell Ye Zeyu, let him focus on handling things at the military camp.

"Send someone to the Chamber of Commerce to find Wei Yichen. Tell him it's getting dark and ask him to go to the Marquis of Anyang's residence to pick me up and take me back."

Su Muxi gave the order in a deep voice.

But McQueen didn't move; instead, he stared at Su Muxi with a strange expression.

Su Muxi chuckled and said, "What are you thinking! Qiao Xiuyuan just betrayed Bai Shuo, so he must be planning to use this to break ties with the Bai family. Wei Yichen is also Ye Zerui's man. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Isn't that a simple principle? Didn't your prince teach you that?"

Mai Kun looked enlightened, touched his nose sheepishly, and then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Su Muxi, saying, "Your Highness is wise. I will send someone to find Wei Yichen immediately!"

Meanwhile, Qiao Xiuyuan had just been carried back to his residence by palace servants, shocking all the servants in the mansion.

"My lord! What's wrong with you?"

"I'll go and fetch a doctor for you right away!"

…

Qiao Xiuyuan stopped the servants and said weakly, "No need, Xi'er will come to treat me in a little while."

Two hours ago, Qiao Xiuyuan entered the palace to meet Ye Jingchun.

Ye Jingchun had met the Empress long before Qiao Xiuyuan arrived.

Upon learning what Bai Mengying had done, Ye Jingchun was also greatly shocked.

I never imagined that the little girl who usually behaved so well and sensible in front of him was actually such a treacherous and vicious person.

"Your Majesty, Yingying was just confused for a moment and was provoked into doing something wrong. I have already had her taught a lesson, and she will be kept in the mansion to reflect on her mistakes in the coming days."

Although Empress Bai Qian'er was nearly forty, she still retained her charm and looked as if she had just turned thirty. She was stunningly beautiful and had a graceful and elegant demeanor.

Upon closer inspection, Bai Mengying does bear a striking resemblance to her.

At this moment, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her face filled with self-reproach and regret.

But Ye Jingchun said angrily, "You think one sentence about being instigated is enough?! Qiao Xiuyuan was personally appointed Marquis of Anyang by me, and he is also the Minister of War. General Zheng has to give him an explanation! Otherwise, wouldn't that chill the hearts of his subjects!"

Tears welled up in Bai Qian'er's eyes. She took out an embroidered handkerchief and slowly wiped them away, her appearance indescribably touching.

“Yingying is my brother’s only daughter. My brother took a knife for the Emperor and died on the spot. That’s why you bestowed the title of Princess Chang Le on Yingying. Yingying is also a child you’ve watched grow up. How can you bear to punish her?”

Ye Jingchun remained silent.

After Prince Yu died, someone attempted to assassinate him. Bai Qian'er's brother, Bai Jian, took a knife for him and died on the spot.

As the eldest son of the Bai family, Bai Jian felt indebted, which is why he allowed the Bai family to openly expand its power over the years.

But even though so much time has passed, the Bai family still hasn't shown any restraint.

They even wanted to use this incident to make him back down.

This is absolutely outrageous!

"What? Bai Jian took a knife for me, so do you think I can tolerate his daughter's reckless behavior for the rest of her life?!"

"I have been more lenient with the Bai family than I could have imagined!"

"If the Bai family still doesn't know how to restrain themselves, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"The Hall of Mental Cultivation is not a place where a woman from the harem like you can enter!"

After saying that, he turned to the eunuch Cao Huai beside him and said, "Send the Empress out. Remember, from now on, no woman in the harem may come here without my permission, not even the Empress!"

Seeing this, Bai Qian'er hurriedly asked, "Then how does Your Majesty intend to deal with Yingying?"

"There's no need to tell the Empress about my plans!"

…

After Bai Qian'er left the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the aggrieved and sad expression on her face vanished instantly.

With a slight raise of her hand and the support of a palace maid, she expressionlessly boarded the sedan chair and returned to her palace.

She always knew that the Emperor was a heartless man, but she also knew that he was concerned about his image, which she could use to make him appear as a compassionate person in front of others.

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