Furthermore, Su Hetai is the Empress's cousin and has a good relationship with her. Those who want to bring down the Empress are hiding in the shadows, and no one can guarantee that someone won't set a trap.

Suhetai's trip to the earthquake-stricken area is bound to be difficult, and as his wife, how could she not be worried?

Su Hetai was well aware of his situation, but since the emperor valued him, he naturally had to live up to the emperor's trust. Besides, the emperor had given him something to protect his life, but he would only use it as a last resort.

The Emperor gave him a life-saving charm. If he were to openly turn around and make it public, it wouldn't have a good impact. People would say that the Emperor favored the Empress's family, and then another bucket of mud would probably be thrown at the Empress.

The earthquake relief was indeed timely, but it still inevitably encountered some trouble because the relief team was almost hijacked just before reaching its destination.

Fortunately, Suhetai was prepared, and in the end, everything turned out alright. In the process, he also managed to get rid of several people with ulterior motives.

Because of the flood, Yinzhen didn't even attend the final re-selection. He didn't plan to leave anyone in the palace, and the people who were to keep the nameplates had already been arranged. This was a special period, so on the day of the final re-selection, only the Empress Dowager, the Empress, Consort Duan, and Consort An were sitting on the throne.

The second round of selections took place in the Imperial Garden. Jia Hui thought she had arranged it very well, and in fact, it was indeed well arranged. Yinzhen didn't even notice. Yinzhen was busy, and he was also wary of the women in the harem causing any trouble, so he couldn't keep a close eye on all the palace maids and eunuchs.

Yinzhen never imagined that someone would dare to call a beautiful woman a hero.

The second round of selections went relatively quickly, with little competition, so the whole process was fairly peaceful.

Jia Hui was scheduled for a later time slot.

Because she was preoccupied with something on her mind, and because the newly selected ladies-in-waiting were not to stay with the women who had not yet been chosen, she was unaware that the Emperor had not come today.

Just as it was about to be her turn, a palace maid delivered a message, and she learned that the Emperor had not come today, which surprised her for a moment.

Jia Hui suddenly felt that she didn't understand the Emperor. She thought she was someone who understood him. In her mind, the Emperor was an extremely rational person. She liked that rationality very much. Moreover, he was very particular about rules and regulations. Not coming to select books was really not something he would do.

Although things had changed, Jia Hui quickly adjusted and decided to continue. This favored empress was simply too much of an eyesore.

Yunrong didn't think too much about it; she just wanted to finish quickly so she could return to the palace. There had been a lot going on lately, and Yinzhen often couldn't even eat properly. She thought that once she finished this matter, she would see if she could help him in any way.

When it was Jia Hui's group's turn to participate in the selection, Yun Rong asked them a few questions as usual, but didn't waste time having them perform any talents. They hadn't even started keeping the nameplates for any of them yet! Suddenly, a eunuch who came to serve tea stabbed at her.

"Assassins! Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"

Fortunately, Yunrong's people were not to be trifled with and blocked the attack, and then the scene began to descend into chaos.

What Yunrong didn't know was that Yinzhen was worried about her safety, and she was under tight protection, so even in the chaotic scene, Yunrong was well protected.

Needless to say, the Empress Dowager also had people protecting her. It was the Consort Duan and Consort An who suffered. Although they were not high-ranking concubines, they were not favored and their servants could only serve them and had no other abilities.

So the two were in a bad situation, but fortunately they weren't targets and nobody wanted them dead.

Yunrong quickly realized that the assassination attempt was aimed at her, and she also discovered that several inconspicuous palace maids and eunuchs around her were quite skilled in martial arts, so she knew that they were probably Yinzhen's men.

The chaotic scene was brought under control in no time. No one was killed directly, but the assassins were mostly injured, and the palace maids and eunuchs who were caught in the crossfire only suffered minor injuries.

Yunrong's makeup was a little messy, but it didn't detract from her appearance. She first instructed, "Take the assassin away and interrogate him properly. The second round of selections is suspended today. Take all the ladies-in-waiting back. The Emperor has probably received the news by now. Quickly send someone to inform the Emperor that everything is alright here..."

"yes"

Yunrong said to the Empress Dowager, "It was my negligence today that frightened Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness."

The Empress Dowager was indeed frightened, but she knew that the Empress could not be blamed for this. She realized that the assassination attempt was aimed at the Empress.

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "This is not your fault. The palace has been cleaned up several times, but there are still some people with impure intentions. We will deal with them properly in the future. I am also tired today. The Empress will take care of things here. I will return to the palace first."

Yunrong naturally had no objection: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."

Consort Duan, Consort An, and a group of palace maids and eunuchs: "Respectfully seeing off Her Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Yunrong then said, "Consort Duan and Consort An should also go back. You were frightened today. I will have someone send some tonics over to calm your nerves."

Consort Duan and Consort An: "Thank you, Your Majesty. We will take our leave now."

Yunrong dealt with everyone who needed to be dealt with, and then returned to Kunning Palace.

They hadn't walked two steps when they ran into Yinzhen, who was rushing over.

Seeing Yunrong's somewhat disheveled makeup, Yinzhen quickly asked, "Are you alright?"

Yunrong: "Don't worry, I'm fine. Let's talk about it when we get back."

Yinzhen knew this wasn't the place to talk, so he kept a straight face and went back to Kunning Palace with Yunrong.

When they arrived, the imperial physician was already waiting.

Yinzhen: "Imperial Physician Zhang, quickly examine the Empress."

Yunrong knew her own body well, so she said, "I'm fine."

Yinzhen was not at ease: "Whether it's alright or not is not up to you to decide. Imperial Physician Zhang, please take a look quickly."

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