Shen Yu turned to look at the doorway. Imperial Physician Wen entered and presented a document. This was evidence personally signed and sealed by several imperial physicians, confirming that Prime Minister Zhang had forced them to prescribe the herb "Kujiecao" and proving that the poison of Kujiecao had been lingering in Zhang Jiaxiansheng's body for a long time.

The Emperor frowned as he read the document, then slammed it on the table and roared in fury: "Zhang Qingbai, as the Prime Minister of the country, actually plotted to harm his own nephew, and unexpectedly poisoned his own sister. He has only himself to blame!"

"Your Majesty, it is true that Hongyu and Lianxiang conspired to murder my uncle. I implore Your Majesty to punish Hongyu according to the law!"

The Emperor glared at Zhang Changle and said sternly, "This case has been handed over to the government for a thorough investigation. I will not pursue the matter of your torture and forced confession today. However, if it is true that Hongyu and Lianxiang murdered Prime Minister Zhang, your entire family will be executed!"

------

Hongyu opened her eyes and saw that Chenyu's face was covered in dust and grime, tears streaming down her face. She was holding Hongyu's hand, crying and laughing at the same time. "Hongyu, you're finally awake."

"Where is the Prince of Yan?"

"Prince Yan was imprisoned in the Dongrui Pavilion by the Crown Prince, but he was unharmed. With the arrival of the Empress, Prince Yan's residence is now safe and sound."

“The Prince Yan’s residence was never in danger.”

The two looked over at the sound and saw the Empress enter the room.

The Empress, abandoning her usual solemnity, wore a kind smile and unusually became intimate, sitting on the edge of Hongyu's bed. Hongyu was flattered and dared not move, while Chenyu was even more astonished, forgetting to bow.

"Shenyu, you should leave now. I have something to say to Hongyu."

Chen Yu withdrew, closed the door, and left.

The Empress took out an item and handed it to Hongyu.

Hongyu took one look and saw that it was a magical glass auspicious cloud hairpin. This hairpin had once made Consort Gao jealous, which had implicated Chenyu. She quickly shook her head and tried to sit up, but... her whole body was covered in whip marks, and the slightest movement caused her unbearable pain, making her groan.

"Ah! Your Majesty, Hongyu absolutely cannot accept this; it is a royal family heirloom."

The Empress quickly placed the gold hairpin beside her pillow, helped her lie down, and said slowly, "There is a pair of iridescent glass auspicious cloud gold hairpins. I have long intended to give these two hairpins to my two daughters-in-law. Since you are the wife of Prince Yan, I should give you one."

Too much?

Hongyu opened her eyes wide in astonishment and looked at the Empress.

The Empress nodded, gently inserted the gold hairpin into Hongyu's hair bun, then lightly stroked the stray hairs on her forehead, and tucked them behind her ear with her orchid-like fingers.

This tender gesture, reminiscent of a mother's affectionate behavior towards her daughter, brought tears to Hongyu's eyes, who had lost her mother at a young age.

Before Hongyu could wipe away her tears, the Empress took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the corners of her eyes, saying softly, "I have already discussed with the Emperor the matter and will confer upon you the title of Princess Consort of Prince Yan. Once you have recovered from your injuries, the investiture ceremony will be held."

Hongyu was moved to tears and nodded repeatedly, never expecting that this misfortune would turn into a blessing, allowing her to become the Princess Consort of Prince Yan. However, she was also worried because the case of Prime Minister Zhang was still unresolved. If she were truly found guilty of participating in the plot to murder Prime Minister Zhang, wouldn't she be facing certain death?

In fact, the Emperor had already told the Empress that the case of Prime Minister Zhang had been settled: Prime Minister Zhang accidentally poisoned Madam Zhang, and then beat a servant of the Grand Tutor's mansion to death. A servant managed to escape and set fire to the Grand Tutor's mansion, where Prime Minister Zhang and Lianxiang perished in the flames.

Seeing that Hongyu was restless, the Empress took her hand and gently comforted her: "Hongyu, there is no need to worry about the case of Prime Minister Zhang. As the Princess Consort of Yan, your father and mother will definitely protect you."

Although Hongyu was moved to tears, she was filled with doubts. Although she had regained her status as the daughter of the Grand Tutor, the Empress had always been dissatisfied with her. How could she receive such favor just because the Crown Prince had targeted her?

