Besides the Yang family and Zhao Bi, Zhao Shu, Yan Shiren, and Xie Yun also knew about Yang Zhizhang's fate.

Many things are secrets to ordinary people, but they are not secrets to those who stand at the pinnacle of power and dictate the course of history.

Upon receiving the news, Yan Shiren immediately sent someone to inform Consort De, saying, "Tell Consort De that my Yan family will repay this favor to her."

Consort De is not qualified to make the Yan family owe her a favor and cooperate amicably. In particular, Zhao Xiu has no great talent or ambition. Call the Yan family snobbish or contemptuous, but a person without personal charm, no matter how high their background, will not be noticed by truly discerning people.

Consort De was overjoyed to receive the information from the Yan family, for she had finally gotten her chance!

Immediately, she waved her hand and said, "Let's go see the Empress."

The Empress is currently imprisoned in Fengqi Palace. Although she cannot leave, it is not difficult for her to enter, though she cannot enter openly.

When the Empress saw Consort De, she was not surprised. During her time in confinement, she had already regained her composure. She glanced at Consort De indifferently and said, "Sister has come. The weather is getting colder and colder. It is rare that you still remember to come and see your elder sister."

Consort De, with a radiant smile, gracefully walked to the Empress's side, curtsied, and looked at the autumn peonies the Empress was tending to. "Sister, these peonies don't seem to be blooming as well as before. I wonder if it's because of the cold weather or something else. I've heard that feng shui can also cause flowers to wither."

Even though the Empress had regained her composure, a hint of displeasure still flashed across her face. She plucked a large red peony and slowly placed it in Consort De's hair, saying, "This flower suits you perfectly, sister."

Consort De's face lit up with joy. As a concubine, she was only entitled to use a light red color, and had never even used a bright red. Yet the Empress had taken the initiative to put it on her, which made her feel quite proud.

"It's good that my sister is picking flowers and tending to plants now," she murmured to herself.

The Empress washed her hands, gestured for her to sit down, and took the seat of honor herself. "I wonder what brings you here, younger sister?"

Consort De hesitated for a moment, then asked directly, "Does Sister know Yang Zhizhang, the eldest grandson of Lord Yang?"

The Empress frowned, pondered for a moment, and then nodded. "I've met him twice. May I ask why you mentioned him, sister?"

"He's dead. It was the fourth brother who did it." Yi De didn't tell the truth. The information Yan Shiren gave her didn't say that Zhao Bi killed him, but only that the weapon came from Zhao Bi's hands. The meaning was also very clear: someone had framed him.

The Empress was taken aback upon hearing this, and asked with some disbelief, "Really? Is the information accurate?" She seemed somewhat excited.

Seeing the Empress's excitement, Consort De was immediately relieved. "It's absolutely true. To tell you the truth, the person in Weiyang Palace wanted to marry the Fourth Prince to a girl from the Yan family. I couldn't bear to see Miss Yan jump into a fire pit, so I informed the Yan family in advance. Lord Yan reciprocated the favor by returning the favor to me. The information is absolutely reliable, so please rest assured, sister."

She knew that the Yan family was not so easy to win over. She helped Yan Shiren once, and Yan Shiren helped her once, so there was no question of being exposed.

After listening, the Empress pondered for a long time before saying, "Sister, why did you tell me about such a great opportunity?"

“What are you saying, sister? You are the Empress. Even if the seventh prince is no longer the Crown Prince, you are still the Empress. How could I, your sister, be disrespectful? Now that such a big thing has happened, I am at a loss and can only ask you for advice.”

The Empress sneered inwardly, clearly intending for her to deal with Zhao Bi so that she could reap the benefits!

However, it would be foolish to let such a good opportunity pass by. Fortune favors the bold, and no one can reap the benefits of others' labor for a lifetime.

The Empress held Consort De's hand and said with emotion, "Sister, you are the one who cares for your elder sister. Don't worry, your elder sister will definitely not treat you badly in the future."

"Sister, how could I be the kind of person who would covet your favors? I only ask that you give Xiu'er a meal in the future, and I will be content." Her words were deeply moving. If Zhao Shu were here, she would definitely give her a thumbs up and award her a verbal Best Actress award.

After Consort De finished speaking, she added, "Sister, you should go find Lord Yang as soon as possible, lest someone else beats you to it."

The Empress nodded as if she had no opinion of her own, "Yes, yes, you are right, I will go now."

"Then I'll take my leave, sister. I'll await your good news." Consort De knew when to stop; she had other things to do and couldn't afford to delay.

The Empress did not keep her, nor did she order anyone to send her away. Fengqi Palace is no longer safe. Not long after Zhiliu was taken away, Lu Fushou and others were also taken away. Now, most of the people in Fengqi Palace belong to other people.

However, some of them were the Empress's hidden confidants, so they were not afraid of being poisoned in Fengqi Palace.

After Consort De left, the Empress immediately sent someone to secretly invite Zhao Yi to the palace.

Meanwhile, Consort De sent someone to inform Consort Yi that the Empress also knew about Yang Zhizhang and was planning to win him over.

However, what she didn't know was that this plan played right into Yi De's hands. Upon receiving the news, he immediately sent someone to summon Zhao Bi.

Zhao Bi was now worried about how to explain to Yang Zhong. He hadn't slept well all night, and now he had very dark circles under his eyes and looked listless.

"Bi'er, are you feeling unwell?" Yi De asked gently, her words filled with deep affection.

Every time Zhao Bi heard Yi De speak to him in this way, he would think of Consort Ning. Consort Ning also spoke to him in this loving tone, but Consort Ning's tone was much more natural, as if it was how it should be, while Yi De's tone sounded somewhat awkward.

Like a melon that has been forcibly twisted.

"No, I'm fine," Zhao Bi shook his head.

Yi De waved her hand, dismissing everyone. Then she personally poured Zhao Bi a cup of tea, sat down in the main seat, and said earnestly, "Now, the feud with the Yang family is one you are not willing to commit. If you want to resolve this feud, you must either find the murderer or eliminate the Yang family. Bi'er, am I right?"

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