Chapter 92: First Release This time she has only one way to survive...

"Go find the Queen," Zhao Changning said, his eyes narrowed slightly, "and tell her everything about your time with Concubine Yu."

Anyi noticed something had changed about his aunt, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He nodded quickly, "Aunt, don't worry. You'll be fine."

Zhao Changning just smiled faintly, with a hint of self-mockery in his eyes. He shook his head slightly, then walked away calmly without looking back.

Anyi looked at his aunt's straight back, turned around and went to Kunning Palace.

When the queen saw him coming, her eyes lit up. "What's going on? Where is Changning now?"

Anyi recounted what had happened in the court, "...Aunt would be safer in the inner prison. Your Majesty, yesterday at Noble Lady Yu's..."

After hearing this, the Queen sneered repeatedly, "Very good, very good! You've been in the palace for so long, and you've received so many admonitions, yet you still haven't figured out your own status. And you dare act like this on your first encounter with the Emperor?"

After Chunyun sent Anyi away, she whispered, "My Lady, should we get involved in this matter?"

The Queen glared at her. "Changning is the person in this palace whose interests are least in conflict with mine. She's helped me so much, and we've trusted each other for years. How could I abandon her?"

She knew that many people privately laughed at her for her humble background and that she was unfit to be the empress, but Zhao Changning was the only one who respected her from beginning to end, helping her consolidate her position as empress and win over the emperor's heart. He even made Zhou Miao a female official, and there was nothing wrong with that. If she didn't help Changning, would she help Concubine Yu, who only knew how to win favor?

Chunyun sighed, "She killed an official, and he was the grandson of Princess Huachang. Your Majesty, I think this matter is difficult."

When the queen heard this, her brows furrowed. It was not her nature to sit and wait for death.

"No, we have to talk to the Emperor. We have to do something." She gritted her teeth and said, "Take the eldest princess with you. That girl is always being taken out by Changning to play. Now she is the Emperor's favorite."

Having a prince was not a very special thing for the emperor. Two women in the harem were pregnant, and the royal bloodline was about to be replenished.

But only Zhao Changning can bring the eldest princess to the Qinzheng Palace, and the eldest princess's favor will attract the emperor to the Kunning Palace, and the emperor's son will also have more ties with his father. Everything is related, imperceptibly, and no step is in vain.

The Queen felt more gratitude and trust towards Zhao Changning. Without Changning, how could Kunning Palace be what it is today?

When the eldest princess learned that her aunt had been imprisoned and might die, she burst into tears and cried all the way to the Qinzheng Palace.

The emperor was discussing post-drought matters with others. He was upset because of Zhao Changning and couldn't think of a good solution for the time being. When he saw his daughter rushing in with tears on her face, he couldn't continue the discussion.

"Go away." He waved his hand to drive them out, then picked up the eldest princess and carefully wiped her tears. "What's wrong, Yao'er? Did anyone bully you?"

The eldest princess's small body twitched, "Father, where is my aunt? Is she going to die?"

The emperor raised his eyes to glance at the queen and said softly, "Nonsense, my aunt just had a little problem."

"Father lied to me again." The eldest princess sobbed. "Aunt killed a bad guy, which is a good thing. Why punish her? Father, should good people be treated like this? There are so many corrupt officials, why don't you arrest them?"

The emperor was stunned. "Nonsense, how can a girl say such things?"

The eldest princess twisted her body, struggled out of the emperor's arms, and cried with her red little face raised.

"It was the teacher in the inner study hall who told us so. He told us many stories about corrupt officials and warned us not to do such things. Father, my aunt did nothing wrong. Please don't kill her. Please don't kill my aunt..."

The queen felt distressed when she saw her daughter's little body shaking as she cried. This girl and Changning were getting closer and closer.

The emperor also knew that the classes in the inner study hall were becoming more and more detailed. These classes were mainly aimed at female officials and were also meant to remind them not to be greedy for money. Zhao Changning had given lectures there, and the emperor even wanted to encourage him to go.

"Don't cry, Yao'er. Father won't kill you."

The queen's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm and only raised her eyes slightly to look at the emperor. However, she couldn't tell whether what the emperor said was true or not, and she couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

The emperor coaxed the eldest princess and turned to look at the queen, "Don't say these things to Yao'er in the future. The child is still young, it would be bad if she was frightened."

The Queen smiled and said yes, then continued, "Noble Lady Yu is not serving the Emperor well. I want to send her a few maids to teach her, so that she can better serve the Emperor in the future. I have repeatedly warned her before, but she has really turned a deaf ear to it. Your Majesty, what do you think?"

The emperor nodded indifferently, "As for matters concerning the harem, the Empress will take charge."

