Chapter 240 This woman, who brought ruin to the country, deserves to die.

Dou Wenyi suddenly recalled Pei Siyan's sweet words on the bed last night, and couldn't help but laugh. His identity was already predetermined, and the idea of ​​the two of them being a couple for life was a joke.

She is the Crown Princess; if she shows even the slightest possessiveness towards Pei Siyan, she will be labeled a jealous woman by others.

Last night, she almost believed him, but thankfully she was still quite clear-headed.

She smiled calmly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have not let this matter rest in my heart. It's just that His Highness was seriously injured by the villain. If only Feng Tingyun dies in this matter, I'm afraid it will damage His Highness's reputation."

Consort Zhang was both pleased and somewhat helpless. She said gently, "You've thought things through. In the end, the eldest princess is the root of the problem. She will definitely bear the blame and be severely punished. As for Sheng Xiyue, I will also give her a good talking-to and make sure she doesn't get in your way again."

Since things have come to this point, she would seem incredibly tactless if she didn't back down.

After all, Consort Zhang was only thinking about Pei Siyan; his interests came first.

Consort Zhang sighed softly, "Sheng Xiyue should have been of one heart and mind with us. This time, she really acted too insensibly. You are the Crown Princess, and you have a heavier burden on your shoulders. I'm sorry you had to suffer this injustice."

She inexplicably thought of Wen Wan. Who would have thought that such a beautiful and talented woman would be tortured to death less than ten years after entering the palace?

Consort Zhang looked melancholy and said helplessly, "Don't say that Sheng Xiyue is the Crown Prince's only concubine now. Even if she weren't here, there would be others in the future... You must not take love too seriously, lest you end up hurting yourself."

This is a heartfelt piece of advice, a philosophy of life she came to understand after experiencing many hardships.

Dou Wenyi strongly agrees with this.

In her previous life, Sheng Xiyue was able to stay by Pei Siyan's side for so long, which means she must have had a charm that attracted him, because her appearance changed the course of many things.

If Sheng Xiyue manages to escape unscathed this time, does that mean their fate is not over?

Life is a long journey, can Pei Siyan really guarantee that he won't meet two more people who make his heart flutter?

The answer is beyond doubt.

In this life, she will never again love someone madly and blindly, not even Pei Siyan.

Once he successfully ascends the throne and becomes emperor, it may be time for her to retire gracefully and live a secluded life in the countryside.

Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, Consort Zhang said a few more words.

"In the future power struggles among the women of the harem, offspring will be the key. You are the Crown Princess; once you give birth to a legitimate son, you will be rightfully hers, and no one will ever be able to surpass you..."

Offspring?

Dou Wenyi remained calm. If she really gave birth to Pei Siyan's child, how could she then hide her talents and retire?

Just then, Pei Shuyue came in carrying Xuetuan, her bright eyes blinking. "Sister-in-law Crown Princess, you haven't come to see me in so long! Play with me?"

Dou Wenyi stroked Xuetuan and smiled gently, "Is its leg better?"

Pei Shuyue was a little downcast and shook her head. "I'm better, but my legs aren't as flexible, and I don't dare to jump around much. I'm so grateful that Brother Yanzhou found me a highly skilled veterinarian, but I'm afraid it's impossible for me to fully recover."

Upon hearing Shen Yanzhou's name, Dou Wenyi's heart softened, and a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.

That night, he risked the execution of his entire family to fight for her life...

Now, as Emperor Muzong's confidant, Shen Yanzhou is likely to face a difficult situation in the court.

Everyone else could surrender to Pei Siyan, but he couldn't.

Once he submits to Pei Siyan, a large group of people will point fingers at him and curse him for being heartless and ungrateful, and for betraying the emperor's favor... What a waste of his talent!

But she couldn't get involved in these matters, otherwise who knew what rumors would spread...

Consort Zhang glanced at the sky. "Wenyi, shall we have dinner before going back?"

Dou Wenyi shook her head, got up and left Jingkun Palace.

Just past the small garden, I looked up and saw Madam Cheng from the Yongchang Marquis's residence kneeling on the ground in a sorry state, accompanied by her son Wei Siyuan.

She had been in Jingkunning for more than an hour, and no palace servants had reported that Cheng Shi was being punished by kneeling outside. Even if she knelt all day, it probably wouldn't do any good.

Upon seeing her figure, Madam Cheng hurriedly pleaded, "Your Highness, please be magnanimous and intercede for Consort Shu on my behalf!"

She was really desperate and grasping at straws.

Dou Wenyi recalled that on New Year's Eve, Cheng Shi thought she had the support of the Eldest Princess and willingly became her tool, using her own son to make things difficult for the Seventh Princess.

Now that the eldest princess is about to fall from power, does she think that kneeling down will solve everything?

Power is a double-edged sword. She should have known this day would come from the moment she started abusing her power.

Dou Wenyi's expression was slightly cold. She ignored her and walked away.

**

As dusk settled, the Wende Hall remained brightly lit, where the Crown Prince and a group of court officials were discussing matters.

Eunuch Anxi bowed as he entered. "Your Highness, dinner is ready. Shall we eat first, or will you serve it later?"

Pei Siyan glanced at the slightly weary officials and said loudly, "Let them rest and have their meal first, and we will discuss it again later."

The court officials rose and left one after another. Eunuch Anxi stared at Pei Siyan's back with a worried expression and couldn't help but remind him, "Your Highness, it's time to change the dressing."

The medicine was supposed to be changed every two hours, as the Crown Princess had specifically instructed. Now that the time had passed, he still hadn't touched it.

Pei Siyan lifted his eyelids, "Shut up!"

Anxi gave him a resentful look, hesitated, and finally swallowed his words, remaining silent.

Du Hao, the second-in-command of the cabinet who had not yet left, could not bear to watch any longer and simply advised, "Your Highness, you are still injured and should not overwork yourself day and night. You must take care of your health."

Du Hao, who had once served as Grand Tutor, was demoted to Prefect of Daming Prefecture due to Emperor Muzong's suspicion of him. He was extremely loyal to Pei Siyan. This suppression of the rebellion was largely due to his and Yin Congjian's mediation in the capital, which enabled Pei Siyan to succeed so smoothly.

Pei Siyan laughed indifferently, "They're making a mountain out of a molehill. It's nothing serious. I'll clean it up when I get home tonight."

Du Hao stared intently at his former student, his gaze sharp. "Your Highness returned victorious, perfectly healthy. Why were you injured?"

He originally thought the Crown Prince was injured while suppressing the rebel king, but upon closer investigation, he learned that Pei Siyan was quite adept on the battlefield and had not been injured at all.

It wasn't until the case of the eldest princess's plot to rebel and murder the crown princess came to light that rumors of Feng Tingyun whipping the crown prince were vaguely heard.

They deserve to die!

For the sake of a woman, the dignified Crown Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty disregarded the people and the fate of the nation.

Pei Siyan paused slightly, knowing his teacher's temperament well, and had already anticipated that the following topics would probably not be pleasant.

"Sir, please have your meal first!"

Du Hao suddenly raised his voice, "Your Highness and the Crown Princess are deeply in love, which is a beautiful story. However, Your Highness risked his life for her and almost lost it—this woman who brought disaster to the country deserves to die!"

"According to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Consort Sheng's crime is not even three-tenths as serious as hers. Since Your Highness intends to punish Consort Sheng, why not treat everyone equally and instead punish the Crown Princess according to the law?"