He hadn't expected Su Wanwan to use a two-pronged approach, and not rely solely on him.

This means that if he fails to deliver any impressive results, he will ultimately lose the position of Grand Canal Transport Commander.

Of course, he also considered going to Shanxi to capture a few high-ranking elders of the White Lotus Sect to fulfill his obligation.

However, there was a ten-day time limit, and Shanxi was the stronghold of the White Lotus Sect. If he went there rashly, it would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

Chen Qiong dispatched almost all of his men to search for the big fish of the White Lotus Sect.

But as the days went by, they still gained nothing, only managing to capture a few minor deacons.

A few minor officials can be exchanged for a vacancy held by the Grand Canal Transport Commander?

That's probably just wishful thinking.

Just when he was at his wit's end, someone actually came to visit him.

...

Su Wanwan has been living in Wen'an and has not returned to Beijing.

She couldn't have a moment's peace until Yan Ge'er's affairs were properly arranged.

She never expected that Maggie would actually come to her door, with a little boy in tow.

“Look, isn’t that your mother?” Maggie said to the little boy, who looked about two or three years old.

The little boy paused for only a moment, then began to cry timidly, pointing at Su Wanwan with his outstretched arm: "Mother, Mother..."

Su Wanwan's face turned deathly pale.

Maggie smiled smugly, exuding charm and allure.

"Su Wanwan, you've really kept this a secret. Even your illegitimate child is so grown up, and you still don't let anyone know."

Crane Shadow, standing to the side, was dumbfounded.

What?

illegitimate child?

That day on the canal, she heard a child crying and a woman shouting from afar.

She was just a little far away and didn't hear what they were saying, and she never even considered the possibility that the Empress had an illegitimate child.

Su Wanwan was tense all over, her voice trembling slightly:

"what are you up to?"

Maggie became even more arrogant, finding a chair to sit down, her delicate features filled with smugness and disdain.

"With the Emperor's favor and the imperial heir as my support, what need do I have to do anything?"

"Look, the Emperor even gave me your illegitimate son to raise. Everything else will be mine sooner or later."

Su Wanwan clenched her fists, took slow, deep breaths, and tried to calm herself down as quickly as possible:

"Leave the child behind."

Maggie smiled casually. "You're dreaming."

"If you want a child, you have to show some sincerity."

At this point, she gave Su Wanwan a sharp look, then waved her hand seductively, signaling someone to take the child away.

His tone was meaningful.

"Think about it, what else do you have to trade with me?"

Su Wanwan pursed her lips slightly, her eyes turning cold.

"You want the throne of empress?"

Maggie looked at her calmly: "What, you're reluctant to give it?"

Su Wanwan became increasingly calm, glancing at Maggie with a nonchalant tone.

"The Emperor dotes on you so much, has he never thought of deposing the Empress for you?"

Maggie seemed to have been hit where it hurt; her expression immediately changed, and she jumped to her feet.

"Su Wanwan, don't think that the Emperor truly loves you just because he made you Empress! You're nothing more than a pawn he's using!"

Su Wanwan curled her lips, "And what about you? Following him without any status or identity, aren't you just a pawn he's using?"

Maggie seemed to have been hit hard, and her body trembled violently.

She had considered this possibility.

But what about the chess pieces?

She, Ma Ji, prided herself on her beauty, and the Emperor treated her so well; there must have been some infatuation between them.

Otherwise, why doesn't he take advantage of others?

Yanruo is also beautiful, but he doesn't even give her a second glance.

He treated himself much better than he treated Yanruo.

Besides, she was pregnant with his child.

She's much better than Su Wanwan, who had an affair and gave birth to an illegitimate child.

Once that bitch Su Wanwan falls from power, what reason does she have not to rise to a high position?

Just as the child was about to be carried out, he started crying and screaming, reaching out to Su Wanwan repeatedly.

"Mother, Mother..."

Mothers are generally too soft-hearted and can't bear to hear their children cry.

Su Wanwan's eyes were slightly red, but she gently said to the child, "Don't be afraid."

He Ying was extremely anxious, but dared not say anything more.

She had just looked at the child, and indeed, the child's features did bear a resemblance to the Empress.

Could it really be the illegitimate child that the Empress was raising outside the marriage?

Su Wanwan ignored Ma Ji and directly gave orders to her people:

“Leave them.”

The guards brought by Ma Ji were all quite skilled; they were the emperor's personal guards.

Su Wanwan's side was also made up of the emperor's personal guards.

However, Maggie only brought a few people, which was clearly a disadvantage in terms of numbers compared to the dozens of people on Su Wanwan's side.

The atmosphere became tense.

Maggie's expression changed instantly, and she stood up abruptly:

"Su Wanwan, how dare you lay a hand on me?!"

Su Wanwan didn't even bother to talk to her anymore.

“This lowly woman dares to be so disrespectful to me. Lock her up.”

Maggie was not about to back down. She rebuked him sternly:

"Let's see who dares to make a move!"

This made the guards hesitant to make any rash moves.

The emperor's principal wife and his beloved concubine are having a showdown; don't let them get dragged into it and become cannon fodder.

Maggie knew exactly what this meant, and with an arrogant air, she pointed her finger at the guard's nose and threatened him:

"I'm carrying a dragon's child. If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you all accountable!"

These words were incredibly intimidating, and the guards exchanged glances, hesitant to advance.

Everyone knows that Maggie is carrying the eldest prince.

If nothing unexpected happens, he will surely ascend the throne as emperor in the future.

If you offend Maggie too badly, there's a real possibility that your family will be wiped out and your entire clan will be exterminated.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!