Zhao Bi nodded. He could only think of these two paths. If he couldn't prove his innocence, he would inevitably suffer retaliation from the Yang family. But if he proved his innocence, the murderer would be his own father. What should he do?

He had considered framing her, but looking at all the major families in the capital, there wasn't one he could afford to offend. Even with Zhao Shu, he had to think twice before acting.

Even if the blame is pinned on the small family, it won't work. How can mortals participate in a battle between gods?

Moreover, his most important task now is to ascend the throne, not to get involved in the personal grudges and conflicts among his ministers.

"Bi'er, do you still remember what your mother told you last time?" Yi De asked again.

Zhao Bi shuddered, his face turning deathly pale. "Mother, you still intend to let your son..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

Yi De was exasperated, and said helplessly, "Then tell your mother, is there any better way now?"

Zhao Bi couldn't think of a better way, but he couldn't bring himself to commit patricide. He shook his head, stood up, and looked at Yi De with a stranger's gaze. "No, there will be a way. I can't do it, I can't do it!"

He spoke hysterically in his last sentence: no matter how ruthless he was, he could not commit patricide! He was a human being, not an animal. Even crows feed their parents. As a son, he had already committed a grave act of filial impiety by forcing his father to stay in the palace to recuperate. He could not do anything more outrageous.

After shouting, he turned and ran out of Weiyang Palace.

Yi De watched him leave, then angrily gripped the teacup, spilling tea that scalded her hand, but she felt no pain.

Trying to calm her anger, she then instructed her trusted aide, "Go and tell him that the Empress intends to win over the Yang family, and Consort De wants to reap the benefits without lifting a finger."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Shu looked at the intelligence reports on the table and yawned. Autumn fatigue was really getting to her. Xiao Zhu and the others stood beside her. Seeing her yawn, they were even more anxious. The situation in the court was severe, but the princess seemed to be playing around and didn't care at all.

"Princess, please make a decision," Xiao Zhu Zi couldn't help but say.

Zhao Shu was feeling sleepy when she was reminded. She looked up and said sleepily, "I'm waiting for someone."

After saying that, he lay down on the table and fell asleep.

Chu Chun and the others shook their heads, took a cloak and draped it over her shoulders, and said softly, "The princess is becoming more and more composed. I wonder who she is waiting for."

Just as he finished speaking, Sun Yun came in and chimed in, "Wait for me, but it's good that you're asleep. It's early spring, and I haven't eaten yet. Quickly have Xing'er cook me some dishes. I want to eat braised fish, but I can only eat a pound of fish. Tell Xing'er to be mindful of that."

When Chu Chun saw the joy on Sun Yun's face, and after hearing her long speech, her smile widened even more. "Miss Sun, our Xing'er's cooking skills are about to become famous throughout the capital. You've come all this way to order food, so you'll have to pay for it."

Sun Yun impatiently ordered Ban Shu to push Chu Chun out. Ban Shu said, "Our young lady never gives money to others; it's always others who give money to our young lady."

Early spring is silent.

When Zhao Shu woke up, she washed up and saw Sun Yun lying on the chaise longue reading a storybook. She jokingly asked, "Have you found anything?"

"Don't worry, I already have evidence that the Tenth Prince was murdered." Sun Yun's eyes never left the storybook, and her body didn't move at all, as if she hadn't been the one speaking just now.

Zhao Shu walked up to her and glanced at her. This extraordinary woman was actually reading "The Legend of Meng Jiangnu." Since it was a legend, it was probably a story that the author had heard from somewhere, based on hearsay and his own imagination.

"Proving that the Tenth Prince was murdered is such a simple matter, but what about Consort Ning?" she asked again.

"Don't pry into my life, I'm not going to tell you." Sun Yun finally glanced at her and rolled his eyes at her.

Zhao Shu couldn't help but burst out laughing. "What do you mean by 'inquiring'? Do you think I care about inquiring about you? Really, Consort Ning is still alive. It doesn't matter who killed her, she can say whatever she wants. Alright, I'll wait for you to come and discuss Yang Zhizhang's matter with me."

When it came to serious matters, Sun Yun finally took it seriously. She put down her storybook and said, "You let me win last time, so I'll do you a favor this time."

"Oh ho, you want to give me some advice?" Zhao Shu became interested. "Tell me about it."

Seeing her unserious demeanor, Sun Yun became displeased. "You still don't believe me? Listen up." She rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to make a big move.

"What you should do now is go to the palace to see the emperor and remind him that even if there are no ministers to use in the court, he still has troops."

Zhao Shu chuckled. "So, you're using every method I can think of to do me a favor, treating me like an idiot?"

"Anyway, I've repaid the favor. If you don't like it, I can just send you another message." She felt a little embarrassed, but she stubbornly refused to admit it.

Zhao Shu looked at her, as if to see what good stuff she could come up with.

Sun Yun felt slighted and said indignantly, "I just received news that the palace sent a letter to Aunt Dan. Be careful."

Zhao Shu immediately woke up, sat up straight, and asked, "When did this happen?"

"I just received the news when I got to your door. Yi De is inciting Zhao Bi to force the emperor to abdicate. Zhao Bi can't bring himself to do it, but he will eventually force the emperor to abdicate. Be careful."

Zhao Shu nodded. Xiao Zhu's information should be arriving soon, but it was a step later than Sun Yun's. She must have fallen asleep and missed it.

Sure enough, just as she was about to speak, she heard footsteps approaching from afar, very hurried. Soon after, Xiao Zhuzi appeared in front of her. "Princess, the person from Weiyang Palace sent a letter to Miss Huo. This servant is incompetent and couldn't find out what was written in the letter."

Zhao Shu waved her hand, "It's alright, get ready, I'll go to the palace right away."

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