The queen stared at the emperor's face in great detail, seeing that he really didn't care. For some reason, she had some guesses in her mind, but she was not sure. It was just that the emperor was so tight-lipped that she really couldn't see anything.

After being married for many years, she already knew that she and the emperor had no common topics. If Changning had not mediated, the emperor would probably have been disgusted with him long ago.

She led the eldest princess out of the Qinzheng Palace and said to Chunyun, "Take the eldest princess back."

Chunyun was startled, "My Lady, where are you going?"

The Queen said coldly, "Of course I'm going to see Concubine Yu."

She ordered six maids and two female officials at once, and after ensuring that Concubine Yu would receive adequate discipline, she went straight to Concubine Yu.

There are few people in the harem now. Only after they are favored will they move to a separate palace to live. The rest of the time, they basically wait for the emperor to visit.

The emperor was not a man of great lust. Of those who were originally chosen to enter the palace, only four had been favored by him so far, and the Yonghe Palace, where they were imprisoned, had been completely silent.

The Queen felt that Zhao Changning could always come up with some surprising ideas at certain times and could also comfort people. Only someone who had been immersed in the palace for many years could be so perceptive.

"Do you think Auntie will be alright this time?" Jade Beauty's voice was tinged with worry. "I wonder what happened? Why is Auntie so angry? Angry enough to draw her sword."

The queen raised her hand to interrupt the maid's words and stood by the window to listen.

Concubine Yu asked the maid to add more charcoal. After hearing the beeping sound, Concubine Yu laughed and said, "I saw that Zhao Changning said she was a female official, but she was with the emperor all day. Who knows what happened between them?"

Lady Yu was a little angry. "Don't speak ill of my aunt. She is a very good person. Her relationship with the Emperor is innocent and she has never overstepped the boundaries."

Seeing that she was a little angry, Concubine Yu changed her tone and rolled her eyes, "I think there is only one way for her to survive this time."

Jade Beauty blinked, "What road?"

"Enter the harem." Concubine Yu had a maid hold a mirror while she shook her head in front of it. "Only if she becomes the emperor's woman will those people let her go. She probably has had this idea in mind for a long time anyway..."

The beautiful lady Yu was puzzled and didn't say anything.

The queen narrowed her eyes and wanted to go in and slap her in the face, but she restrained herself and turned away.

When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and said coldly, "A concubine is jealous and stirring up trouble. The palace rules clearly state it. Teach her well. If she doesn't change, I will hold you accountable."

The maid and the court lady knelt and saluted, saying in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The queen flicked her sleeves and walked away with a cold snort.

She kept thinking about Concubine Yu's words in her heart. She knew it was nonsense, but it lingered in her mind for a long time. She felt inexplicably chilled and even thought that once Zhao Changning was favored, the situation in the harem would change drastically.

Who can defeat Zhao Changning?

But is Zhao Changning really related to the emperor? Over the years, Zhao Changning has never expressed any feelings for the emperor. She seems to be more interested in the affairs of the previous dynasty.

While the queen was thinking this, she inexplicably came to the inner prison.

The snow fell silently, forming a thick layer that firmly covered all traces of the drought.

Zhao Changning didn't expect the Queen to come to see her, and couldn't help but smile, "Your Majesty, please come to this filthy place. It's cold inside. Your Majesty, please go back."

Seeing Zhao Changning's concern, the Queen sighed without pretending, "Yao'er cried in front of the Emperor. Changning, what's going on? Why couldn't you hold it in?"

"I'm very happy that the Grand Princess cares about me." Zhao Changning was somewhat touched, then said softly, "Some things are more important than life. Your Majesty, the female official has benefited me, you, and every woman. I don't want to give in."

Half of the Queen's doubts faded.

She remembered Concubine Yu's words, gritted her teeth, and asked, "What if there is a way to resolve your current crisis?"

Zhao Changning smiled calmly and said, "It's difficult. Once those men unite, it will be difficult for the emperor to shake them."

"What if you enter the harem?" The queen's eyes were bright and she stared at Zhao Changning's face without missing a beat, watching the subtle expressions on her face, her heart in her throat.

"If you enter the harem and we become sisters, the emperor will have reason to protect you, and you won't be a threat to them. The crisis will naturally..."

Before she finished speaking, Zhao Changning knelt down.

"Your Majesty, please be careful with your words. Your Majesty, Changning has never had such intentions." Zhao Changning kowtowed vigorously. "The Emperor and I are king and subject, not lovers. Did you misunderstand something, Your Majesty? Or is someone gossiping? These words not only sow discord between you and me, but also with the Emperor."

Her heart began to beat wildly. It was certainly not a good thing for the Queen to say such things at this time.

The queen's heart was temporarily relieved. She helped her up through the prison door and said, "Alright, alright. I'm also worried about her. Please don't be so distant."

