What is a contest? A contest is when one side finishes its turn and the other takes the stage, and it never ends until a winner is determined.

When the Empress Dowager issued her decree, everyone in the major families felt insecure. This insecurity did not stem from fear of the Empress Dowager, but rather from the fact that she had revealed that there were spies within their families!

Nobody wants others stirring up trouble on their own turf and dragging them down with them; that's intolerable.

Spies who had already been active were quickly purged, while those who hadn't been active were kept in hiding, not daring to make the slightest move, as they would be exposed at the first sign of trouble.

Therefore, this time, Yide not only failed to gain any advantage, but also lost a large number of people.

Of course, if you think that's all she's capable of, you're wrong. She's never one to give up easily. While trying to prove her innocence and her deep affection for Emperor Mingde, she also resorted to underhanded tactics.

When it comes to framing someone, nothing beats a series of elaborate schemes.

Sun Yun's entry into the palace was within her expectations, and so was his departure.

Emperor Mingde had just come from the Taihe Hall when he ran into Sun Yun on the long palace road. Sun Yun was in the prime of his life, not too young, but not old either, full of vigor and high spirits.

In terms of beauty, Hao Shumei was one, Sun Yun was another, and Zhao Shu was the last among them. No one else could compare to her in appearance. Sun Yun's beauty was aloof and cold. Her eyes were all-powerful, and her arrogant demeanor was what Emperor Mingde admired.

He was the supreme ruler, and the woman who fought alongside him should have the air of looking down on all the ants in the world. Undoubtedly, Sun Yun fit the bill perfectly; judging from her demeanor, she was arrogant beyond measure.

Once a man has the idea of ​​wanting to possess a woman, it is difficult to dispel that idea. When he saw Sun Yun again, she was dressed in white with a white flower in her hair. She was not wearing any makeup, yet she was still stunningly beautiful.

Emperor Mingde was stunned.

"Greetings to His Majesty." Sun Yun bowed, his voice cold and aloof.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde snapped out of his daze, his desire to conquer growing stronger. Whether it was because he felt resentful about the rumors surrounding Yide or because he was blinded by beauty, he suddenly took two steps forward and reached out to grab Sun Yun's hand.

Sun Yun smelled the alcohol; he had been drinking. She stepped back, hiding her hands behind her back. "This humble woman has other matters to attend to and will not disturb Your Majesty any longer. This humble woman takes her leave."

Emperor Mingde grunted an "Mm," his voice tinged with anger, clearly indicating he did not agree to Sun Yun's departure. The eunuchs and palace maids following behind him immediately surrounded him.

Sun Yun brought four men with him this time, none of whom came. They were all his trusted elites, and the four men protected Sun Yun from behind, ready for battle.

"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?" There was a hint of anger in her voice. Although the Sun family was not as powerful as before, it was not a family that everyone could bully. She, Sun Yun, would not be afraid of this so-called supreme ruler. Only those who are respected are supreme rulers; without respect, they are nothing.

When people praise you, you are a cup; when they don't, you are a shard of porcelain!

Emperor Mingde narrowed his eyes. She was temperamental, beautiful, and capable; she was a woman worthy of him.

"Come for a walk with me."

Sun Yun refused without hesitation, saying, "It is getting late, and I am afraid I cannot keep you company. Please allow me to leave, Your Majesty."

"What if I don't let you go?" he said, already closing in. Sun Yun retreated, but the eunuchs blocked her way. Emperor Mingde was a man, and Sun Yun knew she couldn't confront him head-on. She signaled to her subordinates with her eyes not to act rashly, but Emperor Mingde had already grabbed her wrist.

"Your Majesty, I am still in mourning and may have some bad luck on me. Please let go of this. If I am tainted by bad luck, it may damage the imperial aura. Now that the Great Yong is engulfed in war, you should not be careless."

Emperor Mingde smiled and released his hand. "What a sharp tongue you have. I like it."

His flippant words were tantamount to flirting. If he had treated Zhao Shu as his own niece, he wouldn't have spoken to Sun Yun in such a tone. Last time, when he wanted to take Sun Yun as a concubine, it was understandable because of the Ma family's iron smelting technology. But now that Sun Yun is still in mourning, it's unacceptable for him to flirt with her like that.

This is a problem stemming from deep-seated flaws.

Xiao Fuzi's confidant, hiding in the shadows, was terrified when he saw Emperor Mingde actually reach for Sun Yun's hand. Chief Steward Fu had repeatedly warned him to keep a close eye on Sun Yun, and how could he save him if the Emperor were to attack him?

He thought of the Empress and ran to Fengqi Palace, but he couldn't see her. He could only tell Lu Fushou what had happened. When Lu Fushou heard that the Emperor was still thinking about Miss Sun, he thought it was bad. If Miss Sun entered the palace, how could the Empress be a match for her?

He immediately went to report to the Empress, but when he saw her, she rushed to stop Emperor Mingde. Lu Fushou immediately realized that he had fallen into a trap!

"Weren't we just falling into a trap?" Yi De heard her subordinate's report in Weiyang Palace. "You mean the Crown Prince's men are protecting Sun Yun?"

"Yes, this servant saw it clearly. He went to find Eunuch Lu, and then Eunuch Lu went to find the Empress."

"Heaven is helping me, hahahaha." She chuckled, a laugh that seemed tinged with blood.

When the Empress found Emperor Mingde, she didn't say anything else, but just smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Is Your Majesty going to see the Empress Dowager? What a coincidence, I am also going to see the Empress Dowager. Why don't we go together? Oh, Miss Sun, are you going back to your residence? It's rare for you to come to the palace to see the Empress Dowager so often. You and A-Jun grew up together. Seeing you is like seeing A-Jun for the Empress Dowager."

Sun Yun breathed a sigh of relief, curtsied, and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty. I have just come from Cining Palace and am heading home."

"You've worked hard, you've worked hard. Go back now. Heaven have mercy on her. She's so young and has to support a family and take care of the Empress Dowager. Bai Yue, escort Miss Sun back to her residence."

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