Da Ni'er thought about it for a while, and then she realized that it made sense anyway.

No one dared to speak ill of her on the grasslands.

Huo Xiaolong couldn't stay up all night and fell asleep after taking a shower. The girl ran over early in the morning to ask Cen Ang about the result, whether the person he rescued was a survivor of the incident involving the Crown Prince.

Cen Ang looked at her, reached out and gently touched the girl's forehead twice, then said...

"Yes, but physical evidence isn't so easy to obtain. Mom, Aunt Hua, and your brother Tingche need to plan carefully."

The sun was shining brightly today, but it wasn't hot because it's autumn.

The autumn wind, swirling up fallen leaves, even felt somewhat cool.

The girl, dressed in red, stood in front of Cen Ang, reassuring the woman who had picked him up since childhood.

"Mom, you and Aunt Hua can go ahead and do it. I'll take care of everything."

Looking at her daughter, who was now taller than herself, she realized that the little girl who used to run and jump around in the brothel had become their support.

Just like now, which of their plans isn't a capital offense?

But as long as she's there, it seems like nothing is a problem.

"Okay, Mom understands."

Last night's battle was known to both Grand Tutor Xu and the Emperor, who knew that the Grassland King was also involved.

"Your Majesty, the King of the Grasslands is ruthless. If they hadn't retreated quickly, my small courtyard outside the city would probably be littered with corpses today."

"Everyone knows she's in cahoots with the Prince of Zhenbei. So what if they know it's her? Arrest her and lock her up in jail?"

Yuwen Xuanhong's work never stopped. The longer he was emperor, the more dissatisfied he became with the tutor his own mother had chosen for him.

If I hadn't been so weak back then, I would never have chosen such a tutor.

Foolish, too calculating.

Being in the imperial court, it's nothing to scheme for yourself, but the scheming must be clever. The best scheming is to remain undetected by others, and the most excellent scheming is to be able to do nothing about it even if others do find out.

For example, Huo Xiaolong, now several ministers who are on good terms with him know that the Grassland King went to snatch people last night. Is there anyone who dares to make trouble for the Grassland King at the morning court this day?

No.

Yuwen Xuanhong was extremely annoyed by this matter, as was the Empress.

Her own father, who hadn't entered the harem in eight hundred years, had his mother hand him a name plaque early this morning. Looking at her father, who was outwardly respectful but whose every word was putting pressure on her, Wei Shuyi felt somewhat desperate.

Did your sister give you anything back then?

"Shuyi, you should know that thing is our family's death warrant. When the time comes, neither the Wei family nor your position as Empress will be able to keep it."

Having spent so long in the palace, Wei Shuyi felt as if her heart was a stagnant pool, but seeing the words uttered by her own father, she felt as if every word was piercing her heart.

Is it worth dying for parents like that?

The woman sat on the throne, her eyes filled with doubt and pain, while her mother, Madam Wei, sat silently beside her.

The daughter who crawled out of my belly?

Why doesn't she feel sorry for him?

The empress glanced at her mother, then was brought back to her senses by her father's shout.

"Empress!"

Wei Shuyi suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, stood up, looked down at the Minister of Rites, her almond-shaped eyes half-open, and said to him coldly.

"The late Empress never gave me anything when she passed away. As for what Father said, I know nothing about it. I am tired. Please leave."

The Minister of Rites was somewhat distraught upon hearing his daughter's order to leave; the daughter he had raised since childhood was no longer obedient.

The palace servants came over and gestured for the two to leave.

The Minister of Rites was always concerned about his reputation, and as he walked to the door, he turned back and said something to Consort Wei.

"Rebellious daughter!"

The Empress never lost her temper in the palace, and she never said a harsh word to even the young palace maids.

Wei Shuyi didn't move, pondering the term "rebellious daughter."

She turned around and saw her parents still waiting at the door, saying something to her.

The woman sneered, sweeping the vase beside her over with her sleeve. All the palace maids in the Empress's palace immediately knelt down.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Lord Wei was also taken aback by his daughter's temper. From childhood to adulthood, Shuyi had always been the most gentle and mild-mannered.

Madam Wei, who was standing nearby, even had the urge to go over and scold her daughter, but was stopped by Lord Wei.

Looking at the Empress's cold gaze, the Minister of Rites knew that from this day forward, the relationship between father and daughter was over.

"From now on, there is no need for either of you to visit me in the palace. Guards, see them out."

Wei Shuyi did not vent her anger on the palace maids. The head palace maid beside her helped her to the phoenix throne, watching as her previously indifferent eyes gradually turned to despair.

The woman leaned against the armrest of the chair. The phoenix seat was cool, so the imperial physicians didn't let her sit for long.

Sitting here in this cold, impersonal seat today, Wei Shuyi thought that her life was truly pathetic, as was her sister's.

For the sake of the Wei family and so-called power, they were the only ones who sacrificed themselves, and only they!

Seeing this, the maidservant in the Empress's palace realized it wasn't working, so she quietly instructed the young palace maid...

"Go to the Imperial Hospital and summon Physician Hou."

"Aunt, I just went there. I heard that Imperial Physician Hou was with Consort Wen today."

The head palace maid frowned and took out a token from the Empress's palace.

“Go to Consort Wen’s palace and invite her; our lady’s heart ailment is even harder to cure when it flares up.”

Today, Hou Xiangxiang is going to work with her younger sister in tow. Madam Hou is going to Jiangnan, and Uncle Xu is eagerly following her. Her maternal grandfather is also going, leaving only her maternal and paternal grandmothers at home.

The younger sister is very fond of her mother now, and she is well-behaved on the girl's back, only making two soft whimpering sounds that are endearing.

"Consort Wen is in good health; there is no need for me to come and check her pulse every day."

Consort Wen has been heartbroken these past few days. Her eldest son no longer wants to fight, and spends his days in the palace grieving, painting with red eyes, all of which are green-tinged flowers.

That's why Consort Wen called Hou Xiangxiang over; she didn't have any other intention than to see if she could take a shortcut.

"Imperial Physician Hou."

"Please speak, Your Majesty."

The little girl was very polite to others, placing her hands respectfully on her abdomen and bowing slightly, looking like a very well-behaved person.

"Come and sit down."

Consort Wen waved to Hou Xiangxiang and brought her a plate of snacks.

The little girl didn't dare to eat it, in case there was something else inside. Long'er and Dani'er wouldn't be able to come find her for a while.

"I will speak frankly. Could Physician Hou say a few good words for my Eighth Prince in front of Miss Huanlu?"

“I know the rules of the Prince of Zhenbei, but…”

"In matters of the heart, he probably didn't expect to encounter Miss Huanlv, did he?"

Hou Xiangxiang lowered her head and blinked.

This isn't a matter of saying nice things; we need Consort Wen to see Huanlu. Just saying it won't work.

Because Huanlv's thought process can't be explained by simply saying nice things.

Just then, people from the Empress's palace came looking for Xiangxiang.

The little girl respectfully bowed to Consort Wen.

"Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now. I will certainly put in a good word for the Eighth Prince with Huanlu when I have the chance."