Princess Qinyang was finally relieved, her heart filled with relief, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Are you doing well in the palace?"

Linghu Lan felt a warm current flowing through her heart. She was extremely satisfied with Yue Huangyin's mother. Instead of bringing up the matter of the Qinyang Prince's Mansion at the beginning, she first inquired about Yue Huangyin's safety in the palace. This was the right way to treat a mother.

“My daughter is doing well in the palace. His Majesty treats her with utmost respect.”

Hmm, they really treat each other with the utmost respect, but apart from touching hands, they can't do anything else.

"That's good. It's worth it for your mother to pray for you every day. This is truly wonderful."

Princess Qinyang's loving gaze remained fixed on Linghu Lan. Seeing her rosy complexion and radiant skin, like a delicate flower in full bloom, so endearing, Princess Qinyang felt a little relieved. However, the thought of the Qinyang Prince's Mansion incident, which might implicate her, filled her with unease.

"You should know by now that I've come. I'm afraid the Prince of Qinyang's mansion can't escape this time. I'm just worried about you!" Princess Qinyang held Linghu Lan's hand tightly. "I'm worried that you'll be isolated and helpless in the palace. If no one protects you, you might be implicated."

Linghu Lan understood the underlying meaning in Princess Qinyang's words; it seemed the censor's impeachments were true. However, it was still best to confirm them again.

"Mother, is the censor's report truly true?"

Princess Qinyang looked ashamed and said, "What the censor said is true, but there is another reason for this. It was Zhao Da, the brother of Consort Xian's birth mother, who was the steward in the mansion. He used your and Consort Xian's names to cause these things outside. Your father was confused for a moment and thought that it was the greatest honor for two noble ladies in the family, so he agreed to build a separate courtyard. If His Majesty really grants you permission to visit your family, it will save you from being flustered and losing your manners."

"And what about the encroachment on the land? Did Father tacitly approve of it?"

Princess Qinyang felt even more ashamed. "Your father never did anything like seizing land. He gave Zhao Da plenty of money and ordered him to do it. He said the land belonged to a merchant who wanted to curry favor with your father, so he sold it at a low price. Your father believed him and accepted it. Who knew that Zhao Da had embezzled the money and colluded with a group of local thugs to forcibly buy the land? The villagers made a scene in the capital, and that's when the censors submitted a memorial impeaching your father."

Linghu Lan fell silent.

Princess Qinyang is dignified and composed, with a righteous mind; perhaps she cannot see through the intricacies of this situation.

But how could the Prince of Qinyang, a veteran of countless battles, be completely unaware of everything and be kept in the dark by a mere steward? He must have already tacitly approved of it.

Linghu Lan grasped Princess Qinyang's hand and said, "Mother, you don't need to worry about me while I'm in the palace. There are rules in the palace regarding matters of the previous dynasty. Concubines are not allowed to interfere in politics. If Father asks you to plead for me, I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Princess Qinyang opened her mouth, her eyes filled with a complex mix of disappointment and joy.

After a long pause, she said, "Your father did want me to plead for you, but I did not agree. I am pleased that you think this way. You should indeed stay out of this matter. I have thought about it carefully. If you step in at this time, you might give others a handle to use against you. If your position in the palace is not secure, the Qinyang Prince's Mansion will have no hope. As long as you are here, even if the Qinyang Prince's Mansion is punished by His Majesty, it will not suffer heavy losses. Moreover, your father said that His Majesty is magnanimous and benevolent, and is a wise ruler. He will not be angry with you. As long as you protect yourself, that will be a great achievement."