The Empress's affair didn't seem to cause much of a stir. Her family's status wasn't very high to begin with, and her father only wanted to protect his family, so there was no trouble.

The matter seemed to have passed quietly without anyone noticing.

The next morning, after the court session, Emperor Mingyang went to the warm pavilion as usual, accompanied by important court officials, all of whom were old and frail. They were the pillars of the Great An, wholeheartedly devoted to the people, and even though they spent every day in the warm pavilion, working from dawn till dusk, they never complained.

Recently, Emperor Mingyang has become increasingly considerate of them, arranging rest areas for them at noon and preparing meals, tea, and pastries. The meals are fine; previous emperors have never lacked food and drink for them. It's just that they aren't in the warm pavilion every day, so they also have time to rest.

They were carrying out their official duties as usual when, unexpectedly, a young eunuch entered from outside.

At first, no one paid any attention, until Emperor Mingyang, sitting at the head of the table, suddenly looked up and frowned again. Imperial Tutor Cen was the first to notice Emperor Mingyang's unusual behavior and asked, "Has something happened?"

As soon as he spoke, the other ministers also looked over.

Emperor Mingyang shook his head at them, put down his pen and ink, and said, "My dear ministers, please attend to your official duties. I will be right back."

Although the ministers were all puzzled, since the emperor had said so, it would be inappropriate for them to show excessive curiosity.

Emperor Mingyang led Deng Quan quickly through the palace and headed straight for Qingyu Palace. This palace had been abandoned long ago, even more so than Furong Palace. The deposed empress was now being housed in Qingyu Palace.

Qingyu Palace is in a remote location and won't bother the other masters in the palace. Emperor Mingyang originally had no intention of visiting the deposed empress, intending to treat her as if she didn't exist, but now he has no choice but to go.

The young eunuch just said that Tao Rong went to see the deposed empress.

Why would she go to see the deposed empress? Emperor Mingyang couldn't figure it out, but he remembered that the deposed empress and Tao Rong had some minor grudges. Perhaps it was to kick her when she was down, or perhaps to ridicule the deposed empress. In Emperor Mingyang's view, this was not a big deal; he was not an absolutely benevolent person, nor did he want Tao Rong to be.

Even if she really did go to ridicule the deposed empress, Emperor Mingyang wouldn't think much of it. The reason he rushed over so quickly was because he was worried that Tao Rong would suffer a loss.

Soon, Emperor Mingyang arrived at Qingyu Palace, but he did not rush in immediately and even stopped Deng Quan from entering.

"No rush, let's wait and see."

Regardless of Tao Rong's purpose in coming to Qingyu Palace, she certainly didn't want him present.

He stood under the eaves and slightly poked open the paper window, from which he could see the scene inside. However, he was somewhat surprised to see the deposed empress and Tao Rong sitting peacefully together.

Could it be that his Consort Rong was truly an innocent and kind person?

No matter what it is, he has no intention of going in.

The deposed empress was dressed in plain palace attire, without any jewelry or ornaments, looking somewhat disheveled and quite haggard. However, she no longer possessed her former arrogant and domineering air.

"What exactly is the purpose of your visit here?"

Tao Rong said a couple of pointless words to her after she arrived, and then sat there drinking tea, which was the inferior tea from Qingyu Palace.

However, as expected of someone from a commoner background, even sitting in a high position, she couldn't get used to drinking good tea, but she drank this inferior tea with great relish.

Tao Rong noticed that her sleeve was being gently tugged by the palace maid beside her, and she smiled and said, "I've come to make a deal with Your Highness."

When the deposed empress heard her call her "Your Majesty," she felt that this person was doing it on purpose, deliberately mocking her.

She scoffed, "A deal? What kind of deal could you possibly make with a deposed empress like me?"

Not only was the deposed empress curious, but even Emperor Mingyang, who was guarding outside the door, found it strange.

He thought Tao Rong would make a few sarcastic remarks about the deposed empress, which would be more in line with normal people's thinking. But she actually mentioned "transaction"?

That's a bit strange.

What kind of deal could she make with the deposed empress?

Do you know why I was allowed into the Xishan Hunting Grounds in the first place?

The Empress stared at her delicate face and said, "You didn't get in by chance?"

Tao Rong couldn't help but laugh out loud, "How could it be a coincidence? That's a royal hunting ground, the defenses are extremely tight. I'm just an ordinary citizen, how could I possibly get in?"

"Someone is helping you?" The Empress immediately realized what she meant.

"Who? Who sent you into the palace? What was their purpose?" The deposed empress's eyes darted around as she considered how to tell Emperor Mingyang about this. If Emperor Mingyang knew, this woman would definitely fall out of favor, and then she might be able to slowly climb back up.

Emperor Mingyang outside the door looked quite grim.

He had investigated Tao Rong, but no matter how he investigated, her background was always clean. And now there's still some hidden story?

Then what is he? And what about their relationship?

Deng Quan noticed that Emperor Mingyang's expression was off and became somewhat worried.

As Emperor Mingyang's confidant, he knew better than anyone how deep Emperor Mingyang's feelings were for Consort Rong.

It is said that the imperial family is heartless, but the emperor is also a human being. How can a human being be without feelings? Emperor Mingyang truly loved Tao Rong, even though she was just a commoner.

Now, their romantic encounter turns out to be a conspiracy... How can anyone accept this?

The people inside were still talking; it was the deposed empress speaking.

"Is it Qin Su?!" She gritted her teeth whenever she mentioned Qin Su's name. If it weren't for this woman, how could she have ended up like this? If it weren't for her, she would still be the high and mighty Empress. How dare this bitch mock her?

"It must be her! She's the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyi. His Majesty is wary of the Marquis of Zhongyi, so she wants to use you to control His Majesty, right?"

Emperor Mingyang was also eager to know if this was true.

If that's the case, he even has to doubt whether Yu Shuo knew about it.

Trying to control him with a woman? How utterly laughable.

Tao Rong chuckled and said, "Her Majesty the Empress is as foolish as ever."

"Shut up! How dare you speak to me like that?!" The deposed empress glared at Tao Rong, her voice sharp with mockery. "Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a lowly orphan!"

"If His Majesty finds out about this, he will surely kill you!"

Tao Rong chuckled lightly, "Do you think I would give His Majesty the chance to find out?"

"I can kill the Empress right now if you disobey me."

"You!" The deposed empress was wary of Tao Rong, fearing she might actually make a move. Qingyu Palace was almost deserted; even if she cried for help, no one might hear her.

Moreover, she is powerless and vulnerable now, so even if some palace servants heard her, they wouldn't come to her rescue.

Emperor Mingyang, standing outside the door, was astonished by Tao Rong's ruthlessness, which was completely different from the Tao Rong he remembered.

This is his bedmate.

She's capable of murder!

She dared to kill the Empress; what if she were to hang a knife around his neck sometime later?

Emperor Mingyang's chest heaved violently, but he still wanted to know whose side she truly belonged to, and what kind of deal she was going to make with the deposed empress.