However, Zhao Changning felt that suspicion was the root of evil, and this matter must be cut off. The Queen treated her well because there was no conflict of interests. Once the interests intersected, what was the difference between her and Shang Meir in Yonghe Palace?

Her heart moved, "My Lady, I..."

Seeing her rare shy look, the Queen's heart was lifted again, and her eyes dimmed slightly, "Changning, between you and me, if you have anything to say, just say it."

Zhao Changning mustered up his courage and said shyly, "I haven't been able to find a chance to tell you, Madam, that I already have someone I love, and..."

The Queen's face was filled with surprise, but her heart was at ease again. "Really? Changning, I've never heard you mention him before. Where is he? Which family does he belong to? What's his appearance and character like?"

Zhao Changning smiled embarrassedly and said, "I don't care about these, Madam, I just want to like him. He..."

She gritted her teeth and said, "He now lives in my home in Shui'er Lane. Madam, please forgive me for hiding it from you before. I really don't know how to bring it up."

The Queen laughed.

She helped Zhao Changning up again, pursed her lips and said, "Don't worry, even if you go to the emperor to beg again, I will never give up on you."

Zhao Changning finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She held the Queen's hand and said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, I'm in the inner prison now, and I don't know what the outcome will be. I, I..."

"You want to see him?" The queen guessed, "That's not difficult. Just wait, I'll ask him to come and see you."

Zhao Changning's face was suddenly filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty, but he is arrogant and has no respect for manners. He is disrespectful and often talks nonsense. He is even more arrogant and domineering in front of me. Your Majesty, it would be safer if you could send more maids to take care of him."

The queen raised her eyebrows and looked at Zhao Changning carefully. She didn't expect that she actually liked this kind of boy.

"I saved it, don't worry."

How could Zhao Changning be at ease? Gao Cong kept talking nonsense every day, and he was going to send him away. He only hoped that this stopgap measure could comfort the Empress Dowager. He hoped that Gao Cong would not reveal the truth since he had been eating and drinking for free during this period.

Of course, she was unwilling to be defeated like this. The Queen was her powerful ally. All the long-term preparations before, like the female officials, were highlighted at this moment.

She would never give up any chance.

As for the emperor, it all depends on whether he thinks she is an ally or a disposable object. People change. After accompanying him for a few years, she is no longer sure about the emperor.

Zhao Changning thought that this matter would take a few days to prepare, after all, what he had done was not a small matter.

Unexpectedly, the next morning, when she had just woken up and was sitting at the rickety table, eating tasteless white steamed buns, Gao Cong was thrown in with his mouth covered with cloth and his body tied with thick hemp ropes like a rice dumpling.

Zhao Changning was stunned.

"Wuwuwu..." Gao Cong finally understood what was going on when he saw Zhao Changning. He was so angry that the corners of his eyes turned red. His rosy face looked even more beautiful, especially his eyes, which made him feel even more pitiful. He roared with all his might, "Ahwu, ahwu..."

Zhao Changning walked forward puzzledly and pulled the cloth out of his mouth. How hard had this kid struggled to be tied up like this?

Gao Cong's mouth was empty and he couldn't hold back and started yelling.

"Zhao Changning, are you sick? You asked someone to kidnap me? Do you know that the fool and Granny Xu were almost scared to death? Are you sick? You want someone to accompany you in jail? You are such a bastard."

"Zhao Changning, you bad woman! You are worse than everyone else in the world put together. You are so bad..."

Zhao Changning was accidentally sprayed with saliva in the face. Feeling helpless and irritated, he couldn't help but slap him in the face, and finally made him shut up.

Chunyun, who came along, was startled by the loud slap. She blinked and swayed back and forth between the frosty-faced Zhao Changning and the stunningly beautiful Gao Cong.

She wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter anything. Facing this face, many things seemed to make sense. So, hiding a beautiful girl in a golden house could be like this?

Zhao Changning knew what she was thinking and smiled sheepishly, "That's just his personality. He doesn't know his limits. I'm sorry to have made you laugh."

Chunyun was too embarrassed to stay any longer and waved her hands repeatedly, "You two should have a good talk. I'll come back in an hour."

Gao Cong was slapped for no apparent reason and was so angry that he jumped on the ground like a carp out of water.

"Zhao Changning, you bad woman, untie me quickly. Who are you and your spouse? You are so shameless, so shameless..."

Zhao Changning pulled out the hairpin from his hair without hesitation, put it on the side of his neck, and whispered, "You should have heard about me, right? I kill people without blinking an eye. If you don't shut up, I will kill you."

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The author has something to say: Gao Cong: Who will make peanuts for me! [Cracked][Cracked]