"Cousin Lou and the child, they should have escaped, right?" An Qingran didn't dare to ask whether their bodies were found when cleaning the battlefield. She hoped not.

Dongfang Jin nodded. "The people who were cleaning up the battlefield just now reported that they really didn't see them. Don't worry, I have already issued an order that those who are trying to eliminate the remaining bandits must not kill the Shou family if they see them, but leave them alive. Besides, it's impossible for them to die so easily."

An Qingran didn't care about these. She knew that no matter how harsh his words were, he would let her off in the end, just like he did with Dongfang Run.

The people brought have already started tying the ropes and preparing to go down.

Dongfang Jin also tied the rope, leaving half of the people on it to ensure safety.

Seeing the light of the torches slowly going down, An Qingran crouched behind a rock and looked down. He could still see the torches of those people with the flickering flames. There were also pine trees growing out from the cliff, baring their fangs and claws, dense and dense, as if the cliff was not very high. An Qingran felt a little relieved.

But slowly, she discovered that the lights had faded under the layer of trees and were no longer clear, as if they were the light of fireflies. An Qingran's heart sank again.

She waited quietly, only to see the long rope continuing to be lowered. She simply leaned against the rock and looked at the starry sky. If Dongfang Run died, how would she face Lou Wanyue?

How to face the future life.

This man died for himself!

In her previous life, others owed her money. How could she possibly owe such a heavy emotional debt in this life?

The night wind was a little chilly, and the maid who came to serve her put a cloak on her. She held the silk ribbon with her hands, but her eyes looked up at the bright stars in the sky, praying silently in her heart that a miracle would happen in this world.

However, after a night, the sky was bright, and the bright blue stretched out. All the people climbed up. Dongfang Jin was covered in dew, and his hair was wet and stuck to his forehead. He seemed to have exhausted all his strength, and was a little annoyed: "At the bottom, there is a deep pool. We have checked everywhere we can, unless... unless he has fallen into the deep pool. The water in the pool is cold and gloomy. If we are sure, ordinary people can't survive for more than an incense stick. If we want to explore, we must prepare air bags, rice wine and other things, and we must have people who are familiar with water..." He seemed to explain to An Qingran why he returned empty-handed, and then turned to look at the guards, "Remember what I said just now, arrange it immediately, and return within two hours..."

An Qingran took a step back and leaned against the tree trunk: "It would be difficult for an ordinary person to endure the time of an incense stick, and Prince Dongfang is an injured person, he..."

Those words lingered in her heart and she couldn't bring herself to say them out loud.

Dongfang Jin is a man after all. While he was taking care of everything, he whispered to him, "No matter what, Dongfang Run saved your life, which means he is also a favor to me. I want to see him alive or dead. This is certain."

An Qingran nodded slowly.

Soon, people who were familiar with water came and waited until night. The news they brought back was also terrifying.

Dongfang Jin finally slowly persuaded An Qingran to go back to the palace and talk about it later.

Some people stayed here to continue the salvage work.

An Qingran also knew that Dongfang Jin was in a period of heavy state affairs. After the victory, he had to give titles and rewards to those who deserved it, but he also had to deal with the remnants, investigate the remaining party members, and appease the people. Emperor Yunqi intended to delegate power and train the prince, and it was also time for the prince to establish his prestige, so although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree.

After returning to the palace for three days, An Qingran only saw Dongfang Jin at bedtime, and he always looked exhausted. It was obvious that he had too many things to deal with.

An Qingran couldn't help with other things, so she could only make soup for him in different ways. At the same time, she took back the power in the harem, which was previously managed by Concubine Shu.

Due to the war, eunuchs and palace maids in the harem escaped, some property was lost, and the monthly salary had not been paid for several months. The summer clothes that were supposed to be made had not been made, and the heatstroke prevention and cooling benefits for each palace had not been distributed. An Qingran looked at the account book, rubbed his forehead after a while, and wondered who to ask for the lost money?

Looking for Oriental Brocade?

He had enough trouble with the affairs of his previous dynasty.

The promotion of officials is a big event. The court is just changing from the old to the new. Many officials who followed Prince Shou are waiting to be punished along with their families, and the vacant positions will be filled immediately.

These officials' affairs gave Dongfang Jin a headache, but fortunately, Emperor Yunqi understood the situation, and he had already taken over for so many days, so things were going relatively smoothly.

