Over Cangwu City, dark clouds enveloped the city like a thick quilt, making it feel suffocating. The weather was unusually hot and humid, as if foreshadowing the approaching storm.

In the court, the ministers argued fiercely over the life and death of Emperor Yanning, Cao Jiao, with spit flying everywhere and no one giving in.

At the same time, the Queen was also confined to Fengqi Palace because of Cao Jiao's incident. Without the emperor's summons, she was not allowed to step out of the palace.

However, in sharp contrast to the clamor in the court, Cao Jiao and her family of three in the Dali Temple prison seemed unusually calm.

As the ruler of a country, Jin Linlin didn't know what to do. She could only delay and postpone. However, within a few days, several imperial censors began kneeling at the palace gate, demanding that the empress personally handle the Cao Jiao case.

Jin Linlin thought to herself, "I want to see, if she really executes the heroine, will the world collapse as a result?"

With this idea in mind, she decided to go to the Dali Temple prison to check on Cao Jiao's situation.

So, Jin Linlin quietly called Jiang Jingxing, also known as Dabao, and the two of them, avoiding the eyes and ears of the public, arrived at the Dali Temple prison without anyone noticing.

When they entered the cell, they were greeted by a heartwarming scene. Cao Jiao lay quietly on Jiang Shuyan's lap, her eyes closed, unable to tell whether she was asleep or simply resting. Er Bao sat in a distant corner, seemingly keeping a distance from them.

When the jailer saw Jin Linlin and Jiang Jingxing coming, he immediately opened the cell door flatteringly and diligently brought a stool.

Jin Linlin sat down on the chair without even looking at Cao Jiao's family of three, and spoke directly:

"You guys are so laid back! It's almost chaos outside. Even the censor is kneeling at the palace gate because of your execution!"

When Cao Jiao heard Jin Linlin's words, she slowly opened her eyes, looked at her expressionlessly, and said lightly:

"Then what are you waiting for? Why not just issue an order to execute me?"

Seeing this, Jiang Shuyan, who was standing by, quickly reached out and patted Cao Jiao on the back, somewhat dissatisfied with her nonsense.

"Second sister-in-law, what are you talking about? I know she did something wrong and it caused a lot of trouble in the city, and it's really embarrassing for you."

Upon hearing this, Jin Linlin raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a disdainful smile, and glanced at Cao Jiao with a slanted eye:

"That sounds like a human thing to say. To save your life, I've been patient and put it off time and time again, but you're not only ungrateful, you're even throwing a tantrum at me."

Cao Jiao was already very weak, and after being confronted by Jin Linlin, she didn't even have the strength to speak. She could only curl her lips weakly:

"How could I not understand you? Don't be fooled by your outward appearance of being honest, kind, and open-minded. In reality, you are the most sinister and treacherous person!"

After hearing what Cao Jiao said, Jin Linlin's face instantly turned gloomy. She snorted coldly:

"Hmph!" Jin Linlin snorted coldly, her voice full of contempt and disdain:

"I'd love to spare your life, but unfortunately, it's no longer my decision. If this goes on, I'm afraid people will label me a tyrant who can't tell right from wrong!"

Jin Linlin's words were like a sharp sword, piercing Cao Jiao. Her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a half-smile.

"Humph, if you really didn't want to kill me, you would have found a way long ago. Why bother coming here and saying these hypocritical things?"

Cao Jiao mercilessly exposed Jin Linlin's disguise:

"You've come to say goodbye, haven't you? You've got to kill me, haven't you?"

Jin Linlin's smile became more meaningful:

"You see things clearly. But the pressure in the court is too great now, and I have to give an explanation to those ministers."

Jiang Shuyan stood aside, watching the confrontation between the two women, feeling extremely anxious. He quickly bowed and said to Jin Linlin:

"Second sister-in-law, is there really no other way?"

Jin Linlin looked at Jiang Shuyan deeply, then shook her head helplessly and sighed:

"Alas, what else can we do? She is completely asking for trouble! She actually kidnapped the princess in front of so many people in the court, and even did not spare her own son.

In the eyes of those people, you are a villain who stabs your friend in the back and takes advantage of his misfortune. They are afraid that I will let you go, thinking that you will definitely harm me, so they are so determined to execute you."

Cao Jiao seemed quite indifferent to her own life and death. She simply asked calmly:

"Then Shuyan and Erbao, can you let them go?"

When Jiang Shuyan heard this, his eyes instantly turned red, tears welled up in his eyes, and he fell to his knees and begged:

"Second sister-in-law, please, you must think of a way to save her! As long as it can save her life, I will do anything for you. I am willing to work like a slave for you and accept your orders. I kowtow to you!"

After saying this, he began to kowtow continuously.

Seeing this, I quickly glanced at Dabao. Dabao immediately understood and hurried forward to help his father up.

"Third brother, you should get up first."

"Actually, I've thought of many ways, but the ministers are taking very strict precautions, fearing that I might make a mistake and let you go. I guess they're probably watching me from outside right now, so saving her is indeed difficult."

At this moment, Erbao suddenly stood up from the corner, walked in front of Jin Linlin, and then knelt on his knees with a thud. The sound he made was both dazed and guilty.

"Aunt Empress, please forgive me!" Erbao's voice trembled with obvious fear and anxiety.

"I was still young, I didn't do anything, it's all her own fault!"

Jin Linlin looked at Erbao in astonishment. She had never expected that this child would betray his parents so easily just to survive, and behave so greedily and selfishly.

Cao Jiao, who was standing by, was furious when she saw this. She shouted:

"Erbao, what are you doing!"

Her voice was full of disappointment and anger, and she was obviously extremely dissatisfied with Erbao's behavior.

Jiang Shuyan also hurried forward and pulled Erbao to him. His eyes were red, and his heart was filled with disappointment and heartache for Erbao. He couldn't understand how they had raised this child to be such a shameless person.

Dabao watched all this silently. His eyes fell on Erbao, the younger brother who used to be so arrogant and always thought about how to bully him, but now he looked so humble and pitiful.

A strange sadness welled up in Dabao's heart. He thought of his mother, who had kidnapped him for her own benefit and taken him to the front line to threaten his second aunt.

His younger brother, desperate for the throne, constantly plotted to frame him. His father only cared about his mother and ignored him. Fortunately, he still had his aunt and Nianchu, the only warmth he had in this cold world.