Inside the Forbidden City, news of Ulanara's house arrest somehow spread. Lanqin paced back and forth in the room when Cui Niang rushed in from outside. Lanqin hurriedly asked, "How many people know about this already?"

"Your Majesty, most people already know that the Empress has been imprisoned by us. There are many old ministers outside Changchun Palace, and they are all waiting for Your Majesty to give an explanation!" Cui Niang originally wanted to go out to find out the news, but when she saw the ministers gathered outside, she retreated and closed the door tightly.

Lanqin looked uneasy. How could this matter have been leaked? Could it be that there were people from the Empress's faction in Changchun Palace? Although the Empress had been imprisoned for so many days, they hadn't managed to extract a single valuable word from her. The current situation was truly unfavorable!

"Cui Niang, has Qin Mo from the Left Pavilion arrived?" The court is currently divided into two factions: one is the right wing that stands with Longkodo, and the other is the faction whose position is unstable but who has the support of the Thirteenth Prince. If Qin Mo is also there, the situation may not be too serious.

"Your Majesty, I just made a special effort to check, but I didn't see Lord Qin Mo or the Thirteenth Prince." Cui Niang peeked through the crack in the door at the situation outside, which consisted mostly of old officials.

That would be bad. If no one was on my side, this matter would be very difficult to handle. "Cui Niang, quickly send someone to inform the Thirteenth Prince that I am trapped in Changchun Palace." Cui Niang obeyed and left.

Lanqin also walked out of the main room and came to the small house where Ulanara was imprisoned. Stepping inside, the house had been cleaned up and Ulanara's complexion had improved a lot. If it weren't for the chain on her face, she would look like a guest.

Lanqin's gaze swept over the two nannies who were standing in the room. Only the two nannies who usually took care of Ulanara and Cui Niang knew that Ulanara was under house arrest. How could the news have leaked out?

Ulanara was terrified when she saw Lanqin arrive, thinking she had come to torture her again. "Consort Xi, what brings you here...?"

Lanqin didn't intend to tell her what was happening outside, even though she probably already knew. "Empress, I came here today to tell you that since His Majesty went to the Northwest, the war has been a series of victories, and he may soon be returning after defeating the Xiongnu!" Lanqin thought that the assassination attempt on Hongli and the current situation where the enemy knew about their army's operations must be related to the Empress, and she wanted to see her reaction.

A flicker of fear crossed Ulanara's face, but it vanished in an instant—impossible. The Emperor had only been gone for less than a month; it was impossible for him to know so quickly that Hongshi was assisting them in the enemy camp. Besides, once the Eight Banners formation was broken, they wouldn't have found a way to deal with it so quickly.

The Empress gave a wan smile. "Consort Xi, the Emperor is about to return. Aren't you afraid? You've imprisoned me in Changchun Palace and abused your power. If the Emperor finds out, it will be a capital offense!"

Lanqin figured that she must know what was going on outside, which was why she dared to talk back to her like that. Lanqin thought that she couldn't get anything out of her, so she left.

Just then, the Thirteenth Prince returned from handling state affairs at the Grand Council. His wife hurriedly went to greet him and said, "Thirteenth Prince, someone from the palace just reported that Consort Xi is being held captive in Changchun Palace. You should go and see her right away!"