An Qingran didn't ask, but she could tell something from his expression.

The Queen Mother and Prince Shou were separated and brought back to the palace by Dongfang Jin, and still lived in the harem.

It is called a residence, but in fact it is almost the same as a ban.

For three days in a row, three meals a day were delivered, and no one, including Nanny Rong, blamed them.

Nanny Rong didn't understand the reason and was in a state of panic the whole day, but she couldn't show it in front of the empress dowager. The empress dowager hadn't eaten for two days and just sat there blankly, looking at the somewhat deserted banyan tree pot in the room, as if the pot gave her all the answers she wanted.

Nanny Rong came into the room again and whispered, "Queen Dowager, I have already heated up the meal, please eat some."

The Queen Mother didn't even bat an eyelid, as if she had become a wooden sculpture, blending into the bonsai.

Nanny Rong repeated it carefully, and the Queen Mother took a deep breath: "Eating or not eating, does it make any difference to me?"

"It's important to take care of yourself."

"My body?" The Queen Mother sneered and looked at Aunt Rong. "Is my body going to recover? Will they torture me for a little longer?"

Rong Ma thought for a moment, "I see that everyone is still treating each other with courtesy. Perhaps the Emperor Yunqi will not torture the Queen Mother out of consideration for her upbringing. The Queen Mother is just being overly suspicious. Isn't this a place where you can eat and drink well? There is no restriction on the Queen Mother's food, and even the palace maids are sufficient in number."

"Really? What about the old people? I don't know any of these palace maids. Besides, I am not a beggar. He has taken over the kingdom of my children and grandchildren. Will I be grateful to him for such a small thing?" The Queen Mother's face still showed the stubbornness of the past.

Seeing this, Nanny Rong put down the food and brought up some tea: "Empress Dowager, you have to moisten your throat."

The Queen Mother sighed slightly, and finally took the cup. A trace of coldness appeared at the corner of her mouth. She didn't drink the water in the end, but put it on the rosewood table in front of her: "I am just waiting for them to see what tricks they can use. Do you think I can't stand it? I am still waiting for news about my children and grandchildren. These palace maids will definitely not say anything. You have been in the palace for so many years. Is there anyone you can confide in and ask for news? How is Run'er? Has he been caught by them? And Prince Shou, is he alive or dead?"

Rong Ma wiped her tears and said, "Even if the Queen Mother didn't order it, I would have thought about it. I asked around a little bit before, and I think Emperor Yunqi didn't order those people not to give us the news, so I also heard something, but I don't know whether it's true or not. It said that Prince Shou and others were not captured, and only the Queen Mother was dispersed and brought back to the palace."

"You found out about it, why didn't you tell me earlier? Do you need me to ask?" The Queen Mother frowned, looking very unhappy.

Madam Rong smiled and said, "That's right, I'm just not sure and want to test it out a little more. But thinking that the Queen Mother hasn't eaten yet, how can I have the energy to go out and do other things?"

Then he handed the food over.

The Queen Mother still shook her head, but took a sip of water: "Go out and explore again."

Nanny Rong received the order and went out, but stopped at the door. She just lied to the Empress Dowager and said that she was not under house arrest. In fact, how could she not be under house arrest? The Empress Dowager was shown mercy by not locking her up.

In her eyes, Emperor Yunqi was a great gift from heaven.

Although she was the queen mother who raised him, she also wanted to destroy him with her own hands.

Nanny Rong didn't know the new palace maids, so she had to beg them with soft words and tried her best to get some money and jewelry to ask them to tell her something.

I know, but that's all.

The Queen Mother was unwilling but helpless.

She looked at the sky outside through the open window. The sky was still as blue as ever, as if nothing had happened this spring.

Finally, the maids outside shouted "Long live the Queen Mother". The Queen Mother straightened her back and turned her eyes to the door. A bright yellow light came in and Emperor Yunqi walked in slowly. It was the first time they met after the rebellion. Emperor Yunqi looked at the Queen Mother calmly without addressing her. The Queen Mother also faced him calmly with a hint of mockery in her eyes. Neither of them spoke. Finally, Emperor Yunqi lifted his skirt and sat down. It was the first time he sat in front of the Queen Mother so calmly. There was a hint of sadness in his voice: "The Queen Mother is finally back..."

The Queen Mother was stunned, but sneered: "At this point, what's the point of such hypocrisy?"

