The Wang family will find out the whole story sooner or later. At that time, the Wang family won't dare to do anything openly, but they will secretly sabotage her, enough to make that stupid granddaughter die a thousand times over.

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Zhao Shu said, "Pah, pah, pah, what's good is accurate, what's bad is not." Ajiu used to say this often, and she used to laugh at Ajiu for being so superstitious. Now, she actually felt that this statement would definitely work, and that her imperial grandmother would live to be a hundred years old.

“Ah Jun, don’t act so recklessly next time. Your grandmother will worry, you know?” Emperor Mingde winked at Zhao Shu.

Zhao Shu understood and nodded repeatedly, "Grandmother, don't worry, A-Jun guarantees there won't be a next time."

The Empress Dowager poked her forehead in an annoyed tone and asked, "Tell me, how did you manage to get Wang to go to the East Gate to testify?"

Zhao Shu touched her nose and said weakly, "At that time, the situation was like this..."

Recalling the incident where the imperial concubines turned against each other in an instant, Zhao Shu still felt an urge to burst out laughing.

There were a total of six imperial concubines, plus the royal concubine who was firmly controlled by Xiao Guozi, making a total of seven.

"Your Highness, Lord Sun seems to be a good official. However, we should wait and see how he performs. Whether he can go on a family visit depends on what he does. However, Your Highness's actions today will directly affect whether Lord Sun is a good official. Your Highness must not miss this opportunity."

After these words were spoken, all the imperial concubines understood that those who obeyed were pillars of the court, and those who obeyed would be given preferential treatment.

Consort Xie wept with joy, while Consort Sun was filled with mixed feelings of joy and worry. She was happy that she had a 50% chance of leaving this world, but worried about what would happen if her brothers were not up to par.

The other concubines asked anxiously, "Princess, where am I?"

Zhao Shuyi glanced at the other imperial concubines and asked with a slight smile, "Please tell me your surnames, imperial concubines."

The concubines exchanged glances, and one of them stepped forward, saying, "My surname is Zhang."

"My surname is Jiang."

"My surname is Chen."

The imperial concubines announced their surnames one by one. These were all common surnames, and Zhao Shu immediately knew which families they came from. She made a mental calculation: the Yang family would definitely oppose the emperor's uncle; the Jiang family should be the Ningguo Marquis's mansion, which held military power, so this person could be used; the Shen family was relatively low-key and had not produced any outstanding talents in recent decades, and was gradually declining, but they still had some value.

All things considered, everyone can still use it for a while. Although it won't have a big impact, it's good to have some influence on the inner quarters.

These people were all people who coveted her grandmother's position as empress back then, and she felt no psychological pressure in using them.

After weighing the options, he said, "Your Highnesses, your relatives will be visiting you in the palace soon. There are rumors circulating that the Wang family has a corrupt family tradition, so it seems that a marriage alliance with the Wang family is not a good choice. What do you think, Your Highnesses?"

They're all seasoned foxes; none of them are fools.

“Your Highness is right. I see the Wang family’s sister every day, and I know all about the despicable things she has done. I used to disdain to associate with her. But now that someone from my family has come, I must have a good talk with her to prevent my family from having such a relative.” Consort Sun spoke first.

Although she had little influence in the family, she was still capable of stirring up trouble. Women in the inner quarters only cared about their own little world and didn't have much foresight. Who wouldn't want their own flesh and blood to live a peaceful and harmonious life?

The other imperial concubines also hurriedly expressed their stance, saying they would definitely have a serious talk with their families and that the marriage with the Wang family should not be arranged.

They had been imprisoned for too long, and they longed to go out and see the world, to see their loved ones, and to leave this place. They were young when they were imprisoned, and now their hair has turned gray. In a few more years, they will be too old to walk.

So when a glimmer of hope appears, they grasp at it like ants floating in the ocean.

They all knew the Empress Dowager's temper; she was a vengeful person. Rather than going against the Empress Dowager, it was better to follow Zhao Shu's path, at least that girl seemed harmless.

So, after exchanging glances, everyone chose the latter.

"You!" Consort Yang pointed at the group, her hand trembling, too angry to speak.

They had just agreed to threaten the Empress Dowager together. If the Empress Dowager allowed them to fake their deaths, they would testify that Wang had abused her nephew. If the Empress Dowager did not allow them to fake their deaths, they would find a way to spread the news. A boy had inexplicably appeared in Biyou Palace. Such a scandalous affair would surely draw endless criticism.

Either way, they won.

But in just a short while, after a little girl said a few words, the people who used to call her "sister" so affectionately turned cold and ruthless.

How could she not be angry?

Zhao Shu ignored her and instructed Zhi Hai, "Send the imperial concubines back. I want to have a word with the Imperial Concubine Wang."

Zhihai was now completely at ease, certain that the princess would not be easily manipulated.

She stood up and gestured for him to enter, saying, "Your Highness, please."

Consort Yang wanted to say something to Zhao Shu, but Zhihai didn't give her another chance and ordered the palace maids left behind by Zhang Chu to forcibly help her away.

When the imperial concubines arrived, they had already inquired about Zhao Shu's background. She was the daughter of Prince Yong, who was the Empress Dowager's darling. If she was the Emperor's darling, then she would naturally be his darling as well. Seeing that Zhao Shu was gentle and did not make things difficult for them, they went back with peace of mind.

Consort Xie was the last to leave. She stepped forward, took Zhao Shu's hand, and said, "Good child, I have nothing to give you. Take this bracelet and play with it." She took off the bracelet from her own hand and put it on Zhao Shu's wrist. "I was ignorant when I was young. Please apologize to the Empress Dowager for me. Looking back now, I was truly clueless back then."

Zhao Shu was unaware of the deep-seated hatred between the Empress Dowager and the several imperial concubines, and did not answer. If the grudges between them could not be resolved through apologies, then death would be the only possible outcome.

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