Before the birthday banquet for Old Madam Yang could even begin, everyone received an imperial edict from the palace.

The purpose was to allow members of the Chi family to enter the palace for an audience.

When the eunuch delivering the imperial decree was about to leave, Lord Yang slipped him a heavy purse, hoping to inquire about something. However, the eunuch acted as if he had seen a hot potato and hurriedly refused.

"Lord Yang, you should not interfere in the affairs of the Chi family."

The eunuch offered a suggestion.

Lord Yang understands.

Given the current situation, even if he wanted to intervene, he wouldn't know where to begin.

The Chi family all understood.

It's highly likely that His Majesty found out about Goro's affair.

Although they didn't understand how they found out, they had no choice but to go ahead with it.

"There's no other way. His Majesty has summoned us, and we can't refuse. Eldest sister and brother-in-law, just remember this: just tell the truth," Madam Yang anxiously instructed.

Given how things have developed, all they can do is tell the truth.

This is the only way to protect yourself.

Old Man Chi trembled: "What kind of mess is this! When we agreed to let Sihai marry her, we had no idea that she would marry the Emperor in the future."

Now, Old Man Chi is so regretful he could practically have his intestines spilled out.

They haven't even settled accounts with the Han family yet, and now their entire family is in danger because Sihai married the emperor's favorite concubine...

Aunt Chi pinched the man hard and scolded, "Shut up! Do you want to die? You're not allowed to say such things again! If you utter another word, our whole family will die!"

What time is it? Why are you still complaining?

Be careful not to say it out of the blue, or you'll end up saying it in the palace too!

“…Yes, Mother is right, we can’t complain,” Chi Tang said.

In truth, Chi Tang had no idea what would happen if she went to the palace.

However, she felt that since she didn't dream about it, it meant there wouldn't be much danger.

After hearing her words, the family members calmed down a bit.

"Yes, if there is danger, Tangtang will dream about it."

"I won't say these things again, I'm worried that someone might overhear."

"Alright, let's hurry up and go."

After changing their clothes, the Chi family members followed the palace staff into the palace.

Throughout the journey, the Chi family remained silent, not daring to utter a single word, for fear of causing trouble for themselves.

Hearing the sound of the wheels, everyone felt uneasy.

After getting off the carriage, they started walking. The Chi family members didn't dare to look around and followed the eunuch with their heads down.

I walked and walked, and I don't know how long I walked, before I finally stopped.

"Just wait here. Go in when I call your number, understand?"

"Thank you, sir. You've worked hard."

Chi Sanhe, trembling, quietly slipped a bulging purse into the eunuch's hand.

This time, the eunuch did not refuse and nodded, quite satisfied with Chi Sanhe's obedient behavior.

Before long, someone came out and called the Chi family inside. However, only the adults were called in; the other children were taken to another place.

Once inside, the group didn't even have time to appreciate the grandeur of the palace. They felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on their hearts, and they couldn't help but swallow hard, becoming tense.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Everyone knelt down to pay their respects.

"Go and hand them the portrait," Emperor Huiwu said.

Immediately, a young eunuch came down with the portrait.

Old Man Chi was still in the kowtow position, not daring to look up, and if you looked closely you could see that he was still trembling.

Chi Sanhe, the only son present, mustered his courage and looked up.

"Do you recognize the person in this painting?" The little eunuch's voice was somewhat shrill and grating.

Chi Sanhe swallowed hard, then nodded: "I know her. The person in the portrait looks like my fourth brother's wife."

"Where is she now?"

“My fourth sister-in-law left after giving birth, and we don’t know where she went.”

Whew~

After saying a couple of sentences, Chi Sanhe felt his heart stop pounding so wildly and he was able to control his trembling.

The young eunuch then produced another portrait and asked, "Do you recognize this person?"

"He looks a lot like my fourth brother's nephew when he was a child," Chi Sanhe honestly admitted.

What else is there to hide?

If the Emperor wants to know something, he has probably already investigated it thoroughly. Do they have the right to spout nonsense here?

"Do you know your fourth brother and sister-in-law's name, where they're from, and how they met?"

"Her surname was Han, but I don't know her given name. I think she was a refugee, dressed in tattered clothes, all alone and pitiful. But even after my brother married her, she refused to say her name, and we didn't press her. That Han woman ran away twice, but she always came back because she had no money. The last time she came back, she found out she was pregnant..."

Chi Sanhe stammered out everything he knew.

Emperor Huiwu nodded, stood up, and went out.

The Chi family was confused and worried about their children, so they were extremely anxious.

In another palace, Chi Tang and Si Lang An An knelt there. The obedient little baby sat on the ground, blinking his eyes, not as afraid as the adults.

Perhaps it's because children know less, so they have fewer things to fear.

"You're Chi Tang?"

Emperor Huiwu appeared out of nowhere, and seeing Chi Tang looking around curiously, he asked a question.

Chi Tang was startled, immediately knelt and turned around, bowing respectfully and saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

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