"You are the one who raised me, my mother. I can still remember everything from my childhood. I dare not forget your teachings..." Yun Qidi's eyes were filled with deep sadness. "But why should there be a future, mother? I have never doubted that you are not my biological mother, because your every move can make your son feel your deep love for you... Is this kingdom really that important?"

"It doesn't matter. Why don't you give it to Prince Shou?" The Queen Mother snorted coldly, "You sound really nice."

"Prince Shou is indifferent by nature and acts hesitantly. If the country belongs to him, it will definitely attract the covetousness of others..."

"You mean you are wiser and braver than the King of Shou? I don't know when I taught you this..."

"You have taught me this since I was a child."

The words of Emperor Yunqi excited the Queen Mother's expression. Her face turned red and white, which was very ugly. Indeed, she had always taught him this way since he was a child. But at that time, how could she know that he was not her son!

This really slapped her in the face.

Emperor Yunqi suddenly smiled and picked up the Buddha's hand on the table. "When I was a child, I didn't like fruits. The Queen Mother always had people crush the fruits and make juice for her son to drink. After drinking it, there would be rewards. My father said I was spoiled, and my mother always said that it was good for children to have some personality in their diet."

The Queen Mother twitched her lips twice, but finally said nothing.

Emperor Yunqi seemed to be lost in memories, his eyes were gentle as water, and the Buddha's hand was waving in his hand: "When my son was ten years old, he got a fever from the rain, and it was the Queen Mother who stayed by his side for a day and a night. When my son woke up, the first thing he saw was the Queen Mother's haggard appearance. My son swore that he would never let the Queen Mother worry about her in the future and give her a peaceful old age..." At this point, he put down the things in his hand, and then looked at the Queen Mother, his voice still clear, "Until now, my son still thinks so."

When the Queen Mother heard this, her ears turned red, her face changed from gloomy to bright, and she finally said, "You don't have to do this."

"No, I will definitely fulfill the oath I made when I was young. But there is one thing I don't understand. Mother, have you been pretending to be so nice to me all these years?" Emperor Yunqi was finally moved.

There was a gleam in his eyes because of excitement.

The knuckles are also white.

The Queen Mother said coldly, "Why are you saying this now? Are you accusing me of being too good to you? After all, I am the mother of Prince Shou, and he is the legitimate son of the Emperor. You are a concubine's son, and there is a difference between the high and the low. I think I have done nothing wrong. Until now, I still think so. You talk a lot of great principles, but why don't you abdicate when I ask you to? What's the point of humiliating me now?"

"Mother, have you never thought about me at all? Would the Empress Dowager forget all the twenty years of raising me and the years of mother-son friendship, and act as if nothing happened?" Emperor Yunqi threw out his emotions one after another.

The Queen Mother stood up at once upon hearing this. She said angrily, "Why are you saying all this? If you want to give up your throne, do it quickly. If you want to kill an old woman like me, do it quickly. From the day I started the rebellion, I have thought of all the consequences. No matter what you do, I won't frown. These are all fake and false. Haven't I seen enough of them in the harem over the years? When have you ever been afraid?"

Emperor Yunqi sighed and closed his eyes: "When you put it this way, it seems that everything is false. Then I have nothing to ask. Take care, Queen Mother."

Having said that, he walked away with his back straight, but his unhurried steps revealed how confused he was inside.

The next day.

As usual, the emperor sent the monthly salary for food and daily necessities, not a bit less.

The empress dowager looked at those things, gritted her teeth coldly, her face changing from gloomy to bright, and suddenly she raised her hand, and all the cloth and silk were thrown to the ground, and several boxes of tea leaves were scattered all over the ground, green as duckweed in the clear water, except that they were not floating.

"Is there any news about Run'er?" The Queen Mother's voice was emotionless.

Nanny Rong stepped forward cautiously: "Still no news... Speaking of which, this is a good thing. Apparently Prince Shou and the Princess escaped, and so did Master Run."

The Queen Mother slowly closed her eyes. "So what if they escaped? They were obviously defeated. When I return to the palace, I don't know how many people are waiting to see the fun. If Emperor Yunqi is interested, he can use me to threaten them to surrender. Prince Shou is a filial son, and he will definitely fall into the trap. How can he treat me with kindness? He is clearly using me as bait. He even mentioned the past. I raised him with great effort. Is it for him to take over the throne of my son and grandson?"