Zhao Shu looked at Sun Yun suspiciously, "You sympathize with her?"

Sun Yun quickly shook her head, "I just think she's blind to things, how could I possibly sympathize with her?"

Having said that, she didn't want to say any more, so she changed the subject, "The Emperor is going to use force to suppress the Fourth Prince, and I'm afraid many people will die."

Zhao Shu remained silent for a moment before replying, "Deaths are inevitable."

Death is for the sake of continuation.

Sun Yun wasn't exactly a saint; she was just saying it casually and didn't feel anything was wrong, much less guilty or reluctant.

She didn't speak again. Zhao Shu asked her, "Not leaving the palace?"

She shook her head. "Forget it, I'll stay here with you. Besides, I obtained evidence of the Tenth Prince's death today."

Zhao Shu glanced at her, somewhat surprised. "You got the evidence?" She didn't believe it. Xiao Zhuzi had gone to great lengths but hadn't gotten any evidence. The Sun family's intelligence network wasn't much bigger than hers, so how could they have gotten it so quickly?

Qin Ji doesn't even have any evidence.

Sun Yun smiled confidently, "Of course, but don't get any ideas you shouldn't have. I won't share with you, Zhao Shu, you're going to lose."

Zhao Shu didn't really care about winning or losing. It would be best if she could win, but it wouldn't be a big deal if she couldn't.

However, she quickly realized a possibility and looked at Sun Yun with a half-smile, "You don't mean to make Zhao Bi tell the truth himself, do you? That's cheating!"

Sun Yun laughed heartily, "Although you guessed it, the idea was mine, and you're not allowed to take it from me."

"I've never seen such a shameless person," Zhao Shu said helplessly, glaring fiercely at Sun Yun. "No, this round is a draw."

Sun Yun was furious and was about to argue with Zhao Shu when Xiao Zhuzi came to report, "Princess, Lord Xie has entered the palace."

The two exchanged a glance, immediately stood up, and rushed out of the Cining Palace.

Zhao Bi's men were easily taken down, and the two, escorted by assassins, quickly arrived at the Taihe Hall. Emperor Mingde used his secret guards to move him to the Taihe Hall.

As they approached the Taihe Hall, Xiao Zhuzi stopped and said, "Princess, the Taihe Hall is now surrounded by the Imperial Guards. The leader of the Imperial Guards, Qi Xu, has defected to Weiyang Palace. They are armed with matchlock guns and also have Prince Jing's troops."

His meaning was clear: he was asking Zhao Shu whether she wanted to go in or not. If she didn't go in, she could leave the palace and save her life; if she did go in, things would be different.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Shu said to Sun Yun, "Go back, this matter has nothing to do with you."

Sun Yun rolled her eyes at her and said angrily, "Am I that kind of ungrateful person? Fine, let's go. If we're going to die, we'll die together."

After she finished speaking, she walked ahead, not giving Zhao Shu a chance to persuade her again.

The two arrived at the inner hall of Taihe Hall. Emperor Mingde was sitting weakly on the dragon throne. Qin Ji had returned and was standing behind him. Liang Yunsi stood to his left, holding a whisk and looking down obediently.

Xie Yun knelt before Emperor Mingde and reached out to receive the imperial edict that Emperor Mingde had just finished writing.

When Zhao Shu and Sun Yun appeared in the Taihe Hall, Emperor Mingde was somewhat surprised. However, when he saw Sun Yun, his eyes softened considerably, as he assumed that Sun Yun had come to see him.

Unfortunately, Sun Yun only gave a perfunctory curtsy and then stood behind Zhao Shu, not even glancing at Emperor Mingde.

Emperor Mingde was somewhat annoyed, but there was nothing he could do. It was far too early to discuss Sun Yun's matter.

Zhao Shu bowed and then said, "Uncle, the palace is surrounded, and they are carrying matchlock guns that came from overseas."

Emperor Mingde frowned. "What is a matchlock gun?"

"Something faster than a dart, Uncle, let's leave the palace quickly."

Emperor Mingde, however, did not believe her. She weakly waved her hand, "Ajun, you should leave the palace. Even if I die, I will not leave Taihe Palace!"

After saying that, he looked at Xie Yun, who understood and said to Zhao Shu, "Princess, let's leave the palace. They won't dare to do anything to the Emperor."

Zhao Shu shook her head. "Lord Xie, I'm afraid we underestimated their methods. Uncle, you should come out of the palace with us."

In fact, Zhao Shu's many words of advice were only meant for those hiding in the shadows. Since she had come in, she had no intention of leaving, and Zhao Bi would not dare to do anything to her.

Not only her, but even Sun Yun and Zhao Bi dared not make a move against her.

Emperor Mingde shook his head again. "Go, hand the imperial edict to your seventh brother."

Xie Yun had tried to persuade Emperor Mingde, but to no avail. Now he could only try to persuade Zhao Shu to leave together. However, before he could speak, the door was opened, and everyone turned around and took two steps back in unison.

Zhao Bi and Yi De walked in from outside. Neither of them had any expression on their faces, but Yi De was obviously extremely happy, and her steps were much lighter.

In contrast, Zhao Bi appeared more somber, his eyes not daring to meet Emperor Mingde's gaze, his head bowed, and he lagged behind Emperor Yide by a step.

The gate was wide open. When Emperor Mingde saw Qi Xu leading his men to guard the entrance, he laughed bitterly, "Hahahaha, my Imperial Guards are yours now."

As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Yi De. In his view, it was all Yi De's instigation; otherwise, Zhao Bi would not have forced the emperor to abdicate.

Yi De smiled faintly, her smile alluring, completely devoid of the pure and beautiful image she had first met, now resembling a venomous snake. She walked up to Emperor Mingde and said softly, "It belongs to me now. Isn't Your Majesty happy? Your Majesty promised me whatever I wanted, and now that I want Qi Liu, is Your Majesty unwilling to give it to me?"

For a woman to utter such explicit and ambiguous words enraged Emperor Mingde, who coughed violently several times. Liang Yunsi tried to soothe him and took out a handkerchief to wipe his drool, but Emperor Mingde coughed up blood.

"Your Majesty is unwell, so please worry less about the affairs of the country and entrust the heavy responsibility to your son. Bi'er, grind the ink for your father." Yi De took out a blank imperial edict from his bosom and laid it in front of Emperor Ming De. He said slowly, "Your Majesty, write it down. Make Bi'er the Crown Prince."

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