They had to accept the fact that Su Wanwan was already the Empress, with Empress Dowager Zhang and the Emperor backing her up.

Enjoying a prestigious position and having the support of one of the emperors allows one to gain a firm foothold in the harem.

Moreover, Su Wanwan has the support of both of them.

Su Wanwan's position as empress is as secure as a mountain.

After Princess Chun'an returned, she received a severe scolding from her husband, Commandant Cai Zhen.

From then on, the princess's residence closed its doors to visitors and kept a low profile.

Lu Xingjian was very satisfied with Cai Zhen's sensible nature.

On the following anniversary of Empress Xiaosu Zhou's death, Cai Zhen was sent to the Yuling Mausoleum to pay his respects.

Cai Zhen then secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Because when people paid their respects at the various imperial tombs during the Qingming Festival not long ago, Cai Zhen was still not included.

The emperor didn't even need to deliberately make things difficult for him.

Once the signal is given that he will no longer be used, Cai Zhen's life will become much more difficult.

Salt permits, which were easy to obtain in previous years, are still nowhere to be found this year.

To continue enjoying the glory of being a member of the imperial family smoothly, one must obediently listen to the emperor, or at least not oppose him.

When Zhang Zonghui was promoted to Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Cai Zhen was utterly shocked.

Commander-in-Chief, that's a military rank of the second grade!

Given Zhang Zonghui's abilities, age, and broken legs, how could he possibly be competent for this position?

Was the emperor truly not trying to flatter him to death?

The "Zheng Wang seditious rumors case" was only settled before the Lunar New Year, and the emperor promoted Empress Dowager Zhang's nephew to such a high-ranking official position after the New Year.

It can be said that their attitude towards the Zhang family has made a complete 180-degree turn.

That's incredible.

The Grand Princess of Chun'an cleared up his doubts: "The Empress Dowager is so shrewd. This time, she really made the right bet by supporting Empress Su!"

She's pitiful; she's like a complete fool, being used by the Empress Dowager, and now she's caught in the middle.

Who would have thought that the Empress Dowager, who was on the same side as the Emperor last year, would deliberately make things difficult for Su Wanwan this year and offend the Emperor?

None of the three most important figures in the emperor's harem currently favor her.

The Grand Princess of Chun'an was furious.

Empress Dowager Zhang, on the other hand, was all smiles.

She kept a low profile for a long time, and finally the relationship between her and the emperor broke the ice.

Zhang Zonghui's promotion, although only with a salary, still sends a very positive signal:

After the "Zheng Wang's seditious remarks case" was over, no rift developed between the emperor and the Zhang family.

The harmonious relationship between mother and son can continue.

Lady Jin was so happy that she shed tears: "Your Majesty, you should think twice before acting in the future. After all, they are not your own flesh and blood."

Empress Dowager Zhang gave a wry smile:

"So what if they are blood relatives? The royal family has always been indifferent to family ties. Look at the Zhou family, they were grandfather and grandson of the late emperor, so what?"

Despite saying that, she still sent word that everyone in the harem should be careful with their words and actions and not let any gossip spread.

Empress Dowager Zhang was able to enjoy the late emperor's lifelong favor, which naturally required skill and ability.

There wasn't a single rumor circulating in the palace about what happened at Kunning Palace yesterday.

...

Su Wanwan did not expect that more and more eunuchs and female officials would come to her for decisions.

As a result, she had to have the Jingtianzhai, located in the northwest of Kunning Palace and west of Kunning Gate, cleaned up and set up specifically for her to handle palace affairs.

This contrasts with the emperor's study located east of the Qianqing Gate.

When He Ying came to invite Su Wanwan back to Kunning Palace for lunch, she frowned deeply:

"The Emperor ordered that Yanruo and Ma Ji be released from the Palace Administration Department. Yun Qing couldn't withstand the beating and died."

He Ying felt extremely heavy-hearted.

This was the first time she had ever witnessed a death in the palace.

Yesterday, Yun Qing stood up to accuse the Empress of having an affair, and today she's a dead body.

Meanwhile, all those who orchestrated this scheme behind her remained unharmed.

There wasn't even a word of reproach.

Heying herself was a palace maid who served others, and seeing this situation, she couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.

Su Wanwan also felt a little depressed.

The Empress Dowager is an elder, so there's nothing we can do.

But neither Yanruo nor Maji, the two troublemakers, received any punishment whatsoever.

She didn't believe that Lu Xingjian cared about them at all.

Yun Qing, on the other hand, was pushed out to be a scapegoat.

There is absolutely no fairness in this world.

What would have happened if the Empress Dowager had confirmed her affair with Yang Zhen yesterday?

The person who died must have been Tsuru-kage, whom she trusted and relied on like family.

In any case, she couldn't let others take advantage of her misfortune and kill the person she valued.

The most important thing is to seize real power as soon as possible.

When Su Wanwan returned to Kunning Palace, Lu Xingjian had already arrived.

He was sitting in the living room, holding a small black and white striped kitten in his arms, letting the kitten scratch his fingers.

Sunlight streamed through the half-open lattice window, falling upon him, and the gold threads woven into his jade-colored dragon robe reflected a dazzling light.

Upon seeing Su Wanwan approach, his eyes softened, his lips curved slightly, and his tone was light and cheerful:

"How about we name it 'Youyou'?"

The Book of Songs says: "The deer cry 'yoyo,' as they eat the wild apples. I have guests, so I play the zither and blow the sheng."

Su Wanwan looked at the kitten in his arms and remained silent for a long time.

This is not her old kitten.

It doesn't resemble it at all.

Those are just light yellow markings; they are just black and white markings.

Although this one is prettier and just as small and delicate, it is not the same one.

It couldn't be that one either.

Lu Xingjian pulled her somewhat stiff, slender hand over and let her gently stroke the kitten's back.

The delicate and gentle feel... is exactly the same.

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