After a moment, the Empress's smile faded, and she took out a handkerchief to gently wipe the corner of her eyes. Her voice choked with emotion as she said, "Hongyu, Changle is your younger sister. Now that Madam Zhang has passed away, the Grand Tutor is ill, and your eldest daughter Lianxiang has also unfortunately died young, you should pay more attention to the affairs of your maternal family and assist the Grand Tutor in disciplining your younger siblings."

Hongyu quickly nodded and replied, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Hongyu will do her best to help."

"Now that you are the Queen Consort of Prince Yan, you may call her Mother."

Hongyu nodded again, but felt uneasy, guessing that the Empress had more to say.

As expected, the moment the Empress withdrew her handkerchief, her expression returned to its solemn and dignified state, her brows furrowing slightly, as if burdened with heavy thoughts: the Crown Prince's actions regarding Prince Yan had enraged the Emperor, who had reprimanded the Crown Prince for numerous misdeeds, such as cold-heartedness, arrogance, and womanizing. Previously, however, the Emperor had described the Crown Prince's actions as aloof, decisive, and dashing. This clearly indicated the Emperor's intention to depose the Crown Prince.

The Empress was terrified. If the Emperor deposed the Crown Prince, the Third Prince should succeed to the throne. However, both the Third and Fourth Princes were mentally challenged, and the Emperor would surely exclude them and choose the Fifth Prince—Prince Hong. To protect the Crown Prince, it was imperative to make him cautious in his words and deeds and to keep himself pure. The most urgent task was to sever the Crown Prince's affair with Zhang Chang Le.

The Empress clapped her hands lightly, and a tall maidservant entered and stood at the foot of the bed.

“Hongyu, this maid’s name is Nianzhu. She is a secret guard of this palace and was bought by the Zuo family a few days ago. From now on, she will be under your command.”

Hongyu was very puzzled: "What is the meaning of Mother's actions?"

"The Crown Prince is the elder brother of Prince Yan and also my own son. Now that he has caused such a great disaster, His Majesty is very dissatisfied. I want to sever the Crown Prince's ties with Chang Le, and the Crown Prince has already agreed. However, I am afraid that Chang Le will not give up. Therefore, I want you to strictly control Chang Le."

Upon hearing this, Hongyu's expression immediately darkened. She realized that the Empress had gone to great lengths to please her, only to have her restrain Zhang Changle and protect the Crown Prince.

This was completely contrary to what she had thought. Her faction, led by Prince Yan, was racking their brains to damage the Crown Prince's reputation, including the self-inflicted injury they had just used today. Their ultimate goal was to force the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince.

Seeing her hesitate slightly, the Empress reached out and took her hand, her voice soft and pleading, "Hongyu, your mother is just like any other mother in an ordinary family. Prince Yan and the Crown Prince are both your flesh and blood, like the palm and back of your hand."

Today's events must have been orchestrated by Chang Le to incite the Crown Prince, leading him to imprison Prince Yan. Your mother assures you, the Crown Prince has no intention of harming you or Prince Yan. The one who tortured you was Chang Le, not the Crown Prince.”

Ha! Hongyu sneered inwardly. The Empress was indeed no different from any other mother, always favoring and protecting her son. To avoid arousing the Empress's suspicion, Hongyu could only nod repeatedly, deliberately being perfunctory: "Mother, rest assured, Hongyu will definitely keep a close eye on my sister and will never let her bother the Crown Prince again."

The Empress nodded, a slight smile finally appearing on her face. Then she looked at Hongyu, as if she had something to say but couldn't. Lianxiang had passed away, and Prince Yan now only had one principal wife. The Empress was worried that her son was not well-fed and clothed, so she wanted to put the matter of Prince Yan taking a concubine on the agenda.

Although Hongyu was seriously injured, it was still a good opportunity.

The Empress rose and pretended to leave, but then stopped and hurriedly brought up the matter of taking a concubine, "Hongyu, the Prince Yan's mansion currently only has you as a concubine. Your mother is worried that you are exhausted, so she is thinking..."

Hongyu instantly understood the Empress's meaning and quickly replied, "Hongyu will obey Mother's arrangements."

------

The next morning.

The gate of Chengyuan was immediately knocked on.

Dongqiao said breathlessly, "Go quickly and inform the eldest daughter-in-law that the eldest daughter-in-law of the Zuo family has come to visit Liu Xiaoniang. The old lady forbade her to stop them and even took them into the Peony Garden."

This eldest daughter of the Zuo family is none other than Zhang Changle.