Xie Qianzhong's sudden tenderness quickly captivated Song Tangxue.

Day after day passed, and in the blink of an eye, five or six days had gone by.

That day, Song Tangxue looked out the window with particular worry.

Xie Qianzhong's figure finally returned, and she quickly stood up to greet him.

"How is the situation? What is the Emperor's attitude?"

These past few days, the Emperor has been staying indoors, refusing to see anyone, and even only briefly meeting with people in court.

Xie Qianzhong finally had the opportunity to be summoned by the Emperor today, which is why Song Tangxue was so nervous.

Xie Qianzhong put down the cloak in his hand and looked at his wife.

"I knew you were worried about me, so I rushed back."

"Since you know I'm worried, just tell me the results quickly, so I don't overthink it!"

Song Tangxue quickly spoke up, and her slightly cold hand immediately gripped Song Tangxue's hand tightly.

"You heartless little thing, it's so cold outside, and you didn't even bother to check on me when I came back."

"You've really made me anxious today. What's going on? You're still keeping me in suspense."

Song Tangxue immediately noticed something was wrong. After muttering something, her eyes lit up and she quickly said something.

"But it went smoothly, so that's why you did this?"

"You've finally figured that out. The Emperor actually has his own concerns, so he secretly sent some people to take over after the Crown Prince was utterly defeated."

In this way, the crown prince's incompetence was already established.

This matter is already a done deal, so even if it succeeds later, it will have nothing to do with the Crown Prince.

Song Tangxue was already particularly concerned about this matter, and after hearing this, she was finally relieved.

"Li Zhaoxian has finally met his match this time."

Song Tangxue finally smiled with satisfaction, and he also knew that the situation ahead was not optimistic for him.

With the campaign imminent, Li Zhaoxian must be in unbearable pain.

"Perhaps the Crown Prince is currently struggling with his death throes and is unwilling to face it, so he hides in his residence every day, drowning his sorrows in alcohol."

"I haven't been paying special attention to the Crown Prince's residence lately, but it's roughly the same as what you said."

Xie Qianzhong calmly answered, but after speaking, he then told Song Tangxue.

"The court is in turmoil recently, so do not attend any flower-viewing banquets or poetry gatherings."

Many people want to know his attitude, so that they can easily choose sides.

Xie Qianzhong hated this the most, and he would never give them a chance. So, in the end, he told Song Tangxue.

"If you feel bored, go out for a spring outing."

Song Tangxue didn't find it boring at all, and after listening to these words, she nodded seriously and said.

"Don't worry, I live a very colorful life every day, it's not what you think."

As she spoke, she warmed Xie Qianzhong's hands by placing them directly on her cheeks.

Does this make you feel warm?

Xie Qianzhong smiled knowingly, but did not reply. Instead, he expressed his gratitude to Song Tangxue through his actions.

Li Zhaoxian's guess was correct, and he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol.

Song Tangli had already heard the news, but she was unwilling to go.

"My life as the Crown Princess is even more pathetic. I finally had some good days, but I never expected to be brought back to square one overnight."

When Song Tangli said these words, she was extremely impatient and hated Li Zhaoxian to the extreme.

Xiaoyao appeared calm and collected, only offering a reminder.

"You have to keep up appearances, but you know how many people outside want to see you make a fool of yourself."

"They all want to see me fall from grace, especially Song Tangxue. Don't be fooled by her recent silence; she's been keeping a close eye on me all along!"

Song Tangli got really excited when this was brought up, and immediately became serious as she spoke.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiaoyao seized the chance to sow discord once again.

"The Prime Minister's wife has been secretly making many contacts lately, and her pharmacy is now thriving."

In Song Tangli's eyes, Song Tangxue truly achieved both fame and fortune.

After hearing these words, she became even more consumed by jealousy.

"I knew she hadn't been sitting idly by, and the more she did, the more I had to pull myself together. I couldn't let anyone laugh at me!"

After saying this, Song Tangli finally became more determined.

After saying that, he ignored Xiaoyao behind him and got up to leave.

Despite his calm and collected demeanor, Xiaoyao is actually quite agitated inside.

The tasks assigned from above were increasing, and in her view, they were becoming increasingly difficult to complete.

She was undoubtedly in love with Song Tangli, and she was fully aware of it—this was the most fatal flaw.

"What are you thinking about? Why are you still spacing out? Hurry up and catch up."

Song Tangxue took a few steps forward before realizing that the person behind her hadn't followed, and she quickly said in surprise.

Xiaoyao came up, but there was nothing wrong with him.

"I was just thinking about what to say when I get there."

"We should play it by ear. In any case, we don't need to be too perfunctory with the Crown Prince in his current state; he's already out of his mind."

Song Tangli was absolutely certain of this; everyone knew that Li Zhaoxian was a good-for-nothing.

He almost became the laughingstock of the entire court, but he just had to wait a little longer.

After saying that, Song Tangli ignored Xiaoyao and left alone.

Xiaoyao must have followed, and soon after, he saw Li Zhaoxian, who was completely drunk.

The servants around him all lowered their heads, none of them daring to utter a word.

After Song Tangli stepped forward, she spoke to them.

"You all go out and serve them first."

"Yes, we servants take our leave."

Upon hearing this, the lackeys, as if granted a general amnesty, quickly slipped away.

Li Zhaoxian ignored the Crown Princess beside him and continued drinking in silence.

The way he looks now, he hardly resembles a prince of a country; he looks more like an alcoholic.

Song Tangli felt extremely disgusted, but she still sat down opposite her with concern and spoke gently.

"I know you are troubled right now, but it's okay to be down for a while. If it goes on for too long, people will laugh at us."

"I've already become a laughingstock, do you think I'm afraid of them?"

Li Zhaoxian then gave a cold laugh, as if he had already decided to throw caution to the wind, otherwise he would never have done so.

Upon hearing this, Song Tangli felt even more disgusted, but she couldn't show it. Instead, she gently comforted her.

"Everyone experiences ups and downs, and there are times when things go downhill, but as long as you can get through it, everything will be fine."

After speaking, Song Tangli took out several silver notes and placed them on the table.

"These are just a small token of my appreciation."