When the petition was presented to Jiang He, within half an incense stick's time, Jiang He's expression changed drastically, and he rushed into the guest courtyard where Xie Zhiqing was.

Who wrote the complaint?

Jiang He gripped Xie Zhiqing's shoulders with both hands, and Xie Zhiqing was momentarily stunned. "Xie Zhiqing, who gave you the audacity to accuse my sister, the current Empress of Daqing?"

"Because the person I want to sue is Her Majesty the Empress, I can only seek help from the Prince."

A sharp pain shot through her shoulder blade. Xie Zhiqing stared intently at Jiang He. "Everyone says that Marquis Dingyuan is an upright man. Is he also someone who protects his close relatives and is afraid of death? I wrote the indictment!"

Jiang He suddenly released his grip.

Her voice trembled slightly, "Are you the daughter of the midwife who gave birth to the Empress?"

"It's me."

Jiang He, who had never believed in demons, gods, or Buddhas, silently chanted a Buddhist prayer in his heart: Amitabha. He had found the third person besides Gu Heng and Consort Rong who knew the truth about what happened back then.

"My mother went to the palace to deliver the Empress's baby. She thought it was a great joy, but she never expected it to be a deadly devil."

Xie Zhiqing's eyes were filled with tears. Her mother was very skilled, and high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital would ask her to deliver babies.

To ensure her and her father's safety, her mother lied and claimed to be a widow.

She lived next door to her mother, separated by only a wall, and her mother would often sing and hum tunes to her.

"Before the delivery, I saw a strange man knock on my mother's courtyard door twice," Xie Zhiqing shouted. "My mother said that after delivering the Empress's baby, we would find a place where no one would know us and live our own lives."

"I'm absolutely certain that man was a eunuch!"

"Tell me everything you know."

Jiang He spoke softly, "Ten years ago, there was an endless bloodshed."

He has been searching desperately ever since, but has not found any survivors who were present at the time, except for A-Yu herself.

......

Zhaoning Palace.

“Zhao Song?” Jiang Yu repeated the name over and over. “A third-rank cavalry general, he can be considered a promising young man.”

But Jiang Yu's expression was full of sarcasm. Gu Heng was trying to cultivate people who were completely loyal to him.

But unfortunately, he didn't have eyes and chose a good-for-nothing.

"Mother," Gu Qingfeng pushed his wheelchair to Jiang Yu's side, "I would like to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, waiting for Gu Qingfeng to continue.

"Mother helped me remove Gu Qingling from the throne. I have no interest in the throne. In the future, the throne will belong to my third brother."

Gu Qingfeng's words were filled with anguish; if he had any other choice, he would not make a deal with his mother. He only wanted to be her child...

But Gu Qingling must die, and his mother will never forgive him.

"I agree."

Jiang Yu had been waiting for Gu Qingfeng to say those words for a long time, but looking at Gu Qingfeng's withered eyes, her heart still trembled slightly.

Indeed, people only truly harden their hearts when their own interests are threatened.

No, Mother...

Just say the word, and I'll brave any danger...

"There is something I really need your help with."

Jiang Yu's eyes were obscure. "This time, the Emperor sent Zhao Song to lead the troops into battle. I thought that if the Crown Prince were to follow, it would be more beneficial to the people's hearts."

[Zhao Song is incompetent. If he can get Gu Qingling to keep up, she might never return.]

"I understand."

Gu Qingfeng left in a wheelchair, bumping into Gu Qingyan who was returning.

"Mother, did Second Brother arrive just now?"

These past few days, Gu Qingyan has been following Jiang Yu's instructions, spending time with Gu Heng whenever he has a spare moment.

"Yes, he came to talk to me about something." Seeing that Jiang Yu didn't want to say more, Gu Qingyan obediently waited for Granny Ling to finish arranging the meal.

We should still tell Ayan.

Gu Qingyan paused, his hand holding the chopsticks still. What did his mother want to tell him?

"Ayan, there's something..."

Looking at Gu Qingyan's appearance, Jiang Yu was suddenly speechless.

How could she tell Ayan that Huo Xiang was Gu Lin?

"I... have found Mr. Huo." Before Gu Qingyan could react, Jiang Yu spoke again, "but I have discovered that Mr. Huo is actually the Prince of Xiang."

A look of surprise froze on Gu Qingyan's face, making him look extremely comical.

"Mother, was the man who risked his life to save me and cooked me longevity noodles on my birthday the Prince of Xiang?"

He was his original father.

Gu Qingyan's voice was already tinged with tears. No wonder he naturally trusted Mr. Huo, wanted to be close to him, and even investigated Mr. Huo's background several times...

“Ayan, you can still call him Father.”

[If he ascends the throne, he should be addressed as Imperial Uncle.]

Gu Qingyan wore an expression more painful than tears. Why was his biological father Gu Heng? Why couldn't it be the Prince of Xiang?

"Father...where is he now?"

"He's not doing well right now."

Jiang Yu's eyes reddened. "He has been poisoned. The poison has penetrated deep into his limbs and bones. He is currently recuperating at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence. Your uncle said he only has twenty days left."

“He allowed the poison to spread further for the sake of my son and me.”

"I have already sent people to search for famous doctors all over the country. Ayan, if you wish, go to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence to see him."

Jiang Yu herself felt that these words were cruel. Knowing that Huo Xiang was Gu Lin, Gu Lin's image in A Yan's heart would only become more lofty.

Faced with the selfish and ruthless Gu Heng again, how will Ayan bear such a shock?

Gu Qingyan only indulged his emotions for a few moments before sniffing, "What about Mother? Will Mother come with me?"

"Mother... I will go to see your father in a few days."

Jiang Yu twitched the corner of her mouth. "The Empress Dowager wants to try again, to see if she can find a way to cure him."

Gu Qingling has been delaying in summoning the "miracle doctor" to the palace. The people of Di are skilled at both making and detoxifying poisons, so she has to wait.

Waiting for an opportunity to save Gu Lin.

"Mother, I talked to you for a long time about Mr. Huo that day." Gu Qingyan raised his head. "This time, could you tell me about Prince Xiang instead?"

"good."

That night, Jiang Yu and Gu Qingyan talked for a very long time under the night sky, from Gu Lin being conferred the title of prince to the cause of their childhood quarrels, Jiang Yu remembered everything clearly.

"Mother."

Seeing Jiang Yu lost in thought, Gu Qingyan couldn't help but remind her.

After regaining her senses, Jiang Yu smiled subconsciously. "It's getting late, Ayan should go back to his room and rest."

Jiang Yu staggered slightly as she stood up.

"Mother, please be careful."

"Ayan, he'll be alright."

Jiang Yu wasn't sure if she was comforting Gu Qingyan or herself. Under the cool moonlight, the jade pendant at Jiang Yu's waist shimmered with a lustrous sheen.

Gu Lin won't die. Even if it means taking his life, she will save him from the jaws of death.